Overwhelmed Newbie in S. California

[mia15]

Hi everyone,

I love this forum. I''ve been lurking for a long time and was looking for the right time to post. I need help, please!

I''ve been researching this forum for information on how to purchase an emerald cut. I''ve read all the technical data and have been impressed by the knowledge and helpfulness here, but the truth is, apart from a set of notes on what to look for, I''m not sure how else to proceed.

Has a newbie like myself had the experience of buying an out of this world beautiful emerald cut? If so, will you share your experience?

To find an emerald cut which is cut for beauty and not weight, where should I start?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JulieN]

There''s a section on ECs here: http://www.ideal-scope.com/using_fancy.asp

 

[UCLABelle]

Hello!

I am moving back to Southern California on May 18th! The day I finish up grad school (MA) at Columbia University! Then it is back to the wonderful sunny world of Orange County! I shouldn''t get too happy though, in September I go to another grad program at the University of Pennsylvania...

Anyway, I have a 2ct Square Emerald cut diamond! I love it! Read the link that was just posted, it is really helpful. The one thing I love about have an Emerald Cut in Southern California is that there are very few around! Not sure why...but best of luck finding the perfect ring and diamond!

UCLABelle

 

[Lorelei]

Emeraldlover welcome to PS

If you check out this thread you will also find this very helpful. It will also take you to the chart which gives you a basis to look for your EC with the best depth and table % etc to try to find a well cut diamond.

http://www.pricescope.com/fancy.asp

However, as is often said fancy cuts need to be judged by the eyes, the numbers don't tell the whole story, so if you find an EC which makes your heart sing and it doesn't fall exactly within the best proportions, don't discount it! A beautiful diamond is the one that you love and makes you happy wearing, not necessarily the one with the best depth and table in a fancy cut, just bear this in mind! Best of luck and I hope this helps - above all use your eyes!

ETA - this thread will give you the proportions for EC's.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp

 

[Modified Brilliant]

I agree with Lorelai. Emerald cut measurements will vary. Let your eyes evaluate the overall shape and beauty. Some of the most
beautiful emerald cuts might appear to look like giant baguettes. It''s up to you. Good luck

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 5/6/2006 11:27:35 PM
Author:emeraldlover
Hi everyone,

I love this forum. I''ve been lurking for a long time and was looking for the right time to post. I need help, please!

I''ve been researching this forum for information on how to purchase an emerald cut. I''ve read all the technical data and have been impressed by the knowledge and helpfulness here, but the truth is, apart from a set of notes on what to look for, I''m not sure how else to proceed.

Has a newbie like myself had the experience of buying an out of this world beautiful emerald cut? If so, will you share your experience?

To find an emerald cut which is cut for beauty and not weight, where should I start?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

I understand your predicament and feel that looking at the charts to be largely useless. my suggestions:

1-decide on the shape of the rectangle you want. meaning super fat and chunky (1.20), more traditional (1.35 ratio) or longer and more elegant (1.5). Then start searching for a stone. ( I myself refused to buy an EC that was deep. My EC has a depth of 61.9 and a table of 59. A higher crown than ideal at 16.9 but I liked that.)
2- search by depth!. There is an informal rule of thumb that a step cut or square stone needs to have a depth greater then the table. I believe that to be true based on intensive looking and I believe that most pricescopers who have EC''s would agree. The charts dont maention this at all--just an acceptable range for table and an acceptable rabge for depth.

3-If you can provide your specs: budget, ideal size color etc we can help you search a bit.

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks Jeff!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/7/2006 10:00:43 AM
Author: windowshopper

Date: 5/6/2006 11:27:35 PM

I understand your predicament and feel that looking at the charts to be largely useless. my suggestions:

Good suggestions WS - I just wanted to say though that the OP is concerned with being able to buy an EC cut for beauty, above all they will need their eyes, but you said in your post that you refused to buy an EC that was deep etc - the novice buyer will need a chart to give them an idea of what an acceptable depth range is so the charts would be useful to begin with. Otherwise how will they know? Now the OP may fall in love with an EC which might fall well short of the proportions recommended by the charts, as I said before that's fine, but IMO I do believe that the charts are useful especially for the inexperienced buyer as an aid to finding the right diamond. Otherwise you just have to go with your eyes and heart and be confident that you won't question too much the dimensions of your diamond, or use a mix of your eyes and a chart as a guide to get the best of both worlds, thats how I would do it anyway. But I truly believe with a fancy cut that when you find the one, depth and tables etc can go out of the window and are not so important! Use the charts as a guide, but let your heart and eyes do the choosing and rely on the latter rather than the former when making the selection.

BTW WS did I ever tell you how much I love your EC?

 

[windowshopper]

Good point: I did say down in the post that the charts only offer acceptable ranges....no real guidance on rules for beauty or likely well cut stones. I guess I should rephrase: the charts are a good start but there are some rules of thumb that arent addressed in the charts...............

oh and thanks for the compliments! i am actually looking for a larger stone but there are none around that fit the bill. EC"s are tough to find

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/7/2006 10:12:13 AM
Author: windowshopper
Good point: I did say down in the post that the charts only offer acceptable ranges....no real guidance on rules for beauty or likely well cut stones. I guess I should rephrase: the charts are a good start but there are some rules of thumb that arent addressed in the charts...............

oh and thanks for the compliments! i am actually looking for a larger stone but there are none around that fit the bill. EC''s are tough to find

Thanks WS! I have been following your story and believe me I have been drooling BIGTIME over that fab EC of yours! It is so gorgeous but I guess I can understand the size thing, even though the one you have is fantastic! You will find the right one, sometimes it takes a while which is so frustrating when you decide to bite the bullet!

I am rooting for you to find the next diamond!

 

[justjulia]

At risk of repeating some very nice advice already mentioned, here is mine:
Beware carot size that is close to .0 (1.0, 2.0, etc) as they seem to be aimed to meet weight ideals, not cut ideals, for unaware buyers
Clarity is important, color is subjective-inclusions magically become more and more visible with time with an ec.
My choice for my ec was determined by looking at a row of them and picking the one that shot rainbows the most-hard to explain but it definitely spoke to me. I tend to like them where the depth is a smidgen more than the table-almost the same dimensions, no matter what that number is. My table is 66% and my depth is 69.5. I had all the ideal chart info with me when I chose, but this ec was the performer to my eyes. Another ec I saw had "perfect" dimensions but looked moody to me. So, I say you have to see it and choose it. Good luck!

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 5/7/2006 10:17:47 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/7/2006 10:12:13 AM
Author: windowshopper
Good point: I did say down in the post that the charts only offer acceptable ranges....no real guidance on rules for beauty or likely well cut stones. I guess I should rephrase: the charts are a good start but there are some rules of thumb that arent addressed in the charts...............

oh and thanks for the compliments! i am actually looking for a larger stone but there are none around that fit the bill. EC''s are tough to find

Thanks WS! I have been following your story and believe me I have been drooling BIGTIME over that fab EC of yours! It is so gorgeous but I guess I can understand the size thing, even though the one you have is fantastic! You will find the right one, sometimes it takes a while which is so frustrating when you decide to bite the bullet!

I am rooting for you to find the next diamond!

I have to say--I am adore my current stone so much that it has spoiled me..........and the prices seem out of sight. I feel like my stone was so inexpensive compared to current prices...........so i will need ideal to justify the $$$.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/7/2006 10:34:36 AM
Author: windowshopper

Date: 5/7/2006 10:17:47 AM
Author

I have to say--I am adore my current stone so much that it has spoiled me..........and the prices seem out of sight. I feel like my stone was so inexpensive compared to current prices...........so i will need ideal to justify the $$$.

I hope you can find a way to justify it!

I don''t blame you for being spoiled with that beauty!

 

[mia15]

Thanks so much, everyone, for your help! It''s so great to see so many replies.

Windowshopper, I looked up your EC on the forum, and was just blown away! That has to be the most beautiful EC I''ve seen so far. The guidelines that you suggest are so useful. I know that fancy shapes can defy numbers and be beautiful, but one has to start somewhere, especially if I''m going to buy it online. I''m going to print it and start comparing.

That said, I agree with Lorelei and Justjulia that if I find the diamond that speaks to me, the numbers will go out the window.

The biggest problem is

a. getting to see enough emerald cuts in person, especially side by side.

b. knowing how to navigate the enormous selection out there. There are so many specializing in RBs, and I wish I had someone like that to turn to for ECs.

I''m still learning and trying to understand the process of calling in a diamond to view it through an appraiser as well.

UCLAbelle, I''m also from Southern California and have just returned there from school in the East Coast, and most likely will have to go back East. It''s an adjustment, isn''t it?

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 5/7/2006 5:35:34 PM
Author: emeraldlover
Thanks so much, everyone, for your help! It''s so great to see so many replies.

Windowshopper, I looked up your EC on the forum, and was just blown away! That has to be the most beautiful EC I''ve seen so far. The guidelines that you suggest are so useful. I know that fancy shapes can defy numbers and be beautiful, but one has to start somewhere, especially if I''m going to buy it online. I''m going to print it and start comparing.

That said, I agree with Lorelei and Justjulia that if I find the diamond that speaks to me, the numbers will go out the window.

The biggest problem is

a. getting to see enough emerald cuts in person, especially side by side.

b. knowing how to navigate the enormous selection out there. There are so many specializing in RBs, and I wish I had someone like that to turn to for ECs.

I''m still learning and trying to understand the process of calling in a diamond to view it through an appraiser as well.

UCLAbelle, I''m also from Southern California and have just returned there from school in the East Coast, and most likely will have to go back East. It''s an adjustment, isn''t it?

james allen usually has a very nice selection of Ec''s and ice store on the west coast may be another option

 

[UCLABelle]

Yes, moving to NYC was hard to do after living in Southern California...I sure missed the nice warm beaches

As for finding an EC in LA, best of luck! I am sure there are some places to go, but nothing like the Diamond District in NYC! SO MANY DIAMONDS!

 

[mia15]

Thanks so much everyone!

Window shopper, if you don''t mind my asking, does this mean you''ll be selling your emerald cut?

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 5/10/2006 6:31:14 AM
Author: emeraldlover
Thanks so much everyone!

Window shopper, if you don''t mind my asking, does this mean you''ll be selling your emerald cut?

yes--selling or trading it in. depends on if the original vendor has something i want as to the exact process...