Seeking the ideal destination to acquire exquisite emerald diamonds through online means?
Rest assured, your search concludes here! Within this comprehensive compendium on Twirl Weddings Insight, I shall unravel frequently encountered inquiries, namely:
- Which factors demand consideration when procuring emerald-cut diamonds via online channels?
- Do emerald-cut diamonds prove ideal for engagement rings?
- How can one ascertain the authenticity of a lucrative transaction?
- What warning signs should one vigilantly observe while making a purchase?
Best Places to Buy Emerald Diamonds Online
In case expediency is paramount, I present to you my handpicked selection of esteemed online merchants offering a splendid array of emerald-shaped diamonds. However, do continue perusing to uncover further insights regarding each of these distinguished establishments:
Let’s delve right into the details, shall we?
James Allen
In the realm of diamond commerce, James Allen emerges as a prominent virtual vendor, occupying a coveted position among the upper echelons. Often, they reign supreme as our primary preference within numerous compendiums, owing to the multitude of advantages they provide, catering precisely to the discerning needs of customers seeking both economical and exceptional diamond acquisitions.
Among the myriad advantages bestowed upon customers, a noteworthy one lies in James Allen’s extensive assortment of unmounted diamonds. Their repertoire encompasses an impressive assortment of nature-derived diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, vibrant colored gemstones, and even captivating fancy color diamonds.
At present, their inventory encompasses a minimum of 3,000 emerald-cut diamonds, commencing from a weight of 1 carat, exhibiting an H color grade, and possessing SI clarity. It’s worth mentioning that a greater variety can be found within lower diamond grades. Many e-commerce establishments tend to have a limited selection of this particular diamond shape, given its relatively lower popularity compared to the perennially favored round brilliant and princess cuts.
In my personal opinion, the indispensable inclusion of a 360˚ viewer and supplementary imaging significantly enhances the experience for all online diamond purchasers. Once you have refined your diamond criteria, effortlessly skimming through the collection of emerald-cut diamonds becomes feasible without the need to individually inspect each one. This expedites the process of swiftly eliminating any options exhibiting apparent inclusions.
Ensure that when browsing through diamond filters, you carefully select your laboratory. We strongly advise purchasing certified loose diamonds exclusively from either the GIA or the AGS. James Allen offers GIA, AGS, and IGI certified diamonds, although their selection of AGS stones is limited, so it’s preferable to focus on GIA.
RECOMMENDED: Best Places to Buy I Diamonds Online
James Allen boasts an extensive collection of approximately 150 ring settings suitable for accommodating your emerald cut gem, and this doesn’t even include their latest addition, The Ring Studio. You have the option to visit The Ring Studio first and then proceed to select your diamond, or alternatively, you can choose your diamond first and explore the available ring settings. Keep an eye out for the rainbow emblem in the corner, as it indicates that certain ring settings can be customized.
With The Ring Studio, you have the freedom to modify the style of your chosen setting. For instance, you can select the prong basket type for your solitaire ring, such as opting for a rose gold basket complemented by a white gold shank.
Looking to add a touch of intrigue to your solitaire setting? Why not consider a captivating peekaboo diamond? But wait, if you prefer something different, how about an enchanting peekaboo blue sapphire? The possibilities for personalizing your ring are endless with this innovative addition.
When it comes to pricing, James Allen stands out with highly competitive diamond prices. In comparison to traditional brick and mortar establishments like Zales and Kay Jewelers, James Allen offers superior diamond grades at more affordable rates. The best part is that you can freely choose your diamond without any sales pressure.
What sets James Allen apart from the majority of diamond retailers, whether online or physical, is their exceptional free lifetime warranty. This comprehensive warranty covers various aspects of wear and tear, such as rhodium plating for white gold, tightening melee diamonds, and retipping prongs.
Advantages
- Enduring guarantee
- Complimentary resizing within the first year
- Lifetime upgrade option
- Crystal-clear 360-degree perspective
Disadvantages
- Limited selection of diamond fine jewelry
- Exclusions apply to the loss of stones within settings
Blue Nile
Blue Nile stands out as a prominent player in the realm of online diamond vendors. Revered within the industry, they have earned a stellar reputation as trailblazers in the online trade of loose diamonds since their establishment in 1997. Engaging in fierce rivalry with James Allen, they continuously vie for the coveted top spot in our comprehensive assessments.
Much like their competitor James Allen, Blue Nile boasts an extensive collection of loose diamonds. In terms of emerald cut diamonds alone, they offer an impressive selection of approximately 2,600 specimens adhering to identical specifications.
However, one noteworthy factor that places Blue Nile in a close second position is their lack of universal 360˚ viewing capability for all their diamonds. Fortunately, customers can conveniently narrow their search to exclusively include diamonds with a 360˚ view.
Consequently, the available options are reduced to around 2,150, which, although not insignificant, is a manageable compromise. Moreover, customers have the advantage of effortlessly scrolling through the options and identifying obvious inclusions without the need to click on each individual diamond.
The Cut Grade filter distinguishes emerald cut diamonds into two distinct classifications. It’s important to note that non-round diamond shapes lack official cut grades. However, certain retailers may have their own categorization system for differentiating well-cut shapes. At Blue Nile, emeralds with superior cut quality are classified as “Very Good.”
One notable advantage that sets Blue Nile apart from James Allen is their exclusive focus on selling GIA certified diamonds. This aspect holds significant value for customers who may not be well-versed in the importance of diamond certifications. Opting for Blue Nile ensures a foolproof choice, as they prioritize the sale of diamonds with reliable certifications. Conversely, James Allen deals with IGI-certified diamonds, and an uninformed customer might overlook the distinction. The provision of trustworthy certified diamonds undoubtedly positions Blue Nile ahead of its competitors.
The initial impression of the viewer may require a brief adjustment period to achieve smoothness, yet the picture quality is adequate to discern inclusions and imperfections. It would be preferable if the zoom capability were higher, although it is noteworthy that the viewer allows manual control and includes a convenient step-forward and step-backward feature, which, although personally unused by me, is quite fascinating.
However, one aspect that I find difficult to overlook about Blue Nile is their unsatisfactory warranty policy—or rather, the absence of a remarkable warranty altogether. The presence of a manufacturer’s warranty, which I often refer to as a mere evasion, falls short of expectations. If one encounters the phrase “free manufacturer’s warranty,” it does not encompass coverage for normal wear and tear. Essentially, it implies that only issues arising from defective design in the ring, persistently causing problems, will be addressed at any time. Any expenses related to prong tightening, rhodium plating, or prong repairs would have to be borne by the customer.
Advantages
- Unparalleled guarantee that spans a lifetime.
- Complimentary resizing services available for an entire year.
- Lifetime enhancement option included.
- Immersive panoramic perspective offering a complete 360-degree view.
Disadvantages
- Limited selection when it comes to exquisite diamond jewelry.
- Exclusions apply for the loss of stones within settings, not covered by the warranty.
Clean Origin
Clean Origin may not be a household name, as they specialize in the exclusive sale of lab-grown diamonds. Unlike their natural counterparts, lab diamonds have faced a long-standing reputation as counterfeit gems, despite being authentic diamonds. The distinction lies in their origin, which is cultivated in a laboratory rather than the depths of the earth.
Within their inventory, Clean Origin offers a limited selection of emerald diamonds, specifically those weighing less than 500 and not falling below the 1-carat mark. This limitation can be justified by the fact that lab diamonds can cost over 40% less than natural diamonds of comparable quality. Consequently, pricing diamonds below the 1-carat threshold becomes challenging. However, Clean Origin’s selection goes beyond these limitations, even featuring an impressive 5-carat emerald-cut diamond. Just imagine the magnificence!
Similar to our other recommendations, Clean Origin provides a 360˚ viewer for their diamonds. Remarkably, they offer two viewers, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first viewer boasts an array of impressive yet superfluous features, showcasing its exceptional quality. On the other hand, the Diamond Scan viewer, intended for assessing the clarity of the diamond, proves to be underwhelming. Its functionality is marred by a lack of smoothness and excessive speed.
Clean Origin offers a diverse range of certified diamonds, each possessing its own unique accreditation, which may lead to some bewilderment. When it comes to lab-grown diamonds, our top recommendations for certifications are GCAL, GIA, and IGI.
Aside from the manifold benefits of purchasing lab-grown diamonds, Clean Origin stands out with an unparalleled return policy. While most establishments grant a 30-day or possibly a 60-day return window, we extend a generous 100-day return period to all our valued customers.
This feature proves particularly advantageous for individuals interested in exploring the aesthetics of an emerald-cut diamond engagement ring. Given its relative rarity, this shape tends to appeal to individuals with discerning preferences. The extended duration provided for assessing and falling in love with the ring undoubtedly enhances peace of mind.
Furthermore, Clean Origin’s warranty policy aligns with that of Blue Nile, offering coverage exclusively for design flaws. Any routine maintenance requirements are the sole responsibility of the owner, without additional support from the company.
Advantages
- Exclusive use of laboratory-grown diamonds
- Comprehensive 360-degree viewing experience
- Stocks GIA-certified laboratory-grown diamonds
- Generous 100-day return policy
Disadvantages
- Absence of natural diamonds in the inventory
- Lack of warranty coverage
Ritani
When you make a purchase of emerald cut diamonds from Ritani, you can be assured of their exceptional quality due to their policy of exclusively offering diamonds with SI clarity or higher. In contrast, if you visit Zales or Kay stores, you’ll find an abundance of diamonds with I clarity.
Ritani initially entered the industry as a formidable competitor to the renowned retailer Tiffany’s. They possess exclusive, patented ring settings that are unparalleled elsewhere, except for select partner retailers such as Whiteflash. In 2014, Ritani joined forces with the former CEO of Blue Nile, infusing their operations with expertise and reinforcing their commitment to delivering superior quality.
While Ritani’s inventory of emerald cut diamonds with specific filters may be comparatively smaller than that of Blue Nile or James Allen, it surpasses that of Clean Origin. With approximately 950 diamonds meeting those filter criteria, each and every one of them is certified by either AGS or GIA, guaranteeing their authenticity and value.
Not all of their diamonds offer a complete 360-degree visual experience. Some diamonds are accompanied by high-definition (HD) photographs, while others are only presented with stock photos. During the process of filtering diamonds, a stock photo is initially displayed as a preview, followed by a delayed 360-degree video (if available).
Thankfully, it appears that a significant number of emerald-shaped diamonds do have the accompanying video.
Aside from the inconsistency in viewing options, I am personally dissatisfied with the viewer itself. Instead of providing a controllable viewing experience that allows users to drag and explore, Ritani employs a looping video playback. This approach does provide a satisfactory overall glimpse, particularly from the rear perspective.
However, when attempting to analyze specific aspects such as light reflections or inclusions, controlling a continuously looping video becomes challenging.
Ritani goes the extra mile by offering a comprehensive market analysis accompanying each diamond sale, allowing their customers to gain a precise understanding of the price breakdown. In a time when diamonds face criticism for being perceived as overpriced deceit, Ritani stands out by championing transparency within the industry.
Through the market analysis, customers are provided with a detailed breakdown of the diamond’s cost from the vendor, shipping and customs expenses, as well as the mark-up costs. This approach ensures that there are no concealed charges or intermediaries to navigate through.
Ritani distinguishes itself from competitors like James Allen (read our James Allen vs. Ritani review) by offering a distinctive feature: they are among the select few online jewelry stores that provide customers with a complimentary lifetime warranty that extends coverage to encompass wear and tear. To activate this warranty, one simply needs to register online, which is a minimal requirement considering the absence of any service warranty offered by numerous renowned online retailers. This exclusive benefit ensures peace of mind and sets Ritani apart in the realm of online jewelry shopping.
Advantages
- Unparalleled Lifetime Guarantee
- Complimentary Ring Sizing for One Year
- Lifetime Upgrade Option
- Crystal-Clear 360-Degree Perspective
Disadvantages
- Limited Range of Diamond Fine Jewelry Selection
- Exclusion of Coverage for Stone Loss within Settings
FAQs About Emerald Diamonds
Below, you’ll find a compilation of frequently asked questions concerning emerald-cut diamonds, encompassing some of the most sought-after information. For a comprehensive and detailed exploration of emerald-shaped diamonds, we invite you to explore our Emerald Cut Diamond guide, which serves as an invaluable resource.
Is Purchasing Emerald Cut Diamonds Online More Economical?
In general, the cost of acquiring emerald cut diamonds through online channels is significantly lower compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, particularly large-scale retailers that are widely recognized.
The operational framework employed by online diamond merchants contributes to their cost-effectiveness, as it leverages the practices of diamond wholesalers and vendors. Consequently, online retailers are able to offer lower prices to customers. On average, opting for online diamond purchases can result in savings of approximately 30% to 40%, all while avoiding any sales-related pressure.
Do Emerald Cut Diamonds Come With a Higher Price Tag?
The cost of emerald cut diamonds is often subject to varying interpretations when researching through online sources. When compared to round cut diamonds, emerald cut varieties generally tend to be more affordable. This can be attributed to step cut diamonds being priced lower than brilliant cut diamonds, primarily because inclusions are more visibly apparent and the color may exhibit a slightly more yellowish hue. Fortunately, the availability of a comprehensive 360˚ viewer can prove beneficial in such cases.
Now, let’s examine where a 1 carat emerald cut diamond stands in terms of pricing when compared to other diamond shapes:
The Cost per Carat Experiences an Upward Trend
As carat weight increases, the price per carat of emerald diamonds typically follows an upward trajectory. While emeralds generally exhibit a lower price per carat compared to other fancy diamond shapes, their larger carat weights can result in a significant price surge. This is primarily due to the fact that the price of emerald diamonds is closely linked to the pricing of other diamond grades. Furthermore, as step cut diamonds, emerald shapes require even higher clarity and color grades, further contributing to the increase in their price.
What Factors to Consider When Looking for Emerald Cut Diamonds
When embarking on the quest for a precious diamond, it becomes imperative to grasp the essence of the 4Cs, which encompass the pivotal aspects of diamond excellence: the intricacy of its cut, the immaculateness of its clarity, the brilliance of its color, and the weight denoted by its carat.
Our vast collection of comprehensive diamond compendiums delves into each of these domains meticulously. Now, allow us to offer you a set of invaluable suggestions to help you when buying loose diamonds.
Cut
When it comes to emerald cut diamonds, which lack an official cut grade, it becomes crucial to focus on the proportions of the diamond. Emerald cut diamonds can be categorized as either rectangular or square, with square-cut variations referred to as Asscher cut, although this name is also a proprietary term.
For optimal emerald cut diamonds, a length to width ratio of 1.40 is considered ideal. However, most individuals tend to select ratios ranging from 1.30 to 1.50. Given that various diamond shapes depend on personal preference, any ratio falling within these guidelines will yield a remarkable diamond.
Opting for shallower emerald diamonds can create the illusion of a larger face-up appearance. Unlike other diamond cuts, angles play a lesser role in the case of emerald diamonds.
Furthermore, it is advisable to compare different length to width ratios and envision their visual appeal within a specific setting. Adjustments might be necessary based on the desired design considerations.
Color and Clarity
As previously stated within this guide, it was noted that Kay Jewelers and Zales predominantly offer diamonds classified under the I clarity grade. It is strongly advised to avoid selecting emerald cut diamonds with an I clarity grade, as locating an eye-clean specimen becomes exceedingly challenging, even with the aid of a viewer.
Keep in mind that emerald cut diamonds tend to accentuate color and clarity characteristics. Therefore, unless you intend to pursue a yellow gold aesthetic, it is recommended to steer clear of diamonds graded with I clarity and JKL color grades.
AVAILABLE ON JAMESALLEN
Warning Signs When Buying Gold Jewelry Online
Diamond shapes don’t usually raise many concerns, but it’s crucial to keep a discerning eye out for certain indicators.
Extinction and Windowing
Different diamond shapes possess varying characteristics, and some may exhibit less desirable attributes compared to others. However, these specific traits should not discourage you from considering a particular shape altogether. For instance, emerald cut diamonds might be susceptible to a phenomenon referred to as “windowing.”
By adhering to the prescribed proportions outlined above when purchasing an emerald cut diamond, you can avoid encountering this issue. In inadequately cut emerald shapes, the facets do not resemble distinct steps but instead create a large, vacant window-like appearance.
AVAILABLE ON JAMESALLEN
Rather than producing captivating flashes of light, the diamond appears more akin to glass, as it fails to effectively capture and reflect light. This results in light passing straight through the stone, enabling one to observe their finger behind it in cases of windowing.
Extinction refers to the observation of dark shadows within the steps when viewing an emerald cut diamond face-up. This effect primarily stems from the diamond’s depth and does not compromise its structural integrity, but it does impact the overall visual appeal of the diamond.
We’ve briefly discussed this matter, but allow us to delve deeper into the rationale behind our exclusive endorsement of certified diamonds. It is true that certified diamonds bear a higher price tag compared to their uncertified counterparts, yet the essence of diamond certification lies in guaranteeing that the quality you expect matches the investment you make.
AVAILABLE ON JAMESALLEN
One crucial factor to remain vigilant about is the acquisition of non-certified diamonds or those sourced from laboratories outside the esteemed institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society. It is worth noting that most reputable diamond resale establishments solely acknowledge certifications issued by these recognized labs.
Certain laboratories have more lenient standards compared to the aforementioned institutions. Take, for instance, the grading report from GSI, which may indicate an SI1 grade but may, in reality, be classified as an I1 grade when assessed by the GIA. Instances of this nature have occurred and affected individuals in the past. GSI certifications significantly lower the cost of diamonds, making them highly favored by large-scale retailers due to their affordability. These retailers then proceed to sell these diamonds to customers at three times the value stated in the certificate. I speak from personal experience as I possess one of these certificates.
It is advisable to adhere to center stones certified by AGS and GIA exclusively, ensuring that your investment aligns with the quality you anticipate.
How to Save When Buying Emerald Cut Diamonds Online
I have covered various approaches and advantages that will assist you in your online purchase of emerald cut diamonds. Here’s a brief summary of Emerald Cut Diamonds 101:
- Opt for a seller offering a transparent 360˚ viewer.
- Select a seller with an extensive range of options.
- When purchasing lab diamonds, ensure they are certified by IGI, GIA, or GCAL. For natural diamonds, opt for GIA or AGS certification.
- Prioritize a seller that provides a warranty covering routine maintenance such as rhodium.
- Choose a seller with a favorable return policy and a streamlined process.
- Aim for an emerald cut diamond with a length to width ratio ranging from 1.4 to 1.5.
- Keep in mind that emerald cut diamonds tend to exhibit more yellow tint and inclusions, necessitating higher clarity and color grades.
- Be cautious of windowing and extinction issues.