Opinions wanted on pair of pears + pictures of emerald+diamonds

[GLudlow]

Ok, so for my emerald ring, I''m looking for pairs of pear-shaped diamonds, E or better colow and VS1 or better quality. My jeweler has found four pairs right now, with the following measurements:
.78 carat, 5.9 x 4.0 x 2.7 mm; 5.95 x 4.0 x 2.75 mm, DE VS1/VS2,
.77 carat 6.35 x 4.3 x 2.5 mm; 6.35 x 4.1 x 2.4 mm, DE VS1/VS2 $+600
.80 carat 6.4 x 4.25 x 2.65 mm; 6.35 x 4.2 x 2.6 mm, DE VS1/VS2 $+500
.78 carat 6.1 x 4.2 x 2.6 mm; 6.0 x 4.2 x 2.65 mm, DE VS2 $+600

The prices are relative to the first (smallest) pair. This pair is in the attached picture.

I''ll try to reply with the third (.80) pair. These diamonds are longer and thinner, but not too thin.

I actually prefer the look of the shape of the .8, but the price on the .78 is very good. I haven''t had the stones graded by a gemologist yet, but for now assume the ratings are correct.

So what do you guys think? Does anything jump out that would be "wrong" with any of these pairs?

Thanks guys!

 

[GLudlow]

Here is the .8 pair.

 

[GLudlow]

No opinions? I know these stones aren't the $12k ones most people post about, but they are still high quality (E color, VS1 clarity).

I'm 90% sure I'm going with the first pair. The cut is decent, and I'm haivng them EGL graded to make sure of that.

 

[katbadness]

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On 5/21/2004 7:40:28 PM GLudlow wrote:

No opinions? I know these stones aren't the $12k ones most people post about, but they are still high quality (E color, VS1 clarity).

I'm 90% sure I'm going with the first pair. The cut is decent, and I'm haivng them EGL graded to make sure of that.----------------

GLudlow,

Visually speaking, I personally prefer combination on pic 1 over pic 2. The 'fatter' pears seem to balance the oval better (the pears on pic 2 are too elongated IMHO).

But that's just my 2 cents, of course.

 

[valeria101]

You have seen these, not so I...

I also like the proportions of pair #1 better, but in the pic the stones appear a little different (meanifn not as well matched as teh other pair). This is hard to tell, since they are obviously not lined up so it could be their position in the pic, not their actual look that makes me think less of them.

These being said, both matches look very nice and among all the pairs I would just look for the best matched one (definitely not by numbers).

It seem that whichever pair will cover the width of the finger nicely, maybe the "longer" pears requiring the stones to be mounted a bit sloped to fit accross the finger (thin, not knowing what size the ring will be) - just one Q for the jeweler making the ring, I suppose

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Nice looking emerald.

Is it Colombian, or African?

 

[hoorray]

Beautiful emerald -- it looks as if it's going to be a beautiful ring! I also like the proportions of the first set. The fatter pears seem more balanced with the shape of the emerald.

 

[GLudlow]

The emerald is Colombian. Took me about 4 months to find the right center stone, I'm very satisfied.. it's a mixed cut oval (step/brilliant) and has lots of life. Now I'm working on the side diamonds.

Yes, the first pair do look a little off, but that is because of the positioning of the stones. The one on the left is a "pushed up" slong the groove, so it's facing the camera a little more. They are pretty much a perfectly matched pair.

My reasoning for the quality of these (I'm not sure many people would want a E color, VS1 .4 carat diamond) is that the center stone is fine, so I want them to match. But am I going a bit overboard? So many people say that going down a few grades in color saves money, but there aren;t really expensive as far as diamonds go.

 

[diamondlil]

GLudlow,


I recently was in a similar position. I am having a custom ring made for me and had to select a matched pair of side pears for my 2 ct pear diamond I already have. My jeweler ordered 2 sets for me to look at. I'm a color nut so I was also looking for D-E-F stones in size 0.35 to 0.45 ct each.




The first set were a bit shallow based on the numbers which really turned me off before even seeing them. The second set had much better numbers but were going to cost us an additional $800. When I went in to see them, he laid them out for me without saying a word. After careful inspection, I could see a negligible difference in brilliance between the two sets, and the difference was so marginal, my husband and I decided it was not worth the additional $800. Plus, the shape of the less expensive set was nicer, a little fatter, which is what I was looking for.




I don't see anything that jumps out as being "wrong" with any of the stones you have to choose from. I would let your eyes be the final judge (shape preference is so subjective). Then you can decide if it's worth the extra $500 for the 0.80 ct. pair.




Good luck.


DiamondLil

 

[Terri-Jo]

Go with #1. Those fat little pears look so much better!

 

[NY SPARKLE]

WOW!!! That is going to be one piece of eye candy around here.

I like the look of the "fatter" pears as well. They really seem to balance out that beautiful emerald in the center.

 

[valeria101]

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On 5/22/2004 8:16:19 AM GLudlow wrote:



So many people say that going down a few grades in color saves money, but there aren;t really expensive as far as diamonds go.

----------------

They are right, but in this case 10% of the price buys an icecream... and you are not getting a dozen dozens of these - just two! I defintely stand by your choice

 

[moremoremore]

#1 definitely. I don't like the skinny ones. Also, I did notice the size diff but I read that it's just the positioning...I really like #1!!!

 

[GLudlow]

Thanks all! I think I'm going with the first pair (I'm having them independently graded to make sure they're really VS1/F color). I'll post my ring to the Show me the Ring forum when it's done

 

[Jennifer5973]

I just want to say this is going to be a beautiful ring and I love the stones you've chosen. Please post pics when done in "Show me the Ring"

 

[limey]

I was in a similar position, designing for pears as side stones. In my case I had an existing pear from the e-ring I gave to my wife 11 years ago. As I quickly learned, the existing pear was cut to maximize spread so it was a little too shallow and I had an awful time trying to match another pear. The old pear has a dead spot at the point where light leaks thru two kite shaped facets. It is only noticeable at certain angles. The new pear had quite a few more carat points just to match the spread and sparkles much nicer - but it was important to keep the old pear for sentimental reasons. My point, look very carefully to make sure the proportions are cut within an acceptable range. Too narrow, too fat, too shallow may all have an affect on how nice the stone sparkles - i.e. look out for bow ties and hold the diamond above a colored surface and see if the color is visible or if the diamond is white. Not scientific but works.

The thing that "saved" me was the design and the fact that my wife has skinny fingers so the pears (approx 6x4mm) are set at a quite an angle to the main stone.

Good luck
Limey