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Q&A: Looking for 1.5 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond

By Mike Fried,

I was referred to your website by a friend who used your brokerage service this past year. Your advice is great! I have warmed up to the idea of buying a diamond from James Allen or Blue Nile. I am looking for roughly a 1.5 carat (or larger if in the budget) emerald cut diamond. Because of the emerald cut, I was hoping for VS2 clarity or better, and H color or better. My budget for the stone is around $11,000. Any suggestions would be fantastic!

I’m very happy to help. btw, I noticed the 904 area code. My aunt and uncle live in Jax. They’ve got a relatively well known name for that town – Wolfson. I think there’s even a high school named after my Uncle’s father.

So here’s what I like for you:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1245440.asp – very slick looking stone
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1335840.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1305493.asp

Have a look at those and let me know what you think!

Wolfson is indeed a big name here. There is a children’s hospital and a high school named after your family. Those diamonds all look really nice. In your opinion, what qualities makes the first stone a better pick that the third? The third seems to have better clarity and color with only a slightly higher price tag? By the way, my friend who used you was Allan xxxxx from Tampa, Florida.

Wolfson is the family that my father’s sister married into, so I’m only vaguely familiar with the details. I just know it always impresses people from Jax 🙂

I didn’t necessarily think the first one was better than the third. I was just really struck with it’s picture when I saw it, so I commented on it. But I do want to correct one thing you wrote – the third stone is a grade higher in color, but it’s a grade lower in clarity.

The 1.77 is significantly larger in terms of LxW. So, in my mind, that pushes it a notch higher than the other two. So I guess after further thought, I do like the first one better than the third.

You’re right, I was incorrect as to the Diamond 3’s clarity. I know clarity is very important with an emerald cut stone, but what about color grade? Will G or H color grade be noticeable/problematic? Basically, I want the all around best diamond around 1.5 ct. that is on budget. I think we may have found a winner with Diamond 1 though. Again, thanks for your time!

Clarity is definitely very important with an Emerald. That’s another reason why I think option #1 is better. THe color’s not an issue. You can’t really tell the difference in adjacent color grades with your eye when a stone is mounted in a ring.

Unfortunate news but Diamond 1 sold before I could make a move. I do like the other two, but could you possibly suggest a stone with similar qualities as Diamonds 2 and 3, but VS1 clarity?

This one’s nice:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1335840.asp

But honestly, I think #3 from the original list might be your best option now.

It’s so hard to make a decision of this magnitude! To provide more context, this will likely be a platinum ring with small pave diamond’s surrounding the center stone and along with band (similar to this http://www.collectibles-articles.com/antique/collectible-image-large/2-70ct-emerald-cut-diamond-engagement-ring-gia-14k-gold_130472554675.jpg). I agree that diamond 3 looks very nice, but my only concern is the VS2 rating. I see the small inclusions in the center left of the stone. I browsed some VS1 options and found these with slightly different measurements.

Diamond 5

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1314403.asp

Diamond 6

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1327058.asp

…….

And I know that I am probably being a little anal about this, but I am trying to maximize value here. I think the stones we have selected place an emphasis on weight, which is what I want. The fact that this is an emerald is just making me cautious about the stone’s clarity.

The first one is square. Is that what you want? The 2nd one is very nice. If you’re nervous about the 1.72 H VS2, than you can always have JA inspect it for you and let you know if you can see the VS2 or not.

Diamond 3 from our initial list is the clear favorite. I have requested a JA gemologist inspect Diamond 2, Diamond 3 from the intial list, and the second stone I just sent you. They are holding the stones for 72 hours. Once they get back to me, I think I am going to pull the trigger.

sounds like a plan! Please let me know what they say!

I haven’t received the gemologist report yet for the stones mentioned in the previous email, however, I notice that the diamond 1 (the diamond you originally recommended) from our original list is available again. In your opinion, do you still consider that diamond 1 the best available? If so, what makes it more desirable than stone 3? Is it the fact that it is larger with better clarity?

Actually, with this stone, it wasn’t anything in particular that drew me to it. Something just looked very slick about it. i think it might have been the larger corners that are at a very steep angle. It just looks like a very nice build.

I am still waiting on the JA gemologist inspection and then I will make a decision likely between diamond 1 and 3. Both seem like great choices. Diamond 1 is slightly larger with better clarity, but a lower color grade (and a great build). Diamond 3 has better color, but smaller and a lower clarity grade (but the inclusions appear to be very faint).

…….

And funny thing, I was browsing your site and found what I am quite sure is your correspondence with my good friend. https://www.diamonds.pro/qa-skeptical-about-brokering-service-for-2-carat-emerald-cut-ends-up-completely-satisfied/

🙂

…….

You can see the name if you click the ivouch link at the bottom.

That’s Allan alright. That was a beautiful stone you found him!

It really was! I remember.

Here is the gemologist report. It was mainly between stone 2 and 3 of our original list. Unfortunately, they did not inspect diamond 1 as it was unavailable at that time.

Thank you for your patience while waiting for the gemologist inspection of diamonds 1335840, 1305493, and 1314403.

I have great news, our gemologist has determined that diamond 1335840 has a nice H color performance and is completely eye clean. It was noted by our gemologist that this diamond also has the best light performance of your selections.

Diamond 1305493 has a more rectangular make with corners that have a wider cut. This diamond is predominantly eye clean but the high relief crystal located under the table is not impossible to see. Of your selections, this is the darkest and has the weakest symmetry.

Diamond 1314403 faces eye clean and has a mid to H color performance. Our gemologist feels that this diamond has very good symmetry rather than the excellent grade it was given on its lab certificate. This is an emerald cut diamond that has a square ratio.

I see that you are looking for an emerald cut diamond with a rectangular shape. I believe you will be very happy with diamond 1335840 for that reason and that it will look stunning in any setting. As my colleague Stacy mentioned, we are unable to have additional diamonds placed on hold for inspection due to our three diamond limit per customer. After seeing the gemologist evaluation of diamond 1335840, I don’t believe additional inspections would be fruitful.

Please take a moment to review this information and let me know if you have any additional questions. I have extended your hold on these diamonds for an additional 24 hours while you consider your options. After that time we will release them back to our inventory.

To finalize a purchase, simply call our Customer Service department at 877-826-9866. We are staffed Monday through Friday from 9am-12am (EST), and from 10am-6pm (EST) on Saturdays and Sundays. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any additional questions. I hope to hear from you soon.

…….

So it’s between 1 and 2 now. I’d love your thoughts when you get a chance. Thanks

If they can get #1 inspected soon, then wait, otherwise, I think you’ll be very very happy with #2.

After sleeping on it and speaking with James Allan reps last night, I am going to go with my gut and purchase diamond # 1 even without an inspection report. I will update you when I receive it here in Jacksonville. Again, I want to thank you for all your help and advice on this! You truly provide an incredible service and I wish you all the best!

I’m sure it’ll be great! I look forward to hearing your report!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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
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  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
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