Maximizing the visual size of an emerald cut diamond

[chamcha]

I have noticed that emerald cut diamonds tend to look smaller than round cut diamonds of the same carat weight.

What are the dimensions I should pay attention to if I want to maximize the look of an emerald cut stone in an engagement ring? Is there any number (depth%) that would help me judge which stone looks the biggest for its weight?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/16/2008 2:32:30 AM
Author:chamcha
I have noticed that emerald cut diamonds tend to look smaller than round cut diamonds of the same carat weight.

What are the dimensions I should pay attention to if I want to maximize the look of an emerald cut stone in an engagement ring? Is there any number (depth%) that would help me judge which stone looks the biggest for its weight?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome!

EC's can hide weight in other areas so the depth won't always tell you much. Look at the diameter of each diamond to see what size it faces up as well as the carat weight. Here is a chart you can use as a guide with some suggested proportions, but please use it as a guide only otherwise you could miss out on some lovely diamonds. Also having a diamond which looks large for the weight( particularly shallow cut for example) may not be such a good thing if the cut quality is compromised, so evaluate each diamond on its own proportions and desirable visual properties.

And of course an expert vendor who has in house diamonds and can supply detailed photos and ASET images is always an asset.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp

 

[oldmancoyote]

I would only add to the great advice above that the brain assesses visual size (largely) in terms of max width x max length. This is why a round looks bigger: the material "in the corners" in square cuts adds weight but not to the impression of size.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/16/2008 4:09:09 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 11/16/2008 2:32:30 AM

Author:chamcha

I have noticed that emerald cut diamonds tend to look smaller than round cut diamonds of the same carat weight.


What are the dimensions I should pay attention to if I want to maximize the look of an emerald cut stone in an engagement ring? Is there any number (depth%) that would help me judge which stone looks the biggest for its weight?


Thanks in advance!

Welcome!


EC's can hide weight in other areas so the depth won't always tell you much. Look at the diameter of each diamond to see what size it faces up as well as the carat weight. Here is a chart you can use as a guide with some suggested proportions, but please use it as a guide only otherwise you could miss out on some lovely diamonds. Also having a diamond which looks large for the weight( particularly shallow cut for example) may not be such a good thing if the cut quality is compromised, so evaluate each diamond on its own proportions and desirable visual properties.


And of course an expert vendor who has in house diamonds and can supply detailed photos and ASET images is always an asset.


http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp

Bravo and second being very careful when using any kind of chart.

I would change that to images are mandatory when buying remotely and add that vendors can call some in for pictures if they don't have them in stock.

Have I told ya lately how kicken you are

 

[justjulia]

Chiming in to say that while larger tables can make the ec appear larger, the appearance may take a hit with it having a mirror flash of glass instead of being able to see down into those beautiful steps, from a few feet away.

Have you thought of a setting with a frame of diamonds around the ec?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/16/2008 8:57:45 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/16/2008 4:09:09 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 11/16/2008 2:32:30 AM

Author:chamcha

I have noticed that emerald cut diamonds tend to look smaller than round cut diamonds of the same carat weight.


What are the dimensions I should pay attention to if I want to maximize the look of an emerald cut stone in an engagement ring? Is there any number (depth%) that would help me judge which stone looks the biggest for its weight?


Thanks in advance!

Welcome!


EC''s can hide weight in other areas so the depth won''t always tell you much. Look at the diameter of each diamond to see what size it faces up as well as the carat weight. Here is a chart you can use as a guide with some suggested proportions, but please use it as a guide only otherwise you could miss out on some lovely diamonds. Also having a diamond which looks large for the weight( particularly shallow cut for example) may not be such a good thing if the cut quality is compromised, so evaluate each diamond on its own proportions and desirable visual properties.


And of course an expert vendor who has in house diamonds and can supply detailed photos and ASET images is always an asset.


http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp

Bravo and second being very careful when using any kind of chart.

I would change that to images are mandatory when buying remotely and add that vendors can call some in for pictures if they don''t have them in stock.

Have I told ya lately how kicken you are

Oh gosh you are too kind Stormy and I have to say the same right back at you!!!

That is a huge compliment coming from you, thank you!!!

 

[bgray]

while its true that weight can be hidden in other areas--depth itself is a good guideline as is girdle thickness. stay at 66% or less for depth and to thin to slightly thick for girdle. a table 67 to 60 and a crown of 9 to 13 will go a long way toward eliminating wasted carats. numbers are no guarantee but often with a certain number of parameters being in the right frame everything else is often in line

 

[oldminer]

bgray: You said it just as I was about to say the same things......

Since depth % varies only against width with all fancy shapes, it is less of a sure fire measure to go by than with rounds. Girdle thickness is an excellent clue to getting the larger visual size for a given carat weight. Comparing the square surface (visibility) measurements on the group of diamonds you have selected will give you a very positive answer. Just multiply the length x width of each proposed diamond and you will have a very exact square mm measure oif visual size. People who warn against the use of charts have some agenda or just have not given it enough thought. Of course, charts have limitations, but that does not mean they have no value. Used properly and with understanding, charts make common sense out of a complex problem.

Take a look at the AGS ASET image charts. At first glance they look complex and confusing. You can be misled initially. Look and learn more and you will see what they can and can''t tell you about a diamond. Not all information is simple and direct at first glance.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/16/2008 10:35:16 AM
Author: oldminer
People who warn against the use of charts have some agenda or just have not given it enough thought.

Dave,
In my opinion you can not even begin to make the final selection of an EC by using numbers.
The exact same numbers off the charts can give hundreds of different looks.
With EC's personal preference is a huge part of it and can not be represented on a chart.
By using charts as a major selection point someone may miss the right stone for them and be led in the wrong direction.
For example a bunch of people have purchased 1.2x l/w ratio EC and they are no way inferior as the charts imply.

 

[bgray]

as dave said they can be highly useful guidelines. ratio is personal preference--and a good example of why not to wed oneself to the charts. however having searched for and purchased several ECs and an asscher--the charts do most definitely HELP weed out the likely garbage

Date: 11/16/2008 11:05:38 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/16/2008 10:35:16 AM
Author: oldminer
People who warn against the use of charts have some agenda or just have not given it enough thought.

Dave,
In my opinion you can not even begin to make the final selection of an EC by using numbers.
The exact same numbers off the charts can give hundreds of different looks.
With EC's personal preference is a huge part of it and can not be represented on a chart.
By using charts as a major selection point someone may miss the right stone for them and be led in the wrong direction.
For example a bunch of people have purchased 1.2x l/w ratio EC and they are no way inferior as the charts imply.

 

[oldminer]

When I refer to charts on fancy shapes I tend to use the ones I made up for AGA years ago. On them it clearly states that ratio of length to width is a prefernce and not something to base a grade or a final choice on. The market of consumers does show cerrtain preferential ranges of length to width ratios which you may agree or not agree with. This is personal and not expertise based. You or I can hold a personal opinion on L:W which no one else agrees with and be just as right as the next individual, but consumers constantly seek to biuy non-controversial diamonds which they can feel easy with and know they have not bought into an odd situation. Charts lead consumers in normal paths and have broad comfort zones. The final choice is always with your eyes if beauty is the key. If size is key, then you can buy with a scale or a ruler. There are many ways to buy and I don''t worry over what individuals use to make their choices. I urge them to use moderation and knowledge, however.

I don''t see any person or organization leading people into poor choices with charts. Surely, there are more unusual yet reasonably fine choices for those willing to go out further from the norms of the market, but I have found very few who will put their money there. They might like to think they are open minded and very adventurous, but when it comes time to make the deal people usually get more conservative and cautious tending to go with the majority opinions. That''s the charts I prefer to provide. Garry Holloway provides HCA to give diverse information on rounds, but fancy shapes without DiamCalc or other complex software packages are problematic. The most common sets of measures which lead to safe choices are in well recognized charts. If one wants to go out further on a limb they''ll need you and DiamCalc expertise to set them on the correct, narrow path. It is difficult to take the narrow path first, however. One looks to find diamonds that are available first and then to select from them. Charts make the selection process logical and simpler. That''s what I support for consumers.

 

[bgray]

Mr. Atlas --I think you are right on the money. People often rely too much on reports and data when they buy things--cars, stocks, jewelry etc. That being said, those charts and guides can supply a valuable baseline framework. And per the original poster''s question............if you narrow your search to stones that fall inside a certain set of standards you will have a good pool with which to work. To say its the eyes only not only makes for a difficult and often impossible job but its shortsighted. Ex: I bought a stone once. Stunning-gorgeous but at a 78% depth the stone was very small appearing for its carat weight. I knew enough to be useless and insecure. My jeweler said the same thing--trust me and my eye. Well, I did and massively overpaid for a 3.5 carat stone that looked like a 2 carat. Then I found books and the internet and then eventually pricescope.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/16/2008 12:23:12 PM
Author: oldminer

I don't see any person or organization leading people into poor choices with charts. Surely, there are more unusual yet reasonably fine choices for those willing to go out further from the norms of the market, but I have found very few who will put their money there. They might like to think they are open minded and very adventurous, but when it comes time to make the deal people usually get more conservative and cautious tending to go with the majority opinions.

Considering the norms of the EC market are total garbage the smart buyer plays the top end not the norms.
Anyone willing to listen can buy there with a little work.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/16/2008 12:23:12 PM
Author: oldminer
but fancy shapes without DiamCalc or other complex software packages are problematic.

Unless you have a helium scanner to scan the diamonds software like DC is pretty useless with EC and SE cuts for making a buying decision.
It is however an excellent design tool if you have a cutter that can do what it suggests.

 

[bgray]

Date: 11/16/2008 3:55:33 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/16/2008 12:23:12 PM
Author: oldminer

I don''t see any person or organization leading people into poor choices with charts. Surely, there are more unusual yet reasonably fine choices for those willing to go out further from the norms of the market, but I have found very few who will put their money there. They might like to think they are open minded and very adventurous, but when it comes time to make the deal people usually get more conservative and cautious tending to go with the majority opinions.

Considering the norms of the EC market are total garbage the smart buyer plays the top end not the norms.
Anyone willing to listen can buy there with a little work.

yep and thats what i have now....................using the fancy cut chart i culled through stones for months. when something fit all the 1a parameters and my additional qualifications then i would look at it. i ended up with three finalists but not at the same time. i turned down 2 stones that werent quite there ...............and finally found mine

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/16/2008 4:19:41 PM
Author: bgray
yep and thats what i have now....................using the fancy cut chart i culled through stones for months. when something fit all the 1a parameters and my additional qualifications then i would look at it. i ended up with three finalists but not at the same time. i turned down 2 stones that werent quite there ...............and finally found mine

You likely passed by several that were as good and maybe some that were better in doing so for a 2 out of 3 failure rate.
Pictures with some basic numbers does better.

 

[bgray]

Date: 11/16/2008 4:41:41 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/16/2008 4:19:41 PM
Author: bgray
yep and thats what i have now....................using the fancy cut chart i culled through stones for months. when something fit all the 1a parameters and my additional qualifications then i would look at it. i ended up with three finalists but not at the same time. i turned down 2 stones that werent quite there ...............and finally found mine

You likely passed by several that were as good and maybe some that were better in doing so for a 2 out of 3 failure rate.
Pictures with some basic numbers does better.

that is what i used-basic numbers plus preliminary pictures.