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Opinions on these two emerald cuts

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jimjimmer

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2017
Messages
5
Hi all

Glad to have discovered this forum, it really is a wealth of knowledge and I have learned alot here since I was just going to pop into a chain store (and no doubt get completely ripped off) a few weeks ago!

I live in Australia and looking to buy a loose emerald cut diamond to get set into a locally made ring - looking for around 7 x 5 mm/1 carat size wise. Budget around 3k USD.
I have found these two that seem to be pretty much what I'm after and wanted to check if any of the experts out there can see any massive pitfalls.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.14-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2569022
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.16-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2374653

Thanks in advance.
Jim
 
I'm no expert here but the first stone faces up bigger than the second due to depth. I like the cut better on the second one though. Which do you prefer? Emeralds are super hard to pick out online. If Good Old Gold is a possibility I'd contact them. If not, ask for ASET's on both. :)
 
I see what you mean ... [my calculation: no more black than the arrow pattern in a round would be; but ... these shots are not even ASET & even if there were, I do not have a 'metric'. I am usually afraid that no reflective areas means leakage somewhere.]

I run a search for GIA & AGS, Ex-VG/Ex-Vg, .94-1.1cts, D-H, IF-VS2, <3.5K

How about H/VVS (6.9 X 4.8 mm)

I see at least two more stones with elegant girdle-to-girdle light play among that list (D/VS incl.)

The long G/VVS just caught my eye, I guess ... Left aside the one other longer stone over 7mm for the reason you mention.



[Not that J would be a wreck.]
 
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valeria101 said:
How about H/VVS (6.9 X 4.8 mm)

I see at least two more stones with elegant girdle-to-girdle light play among that list (D/VS incl.)
Click to expand...

I prefer these sort of cuts - while they are still slightly darker head on, the facets are thin, separated and spread across the diamond, rather than being broad blocks of black, so it does not look so dark (and has more interplay of the light between the facets) :)
 
Lastly: H/VS1 (6.7 X 4.8) - slightly smaller than the H/VVS but straight 1 ct, if that matters.

There could be better ...
 
thanks all, that has been a great help - have some decisions to make!
 
valeria101 said:
Lastly: H/VS1 (6.7 X 4.8) - slightly smaller than the H/VVS but straight 1 ct, if that matters.

There could be better ...
Click to expand...
I quite like that - doesn't go dark face on, although the P3 facets don't seem to be doing much so I wonder if they are effectively just 'tilt windowing' without the tilt lol
 
tyty333 said:
I dont care for either of them. The both look like they are showing too much darkness IMO.

So not perfect but it looks like its doing the mirroring thing and stepping through all the steps.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.05-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2641066
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.03-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2852577

Nice
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.03-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2852578
Click to expand...
That last one has lovely light-play :) although even that is a bit dark face on!

It seems so hard to find decent faceting, light-play and also not have a band or squares of darkness face on :(
 
OoohShiny said:
I quite like that - doesn't go dark face on, although the P3 facets don't seem to be doing much
Click to expand...

Expecting green ASET rather than straight white - i.e. compromise, not the End of Days. Would rather have the H/VVS.

[wishing for the good old ray tracing tools I no longer have, now that you mention 'P3' !]
 
I am a terrible decision maker!! Was just about to pull the trigger on ooohshinys last link above and I came across this:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.34-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2517508
Alot more weight for a little more money, and still retaining a very good cut and symmetry. It looks quite black straight on though...is this due to it having a large culet? I actually quite like the black but also want to see a sparkle (if thats even possible?!)

Any opinions on this one, have I picked a dog?
 
In fact, the black area is black because it reflects light like a mirror - it would yield a bright flash of light, every now & then, do not much inbetween.

Since lighting is rarely appropriate to get that mirror flash [direct sunlight works, so the diamonds with those dark, mirror areas might be nice for mid-day beach parties, come to think of it], the type of diamond cut with broad mirror facets has this reputation of being generally dull ...
 
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Re. candidates above

I would not insist on high color, despite what I picked above; it so happens that prices allow for it easier than an increase in weight & size.
 
Nice K.

At this color grade, I am starting to be interested in the actual body color - a range of subtle gray, brown, yellows are possible.

K is a faint tint - to the point that a range of body colors appear depending on the color/temperature of light happening around. This, you may want to see in person.
 
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SI seems OK in the K.

The feather noted on the GIA report is on the long edge best exposed in the 360 view - a small feather sunk into that very wide girdle ... I would not know how to smack the diamond hard enough just on top of it to see which way it might break [attempted humour].

Various crystallization features go by the name 'feather', I like healed fractures' most - could not tell from where I am standing.
 
Thanks alot for your help on this Valeria, much appreciated!
 
1.11 E/SI1

The SI1 comes from twinning whisps - these are finer stuffs than feathers, look like glint from nowhere at 10X.

I cannot see the clouds mentioned on the report, expecting no trace of them in person.
 
jimjimmer said:
I am a terrible decision maker!! Was just about to pull the trigger on ooohshinys last link above and I came across this:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.34-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2517508
Alot more weight for a little more money, and still retaining a very good cut and symmetry. It looks quite black straight on though...is this due to it having a large culet? I actually quite like the black but also want to see a sparkle (if thats even possible?!)

Any opinions on this one, have I picked a dog?
Click to expand...
Short answer? Yes. ;)

You want a diamond to reflect light, not suck it in like a black hole!


jimjimmer said:
Thanks Valeria - we do live near the beach, but Im sure she would like to see a sparkle without being in the sun too!! James Allen suggested this one, but I have heard SI1 are to be avoided with Emerald Cut - they did say the inclusions werent naked eye visible though..

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.31-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-sku-3012972

Anyway, I seem to be chasing weight all of a sudden, am keen to keep the sparkle more i think...
Click to expand...

I quite like that one - not too dark head on, plenty of smaller facets that have good light-play.
 
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