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BGD Signature vs Select?

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caribari

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 31, 2009
Messages
60
I’ve been looking at BGD’s online inventory of stones, and am confused by the difference between the “signature” and “select” stones. From reading the website, it seems that the signature stones are ones specifically selected by BGD as “excellent performers”, whereas the select stones are noted as such for their “good value?” I know that I would like an AGS Ideal cut—and all the signature stones are AGS Ideals—however there are several select stones that are AGS Ideal, and less expensive. What, in general, is the difference? Why would someone pay more for a “signature” stone?

Thanks all!
 
Date: 5/4/2010 1:39:39 PM
Author:caribari
I’ve been looking at BGD’s online inventory of stones, and am confused by the difference between the “signature” and “select” stones. From reading the website, it seems that the signature stones are ones specifically selected by BGD as “excellent performers”, whereas the select stones are noted as such for their “good value?” I know that I would like an AGS Ideal cut—and all the signature stones are AGS Ideals—however there are several select stones that are AGS Ideal, and less expensive. What, in general, is the difference? Why would someone pay more for a “signature” stone?

Thanks all!
Click to expand...
The main thing to note is while signature stones are upgradeable, select stones are not. Signature stones are cut to Brians standards, and eye clean etc and are in house, whereas select stones need to be brought in.
 
looks like just AGS0 graded stones on the virtual inventory, not own by BGD.

BGD signature also have H&A symm.
 
So it basically sounds like:

BGD Signature stones are those cut, guaranteed, in house, and upgradeable by BGD.

BGD Select stones are those which have been identified by BGD as “promising.” They are not in house, not owned by BGD; in this case BGD basically acts as broker. Potentially one could find a stones that would be as beautiful as a signature stone, but it might take a little more work to find one.

Does anyone know if BGD helps with this process?
 
Date: 5/4/2010 2:16:47 PM
Author: caribari
So it basically sounds like:

BGD Signature stones are those cut, guaranteed, in house, and upgradeable by BGD.

BGD Select stones are those which have been identified by BGD as “promising.” They are not in house, not owned by BGD; in this case BGD basically acts as broker. Potentially one could find a stones that would be as beautiful as a signature stone, but it might take a little more work to find one.

Does anyone know if BGD helps with this process?
Click to expand...
You have it right and they will indeed help in the process.
 
Date: 5/4/2010 2:16:47 PM
Author: caribari
So it basically sounds like:

BGD Signature stones are those cut, guaranteed, in house, and upgradeable by BGD.

BGD Select stones are those which have been identified by BGD as “promising.” They are not in house, not owned by BGD; in this case BGD basically acts as broker. Potentially one could find a stones that would be as beautiful as a signature stone, but it might take a little more work to find one.

Does anyone know if BGD helps with this process?
Click to expand...
Yes - BGD does not inspect the select stones in person before labelling them as such, so an SI2 may not be eyeclean, etc. It is simply a promising virtual stone by the lab report.
 
Yep, but if you know you don''t want to upgrade you can get a stone that will look as good to the naked eye as BGD signature and pay the sometimes lower price of BGD select--you kind of have to dig a little more and run the numbers (and they will help you at BGD and on PS:-) Sometimes though the signature premium is very small, so its worth it to go that route and have the upgrade option, the hearts and arrows, and and the peace of mind of knowing that.
 
Thanks to all for the responses, this makes much more sense.

I’m fairly certain I would never want to upgrade, and our budget is going to be pretty tight (~15K for as close to 2 carats as possible), so it might make more sense to put in the work of searching through select stones.

One last question. In the photos taken of the signature stones, they all appear to have hearts and arrows, while the select stones do not. I now understand that this is because they don’t have actual photos of the select stones. Could some of the select stones potentially have hearts and arrows too?
 
Date: 5/4/2010 4:19:42 PM
Author: caribari
Thanks to all for the responses, this makes much more sense.

I’m fairly certain I would never want to upgrade, and our budget is going to be pretty tight (~15K for as close to 2 carats as possible), so it might make more sense to put in the work of searching through select stones.

One last question. In the photos taken of the signature stones, they all appear to have hearts and arrows, while the select stones do not. I now understand that this is because they don’t have actual photos of the select stones. Could some of the select stones potentially have hearts and arrows too?
Click to expand...
To meet Brian's strict standards of H&A so improbable it's impossible - just because a stone shows nice arrows does not mean the hearts are well-formed. A different brand of H&A may be more forgiving.
 
Date: 5/4/2010 4:19:42 PM
Author: caribari
Thanks to all for the responses, this makes much more sense.

I’m fairly certain I would never want to upgrade, and our budget is going to be pretty tight (~15K for as close to 2 carats as possible), so it might make more sense to put in the work of searching through select stones.

One last question. In the photos taken of the signature stones, they all appear to have hearts and arrows, while the select stones do not. I now understand that this is because they don’t have actual photos of the select stones. Could some of the select stones potentially have hearts and arrows too?
Click to expand...
If you are wondering whether the select diamonds will show an arrow pattern when you look at them, many will if they are well cut. But they will probably not be technically H&A diamonds.
 
I recently bought a diamond from BGD and it was a BGD select. It seems as if all AGS000 diamonds are BGD select and usually not in-house. The BGD signature comes with all the perks that the above posters have mentioned. They are very helpful in the selection process and were not pushy to buy one of their signature diamonds as I was trying to maximize size for my money as you are. You shouldn''t shy away from their inventory of diamonds as you can still find some real gems that are ideal in cut just not quite up to part with Brian''s standards. I would contact them and give them the specs of what you are looking for and what budget. I was told they work very close to their suppliers and if you ask if it''s eye clean they are really honest.

Best of luck in your search and if you go with BGD you are in good hands.
 
Where do you see the BGD Select stones? Are these all the stones that show up in the second half of the search results?
 
Date: 5/4/2010 1:39:39 PM
Author:caribari
I’ve been looking at BGD’s online inventory of stones, and am confused by the difference between the “signature” and “select” stones. From reading the website, it seems that the signature stones are ones specifically selected by BGD as “excellent performers”, whereas the select stones are noted as such for their “good value?” I know that I would like an AGS Ideal cut—and all the signature stones are AGS Ideals—however there are several select stones that are AGS Ideal, and less expensive. What, in general, is the difference? Why would someone pay more for a “signature” stone?

Thanks all!
Click to expand...
compare the prices,cuz sometime they aren''t that much apart for the same 4Cs.
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Date: 5/4/2010 6:32:16 PM
Author: SpartanRed
I recently bought a diamond from BGD and it was a BGD select. It seems as if all AGS000 diamonds are BGD select and usually not in-house. The BGD signature comes with all the perks that the above posters have mentioned. They are very helpful in the selection process and were not pushy to buy one of their signature diamonds as I was trying to maximize size for my money as you are. You shouldn''t shy away from their inventory of diamonds as you can still find some real gems that are ideal in cut just not quite up to part with Brian''s standards. I would contact them and give them the specs of what you are looking for and what budget. I was told they work very close to their suppliers and if you ask if it''s eye clean they are really honest.


Best of luck in your search and if you go with BGD you are in good hands.
Click to expand...


Sounds like we are in the same boat SpartanRed, I really appreciate the perspective!

Thanks everyone!
 
HI there! I just ordered some Brian Gavin Select stones for stud earrings last week and wanted to share my experiences. During the selection and ordering process, the stones I selected were not AGS000 (they were GIA ex/ex/ex) and they were not in-house. They were recommended to me after I gave my sales contact my selection criteria for the stones. After I gave the go-ahead to bring the stones in-house so BGD can personally inspect the stones and give me all the images of the stones (they need a credit card number for this btw), they graded the stones as Brian Gavin Select. It is not eligible for upgrade. I think I got a great value by going this route. :)
 
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