Advice on 5 Brian Gavin Diamonds

[1617novakn]

Hello all, first time poster. I am having trouble deciding between 5 Brian Gavin diamonds and was hoping to get some advice. My budget is ~$15k, but the diamonds below range from ~$8k and ~$15.5k and range from 1.5 carats to 2.33 carats. I am looking to maximize my bang for buck on the carats without sacrificing too much on the other Cs. One big question I have is with color - a few of the options below are less than J color (even down to L), but the pictures on Brian's site of the actual diamond look great so I wanted to consider them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all! Link to 5 diamonds below:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.870-l-vs2-round-diamond-951.00--104074992016

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.507-g-si2-round-diamond-ags-104073219001

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.516-l-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104076040050

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.542-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104074030081

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.333-l-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104055121014

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.687-k-si1-round-diamond-ags-104075658039

 

[ame]

I am mentally not "equipped" below a J, so my favorite is the 1.5 J. They're all lovely, but I think the 1.5 is a great size, and has great numbers.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.542-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104074030081

 

[elle_chris]

I am mentally not "equipped" below a J, so my favorite is the 1.5 J. They're all lovely, but I think the 1.5 is a great size, and has great numbers.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.542-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104074030081

rofl.. love how you phrased that "mentally equipped".

I agree though. I wouldn't go down to an L. The J would be my choice as well.

 

[Sundial]

Another vote for the J. To me L would be a real stretch unless you have seen it in person and are totally okay with the color. Brian Gavin diamonds are stunning.

 

[1617novakn]

I thought the same thing, but they sent across the following link which compares a G, H, and the L (the biggest size, also on the bottom or the right) in that order. I couldn't really tell the different color on the L, but maybe it will come out more in person.

http://imgur.com/a/VkV7j

 

[SparklySoprano]

How are you planning on setting it?

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

No H or I colors? Al those "sweet spots" gone? From G to J, K or L is a huge leap.

cheers--Sharon

 

[1617novakn]

Let's try the link again.

http://imgur.com/a/VkV7j

 

[1617novakn]

In a pretty standard pave setting. If I went with one of the smaller and less expensive diamonds, could upgrade to a pave and halo setting.

 

[1617novakn]

There are some I options, but all of them are in the $12-13k range so I wasn't sure the price jump from the $10.5k 1.54 carat was worth it. The J is VS2 and the Is are SI1 as well, though I would assume they are eye clean coming from BG at that level.

 

[SparklySoprano]

Unless the pave will also be similar in color, I would prefer the diamond color be more similar to the pave stones, which, from what I usually see being used, are around F-G-H (and the H is more rare and in a more economical, less high-end, setting). But, I'm pretty color sensitive.

 

[ame]

In a pave setting, I would definitely not go below a J. But that's me. The contrast would be far too great for me. If it was a solitaire, and i was making this selection in person, maybe I could go lower. But I have a mental line on anything below a J unless it's an antique/antique stlye cut.