GIA Ex & HCA=1.4 - how confident would you be?

[kahcarre]

Hello!
I very very unfortunately recently lost my engagement ring I'm still very sad about it. However, I'm looking around at the replacement I'll get once the insurance check comes in (any day now). It will be a three-stone ring, ~0.8ct in the center and ~0.4ct on each side. I found a center stone that is actually a minor upgrade from the one I had, which was .76ct, VVS1, H, GIA Ex. The new stone that I'm considering is .77ct, IF, G, GIA Ex. I know from my research that GIA is a large target, but unfortunately I can't find an AGS report on any of the diamonds I was looking at on BN. I also discovered the HCA on here, and I used it to narrow down my search. This diamond has an HCA of 1.4. I know that GIA is a large target, and HCA is only an estimator, but given that I'm buying sight-unseen on BN, how confident do you think you'd be that the GIA Ex & HCA 1.4 diamond will be brilliant/fiery/all the good things? Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated

EDIT: Here are the specs of the stone I'm considering:
Depth: 62.5%
Table: 55%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The specs look good except for the depth. I try to stay above 62.3% because greater depth can result in a smaller diameter. You know that you could get a little more size if you went down to H VS1, right? VS1 is totally clean and you usually can't see inclusions with a 10x loupe! I just wouldn't ever pay for IF clarity although I am very picky about good clarity for my jewelry.

I also recommend dealing only with vendors who provide pictures of the stones and idealscope images. I would not buy a diamond blind. I'd try Good Old Gold, WhiteFlash, James Allen to start.

 

[kahcarre]

Thanks DiamondSeeker! Have you ever worked with Gold Old Gold personally? I ask because I've found what looks like three great stones within my budget, but they don't have the setting I'm looking for. Is it worth calling to see if they have any way to get the setting I'd like? For the record, I'm not crazy picky - I want the most traditional three stone setting possible (straight prongs - no trellis or embellishment, plain band) and it doesn't seem like they offer that.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually I have worked with Good Old Gold and have two diamond rings from them! I think they are great! They carry a major amount of settings, many brands. Can you show me what you are looking for and I might be able to direct you to something like it!

 

[kahcarre]

Here are two example of what I'm looking for:
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-three-stone-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=5921
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/3-stone-trois-brillant-diamond-engagement-ring-1426.htm

Thanks for your help!

EDIT: Assuming the answer to this is "no", since you didn't bring it up, but I take it BlueNile doesn't have IdealScope/Gem Advisor/DiamXRay pictures of their diamonds that they would share on request?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, here are some GOG can order....

Just to show you a few, Stuller carries several basic 3 stone styles, reasonably priced, and you can get them in any metals:

http://www.stuller.com/products/12649/?groupId=6445

http://www.stuller.com/products/121908/?groupId=110941

http://www.stuller.com/products/121665/?groupId=103415

Or you can go with a more expensive one, but fine quality:

http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,9&id=79

And they will have other options as well.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

And I am sooo sorry that you lost your ring!

 

[kahcarre]

Yes, here are some GOG can order....

Just to show you a few, Stuller carries several basic 3 stone styles, reasonably priced, and you can get them in any metals:

http://www.stuller.com/products/12649/?groupId=6445

http://www.stuller.com/products/121908/?groupId=110941

http://www.stuller.com/products/121665/?groupId=103415

Or you can go with a more expensive one, but fine quality:

http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,9&id=79

And they will have other options as well.

That is great information! Thank you I will call them and see what they could do. I have almost $2000 left in the budget after the stones so hopefully we could get a high quality platinum setting & any labor for that. For the record, what do you think of these three stones from Good Old Gold?

center: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10297/
side: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10296/ & http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10295/

Should I be concerned at all that the second side stone isn't a "Superior H&A Cut" compared to the other 2?

And thank you Definitely taking this new e-ring down a half size...

 

[kahcarre]

I've gotten some great information so far from DiamondSeeker, but I'd love some more opinions Thanks for helping a newbie, y'all!