Help choosing a diamond!

[icewind]

Been on here for quite some time and I really appreciate all the advise and information that is given on these boards. It's been an amazing resource as I decide exactly what i want to get for my girlfriend.

I'm looking for a round about 0.8-1.1 carat, any color above I, by all accounts, should still look very white unless its compared directly with a D next to it, with clarity in the SI1 to VS2 range. I plan to set it in a 3 stone ring design with pear sides. My budget is around $10k including the ring and side stones.

I've taken a shine recently to BG Blue line since it can let me get a bit more diamond for the dollar and most have some nice hearts and arrows as well.

The two below look good with the J scoring higher on the HCA but not sure how much the florescence can hid the J color.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.016-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104059901004
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.106-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104059901013

Suggestions?

 

[ecf8503]

Both look like beautiful stones.

Fluorescence is seen under UV light, so it will only "hide" the J color to some extent when in sunlight.

Will BG be making the setting as well? Will it be open on the sides so you can see the pavillion of the stone? If it is, you will see the tint in the J much more from the side view than from top-down.

You may want to speak to Brian about sourcing matching sides - he may have an opinion or knowledge that may sway you one way or the other.

All else being equal, I'd rather have the H.

 

[Statefan42]

I just bought a Blue from Brian Gavin and am waiting on the ring to be finished. The selection is pretty low right now I was luckily able to get my second choice which really was just as good as my first choice. If you see one you like and are even considering it put it on hold. In fact, the J is already on hold. Is that you that put it on hold?

When I spoke to them they said it would be a few weeks before they got any more in. It's been about 2 weeks so they might be getting close to getting some more stock. If one of those 2 isn't the perfect diamond for you call them up or email and see when they expect some new diamonds.

Also, they are both AGS0 stones with ideal light performance. From what I have read, the HCA doesn't matter when you are looking at AGS0 diamonds.

J was too far out of my comfort zone. Of the 2 you selected I would pick the H. I ended up buying an I.

 

[icewind]

Thanks for the responses!

I was looking at having BG do the setting as well since it would be easiest to handle for me. I'll definitely check back with them to see if they are getting more in soon as I agree the selection is a bit limited at the moment.

Any other suggestions or opinions from the experts?

 

[icewind]

So I put the H diamond on hold just in case. They mentioned 2-3 weeks for the next lot of diamonds to arrive so i may get this one or I may wait since I don't have a strict timeline

Here are the stats for the experts to review easily

Carat: 1.016
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Measurements: 6.47 x 6.50 x 3.96

Table %: 57.5
Depth %: 61.0
Crown %: 14.8
Crown Angle: 34.8
Star %: 53.0
Pav Angle: 40.8
Pavillion %: 43.2
Lower Girdle %: 77.0
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Girdle Min-Max %: 1.2 - 3.4
Girdle: Thin To Medium Faceted

Thoughts?

 

[Statefan42]

Looks great. What are your concerns?

 

[0-0-0]

Yes, please ignore any difference in HCA scores. The numbers on the reports are so close that the actual numbers can be the same for all we know. Even the ASET/IS images look pretty much identical, other than the marginally smaller table on the J.

IMO the biggest visible difference between the two in person is likely the color. If you are looking for something in the D to I color range then stick to your plan as long as it is within budget. J color is still J color even with blue fluorescence. Any tint you see is still visible in the most unflattering warm diffused lighting. There are minimal amounts of UV to mask the tint in that lighting environment.

The H is definitely a stone I would buy, but I personally prefer stones with at least strong blue fluorescence.

 

[icewind]

Thanks for the help. Think I'm gonna go ahead with it in the Summer setting in platinum.

Hopefully I can work out the logistics, but will show the final product once it arrives!