Photos of my new green and yellow diamonds

[justginger]

Well, after months of waiting, not only have I collected my new 4.65 ct antique cushion ring, but I've also got my mitts on my new FIY and FIG diamonds.

To be brutally honest, I adore one and don't really like the other. These feelings are directly opposite to what I expected -- because it's the YELLOW I love and the green that is ho-hum. I was expecting to adore the green. Perhaps it is the cut that doesn't do it for me - it doesn't sparkle much, looks a bit muted. I am seriously considering returning the green. For this price, I really need to LOVE a stone. I always feel guilty sending things back, something I have to get over.

Here are a few photos I've taken - the yellow one is just SO stunning. It's about 6.8 x 6.5 and such a bright, pure yellow.

The .14ct SI1 fancy intense green


The 1.00ct IF fancy intense yellow


Together


The FIY with my new 4.65ct O/P

 

[pinkjewel]

Congrats!!! This must be FCD Monday! Your yellow diamond is stunning! The green looks very pretty in the pics, but at intense green prices you need to LOVE it!

 

[AN0NYM0US]

I think both look really nice, but it's not my money. If your heart doesn't go pitter patter for the green well...
On the other hand a pure FIGR is a pretty rare stone, so replacing that grade could be difficult.

On the other hand (literally) that 4.65 looks amazing wear it in good health.

 

[kenny]

They both look lovely, but as you say greens are very expensive and you HAVE to love it.
I have returned eight FCDs to Leibish and they have always been very gracious and prompt to refund or credit to another purchase, my choice.

FCDs are very personal.
You don't have to explain or justify why you'd like to return it.
Either it makes your heart go pitter patter or it doesn't and you won't know till you hold it in your hands.

I have a few with poor light performance, even windowing that I still love because of the color itself.
It's so personal and your decisions does not have to 'make sense' to anyone but yourself.

A 1 ct flawless Fancy Intense Yellow?
Wow, I'd love to see that baby in real life.
I love your 4.65 too.
Will you marry me?

 

[chrono]

Are you sure it's not a size issue subconsciously in your mind? Both are well graded but I wonder, you know, sometimes when one is a whole lot bigger than the other...

 

[justginger]

Yes, it is unfair on the little greenie to be put next to the whopping yellow...

but I have a .13ct FIP that I adore, and a .11 FIB that I really like. Maybe this one will grow on me over the next day or two. I know how rare unmodified greens are, so I would hate to regret the return in the future...but I'm not sure I love it nearly $9k worth, you know?

 

[kenny]

Yes, it is unfair on the little greenie to be put next to the whopping yellow...

but I have a .13ct FIP that I adore, and a .11 FIB that I really like. Maybe this one will grow on me over the next day or two. I know how rare unmodified greens are, so I would hate to regret the return in the future...but I'm not sure I love it nearly $9k worth, you know?

I totally feel your pain.
It is soooo much money for a dot of color.
But it is real natural pure Fancy Intense Green per GIA.
If you want one of these dots, that's just what they cost.

You mentioned giving it a couple days.
Good idea.
I was going to suggest that, but people already have called me a shill for Leibish so I held back.

I looked up your green on Leibish's sold list and, assuming I found the correct one, let me say, there are much much less-attractive greens.

http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/6188.htm



Unlike yours, natural green diamonds are often blotchy, spotted and uneven with horrid zoning resulting from Green being concentrated at the diamond's skin, yet they can still cost a fortune even with such an appearance.
Green is that special.
I think it's because the source of the green color is radiation, instead of other elements or graining or changes in the crystal lattice structure, which result in more-even color distribution.
The Fancy Intense pure Greens with color distribution that is as even and smooth as yours or mine are quite rare.

Also DO keep in mind if you find another Green that is identical in every way but with better light performance I'll bet it will be even more expensive, especially in a round or emerald cut.

I'm not saying don't return it.
I'm saying when it comes to natural pure Fancy Intense Green diamonds, we have to be either a little forgiving or willing to spend some bucku bongo bucks.

 

[justginger]

Yes, Kenny, I think I will wait a day or two. Leibish is already being EXTREMELY generous with my return period though (how long have my parents had this stone?...at least a month or two now), so I want to be fairly punctual with my decision.

And you don't ever have to worry about sounding like a L&Co shill to me...three-quarters of the time, I'm following behind you like a mini-me shill. It's all honesty though, they're are a brilliant company to work with.

I LOVE the fact that it is radiation that colors greens - I am such a science nerd, it thrills me. However, I am wondering if my *personal* taste, rarity aside, leans in the direction of yellow modification. I think a touch of yellow gives green a wonderful POP that perhaps this stone is missing. This one, as pictured, has no trace of yellow whatsoever. It might save me some serious dosh to get one with a yellowish modification -- and my eyes probably prefer it anyway.

I almost bought this last year: http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/3404.htm... I know for certain that it would be $4000 cheaper than the one I currently have, and I strongly suspect I may prefer the color in person to the stone I already have. I don't even mind the wonky cut heart, it has grown on me as I've kept an eye on it over the last 14 months. Like a puppy that keeps getting picked over at the pound...

Of course, if we get married I wouldn't have to worry about any of this...I'd have your OEC green to nuzzle affectionately!

 

[Jereni]

Wow, gorgeous yellow stone!

I also love the tone of the green one. Can't wait to see what you do with them!

 

[tyty333]

Such beautiful stones! I want a colored diamond!!!

 

[chrono]

My apologies for double posting.

 

[chrono]

I think I understand your dilemma a little better now. It's not that you don't appreciate a good green; it's that the colour that makes your knees go weak isn't the trade desired colour. I sometimes have such a preference on a gem type or two and initially, I felt really confused. Was there something wrong with me? After much internal debate and talking with several GGs, vendors and experts, I came to accept this fact and personal preference. Perhaps you need a little more time to think this through and handle the green FCD.

I am not crazy about pure green or even those with a touch of yellow. However, if you add a dash of blue to the green, I'll be all over that stone.

 

[stargurl78]

I like the green stone but only you know if its worth keeping for the money. I can definitely see why you love the yellow stone, it is STUNNING!!!!!

 

[justginger]

I have decided to keep the green stone. I am not in need of the money, it was spent months ago and I haven't missed it since. This little green guy has definitely grown on me and the imperfect light return is a shortcoming that I have to accept as a trade off for size, price, purity of color, intensity of color, and evenness of saturation. The chances of me finding one that is absolutely perfect, at a price point I can afford, is pretty minimal. I think this guy is the cream of the crop for my income level!

I anticipate setting the yellow in a halo, hopefully by Mike Robinson. The green will go into a ring with my FIP and FIB, hopefully scatter bezel set. Neither will be done any time soon, with jewelry funds absolutely obliterated by the recent 4.65 ct purchase!

 

[kenny]

I think you have made a wise decision.

How many people have such a diamond?

 

[NKOTB]

Well, I'm drooling over all three, and love the sounds of the design plans! Enjoy!