GOG vs BGD on DIAMOND OVERALL QUALITY?

[diamondseeker2006]

scotty, that last stone is a virtual stone...meaning that WhiteFlash is just listing it as well as many other jewelers because it is coming from a diamond supplier list and they don't have it in house. You may be able to find the same stone elsewhere for less. I am going to look for a sec and see if I can find it with a picture. Often James Allen has virtual stones with more info.

 

[scottylmt]

The setting I am designing is actually a hybrid of two different rings.

The top part of this ring...
http://www.helzberg.com/product/1+1-2ct+tw+diamond+engagement+ring+1772573.do?sortby=ourPicks

And the bottom part (Band, and halo staffs, but not the support plate) is this one...
http://bridal.gabrielny.com/style/ER7480W44JJ

The 3,150 is quoted for platinum.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I didn't see that one but I found a better option anyway:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2632514.htm ($2722 with pricescope/wire discount)

I'll look at your settings in a sec. Wanted to post the diamond for you.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, you can go with a stock setting like this for less:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/amphora-diamond-engagement-ring-1038.htm

Not exactly the same style but I love this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/grace-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-255.htm

Or you could get a quote from WF for custom. But I'd try to give as much as possible to the center stone budget.

 

[scottylmt]

Wow you're good. I don't know how I missed that diamond... it's Gorgeous!

Those settings wouldn't work, because she wants the halo to be somewhat flush with the keystone. She wants them to work together rather than have the center stick out too much. That is kind of why I am investing so much into the actual setting---because she is more concerned with the overall design and look of the piece.

My God, though, that diamond is incredible, I keep wanting to click back and look at it lol.

 

[scottylmt]

So I guess the question is... how would that diamond you found perform vs a BGD signature round of the same stats? Would the increase in price be worth the result?

 

[Gypsy]

I don't know how much you are thinking you are going to save. But consider that BGD might charge you a setting fee (standard sometimes with vendors, I don't know about BGD), there will be shipping charges, and also you will need the stone insured before you get the setting if you buy from WF. If you go with an in house stone you don't have to worry about any of those things as BGD will not charge you a setting fee, there will be no shipping, and also no need for insurance until the ring is done.

So if it's close, I'd just go with the BGD stone. If it's not, and those inconveniences make sense in terms of economics-- then you can get the stone from one vendor and the setting from another.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Gypsy is right that it is somewhat of a hassle to buy a stone and setting at different places and will add some other expenses. I would get a quote from WF on a custom setting and then see how the total price comes out between BG and WF. Both have great diamonds and good custom work. I am sure GOG could do this for you as well if they had a stone that was a contender. All three vendors are top notch!

 

[webdiva]

You could also ask Whiteflash if they can customize one of those settings to make the stone lower. I remember someone mentioning that the customization fee was reasonable. Can't remember what thread, though. Just presenting all the options.

 

[rubybeth]

I thought that the overall budget was $7k from the setting thread? So wouldn't that leave about $4k for the diamond? I was thinking you could go with something like this:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.748-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104055878087

Or if the budget is more like $3k, it might be worth it to pay to have BGD bring in some virtual stones for analysis, like this:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.740-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-GIA-37439801 or http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.770-G-SI2-Round-Diamond-GIA-32973343

I really think you're going to want a larger center stone if possible so that it has a visual impact. A .6 stone that measure 5.5mm vs. a .75 stone that measure 5.9mm is not going to be hugely noticeable, but I think it will be noticeable.

Edited to add: And just to make things more complicated, there's this from JA:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1436330.asp

and these settings are similar to what you'd have custom made: http://www.jamesallen.com/designer-engagement-rings/meno-collection-by-danhov/ring/item_294-2409.asp or http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8325.asp

 

[scottylmt]

I like that first ring. She is very picky about the halo, though. Her thing is that, from a straight on view, she doesn't want to see any metal around the edge, that's why the helzeberg one went over so well.

You're right about the original budget. I'm doing this thread to learn about different diamond vendors and cut quality too. If I can come in under budget because I didn't shell out an extra grand for a name brand diamond (only if it ISN'T worth the extra, if it IS, then I'll get it) then that would be great!

So I see you think it would be noticeable, thank you. I found a picture of a side by side .6 and .75 and I've been surveying my clients if they thought it was enough for $1000, and 5 out of 5 have said no... but that is a picture and not real. Have you seen the difference in real life? I want to take her this weekend and see the comparison in person.

 

[scottylmt]

Also, I like both of those .7- stones..

 

[scottylmt]

So is THIS an example of eye clean? I think I see an inclusion (very tiny dot) in the center, am I right?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1433498.asp



If it's clean than this would be a crazy deal!

 

[Rhino]

Hi scott,

Thanks for your kinds words about our firm. Just wanted to clarify ... we are distributors of Gabrielle and do custom work as well.

Kind regards,
Rhino

 

[scottylmt]

Great to see you on here, man! I've got some more kind words for you...

I have learned SO much from your videos. The two on color were especially revolutionary for me. Also seeing your hearts on fire vs a "very good" stone was what made me decide to start looking hardest at CUT.

I would like for you to chime in about my three threads I have going. I also need to get a quote from your company as well to compare. You should be proud of your company because ppl across the world talk about your customer service and quality. Tbh I convinced myself you guys were probably out of my price range.

Im not far enough along with BGD (as in I've made no COMMITMENT yet) that I feel it would be rude to assess all options.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Eyeclean can only be judged by the eyes! Can't tell from these pics, and you can't see the stone from the sides (which is less important when setting in a halo).

Unless you can find a stock halo setting at James Allen, that is not the route I'd take. If you want to go custom, I would go with the three vendors we have already been looking at...GOG, WF, and BG. You are going to add shipping and insurance cost as well as setting fees if you buy the stone from a different vendor, so I would limit the looking to the above 3.

Are you certain there is not a Gabriel and Co. setting that would work??? They have SO many halo settings!


What's wrong with this setting?

http://bridal.gabrielny.com/style/ER7480W44JJ

Nice stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8284/

 

[scottylmt]

What she doesn't like about that one is that from the front view you can see the metal ring around the stones,so the halo support plate would need to be smaller. Also the halo stones are smaller in proportion the the center, and they don't angle out. Finally, there is space between the center stone and the halo. And she wants it all to be packed together so it works together to perform as one.

Those are coming from HER mouth. I have it drilled into my head lol.

 

[scottylmt]

It is, but do you see the flaws in the square around the 11 o clock arrow? Are those black flaws, or just absence of light?

 

[rubybeth]

So I see you think it would be noticeable, thank you. I found a picture of a side by side .6 and .75 and I've been surveying my clients if they thought it was enough for $1000, and 5 out of 5 have said no... but that is a picture and not real. Have you seen the difference in real life? I want to take her this weekend and see the comparison in person.

I understand the concerns about too much metal showing from the top-down view, because that's typically a sign of good, detailed pave work vs. less then good, you've got a smart girlfriend.

As for whether the size difference will be noticeable between a .6 and a.75, it's not going to be huge, but I have one ring that's 2mm wide, and another that's 1.5mm wide, and you can bet that I can tell that the .5 thinner one is thinner, and the bigger one is bigger. I like both equally, but one is bigger. Now, that's a full ring, not just a stone, and you are having it in a halo so that will make the center stone look larger (or add visual impact, either way, it will look larger on her hand). You may want to look at the solitaire to halo thread to compare center sizes in halos: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/solitaire-to-halo-before-and-afters.130309/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/solitaire-to-halo-before-and-afters.130309/[/URL]

ETA: meant to say, if a .6 stone keeps you under budget and that is a priority, then do what you gotta do.

 

[rubybeth]

It is, but do you see the flaws in the square around the 11 o clock arrow? Are those black flaws, or just absence of light?

I *kind of* see what you mean, and I have a huge monitor and the diamond is blown up, and then you're using a virtual loupe to blow it up even more, less than 6mm is a pretty small thing, smaller than the top of a Bic pen cap, and then small inclusions are even harder to see. JA could assess if it's eye-clean to your standards, *OR* you could check with Brian Gavin to see if they have access to the same stone (give them the GIA certificate number) as it doesn't seem to be one of JA's in-house inventory but rather more of a 'virtual' stone. It also looks to be a Canadian diamond, which is kind of cool.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Honestly, that Helzburg setting has more metal around the stones than the Gabriel one does. I think she is misinterpreting the picture. You should not see a gap between the stone and halo in real life. You only see the under metal in the Gabriel pictures really when the stone is tilted in the pictures.

But I really like this one better because it has less metal than the other two and is so pretty beneath the stone:

http://bridal.gabrielny.com/style/ER8270W44JJ

 

[Rhino]

Hey scott,

Thanks for the quick reply. My comments between the lines.

Great to see you on here, man! I've got some more kind words for you...

I have learned SO much from your videos. The two on color were especially revolutionary for me. Also seeing your hearts on fire vs a "very good" stone was what made me decide to start looking hardest at CUT.

Awesome. We do take great pleasure in contributing to help people learn and understand what it is they are getting.

I would like for you to chime in about my three threads I have going. I also need to get a quote from your company as well to compare.

Unfortunately I cannot help you to that capacity. It would not be right for me to comment on competitors diamonds nor would it be entirely accurate as there are a lot more questions I like to have answered beyond an ASET and/or a Sarin.

You should be proud of your company because ppl across the world talk about your customer service and quality. Tbh I convinced myself you guys were probably out of my price range.

I would convince you that you were wrong.

I don't know how you feel about discussing business on here, so here is my email:

Im not far enough along with BGD (as in I've made no COMMITMENT yet) that I feel it would be rude to assess all options.

No prob. Putting up personal emails on the forum is a no no though. I'll drop you a line though and we can chat there if you like.

Kindest regards,
Rhino

 

[rubybeth]

Honestly, that Helzburg setting has more metal around the stones than the Gabriel one does. I think she is misinterpreting the picture. You should not see a gap between the stone and halo in real life. You only see the under metal in the Gabriel pictures really when the stone is tilted in the pictures.

But I really like this one better because it has less metal than the other two and is so pretty beneath the stone:

http://bridal.gabrielny.com/style/ER8270W44JJ

I like this one, too, but it's a flat halo, and I think the lady wants an angled halo, more like with frankiextah's VC ring. Not sure if the Helzberg ring has that, but if you love it, I understand why you'd want to go custom to get it. GOG might be able to tell you if the head (halo part) could be modified to angle, if that's the only issue.

 

[SweetAsscher]

Scotty,
I saw these and thought of you:
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7920W83JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7292W44JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER8066W44JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7830W44JJ

Keep in mind too that in photos the metal is usually more apparent because in real life the sparkle of the diamonds tends to hide the edges of the metal and if the metal is white it also helps it blend in (well at least in my experience)

another:
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER6135W83JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7810W44JJ

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The Helzberg ring doesn't look like it has an angled halo at all, and I honestly do not think with a .60-.75 stone the angling is going to even be noticeable. He should get VC to make it if she wants one just like Frankie's because no one else is going to approach that quality.

Ditto to SweetAsscher on the fact that you would see less metal in real life than in these mega-photos.

 

[rubybeth]

Scotty,
I saw these and thought of you:
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7920W83JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7292W44JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER8066W44JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7830W44JJ

Keep in mind too that in photos the metal is usually more apparent because in real life the sparkle of the diamonds tends to hide the edges of the metal and if the metal is white it also helps it blend in (well at least in my experience)

another:
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER6135W83JJ
http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7810W44JJ

I think this one is closest to the Helzberg ring with the shank similar to the other Gabriel & co. one: http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER7292W44JJ (actually, I think this may be just about a perfect match after reviewing both settings again--really, really close!)

I don't think the lady in question wants a replica of frankie's ring, just used that as an example of an angled halo vs. a flat one. OP's girlfriend fell in love with a ring from Helzberg and the diamond melee quality was listed as I1 and he was concerned about getting a 'dud' center stone with an all-inclusive ring. I think he likes the idea of a custom designed ring, since he wants the best for his intended.

 

[scottylmt]

Sweet asscher, I really like that third one. Any idea why it is so cheap compared to the other???

The others have all already been vetoed lol. I went through the entire halo section on gabriel twice, and showed her most of the ones I thought she would like. Somehow I missed that third one though: http://www.gabrielengaged.com/style/ER8066W44JJ

Yes I really like the angling on Frankie's ring. She wouldn't like that metal "ring" around the edges on a front view.

I understand that the metal won't be as noticeable in real life. I think that's something she hasn't considered.

Would you ladies be concerned about getting a 14Kt gold setting? vs platinum or 18kt?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would do 18k or platinum.

 

[scottylmt]

Of those two, is there a better choice?

 

[scottylmt]

Here is a BGD diamond that looks nice. It's an SI-1, but I can't seem to find any inclusions, even with the "loupe" provided. Also, ASG arrows chart has great balance with the blues and greens.

Am I correct in assuming that GOG "Solasfera" has the best light performance? It seems like when I examine the solasfera vs the GOG H and A, that the solasfera always scores higher on their light chart with scintillation and fire and whites. So if I look at the AGS red blue green report, and get a feel for the solasfera's, shouldn't I be able to transfer that over to other diamonds that show the AGS report?