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BC2 thinks this cushion is a great value, your thoughts?

S

sh00termcgav1n

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 17, 2014
Messages
35
So the diamond that was #1 on my list of course is already sold, but of the 3 I submitted to BC2 for their team of gemologists to review, they came back and said this was a great value and quote:

According to our team of expert gemologists the diamonds with stock# 5109188 and 5096900 are eye clean with excellent luster and brilliance and they offer a great value for money, however the diamond with stock# 5109188 has been highly recommended by our team of experts as this diamond sparkles with immense brilliance and when they compared this diamond side by side with stock# 5096900 they found out that this diamond has more brilliance and fire and less number of inclusions due to the better clarity grade (VS1) and the strong fluorescence has absolutely no impact on the appearance of the diamond.

This is the diamond in question, which is actually significantly below my budget:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5109188-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-clarity.aspx

The one they're comparing it to is this one:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5096900-1.20-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-SI1-clarity.aspx

Wanted to get the input of those on here. I'm not in a huge hurry but would like to find a suitable diamond within the next 2-3 weeks.
 
They are both really nice. Let's compare.

The I SI stone is: 5.97x6.00x4.14
And the I VS2 stone is: 5.67x5.87x3.94

So the Si1 stone is a smidge bigger. And more square.

The Si1 stone is: $4,791.80
The VS1 stone is: $3,113.08

So the VS1 is A LOT less expensive. 1600 is nothing to sneeze at.

So let's look at performance.
Under the table both are about equal. But the VS1 beats out the Si1 in the edge to edge. So the ASET bears out the gemolgist's remarks the that VS1 is slightly brighter.

And I actually love the Strong Blue of the VS1. I think that's a bonus. And it may result in the VS1 looking whiter.

In color they are the same grade, with the VS1 edging out the SI1 in clarity.

So? I have to say I totally agree with the gemologist and can't say I would spend $1600 more for a stone that seems to have only one advantage: A small amount of size that is really not, IMO worth the extra money and the downgrade to SI clarity and performance.


How are you planning to set it? Maybe the savings can help us find you a nicer setting than you wanted? 1,600 is a lovely "boost" to a setting budget.
 
Gypsy|1403670567|3700592 said:
They are both really nice. Let's compare.

The I SI stone is: 5.97x6.00x4.14
And the I VS2 stone is: 5.67x5.87x3.94

So the Si1 stone is a smidge bigger. And more square.

The Si1 stone is: $4,791.80
The VS1 stone is: $3,113.08

So the VS1 is A LOT less expensive. 1600 is nothing to sneeze at.

So let's look at performance.
Under the table both are about equal. But the VS1 beats out the Si1 in the edge to edge. So the ASET bears out the gemolgist's remarks the that VS1 is slightly brighter.

And I actually love the Strong Blue of the VS1. I think that's a bonus. And it may result in the VS1 looking whiter.

In color they are the same grade, with the VS1 edging out the SI1 in clarity.

So? I have to say I totally agree with the gemologist and can't say I would spend $1600 more for a stone that seems to have only one advantage: A small amount of size that is really not, IMO worth the extra money and the downgrade to SI clarity and performance.

How are you planning to set it? Maybe the savings can help us find you a nicer setting than you wanted? 1,600 is a lovely "boost" to a setting budget.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your feedback. To be fair, I'm still quite bummed out by the one that got away. This was originally what I was after, which seemed to have quite a better ASET image

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5106344-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx

To be fair, it is still quite a bit more, but I don't know if it's ~$1,000 better either.

I am looking to get a nice halo setting, and w/if I choose this VS1 diamond then I guess I could put the extra $ into a platinum ring as opposed to white gold.

Quite taken w/these 2:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Vintage-Cushion-Cut-Halo-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold-8468-1.aspx

http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Cushion-Halo-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold-8946-1.aspx
 
I can understand that. That was an outrageously gorgeous cushion.

But this one is really lovely too. I mean that one was an A+++ this one is a strong A.

And again... it's part of a whole. A ring. Let's see what we can do to make sure your setting choice is going to knock socks off.
 
Oh I'm so happy you said halo.

I would NOT buy a halo from B2C. I'll be honest. Halos are incredibly sensitive and you need to go for the nicest quality you can. That's not B2C. Halos that are 'budget' quality will lose melee like salt from a salt cellar. You don't want that.


You should get this halo by Beverly K instead: http://www.elizabetajewelry.com/products/beverley-k-diamond-engagement-ring-semi-mount-center-stone-not-included-number-1185-slash-60cn

Good Old Gold is a Beverly K vendor and they usually match or beat the prices on the site I just listed. Give them a call. They will charge you about 100 for the outside stone.

Beverly K settings are lovely quality and in person especially they totally beat even anything on their web pictures. You will be VERY happy you went with the VS1 stone and a better quality setting.

I know you will.
 
Gypsy|1403674863|3700634 said:
Oh I'm so happy you said halo.

I would NOT buy a halo from B2C. I'll be honest. Halos are incredibly sensitive and you need to go for the nicest quality you can. That's not B2C. Halos that are 'budget' quality will lose melee like salt from a salt cellar. You don't want that.

You should get this halo by Beverly K instead: http://www.elizabetajewelry.com/products/beverley-k-diamond-engagement-ring-semi-mount-center-stone-not-included-number-1185-slash-60cn

Good Old Gold is a Beverly K vendor and they usually match or beat the prices on the site I just listed. Give them a call. They will charge you about 100 for the outside stone.

Beverly K settings are lovely quality and in person especially they totally beat even anything on their web pictures. You will be VERY happy you went with the VS1 stone and a better quality setting.

I know you will.
Click to expand...

Wow, this is the first I'd heard any feedback about settings, and to be honest I was kind of hoping to get everything taken care of at one place instead of getting the diamond and setting separately and having to get it set myself somewhere.

Would you mind elaborating a little bit in terms of what makes the halos from B2C poor/budget quality? or what you mean by halos being incredibly sensitive?

Also, if I were to get a separate diamond and setting, what do you think about Zoara's settings? I was originally seriously considering this one in Palladium.

http://www.zoara.com/engagement/rings/p_stunning_cushion_cut_diamond_ring#p=244446
 
No. No Zoara, no B2C.

What I mean is pave is incredibly hard to do to and do well. SO it costs money because of the setters skills. Budget pave is well... crap. The stones fall out. The setting gets bent.

And so you NEED to go with a brand or vendor that has a proven track record for good pave.

You don't take risks.

You want this to be something she can wear everyday for years? Well I am telling you that for your budget the best setting is by Beverly K.

Here's all you have to do.

You will get your purchase documents from B2C. Have them send the stone directly to GOG. GOG will do a quick appraisal just to match the stone to the lab report and confirm the condition of the stone. And will give you a document (electronically) that will show that, as well as state that you have bought a setting from them and for how much.

While the setting is being ordered, your stone is sitting there safe and secure. You will go to Jewelers Mutual website and get a policy to cover the stone uploading the documents GOG sent you.

Once the stone is covered (JM will tell you), then the stone is set into the setting by GOG and sends the ring you.

That's it.

Yes, it's an extra step. But you HAVE to get insurance anyway. The only difference is that you get the insurance before the stone is set, instead of after if you use a different vendor for the setting.
 
Interesting, I'd seriously never heard that, does the lack of quality then also apply to Bluenile and James Allen?

How do these online retailers compare to your B&M jewelers?

Also, if I did decide to go the route of a BK setting, would it make any difference whether or not I had it all sent to me and I had someone local do the setting (and get th einsurance as well) vs having B2C send it to GOG?
 
B2c seems to still have a lot of work to do on their settings. I might trust them with a solitaire or a simple setting (although the items they have that seem good are limited in number). I might get a halo from somewhere else though. It doesn't have to be Beverly K but they do make nice settings. There are other halo settings out there too.

I would also agree the cushion looks good.
 
I would NOT buy a halo from B2C. I'll be honest. Halos are incredibly sensitive and you need to go for the nicest quality you can. That's not B2C.
Click to expand...

B2c seems to still have a lot of work to do on their settings.
Click to expand...

Hi Gypsy and iota15.

In the interest of my own awareness, can you expand on your comments? I’m simply seeking to understand, and provide input if I can.

<< Halos that are 'budget' quality will lose melee like salt from a salt cellar. You don't want that. >>

I agree with you - no one wants to lose melee. For the record, we’ve never had issues with the first B2C ring linked (Vintage Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Ring). I feel the strong design is one reason for the success of this setting, you will notice the pave on a flat surface, as with the branded design you pointed to. I could see the ring in the second link being more susceptible to wear and tear due to the prong configuration, but that’s an opinion.

If the 'budget quality' comment is a reaction to price: We can offer settings of high quality at a lower price because we're producing in-house, rather than buying from a supplier, and don’t add a brand markup. It's not a reflection of less care-taking or quality. Some of the artisans we work with here in NYC also produce for other well known brands.

In the interest of fair reporting, any company providing clients with settings of delicacy will have the occasional issue, including us. With normal wear and tear halo designs may lose diamonds, especially after time - but that applies to any designer. It’s often more a function of how the piece is worn and handled once it leaves the showroom floor.

Hoping this is helpful.
 
It's probably not fair to suggest or imply that B2C settings will lose diamonds like salt - and I didn't imply that. I'm glad you've responded to this message though.

From the solitaire settings and non-halo diamond settings I have been looking at lately, I can expand on my statement to say the selection available is not very good. The vast majority of your settings have pegheads - or are varietals around the pegheads. While it may be fine to have a few with that type of setting, the vast majority of your settings outside of halos use pegheads... at least at this point in time.

I think I was able to pick out maybe 4 settings, outside of the several dozen solitaires available that did not use pegheads. I know it's an easy and cheap way to set a stone, and can slip-fit onto almost any band. To me, it's a very budget-look though - but this cost is obviously passed onto the customer, which I'm sure your market appreciates. However, I would like to ask B2C if they could offer more settings, even if they were a bit more pricey.

Yes, it would require more skill or labour to create a setting - but a few more offerings in the mid-end of the market would probably do the company good too. Outside of the 4 or 5 non-peghead solitaires, I won't recommend your solitaires personally to a friend. Those 4 or 5 look fine though from the website pictures (I didn't find very many real life examples). But 4 or 5 really limits your selection - and they aren't the most plain Jane, traditional elegant solitaires out there either, so you'd have to be willing to accept a solitaire setting outside of the strictly traditional sense (meaning with undercarriage diamonds, loops or split shanks, twist prongs, asymmetry, etc.), or wait for B2C to create a custom setting. The trouble with a custom setting from B2C is seeing the selection available as perhaps an indication of the skill of the in-house smiths.

I don't know about your halos, as I haven't been looking at them or researching them online. I don't know if they're good or not, and I know pave generally always has the risk of a lost stone here or there - with the possibility hopefully on the lesser end for a well-made setting.

The quality of your solitaires and non-halos though, does put a doubt into my mind as to the quality of your halos. I don't think they'll lose diamonds like salt, but there is a question mark as to the quality or the workmanship that'll be put into it... for me, at least. But for the price, I think some people will go for it in any event, which is good. There should be options for different price points in the market. I just think in general, more selection would helpful - both for the consumer and B2C.
 
To answer the OP: There have been persistent reports of unhappiness with the quality of Blue Niles settings as a whole in the last few months. I would not personally buy pave from them. Though I might take a chance on a deeply discounted second hand piece.

James Allen, A while back there were some complaints as to quality that I heard, personally and off the boards. Also the pave was metal heavy as seen in the photos of the settings. But those were a while past, early last year. And they did not have the 2,100 nicer halos back then. I would buy one of those right now, yes. This is the setting from JA I would buy: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-set-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-31888 -- they have versions of this for the a number of shapes.


I also like the fact that JA has pictures of the real settings and not just the CADs. I will not generally buy pave site unseen from a CAD image.

The only way I will do that is if I am very familiar with the vendor. So with Beverly K, ERD, BGD, WF I would buy from a CAD. From a vendor like B2C or JA I don't buy based on CADs. They don't show metal work quality and finishing. And that is a huge deal.


DiamondHawk, I appreciate your post. Iota's answer covers mine as well with regard to the settings. With the addition of the comment about CAD images. If you posted real pictures of the settings, particularly in a 360 video (like JA) so we can see the magnified images of the settings, I would have a greater degree of comfort.

That said, I am particularly sensitive to bad pave. Because I have seen so much of it and even owned some myself. So I VERY careful when it comes to pave recommendations, and I tend to be extremely conservative.

Most people buy engagement rings with the expectation that they will wear them 24/7. Pave is not meant to be worn that way. And I REALLY have seen inferior pave loose stones like salt from a cellar. The last iteration of my own halo (which was NOT cheap) had that issue. And I babied it. It ended up that I never wore it, afraid of losing stones. And it was very sad, as it is my nicest piece of jewelery. So I had to pay to have it re-done.

As a person who recommends things on here, for the most part, I am VERY conservative. And do not recommend things that I feel have a high degree of risk.

And recommending a setting based only on a CAD image, from a vendor that has mostly peg heads and other very inexpensive and easy labor settings, and one that most PSers have not BOUGHT pave from (so no reports of happy experiences) is too risky for me. The fact that the settings are made in house is a good point. But BGD's settings are made in house, and I've been to their factory, I've seen their quality, and... you should check out their pricing. So.. the price point also has me, frankly, wary of the quality of work. I'm not going to lie.

I'd love to have dependable pave at that price point (approx. 1000) available that I could CONFIDENTLY recommend. But so far Gabriel is the only line that has convinced me of it's quality in that price point. And that's after 100s of purchases by PSers. And me actually seeing some of their work myself. So for now... that's where I am feeling comfortable. Beverly K also has a few settings at the price point. And again... same thing.
 
sh00termcgav1n|1403673330|3700622 said:
Thanks for your feedback. To be fair, I'm still quite bummed out by the one that got away. This was originally what I was after, which seemed to have quite a better ASET image

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5106344-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx

To be fair, it is still quite a bit more, but I don't know if it's ~$1,000 better either.
Click to expand...
Hi Shooter! :wavey:

I'm a little confused by this post. I clicked the link and the diamond seems to be available? I'd agree - this ASET is very nice.

I would agree with Gypsy about the importance of quality pave work. Of course losing stones is horrible, but what is also disappointing is when the pave isn't smooth. I want to be able to run a pave ring over a silk shirt or cashmere sweater and not have it snag. This is something that is very hard to tell from a picture.
 
I still prefer the E.
 
starryeyed|1403743586|3701189 said:
sh00termcgav1n|1403673330|3700622 said:
Thanks for your feedback. To be fair, I'm still quite bummed out by the one that got away. This was originally what I was after, which seemed to have quite a better ASET image

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5106344-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx

To be fair, it is still quite a bit more, but I don't know if it's ~$1,000 better either.
Click to expand...
Hi Shooter! :wavey:

I'm a little confused by this post. I clicked the link and the diamond seems to be available? I'd agree - this ASET is very nice.

I would agree with Gypsy about the importance of quality pave work. Of course losing stones is horrible, but what is also disappointing is when the pave isn't smooth. I want to be able to run a pave ring over a silk shirt or cashmere sweater and not have it snag. This is something that is very hard to tell from a picture.
Click to expand...

Yes you possibly misread, the one linked there was my first choice but by the time I inquired about it it was already gone.

Good point about the smooth pave, thanks.
 
Hmm. I wonder what would happen if you clicked buy then. :devil:

Ahhh, well. Too bad.
 
Gypsy|1403758627|3701296 said:
Hmm. I wonder what would happen if you clicked buy then. :devil:

Ahhh, well. Too bad.
Click to expand...

Haha, the end of the world perhaps? Luckily I triple checked and they assured me yet again it's gone, that is sadly reflected as well on their website at this time =/

I'm still leaning heavily towards the other diamond, the only thing I'm waiting on is JA to get back to me on 3 loose diamonds their gemologists were going to take a look at (but I'm not holding my breath).

That said, the last thing for me is a setting, which I'm still on the fence about. On one hand I appreciated Diamond Hawk chiming in. On the the other hand I did catch onto your comment about ppl here liking Gabriel&Co settings, and checked that I do have a "local" (30 mi away) store that is a retailer for them. One thing at a time I guess, either way I really do appreciate your input Gypsy, as well as the others that have pitched in.
 
So happy for you that it is still available! ASET on #1 is gorgeous!
 
Weird turn of events. What are you thinking? The ASET on the H is nice. What does the vendor say? Can they compare the 2 and tell you if the H is worth $1000 more? A brighter well-cut stone can look bigger - something to think about.

I would also ask if they guarantee smooth snag-free pave. I have a ring where the pave in one spot isn't perfect and it snags on my clothing. Sometimes I won't wear the ring because of this. Your ring is too important to have this problem.
 
starryeyed|1403799346|3701499 said:
Weird turn of events. What are you thinking? The ASET on the H is nice. What does the vendor say? Can they compare the 2 and tell you if the H is worth $1000 more? A brighter well-cut stone can look bigger - something to think about.

I would also ask if they guarantee smooth snag-free pave. I have a ring where the pave in one spot isn't perfect and it snags on my clothing. Sometimes I won't wear the ring because of this. Your ring is too important to have this problem.
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to go w/the H diamond. It was initially my first choice and I'm glad it became available again (perhaps it's a sign?). Not only is it a color grade better, but it does offer even better symmetry and clarity as well.

Lastly, while they're both eye clean, the other diamond is of strong blue fluorescence, which even based on the pictures and all, poses the very slight risk of milky/haziness in the sun which I won't have to worry about. And at the end of the day I don't think the $900 difference will kill me.
 
H is my vote too. YAY!
 
The H looks great to me too! Yay!! Great turn of events.
 
sh00termcgav1n|1403806069|3701554 said:
I think I'm going to go w/the H diamond. It was initially my first choice and I'm glad it became available again (perhaps it's a sign?). Not only is it a color grade better, but it does offer even better symmetry and clarity as well.

Lastly, while they're both eye clean, the other diamond is of strong blue fluorescence, which even based on the pictures and all, poses the very slight risk of milky/haziness in the sun which I won't have to worry about. And at the end of the day I don't think the $900 difference will kill me.
Click to expand...
Grab it immediately or have the vendor reserve it. I've seen "lurkers" steal stones right out from under a PS poster nose.
 
Hello all.

I have not forgotten the thread. I’ve been in Poland attending to a family issue with my fiancée the past couple of weeks. Almost finished here.

In the interim, I alerted our CS team to the thread & discussion and I am happy they sorted the diamond availability out.

Gypsy, iota and others: Thanks for taking time to elaborate. I appreciate the thoughtful comments. I will return to them as soon as time permits.
 
Diamond_Hawk|1403886966|3702156 said:
Hello all.

I have not forgotten the thread. I’ve been in Poland attending to a family issue with my fiancée the past couple of weeks. Almost finished here.

In the interim, I alerted our CS team to the thread & discussion and I am happy they sorted the diamond availability out.

Gypsy, iota and others: Thanks for taking time to elaborate. I appreciate the thoughtful comments. I will return to them as soon as time permits.
Click to expand...

I just placed my order earlier today, and not only for the diamond, but also for the vintage halo setting (sorry Gypsy!).

Based on price, timing, and most importantly, your feedback along w/the feedback of your customer service team, I decided to go with the setting even though some here had expressed concerns about the quality of the settings. I hope everything you've said is true and that your jewelers will do a good job creating a beautiful snag free setting that will last for years.

Really looking forward to receiving the finished result.
 
Please post pictures when you get it! And congratulations!
 
Hooray! I think it'll be gorgeous. I'm with Gypsy - please post pictures!!
 
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