4.08 D Fl Emerald Critique

[ares_]

This stone is great on paper: https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/4.08-ct-D-FL-Excellent-Cut-Emerald-Diamond/D51877373

As an inexperienced buyer any opinions on the quality and aesthetics of the cut would be much appreciated!

ASET image attached (note that I’ve taken it myself with what I’m sure is an imperfect setup).

 

[Karl_K]

The ASET does not look promising at all.
The video agrees with the ASET image.

 

[tyty333]

And tyty333 agrees with @Karl_K

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Not too many ECs are that long, narrow shape. It's certainly striking. Maybe extending your search a bit lower in color and clarity would turn up some good candidates.
Karl K. is incredible with step cuts, just a great resource. Keep looking!

 

[ares_]

Thanks for the responses! My fiancée-to-be absolutely wants a length/width ratio over 1.7 which has been tough to track down in an EC. Still considering committing to this stone as I think it’s beautiful despite the ASET.

 

[kb1gra]

Thanks for the responses! My fiancée-to-be absolutely wants a length/width ratio over 1.7 which has been tough to track down in an EC. Still considering committing to this stone as I think it’s beautiful despite the ASET.

If you love it then you love it.

Is the D/FL a cultural requirement, personal preference, or just what this stone with the right ratio happened to be?

 

[ares_]

This stone with 1.9 L/W ratio just happened to be D/FL. I’ve been searching F+/IF+ as I do have some degree of personal preference for higher color and clarity.

I also find it a bit intriguing that this stone turned out to be a type 2a as we are both from the city where they were first mined.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21117379 ?

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I would actually steer clear of FL clarity since it basically has a good chance of becoming IF upon setting (the act of setting the stone can cause it to get super minor surface blemishes, or just over time with wear it will no longer remain FL so it will devalue the stone).

Would you consider going to VVS1 or VVS2? FWIW I think you’ll be much likelier to see colour than clarity with the naked eye, so I would prioritise that (and stick with the D-F range you want) but be a bit more flexible with clarity, since you have a carat goal and a preferred ratio that is different from the usual.

 

[kb1gra]

I'm going to hazard a guess that it's the combination of the ratio and the IF requirement that is causing your choices to be vanishingly small.

For nearly 6 figs, it pains me a little to see you overpaying for that color and clarity grade.

eg: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/3.50-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-15460866

 

[Karl_K]

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21117379 ?

That is one rare duck and likely to be wow also.

 

[Karl_K]

I'm going to hazard a guess that it's the combination of the ratio and the IF requirement that is causing your choices to be vanishingly small.

For nearly 6 figs, it pains me a little to see you overpaying for that color and clarity grade.

eg: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/3.50-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-15460866

Not as well cut as the 3ct above but could be better than the 4.08 maybe.

 

[ares_]

That is one rare duck and likely to be wow also.

How does it compare to this one? https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD20941572

I happen to have side-by-side video of the 4.08 (left) and this diamond (right):

https://imgur.com/a/V5Xj9Vt

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

That is one rare duck and likely to be wow also.

Seriously?

I think I just wet my pants.

 

[musicloveranthony]

How does it compare to this one? https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD20941572

I happen to have side-by-side video of the 4.08 (left) and this diamond (right):

https://imgur.com/a/V5Xj9Vt

This might sound blasphemous, but I don't find either of those to be well-cut stones. They're simple large

 

[Karl_K]

How does it compare to this one? https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD20941572

I happen to have side-by-side video of the 4.08 (left) and this diamond (right):

https://imgur.com/a/V5Xj9Vt

Interesting comparison, one has leakage and the other a ton of obstruction response. Ie. dark up close.

This one has the potential to beat both by a lot

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21117379

 

[ares_]

Interesting comparison, one has leakage and the other a ton of obstruction response. Ie. dark up close.

This one has the potential to beat both by a lot

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21117379

Thanks so much for the input, I ended up ordering that one.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Get out! You have to show us when it comes.

One of the most elegant women I know wears a long EC much like this one, chosen to fit her extremely long fingers. I admired it and she took it off and handed it to me so graciously, I'll never forget that.

 

[ares_]

It’s here!

https://imgur.com/a/jiLBjWw

 

[Karl_K]

It’s here!

https://imgur.com/a/jiLBjWw

Rock it back and forth on the short axis that's how it looks on the hand as the hand rotates side to side.

 

[Karl_K]

<I> like that not <-> where the I and - is the diamond and the arrows are direction of rotation.

 

[ares_]

Like this?

https://imgur.com/a/RZBR5Bd

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Such beautiful ends and corners on that diamond.

 

[ares_]

Would love to get your opinion @Karl_K if you get a chance to look.

 

[Karl_K]

Looks like it dances well to me.
What do you think?

 

[ares_]

Yes it’s wonderful and I’m quite happy with it. I think my search is over. Thanks so much @Karl_K and @Ibrakeforpossums!

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Seeing someone get an unusually lovely step cut is as satisfying as buying it myself. Please keep us posted with your setting considerations.