Please help me choose between two emerald cut MMDs!

[_nepenthe_]

Hi all! We're first time diamond buyers and have been learning a lot from reading the forums. We're trying to decide between two different emerald cut MMDs for which I've been able to get a hold of magnified images (seemingly not very telling with some surface dirt) and ASETs (which I don't know how to read beyond the basics). Could you please help us figure out which would be a better choice? Are both acceptable? For context, diamond 2 is priced at about $1,000 more than diamond 1. Diamond 1 is possibly borderline shallow but I'm drawn to it because of the relatively large face-up area for its weight. Thanks so much for your input!

Diamond 1:
1.45 carats, I, VS1
8.24 x 5.72 x 3.41
Depth: 59.6%
Table: 62%
Crown height: 13%
Pavilion: 43%
Culet: None
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
Fluorescence: None

Diamond 2:
1.83 carats, J, VS1
8.67 x 6.10 x 3.79
Depth: 62.1%
Table: 59%
Crown height: 14.5%
Pavilion: 44%
Culet: None
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Polish: Very good
Symmetry: Very good
Fluorescence: None

Diamond 1 vs Diamond 2: Magnified Images


Diamond 1 vs Diamond 2: ASET

 

[OoohShiny]

I'm not completely loving the ASET images, but ECs are very hard to assess from static images - are there videos of them available?

Are you able to post your budget and your requirements/desires for the clarity/colour/carat?

 

[_nepenthe_]

I followed up with them and unfortunately they don't have videos available. For my own knowledge, what's not so great about the ASETs for these? In my limited understanding based on this link, these seemed pretty decent to me. Any additional pointers you could give me? I have diamond 1 on hold and need to make a decision fairly quickly.

My budget is ideally <$5k, and I am looking for an eye clean emerald cut MMD, around 1.5 carats, J or better. I was specifically looking at Brilliant Earth so far because they have a setting I really like.

 

[OoohShiny]

Just to ask the question, are you definitely set on getting a MMD rather than a Mined diamond?

Looking at both options would increase your potential pool of options, but I appreciate that personal concerns or values may mean you only want MMD


I might be doing something wrong, but I can only see two EC MMDs on BE at the moment - a 0.53 and a 2.28 - which is not very helpful...

If you are open to Mined options from BE, though, these might be of interest It seems impossible to get near 1.5ct in Mined diamonds on a USD5k budget on BE!

1.06ct H VVS1 with nice faceting and good 'life':
https://www.brilliantearth.com/loose-diamonds/view_detail/5567013/

1.08 I VS1 - looks like it might be a touch leaky / tilt windowing, but decent facet pattern face-on:
https://www.brilliantearth.com/loose-diamonds/view_detail/5512904/


Alternatively, and again if you're open to Mined, you should check out James Allen for some good quality listings.

Or if you do want MMD, I think D.NEA and Good Old Gold might be options!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/best-place-to-purchase-lab-grown-diamond.230934/
https://d.neadiamonds.com/
https://www.goodoldgold.com/lab-grown?limit=96

 

[OoohShiny]

Some options from JA - 1.5ct is still a struggle, and even when there is the size available, only very few are actually cut nicely!

I like this one a lot - good facet patterning, good contrast, lively scintillation.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4775491

This one has nice facet patterning too and is quite lively, but is perhaps lacking contrast head-on.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.36-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3089761

Quite a strong performer at a wide range of angles across the central area but would need to be assessed for how dark it looked head-on due to obstruction in real life:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.31-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4581034

I like both of these a lot as well - great facet patterning that's lively at all angles, and bright light return The first one might even have that elusive 'hall of mirrors' effect!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.30-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4599526
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4480967

Possibly not enough contrast head-on but otherwise lively across the stone:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.26-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4752280

Look at those lonnnng central facets!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.22-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4305216


I may have to invite @Matthews1127 to offer her thoughts

 

[JmeeMrie]

Oooh I like the 1.3 I VS1.. very nice patterning..

 

[Bron357]

Is it just me?
Diamond 1 seems to have a lot of pin points and inclusions for a VS. Either that or it’s filthy. How can you tell the difference between permanent spots and what will wash off?
Pretty poor vendor photos in my opinion if they don’t even clean their diamonds before taking their photographs!