Upgrading EC but can't decide which one.

[chrono]

I think either this one has major issues or it is an absolutely crappy picture. The colour and clarity are great. On paper, the other stats are just right. What I don't understand is why it looks like a giant leaky see-through EC. An unlikely contender because there is barely any size increase from my original EC. I'm posting this here just to get an understanding of what's going on with this stone.

EC 12, E VS2
Depth: 66.1%
Table: 54.0%
P/S: Ex / G
Girdle: Thick to V. Thick
Measurements: 6.68*4.67*3.09
Ratio: 1.43

 

[Karl_K]

I think either this one has major issues or it is an absolutely crappy picture. The colour and clarity are great. On paper, the other stats are just right. What I don't understand is why it looks like a giant leaky see-through EC. An unlikely contender because there is barely any size increase from my original EC. I'm posting this here just to get an understanding of what's going on with this stone.

EC 12, E VS2
Depth: 66.1%
Table: 54.0%
P/S: Ex / G
Girdle: Thick to V. Thick
Measurements: 6.68*4.67*3.09
Ratio: 1.43

There is little light coming from the green zone in ASET in the JA lighting setup for photos.
I would expect that one to have a lot of green, either that someone forgot to turn on the lights.

 

[chrono]

I think one has P3 issues if I'm learning anything at all from all the comments you've shared thus far. I think this SI1 stone could well be clean. Nice cool E colour. Good numbers in the low 60s and reall small table. No wasted weight in the girdle, plus it is nice and even. The only issue is that "blank" spot right down the middle. Can this be forgiven in light of the other stats?

EC 13, E SI1
Depth: 62.5%
Table: 58.0%
P/S: VG / VG
Girdle: Medium
Measurements: 6.88*5.06*3.16
Ratio: 1.36

 

[chrono]

Last stone that is realistically within budget that I am willing to spend on but is the most expensive of all my options. To be fair, it is also the highest carat weight but not necessarily the biggest face up EC. Good colour and clarity, so no worries there. I can live with an evenly thick girdle. Fluorescence is a bonus for me. Again, there is this "blank" spot right in the very center, which I think has to do with the P3s again.

EC 14, F VS2
Depth: 65.1%
Table: 60.0%
P/S: VG / VG
Girdle: Thick
Fluorescence: Strong
Measurements: 6.82*5.25*3.42
Ratio: 1.30

Now that all my options are listed, what is your top 3 picks for ASETs? I'll go back to re-read your comments on the first few choices.

 

[chrono]

I think either this one has major issues or it is an absolutely crappy picture. The colour and clarity are great. On paper, the other stats are just right. What I don't understand is why it looks like a giant leaky see-through EC. An unlikely contender because there is barely any size increase from my original EC. I'm posting this here just to get an understanding of what's going on with this stone.

EC 12, E VS2
Depth: 66.1%
Table: 54.0%
P/S: Ex / G
Girdle: Thick to V. Thick
Measurements: 6.68*4.67*3.09
Ratio: 1.43

There is little light coming from the green zone in ASET in the JA lighting setup for photos.
I would expect that one to have a lot of green, either that someone forgot to turn on the lights.

Green is good right? So in other words, I should consider this one too?

 

[Karl_K]

I think one has P3 issues

I think you are right.
It has a large impact on the overall brightness that to me it makes it a no go.

 

[Karl_K]

Last stone that is realistically within budget that I am willing to spend on but is the most expensive of all my options. To be fair, it is also the highest carat weight but not necessarily the biggest face up EC. Good colour and clarity, so no worries there. I can live with an evenly thick girdle. Fluorescence is a bonus for me. Again, there is this "blank" spot right in the very center, which I think has to do with the P3s again.

This one just plain looks weird.
Think it is the photo more than the stone, hard to tell.

 

[Karl_K]

Green is good right? So in other words, I should consider this one too?

Is complicated but green is not considered as bright as red.
Which is sometimes true and sometimes not.
But overall all green with no red is not a good thing.

 

[chrono]

Hey, at least I'm able to eliminate 1 EC, leaving me 4. Somehow, I need to toss out one EC. Based on price and pictures, which one should be kicked off?

EC 10, I VS1 $4290 7.07 x 5.03 x 3.17 Ex/VG M to Tk Table 64, Depth 63.1
EC 11, F SI1 $4730 6.83 x 5.04 x 3.16 Ex/VG Sl Tk to Tk Table 58, Depth 62.7
EC 12, E VS2 $4790 6.68 x 4.67 x 3.09 Ex/G Tk to V Tk Table 54, Depth 66.1
EC 13, F VS2 $5690 6.82 x 5.25 x 3.42 VG/VG Tk Table 60, Depth 65.1 Strong Blue

 

[Karl_K]

Hey, at least I'm able to eliminate 1 EC, leaving me 4. Somehow, I need to toss out one EC. Based on price and pictures, which one should be kicked off?

EC 10, I VS1 $4290 7.07 x 5.03 x 3.17 Ex/VG M to Tk Table 64, Depth 63.1
EC 11, F SI1 $4730 6.83 x 5.04 x 3.16 Ex/VG Sl Tk to Tk Table 58, Depth 62.7
EC 12, E VS2 $4790 6.68 x 4.67 x 3.09 Ex/G Tk to V Tk Table 54, Depth 66.1
EC 13, F VS2 $5690 6.82 x 5.25 x 3.42 VG/VG Tk Table 60, Depth 65.1 Strong Blue

Have the GG look at them and pic the top 2 and get ASET for them.
That leaves you one left if needed.

 

[yennyfire]

I liked #5 the best (and I was so proud of myself when I read down and saw that Karl K chose #5 too...I have definitely learned a lot here on PS!!).....

ETA, I guess I haven't learned to read through the entire thread before I comment...you are WAY past stone #5, LOL!!

 

[chrono]

YennyFire,
Yes, I move fast with good incentive.

EC 10, 11 and 13 have been put aside for ASET testing. I was requested to choose 3 right now because it is a one time only deal. I cannot select 2, then come back and throw in a third. Per JA's busy schedule, expect an update on Monday of next week.

Thank you to all who took the time to slog through so many pictures and stats, especially KARL!

 

[chrono]

ASETs are in and although the results are clear, I have reservations.

EC10 looks the best to my eye and also the JA GG.
Cons:
1. I am hesitant about the I colour. I am very used to icy whiteness in my ECs and love it.
2. The smallest of the 3 in terms of ct weight
Pros:
1. The least expensive of the 3.
2. Although the smallest carat weight, it faces up the largest of the 3.
3. Eye clean VS1
4. Nicest ASET

EC11 is looks 2nd best to me, but the JA GG said this is his third choice. $400 more than EC10. Can anyone explain why? Is it because it is borderline eye clean(SI1)?
Cons:
1. Border eye clean SI1
2. The smallest physical dimension of all 3.
Pros:
1. Icy white E

EC14 looks the worst of the three to me, yet is the JA GG's second pick. $1400 more than EC10. He said it is a close second to EC10 in terms of light performance. I don't see how that is possible unless the ASET picture quality isn't as good.
Cons:
1. The most expensive of the 3 ($1400 more than EC10).
Pros:
1. Icy white F
2. Eye clean VS2
3. The largest ct weight of all 3
4. Strong blue fluorescence

 

[Gypsy]

Chrono, JA has a fabulous return policy. I would have the I sent out to you, see what you think of it in person, then go from there.

 

[Karl_K]

Chrono, JA has a fabulous return policy. I would have the I sent out to you, see what you think of it in person, then go from there.

ditto Id consider having ec10 sent to you and see if the I bugs you.

I would be cautious of a borderline eyclean si, get it a little dirty and the inclusion can be in your face.

 

[chrono]

I don't understand why the JA's gemmologist thinks EC14 is a close contender to EC10 though, when the ASET shows such leakage in the center. Is this something the eye cannot detect?

In any case, I have to make a decision today and think I'm going with EC10. I've owned a GOG J cushion in the past and it looks white, just not icy.

The next problem is with settings. JA has such crappy selection for ECs. Any suggestions?

 

[Laila619]

Will the 'I' color be mind clean for you, Chrono? The ASET does look really nice.

 

[chrono]

Laila,
I don't know. I know that I'm fine with a GIA J, which is lower than an I but there's just something a little extra special when an EC is very icy.

 

[wsblue430]

based on this, only visually, 3 & 5 are my favorites!

 

[chrono]

JA's package is awaiting pickup at the Fedex station this morning. Will drop by on my way home after work.

 

[yennyfire]

Ohhh, can't wait to see pics and hear your thoughts!

 

[chrono]

I feel as nervous as a first time father, not knowing what to expect, except that I DO know what to expect.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

This is so exciting! Sending good happy diamond vibes your way!

 

[Rosebloom]

Did you get it yet?!?

 

[chrono]

Thank you, Asscherhalo and Rosebloom. It was love at first sight right in the Fedex office. The first thought was "WOW, it's sparkly". Second thought is "No way this is an I". Third thought is "This is a lot bigger than the old EC". With it being super dark by 5 pm here, I couldn't do a full evaluation but if it looks that great under CFLs, I know it will only look better outdoors. I'll start a new thread in SMTB later today. I still cannot get over how white the I colour is. Not icy but super bright and super white. Nothing but either lots of white light return or tons of firey flash. In the meantime, here's a teaser picture or two.

 

[motownmama]

SO classy!

 

[Gypsy]

Looks fantastic Chrono. Wear it in good health and much happiness.

 

[Laila619]

Mmmm, delicious stone!!

 

[chrono]

Thank you Gypsy! Couldn't have done it without your help and Karl's. I hope he'll be around to see the fruit of his advice. For those too lazy to go searching through SMTB, here's the quick link:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/e-ring-anniversary-upgrade-ja-ec.183018/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/e-ring-anniversary-upgrade-ja-ec.183018/[/URL]