How does Lazare Kaplan compare to Whiteflash or brian gavin?

[drachen9d8]

I have no experience with WF or BGD, but the prices can be similar IMO. I was hoping that we could pool our collective experiences together.

Two months ago I went to my local jeweler to look a a ritani reserve ideal (1.5ct, H , VS2, $13.5k with setting and no tax) but could not pull the trigger after a nice saleswoman showed me a Lazare Kaplan (1.2ct, H, VS2, $12.2k after tax, unmounted and not including the price of a setting). The LK blew the ritani out of the water in terms of light performance! Unfortunately I had no idealscope, so I can only hypothesize. Was there some kind of in-store trickery going on? unmounted >> mounted?

From what I understand LK diamonds were cut to tolkowsky proportions in the past. I wonder if they still are because they have very different HCA numbers. Maybe someone found a way to improve upon tolkowsky proportions?



Ritani:
Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 0.9 - Excellent
within TIC range
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-48-Carat-H-color-AGSL-certified/D-V9WQ75?search_key=D-V9WQ75

The LK:
Factor Grade
Light Return Very Good
Fire Good
Scintillation Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 3.2 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right
www.gia.edu/otmm_wcs_int/proxy-pdf/?ReportNumber=1133063929&url=https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPOC/pocservlet?ReportNumber=1133063929

 

[c-k]

Re: How does Lazare Kaplan compare to Whiteflash or brian ga

I am unsure how you compared the 2 stones...One was in a setting and the other was not?

 

[drachen9d8]

Re: How does Lazare Kaplan compare to Whiteflash or brian ga

Yes, one was mounted and the other was not. I bring the topic up because I am going to be in houston next week for work and will visit WF / BGD. I am hoping that they're as good as everyone says.

 

[c-k]

Re: How does Lazare Kaplan compare to Whiteflash or brian ga

Yes, one was mounted and the other was not. I bring the topic up because I am going to be in houston next week for work and will visit WF / BGD. I am hoping that they're as good as everyone says.

You have a nice opportunity to visit 2 great vendors which most are unable to do. I am sure you will find something that will be within your budget and a fantastic diamond.

I don't know why the Ritani would not have performed as well, it is a AGSL Ideal, both stones have similar table/depth, hard to compare pavilion/crown. The setting could very well have done it or maybe dirty...just a guess.

 

[Natalya]

Re: How does Lazare Kaplan compare to Whiteflash or brian ga

Did you ever found out why LK stone was so spectacular? I have the same problem... picked LK stone because it looks so gorgeous compare to others. Also a big question top looks like a normal excellent cut but bottom view looks like a beautiful flower... not hearts. Could it be some secret there? I don't even know if it's a good thing or not.

 

[chrono]

Re: How does Lazare Kaplan compare to Whiteflash or brian ga

Natalya,
You are using the H&A Viewer to look at the pavilion of the unset diamond? They are supposed to be cut to show the Hearts and Arrow pattern but if the stone is set, it is difficult to see the Heart pattern. To verify that you have an authentic LK diamond, it should have the Lazare logo and an ID number laser inscribed on its girdle.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: How does Lazare Kaplan compare to Whiteflash or brian ga

The brand does not matter if the stone is well cut...it will sparkle!..