A follow-up to my post on GOG and their awesome videos, and answers to Ellen''s questions...

[Skippy123]

Great review Bem!

You found a gorgeous diamond and I can''t wait to see it set

 

[bem3231]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

Garry, I''m sorry if I misunderstood or did not answer your question. In terms of the exact particularities of every lighting condition outside of the diamond dock in which I viewed the stones on each occasion I just cannot say. I can''t remember *exactly* how sunny or cloudy it was on each day (although I know that it wasn''t raining / snowing), nor did I investigate the exact lighting source in GOG. I know that the diamonds might look different in Home Depot vs. Tiffany vs. office lighting vs. my living room vs. outside in a myriad of conditions. As a semi-informed ''layperson'' my interest was just in ascertaining that, on average, I was equally impressed with the stones that I saw across multiple conditions. And again, I would say that, in my experience, what I saw in the videos approximated what I saw with my own eyes in different conditions.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I probably should remember this, but what setting did you choose?

 

[bem3231]

Date: 2/2/2008 9:28:48 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I probably should remember this, but what setting did you choose?

I''m having Leon do a custom solitaire. Sort of like his DNA wedding band but in a solitaire with pave set prongs and head.

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 2/2/2008 12:47:04 PM
Author:bem3231
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.

I''m going to check out those videos. I just wanted to let you know that I also prefer a longer lower girdle facet length. Mine is 80% and I love the slimmer arrows. To me it gives the perfect balance of dark and light and seems to make the diamond scintillate differently than those with shorter lower girdle facet lengths. Until your post I had not noticed anyone else make that connection, but I may have missed it. Thank you for sharing your reviews on the GOG videos.

 

[bem3231]

Date: 2/2/2008 10:49:49 PM
Author: lumpkin

Date: 2/2/2008 12:47:04 PM

I''m going to check out those videos. I just wanted to let you know that I also prefer a longer lower girdle facet length. Mine is 80% and I love the slimmer arrows. To me it gives the perfect balance of dark and light and seems to make the diamond scintillate differently than those with shorter lower girdle facet lengths. Until your post I had not noticed anyone else make that connection, but I may have missed it. Thank you for sharing your reviews on the GOG videos.

Another longer lower girdle facet length convert!!

Thanks for your positive feedback everyone.