My Visit to GOG

[Gayletmom]

DH and I traveled to Manhattan from New Orleans last Thursday for a long weekend away with some friends. We were so close to GOG that I arranged to spend some time there Friday (and DH was a sport to join me in my obsession). My main purpose was to look at the AV stones and make some determinations on AV cushion vs. round, my desired color range and size on my finger. I wanted to make sure that an AV stone is the right one for my anniversary upgrade and firm up some parameters so I can shop from home when the time comes.

We arrived before lunch after taking the LIRR out to the shop. Jonathan was working on a project (the website, I think) out of the office last week which I knew going in. I was a little disappointed until we arrived and worked with Matt and Sarah-they were both very competent and knowledgeable and exceedingly customer-service focused. We started by looking at AV cushions vs. generic vintage style stones and AV rounds vs. RBs. My personal preference was definitely the AV stones. Then we moved to the large AV rounds and cushions. There were 4 of them all together over 3 cts. We spent a very long time looking at the 3.4 AV round, and AV cushions of 4.05, 4.2 and 5 cts. Each of the stones was absolutely gorgeous! Matt and Sarah were both so patient and didn't mind the fact that I had twenty questions from color, to fluorescence, to spread, etc. We looked at the diamonds in the light box, in different lighting, propped into various settings, etc. And nobody panicked when I walked over to the window repeatedly with an outrageously expensive diamond barely balanced on my hand!

After hours of this, we were getting overwhelmed and hungry so GOG very kindly treated us to lunch at the yummy pizza place next door. We were re-energized and went back for more! Another couple of hours with Sarah with one of the big cushions on my finger considering various settings and eternity bands.

It was a great day and I have to say that I am even more smitten with the AV stones than before. They are actually more gorgeous in person than on the videos. We looked at them in daylight and, in spite of the fact that it wasn't very sunny on Friday, they showed so much fire and sparkle. I actually caught my breath a couple of times-especially when I had one on my finger!

It was a really fun day and very educational-I thought of so many of you. If you have the chance, it is definitely worth the trip.

 

[stone-cold11]

Pics or it didn't happen...

 

[kenny]

I am green with envy.

 

[antelope1]

Did you decide if you liked the AV round or the AV cushion better? IMO, they look very different.

 

[SparklyOEC]

S

 

[Gayletmom]

Did you decide if you liked the AV round or the AV cushion better? IMO, they look very different.

I thought, going in, that I would prefer the round but something about the cushion spoke to me. I'm pretty traditional and I've worn a round for years. I know that the cushion is not a "new" cut but I was a bit concerned that it is very much "of the moment". The thing is, I loved it on my finger! Something about those rounded sides just spoke to me.

And I was so caught up with the gawking and analyzing that I didn't take a single picture!

 

[Maisie]

Are you going to buy one?

 

[SparklyOEC]

S

Sorry...computer froze right in the middle of posting. It sounds like fun, and I am so jealous!

 

[missydebby]

I am green with envy.

oooo me too!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Wow, how fun! I'd so love to see those stones in person!

 

[Doc_1]

WOW...!
~4 hours in total in one day that is a testimony to their patience and customer relationship...kudos to GOG.

 

[Gayletmom]

WOW...!
~4 hours in total in one day that is a testimony to their patience and customer relationship...kudos to GOG.

They really were terrific. Glad to share their knowledge and expertise and very patient as we looked and learned. Matt and I even explored fluorescence for fun, looking at two AV cushions of the same color-one with fluor and one w/o-to see if it made them look whiter (we both thought "yes). They were so very passionate about their profession that it was contagious.

I'm so excited about owning one that I can hardly stand it. We need to get through the end of the year to make certain we're comfortable spending the money and then I hope to be deciding how to set it!

 

[missydebby]

Ooooo I acn't wait to see which one you pick. Do you think it's gonna be one of those high carat rocks you looked at? ANy ideas on the setting? I'm so excited for you! *squeal*

 

[Doc_1]

WOW...!
~4 hours in total in one day that is a testimony to their patience and customer relationship...kudos to GOG.

They really were terrific. Glad to share their knowledge and expertise and very patient as we looked and learned. Matt and I even explored fluorescence for fun, looking at two AV cushions of the same color-one with fluor and one w/o-to see if it made them look whiter (we both thought "yes). They were so very passionate about their profession that it was contagious.

I'm so excited about owning one that I can hardly stand it. We need to get through the end of the year to make certain we're comfortable spending the money and then I hope to be deciding how to set it!

Would you please elaborate more on the N AVC 4.2 carat if you had a chance to see it?

 

[Gayletmom]

Ooooo I acn't wait to see which one you pick. Do you think it's gonna be one of those high carat rocks you looked at? ANy ideas on the setting? I'm so excited for you! *squeal*

Hi MissDebby,

I'm leaning toward a solitaire with 4 prongs. Maybe similar to the photo below that I have from PS that's a year or two old. My other thought is something simple, with small side stones like yours. I'm leaning slightly toward the former b/c I think that I want to wear it with two small eternities-shared prong style and less than a carat tw each. I tried on several with the big cushion in the claw ring to narrow them down. My plan is to wear the eternities without the solitaire sometimes.

 

[Gayletmom]

Would you please elaborate more on the N AVC 4.2 carat if you had a chance to see it?

Doc, the 4.2 was gorgeous. I thought that it faced up whiter than the N color might indicate. We didn't look at it as closely as some of the others b/c my DH was turned off by the warmth. Almost square if I remember correctly. It had some color but certainly not in an unattractive way. Very flashy and lively.

 

[antelope1]

I'm leaning slightly toward the former b/c I think that I want to wear it with two small eternities-shared prong style and less than a carat tw each. I tried on several with the big cushion in the claw ring to narrow them down. My plan is to wear the eternities without the solitaire sometimes.

I really like the setting in the photo, really delicate!

Just one thing to think about if you go with the setting in the photo -- I'm assuming that the eternity bands are straight (not curved to accommodate the solitaire), so the solitaire setting should / could have a slightly elevated head and basket so that the eternity bands can sit flush with the solitaire underneath. (If you want a flush-fit look when wearing both rings.)

 

[vbnet]

I CAN't Believe You Made it out without buying it right there!!! I'm so excited for you! Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[Gayletmom]

Antelope, thank you for the constructive feedback. You are exactly right that I'm going to have to be creative to get the bands to fit. The cushion will be large so I don't want it to sit up high but we'll have to make room for the small eternities.

And yes, Vbnet, it was so hard walking out of there without an AVC. I keep reminding/convincing myself that I can handle delayed gratification!

 

[luv2sparkle]

How exciting for you! My goodness but I wish I could have been there too!!! I would love to see one of those stones in person.
No, really, I would like to own one of those stones-in big huge rock size. That is never going to happen, so I will just have to
drool over yours!!! Can't wait to see what you are going to get! Yumm.......

 

[elle_chris]

I'm so jealous. Been tryinng to make the time to see them but it never works out of me.

One other thing to remember if you decide to go with a lower color, there may be a big contrast between your eternity bands and the stone. If you like it, or don't mind, that's great. But try to compare them together before making a final choice.

 

[Gayletmom]

I'm so jealous. Been tryinng to make the time to see them but it never works out of me.

One other thing to remember if you decide to go with a lower color, there may be a big contrast between your eternity bands and the stone. If you like it, or don't mind, that's great. But try to compare them together before making a final choice.

Good thought, Elle. I may have to explore having the eternities custom made so that there's not a significant contrast.

 

[speechie]

Sigh..... a day full of diamonds at GOG and lunch at Phil's... Sounds like a great trip to me! Can't wait to see the final product