Choosing a VC stone

[Mavimaui]

My dream diamond on Victor Canera’s website was just sold before we pulled the trigger to purchase.. looking for insights as to which of these offer the very best cut and if any stand out as being more reasonably/over priced (original budget closer to $10k, but having to possibly increase due to my specs!). I’m also open to Whiteflash suggestions or any AGS graded diamonds though I’m hesitant to purchase from another vendor and have a custom setting done by Victor due to additional costs/insurance.

I’m looking for F-G color (nervous I’ll see tint in H) for a trilogy ring (platinum with pear sapphire sidestones) and open to any eye clean diamond focusing first on cut. For size, I would like to be close to 7.05-7.1mm, so I’ve tried to look at stones 7-7.2mm wide. A few of the following seem to have a bit shallow of a crown angle, too high of a total depth, light leakage on the ASET/ideal scope, uneven lower girdle? facets, or plots on the AGS certificate with excess blue surrounding the crown. While that’s what I’m seeing, I realize I’m not an expert and know that Victor does have quality stones, so I’m reaching out for your help! Looking for opinions about crown height, LGF’s and anything else that may help me pick the right stone, I like bright/sparkly a tad more than color/fire if you are familiar with what to focus on to get either minor personality difference. This may be the only stone I get to ever pick out, and I want to be picky and end up with a great one! Lastly, I feel that many vendors have a more narrow selection, with not many new stones.. while I would love to have this process completed, I am unfortunately willing to wait for additional inventory..

Thanks for your help, time, explanations, and for helping me on my journey!


1.277 F $9,882 (black crystal, not as ‘fat’ LGF’s)
1.36 G $13,281 (shallower crown angle with shallower pavilion angle)
1.411 G $13,722 (even more shallow crown angle, clouds not shown)
1.456 G AGS report $14,311 (AGS link on site for different numbered stone I think) (bit expensive/bit large, light leakage on AGS plot?)
1.31 G $11k (looks like table is offset, very messy plot, looks more like an H)

Whiteflash, ranked by price - seems any $13k or lower have uneven facets, crystals on the table, or not ideal proportions - any great cuts/diamonds here that would stand out in relation to VC stones? It seems like many of these tables have a darker tinge compared to the rest of the diamond.. not sure why..




Lastly here is a pricey stone from Brian Gavin, it caught my eye, but it appears the ASET on the AGS report has a lot of blue around the table/ smaller table, not as ideal?

1.360 F VVS2 Blue Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS graded 1.360 carat F VVS2 Round super ideal cut Brian Gavin Blue Diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

 

[headlight]

I’m not sure what you are looking for. Anything from Brian Gavin and Whiteflash’s ACA line are top of the top. You can’t get better. Just pick your size, color, and clarity....

 

[MissGotRocks]

My dream diamond on Victor Canera’s website was just sold before we pulled the trigger to purchase.. looking for insights as to which of these offer the very best cut and if any stand out as being more reasonably/over priced (original budget closer to $10k, but having to possibly increase due to my specs!). I’m also open to Whiteflash suggestions or any AGS graded diamonds though I’m hesitant to purchase from another vendor and have a custom setting done by Victor due to additional costs/insurance.

I’m looking for F-G color (nervous I’ll see tint in H) for a trilogy ring (platinum with pear sapphire sidestones) and open to any eye clean diamond focusing first on cut. For size, I would like to be close to 7.05-7.1mm, so I’ve tried to look at stones 7-7.2mm wide. A few of the following seem to have a bit shallow of a crown angle, too high of a total depth, light leakage on the ASET/ideal scope, uneven lower girdle? facets, or plots on the AGS certificate with excess blue surrounding the crown. While that’s what I’m seeing, I realize I’m not an expert and know that Victor does have quality stones, so I’m reaching out for your help! Looking for opinions about crown height, LGF’s and anything else that may help me pick the right stone, I like bright/sparkly a tad more than color/fire if you are familiar with what to focus on to get either minor personality difference. This may be the only stone I get to ever pick out, and I want to be picky and end up with a great one! Lastly, I feel that many vendors have a more narrow selection, with not many new stones.. while I would love to have this process completed, I am unfortunately willing to wait for additional inventory..

Thanks for your help, time, explanations, and for helping me on my journey!


1.277 F $9,882 (black crystal, not as ‘fat’ LGF’s)
1.36 G $13,281 (shallower crown angle with shallower pavilion angle)
1.411 G $13,722 (even more shallow crown angle, clouds not shown)
1.456 G AGS report $14,311 (AGS link on site for different numbered stone I think) (bit expensive/bit large, light leakage on AGS plot?)
1.31 G $11k (looks like table is offset, very messy plot, looks more like an H)

Whiteflash, ranked by price - seems any $13k or lower have uneven facets, crystals on the table, or not ideal proportions - any great cuts/diamonds here that would stand out in relation to VC stones? It seems like many of these tables have a darker tinge compared to the rest of the diamond.. not sure why..




Lastly here is a pricey stone from Brian Gavin, it caught my eye, but it appears the ASET on the AGS report has a lot of blue around the table/ smaller table, not as ideal?

1.360 F VVS2 Blue Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS graded 1.360 carat F VVS2 Round super ideal cut Brian Gavin Blue Diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

You can’t really vet stones better than the super ideal vendors. Whiteflash has a lot of information on their website about their grading process - over and above AGS. In terms of clarity, you might like some better than others and SI1 stones could have some inclusions that you might not like. You can always call these vendors to discuss any particular stones; they are happy to help and are honest about the eye cleanliness of stones.

 

[lovedogs]

You can’t really vet stones better than the super ideal vendors. Whiteflash has a lot of information on their website about their grading process - over and above AGS. In terms of clarity, you might like some better than others and SI1 stones could have some inclusions that you might not like. You can always call these vendors to discuss any particular stones; they are happy to help and are honest about the eye cleanliness of stones.

Ditto.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

I looked at the first two VC stones you posted. I would pass on both and the rest are way above your budget.

I found this one on HPD. None of the diamonds cut by CBI will have visible inclusions at any clarity level without magnification. This one is the size and color you want at a really good price.

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD11034

I promise this will go fast so put a hold on it if you’re interested.

 

[stonehunter20]

not sure what your top criteria are? after reading your post i feel you made the process overly complicated. imho, anything from whiteflash aca is pretty reliable. you can pick whatever grade based on your preference

 

[kb1gra]

I was under the impression that victor might decline work using an outside branded stone that competes with his own. He won't do AV stones, for example. Are you sure he is willing to do a whiteflash stone vs sourcing one for you with your specs?

 

[lmyracle]

I dealt with Nicholas when I purchased my VC studs. He was fabulous to work with. I would explain everything you said above. They may have something else that's not on the website and I'm sure he can help you.

 

[Mavimaui]

@stonehunter20 @headlight yes, I’m afraid you are right! I’ve tried to learn so much that I’m complicating things and questioning what I thought I had learned! I wish I pulled the trigger on the stone I had been eyeing for sometime..

Thank you for the feedback @MissGotRocks and @lovedogs, it is a great idea to contact Whiteflash directly for any clarity concerns/feedback as well as understand a bit more about ACA criteria to put my mind at ease.

@kb1gra last I spoke to Victor, he was able to set outside stones which were insured, but I believe there was an additional charge and/or loss of discount on the setting price. Before moving forward with any purchase I will definitely confirm that and many more details with VC.

Thank you @lmyracle for the positive feedback re. working with Victor, I’ve read lots of got things about him here! Unfortunately I’ve spoken to Nathan and they do not expect any additional inventory for the specs I’m looking at as they have a few different options available already.

@mwilliamanderson - thank you for the suggestion - I'm intrigued after reading up on HPD/CBI. I’m very nervous to go with a diamond which has not yet been crafted, but I have filled out their questionnaire and will see how it goes! I’m hesitant to go with the 1.25 as some diamonds that size may be smaller than 7mm. I was able to tell the size difference between a 6.8/6.9 and 7.05/7.10 stone in store and felt the larger was a better fit for the project.

Thank you all again for your feedback, would welcome any additional responses from others or suggestions! Have a wonderful day

 

[mwilliamanderson]

@stonehunter20 @headlight yes, I’m afraid you are right! I’ve tried to learn so much that I’m complicating things and questioning what I thought I had learned! I wish I pulled the trigger on the stone I had been eyeing for sometime..

Thank you for the feedback @MissGotRocks and @lovedogs, it is a great idea to contact Whiteflash directly for any clarity concerns/feedback as well as understand a bit more about ACA criteria to put my mind at ease.

@kb1gra last I spoke to Victor, he was able to set outside stones which were insured, but I believe there was an additional charge and/or loss of discount on the setting price. Before moving forward with any purchase I will definitely confirm that and many more details with VC.

Thank you @lmyracle for the positive feedback re. working with Victor, I’ve read lots of got things about him here! Unfortunately I’ve spoken to Nathan and they do not expect any additional inventory for the specs I’m looking at as they have a few different options available already.

@mwilliamanderson - thank you for the suggestion - I'm intrigued after reading up on HPD/CBI. I’m very nervous to go with a diamond which has not yet been crafted, but I have filled out their questionnaire and will see how it goes! I’m hesitant to go with the 1.25 as some diamonds that size may be smaller than 7mm. I was able to tell the size difference between a 6.8/6.9 and 7.05/7.10 stone in store and felt the larger was a better fit for the project.

Thank you all again for your feedback, would welcome any additional responses from others or suggestions! Have a wonderful day

Yes, I’d be nervous too but if you do some searching you’ll find the people and product @ HPD have lots of integrity. Perhaps this stone would work better. It’s just over 7mm and close to your original stones price. I know you were looking at mostly G’s but if you could do an H it would be a great stone.

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10708