Good Old Gold vs. James Allen

[AnotherLabRat]

Is it possible that anyone here has used both and can compare the two companies. I''m looking at Ideal H&A round diamonds from both. I''ve found a .79 VS2 F color from GOG, and a .76 E VS1 from James Allen.

The James Allen Stone is about $250 less. I love the thoroughness of all the certification work by GOG, but realize it may be overkill. It just makes me feel better to see all those specs, reports, and images when buying online.

Anyone care to share experience or a nudge me in the direction they would take? It''s likely I''ll have my diamond dealer set the stone in a semi-mount I have already purchased (if I find Kirk Kara will not or does not....another thread).

Thanks!

 

[swingirl]

Post the links and let''s take a look at the stones. Also, have you found a setting at either? It''s always easier to get the stone set where the setting is.

 

[AnotherLabRat]

Here are the links. I did check the girdle thickness on the GOG diamond since it isn''t listed in the search results through pricescope.

The GOG Diamond

The James Allen Diamond

I have considered buying the setting from the same vendor as the diamond, but I was looking for a specific Kirk Kara ring. I''ve already started the process of having the work order placed via the Shane Co. (I know, I know...but I saved $800 going through them)

 

[strmrdr]

My beef with JA is claiming h&a without providing heart images.
I don''t consider any diamond to be H&A without the proof.
Other than that JA is a good vendor.

If all the images and reports make you feel better then there is your answer right there.

 

[AnotherLabRat]

Date: 7/18/2009 11:06:11 PM
Author: strmrdr
My beef with JA is claiming h&a without providing heart images.

I don''t consider any diamond to be H&A without the proof.

Other than that JA is a good vendor.


If all the images and reports make you feel better then there is your answer right there.

This was my hesitation/complaint too.

Anyone care to give input on the merit of the stones themselves? or is that like comparing apples to oranges since GOG provides much more info?

 

[marcy]

If the JA diamond was a H&A wouldn''t it say that on the AGS cert (I don''t know for sure)? Both diamonds do look good to me. I have good luck with the Shane Co.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/18/2009 11:20:51 PM
Author: marcyc
If the JA diamond was a H&A wouldn''t it say that on the AGS cert (I don''t know for sure)?

no, ags does not grade h&a

 

[strmrdr]

My reply was while you were posting links..

The gog diamond is a well documented high performance diamond, right on the h&a border.

The JA diamond is a high performance diamond of unknown h&a.

 

[jet2ks]

You can ask James Allen for a hearts image and see what they say. They are in the process of being able to provide them, but I don't know how close they are to actually sending the images to customers.

With vendors, also consider whether or not you might want to upgrade in the future, as policies vary. In this case, GOG has a much better trade up policy than JA.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/18/2009 11:35:04 PM
Author: jet2ks
You can ask James Allen for a hearts image and see what they say. They are in the process of being able to provide them, but I don''t know how close they are to actually sending the images to customers.

With vendors, also consider whether or not you might want to upgrade in the future, as policies vary. In this case, GOG has a much better trade up policy than JA.

Ditto, last I heard it would be towards the end of the month so no harm in asking.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/18/2009 11:30:12 PM
Author: strmrdr

The gog diamond is a well documented high performance diamond, right on the h&a border.

The JA diamond is a high performance diamond of unknown h&a.

Ditto.

I'd go for the GOG myself. And, I see you're having a setting made. I would pay the extra setting fee and have the vendor you buy from set it for you. They will cover the diamond in the unlikely event something happens during setting. i.e. chips, cracks.

 

[Lula]

Date: 7/19/2009 7:18:46 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 7/18/2009 11:30:12 PM

Author: strmrdr


The gog diamond is a well documented high performance diamond, right on the h&a border.


The JA diamond is a high performance diamond of unknown h&a.

Ditto.


I'd go for the GOG myself. And, I see you're having a setting made. I would pay the extra setting fee and have the vendor you buy from set it for you. They will cover the diamond in the unlikely event something happens during setting. i.e. chips, cracks.

Ditto Storm on the H&A
Ditto Ellen on the setting.

Go with GOG. You get what you pay for in this case. I bought a diamond from JA and sent it back because of the H&A issue. I had some performance questions about the stone, and without hearts images, I didn't feel comfortable paying for what JA was calling H&A without the images to prove it.

Again, when JA starts providing hearts images, this issue will hopefully be resolved.

 

[stone-cold11]

JA might be able to provide images soon. I think they include a H&A viewer with a H&A stone purchase from them.

 

[AnotherLabRat]

Thanks Everyone!

Just to clarify, the GOG diamond is on the H&A border? Are there other parameters I should be looking for to confirm H&A besides just H&A images?

It looked H&A to me, but then again, I probably am not as adept at scrutinizing the images, specs, and reports.

 

[YoungPapa]

Date: 7/18/2009 11:35:04 PM
Author: jet2ks
You can ask James Allen for a hearts image and see what they say. They are in the process of being able to provide them, but I don''t know how close they are to actually sending the images to customers.

jet,

The hearts image for this diamond has already been captured and is available by request.