Seeking Emerald Engagement Ring Help

[Atx]

Hello,

I first located this site almost four years ago. I received some great help on an engagement ring purchase at the time, but life got in the way, and our plans were delayed. Fast forward to today, and I have been reintroducing myself to the material on this site over the past few months in preparation for the engagement ring purchase. I have slowly narrowed my options, but prior to taking the plunge, I was hoping to get some feedback from members far more experienced than myself.

As the significant others tastes have not changed from the initial search, I am still seeking emerald center stones, between 1.4-1.55 carats. I am hoping to stay below (or around) $5K for the center stone. Initially, I was seeking a custom setting, but I am not sure I have the stomach to take that risk. There seems to be far too many steps in the process where it could go wrong, especially with a novice buyer such as myself.

Here is the custom setting I was initially seeking:
https://www.whiteflash.com/gallery/...nd-baguette-diamond-engagement-ring-37601.htm

I have received price quotes varying from under $3K to over $7K. I really like the tapered baguettes channel set setting, but surprisingly, was unable to find many other options from online retailers. So, though it will not be quite as unique, my second option was this setting from James Allen:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...cess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7084

Insofar as the center stone, I located what may be a great option, and have put it on hold, but I am open to differing options/opinions. It appears to have great clarity, the ratios are good, the thickness good for an emerald. Two places where I will be sacrificing is the color (K) and the lab (IGI). Does this diamond show too much yellow for your tastes? Should I be concerned with IGI? Here is the diamond and the ASET:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5580178


Thank you for any guidance you can provide!

 

[princessandthepear]

@Matthews1127, @OoohShiny, @diamondseeker2006 and at @Karl_K could you please comment on the ASET and offer some advice to find the perfect step cut?

 

[princessandthepear]

Is size the most important aspect in this purchase? Step cuts show more body color than other cuts due to their long facets. Is your intended comfortable with a warmer colored diamond? Maybe you should visit a brick and mortar store and ask to see a various colored diamonds. IGI is a bit problematic. AGS and GIA are respected not IGI or EGL. The latter two tend vary in color and clarity grades from what AGS or GIA would grade a diamond as.

 

[Karl_K]

The ASET is in the very good range, the p3 facet angles could be a little better but its not a train wreck.
In other words the center might be a little dark but its not bad enough to totally kill the light performance.

The color is what it is, an IGI K is going to show body color, are you ok with that?
If you go for it and have the time, you and your so see the diamond lose and within the return period decide if its the one for you or not after viewing it in all sorts of lighting.
Its not that expensive for shipping to do that if your in the US.

I am not a fan of IGI because you never know what your getting there is a chance it could be be a gia k or likely a gia L or lower.
If it was a gia k it would have likely been sent to gia.
That said it is what it is and I'm not saying you wont love the color, just dont expect not to see it sometimes.

 

[princessandthepear]

Thank you so very much for commenting @Karl_K. I always learn so much would have commented sooner but went back to reread your article on p3 angles.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Karl has already said everything that is important. I was basically going to say I think the cut of the stone looks acceptable, and the color is probably more like GIA L color, so it will show color and contrast with the whiter stones in the setting. I generally recommend J color or higher for an engagement ring, but if you don't mind a tint, then this one is nice.

 

[OoohShiny]

Karl is a much wiser man than me so not much more, if anything, I could add!

I would perhaps note that it windows verrrry slightly at the bottom of the short ends when nearing 90degrees of tilt, but that seems quite common in ECs. The ASET looks good to me - nice mix of reflection and obstruction should create pleasing contrast patterns.

 

[Atx]

Thank you so much for your insight. As suggested, I think it may be best to purchase the diamond and see the color in person and make the decision to keep it or not during the return period.

@princessandthepear thank you for both your insight and asking for other resident experts to weigh in. Insofar as size, around 1.5 carats was the range I have been seeking. It seems the most I can purchase given my budget. At the beginning of the search, I determined that of the four C's, the color was the one I was most willing to sacrifice, if need be. I had been looking mostly at J's, so I am trying to feel if going so far as K is going to far. I like your idea of going to a brick and mortar to see first hand the difference between the select J's and K's. I also agree with your lab analysis. I would be much more comfortable with selecting this diamond had it been from GIA or AGS.

@Karl K I appreciate you taking the time to review the ASET image. I feel less anxiety knowing that it appears to perform fairly well. I believe that I am okay with some color, but again, I think it may be best to see more range of emerald color grades in person to better assess my threshold. The setting will be white gold, so I hope that may aid in muting some of the yellow tint that may shine through. Luckily, my SO, is not one who is incredibly concerned with exact specifications. Funny enough, I am more conscious about the color, and fear (likely without good reason) that the "yellow" could prove disappointing, as though it was a constant reminder that I cut a corner where I should not have. Thank you for also discussing the IGI lab concerns. It makes perfect sense that the owner would have sent it to another lab had they thought it would obtain a K elsewhere.

@diamondseeker2006 I appreciate you reinforcing that the stone would be a good choice, outside of potential color issues. I think that is a hurdle I still need to get comfortable with, especially considering I was looking at J's all along.

@OoohShiny Thank you for your assessment of the ASET. I also appreciated the contrast, but though I have now seen a handful of ASETs, I am far from being able to trust my judgment when viewing one.