17 replies to this topic

[Arla]

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

[barry]

Unfortunately, it is impossible to glean/decipher cut quality and face up beauty from the "numbers" of the stone. The nature of fancy shapes is such that you can have two Pear shapes with the same "numbers" that will look different from each other. The only way to determine is to see photos.

A minimal to moderate amount of bow tie is beneficial as it provides contrast brilliance.

[davidelevi]

Arla, on Tuesday, Jun 29 2010, 04:50 AM, said:

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

A good dealer that you can work with!

As Barry says, you can't tell what a pear (or any other shape) looks like only from the numbers provided, and for fancy shapes you can't tell anything at all. Focus your first stage of search on finding someone that can help; base your first selection on reputation or advertising, but then follow it up with a call (or two) to talk to them in person and see how you get on - concentrate more on finding out about them than about the stones they have; as many as 9 in 10 are available to them anyway. Then pick someone and work with them to find good candidates for your stone.

[denverappraiser]

Bear in mind that if bowtie is one of your hot buttons, photographs aren’t going to help much either. There is a HUGE component of how the lighting is configured and how the picture is taken in how prominent the bowtie appears in a photo. First, choose a dealer who you communicate well with and who is aware of your requirements. Have them be your ally in the hunt. Next, arrange to actually look at some stones to calibrate your own eyes and taste. Lastly, don’t finalize a deal until you’ve actually seen the subject stone yourself, looked at it in a variety of different lighting conditions and convinced yourself that this is the one for you.

Neil

[diamondsbylauren]

Arla- I agree somewhat with what has been written so far- in well cut pear shapes, there is often a contrast that adds to it's beauty- also known as a "bow tie"
But there are pear shapes that don't exhibit this trait.

I also have found that photos can indeed, convey aspects of the cut, including bow ties.
This stone shows a bow tie in the photo, as in does in real life



the facet pattern on the stone below alleviates the contrast- and bow tie. Both can be very beautiful to my eye.

Edited by diamondsbylauren, 29 June 2010 - 02:35 PM.

[Arla]

I want to thank all of you for your reply!

I have looked at 10 stones thus far. In the running are the following GIA stones; an elongated pear (E, SI2, Depth 59.6, Table 62), and two pear shapes (both 1.5:1),
E, SI2, 2.46 ct. and
F, VS2, 2.38 ct., 61 Table, 58.1 Depth, Faint fluorecense, extremely thick girdle at point, heavily included, very good polish, symmetry good.

I am looking at all three stones again, and four new stones.

What do you feel about "no inclusions under the table"? What would be the ideal characteristics of an elongated pear? What does it mean when someone says I got a good deal on that stone?

I want to make up my mind at max a week and a half! Thanks in advance for your reply. Diamond Crazy

[davidelevi]

Inclusions under the table - the only issue is whether they are visible or not.

"Ideal characteristics" is difficult to define. Which is nicer, vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Go with what you like - ice creams and diamonds both.

If a dealer says "I got a good deal" it may mean two things: 1) you will get a good deal too 2) you are being sold something difficult to sell. Which of the two depends on the dealer and your relationship with him/her.

[jan]

Arla, on Monday, Jun 28 2010, 11:50 PM, said:

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

On a stone of that size, you need to make sure it is eye clean. You may be able to find one in the SI1 range occasionally but you may have to go to VS2 or VS1 if you want it to be eye clean from all sides. Look for a nice color as well. We recently sold a nice 3.00 ct. one that was SI1 F in this ring.

[diamondsbylauren]

My experience is a lot different than Jan's with regard to clarity- and imperfections you can see.

We buy quite a few SI1 and SI2 diamonds that are totally eye clean- from any angle.
There are also cases where a stone might have an imperfection visible from an angle which is impossible to see once the stone is set.
The price differential between Si2 and VS2 is MASSIVE- which makes looking for the eye clean SI stones worthwhile.

[Arla]

jan, on Wednesday, Jun 30 2010, 05:27 PM, said:

Arla, on Monday, Jun 28 2010, 11:50 PM, said:

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

On a stone of that size, you need to make sure it is eye clean. You may be able to find one in the SI1 range occasionally but you may have to go to VS2 or VS1 if you want it to be eye clean from all sides. Look for a nice color as well. We recently sold a nice 3.00 ct. one that was SI1 F in this ring.

Jan:

Thank you for replying. I saw some more stones today; went back and looked at the elongated stone and saw two new stones. One of the new stones was a 2.37 Ct, F, SI1, VG polish and symmetry, 60.4% depth, 57% Table, Slightly Thick to Very Thick, Faceted Girdle. Measurements: 11.62x7.45x4.50mm. What is your opinion of this stone?

Also, looking at 2.51 Ct, F, SI2, VG polish, GD symmetry, Faint Fluorescence, Small Culet, Slightly thick to Very Thick , Faceted Girdle. Measurements: 11.78x7.57x4.40 mm. What is your opinion of this stone?

As for the 3 Ct, F, SI1 stone you sold, was shape like a tear drop? What was the depth and table? What did the stone sell for?

Thanks!
Arla

[davidelevi]

Arla - there is no way in which anyone can give you a sensible opinion on a pear-shape simply based on the numbers printed on a grading report. It would be like you choosing a dress just on the basis that it's cotton, blue and size 10. Even if you are looking for a blue, size 10 cotton dress, surely there's a bit more to it than that?

You have seen these stones, we haven't - which ones do you like? What appeals to you? Why?

I still stand by my opinion that on this you are MUCH better off choosing one or at most two dealers to work with, rather than going around the houses trying to find "the pearfect stone"

[HeartAndStone]

Hi Arla!

How are you?

I'm a bit overwhelmed with your choices but that's alright I know you'll find serenity in choosing an engagement ring in no time.
But how? I think your so brave to consider a pear shape diamond, with that being said, take that on the higher note. Narrow down your choices. When we talk about e-rings it's not just about the stone's stats it's the whole package, the setting and everything.
And I hope you can post the pic/link of your top three stones.
Keep us posted..
and just take it easy your special day is coming.

[jan]

Arla, on Wednesday, Jun 30 2010, 09:44 PM, said:

jan, on Wednesday, Jun 30 2010, 05:27 PM, said:

Arla, on Monday, Jun 28 2010, 11:50 PM, said:

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

On a stone of that size, you need to make sure it is eye clean. You may be able to find one in the SI1 range occasionally but you may have to go to VS2 or VS1 if you want it to be eye clean from all sides. Look for a nice color as well. We recently sold a nice 3.00 ct. one that was SI1 F in this ring.

Hi Arla,

I you send me an e-mail I would be happy to answer your question on our 3.00 ct. diamond.

info@dbof.com







Jan:

Thank you for replying. I saw some more stones today; went back and looked at the elongated stone and saw two new stones. One of the new stones was a 2.37 Ct, F, SI1, VG polish and symmetry, 60.4% depth, 57% Table, Slightly Thick to Very Thick, Faceted Girdle. Measurements: 11.62x7.45x4.50mm. What is your opinion of this stone?

Also, looking at 2.51 Ct, F, SI2, VG polish, GD symmetry, Faint Fluorescence, Small Culet, Slightly thick to Very Thick , Faceted Girdle. Measurements: 11.78x7.57x4.40 mm. What is your opinion of this stone?

As for the 3 Ct, F, SI1 stone you sold, was shape like a tear drop? What was the depth and table? What did the stone sell for?

Thanks!
Arla

[davidelevi]

Jan - you may want to either take your answer to the bottom of the quote or bold it; it took me a while to find it

[candy25]

Arla, on Monday, Jun 28 2010, 10:50 PM, said:

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

Pear shape is one of my favorite cut for an engagement ring; it’s usually compliment for small and average length fingers. For a pear shape you need to check out the length-to-width ratio between 1.50 and 1.75, with even shoulder is optimum.

Since, high shoulders will decrease the value of the pear shaped diamond because instead of the diamond having a nice pleasing curve at the rounded end, it may be cut more like a triangle, thus creating what is called high shoulders.

[Arla]

candy25, on Wednesday, Jul 14 2010, 03:25 AM, said:

Arla, on Monday, Jun 28 2010, 10:50 PM, said:

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

Pear shape is one of my favorite cut for an engagement ring; it’s usually compliment for small and average length fingers. For a pear shape you need to check out the length-to-width ratio between 1.50 and 1.75, with even shoulder is optimum.

Since, high shoulders will decrease the value of the pear shaped diamond because instead of the diamond having a nice pleasing curve at the rounded end, it may be cut more like a triangle, thus creating what is called high shoulders.

[Arla]

Arla, on Wednesday, Jul 14 2010, 11:51 AM, said:

candy25, on Wednesday, Jul 14 2010, 03:25 AM, said:

Arla, on Monday, Jun 28 2010, 10:50 PM, said:

I am looking for the "right" pear shaped diamond for my engagement. Budget is around $16,000 for the stone. Looking at getting the best cut stone for brilliance! Carat weight up to 2.99, color as low as I, clarity as low as SI2, minimal or no bow tie. What specific characteristics should I look for, and what about calculating ratio from diamond's measurement?

Pear shape is one of my favorite cut for an engagement ring; it’s usually compliment for small and average length fingers. For a pear shape you need to check out the length-to-width ratio between 1.50 and 1.75, with even shoulder is optimum.

Since, high shoulders will decrease the value of the pear shaped diamond because instead of the diamond having a nice pleasing curve at the rounded end, it may be cut more like a triangle, thus creating what is called high shoulders.

Still looking for the "right" stone. Looking at three of which one I will call my diamond. I thank everyone for their feedback.

[HeartAndStone]

Hi Arla!

Down to three., oh! you're almost there.
You can share the photos and stats of those three 'pears', maybe we can still help.
Cheers!