Which emerald cut? (ASET attached)

[turkoftheplains]

I've been lurking for weeks now. I'm getting ready to propose to my girlfriend of 4 years, and I know she wants an emerald cut on the longer side (1.4-1.6:1.) In this time, I've learned a lot--including the advice that the best way to judge a fancy cut (especially a step cut) is my own eyes-- so with that caveat, I'd like an opinion from some more experienced eyes about the cut quality on these 3 whiteflash ECs.

My budget for the whole ring is $10000-11000, and I'm planning on a platinum solitaire split-pronged setting. In the interest of getting the best possible stone, I've limited size to 0.9-1.3ct.

I'll start by posting #1 with pictures, as #2 and #3 are being pulled for inspection and photos.

Again, I would be eternally grateful for any advice I could get on the patterns of these stones.

STONE #1: $7942. 1.19 ct, GIA cert, G/VS1, 7.36x5.07x3.50, D:69%, T:63%, girdle medium-slightly thick. Polish G/Symm VG. Eye-clean per WF.




STONE #2: $8139, 1.01ct, GIA cert, E/VVS1, 7.07x4.93x3.16, D:64%, T:59%, girdle thin-slightly thick, polish E/symm VG
images to follow (unless you think this isn't worth pulling)

STONE #3: $8951, 1.2ct, GIA cert, E/VVS2, 7.41x5.16x3.34, D: 64,7%, T: 65%, girdle thin-medium, polish VG/symm E
images to follow (unless you think this isn't worth pulling)

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[turkoftheplains]

Re: Which emerald cut?

I'm concerned that the large dark (black on ASET) areas at the center of #1 represent areas of obstruction that will hurt the light return of the stone. Is there any validity to this?

 

[turkoftheplains]

I'm having WF pull stone #3; pictures will follow shortly.

Any thoughts on the patterns on stone #1?