2 Diamond Recuts by Brian Gavin

[MerLine]

I've been gawking at other people's postings of recuts by Brian Gavin for a long time. I have these two diamonds that needed a recut - a 2.25 ct. and a 3.26 ct. Size was and still is very important to me so I was concerned how much will get taken off. Anyway, to make a long story short, when I received these final recut pictures back from Lesley at BGD, I don't know why I waited so long to finally take the plunge. The makeovers turned out amazing, and the diamonds are so much more beautiful than I could ever hope for! I haven't received the diamonds back yet but the pictures already tell me they've been much much improved!

Here are the before pics of the 2.25 ct. that BGD sent me:

 

[MerLine]

Another before pic of 2.25 ct.

 

[MerLine]

And here are the after pics of the 2.25 ct., recut by Brian Gavin to 2.01 ct.

 

[MerLine]

Another after pic of the 2.25 ct., now recut to 2.01 ct.

 

[MerLine]

Before pics of the 3.26 ct.

 

[MerLine]

After pics of the 3.26 ct, now recut to 3.0 ct.

 

[MerLine]

After pics of the 3.26 ct, now recut to 3.0 ct.

 

[Christina...]

WOW! What an amazing difference! I bet they are going to look stunning IRL! What are your plans for the stones?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That IS an amazing difference and how lucky you were that they were able to improve them while keeping them above the 2 and 3 ct. mark!!! I had a small stone recut and it was so worth it! I think you made a great decision!

Now we are going to need pictures of these diamonds once they are reset!!!

 

[bright ice]

WOW, what a stunning difference after the recuts. I bet you are going to be thrilled when you see them!

 

[m-2-b]

Great pics! What are the exacts specs. of each, including color, clarity also?

 

[CrisM]

Merline, DS - this is really interesting. Under what circumstances would one consider re-cutting a stone? What were your reasons for going that route? I would prefer clarity and performance over size if size were not significantly sacrificed - but again, what are some things to look for when you're considering getting it made over? What would be some flaws you could accept for example, when purchasing a stone that you knew you'd want to have improved?

Thanks in advance - curious to learn more about this. I'll search in the Knowledge tab for more info as well.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

They look great!

What mm did you lose off each stone?

 

[Gypsy]

I've seen, with my own eyes the before and after of stones recut by BGD and KNOW when you see them you are going to be absolutely knocked for a loop. I had seen the after pics before too, but it didn't prepare me for how amazing the difference was in person.

 

[Enerchi]

What an impressive difference these photos have shown. Testament to the skilled cutting at BGD! I'm sure you are thrilled MerLine! What are your plans - where are these lovelies headed in your future????

 

[MerLine]

WOW! What an amazing difference! I bet they are going to look stunning IRL! What are your plans for the stones?

Thank you Christina! Both are going to go back as engagement rings The 2.01 ct. is my daughter's and the 3.0 ct. is mine.

 

[MerLine]

That IS an amazing difference and how lucky you were that they were able to improve them while keeping them above the 2 and 3 ct. mark!!! I had a small stone recut and it was so worth it! I think you made a great decision!

Now we are going to need pictures of these diamonds once they are reset!!!

I know! I expressed my concern about the size, ie. I hoped that it wasn't going to go any lower than 2 and 3 ct. and that's exactly what I got. He totally worked his magic on these ones. I still can't believe the difference Brian's recut made! It's like I got entirely new diamonds!

 

[MerLine]

WOW, what a stunning difference after the recuts. I bet you are going to be thrilled when you see them!

You bet! Thank you

 

[MerLine]

Great pics! What are the exacts specs. of each, including color, clarity also?

Before recut @ 2.25 ct.


After recut @ 2.01 ct.


Before recut @ 3.26 ct.


After recut @ 3.0 ct.

 

[MerLine]

Merline, DS - this is really interesting. Under what circumstances would one consider re-cutting a stone? What were your reasons for going that route? I would prefer clarity and performance over size if size were not significantly sacrificed - but again, what are some things to look for when you're considering getting it made over? What would be some flaws you could accept for example, when purchasing a stone that you knew you'd want to have improved?

Thanks in advance - curious to learn more about this. I'll search in the Knowledge tab for more info as well.

These are actually old diamonds purchased back in the late 80's. Back then, the only thing that was important to me was size, color and that diamonds should be clean. Hence, both of these are VVS1. They had no papers either. I stopped buying diamonds for a very long time, so I wasn't even aware of hearts and arrows. It wasn't until recently that I came across Pricescope and since then I've become much more well informed. I do prefer performance as well, but I did request that they be not less than 2 ct. and 3 ct. if at all possible.

If you are curious and considering your diamond for a recut, you can send the specs to BGD and have them analyze for you. You will get the same sort of reports I got. From there, the decision is then up to you.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Merline, DS - this is really interesting. Under what circumstances would one consider re-cutting a stone? What were your reasons for going that route? I would prefer clarity and performance over size if size were not significantly sacrificed - but again, what are some things to look for when you're considering getting it made over? What would be some flaws you could accept for example, when purchasing a stone that you knew you'd want to have improved?

Thanks in advance - curious to learn more about this. I'll search in the Knowledge tab for more info as well.

Precision cut diamonds are fairly recent, and I had a family diamond given to me that was a nice color and clarity but it lacked the symmetry and brightness of my excellent/ideal cut stones. The old diamond was uncertified like Merline's. My stone was only a carat, but I just didn't want to set it in a piece of jewelry when it just wasn't as beautiful as my other diamonds. So I sent it to Brian, and it ended up at .80 after the recut. It is now in a simple bezel pendant, and I am watching for something I love to put it in permanently. I have seen Brian decline recutting a stone that just wasn't worth recutting because it would make it too small or maybe it was too included.

I would not purposely buy a stone now with the intent of having it recut because you do not know how much weight it will lose before it is sent to Brian or whether it is even advisable to recut. There are small risks in recutting as well. So I think the value in recutting is for those of us who already have older diamonds that are less than ideal/excellent cut but want to make them as close to that as possible.

My before and after shots:

 

[SparklyOEC]

MerLine, your diamonds look amazing after the re-cut!

DS, I love your pendant.

 

[MerLine]

I would not purposely buy a stone now with the intent of having it recut because you do not know how much weight it will lose before it is sent to Brian or whether it is even advisable to recut. There are small risks in recutting as well. So I think the value in recutting is for those of us who already have older diamonds that are less than ideal/excellent cut but want to make them as close to that as possible.

I completely agree. The ones I'm buying at the more present time, I already love and wouldn't need a recut anymore. IMO, this is they way to go. That way I am sure it is exactly what I want. I only chose to go the recut route to enhance my old diamonds.

By the way, DS your pendant looks marvelous! The recut made an astounding difference!

 

[Amys Bling]

wow- it makes a huge difference!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

wow, I think that you are going to be so excited when you see them in person!

 

[MerLine]

Yes , for sure i am very excited! The waiting is killing me!

 

[MerLine]

Here is the result of one of the diamonds that Brain Gavin recut for me with AGS certification. The other one is still a loose stone that I have passed on to my daughter. She has yet to decide what to do with it though. This baby I'm posting is the slightly larger one of the recut pair of diamonds at 3.004 cts.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh, just gorgeous, Merline!!!

 

[Enerchi]

Stunning! Gorgeous diamond in a spectacular setting. Enjoy and wear in good health!

 

[move1986]

Hand shots pls