Man in need of help!! Which diamond would you choose??

[optics_freak]

I am pretty good at fantasy football but not at picking diamonds. Would the pricescopers please help me determine how to best spend my money. I have linked some choices here but feel free to make a different suggestion as to how to get the most bang for my hard earned buck. Thanks. (budget: 20,000 - 28,000)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275579.htm

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104047809053

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1315167.asp

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11600812&whse=BC&Ne=5000011+4000000&eCat=BC|108|28447|55926&N=4041850%204294967119&Mo=41&pos=0&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10573-Cat28447&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11596191&whse=BC&Ne=5000011+4000000&eCat=BC|108|28447|55926&N=4041850%204294967119&Mo=41&pos=0&No=6&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10573-Cat28447&topnav=

 

[slg47]

BGD and WF ones look good. For JA stone request IS image. With that kind of budget I would not buy costco just because you know a lot more information about the other diamonds.

 

[AnneinGA]

I would not do the costco ones either.

I agree wtih slg, either whiteflash or BGD. However, I like the BGD better because the color and clarity on the BGD stone is better, and I think the inclusion on the WF one is visible at 9 PM on the table.

And I'm partial because I just got my BGD AGS triple zero five-stone hearts and arrows, and I have never seen a diamond sparkle like his cuts.

 

[optics_freak]

I was thinking that with the GIA certification and using the HCA tool to weed out any bad diamonds---and that maybe i could buy a basic ideal scope and along with an independent appraisal-- I would be pretty safe. Is this incorrect or simply not worth all the trouble when the other businesses can provide a similar price and still provide much more information?

One thing i do know that is built into the costco business model is very, very low margins. And I would get 2% back from the purchase. Would BGD or James Allen still be the hands down choice?

 

[slg47]

yeah, both of those are <2 HCA. IS would tell more. Can you return if not satisfied with appraisal?

price is still pretty similar, with the BGD/WF you are getting H&A...

is the costco one in the exact setting you want? that's also something to consider.

 

[optics_freak]

Costco has long and no questions ask return policy. But I think one BIG negative for me is I don't think they offer any upgrade options in the future.

Great question about the setting. I had just assumed i could buy the stone loose, but it may be a package deal? I will definitely check into that. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[optics_freak]

Looks like Costco is out. Upgrade policy, etc. What should be my next step? What should I be looking for in terms of beauty vs value?

 

[slg47]

well, it depends. some people are happy with J color as they feel it provides the best 'value'. other people prefer the higher colors. The three you have at the top look good, request IS image for the JA stone. Also you may want to see if one vendor has a setting you like better or policies that appeal more to you.

 

[Stephan]

BGD or JA, because WF is SI1 and in such a big diamond I avoid SI.

 

[yssie]

well, it depends. some people are happy with J color as they feel it provides the best 'value'. other people prefer the higher colors. The three you have at the top look good, request IS image for the JA stone. Also you may want to see if one vendor has a setting you like better or policies that appeal more to you.

ditto this, based on the proportions and the optical symmetry showing nothing hiding the JA IS should be fine.

to answer your earlier question about what the report may not show, this article will detail - https://www.pricescope.com/journal/laboratory_cut_grades_what_report_doesn%E2%80%99t_show/