HOF 1.05 carat for $8950?

[vafan13]

Hello all,

I'm getting ready to "take the plunge" and have been trying to read what I can about diamonds to make an informed decision (I've been looking at Brian Gavin, in particular). However I am far from an expert, especially when it comes to pricing a HOF from a brick and mortar jeweler.

Long story short, Is $8950 a good deal for a a 1.05 carat round HOF diamond in an 18K white gold Purely Bridal Four Prong "V" setting? I believe it's a J/VS2. This is from a jeweler I (and my family) trust.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for alternative lose diamonds from Brian Gavin or someone else I'd love that, too. I've looked around his site and I have an idea of what to look for as far as depth, crown angle, pavilion angle but I don't have a clue what I'm looking at when it comes to scopes and the like.


Cheers and thanks in advance for helping make my lady a happy lady.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Is the setting plain white gold or does it have diamonds in it? It would help to have the diamond price and setting price separated. The fact is, though, that HoF stones are VERY overpriced compared to equal stones elsewhere. Brian Gavin Signature stones would be equal, and so would WhiteFlash ACA and Good Old Gold Signature Hearts and Arrows.

Here are 2 1+ ct. I VS2 stones that I think will show that the J VS2 is likely priced too high. WF has a lot of other I VS2 stones, too.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2671408.htm ($6906. with pricescope/wire discount)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813949.htm ($7737. ")


Price comp for the J:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2829747.htm ($6784.)

And if you are really comfortable with J, here is a very good value for a 1.3 J VS1 at $8420 wire:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8785/

 

[JulieN]

What would make you happy?

As you know from the BGD site, a BGD Signature J VS2 is $2000 less than the HOF.

A BGD Blue J VS2 is $3000 less.

A generic ideal cut J VS2 could be up to $4000 less.

ETA: just realized your price quoted included the setting, so the numbers should be less.

 

[SMC]

I think you would be saving money if you go with any of the vendors diamondseeker2006 suggested and you could also get a larger stone or higher color using the same budget. You also can't go wrong with practically any stone from BGD Signature, WF ACA, or GOG H&A. I've only dealt with BGD personally, and I find that they are really nice and will objectively give you the best stone in your budget (if you are deciding between a few).

Also, you will be paying sales tax (unless you live in one of those no sales tax states like OR) if you go with your local jeweler. If you don't live in TX, you can avoid paying the sales tax at BGD and WF. If you don't live in NY, you can avoid the GOG sales tax (I think GOG is in NY).

 

[WillyDiamond]

way overpriced, for a J color?

 

[vafan13]

Thanks for the replies! I have always put a high value on quality and from what I've read the HOF are excellent, but overpriced. The $8950 was, I believe, 1-1.1K below the normal so I wasn't sure if that would be enough to get it down to a good value. I also would not be paying sales tax on it.

I am certainly interested in options that are on the same line as far as noticeable (to the discerning eye) quality is concerned. I have been intrigued by the BGD blues. Are they of the same quality as his regluar H&A, just fluorescent? I'm assuming they are, but want to be sure.

Any thoughts on these? Obviously different color but, keeping price in mind, is one a better choice than the other?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...1.048-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571020

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...1.077-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571009

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...1.027-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006007

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Even though they do not show the hearts images so we can't know for sure if they match the quality of the signature stones, I would have no problem purchasing one of the "blue" stones. I personally would choose H or I over J color.

 

[SMC]

Thanks for the replies! I have always put a high value on quality and from what I've read the HOF are excellent, but overpriced. The $8950 was, I believe, 1-1.1K below the normal so I wasn't sure if that would be enough to get it down to a good value. I also would not be paying sales tax on it.

I am certainly interested in options that are on the same line as far as noticeable (to the discerning eye) quality is concerned. I have been intrigued by the BGD blues. Are they of the same quality as his regluar H&A, just fluorescent? I'm assuming they are, but want to be sure.

Any thoughts on these? Obviously different color but, keeping price in mind, is one a better choice than the other?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...1.048-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571020

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...1.077-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571009

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...1.027-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006007

The BGD site says something like the blues are cut to the same exacting standards as their signature line, but they don't guarantee thr hearts and arrows pattern in their blues (though they could still have H&A). If you want H&A, you need to go with a stone from their signature line. I am not convinced you will see a noticeable difference in the cut between signature and blue but it will be a mind thing for you.

I would probably choose the H or the I from your selection, unless you know you (and her) are truly comfortable with a J colored stone. The fluorescence won't make a difference in the color of the diamond unless there is UV light (not usually present indoors unless you're at a club!).

 

[vafan13]

ok thanks. My novice mind is a bit confused though, don't the pictures and scopes for those clearly show the H&A pattern?


and again, thanks for helping me out.


edit: how about this H&A signature compared to the i color blue? slightly smaller and slightly more money but how does it compare in the numbers and whatnot?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.038-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104062427047

 

[SMC]

ok thanks. My novice mind is a bit confused though, don't the pictures and scopes for those clearly show the H&A pattern?


and again, thanks for helping me out.

No, if you look at a stone from their Signature line, it will have a picture named "Hearts".

Like this: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/files/diamond_images/hearts/thumb/large/AGS_104062318001_HEART.jpg

The blues don't have these pictures.

 

[vafan13]

ok i see what you're talking about now, but in the signature hearts and arrows I linked in that last post it doesn't seem to have that picture, either.

 

[SMC]

ok i see what you're talking about now, but in the signature hearts and arrows I linked in that last post it doesn't seem to have that picture, either.

You linked to 3 blues. The Signature H&A can be found under Diamonds > Brian Gavin's Hearts & Arrows.

ETA: Nevermind, I see which one you are talking about. This one here: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.038-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104062427047

That's strange, maybe BGD hasn't gotten around to putting up the H&A picture for this one yet. You can definitely ask them for it though!

 

[SMC]

Oh, and if you were interested in what fluorescent diamonds look like, this thread is pretty helpful: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-blues.178213/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-blues.178213/[/URL]

You can also do a PS search for Brian Gavin Blues as well.