Help with 1.5ct RB

[DShopper50]

Hi everyone,

I have been looking a lurking for a while now and I am finally ready to pull the trigger on my first diamond purchase ever. Here is what I am looking for:

• around 1.5 ct round
• no more than $17,500 (including setting)

I am pretty set on this setting or something very similar:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-art-nouveau-2.0mm-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1575

I have found some diamonds I was interested in on WF but I cannot find a setting on WF that I love. On James Allen I have found the setting, but I am kind of getting overwhelmed by the number of diamonds and I am having trouble narrowing it down. I know this is a very subjective question, but what do you think the "best" stone is within my price range and criteria? Is there anything else I am overlooking?

Thanks for any guidance!

 

[DShopper50]

Well, I guess I was too broad in my first post...

I think I may have found a diamond at BGD. What do you all think of this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.545-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104066186016

Does anyone see any problems or concerns with it? Anyone have other recommendations I should be considering?

Thanks for any input!

 

[bunnycat]

Well, I guess I was too broad in my first post...

I think I may have found a diamond at BGD. What do you all think of this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.545-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104066186016

Does anyone see any problems or concerns with it? Anyone have other recommendations I should be considering?

Thanks for any input!

BG cuts beautiful stones. Do they have a setting similar to what you are looking for? It's certainly easiest to get both at the same place, though I know BG will set stones in to rings other than their own.

 

[DShopper50]

Yes, I am looking at this setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/novela-platinum-5372p

 

[DShopper50]

In addition, I am also looking at the following JA stones (all are much better for my budget which is a big plus...):

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-58584
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353
(edit: posted a repeat. Should be this one) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.63-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-62314

I just ordered Ideal Scopes and gemologist review today so I don't really have much to go on with these yet...

 

[bunnycat]

In addition, I am also looking at the following JA stones (all are much better for my budget which is a big plus...):

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-58584
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353

I just ordered Ideal Scopes and gemologist review today so I don't really have much to go on with these yet...

Did you run any of these through the HCA tool to narrow down anything? Just looking at the first one it has a 36 crown and 41 pavilion....I got an HCA of 5.4 on the first stone, and generally you want to weed out things that score over 2.

 

[04diamond<3]

I'd suggest this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.63-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-62314

If you're interested in it put it on hold and request an ideal scope image. JA also offers PS members an additional 1-5% discount...

 

[DShopper50]

Did you run any of these through the HCA tool to narrow down anything? Just looking at the first one it has a 36 crown and 41 pavilion....I got an HCA of 5.4 on the first stone, and generally you want to weed out things that score over 2.

I had not. Newbie mistake I guess! I also realized I posted the same diamond twice. Here are the results:

5.4 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-58584
0.9 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353
2.8 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-201429

I guess the middle one is the only one with the type of results I am looking for.

 

[DShopper50]

I'd suggest this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.63-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-62314

If you're interested in it put it on hold and request an ideal scope image. JA also offers PS members an additional 1-5% discount...

Thanks! I swapped out the first one for your suggestion.

 

[Tekate]

OOOH I like the Gavin setting better.. I think your stone will POP in that one.. the other seems like a lot more metal around your new stone.. but I could be wrong.. beautiful stone. Please post pix when you done if you can... thank you.

 

[GoSounders]

In addition, I am also looking at the following JA stones (all are much better for my budget which is a big plus...):

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-58584
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353

I just ordered Ideal Scopes and gemologist review today so I don't really have much to go on with these yet...

The 2nd and 3rd stones are the same link, and check out on HCA, scoring 0.9. I'm assuming you're the one who put it on hold.

I found this beauty, in case you're interested:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184087

 

[DShopper50]

In addition, I am also looking at the following JA stones (all are much better for my budget which is a big plus...):

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-58584
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353

I just ordered Ideal Scopes and gemologist review today so I don't really have much to go on with these yet...

The 2nd and 3rd stones are the same link, and check out on HCA, scoring 0.9. I'm assuming you're the one who put it on hold.

I found this beauty, in case you're interested:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184087

That is a beauty! And yes, it was me who reserved them.

 

[DShopper50]

I have now narrowed it down to the final three. One is from BGD and two are from JA. I talked with a JA gemologist and have the idealscopes. I would love any input you guys have! Below are the settings and diamonds.

JA setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-art-nouveau-2.0mm-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1575
BGD setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/novela-platinum-5372p

JA Diamond #1
1.55 Carat H-VVS2 Excellent Cut Round Diamond
HCA: 0.9
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-94353
Total price with setting: $15,980


JA Diamond #2
1.65 Carat H-VS1 Excellent Cut Round Diamond
HCA: 1.1
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184087
Total price with setting: $17,201


BGD Diamond
1.545 H SI1 Hearts and Arrows Round
HCA: 1.5
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.545-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104066186016
Total price with setting: $18,020



I love both settings and do not see that much of a difference. I would love to hear input on the differences between the settings.

Between the two JA diamonds, I am leaning towards the 1.55 ct stone. I would love any input comparing the JA 1.55 to the BGD 1.545 as well.

That leaves me asking this: Is the BGD ring worth $2,040 more than the JA ring? I would love the input of the experts here on PS!

 

[MaximusCruiser]

Very difficult choice....

It is hard to pay 2k more for an SI1 over a VVS2... 3 clarity grades lower! Even if they were the same price, that would still be hard to swallow.

Given that HCA is just an elimination tool, the first diamond has table size of 58% which is slightly too big to be ideal.

So for me, diamond 1 is less than ideal while diamond 3 is over priced. Diamond 2 seemed the best value and honestly, you will not notice any significant difference in light performance among these three excellent cut diamonds but you WILL notice the larger size.

 

[bunnycat]

It's a hard choice, based on the info you have, for me it would be between the second and third one (BG).

BG stones are STUNNINGLY cut. STUNNING. So, that would be a strong pull for me on that one. Yes, it costs more, but I've got several BG stones and they are fabulous. (I have also had an unbranded AGS000 and prefer my BG stones, but that's just me....)

The second one at JA has angles I like better than the first one and I like the size increase too. That would be it's main pull for me over the Bg stone...What did the gemologist say?

Maximus- I would not call diamond 3 overpriced. It is a boutique stone cut to extremely exacting standards specifically for that line of stones. All the stones in that line are cut to specific parameters. That commands a premium,yes, but I would not call it overpriced. BG's cutting is some of the best out there and you will pay more for it.

 

[DShopper50]

It's a hard choice, based on the info you have, for me it would be between the second and third one (BG).

BG stones are STUNNINGLY cut. STUNNING. So, that would be a strong pull for me on that one. Yes, it costs more, but I've got several BG stones and they are fabulous. (I have also had an unbranded AGS000 and prefer my BG stones, but that's just me....)

The second one at JA has angles I like better than the first one and I like the size increase too. That would be it's main pull for me over the Bg stone...What did the gemologist say?

The gemologist was leaning towards the first JA stone. She said they both had absolutely amazing light return and she said the larger table actually made it appear similar in size to the 1.65 ct diamond.

What are people's feelings on the settings? In the end that might be the deciding factor since I am conflicted on the diamonds themselves. Is it just me or do the prongs look much larger on the JA setting? I am not sure if I like that as much (but, do I like it $2,000 less?).

 

[bunnycat]

It's a hard choice, based on the info you have, for me it would be between the second and third one (BG).

BG stones are STUNNINGLY cut. STUNNING. So, that would be a strong pull for me on that one. Yes, it costs more, but I've got several BG stones and they are fabulous. (I have also had an unbranded AGS000 and prefer my BG stones, but that's just me....)

The second one at JA has angles I like better than the first one and I like the size increase too. That would be it's main pull for me over the Bg stone...What did the gemologist say?

The gemologist was leaning towards the first JA stone. She said they both had absolutely amazing light return and she said the larger table actually made it appear similar in size to the 1.65 ct diamond.

What are people's feelings on the settings? In the end that might be the deciding factor since I am conflicted on the diamonds themselves. Is it just me or do the prongs look much larger on the JA setting? I am not sure if I like that as much (but, do I like it $2,000 less?).

Well, that wouldn't surprise me, they do seem to favor 60/60 type stones at JA. It's just not my cuppa if there's better numbers to be had.