Picking an Emerald Cut, Help Needed/Appreciated!

[9kfever]

Hello,

I have been ghosting around these parts for the last couple weeks. I am in need of some expertise. I was originally going to purchase a Signature Ideal cut from BN before reading up some on here. I have found some better deals and diamonds on Union Diamonds, but as of right now would like to take advantage of BN's 6 month zero interest financing. I plan to propose during a trip to NYC in early April so I must find the right rock. I am looking to spend roughly 5500-6000 on a 1.0 ct Emerald.

Here are some I found. Do you guys see any other good picks?

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01594508

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01653299

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01517042

And here is the Signature Cut in my price range but with color G and a Fluorescence of faint.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01517042


Can someone please help me find the one? Many of the Diamonds have very low ratio's.

 

[9kfever]

here is the one on Union that I would buy if it was on BN.

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&action_type_id=7&item_id=AB628464&view_type=request_info&1.07ct-E-VVS1-Emerald-Cut-Diamond

 

[JulieN]

I would pick one from Good Old Gold.

Maybe this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7048/

or: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7047

I think pictures are pretty important to the emerald buying process, so Blue Nile just wouldn't work for me.

 

[9kfever]

Yea, I definitely hear you with that comment. Unfortunately, I would like to finance this with BN''s 6 month no interest deal.

 

[JulieN]

Hmm, well... maybe you can order the Signature Ideal and http://www.bluenile.com/emerald-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-i-color-vvs1-clarity_LD01048090 together so you can compare?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/17/2010 12:11:58 AM
Author:9kfever
Hello,

I have been ghosting around these parts for the last couple weeks. I am in need of some expertise. I was originally going to purchase a Signature Ideal cut from BN before reading up some on here. I have found some better deals and diamonds on Union Diamonds, but as of right now would like to take advantage of BN''s 6 month zero interest financing. I plan to propose during a trip to NYC in early April so I must find the right rock. I am looking to spend roughly 5500-6000 on a 1.0 ct Emerald.

Here are some I found. Do you guys see any other good picks?

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01594508

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01653299

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01517042

And here is the Signature Cut in my price range but with color G and a Fluorescence of faint.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01517042


Can someone please help me find the one? Many of the Diamonds have very low ratio''s.

Hi 9kfever

Really it is going to be a gamble trying to pick an EC just by numbers, images are essential in order to make an informed choice, otherwise you have no way of knowing what you are going to get when you open the box....

 

[Lula]

If I was looking for an emerald cut, I would work with a trusted vendor who could help me assess the stones. Buying one online from a company that is not able to view the stone for you in person is a crapshoot, and a big waste of money.

I''d call/e-mail the following vendors and ask for their advice/help:
Jonathan at Good Old Gold
Todd Gray at Nice Ice
Wink at High Performance Diamonds

Their contact information is available on the Pricescope vendors list

 

[9kfever]

Thanks for all the replies. I would totally go the route you guys are saying if it wasn''t for the whole financing issue. I guess I''ll have to roll the dice.

 

[emeraldlover1]

If you are looking for 6 months no interest financing, wouldn''t a new credit card be an additional option? That way you might even be able to get a discount with one of the PS vendors and still finance. I''m not advocating financing however I believe there are probably other no interest options.

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/17/2010 4:25:50 PM
Author: 9kfever
Thanks for all the replies. I would totally go the route you guys are saying if it wasn''t for the whole financing issue. I guess I''ll have to roll the dice.

Blue Nile does have a good return policy if you decide to order a stone from them and it''s not to your liking when you receive it.

 

[9kfever]

What is everyone''s opinion on this stone? I believe that the color of G and the faint fluorescence is what is making it cheaper than the rest. It has actual pictures in the GCAL report.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01517042

 

[Lestat]

There may be other ways to finance a diamond purchase through a vendor that provides more information, for example, what about signing up for a credit card with an introductory 0% on purchases for 6 months and a low ongoing interest rate or something similar? If the balance transfer rate is also good, you could shuffle one of your other credit cards onto it as well...

The interest rate on the Blue Nile financing is 19.99% after the six months, so it should be easy to find a credit card cheaper than that... If not a credit card, what about a bank loan?

This might open the doors to better Emerald cut vendors who also have things like upgrade and buyback policies etc. Keep in mind this is a diamond she'll be wearing for life, so you don't want to get an average stone, you want the best you can get!

Just to illustrate the difference a few pics can make, I'm attaching a compilation of pictures posted earlier this year by Princessplease (I hope she doesn't mind!) of 2 Asscher cut diamonds ordered in by Whiteflash for comparison. They both haD very close "numbers", but look at the cut difference!

 

[9kfever]

Good info here. I guess what I am asking is if the signature ideal cut would be a good purchase?

 

[Lestat]

Personally I wouldn''t put too much weight on Blue Nile''s guarantee of "ideal cut" without proof in pictures. On their website they basically show their standards for a Signature Ideal Emerald Cut diamond here: http://www.bluenile.com/signature-ideal-emerald-diamonds

While I don''t disagree that you can get great emerald cut diamonds within their parameters, I do disagree that these outer measurements alone make it an ideal cut. As you can see in my example above, all these measurements do is guarantee a nice overall shape which if cut well will help it perform.

Without being able to see the diamond, you will have no idea how well it is cut until it''s in your hands so by going with measurements alone, you could end up with either of the two diamonds I posted above.

If you absolutely must by from Blue Nile, I''d be prepared to return a diamond and try again if you get a bad one, and I''d buy myself an ASET scope and learn to use it. It sounds like you don''t have a lot of time to lose, so what will you do if you get an average (or even below average) diamond?

Personally I''d be doing everything I could to buy from a vendor that would help me get it right the first time to avoid disappointment and having to postpone your proposal.