diamond advice w/ rose gold setting

[aloha pete]

Hi forum community, I wanted some advice regarding these diamonds I've found and selected.

BGD, AGS, 1.718, J, VS1
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...nd-ags-104102020069#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/
WF, AGS, 1.685, K, SI1
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4066991.htm

JA, GIA, 1.67, K, VS1 [ I've noticed this stone has been on the market for a while]
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...true-hearts-cut-sku-2336267?a_aid=recommended

WF, AGS, 1.588, J, VS2
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4059360.htm


Thoughts on cut quality, brilliance and color(K versus J)?

Thank you and take care

 

[kal2021]

Have you seen J and/or K color diamonds in person?

 

[elizat]

I am not someone with MRB knowledge, but echo making sure the recipient is comfortable with that color range. Some folks are quite color sensitive or just have preferences. If you are not sure on color preference or sensitivity, I might take a look at stones in the g or h range.

 

[lovedogs]

Hi forum community, I wanted some advice regarding these diamonds I've found and selected.

BGD, AGS, 1.718, J, VS1
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...nd-ags-104102020069#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/
WF, AGS, 1.685, K, SI1
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4066991.htm

JA, GIA, 1.67, K, VS1 [ I've noticed this stone has been on the market for a while]
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...true-hearts-cut-sku-2336267?a_aid=recommended

WF, AGS, 1.588, J, VS2
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4059360.htm


Thoughts on cut quality, brilliance and color(K versus J)?

Thank you and take care

Agree with others that you need to be sure your future fiance is comfortable with J/K colors. If she wants a whiter stone, then I would stick with ACA or BDG signature J and above. If she wants a truly colorless stone, then you'll want to stick with H/I and above.

 

[kmoro]

Cut-wise, I think all of the four look pretty good.

Working backwards, my least favourite would be the JA diamond ... not because I see anything particularly wrong with it, but it doesn’t include an ASET and JA upgrade policies aren’t as generous. Plus you’d be paying for H&A line, the highest priced at JA without being assured it performs as well as the other three. You could maybe at least partly fix that issue by requesting ASET image if it’s available.

The WF K color is the lowest in clarity, plus it is the lower color between the WF K and J. The cut is gorgeous. I’m really only leaving it behind to go for the higher J color. Clarity plot looks nice for SI1.

The BGD is the largest and most expensive, it is a J (assuming you have confirmed J color is ok) instead of K, it has a gorgeous cut and all the light performance images to prove it. Slightly more restrictive upgrade policy than WF, but at J color you have some room to go up the color c if you want to go up the carat c. The WF J has a slightly smaller table, but it really is only slightly smaller ... a bit longer lower half at 78 will mean a bit smaller flashes off the arrows but lots of sparkle. And VS1 clarity means no worries. 15 day inspection period. Beautiful diamond.

The WF J I really like a lot. I think that will be beautiful (well, ACA, duh). Slightly smaller table than the BGD and slightly shorter lower half at 76 will be bolder flashes off the arrows. Images look nice. Generous WF policies. VS2 should be fine - clarity plot looks really clean. There is a crystal right near the girdle but it’s an ACA so I doubt it’s in danger of chipping out. This one gets my vote.

If you want to go with larger size, I would suggest the BGD, but I like the WF J cut slightly better.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Starfacet]

I like the BGD one. The AVR in my avatar is a J color and it's set in rose gold. It's a nice combo!

 

[aloha pete]

Have you seen J and/or K color diamonds in person?

thanks for being the first to reply, much appreciated . I've seen GIA J and K side by side and I can see the "tint" at 1.6 carats. But when I looked at two stones that were already in a setting, I could not see a difference from J and K. As you all probably know, there's a major cost savings between J and K.

I'll be honest , I haven't taken her into see stones only settings.

 

[mrs-b]

I'm a sucker for great cut and high clarity - and size don't hurt! So the the BGD J VS1 is a no brainer for me.

What a gorgeous stone! I definitely don't think you'd be able to see a difference in table size between the BGD and the WF stone altho, for someone who really knows what they're looking for, they might - POSSIBLY - be able to see a difference in the chunkiness of the arrows between the two. But it would be minute.

Just so you know - the color grades get wider, the further down the colors you go. So the drop from a J to a K is quite pronounced. K will give you definite side tint, and I'd stay away from it unless you are setting it in an enclosed bezel or enclosed halo.

Altogether, tho - lovely stones!

 

[tyty333]

I might add that I think there is a little over-analyzing going on here between 55.9% and 56.4% table as well as 76 vs 78 lower halves in a
7.5ish mm stone. Unless of course you have bionic eyes.

 

[aloha pete]

Thanks for letting me know about the "colors grades get wider further down" .
Table analyzing wise, I been keeping it between : 54.0% to 57.0%

Cut wise, I've been using Paul's table via : https://beyond4cs.com/shapes/round/ideal-proportions/

Table % 54.0% to 57.0%
Depth % 61.0% to 62.5%
Crown Angle 34.0° to 35.0°
Pavilion Angle 40.6° to 41.0°
Lower Girdles 75% to 80%
Star Facets 50% to 55%
Girdle Thickness T – M – ST

 

[lovedogs]

Because the different between J and K can be big, and we don't know her color preferences I'd stick with one of the J options. Both look great to me. Honestly, the only one I dislike of your options is the JA, because it's not guaranteed to be great, whereas the others are (WF ACA and bgd are going to all be outstanding).

If it's in budget to go with the BGD then that's likely my choice bc of size, but if budget is a consideration then I think the WF J is a great deal for a beautiful stone.

In the end it might come down to which vendor has settings she likes. I would strongly suggest having the same vendor set the stone, so maybe see what settings wf and bgd have that are similar to the ones she liked.

 

[kmoro]

I might add that I think there is a little over-analyzing going on here between 55.9% and 56.4% table as well as 76 vs 78 lower halves in a
7.5ish mm stone. Unless of course you have bionic eyes.

There was nothing left to do but over analyze. Those were the differences and I pointed them out. At least I tried to help.
Sorry! Next time I won’t reply like everyone else.

 

[aloha pete]

There was nothing left to do but over analyze. Those were the differences and I pointed them out. At least I tried to help.
Sorry! Next time I won’t reply like everyone else.

your reply was appreciated. no worries!

 

[kal2021]

thanks for being the first to reply, much appreciated . I've seen GIA J and K side by side and I can see the "tint" at 1.6 carats. But when I looked at two stones that were already in a setting, I could not see a difference from J and K. As you all probably know, there's a major cost savings between J and K.

I'll be honest , I haven't taken her into see stones only settings.

My pleasure! I would personally be hesitant to get her a J color without her seeing some first. But that’s just me as I’ve learned I am color sensitive. If she is not the type to care or notice, then don’t worry about it! You know her best.

 

[lovedogs]

My pleasure! I would personally be hesitant to get her a J color without her seeing some first. But that’s just me as I’ve learned I am color sensitive. If she is not the type to care or notice, then don’t worry about it! You know her best.

I think if he's going with an ACA and Rose gold J is likely fine. But depends on setting style too. But you're totally right that in general it's super important to know the intended's color tolerance!

 

[Starfacet]

I actually visited Brian's shop a few summers ago along with my mom. He is a great guy! The first thing he did was a "blind" test on me where he showed me 4 loose MRB diamonds ranging in color from high (don't remember how high) to a J and asked me which color I liked. I picked the J! I have since learned that I-K is my sweet spot. Having said that, I will say that in my car, I can see the body color of the AVR, especially when viewing the stone from the side, but it's a non-issue for me. I got a bigger diamond by going with a J so I can live with it!

 

[aloha pete]

One other quick question between vendors. I noticed JA, has the best policy when it comes to lifetime warranty, cleaning, repairs etc... Appears that they really do go all the way if something goes wrong from the time of purchase till forever...

BGD and WF have warranties but they don't go all the way based (cover costs, shipping, cleaning, tightening, etc...)

are there any other benefits going with BGD and WF over JA. The customer service perception is the same from my interaction with them.

 

[lovedogs]

Noooo! Totally the opposite. WF and BGD blow JA OUT OF THE WATER with customer service. Ja is a drop shipper and don't have their stones in house. WF and BGD have those stones in house and can personally inspect them. They also have amazing upgrade policies, which JA does not. 100% don't go with JA for anything regarding upgrades or customer support. They aren't bad, but in a much lower level than wf or bgd!

 

[aloha pete]

Noooo! Totally the opposite. WF and BGD blow JA OUT OF THE WATER with customer service. Ja is a drop shipper and don't have their stones in house. WF and BGD have those stones in house and can personally inspect them. They also have amazing upgrade policies, which JA does not. 100% don't go with JA for anything regarding upgrades or customer support. They aren't bad, but in a much lower level than wf or bgd!

I agree and see JA as a drop shipper and see the upgrade policy differences. What I don't see is the same level of service post-sale, including repair. Perhaps this have their policy written better else where and I haven't seen it.

JA: https://www.jamesallen.com/faq/
BGD : https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/need-help-faq/
WF: https://www.whiteflash.com/confidence/the-whiteflash-guarantee/

 

[lovedogs]

I agree and see JA as a drop shipper and see the upgrade policy differences. What I don't see is the same level of service post-sale, including repair. Perhaps this have their policy written better else where and I haven't seen it.

JA: https://www.jamesallen.com/faq/
BGD : https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/need-help-faq/
WF: https://www.whiteflash.com/confidence/the-whiteflash-guarantee/

@Texas Leaguer can speak to this better, but I've never seen anyone ysve issues with a ring being fixed via WF or BGD. that doesn't mean it's *never* happened, but the customer service and trust in those 2 vendors is just leaps and bounds above JA. I've seen many more ppl with JA problems than either of the other 2, and for good reason. If I were you I'd reach out and ask about repairs, but again, JA just isn't on the same level.

 

[Wewechew]

Does anyone else think the JA diamond looks really cloudy for a VS1? I can't tell if the camera isn't focused on the diamond, or if it's the diamond itself.

 

[aloha pete]

Does anyone else think the JA diamond looks really cloudy for a VS1? I can't tell if the camera isn't focused on the diamond, or if it's the diamond itself.

out of focused is what I assume here. they stated no additional photos available and no ASET available, only idealscope.

 

[kal2021]

And you can’t beat WF’s upgrade policy!

 

[HappyNewLife]

I'd personally get the biggest diamond I could afford from WF due to their upgrade policy. That, or CBI

 

[whitewave]

I love the BG 1.7J

 

[whitewave]

Does anyone else think the JA diamond looks really cloudy for a VS1? I can't tell if the camera isn't focused on the diamond, or if it's the diamond itself.

It did seem a bit cloudy to me, but I wasn’t sure if it was the pic quality