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Hi there –
I’m looking to purchase a diamond with the following parameters:
Shape: Round or emerald
Cut: Ideal
Color: D
Clarity: VVS1 – IF
Carat: 1.5 – 2
Price: $13K – $15K
Based on these parameters, what would you suggest in terms of a diamond?
Many thanks.
Is there a reason for you to look at such high color and clarity grades? If you’re willing to go a little down, I’ll be happy to send you other colorless and eye-clean options. If you want to stick with these, here are my suggestions of stones with the quality I’d recommend:
Thanks for getting back to me, appreciate the help and advice. I’d be willing to go down on color to an E or F, and clarity to a VVS1 or VVS2.
…
I’ve been doing some additional research and have made some changes to my parameters. Below are my new parameters. Based on this, would you have any recommendations?
Cut: Emerald
Color: F
Clarity: VS1 or VVS2
Carat: 1.8-2.0
Ratio: 1.3-1.4, or the range for a more classic emerald shape as I’ve read quite a number of different ranges.
What do you think of this one?
This looks good… Can you tell me why you’d recommend this one? Are there any others you’d recommend? What do you think about these stones?
What can you tell me about the window and extinction effects in emerald cuts?
The stone I sent has a fantastic cut, almost no windowing effect, fluorescence is fine as well as other important specs (color, eye-cleanliness, price, carat weight).
As for the 1.80 carat from JA, it is flat. That’s why I’d stick with the one I sent.
The issue with the F from Blue Nile is its medium fluorescence. It can cause a hazy look. That’s why I don’t recommend purchasing this one.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/
The 1.52 carat is beautiful with fantastic specs. But I checked and found these two stones that are slightly bigger and less expensive.
The windowing effect is fine. There’s almost none or only a little in all the stones we have discussed so far.
I’m not sure what you mean by extinction effect. But emeralds are less brilliant in general because of the long facets.
What are your thoughts on this one? Blue Nile LD01870243
The issue with this one is its very small culet. It should be none.
I see. So then the age of the diamond isn’t a red flag?
Does the very small culet affect the overall look of an emerald?
…
What are your thoughts on this stone from JA?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.20-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4739351?a_aid=dmnd1357
Looking at the diamond straight on, it looks quite dark in the middle, and am wondering what is causing that and if that is a bad thing? I wonder if it is attributed to the crown and pavilion percentages that are listed on the site?
As I am continuing my search, I’ve also upped my budget to $19,000 so I would be open to your diamond recommendations in that price range as well.
No, the date of the report is not a red flag. Sometimes, it takes time till the stone reaches the market. But the very small culet is not good. It can affect the light return and overall impression.
The black parts are the black windows we talked about in our last email. That’s an impression that’s not desirable. Plus, its medium fluorescence is an issue. It can cause a hazy look on high colors. That’s why I don’t recommend purchasing this stone.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/
Have a look at this one:
This one from JA looks amazing! I’m wondering if the depth at 73.3% and the girdle being slightly thick-very thick is an issue – will it make the stone look dull or dark in areas? I haven’t seen many stones with this high a depth so I’m curious to learn more about this.
The depth is almost at the top end of what we recommend but it is still OK. So there’s no need to worry about that.
As for the girdle, it has little to no impact on the visual appearance. As long as you avoid extremely thin or thick, you are fine.
I went with the last one! Thank you so much!
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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