Still learning, seeking advice for a pear

[Mike6636]

Hi everyone. I have been reading through these forums for the past 2 days. I also used the search function to find out everything relevant to my situation about pears.

I recently began looking into engagement rings. I''m going with a white gold band, side stones about 1/4 of the way around the band in a "prong" setting. I believe this is the correct term. Anyways, I am looking for a pear diamond, somewhere in the range of .60 - .90, as my budget will allow. So far I have learned about the 4 C''s, l/w ratio, and a little about girdle. I have also read that with pears, the numbers do not tell you everything - you just have to see the diamond. This is what makes me nervous, as I am definately no diamond expert and honestly, I wouldn''t have much of a clue what to look for.

I am going to make the purchase from a local store. Here is what I am asking. Is there anything in particular I should be asking when I am there looking at the stones? How about anything specific I should look for?

Thanks a lot for the help, sorry for the newbie questions!

 

[tyty333]

We can help but not without your budget...

Have you seen this chart? It may help.
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc3.asp

Edit - didnt check any numbers but this looks like it could use further investigation...do you want fatter pear, in the middle
or longer pear?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1242275.asp

Edit - fat pear
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-892041.asp

Edit - another pear...need to check the bow-tie on this
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1218089.asp
Same here
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1137823.asp

I have to go for now...I'm sure others will pop in and help. Narrow it down to what you like then ask jamesallen
for an ideal scope image of the stone. Post the image.

 

[elle_chris]

I am not a pear expert, not even close. But I did recently purchase one for a pendant.

The first thing I did was go into every store I could find and look at them to decide the shape I wanted. Pears come in lots of different looks. Like tyty said, narrow it down to the shape you like first. Second thing was the color. I couldn''t go lower for the pear because it was a gift and the person liked colorless diamonds. Pears show more color than other shapes, especially at the tip so you should pay attention and see what the lowest color you can tolerate is.

Next thing is the report, stick to GIA to ensure you''re getting the correct color and clarity. EGL is known for being softer on grades. I then chose James Allen. They can provide a helium scan so you can get all the numbers, an ASET image so you''ll see where the leaky areas are, and a real picture of the diamond so you know what it looks like.
They also have a great return policy so if you don''t like it once you get it, you can return it without a problem.

 

[vetrogrl]

Hi! I posted prevoiusly before to another person who was in the market for a pear...and I stressed that they go in person to look at the pear shapes. I was very particular with the shape of the pear..there are many ways a pear is cut-either long and skinnny or shorter and "squatty"

I preferred the short and squatty but with a bit of length to it at the tip of the pear. It took my fiance and myself several months to find the right one that pleased my eyes. Pears are not very common right now...so our jeweler had a few on hand but they were not very nice quality ones. He called around to all of the chicago vendors and they had a handful -but again not nice quality. So he had to order several from New York. Bingo- I found what i was looking for.

When you go in to the store and look at the pears stress that you will not sacrifice the "cut" of the pear. I would not go any lower than "Very good" The lower the cut is on the grade scale the more you will be able to see the bow-tie effect. Also, look for the bow-tie effect as well...if you see nothing but darkness throughout the middle of the diamond- its defintely has a bad bow-tie. That is why I stress not meaning to sound like a broken record-to go in person to see pears! With Color...if its GIA certified you could probabley go anywhere from F-H and have it colorless to the naked eye.

Clartiy - anywhere from IF-SI1-but you need to defintely look at the SI''s jsut to make sure no inclusions are noticable to the naked eye...there are many eye-clean SI''s

GOOD LUCK! Hope this helps...

FYI- just to get an idea of what a pear would look like with the setting heres a link to my ring!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/please-take-me-off-the-list.131801/page-2

Stats: Setting- .55 points of diamonds around the band with white gold metal

Carat- 1.7
Color- H
Clarity- SI1
Cut -Very Good

 

[vetrogrl]

One more thing...it is GIA certified

 

[Mike6636]

Thanks for the responses everyone. To help clear some things up and give some additional information. My budget... I will not/can not spend more than 4,000 total. And this would be a stretch. I would really prefer to stay around the 3 - 3,500 mark I spoke once with the jeweler and he quoted be a few quick prices, and after that we didn''t speak of price again. The initial price on the band is $680 (white gold, diamonds 1/4 around, .20 ct). I also got some quotes on a few diamonds. At the time, I had VERY limited knowledge on diamonds. I plan to go again soon and ask more questions. 1 stone is a .87 ct, D/SI, AGS cert, $4100. Another is a .75, G color for $3000. I know, it''s impossible to judge based on this limited information, just saying where I am so far. Next time I go in I will be asking about all 4 C''s, especially looking for the color in the tip of the pear as well as cut.

One problem I will have when looking at the diamond is trying to find any hints of yellow if it is in the F,G,H range (I''m colorblind). This is where I will have to put my faith in the jeweler.

I have learned a lot in the short time reading some of these threads. Thanks again, and if there is anything else in particular I should look/lookout for, which I havn''t mentioned please do so. I appreciate everyone''s help.

 

[yssie]

Date: 1/13/2010 8:59:00 AM
Author: tyty333
We can help but not without your budget...

Have you seen this chart? It may help.
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc3.asp

Edit - didnt check any numbers but this looks like it could use further investigation...do you want fatter pear, in the middle
or longer pear?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1242275.asp

Edit - fat pear
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-892041.asp

Edit - another pear...need to check the bow-tie on this
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1218089.asp
Same here
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1137823.asp

I have to go for now...I'm sure others will pop in and help. Narrow it down to what you like then ask jamesallen
for an ideal scope image of the stone. Post the image.

Just had to comment on that fat pear - I do love squat, chubby pears, they're just so cute! You can almost imagine it growing legs and waddling round... now long, skinny pears, on the other hand, would have handlebar mustaches and would play bridge and smoke cigars.


>over.


Mike, you can trust that reputable jewellers will tell you when the stone begins to show tint.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/13/2010 8:55:15 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 1/13/2010 8:59:00 AM
Author: tyty333
We can help but not without your budget...

Have you seen this chart? It may help.
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc3.asp

Edit - didnt check any numbers but this looks like it could use further investigation...do you want fatter pear, in the middle
or longer pear?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1242275.asp

Edit - fat pear
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-892041.asp

Edit - another pear...need to check the bow-tie on this
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1218089.asp
Same here
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1137823.asp

I have to go for now...I''m sure others will pop in and help. Narrow it down to what you like then ask jamesallen
for an ideal scope image of the stone. Post the image.

Just had to comment on that fat pear - I do love squat, chubby pears, they''re just so cute! You can almost imagine it growing legs and waddling round... now long, skinny pears, on the other hand, would have handlebar mustaches and would play bridge and smoke cigars.


>over.


Mike, you can trust that reputable jewellers will tell you when the stone begins to show tint.

Girl, did you get into the wine tonight

 

[tyty333]

Date: 1/13/2010 11:03:20 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 1/13/2010 8:55:15 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 1/13/2010 8:59:00 AM
Author: tyty333
We can help but not without your budget...

Have you seen this chart? It may help.
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc3.asp

Edit - didnt check any numbers but this looks like it could use further investigation...do you want fatter pear, in the middle
or longer pear?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1242275.asp

Edit - fat pear
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-892041.asp

Edit - another pear...need to check the bow-tie on this
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1218089.asp
Same here
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1137823.asp

I have to go for now...I''m sure others will pop in and help. Narrow it down to what you like then ask jamesallen
for an ideal scope image of the stone. Post the image.

Just had to comment on that fat pear - I do love squat, chubby pears, they''re just so cute! You can almost imagine it growing legs and waddling round... now long, skinny pears, on the other hand, would have handlebar mustaches and would play bridge and smoke cigars.


>over.


Mike, you can trust that reputable jewellers will tell you when the stone begins to show tint.

Girl, did you get into the wine tonight

Too funny you guys!

I like mine a little fatter too but I''m afraid if that fat one grew legs it might look like a tick

!

 

[tyty333]

Also try to look at the stones in other lighting conditions besides the jewelry store to see how it reacts. For example outside and
bathroom lighting and any other lighting you might have easy access to.

Here are some of the qualities I would look for in a lovely stone...

Make sure the bow-tie is minimum. To me I would say this stone does not have a bow-tie (the fat one).
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-892041.asp
Here is a stone I would say has a bad bow-tie
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1247778.asp
Check that the bow-tie reflects mostly white and not dark/dull.
Look for a nice transition pattern up to the bow-tie. Buy this I mean that it doesnt go from very faceted to bow-tie (little faceting).
(I like it where there is more of a smooth transition.) Here is an one that I would say had a bad transition...
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1246059.asp
Look for a nice pear shape (I dont like shoulders...you have to decide what you do/dont like)
This stone has shoulders...
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1247778.asp


Good luck

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 1/13/2010 2:56:58 PM
Author: vetrogrl
Hi! I posted prevoiusly before to another person who was in the market for a pear...and I stressed that they go in person to look at the pear shapes. I was very particular with the shape of the pear..there are many ways a pear is cut-either long and skinnny or shorter and ''squatty''

I preferred the short and squatty but with a bit of length to it at the tip of the pear. It took my fiance and myself several months to find the right one that pleased my eyes. Pears are not very common right now...so our jeweler had a few on hand but they were not very nice quality ones. He called around to all of the chicago vendors and they had a handful -but again not nice quality. So he had to order several from New York. Bingo- I found what i was looking for.

When you go in to the store and look at the pears stress that you will not sacrifice the ''cut'' of the pear. I would not go any lower than ''Very good'' The lower the cut is on the grade scale the more you will be able to see the bow-tie effect. Also, look for the bow-tie effect as well...if you see nothing but darkness throughout the middle of the diamond- its defintely has a bad bow-tie. That is why I stress not meaning to sound like a broken record-to go in person to see pears! With Color...if its GIA certified you could probabley go anywhere from F-H and have it colorless to the naked eye.

Clartiy - anywhere from IF-SI1-but you need to defintely look at the SI''s jsut to make sure no inclusions are noticable to the naked eye...there are many eye-clean SI''s

GOOD LUCK! Hope this helps...

FYI- just to get an idea of what a pear would look like with the setting heres a link to my ring!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/please-take-me-off-the-list.131801/page-2

Stats: Setting- .55 points of diamonds around the band with white gold metal

Carat- 1.7
Color- H
Clarity- SI1
Cut -Very Good

GIA does grade cut on a pear or any fancy diamond. In order to do so use your eyes(by comparison to others), an ASET scope (you can buy one for $50), AGA cut grades or better yet work with a jeweler who understands what you are looking for (most do not understand how to select for well cut fancy shapes).

The following PS vendors know how to help you and can take ASET photos for you, James Allen, ERD, WF, GOG can all help you find a pear once you know the 4Cs and the LW ratio of the pear (how fat or thin you want it). Usually the best optics come from pears in the LW=1.5 - 1.75 range.

Also these charts are a good starting point to understand how to find well cut pears by the numbers http://www.diamondjewellerystudio.com.au/cms/page/view/AGA-Cut-Chart-Pear-Heart-Oval-Ma (AGA cut grades) unfortunately without sarin data you won''t be able to know the crown height so it may be better to work with a vendor who can provide that information to you like James Allen.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

tyty-I like that first one you posted! It could have potential

 

[Mike6636]

TyTy and ChunkyCushionLover - thanks so much for your help. I am slowly beginning to get an idea of my preferences for a stone. I like the pears to be in the recommended 1.5-1.75:1 range. After watching a very nice video I found on color, I am thinking something in the G or H range would be ideal, as long as the pear tip does not have a yellow tint. My next focus will be trying to learn about table, crown height, depth, and pavillion depth.

Another thing I have picked up on while reading through hundreds of posts is to be very critical of the cut. From what I have gathered, cut can make up for lower color and clarity ratings (within reason of course). I am thinking I should be looking for an ideal or excellant cut...?

Thanks again to all those who have helped me. This site is a tremendous help.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/14/2010 1:33:23 PM
Author: Mike6636
TyTy and ChunkyCushionLover - thanks so much for your help. I am slowly beginning to get an idea of my preferences for a stone. I like the pears to be in the recommended 1.5-1.75:1 range. After watching a very nice video I found on color, I am thinking something in the G or H range would be ideal, as long as the pear tip does not have a yellow tint. My next focus will be trying to learn about table, crown height, depth, and pavillion depth.

Another thing I have picked up on while reading through hundreds of posts is to be very critical of the cut. From what I have gathered, cut can make up for lower color and clarity ratings (within reason of course). I am thinking I should be looking for an ideal or excellant cut...?

Thanks again to all those who have helped me. This site is a tremendous help.

Just use any numbers as a basic screening tool, what those will give is a chalk outline of the stone, images such as ASET and clear detailed photos are essential in order to evaluate each pear and give the info the numbers cannot. Also do be aware pears can show more warmth, also from my personal experience - I have a GIA graded H colour pear and it does show some slight warmth in the tip in some lights, it doesn't bother me but it is something to be aware of.

With the numbers I would concentrate just on depth and table initially plus the crown height, with the pavilion depth and angles etc it will be too difficult unless you know exactly how to interpret those numbers and the effect on the stone, images are a better way to do this. The pavilion angles aren't used in the same way in fancy shapes as in rounds so I wouldn't worry about those so much.

Also bear in mind the bow tie effect, most elongated fancy shapes will show a bow tie to more or less of an extent. Images don't show the true extent of these as bow ties can look more or less prominent according to the angle and lighting of the stone in reality, so it is best to make sure your vendor can inspect the pear for you to advise on this and other aspects.

 

[Mike6636]

I am really hoping to stay at least in the G or above range for color with this pear, as many people have mentioned possible tint in the tip.

Now about the bow tie effect: Would it be reasonable for me to expect to find a pear without the bow tie, within my budget ( < $3,500) or will my goal have to be to find one with as little effect as possible?

Another thing I''ve been wondering about carat size, and I''ll try to ask this as clearly as possible... When is it worth it (visually) to go up in carat size? By this I mean, if EVERYTHING were the same between 2 pears but Pear A at .85 carats is an extra $300, while Pear B is .75 ct, will the .10 difference in carat size even be worth an extra couple hundred? (and when I say a couple hundred for an extra .10 carats, I am just pulling a dollar figure from the sky, I have no idea what an actual price increase for that amount would be). I hope I asked/explained my question clear enough. I am just hoping to go at least .75, but am wondering should I try to go closer to .85/.90 ct if it will be a noticable increase in size.

Thanks for bearing with me!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/15/2010 8:30:35 AM
Author: Mike6636
I am really hoping to stay at least in the G or above range for color with this pear, as many people have mentioned possible tint in the tip.

Now about the bow tie effect: Would it be reasonable for me to expect to find a pear without the bow tie, within my budget ( < $3,500) or will my goal have to be to find one with as little effect as possible? It is reasonable to ask a vendor to try to find you a pear with a minimal bow tie, but it isn't always possible to get away from them altogether.

Another thing I've been wondering about carat size, and I'll try to ask this as clearly as possible... When is it worth it (visually) to go up in carat size? By this I mean, if EVERYTHING were the same between 2 pears but Pear A at .85 carats is an extra $300, while Pear B is .75 ct, will the .10 difference in carat size even be worth an extra couple hundred? (and when I say a couple hundred for an extra .10 carats, I am just pulling a dollar figure from the sky, I have no idea what an actual price increase for that amount would be). I hope I asked/explained my question clear enough. I am just hoping to go at least .75, but am wondering should I try to go closer to .85/.90 ct if it will be a noticable increase in size.

This depends on the physical diameters of the two pears in question. Carat weight does not always indicate size. If you have 2 pears weighing the same but one has more depth, weight hidden in the pavilion or crown, thick girdle and so on then it is possible it could look smaller than a similar weight pear with better proportions. Like 2 200 pound men, one might be tall and thin while the other could be short and look heavy, weight is distributed differently and it can be similar with diamonds. Look for a well cut pear that you love rather than concentrate on carat weight so much, a well cut pear will have good weight distribution and therefore a decent spread or faceup size.

Thanks for bearing with me!