Choosing the right stone...

[leeklight1]

Hope someone can help me out here!

I just settled on a setting this week and have been looking for the right stone. I've been leaning pretty heavily towards Brian Gavin because of the positive reviews and history they have - and they've just had some fantastic customer service every time I've spoken with them. However, I've looked at James Allen as well and the savings in cost has been tempting... let me know if you think I should be looking more seriously that way at all instead.

First off, I'm looking for something just around 1 carat and want that ideal hearts and arrow cut. I'm still debating whether a lower color grade but higher clarity (and lower cost of course) would be just as good a choice as the higher color grade with lower clarity (but higher cost).

Can anyone take a look at the following ones and let me know what you might recommend and why??

Thanks in advance!

1.007 H SI1 (says sold cause I put money down for it already - price was $8,115)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...s/1.007-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-1040376130004

1.014 H SI1 (similar as above but slightly more cost - $8,196)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.014-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104052883011

1.042 I VS1 (lower color higher clarity... $8,424)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.042-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104044686029

1.038 J VS1 (big difference here: $7,377)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.038-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104044686036

 

[Gypsy]

Either of the H SI stones. I don't think you need higher clarity as long as they are eyeclean (I would ask which one is more eyeclean from the sides and the top and if there is a difference pick the cleaner one). They have higher color, which IS eye visible.

I wouldn't pick the I, it costs more for something you can't see.

And J is a personal choice. *I* would be okay with a J but many wouldn't so I personally wouldn't risk it for a gift if you can get something with higher color in budget. And if I was picking a J it wouldn't be a VS1 cause again... can't see it. I'd find a nice cheap J Si1.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would stick with H color. Yes, you can buy diamonds for less but the trade-in policy won't be as good. If you do not plan to ever trade the stone in for another, then you can price shop a little. However, if you have chosen a BG setting I think you should get the stone there, too.

 

[Gypsy]

If I were gt a J this puppy right here would be my choice: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.230-j-si1-round-diamond-ags-104060322043 (it's reserved) as it is within spitting range of 7mm. Alternately this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.212-j-si1-round-diamond-ags-104060038133 also within spitting range of 7mm.

If you are going to go down in color-- for ME the trade off has to be size. I wouldn't go down in color then go for high clarity and keep the same size.

 

[leeklight1]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I too am leaning pretty much for the H color since I agree that clarity isn't as eye visible as color might be. They've confirmed that the 1.007 H SI1 is eye clean, so I can ask about the other one tomorrow.

The setting is actually a Tacori that I'm sending it at week's end - the limit is basically 1.1 so hence the size.

Anything else to look for between the two H color options?

 

[Christina...]

I prefer the second BGD H that you posted, for the minimal price difference you get a bit more spread and I like the IS better. But, I don't think that you can wrong with either.

 

[Gypsy]

The one you have reserved has a slightly smaller table, the other one eeks out an bit of spread. But for the most part they are both just flipping incredible in terms of cut (like all BGD signature stones) although the other one is arguably better in the IS. The other one has a cleaner clarity plot, but that doesn't mean anything unless it's backed up with being cleaner to the eye. The one you have does have a feather, and some people really hate those, the other one doesn't.

 

[leeklight1]

Gypsy, just to follow up... is a smaller table good/bad - also same about the spread?

They do seem like amazing cuts though I did notice that the 2nd seems to have a more symmetrical look in the lighting plot. I didn't know if that really mattered much though but will ask tomorrow about how eye-clean it is compared to the one I have reserved.

Hate to be newbie but... what is a feather and how do I see that in the 1st so I know what to look for?

 

[Gypsy]

Feather: https://www.pricescope.com/journal/diamond_feather_inclusions_durability_risk is a type of inclusion.

The way I know it has one is because of the clarity plot. That's the drawing of the diamond faceting with marks on it that denote where the inclusions that the clarity grade are premised upon, it has a key below it that tells you what the marks are.

Smaller table... it's a preference for some. The difference between the tables of the two diamonds is minute though.

Spread means dimensions. One is larger than the other by a very slight (and not eye visible) amount.

 

[leeklight1]

Thanks for the link there...

So it looks like with the minute price difference, the 2nd H stone is the best choice as long as it is eye clean?

The only thing that had me hesitant on it were all those "twinning wisp" inclusions on the clarity report... I couldn't tell how significant those where though.

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks for the link there...

So it looks like with the minute price difference, the 2nd H stone is the best choice as long as it is eye clean?

The only thing that had me hesitant on it were all those "twinning wisp" inclusions on the clarity report... I couldn't tell how significant those where though.

Best inclusions to have in SI1 and VS.

 

[leeklight1]

Well I had picked out the 2nd stone after all and today I discovered two new options that just came out... since the setting is on its way there and nothing is final yet, I thought I'd see if maybe I should consider these two other options since the price is a couple hundred bucks less!

The original stone (H SI1 @ $8196):
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.014-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104052883011)

The new options:
H SI1 @ $7780:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.006-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104061000022

I SI1 @ $7551:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.008-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-104061000021

Please let me know what you think! I really appreciate all the help!

Kent

 

[Statefan42]

Well I had picked out the 2nd stone after all and today I discovered two new options that just came out... since the setting is on its way there and nothing is final yet, I thought I'd see if maybe I should consider these two other options since the price is a couple hundred bucks less!

The original stone (H SI1 @ $8196):
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.014-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104052883011)

The new options:
H SI1 @ $7780:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.006-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104061000022

I SI1 @ $7551:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.008-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-104061000021

Please let me know what you think! I really appreciate all the help!

Kent

Have you looked at the Brian Gavin Blues? He just got a bunch of new ones in. I just got one a few weeks ago and it is incredible. You have to research a little on fluorescence to make sure you are ok with it. I was hesitant at first but I am so glad I went with strong blue.

1.073 G Si1 is 6378 as an example.
1.10 H VS2 is 7700

Just throwing it out there as an option.

 

[leeklight1]

I have considered the blues but so far have decided to stick with a non-flourescent signature diamond instead.

Anyone else have any other thoughts??

They just posted the lab report and idealscope for the 1.006 today and it seems to look pretty good to me??

I have to decide tomorrow because they'll be setting it starting tomorrow or Monday... so thanks!!