Hello.
I am in the market for an emerald shaped engagement ring, and per your suggestion I have been searching on Blue Nile and James Allen. I know from reading your articles that Cut is one of the most important C’s. However neither of these retailers offer an Excellent or Ideal cut…they only go up to Very good with their emeralds.
Any idea why Blue Nile or James Allen do not offer them?
The round cut is the only diamond shape that receives a cut grade from the GIA lab. Fancy shapes (such as the emerald cut) don’t have their own official cut scale given by GIA. Some companies use their own internal grades, but we don’t put any stock in those. We just use our own guidelines and strict parameters to find the best stones possible. Therefore, I wouldn’t pay attention to the cut grades you see at all.
Would you like me to find some beautiful options for you? If so, can you tell me more about what you’re looking for?
I’m looking for the best possible cut, as well as great color (H+) and clarity (VS1+) within my price range. I don’t want to pay a lot of extra money for something that you’re not going to see with your eye. Carat size would be the largest possible, within my price range, while meeting the 3 other “C” requirements as best as possible. Budget is between $12k – $15k.
Have a look at these options that I found:
Blue Nile LD14723001
Blue Nile LD14494386
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.60-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-8332156?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.74-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-462863?a_aid=dmnd1357
They have a beautiful cut, great shape and minimal bow-tie. They are absolutely eye-clean.
Those diamonds you selected look nice. Some have a larger L/W ratio. I think one of your articles said it should be at least 1.4 or greater. Is that just strictly based on looks (having a “long” rectangle vs “squattier” rectangle) or is there another reason for that recommendation?
I noticed all your recommendations were at least VS1 or higher clarity. Do you recommend not going lower than this for a emerald? Not that I want to go lower, just asking the question.
The James Allen diamonds did not give a cut rating. Are they all at least “very good”?
The L:W ratio is a matter of personal preference. Unless it’s extremely off and the diamond looks severely misshaped, there wouldn’t be any issues with the brilliance. In general, the 1.30-1.45 is what’s considered ideal.
As for the clarity, the larger windowed faceting makes the diamond look like a glass (which is obviously easier to see through). This means that clarity is much more important here. Occasionally, you can find an SI1/VS2 eye-clean emerald cut (and I always search in the SI+ range), but in 99% of cases, I end up recommending a VS1+ diamond because there was nothing lower that would look good.
Emeralds don’t have their own official cut scale given by GIA (only rounds do). Some companies use their own internal grades, but we don’t put any stock in those. We just use our own guidelines and strict parameters to find the best stones possible. Therefore, I wouldn’t pay attention to the cut grades you see at all.
Thank you so much, I’ll go with one of those 4.
My pleasure.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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