Please help me select a 1.5-2ct Emerald cut

heartsandarrows · Jan 27, 2024

Hi Everyone~

I'm in the process of finding an Emerald cut diamond to upgrade with Blue Nile~ The budget would be around $14000 USD, as this meets and double in price requirement with their upgrade policy.

I have found a 2ct, H color, VS2 clarity stone

2.00 Carat H-VS2 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 2 carat H color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

My only concern for this stone is that being VS2, it might not be eye clean. The inclusions seem to be white in color, hence not as obvious as black inclusions, I am wondering if it is eye clean from an expert's POV? Or should I stick to VS1 or VVS or better for complete eye cleanliness. And would the inclusions affect the overall appearance of the diamond? Making it hazy or not as sparkly as it would be at a better clarity?

I was previously considering a 1.5ct stone with E color and IF clarity at a similar price point. This one has now been sold.

1.51 Carat E-IF Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.51 carat E color if clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

And for color, what do you think about I color for emerald cut, or would it show too much yellow? I currently have a pair of diamond studs in J color and find them face up really white, but I understand emerald cut would be different and it's also in a larger carat size. My plan is to set the ring in yellow gold.

Thank you all in advance

tyty333 · Jan 27, 2024

heartsandarrows said:
Hi Everyone~

I'm in the process of finding an Emerald cut diamond to upgrade with Blue Nile~ The budget would be around $14000 USD, as this meets and double in price requirement with their upgrade policy.

I have found a 2ct, H color, VS2 clarity stone

2.00 Carat H-VS2 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 2 carat H color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

My only concern for this stone is that being VS2, it might not be eye clean. The inclusions seem to be white in color, hence not as obvious as black inclusions, I am wondering if it is eye clean from an expert's POV? Or should I stick to VS1 or VVS or better for complete eye cleanliness. And would the inclusions affect the overall appearance of the diamond? Making it hazy or not as sparkly as it would be at a better clarity?

I was previously considering a 1.5ct stone with E color and IF clarity at a similar price point. This one has now been sold.

1.51 Carat E-IF Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.51 carat E color if clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

And for color, what do you think about I color for emerald cut, or would it show too much yellow? I currently have a pair of diamond studs in J color and find them face up really white, but I understand emerald cut would be different and it's also in a larger carat size. My plan is to set the ring in yellow gold.

Thank you all in advance

Hi @heartsandarrows

I feel like the first stone could be a little more lively under the table. The crown facets look like they are behaving nicely (flashing
on/off) but under the table, the facets seem to be a little quiet. I also think there is a little leakage going on under the table.

The second stone...one thing you need to watch out for is too many facets turned off (showing dark) at the same time. This
stone has the problem IMO.

As far as clarity, as long as the stone is eye-clean+, I would rather have a larger stone. Those are my "wants"...you have to
figure out what's more important to you.

Lookinagain · Jan 27, 2024

I agree, that for me, eye clean would be the deciding factor on clarity. As for color, that is personal, but an EC will probably show more tint than a well cut MRB. When I was looking for an EC I first ordered an I color, beautifully cut stone, but the tint was a bit too noticeable to me, so I went with a G color. My ACA studs are I color and I don't see tint, so I wouldn't expect and EC in a J to look the same as your J studs. But again, color is personal and if you don't mind the stone looking a bit warm, then that's fine too. Have you seen any I/J EC's in person at the size you are considering? That might help you determine your color tolerance.

Lookinagain · Jan 27, 2024

I'm not an EC expert but found a few that looked nice to me. Someone else is probably better to evaluate them.

1.70 Carat G-VVS1 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.7 carat G color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

1.70 Carat G-VVS2 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.7 carat G color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

heartsandarrows · Jan 28, 2024

tyty333 said:
Hi @heartsandarrows

I feel like the first stone could be a little more lively under the table. The crown facets look like they are behaving nicely (flashing
on/off) but under the table, the facets seem to be a little quiet. I also think there is a little leakage going on under the table.

The second stone...one thing you need to watch out for is too many facets turned off (showing dark) at the same time. This
stone has the problem IMO.

As far as clarity, as long as the stone is eye-clean+, I would rather have a larger stone. Those are my "wants"...you have to
figure out what's more important to you.

Thank you @tyty333 for your response

I'm still learning what kind of visual look gives the desirable hall of mirrors effect and I've learnt to void the dark boxes. It seems like even if the stones fall into the ideal cut proportions of :
Table 61%-68%
Depth 60%-65%
LTV 1.3-1.5
Thin to Slightly Thick girdle
Excellent Symmetry and Polish

It may still not be a good stone?

Would you consider this 2ct H color stone eye clean or not really?

heartsandarrows · Jan 28, 2024

Thank you @Lookinagain, thank you for suggesting the two EC diamonds and I think it is a good idea for me to check out some ECs in the near colorless range to get a better idea.

And thank you for doing a search on BN and sending the two G color, VVS stones. I saved a similar candidate in my wishlist, but it is below the upgrade price point. I'll just add it in for discussion purposes.

1.72 Carat G-VVS2 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.72 carat G color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

I've noticed all these suggested stones have nice hall of mirrors effect (no dark boxes)

I might have filtered out these two, since I was trying to adhere to the following proportions:
Table 61%-69%
Depth 60%-67%
LTV 1.3-1.5
Thin to Slightly Thick girdle

Is it too strict of a guideline for finding a good stone? I've also noticed these 3 G, VVS stones, each have a price gap of $1000, is the cut/proportions the reason why there's such big price differentials?

oncrutchesrightnow · Jan 28, 2024

Re: color — Did you say what color you want to set it in? If yellow or rose gold, then an H would be fine. In fact I would not spend extra $ on color if you are going with yellow or rose gold.

If you are going with white metal, and color bothers you, don’t go below G and for a diamond this size, you may wan to stay F+

FWIW I have a 0.5 ct G emerald that does not show color, and a 2.05 F asscher that does show color when it is next to other colorless stones, or in yellow room lighting.

Lookinagain · Jan 28, 2024

I think she wants YG setting. But you know, you could do YG but have the inside of the basket plated in white to help with color too. Also, no reason you can't do a white gold basket with a yellow gold shank. My EC, which is a G color, has a white gold basket and YG shank.

heartsandarrows · Jan 29, 2024

oncrutchesrightnow said:
IW I have a 0.5 ct G emerald that does not show color, and a 2.05 F asscher that does show colo

Thank you @oncrutchesrightnow, yes, I'm planning to set them in yellow gold to match the wedding band. I'm curious about how I color would look with gold metal since there are a lot more I color stones available at this price point, they are probably discounted for a reason, I wonder if they should be considered at all.

Lookinagain said:
I think she wants YG setting. But you know, you could do YG but have the inside of the basket plated in white to help with color too. Also, no reason you can't do a white gold basket with a yellow gold shank. My EC, which is a G color, has a white gold basket and YG shank.

Yes, this is the setting I'm thinking on Blue Nile

Classic Four Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18k Yellow Gold

Let your diamond shine brilliantly in this classic 18k yellow gold four-prong solitaire engagement ring with platinum prongs. The slim silhouette and polished finish exemplify timeless style. Select from a variety of diamond shapes to create the perfect classic solitaire engagement ring for you.

www.bluenile.com

It's a white gold basket with yellow gold solitaire band. Is it still considered a yellow gold setting? or it's the basket color that matters?

Lookinagain · Jan 29, 2024

heartsandarrows said:
It's a white gold basket with yellow gold solitaire band. Is it still considered a yellow gold setting? or it's the basket color that matters?

It's two-toned or mixed metal, I would think.

tyty333 · Jan 30, 2024

@heartsandarrows To answer some of your questions...

I do consider that H eye-clean but it looks like it has some surface graining or something going on. The report
says pin points but I feel like I'm either seeing some oil on the stone or surface graining.

Staying within the "Ideal" range of numbers is not enough for fancy cut stones. Just too many variables. You need to see
up close videos to really know what's going on.

I think you're getting closer with the 1.72 G. Fairly lively IMO.

heartsandarrows · Jan 30, 2024

tyty333 said:
@heartsandarrows To answer some of your questions...

I do consider that H eye-clean but it looks like it has some surface graining or something going on. The report
says pin points but I feel like I'm either seeing some oil on the stone or surface graining.

Staying within the "Ideal" range of numbers is not enough for fancy cut stones. Just too many variables. You need to see
up close videos to really know what's going on.

I think you're getting closer with the 1.72 G. Fairly lively IMO.

Thank you @tyty333, the price for the 1.72 G VVS2 stone kept coming down too, it unfortunately does not meet the minimum price requirement of the policy?

What do you think of this one suggested by @Lookinagain

1.70 Carat G-VVS1 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.7 carat G color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

And does this one justify the $1500 premium in price? I find the diamond pricing quite random too, some diamonds with better specs all round are priced lower.

heartsandarrows · Jan 31, 2024

Adding one more diamond to discussion: 1.51 D VS1

1.51 Carat D-VS1 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.51 carat D color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

D color is not a goal for me, but this one looks nice?

tyty333 · Jan 31, 2024

heartsandarrows said:
Thank you @tyty333, the price for the 1.72 G VVS2 stone kept coming down too, it unfortunately does not meet the minimum price requirement of the policy?

What do you think of this one suggested by @Lookinagain

1.70 Carat G-VVS1 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.7 carat G color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

And does this one justify the $1500 premium in price? I find the diamond pricing quite random too, some diamonds with better specs all round are priced lower.

Not bad but does seem a little quiet to me...I judge this by how fast the steps are stepping (going from light to dark or vice versa).
This also assumes they are rotating at the same speed. My* preference is for medium size steps. YMMV

What is the minimum and maximum you can spend for the upgrade?

tyty333 · Jan 31, 2024

heartsandarrows said:
Adding one more diamond to discussion: 1.51 D VS1

1.51 Carat D-VS1 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.51 carat D color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

D color is not a goal for me, but this one looks nice?

Crown steps look nice, but again, under the table a little quiet. I'll look for you as soon as I know your budget min/maxs. Not
really sure what's out there right now. Some times we have to sacrifice (or hold off) if there isnt much out there that fits the
bill.

oncrutchesrightnow · Jan 31, 2024

heartsandarrows said:
Thank you @oncrutchesrightnow, yes, I'm planning to set them in yellow gold to match the wedding band. I'm curious about how I color would look with gold metal since there are a lot more I color stones available at this price point, they are probably discounted for a reason, I wonder if they should be considered at all.

Yes, this is the setting I'm thinking on Blue Nile

Classic Four Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18k Yellow Gold

Let your diamond shine brilliantly in this classic 18k yellow gold four-prong solitaire engagement ring with platinum prongs. The slim silhouette and polished finish exemplify timeless style. Select from a variety of diamond shapes to create the perfect classic solitaire engagement ring for you.

www.bluenile.com

It's a white gold basket with yellow gold solitaire band. Is it still considered a yellow gold setting? or it's the basket color that matters?

If I were buying an emerald cut of your size, and setting it in yellow gold, I would totally get an I color. I would keep the prongs yellow, too, so as to minimize contrast. And would spend the savings on VVS+.

I do not have a low color step cut to show you, but below is a D round brilliant in rose gold on the left, and a F asscher in platinum on the right. The gold does not make the D color diamond look like a low color diamond but the reflections are such that I could have gone with a much lover color. Hope that helps.

heartsandarrows · Jan 31, 2024

heartsandarrows said:
Adding one more diamond to discussion: 1.51 D VS1

1.51 Carat D-VS1 Emerald Cut Diamond

This emerald cut 1.51 carat D color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.bluenile.com

D color is not a goal for me, but this one looks nice?

tyty333 said:
Crown steps look nice, but again, under the table a little quiet. I'll look for you as soon as I know your budget min/maxs. Not
really sure what's out there right now. Some times we have to sacrifice (or hold off) if there isnt much out there that fits the
bill.

Gotcha, yes, I do like that 1.72 G's sparkle more~ The upgrade minimum is $13962, and maximum I'm hoping under $16k, not a big range to choose from I know

but I did notice some of the diamonds I was watching went down in prices for about 1-2k~

Timeline wise, I have till about early March to find the perfect stone.

heartsandarrows · Jan 31, 2024

oncrutchesrightnow said:
If I were buying an emerald cut of your size, and setting it in yellow gold, I would totally get an I color. I would keep the prongs yellow, too, so as to minimize contrast. And would spend the savings on VVS+.

I do not have a low color step cut to show you, but below is a D round brilliant in rose gold on the left, and a F asscher in platinum on the right. The gold does not make the D color diamond look like a low color diamond but the reflections are such that I could have gone with a much lover color. Hope that helps.

Thank you for showing me your rings for color reference, they are beautiful

Yes, adding I color to my search would open up quite a bit more options in the 2ct range~ I'm finding it odd that the yellow gold ring settings from blue nile have white gold basket, it would be nice if it's a single color.