bem3231
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2007
- Messages
- 646
Hi everyone -
Just before Christmas I posted about our recent experience purchasing my engagement ring stone at GOG. Specifically, I discussed my experiences with Jon''s videos as they compared to my perception of stones in person during my two trips to GOG. Ellen asked some follow-up questions which I promised to write more about after the holidays. Well, it''s well after the holidays - how time flies!! I had a bit of a delay in that my computer was not playing videos correctly, but I got that fixed a few days ago, so I''m back! My original post was long and this post will probably be longer!...
My original post is here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-online-in-person-and-their-awesome-videos.74867/
Ellen''s comments and questions were:
"I wonder, if you would be kind enough to elaborate even more? You have had the unique opportunity to view in real life, and with the videos. If you could possibly give your interpretation of how well the videos portray the diamonds vs. real life, that would be a huge asset to this post. Also, your impression of the branded rounds (Eightenity, etc.) would be most helpful.
I realize I''m asking a lot, and I surely don''t expect you to do this, if you so choose, before xmas. If you could find the time afterwards, it would be such a wealth of information, much needed and very much appreciated!"
So, to elaborate even more, my impression of how well the videos portray the diamonds vs. real life is that the videos offer an excellent approximation of what my eyes saw when I viewed the stones in person. In fact, I would go a step further to suggest that the videos allow comparison of attributes between stones that would be difficult to see in person. What I mean by that is that in the videos, all you see are the diamonds side by side, under diverse lighting conditions, dancing their little hearts out, along with the benefit of Jon''s commentary. In person, I find that it''s easy to get ''blinded by sparkle'' (and impressed by size) as it were - if you''re comparing stones that are all great cuts (as I was, and as anyone dealing with GOG would be I expect), they all tend to look great.
When I went back to GOG the second time, it was because I was second guessing myself on the Eighternity. It was an amazingly beautiful stone, however I was worried that I had been so taken with the size of it that I failed to really dissect whether or not I preferred the extra facets to a 56 facet ideal cut RB. When Jon provided the video comparing the Eighternity to the first two others that I compared it to, it really allowed me to focus in on how each diamond was performing under different lighting conditions. I still loved the Eighternity, but wanted to compare it to stones that were similar in other aspects of it''s certs - which is what prompted my second visit to GOG. For interest sake, the first video that Jon shot for me is titled "An awesome 3ct Eighternity alongside a 2.51ct AGS Ideal and a 2.36ct Hearts & Arrows Ideal" and can be found at http://www.goodoldgold.com/video/
My second trip back to GOG was to view the Eighternity alongside a 2.68FVS2 and a 3.0GSI1. I already elaborated in my previous post about how having watched many GOG videos (and, in particular, the "Nature of Scintillation" one), had sort of ''prepped'' my eyes to be able to better discern and compare the stones side by side in the diamond dock. Long story short (although this is by no means a short post!) what I determined was that I preferred the ''traditional'' look of a 56 facet RB for my engagement ring anyway - I would totally consider a proprietary cut for a pendant, rhr, etc.! That said, in comparing the three stones side by side, what I also realized was that I adored a higher percentage in lower girdle facet length. The 2.68 (which is the one that I ended up going with) had a lower girdle facet length of 82.6%, which the 3.0 GSI1 had a lower girdle facet length of 75%. What was notable was that the higher percentage stone had more pinfire flash mixed with broad flash. The 3.0GSI1 notably had mostly broad flash, and the Eighternity had mostly pinfire flash. The 2.68 hit the perfect ''sweet spot''for me - a traditional looking pattern, but with some of the pinfire flash that I loved in the Eighternity.
Jonathan was kind enough to shoot a video of those last three stones that I compared - even though he didn''t have to as I was already sold! It is quite an interesting comparison in which you can clearly see the different flash patterns from the different stones.
The video is titled "A very interesting comparison of a 3ct GIA Ex with 40.8 pav/35.0 crown alongside a 2.68ct GIA Ex w/40.8 pavilion/34.5 and a 3ct Eighternity". The "Nature of Scintillation" video also shows some comparisons of the effects of different lower girdle facet lengths.
I would say that if it weren''t for Jon''s videos that I would not have had the ''training'' to pick up these small but discernable variations in the stones that I was comparing. While I had the benefit of Jon''s expertise to explain to me how differences in lower girdle facet length was impacting what I was seeing, these differences are clearly apparent (and clearly explained) in the videos as well.
Again, I reiterate that Jon''s video technology is an awesome value added benefit to anyone trying to learn about diamonds and shop for their perfect stone. It is especially useful for those who want the convenience and savings that dealing with an online vendor offers, but who are hesitant to purchase a stone sight unseen.
Ellen you also asked about my perception of the proprietary cuts that I saw - namely Eighernity, Solasfera, and Star129. I liked both the Eighternity and the Solasfera quite a bit - boy do they sparkle like mad! I can see how some people say that they really *shine* in larger sizes in particular - certainly my experience with the 3 ct Eighternity was amazing. I did not care as much for the Star129 - I found it almost distractingly busy. While I ultimately went for a 56 facet round, I would definitely encourage anyone who is in the market for something a little different to consider these added facet cuts - they each have their own signature look and are quite stunning!
Again, apologies for being so long winded, but I wanted to answer Ellen''s questions to the best of my ability.
In closing, although I am starting to sound like a broken record, I cannot say enough about Jon and his staff at GOG. I am currently purchasing a set of studs from him - I''ve really been bitten by the diamond bug - an all of you here at Pricescope are in large part to blame!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Just before Christmas I posted about our recent experience purchasing my engagement ring stone at GOG. Specifically, I discussed my experiences with Jon''s videos as they compared to my perception of stones in person during my two trips to GOG. Ellen asked some follow-up questions which I promised to write more about after the holidays. Well, it''s well after the holidays - how time flies!! I had a bit of a delay in that my computer was not playing videos correctly, but I got that fixed a few days ago, so I''m back! My original post was long and this post will probably be longer!...
My original post is here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-online-in-person-and-their-awesome-videos.74867/
Ellen''s comments and questions were:
"I wonder, if you would be kind enough to elaborate even more? You have had the unique opportunity to view in real life, and with the videos. If you could possibly give your interpretation of how well the videos portray the diamonds vs. real life, that would be a huge asset to this post. Also, your impression of the branded rounds (Eightenity, etc.) would be most helpful.
I realize I''m asking a lot, and I surely don''t expect you to do this, if you so choose, before xmas. If you could find the time afterwards, it would be such a wealth of information, much needed and very much appreciated!"
So, to elaborate even more, my impression of how well the videos portray the diamonds vs. real life is that the videos offer an excellent approximation of what my eyes saw when I viewed the stones in person. In fact, I would go a step further to suggest that the videos allow comparison of attributes between stones that would be difficult to see in person. What I mean by that is that in the videos, all you see are the diamonds side by side, under diverse lighting conditions, dancing their little hearts out, along with the benefit of Jon''s commentary. In person, I find that it''s easy to get ''blinded by sparkle'' (and impressed by size) as it were - if you''re comparing stones that are all great cuts (as I was, and as anyone dealing with GOG would be I expect), they all tend to look great.
When I went back to GOG the second time, it was because I was second guessing myself on the Eighternity. It was an amazingly beautiful stone, however I was worried that I had been so taken with the size of it that I failed to really dissect whether or not I preferred the extra facets to a 56 facet ideal cut RB. When Jon provided the video comparing the Eighternity to the first two others that I compared it to, it really allowed me to focus in on how each diamond was performing under different lighting conditions. I still loved the Eighternity, but wanted to compare it to stones that were similar in other aspects of it''s certs - which is what prompted my second visit to GOG. For interest sake, the first video that Jon shot for me is titled "An awesome 3ct Eighternity alongside a 2.51ct AGS Ideal and a 2.36ct Hearts & Arrows Ideal" and can be found at http://www.goodoldgold.com/video/
My second trip back to GOG was to view the Eighternity alongside a 2.68FVS2 and a 3.0GSI1. I already elaborated in my previous post about how having watched many GOG videos (and, in particular, the "Nature of Scintillation" one), had sort of ''prepped'' my eyes to be able to better discern and compare the stones side by side in the diamond dock. Long story short (although this is by no means a short post!) what I determined was that I preferred the ''traditional'' look of a 56 facet RB for my engagement ring anyway - I would totally consider a proprietary cut for a pendant, rhr, etc.! That said, in comparing the three stones side by side, what I also realized was that I adored a higher percentage in lower girdle facet length. The 2.68 (which is the one that I ended up going with) had a lower girdle facet length of 82.6%, which the 3.0 GSI1 had a lower girdle facet length of 75%. What was notable was that the higher percentage stone had more pinfire flash mixed with broad flash. The 3.0GSI1 notably had mostly broad flash, and the Eighternity had mostly pinfire flash. The 2.68 hit the perfect ''sweet spot''for me - a traditional looking pattern, but with some of the pinfire flash that I loved in the Eighternity.
Jonathan was kind enough to shoot a video of those last three stones that I compared - even though he didn''t have to as I was already sold! It is quite an interesting comparison in which you can clearly see the different flash patterns from the different stones.
The video is titled "A very interesting comparison of a 3ct GIA Ex with 40.8 pav/35.0 crown alongside a 2.68ct GIA Ex w/40.8 pavilion/34.5 and a 3ct Eighternity". The "Nature of Scintillation" video also shows some comparisons of the effects of different lower girdle facet lengths.
I would say that if it weren''t for Jon''s videos that I would not have had the ''training'' to pick up these small but discernable variations in the stones that I was comparing. While I had the benefit of Jon''s expertise to explain to me how differences in lower girdle facet length was impacting what I was seeing, these differences are clearly apparent (and clearly explained) in the videos as well.
Again, I reiterate that Jon''s video technology is an awesome value added benefit to anyone trying to learn about diamonds and shop for their perfect stone. It is especially useful for those who want the convenience and savings that dealing with an online vendor offers, but who are hesitant to purchase a stone sight unseen.
Ellen you also asked about my perception of the proprietary cuts that I saw - namely Eighernity, Solasfera, and Star129. I liked both the Eighternity and the Solasfera quite a bit - boy do they sparkle like mad! I can see how some people say that they really *shine* in larger sizes in particular - certainly my experience with the 3 ct Eighternity was amazing. I did not care as much for the Star129 - I found it almost distractingly busy. While I ultimately went for a 56 facet round, I would definitely encourage anyone who is in the market for something a little different to consider these added facet cuts - they each have their own signature look and are quite stunning!
Again, apologies for being so long winded, but I wanted to answer Ellen''s questions to the best of my ability.
In closing, although I am starting to sound like a broken record, I cannot say enough about Jon and his staff at GOG. I am currently purchasing a set of studs from him - I''ve really been bitten by the diamond bug - an all of you here at Pricescope are in large part to blame!
Have a great weekend everyone!
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