I think I narrowed it down

[doyerfives]

Great site, thanks to everyone involved for the info.

After doing my research I've decided a Brian Gavin diamond is the way for me to go. I want a super ideal cut with perfect hearts and arrows, and they seem like the go to option with the highest quality per dollar compared to everywhere else I looked. I've narrowed it down to a couple and wanted to see what you guys think. She doesn't really wear much jewelry at all (only a small necklace and ear rings usually), so I want to make this very special. I will be mounting it in an 18k white gold tiffany style solitaire.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.413-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104086279068
this is stretching my budget to it's max, but cut proportions, specs, and the images look pretty damn good to my ignorant self

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.310-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104087405049
this would definitely save me a bunch of money by going down a color and clarity grade, and the size difference seems tiny when I look at the measurements, so this could be the value play.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.428-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104087405088
Price is where I am very comfortable, 4 C's seem solid, my concern is the strong blue fluorescence, though everything I'm seeing about the Brian Gavin Blue said they look great.

So which would you choose?

 

[tyty333]

I personally would go with the Blue. BGD would not sell a Blue that had a negative affect. Can they get you images of this stone?
(aset, h&a etc)

Are you talking this setting (or the knife edge version)?
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/classic-style-half-round-18k-white-gold-5478w18

 

[doyerfives]

Thanks for your response. That was actually the recommendation of the lady at BG also.
That particular one just came in and they are working on getting the images up.
I guess I would want to see the effect of the Blue in person. Thankfully they have a great return policy so if I get it and don't like it I can always send it back. Does anybody have experience with the BG Blue?

As for the setting, I'm getting it done at the local jeweler my family has been using for years. He couldn't get me a super ideal hearts and arrows diamond but is more than willing to make me the ring. I'm thinking something similar to this:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/elegance-18k-white-gold-5415w18
but with a six prong peg similar to the one you linked to.
I'm also thinking of adding a couple of small diamonds to the side, similar to this:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/ashleigh-18k-white-gold-5853w18

 

[OoohShiny]

Just to ask the question, have you checked whether your lady would be happy with a stone with fluor? (presuming it's not a complete surprise!)

Some people are put off them by 'the market' not liking them and generally treating them as lower in value than a comparative non-fluor stone (hence the lower pricing), but then I understand it is just the current feeling and in the past, they were valued more highly.

BG does have a good returns and upgrade policy, though, so if it is possible that she will upgrade in the future, I wouldn't have any issue with getting the Fluor stone now

Check out Dancing Fire's threads on his octavia for some pics of a VSB stone - it looks awesome!

 

[doyerfives]

I haven't asked her, and since I do want it to be a surprise I don't plan on it
She does not know about diamonds so I'm guessing the whole opinion of the "market" won't influence her. Honestly she's the type that would probably be happy with anything! My wonder is when she is out somewhere, especially if there are black lights, will she and those around her think the blue is cool or will they think it looks "cheap" or makes it look fake.
I noticed that other BG Blue diamonds don't have hearts images either, are they still H&A?

 

[Gypsy]

Are you sure she wants a round? Many women do not. And regardless of what most men thing, even women who know nothing about diamonds have VERY STRONG opinions about SHAPE.

 

[doyerfives]

Yes, the one thing I know is she wants round. It is the only thing I have heard her comment on regarding other people's rings. I once heard her say that the cushion shape is OK, but other than that she never seems to like any of the other shapes except for round. It's timeless classic