Quick advice on EC. Please!

[Little La]

Thank you, Chrono, for responding so quickly earlier...

My boyfriend has included me all along in the search for an emerald cut. He got excited & implusive and purchased a beautiful one last week. But, I fear it''s a bit too deep w/ a thick girdle. I hit a nerve when inquiring about specs. I''m supposed to go into the jeweler tomorrow to pick the setting. But, I''m having concerns about the amount spent on this diamond and what we are receiving. I admit to having class 1 dreams and I don''t want to be unappreciative. I couldn''t get the crown height but here it goes...

GIA
1.8 carats
F color
VS1 clarity
64% table
68% depth
thick girdle
good cut
good symmetry
excellent polish
no flourescence
7.84 x 6.12 x 4.16
1.4:1
$19,750

Should I relax? Or have the jeweler keep looking for that kind of money?

Thank you. I really appreciate your help!

 

[poshpepper]

That price seems pretty high... and with only a good cut I think it makes it worse.

I would keep looking...

 

[MWG]

My opinion....$20,000 bucks better get me an IDEAL stone in whatever shape I choose!!! Too much money to settle for less.

 

[pinkelephant]

I agree, for $20,000 I think you can get a better diamond... cut is pretty important especially in an emerald as it affects its appearance significantly.
good luck!

 

[diagem]

Date: 6/27/2007 5:43:15 PM
Author:Little La
Thank you, Chrono, for responding so quickly earlier...

My boyfriend has included me all along in the search for an emerald cut. He got excited & implusive and purchased a beautiful one last week. But, I fear it''s a bit too deep w/ a thick girdle. I hit a nerve when inquiring about specs. I''m supposed to go into the jeweler tomorrow to pick the setting. But, I''m having concerns about the amount spent on this diamond and what we are receiving. I admit to having class 1 dreams and I don''t want to be unappreciative. I couldn''t get the crown height but here it goes...

GIA
1.8 carats
F color
VS1 clarity
64% table
68% depth
thick girdle
good cut
good symmetry
excellent polish
no flourescence
7.84 x 6.12 x 4.16
1.4:1
$19,750

Should I relax? Or have the jeweler keep looking for that kind of money?

Thank you. I really appreciate your help!

The Numbers are fine and there is v. good chance it could be a beautiful Diamond as you yourself identified it!
None of us here saw the Diamond and cant give an opinion on its beauty!!!
Elongated step cut Diamonds tend to have more depth... and 68% is no doubt OK..., especially if some of it is located in the crown height.
A 64% table for E/C''s are in my opinion great!!!
Thick girdles on E/C''s are OK..., allthough I would prefer a "medium" girdle (but we dont live in a perfect world!!!)
The fact that its an "even" girdle all around is evidence the Diamond was cut balanced..., (compared to a "Thin to Thick" type girdles.)
To reach an excellent grade in symmetry is an extremely hard task when it comes to step-cuts..., and I have seen GORGEOUS E/C''s that were graded good/good.

I really dont want to comment on the price..., but I will throw a small side note!!
1.80 carats is considered a sought after size/weight in Diamonds..., in the wholesale level dealers pay hefty premiums for these weights... (especially in this high quality material!!!)
After all..., once you pass the 2 carat mark..., you are in a whole different price-league!!!

If you love and think your Diamond is beautifull..., go with your heart!!! And enjoy it!!!

 

[dani13]

Agree completely with DiaGem, however, I do think that price you were quoted is *very* high. With that number, I would expect a diamond at least hitting the 2 carat mark. If it were me, I would keep looking. If you want to stay in that size range, you can surely find something more reasonable $$-wise that is still gorgeous.

Good luck!

 

[chrono]

It looks like it's a done deal. As mentioned before, the stone could be very pretty.

With no information on crown height, you can see for yourself when you pick up the ring. You want to see that the top part of the diamond above the girdle to be high/tall. If it seems low compared to the overall depth, then the crown height is low and the EC will not be very fiery.

Also, don't forget to view it under natural light, incandescent and fluorescent lights. Here's what you want to observe:

Indirect light (shaded natural sunlight)
Check out all the steps. Look for a beautiful balance of narrow light and dark lines in the center (you don't want a dark chunk in the middle) with tiny sparkles like crushed ice at the two ends. It should look very white with hints of strong dispersion at the ends.

Office fluorescent light
This is when the stone looks the most plain and white. When moving the EC from side to side, look for fire (rainbow light) moving from one end of the long steps to the other end. The corners should still sparkle like icy crushed ice.

Sunlight
Rainbows should flash everywhere.

You should see large flashes of coloured light. It is mostly likely to be more
impressive from a few feet away than it is from a few inches away.

Do let us know how it goes at the jewellers. I think $20K is rather pricey for an EC under 2 carats, as with the others. I would also be a wee bit concerned with the Good rating for the symmetry. For $20K and a stone close to 2 carats, I would aim for at least a Very Good symmetry. I think this is especially important for step cuts.

 

[Little La]

Thank you all for your help!
I''ll let you know what happens...