Which one of these EC stones would you buy? and WHY?

[raqdim]

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of buying an EC diamond. So far I learned a lot from my fellow PSs. I think I'm ready to make the purchase now. After reflexion, I have decided to go with an F color (or better) and VVS1/2-VS1 clarity. So far, I have identified 2 potentially nice stones. The details are reported below. Please help me determine which one you would pick if you would be in my place and why. Thank you very much for your help.

Carat 1.15
Color E
Clarity VS1
Cut Ideal
Depth % 69.1
Table % 68.00
Symmetry Good
Polish Very Good
Girdle Thin, Thick
Culet None
Fluorescence None
Measurements 7.10x5.11x3.53

AND

Carat 1.19
Color F
Clarity VVS2
Cut Ideal
Depth % 70.0
Table % 70.00
Symmetry Very Good
Polish Very Good
Girdle Medium, Slightly Thick
Culet None
Fluorescence None
Measurements 7.19x5.14x3.60

 

[firebirdgold]

#2. Not that I know much about EC''s but it has better symetry and much less variation in the girdle. A girdle that goes from thin to thick sounds a bit sloppy to me, plus it''d be harder to set perfectly. Just my $.02!

 

[chrono]

How much in a hurry are you to buy the stone? If not, I''d keep on looking. Here''s why:

Carat 1.15
Color E
Clarity VS1
Cut Ideal
Depth % 69.1 (All right but prefer depth to be around 60% to 65% otherwise the diamond will face up so much smaller)
Table % 68.00 (All right but prefer depth to be around 60% to 65%, a smaller table has a more pleasing look)
Symmetry Good (could be okay, need a live picture to see this, but VG/EX is preferred)
Polish Very Good
Girdle Thin, Thick (it is better to have an even girdle ie Thin, Medium, not thin to thick)
Culet None
Fluorescence None
Measurements 7.10x5.11x3.53
Crown Height?
Type of certification?

Carat 1.19
Color F
Clarity VVS2
Cut Ideal
Depth % 70.0 (same as above diamond, wasted depth makes the diamond look smaller)
Table % 70.00 (same as above diamond, large tables are generally not attractive)
Symmetry Very Good
Polish Very Good (a VG/EX polish is preferred, but might be okay)
Girdle Medium, Slightly Thick (it is better to have an even girdle ie Thin, Medium, not thin to thick. This one is probably okay.)
Culet None
Fluorescence None
Measurements 7.19x5.14x3.60
Crown Height?
Type of certification?

You need to have more information:
1. Have the vendor take an actual picture of the stone to see the facet/step arrangement
2. Run a Sarin report to get the other numbers to answer my questions on blue print
3. Take an Idealscope picture for ight performance.

If the vendor is unable or unwilling to provide a real picture of the EC, I would not buy from them. You CANNOT buy fancy cut diamonds sight unseen because numbers do not tell the entire picture. The numbers may be perfect, but the EC may not perform as expected because there are just too many facets/steps to take into consideration. The numbers on the cert is just a starting point to help eliminate the duds.

As I said before, I would pass on both ECs and keep looking.

 

[raqdim]

They are both GIA certified. Thanks guys for your comments. I want to buy ASAP but have to find the best stone relative to my budget. I''m willing to spend roughly $5000.
If you guys think that these stones are not that attractive.

Would be able to recommend for me a couple of EC diamonds 1.15 to 1.20 carat, F color and VS1-VVS1/2, with very good numbers (depth, table, etc ....)? Thank you very much for your help.

 

[chrono]

Do you have a specific EC ratio you''d like to keep to? Something squarer and boxy (1.5)? Or in the middle (1.4)?

 

[jaz464]

Really great numbers on this one. With the PS discount, it is $5028. Not in-house but I would have WF call it in. The could then get some pics for you. Of course, numbers don't mean too much with ECs, but great numbers are never a bad starting point. This one will be more boxy than elongated. VG symmetry and polish can be hard to find in a fancy and this has both.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=9853635

 

[chrono]

Jazmine
Good call on that one.

Two vendors offer the same stone at slightly different prices:
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/9853635 $4981
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=9853635 $5028

Both are great vendors and would take pictures and all that good stuff for you. Prices are already with the wire discount. It is pretty hard to find really good ECs within your specs because most of the ECs in the 1.15ct to 1.2ct range with F colour and VVS-VS1 range are at least $5000 to $7000.

Also the ratio of this EC is at 1.26:1 which is a fatter boxier look. Is this acceptable? Otherwise, I''ll keep looking for you, but your budget is pretty tough to work with.

 

[raqdim]

THANKS guys for your help. Please look for something with 1.40 - 1.50 length/with ratio. I''m definetly looking for a more rectangular piece.
Also, I''m looking for a vendor who would be willing to send the stone to a local appraisal.

Thanks.

 

[raqdim]

Can I get any help around here??
Thanks.

 

[chrono]

Please be a little patient. I do have to work for a living too, you know.

I had to drop the colour to a G, and go slightly over your budget but it looks pretty good. Ratio of 1.42
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/11022832 ($5362)
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=11022832 ($5430)

Managed to get an F but a touch pricier than the above. Ratio of 1.48
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/10630560 ($5483)
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=10630560 ($5550)

Also another potential stone with a 1.4 ratio, but again, just above your budget.
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/10776907 ($5617)

That's about all I can find that fits your parameters, and still remain close to your budget while optimizing cut. Comments?

 

[firebirdgold]

1.13
H
IF
Depth % 59.5
Table % 64%
Symmetry Good
Polish Good
Girdle: medium to slightly thick
culet: small
FLour: faint
7.27 x 5.31 x 3.16
L/W 1.37blue nile diamond

1.11
H
VVS1
D: 59.3%
T: 66%
VG
VG
M - sThk
none
none
7.22 x 5.14 x 3.05
1.40
$5330

 

[jaz464]

I just did a search and could find nothing else that meets all of your criteria. This is with searching for a depth 60-65, table 60-65.5, and F-G, VS1-VS2, 1.1-1.2 carats, under $5000. Virtually all of the diamonds are $5800-$6500.

 

[firebirdgold]

It''s a bit smaller but..
.89
H
VVS2
D: 63.5%
t: 66%
vg
vg
M-sTk
small
faint
6.74 x 4.82 x 3.06
1.40
$4330

 

[chrono]

A few more choices but they don't fit all the criteria:

Smaller at 1.02 ct, G vs1 with a 1.37 ratio but under $5K
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/998303458 ($4797)

Smaller at 1.01ct, G vs1 with a 1.39 ratio but under $5K
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=9202564 ($4804)

1.04 ct, F vs1 with a 1.44 ratio but I'm not hot on the TK to VTk girdle but can live with it. Polish and Symm are sweet.
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=10290558 ($4822)

Smaller 1.03ct G VS1 with a 1.44 ratio
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/10376002 ($4845)

Smaller 1.03ct G VS1 with a 1.44 ratio
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/11149324 ($4845)
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=11149324 ($4893)

1.01ct F VVS2 with a 1.43 ratio
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/11158641 ($5154)

 

[raqdim]

Thank you very much guys for all your help. I don''t want to drop below 1.10 carats. I''m still looking but I can''t find a stone that I fell in love with (taking into account my requirements and budget). I have also contacted WF and asked them to help me find what I''m looking for.

To summarize this is what I''m looking for:
EC 1.10+ carats F+ VS1+ (1.4-1.5 ratio) Very good cut $5000 to $5500.

Please help.

 

[jaz464]

I am afraid it looks like something is going to have to give a little.

 

[chrono]

Raqdim,

Based on your requirements and budget, it is very difficult to find many stones unless you can "give" a little in one of your parameters. Please see my earlier post. That's all I can find.

I had to drop the colour to a G, but it looks pretty good. Ratio of 1.42
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/11022832 ($5362)
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=11022832 ($5430)

Managed to get an F but a touch pricier than the above but still within your budget. Ratio of 1.48
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/10630560 ($5483)
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=10630560 ($5550)

Also another potential stone with a 1.4 ratio, but again, just above your budget.
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/diamonds/10776907 ($5617)

And that's all out there. The prices in brackets are the bankwire prices which WF will honour. If you elect to pay by credit card, then you'll have to pay the higher price as listed on their website.