Help me pick a diamond please!

[sam0180]

Hi All,

So I have been spending many hours looking for diamonds and settings that would fit in my budget. I would like to get my wife a diamond ring for our 5 th marriage anniversary. I finally think I have a good idea of what I am looking for. Below I have listed a few settings and diamonds. One set is from BGD and the other from Good Old Gold.

Can all the diamond experts help me choose which would be the best one to pick (i.e. best value). Below I have provided my critieria:

1) My budget for a diamond and setting is approximately $3000-3500. I would rather pay a little less on the setting and more on the diamond. So I am going to go for a very basic setting (i.e. $300 - 500 range). The idea is to get a high quality diamond and my wife can upgrade the setting at a later date.

2) I am looking for the largest diamond within my budget that has a really good cut and it should appear white. Also it should be eye clean as well. It should sparkle

Based on the above, I spoke to BGD and Good Old Gold. Below is what they have suggested. I have put the BGD diamond on hold for now.

Please let me know which combination would be the best? Also it doesn't have to just be from these two vendors, since I am going for a basic setting, I think my options are wide open. Note: But I find that the BGD diamonds seem to look the best to me.

Also, once I think I have found the diamond, what additional information should I ask for from the vendor before I finalize the deal?

Suggestion from BGD:

Setting -> http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/e...re/six-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5351w14

Diamond -> http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/0.718-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104055878136

Suggestion from Good Old Gold

Setting -> They quoted me $250-300 for a simple 14k white gold tiffany style setting.

Diamonds -> This leaves me $2700-3000 for the diamond. Here is a shortcut to the diamonds they have in that range:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamondR...ax=3200.00&inHouse=3&resultsColumns=268468303

What about this diamond? http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9006/

 

[sam0180]

No opinions? I was really leaning towards the bgd diamond. What does every one think? Will color I be ok? I mean will it still look white? Also what questions shoi,d I be asking the vendor before I select the diamond?

 

[LizH]

Just a quick look through your 2 suggested diamonds. They are both beautiful. GOG is a bit bigger and of course $393 cheaper due to the drop in color grade. With the savings you make on this diamond, you could upgrade to a platinum setting. You would probably get most bang for your buck with this option.

However, I do like the BGD diamond a lot. You'd sacrifice on size by a little, but gain in color and a bit more brilliance.

 

[chel180]

Both of those dimonds are good options and whilst there may be some difference in carat size they are both 5.75-5.77 in diameter so to the eye there will be no face up size difference.

I would prefer the BGD stone as its one better color grade, but both look lovely.

How about this one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1446401.asp
Its the same face up size of 5.77mm diameter but 1/2 color grades higher and the same price as the GOG stone. It is still an excellent cut and well rated.

 

[tulip928]

Funny you should post this today! I just received my beautiful .80 I vs2 Brian Gavin Signature diamond yesterday and it is beautiful. You can't go wrong. Here is a picture so you can see how white an I colored stone can look! It is set in their Melissa 18k white gold.

 

[sam0180]

tulip928, the ring looks beautiful!

It looks like I am going to go with the BGD ring - thank you all for your suggestions!

 

[ChrisES]

Late to the party, but I like the BGD option better, too.

Congratulations on your purchase!

 

[tulip928]

Good for you - I found Brian Gavin, Lesley, and Jamie to be wonderful to work with.