Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

newbie buying a marquise -- needs help!

M

mrkool44

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 15, 2014
Messages
22
Hi,

I am trying to a buy a marquise that will go on a engagement ring.

can you tell me if this is a good diamond , (cost: $2,890 - from James Allen)?

Thanks, any advice appreciated.

---------
Carat weight:0.63
Certificate:GIA
Color:D
Shape: Marquise
Clarity: IF
Depth %:58.10
Girdle: Thin - Thick
Table %:62.00
Culet:None
Polish:Excellent
Symmetry:Very Good
Fluorescence:None
L/W/D (mm): 9.35*4.48*2.60
L/W Ratio: 2.09
 
Can't buy marquise by the numbers.

Must buy only from Pics and the ASET.

Post the link. Marquise are not going to be taken out from under you. Just post it so we can see it.
 
Uh oh! Marquise time... where is Niel?? :)
 
D IF is a waste of money, unless it's the nicest stone they have. BTW.
 
Oh. And you don't want to send the diamond to the setting guy for setting. That's backward.

Once you have your diamond, you send the setting guy the certificate and tell him to put the right head on it. Then he sends it to the diamond vendor for setting. And they will insure your stone while setting. Marquise can chip when they are being set (any diamond can, but stone with points are particularly vulnerable and marquise have two). So don't send the stone to the setting guy. That's the wrong way to do things. OK?
 
Interesting thread, marquise stones never get enough attention but I think they can be quite nice if cut well, it is just that with pears (my favorite shape) and marquise it is very difficult to achieve a great cut and one without a bowtie or as minimal one as possible. I am personally very picky about bowties but the fact is that pretty much all marquise will have varying degrees of it. My only problem with the two stones Gypsy posted is exactly that, I find that the bowties in both stones are pretty prominent. I actually prefer the second stone as I find the shape much more attractive being a chunkier one versus a more elongated one but this aspect is entirely subjective. Both stones have merit and are quite nice actually if you can live with the bowtie. Another important point that Gypsy made is that marquise have two points and thus can be susceptible to damage, much more so than other shapes, care must be taken when setting and wearing the stone. Yes, please post a link to the stone you are considering OP. I too think that IF is a waste, VS or even SI can be eyeclean, I would not get a D either but try to aim for E-F, possibly a high G if you like icy whites.
 
Hi mrkool :wavey:

I concur with the other ladies, please do post a link to the marquise you are considering, then we can give you our opinions. It's nice to see this shape get some love, a well cut marquise can be lovely to see. I would add with these shapes, you could definitely lower your colour range as OVi suggests, the range she mentions is a good middle ground especially as marquise and pears can hold a little warmth in the tips in some cases, it isn't always particularly noticeable or even an issue, just something to bear in mind as you go lower on the colour scale, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. Also with bow ties, good point from the other ladies about checking the prominence of this effect in any marquise you are interested in. Many elongated shapes can show a bow tie to some extent but some more than others, so a trusted vendor is the best person to advise.
 
Here is the one I purchased yesterday from James Allen: (arrival may 28 to my house)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.63-carat-d-color-if-clarity-sku-211930
$2,900

I also ordered this one to "preview" at a local jeweler: (arrival June 6 to store)
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/marquise-diamond-0-64-Carat-D-color-GIA-certified/D-1M35QQ?search_key=D-1M35QQ
$3,300

Both places have free returns. So, I plan to compare them both out at a local jeweler and then decide which one to keep.

Diamond must be between .60 - .70 carat (otherwise the ring dimensions will look weird)

I prefer a ratio that is 1.80 - 2.10

A lot of you are suggesting colors lower than D-F , and clarity less than VVS2. I was under the impression that I should shoot for better in both categories? My price range is: $3,000.

As for bow-tie effect, I learned the following will minimize this effect. Also, does Symmetry have any correlation to bow-tie effect ?
DEPTH: 59% - 63%
TABLE: 53% - 62%


So, based on that, I purchased the 2 diamonds above. If you think there are better options for me, I am open to any suggestions or advice.

You are much more experienced and knowledgeable than me on this matter, I'm a newb!

Thanks for your help!



Little background:

I live on the east coast, my GF lives on the west coast. I decided to get the engagement ring custom made at a jeweler near her.
So, the ring is being made 2000 miles away from me.
Ring will be made with a peg head to fit most any diamond. Ring will be completed around July 5.
Jeweler told me I have time to select a diamond, when I do, he will install it into the setting. I asked for a 6 prong platinum head, with 2 V necks.
His store didn't have any diamonds I liked and he wasn't able to source much from corporate. stuff he had was too high priced.

So, my plan is to buy a diamond and give it to the jeweler in person on my next trip to the west coast (July 2)
 
mrkool44|1400856816|3678773 said:
Here is the one I purchased yesterday from James Allen: (arrival may 28 to my house)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.63-carat-d-color-if-clarity-sku-211930
$2,900

It looks like a nice marquise but I can see a distinct bow tie effect, see what you think when you view it.

I also ordered this one to "preview" at a local jeweler: (arrival June 6 to store)
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/marquise-diamond-0-64-Carat-D-color-GIA-certified/D-1M35QQ?search_key=D-1M35QQ
$3,300

That appears to be a computer generated image so unfortunately, won't tell us much, if anything about the diamond, but at least you will be in a good position to compare both.

Both places have free returns. So, I plan to compare them both out at a local jeweler and then decide which one to keep.

Excellent scenario.

Diamond must be between .60 - .70 carat (otherwise the ring dimensions will look weird)

I prefer a ratio that is 1.80 - 2.10

A lot of you are suggesting colors lower than D-F , and clarity less than VVS2. I was under the impression that I should shoot for better in both categories? My price range is: $3,000. It's a matter of personal preference, if you would rather have D - F VVS as that's your preference then of course that is fine. But you certainly could consider lowering both colour and clarity if you find a marquise you like, as suggested GIA graded G or H colour even and VS or verified eye clean SI1 for clarity.

As for bow-tie effect, I learned the following will minimize this effect. Also, does Symmetry have any correlation to bow-tie effect ?
DEPTH: 59% - 63%
TABLE: 53% - 62%

I am always wary of going by two measurements such as those above, thinking that they *will* help minimize any bow tie effects...It's always best to check out each individual diamond for the amount of bow tie, you could find one with measurements way out of the above range that might not show much of a bow tie at all, your own eyes and those of a trusted vendor if applicable are the best way, but you can of course stick to those proportions if you prefer.


So, based on that, I purchased the 2 diamonds above. If you think there are better options for me, I am open to any suggestions or advice.

You are much more experienced and knowledgeable than me on this matter, I'm a newb!

Thanks for your help!



Little background:

I live on the east coast, my GF lives on the west coast. I decided to get the engagement ring custom made at a jeweler near her.
So, the ring is being made 2000 miles away from me.
Ring will be made with a peg head to fit most any diamond. Ring will be completed around July 5.
Jeweler told me I have time to select a diamond, when I do, he will install it into the setting. I asked for a 6 prong platinum head, with 2 V necks.
His store didn't have any diamonds I liked and he wasn't able to source much from corporate. stuff he had was too high priced.

So, my plan is to buy a diamond and give it to the jeweler in person on my next trip to the west coast (July 2)
Click to expand...
I would make sure should the worst happen while the diamond is being set and it chips, that the jeweller would assume responsibility, they might not on a diamond they didn't sell. Although diamonds chipping through the setting process is rare, it does happen and shapes such as marquise with pointed tips can be vulnerable, just make sure.

Sounds like a plan, good luck with it all!
 
I prefer this one that Gypsy suggested because the cutting is much better and the bowtie less prominent. I am sorry to say the one you selected isn't as well cut and has an obvious bowtie.
This one has promise: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.74-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-277778

Don't go by the carat weight, but by the measurement. A stone with a 0.6 carat weight if cut shallowly could end up measuring WAY larger than a 0.8 ct deeply cut marquise.

It is the cut that has the most impact, out of all the 4 Cs. I agree that a cool colour is best because colour tends to concentrate on both ends of the marquise. Generally, they are also eye clean in the VS range, and sometimes in the SI1 range. No matter where your preference lies in the other Cs, I would not compromise on the cut because that reflects how sparkly or dead the diamond will look.

There is no guarantee or number crunching that will tell you a particular marquise is well cut of not. The same for the bowtie effect. Table and depth tells you nothing about the cut nor predicts the level of the bowtie.

_18492.jpg
 
Chrono|1400857687|3678781 said:
I prefer this one that Gypsy suggested because the cutting is much better and the bowtie less prominent. I am sorry to say the one you selected isn't as well cut and has an obvious bowtie.
This one has promise: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.74-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-277778

Don't go by the carat weight, but by the measurement. A stone with a 0.6 carat weight if cut shallowly could end up measuring WAY larger than a 0.8 ct marquise.

It is the cut that has the most impact, out of all the 4 Cs. I agree that a cool colour is best because colour tends to concentrate on both ends of the marquise. Generally, they are also eye clean in the VS range, and sometimes in the SI1 range. No matter where your preference lies in the other Cs, I would not compromise on the cut because that reflect how sparkly or dead the diamond will look.

There is no guarantee or number crunching that will tell you a particular marquise is well cut of not. The same for the bowtie effect. Table and depth tells you nothing about the cut nor predicts the level of the bowtie.
Click to expand...


Nice work Chrono!!!
 
Chrono|1400857687|3678781 said:
I prefer this one that Gypsy suggested because the cutting is much better and the bowtie less prominent. I am sorry to say the one you selected isn't as well cut and has an obvious bowtie.
This one has promise: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.74-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-277778

Don't go by the carat weight, but by the measurement. A stone with a 0.6 carat weight if cut shallowly could end up measuring WAY larger than a 0.8 ct marquise.

It is the cut that has the most impact, out of all the 4 Cs. I agree that a cool colour is best because colour tends to concentrate on both ends of the marquise. Generally, they are also eye clean in the VS range, and sometimes in the SI1 range. No matter where your preference lies in the other Cs, I would not compromise on the cut because that reflect how sparkly or dead the diamond will look.

There is no guarantee or number crunching that will tell you a particular marquise is well cut of not. The same for the bowtie effect. Table and depth tells you nothing about the cut nor predicts the level of the bowtie.
Click to expand...

Yes, I see the prominent bow-tie on the james allen on :( But, I will check it out in person and let's see how it looks.

It's hard to pick one online because there is no information on the cut, besides depth/table info. I suppose the only way to see cut is to actually see the diamond or a HD picture online?
 
mrkool44|1400858391|3678797 said:
It's hard to pick one online because there is no information on the cut, besides depth/table info. I suppose the only way to see cut is to actually see the diamond or a HD picture online?
Click to expand...

Not 100% true. Pick the best 3 diamonds from JA that has potential, request them to run them through the ASET and this will tell you how well they are cut. JA will do this for you up to 3 diamonds (only once and at one go). The ASET will tell you where the leakage is, which facets are reflecting light back to your eye and more. GOG will also do this for you.

Unless you have trained your eyes well, it can be difficult for a layperson to say whether a particular diamond is well cut or a dud, not having seen many diamonds or even well cut diamonds for comparison.
 
Chrono|1400858707|3678802 said:
mrkool44|1400858391|3678797 said:
It's hard to pick one online because there is no information on the cut, besides depth/table info. I suppose the only way to see cut is to actually see the diamond or a HD picture online?
Click to expand...

Not 100% true. Pick the best 3 diamonds from JA that has potential, request them to run them through the ASET and this will tell you how well they are cut. JA will do this for you up to 3 diamonds (only once and at one go). The ASET will tell you where the leakage is, which facets are reflecting light back to your eye and more. GOG will also do this for you.

Unless you have trained your eyes well, it can be difficult for a layperson to say whether a particular diamond is well cut or a dud, not having seen many diamonds or even well cut diamonds for comparison.
Click to expand...

Ahh, I see. Didn't look into ASET !

I will ask JA to do the ASET test on the diamond I purchased and post it here , along with 2 others.

Thanks
 
I agree, the James Allen is poorly cut, I am sorry to say this. Sometimes even an EX on a report does not mean a thing; that marquise is very shallow and has a very strong bowtie effect. My experience is that it happens less with chunkier stones and stones a bit deeper. Every stone is an individual though and has to be evaluated separately and as I said even an EX often may not mean a thing. This is really tough I understand because eyes are the best judge, I know that many dispute this but the problem is that this is only fully true with a trained eye sadly. In fancy shapes numbers are not as easy to interpret and there is a lot more room for divergence in what is a great cut. I do like the second stone you selected better but it is only one picture. I did like the options Gypsy selected especially the second one. Do not forget though that everything is subjective to a certain point but those were good options.
 
Ah yes, thanks Chrono for explaining about looking at the measurements, that was a very well explained and thorough advice in every regard and I totally agree. Measurements are extremely important when you already have a setting, it may be hard to adjust the setting and yes deeper stones can face up smaller but pears and marquise a bit on the deep side and with a chunkier shape will tend to show less or no bowtie. It is a preference issue too but the last thing you want is a shallow and narrow marquise and they will also be more prone to damage.
 
JulieN|1400861690|3678830 said:
I quite like this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043
Click to expand...

Yes this is a good one, a bit over my price range and a bit bigger than what I wanted, but I like it !

Oh, and I cancelled the order for the one you all said was a poor cut .

what do you think about these ? I want to narrow it down to 3 and have them do an ASET on 3:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.66-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-181951

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.70-carat-f-color-if-clarity-sku-296268
 
Jule's selection, the D VVS would be my first choice, followed by the second D VS2.
 
mrkool44|1400878010|3678998 said:
JulieN|1400861690|3678830 said:
I quite like this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043
Click to expand...

what do you think about these ? I want to narrow it down to 3 and have them do an ASET on 3:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.66-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-181951

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.70-carat-f-color-if-clarity-sku-296268
Click to expand...


Ok. So this time you picked much nicer stones.
So... I would get an ASET of all three of these. Then pick the best one.
I do like this one a LOT thoughl, Chrono posted it. better than the F above. What was wrong with it?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.74-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-277778

And this one Julie picked has the crispest facets. I think it will be very bright in the ASET: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043 Can you stretch to hit this one.

And the jeweler said the setting takes a peg head... so why do the measurements matter?
 
Gypsy|1400891420|3679079 said:
mrkool44|1400878010|3678998 said:
JulieN|1400861690|3678830 said:
I quite like this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043
Click to expand...

what do you think about these ? I want to narrow it down to 3 and have them do an ASET on 3:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.66-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-181951

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.70-carat-f-color-if-clarity-sku-296268
Click to expand...


Ok. So this time you picked much nicer stones.
So... I would get an ASET of all three of these. Then pick the best one.
I do like this one a LOT thoughl, Chrono posted it. better than the F above. What was wrong with it?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.74-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-277778

And this one Julie picked has the crispest facets. I think it will be very bright in the ASET: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043 Can you stretch to hit this one.

And the jeweler said the setting takes a peg head... so why do the measurements matter?
Click to expand...


I like the one Julie picked (282043) and it is one of the 3 I chose above.
I can swing it...I'm just concerned it maybe too big for the setting/band I chose.
What do you think?
Here is the setting that is being custom made, the stone pictured here is a .37 carat:
http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12018374

The one chrono picked looks very nice - But, I just want to stick to a diamond that's better than VS2. It's a mental thing, since
I know this will be a once in a lifetime thing...I want to get something that is nicer, if that make sense.

The measurements don't matter, you're right - Just don't want a oddly big diamond on that specific ring.
 
mrkool44|1400898681|3679114 said:
[

But, I just want to stick to a diamond that's better than VS2. It's a mental thing, since
I know this will be a once in a lifetime thing...I want to get something that is nicer, if that make sense.

Of course, if that's your preference then absolutely go with the highest colour and clarity you are comfortable with, the ' recipe' for each person's diamond varies tremendously, some do prefer very high clarity and or colour, nothing wrong with that! Combine those with a lovely cut and you will have a rare and beautiful gem.
Click to expand...
 
mrkool44|1400898681|3679114 said:
I like the one Julie picked (282043) and it is one of the 3 I chose above.
I can swing it...I'm just concerned it maybe too big for the setting/band I chose.
What do you think?
Here is the setting that is being custom made, the stone pictured here is a .37 carat:
http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12018374
The one chrono picked looks very nice - But, I just want to stick to a diamond that's better than VS2. It's a mental thing, since
I know this will be a once in a lifetime thing...I want to get something that is nicer, if that make sense.
The measurements don't matter, you're right - Just don't want a oddly big diamond on that specific ring.
Click to expand...
You can get a fairly accurate idea of the visual appearance of different diamonds by plugging in the stones' mm dimensions here; note that you can alter the visual representations that appear by adjusting for ring-finger size & width of the ring band:
http://www.diamdb.com/
It most fairly represents rounds, but even for fancy shapes, it beats cutting out teeny pieces of paper :))
 
JulieN|1400861690|3678830 said:
I quite like this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-282043
Click to expand...

Is it OK to buy even though the depth % is over the limit ?

From diamonddb:

" Depth percentage for 0.73 carat Marquise (8.98×4.53×3.08mm)
Depth percentage of Marquise cut is the ratio of the total depth (measured from table to culet) to its width. The total depth percentage of this diamond is 68%, which is too deep!.


Depth percentage is one of the most important measurements as it plays a critical role in diamond's brilliance and appearance. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, light leaks out, making the stone less brilliant and fiery. Deep cuts also add hidden weight.

Recommended depth percentage range for Marquise cuts is between 59% and 65%. Diamonds that fall out of this range are generally less desirable and usually best to be avoided. "
 
Pay no.attention to number guidelines when it comes to fancy cuts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top