E-Ring Confused and Dizzy

[SimoneDi]

Done. Thank you for this tip. We can sit on this for a few days until we have decided.

Yay, great! 48-72hrs I believe is the hold time.

 

[pearaffair]

I could see you being very happy with the BG diamond! Ticks all the boxes, has longevity in terms of style and satisfaction. It is classic and top tier. Can’t wait to see what you decide and how you set it! CVB is a fave idea mine, too. Make sure to scope out her Instagram.

 

[BlingDreams]

Just a thought, which may or may not be helpful

In addition to comparing the IDJ diamond (or whatever ideal-cut diamond you decide on) to the super ideal, be sure to put it alongside the other side of the spectrum too - run of the mill diamonds. Here, on PS, we can get so wrapped up in getting the best of the best because we love jewelry and love being educated about it. But the majority of the population isn’t like us and relies on places like Jared’s and Kay’s for their diamonds. So if you’re wondering how your (future) diamond will compare “out in the wild”, just be sure to put it with the probable diamonds you’ll encounter.

I say that because I remember your desire for best bang for your buck. That doesn’t really jive with a super ideal, in practical terms. You get super ideals for a premium, but for good reason; they’re the best. So you’ll really need to decide if you want the best or if you want a great performer but with some flaws (and money off to compensate for them). But I think you’ll find that no matter which you choose you’ll out-sparkle 99%+ of the other rings you encounter because you’ve taken the time to educate yourself so much already

I hope that made sense, and good luck with your decision!

 

[rockysalamander]

I suspect you are looking for tapered baguette setting, something like this

I love that ring!

 

[rockysalamander]

@Hephephippo I like the BG Black, as well as the ACA and HPD/CBI. I have a slight personal preference for CBI diamonds. Of these, WF and HPD/CBI have a better trade-in policy, in that BG requires you upgrade 2 of color, clarity, size -- but you are already pretty high on color and clarity. On the other hand, maybe the tradein is not that important.

If you want to see old cuts in person to evaluate them, maybe give Adam at Old World Diamonds in NY a call. He may be able to arrange an appointment for you. I'd love for you to see old cuts before you decide.

Old World Diamonds
580 Fifth Avenue Suite 1800
New York, NY 10036
P.(866)729-8625F.(212)921-1350
[email protected]

 

[Hephephippo]

@ILikeShiny @SimoneDi @rockysalamander and everyone else, thank you for all the great advice. I've been slow in replying because I've been absorbing the information and processing my thoughts. this has been a wonderful experience, if taken separately from the first ring my SO got us. I learned, and I'm learning a lot.

That being said, I think SO and I have been able to process and define our priorities.

On the onset, I wanted best value for money -- and I took that separately from the emotional aspect of the E-Ring. Plus, value can be relative for some. By seeing your opinions and advice here, I realized that I define value in two ways:

1 - the best ring, in tangible terms, that I can get out of a budget and
2 - the purpose/how the ring is used, in non-tangible terms, and thus the ring's value over time (I could not think of a way of articulating this better)
​

Based on that, SO and I have learned that, we won't be upgrading our ring -- most important consideration to us is that we want this to stay with us forever, passed on to future generations if it comes to that; and that the ring should be practical enough for our lifestyle, and hold its monetary value relatively better than other rings, in the event that we need to cash in the ring someday -- of course nobody wants to be in that situation but it does not hurt to consider a scenario.

After talking about that, sleeping through it all, reading here, and setting future goals (visualizing where we would be 10/25/50 years into the future), we both agreed we want a super ideal diamond for many many reasons including a round cut holds its value the greatest; fits my minimalist, understated luxury/silent luxury type of philosophy and lifestyle especially when set in a simple setting, and the round is likeliest to remain as classic and in style in many many years!

So now, we have placed on hold the BG Black 2.050 stone we linked earlier. We are still hoping to get in touch with HP Diamonds and CBI so we can find comparable options. WF did not have any so, at least for the time being, they are not included in our options.

We still welcome any suggestions or links to gems, if anyone has leads for super ideals!

Also, dear @rockysalamander thank you for sharing info on Old World Diamonds. I think we may have to skip that, since we really now want a super ideal gem, brilliant round.. im making a rash assumption that such diamonds wont fit our priorities?

 

[pearaffair]

I think an old cut diamond would be a perfect anniversary present in the future. You could do a large anniversary band (multiple stones in a row) or a wonderful right hand ring.

 

[pearaffair]

5-stone ring with August vintage cushions (a perfected old cut in the “pillow” shape).

 

[Hephephippo]

5-stone ring with August vintage cushions (a perfected old cut in the “pillow” shape).

Beautiful ring!! And now the word "pillow" makes me laugh !!!

This style may actually make a great wedding band (but with smaller, less expensive stones). I will be looking for a wedding band next. One that will complement a solitaire super ideal diamond. Our second option after a solitaire setting is a channel setting (tapered). I think the channel setting is more challenging to complement with a stylish ring like August Vintage!

 

[SimoneDi]

@Hephephippo thank you for sharing more about your and your SOs decision making process when it comes to your “forever” ring. I love the sentiment associated with the engagement ring and what you plan on keeping it in your family for generations.

I am still utterly in love with the BGD Black 2.050 F VS2 - it is really a gorgeous stone, but I totally understand the want to explore all your options. I think that considering what you have shared about yourself, choosing a super ideal MRB may be a better fit for you vs a vintage diamond. I do love the newly cut vintage diamonds like AVRs, CER, etc. but I do also think that an MRB will probably best stand the test of time. I am sure others will disagree with me and this is simply my opinion

In terms of a setting, my advice will be to go for a beautiful solitaire setting and not a channel setting. Channel settings go in and out of fashion, but if that is what you want, go for it! I do find channel settings a bit more difficult to pair with a band as the overall look becomes a bit more “metal-y” in my opinion. I love a classic solitaire with a nice eternity band, it’s the epitome of a classic wedding set for me. Something like the Tiffany classic is beautiful:



If I were you, I would purchase the BGD Black and have Steven kirsch set it in a beautiful hand forged solitaire. He is very friendly and easy to work with and his turnaround time is quick. If you want a more budget fiendly setting, I do also love BGDs Classic tapered setting: https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/tapered-classic-style-half-round-5540 Once you decide on the ring, my advice would be to then take your time looking for a band and trying on different options to see what you love most.

Lastly, I want to say that you and your SO are being really awesome working through the issues with the first ring purchase and at the same time having a positive attitude and working toward finding a lovely new e-ring for you and creating a beautiful future together!

 

[Hephephippo]

Thank you @SimoneDi -- i am definitely leaning toward a classic solitaire setting. Apart from the fact that I like it, it also frees up my energy and time to look for his and hers wedding bands and plan our wedding!

You can't go wrong with a classic solitaire!

Lastly, I want to say that you and your SO are being really awesome working through the issues with the first ring purchase and at the same time having a positive attitude and working toward finding a lovely new e-ring for you and creating a beautiful future together!

^and this -- thank you, thank you so much for the kind words.. i'm floored by this experience and love the lessons and silver lining from all this.. i could not be any more sure of the person, after what we have been through, and how he continues to choose my happiness over anything (which I respond to by choosing his well-being over anything). The curveball we experienced is a blessing in disguise!!

 

[SimoneDi]

Given your past experience, I'm going to give a very picky review. From both the black and white field ASET, you can see indexing variation (the white/black triangle between the table and girdle) which suggests less light return in some areas than other. They are not the same as each other and not all perfect triangles. If you look at the facets between the arrow tips, you can see some green facets. Those are areas of less light return than the red. Now, that pink under the table. That is leakage, but the white field is about as harsh as it can be since you are blasting white light from behind). So, I think this is ok but not great. The variation in that pink (size and shape) also suggest the diamond has varying pavilion angles. We have seen a lot of that lately. But, what really don't personally like are the deep clefts and that they are so variable in size in the hearts view (blue image). This mean that it has long halves. My guess is they are around 80% or longer (which I just confirmed with the GIA). Not really a good or bad thing, but it affects the 'flavor' of the diamond, for want of a better terms. It is really the sum total of the images and the angles that tell the story. I would rather see 40.6 PA with the 35 CA. I personally prefer chubby arrows as I like more contrast in a modern diamond.

All together, this is a good diamond that should have good performance. It is not on par with the super-ideals, but above what the average person wears. There is some leakage and with the 80% LFG, I would strongly recommend looking at this in lots of light to see if you like it...outdoors, indoors, LED, fluorescent, etc. Look at at 45 degrees and from the side and see what you think. PS members have recommended such angles/light return given constraints on budget/timing/etc. For me, personally, I would keep looking to get better light return and precision/symmetry -- and chubby arrows. But, this cut/style may appeal to you.

Relative to the flat edge, with an excellent symmetry which includes flattened areas being reasons to downgrade, I suspect that is a photoeffect more than a real 'flat spot'.

Edited to add: If someone said "size and F color are the most important thing to me" and this was at the top of their budget, but met their size and color needs, I can see this being suggested with cautions. But, with your bad experience, I so want you to look at your hand and be giddy years later. To see perfection and know you got a great stone. So, we can give you technical views and our personal preferences, but I hope you spend time determining your preferences...even within modern rounds.

Thank you so much for this!! I still have much to learn regarding reading and dissecting aset images

 

[SimoneDi]

This one has better numbers than the previous choice from IDJ and in the video it looks pretty. Do they have an ASET on this one? Also, where does this one fall in terms of budget?

P.S. Be mindful that this stone most likely won’t be a super-ideal H&A diamond, but it can still be a gorgeous diamond. Not everyone needs super-ideal H&A. Are you going to be happy with not having a super-ideal diamond?

 

[Hephephippo]

This one has better numbers than the previous choice from IDJ and in the video it looks pretty. Do they have an ASET in this one?

We asked for aset I will share them once we receive them. I suspect the gem is in transit and might have to wait a day or two.

 

[HappyNewLife]

@SimoneDi thank you -- I think you understand where my heart is coming from and I truly am right with you that I want the best gem our budget can buy and be giddy forever since we won't be upgrading the E-ring anyway for its sentimental value. What did you think of the BG black diamond?

I looked at Whiteflash and what they have in stock and they dont have any that compare closely to the black Gavin diamond within our budget. I am quite impressed with the BG black diamond but want to sit on it within reason and get thoughts, before pulling the trigger.

I'm a huge WF fan, but you can not go wrong with BGD. I've worked with them and they have amazing quality and customer service.

 

[gm89uk]

The number you provided is plenty. The diamond has good proportions. The aset shows strong light return but it also displays that it is not a perfectly symmetrical stone (some leakage is visible at the table appx at 11 to 3 o’clock).

I just wanted to add I cannot see any leakage in that stone. The area between 11 to 3 does not have leakage, just slightly less light return than the rest, which may not be noticeable to the human eye (quote from Garry about several similar looking stones). The hearts clefts are there presumably due to the higher LGF (80). These stones are not inferior to fatter arrows and excel in bright lights, as such many stones are cut like that, as they will outdo fatter arrows in jewellery stores. I remember Rhino did several videos on them and was a big fan of the skinnier arrows which I don't think get enough love on these forums. Everyone seems to love fatter arrows from their appearance being more pleasant on high mag videos and beautiful hearts images, but I think a well cut skinny arrows diamond is very under rated!

Additionally 35/40.8 combo is fine. The steeper end of both ideal ranges is sometimes preferred when well cut. BGD has a preference to high crown high pavilion combo.

 

[Hephephippo]

Hi again folks, we are playing with options --- what are you all's thoughts in this ACA 1.9 gem? I read somewhere that a 1.9 might as well be a 2.0 so we wanted to expand our pool and include this option so we don't short sell ourselves. Thanks in advance for any inputs.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3925302.htm

 

[JDDN]

Hi again folks, we are playing with options --- what are you all's thoughts in this ACA 1.9 gem? I read somewhere that a 1.9 might as well be a 2.0 so we wanted to expand our pool and include this option so we don't short sell ourselves. Thanks in advance for any inputs.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3925302.htm

It's absolutely stunning. A 1.9 is a great value because you are getting the spread very close to a 2 carat without the price bump that happens at 2 carats. Put it on hold!

 

[Sagefemme]

Yes! That's a find! I see the date on the cert is Nov 2017, so that one appears to be hot off the press. Put it on hold before someone else does.

 

[BlingDreams]

Hi again folks, we are playing with options --- what are you all's thoughts in this ACA 1.9 gem? I read somewhere that a 1.9 might as well be a 2.0 so we wanted to expand our pool and include this option so we don't short sell ourselves. Thanks in advance for any inputs.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3925302.htm

That is absolutely stunning, and a great find. I like "buying shy" myself as you avoid the price increase for the benchmark sizes.

And like you, I love IDJ and their customer service. I think that second diamond they found you is beautiful!! But if you want a super ideal, this is probably the one I'd choose as it's only .2mm smaller, a great cut, and $3,000 less.

 

[SimoneDi]

Ok, I will be the outlier here but I had a diamond which was just under 2ct and to most it looked close to 2ct, but to me it was important to have that 8mm+ in diameter. For 3k more I would still pick the 2.050 BGD Black.

 

[MollyMalone]

Ok, I will be the outlier here but I had a diamond which was just under 2ct and to most it looked close to 2ct, but to me it was important to have that 8mm+ in diameter. For 3k more I would still pick the 2.050 BGD Black.

Well, the 2.05 ct BGD black's wire price is $4003 more than the WF 1.914 ct's wire price; the price differential between the non-wire prices is $5018. And spending those additional bucks would yield barely a 5% larger surface area (face-up size), which would not be discernible in ~ 2 ct stones to most people, even if the stones were side by side.

Plus, the BGD Black (wire price of almost $33Gs) would foreclose a CvB setting & diamond wedding band while staying within the $35,000 budget.

 

[SimoneDi]

Well, the 2.05 ct BGD black's wire price is $4003 more than the WF 1.914 ct's wire price; the price differential between the non-wire prices is $5018. And spending those additional bucks would yield barely a 5% larger surface area (face-up size), which would not be discernible in ~ 2 ct stones to most people, even if the stones were side by side.

Plus, the BGD Black (wire price of almost $33Gs) would foreclose a CvB setting & diamond wedding band while staying within the $35,000 budget.

Sorry about that, my bad, I didn’t look into the details last night just responded based on what I gathered from the previous answers. The price difference is certainly not to be ignored and I think that OP and her SO will best be able to discuss their priorities and select the best option for them. This will be her “forever” diamond, so it is really up to them to decide if they need to have that 2ct mark or can be totally content with 1.914. Both are great options.

 

[rockysalamander]

Sorry about that, my bad, I didn’t look into the details last night just responded based on what I gathered from the previous answers. The price difference is certainly not to be ignored and I think that OP and her SO will best be able to discuss their priorities and select the best option for them. This will be her “forever” diamond, so it is really up to them to decide if they need to have that 2ct mark or can be totally content with 1.914. Both are great options.

I also think given the OP stated wish to be able to view the diamond as having future financial value, a guarateed buy-back could be quite important. Both BG and WF only guarantee buyback for 1 year. HPD offers a lifetime buyback. To that goal, it may be worth it for @Hephephippo to reach out to HPD to see what they have in her size/cost. HPD is a bit more upfront, but that guarantee buy-back may be worth it such that there is no unknown about the future loss of value...HPD states it straight out.

 

[MollyMalone]

I also think given the OP stated wish to be able to view the diamond as having future financial value, a guarateed buy-back could be quite important. Both BG and WF only guarantee buyback for 1 year. HPD offers a lifetime buyback. To that goal, it may be worth it for @Hephephippo to reach out to HPD to see what they have in her size/cost. HPD is a bit more upfront, but that guarantee buy-back may be worth it such that there is no 20-30% loss of value.

To eliminate possible misunderstanding, HPD's lifetime buy-back policy is that they will give you 80% (not 100%) of the price you paid, assuming the stone is in its original, undamaged condition.
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/whyus/whyus-lifetime

It's always really tempting to surrender to the siren song of "budget creep," @Hephephippo but with the array of choices available to you without spending more $$$$, I think you two could feel quite pleased about sticking with the planned (and definitely not skimpy) $35,000 budget "all in."

 

[Hephephippo]

We thought it out, separately, and out loud together and think our hearts are very very much attracted to the WF ACA stone for many many reasons. It is just truly a stellar gem and is under budget so that feels good too.

Hopefully it works out for us and i would love to share our simple ring in simple solitaire setting, if we get it. We are now looking for our wedding ring and band but since we are not looking for anything exquisite or specially designed, we want to go to ID jewelry for that.

I have to say that in speaking with various jewelers, the recommendations here on PS are very accurate and reliable. ID jewelry was amazing to work with (and we decided to establish a long term relationship with them), and so is Good Old Gold. The caveat with GOG is that they are not in the city so it is a little inconvenient. ID jewelry was very transparent, knowledgeable and since we will be returning to them for our future needs, it really helps that they are in the city.

We also contacted the person listed under Crafted by Infinity in New York. A store called Diamond One. We were only in touch by phone but the person was very responsive, informative, friendly and told us what he had in stock for our consideration so we sensed he would have also been good to work with although we can not attest to that.

We would not have all this if it were not for PS so thank you!! Fingers crossed our WF ACA gem makes it through!

 

[Maggiemeans]

Have to say I have been following your journey and I am getting excited for you!! that WF ACA.. looks AMAZING!!!! You may need to invest in some sunglasses to shield your eyes from all that sparkle.

 

[Hephephippo]

Have to say I have been following your journey and I am getting excited for you!! that WF ACA.. looks AMAZING!!!! You may need to invest in some sunglasses to shield your eyes from all that sparkle.

@Maggiemeans thank you for sharing our excitement. SO and I definitely feel good and feel right about this gem. And if it is not, WF has a wonderful return policy. SO and I were just thinking how an E-ring should feel good, and feel right. We BOTH get that feeling from this WF gem so that's what matters the most!

If the forum would let me, I will post a picture of the gem once we receive it! The forum is probably the only space I can really share the journey of the ring. Family and friends will be happy and excited and won't know what SO and I went through!!

 

[SimoneDi]

@Hephephippo so excited for you! The WF diamond is beautiful and I am glad that both you and your SO are so certain about your choice! It will make a stunning engagement ring!

 

[Hephephippo]

I hope you are right, @SimoneDi although we feel very very good about this