Opinions on this fancy yellow diamond?

[winternight]

I''m looking for opinions on this GIA graded fancy intense yellow emerald cut diamond which is about .8 ct. It is 6.11 x 5.13 x 2.75 and graded S13. I asked about inclusions and was told there is a visable white feather at the bottom of the stone which shows when the stone is rocked back and forth, but that should go away when set.

I''m sort of iffy on the color based on the picture- I''ve seen other fancy intense yellows that seem to photograph better, but this one has a great price and a return policy. Price is about $3,300. I''m also thinking perhaps the color in person will look good --- not sure how different GIA graded colored stones are.

The GIA grading is just for color. So help a newbie to colored diamonds out? I''m looking to recreate a favorite ring of mine and while that ring has a square cut stone I think this stone would work as well since the style is very art deco.

Thanks!

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI Winternight,
A few things come to mind
1) the stone in the photo is not an emerald cut
2) a seller grading their own stone SI3 calls the clarity into question. They are basically saying it''s an I1- as GIA has no SI3 grade.
3)you used the term "about .8ct" have you seen a copy of the GIA report? It will have an exact weight
These things make it difficult to asses value for the price.

 

[winternight]

Thanks David,

It is a rectangular step cut and .84 ct. The clarity did concern me, but I thought maybe since its colored it might not be a big deal - and based on the seller''s description - but then I''d hate to get something I have to go through the trouble of returning.

 

[Rockdiamond]

You''re welcome wn!
It is true that as intensity of body color increases, our ability to see imperfection does decrease, to some degree.
There are exceptions.

If the feather is accurately described- and it sounds as though it is, it still might be visible when set...but, it still might be a workable stone for you.
Nothing in your words stands out as a red flag to me.

It can''t be stressed enough, do your due diligence on the seller.
One thing I look at when checking out sites is that the photos are at least of the diamond they are offering.
I''ve found examples of sites that did not mention the photos were not of the actual stones- but after looking at a bunch of listings, found identical photos used to represent different diamonds.
I have no idea which seller you''re looking at ( I can''t comment on specific sellers, only general practices)- so I''m not implying that''s the case here.

The best one can hope for in a photo is a decent representation. No question color varies on different monitors. But if it''s a Fancy Intense, graded by GIA and it''s not medium or strong blue, it''s going to look yellow, even if it''s a "weak" intense.
Did you ask about fluorescence?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The stone must have a GIA 1/2 report = no clarity grade - very common in stones below VS.
There simply must be a return window as GIA''s color grades are broad and a stone near vivd vs one near just fancy is a very different animal.
You can get an idea of the setting effect on clarity by placing the stone between 2 closed fingers, and even better - ask the vendor to take such a photo for you then you can easily see simply photoshoppery.

 

[Tom Gelb]

All of the points raised are good ones. The only thing that I would add is that to truly appreciate the color of a colored diamond you really do have to see it live. If it does not suit you, then you just return it. If you can go in with this mindset I think you would be in a better position overall. As Gary (quite rightly) mentions the grade ranges in colored diamonds are large (compared to colorless) and the difference can be meaningful. So I would advise you to just accept that you may need to return the diamond and the search may have to continue.

Good luck.

 

[stepcutnut]

I know the stone and the vendor, I would ask them for additional photos of the stone in different lighting conditions.

 

[winternight]

Thanks for all the helpful information! Does fluorescence affect colored stones? I didn''t realize that the colored grades varied so much.
I''ll ask the vendor for additional photos, but I don''t know what their policy is.