Marquise LGD 1.5-2ct help!

[emmy12]

My friend asked me to help source a center stone for her engagement ring, but I have no experience with marquise stones. Any recommendations are appreciated!

• 1.5 - 2ct range
• Marquise cut
• Ratio 1.9 to 2.1
• Budget is ideally under $2500-3000 CAD for the stone
• lab grown

She was sent these 3 options from the local jeweler. Both of us gravitated to the 1.75 CT with untrained eyes. I thought the 2.02 might have a brown tint, but thought it could be the white balance of how the video was shot.

LG579358934

1.62

H

VS2

LG601334741

1.75

G

VS1

LG602374708

2.02

H

VVS 2

The planned setting is this sunburst halo STU 124470 from Stuller, so a stone that fits their standard dimensions would be beneficial to avoid having to go custom. The stones above were sourced to fit in the 12x6 setting version.

 

[HGar]

I like the middle one out of the three - Adiamor is advertising that stone for $953 USD. https://www.stonealgo.com/diamond-details/IGI-number-LG601334741

 

[emmy12]

Thanks for the tip on that listing, will pass that over to her ASAP!

 

[emmy12]

Help needed for evaluating some new marquise candidates. Size has gone up to the 2.5ct range and setting is now going to be a half-bezel solitaire set north-south.

Option 1:

Video 360 Link

Option 2:

diamond-100747781352KD | Frank Darling

Sustainably grown lab diamonds and conflict-free natural diamonds. Shop competitively priced GIA diamonds in every shape, from emerald cut to round brilliant.

frankdarling.com

Any opinions or tips on what to look for?

 

[HGar]

Big difference is colour between those two - the second option is my preferred colour wise.

When I researched I read that a preferred depth should be between 58-62%, the better colour choice of yours is slightly deeper at almost 64%.

 

[tyty333]

Just wanted to point out the difference in the faceting pattern between these two stones.

The first (of the two newer stones) stone is a 6 main or an 8 main with the arrows going straight through the center. This usually
gives you a wider area of facets reflecting light well through the center. In the picture below you can see the arrow going straight
through the center and the top circled area are facets reflecting light nicely. *The IGI report is saying its an 8 main with the arrows
offset from the center but that's not what I'm seeing when I look at the video.


The second stone is the more typical 8 main offset from the center. Usually* means a little more mush compared
to the other faceting pattern (note: each stone and faceting pattern has to be evaluated on its own merits).

So, IMO, the first one (the J) will have better light return but then you have to deal with the J color. Ask the jeweler
to bring both stones in so you can have a look at them

Edit FYI...

Marquise come in different faceting patterns 4 mains, 6 mains, 8 mains straight across and 8 mains offset from the
center. The typical one you see is the 8 mains offset from the center but IMO, the other ones tend to have better
light return (see * above though).

anatomy of one type of marquise (typical 8 main offset...most marquise you find have this faceting pattern)



Faceting diagrams 6 main...by main I mean pavilion mains...look at the bottom/pavilion diagram

 

[emmy12]

Very helpful thanks! I am not an expert in marquise at all other than in the videos in the showrooms the J looks very nice and had good scintilation.

She is really happy with the service she had with Frank Darling when she went in person to their SF office to see the first one IRL. She would like to stick with them because they have designed a setting for her she likes.

In person, she didn't have any issue/notice the colour at that time but she also didn't know that it was a J so she didn't think to evaluate any closer.

This is the J (top) next to a larger E that they had in stock. And then photos of the J on its own that their sales associate sent her last week. Against the E it looks quite dark and grey. I wasn't sure if this was the colour or the facets (or both) contributing to this effect.

She is open to other stones in the FD listed inventory if anyone could find some good options! The only budget I got was "it has to be reasonable" which I'm interpreting as <$5k CAD (about $3700-3800 USD) for the total with stone and setting. The stones she's been sending me so far I believe have been <$2k USD if that helps for reference.

 

[tyty333]

As much as I think the J has a better faceting pattern I dont think I would recommend a J in a marquise to someone new to diamonds
that doesnt really know what they're buying. I wouldnt want someone regretting the color down the road and wishing they bought
something a little whiter. My suggestion is to keep looking...I'll take a look at FD and see what else I can find.

 

[emmy12]

Any thoughts on either of these? I think everything on the FD inventory was the 8 mains offset variety. Search parameters were Size 2.4-3.0ct , price <$2000, color H or better, clarity VS2 or better, ratio 1.6-2)

2.66 H VS1

diamond-LV40-276BA | Frank Darling

Sustainably grown lab diamonds and conflict-free natural diamonds. Shop competitively priced GIA diamonds in every shape, from emerald cut to round brilliant.

frankdarling.com

2.67 H VS2

diamond-LVA13-009DBA | Frank Darling

Sustainably grown lab diamonds and conflict-free natural diamonds. Shop competitively priced GIA diamonds in every shape, from emerald cut to round brilliant.

frankdarling.com

 

[HGar]

I prefer the 2nd option out of those two - the 1st is a squat stone so chubbier whereas the 2nd is more slender which was and still is my preference in a marquise.