Need Help Deciding Between Final Two Choices

[siRAULo]

First of all, many thanks for the wealth of knowledge that has already been shared on these forums. Also, apologies if I'm breaking any rules by providing direct links to vendor websites. If this is against the rules, please delete this thread, notify me, and I'll post again with appropriate screen shots only.

After several in-store visits, I believe my girlfriend has found a favorite style of setting. < http://www.debeers.com/db-classic-pink-gold-solitaire-ring-j1ex01bk > In hopes of recreating this style with at a higher quality and better price, I have narrowed it down to the following options:

Whiteflash: Setting < https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/fine-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-4235.htm >
Diamond < https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3568734.htm >

James Allen: Setting < https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...gold-sleek-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49379 >
Diamond < https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2641317 >

From what I've read, there seems to be mixed opinions on the validity of hearts and arrows. However, since we've decided to drop down in color due to the rose gold setting, and she honestly believes that 1.5 ct and up look too big on her hands, I want to at least get the best cut possible...which is why I am ok with paying the premium that comes with A Cut Above or Brian Gavin Signature diamond.

My concerns for the Whiteflash option - Exactly how much of a premium am I paying for the branding? When referencing the August 17, 2012 Rapaport Report (most recent one I could find), I see that the diamond is still roughly 9.5% under. Also, I'm not in love with the inclusion found in the table. However, when viewed in person (I live in Houston, Tx), this inclusion is very hard to consistently spot, and it actually isn't as harsh black in color as it appears in the online video. Out the door, I'd be looking at USD 9,084.50 after paying in cash and shipping for pickup out of state.

My thoughts on the James Allen option - there isn't an inclusion in the table; all of the dimensions fall within any parameters of a super-ideal round cut that I have found online; the idealscope image looks good; the computer generated ASET image looks good on the certificate; and the hearts image looks quite symmetrical to me. It is a little pricier than Whiteflash, but I do get a convenient bump in both color and clarity, as well as a small increase in weight. Overall, can I expect this diamond to be cut comparably to those offered by WF or BGD?? Is the supposed increase in overall value be worth taking the risk on a setting that my girlfriend hasn't seen in person and given her "approval" of? (We unfortunately haven't seen any 14k rose gold settings in person, but she has mentioned liking a more pinkish color than yellow when I explained the alloys.) Overall, I'd be paying USD 8,720.00 with USD 130.80 worth of credit card points, effectively bringing it to USD 8,589.20

ANY input would be greatly appreciated...I am looking to pull the trigger within the next 48 hrs.

 

[siRAULo]

I note that the thread status is "Awaiting Moderation before being displayed publicly." Please let me know if there's anything that I need to change on my part.

 

[bmfang]

Some of the James Allen True Hearts stones are cut (in my books) to a comparable standard to WF's ACA and BGD's Signature/Blue/Cape/Black ranges. Not all of them are (some of them look like Blue Nile's Signature Ideal Rounds when it comes to the H&A's).

The one from JA that you chose might make it into WF's Expert Selection range which shares a lot of commonality with their ACA range but for some issues with the size of the gaps between the hearts and chevrons, misplacement of arrow shafts vs the heads, etc.

For me, I'd rather have the WF branded stone. If you are going to get it set in rose gold, the K coloured stone might be better suited (having said that, the ring stone in my avatar is a K coloured BG Blue and it faces up quite white in 18kt white gold). Plus, you've mentioned that your significant other has already said that she likes that specific WF setting so that is another reason why the WF purchase makes more sense to me.

 

[tyty333]

I would take the Whiteflash branded stone and setting. I've seen several WF stones in person and
they are just amazing in my book. I have a small branded "J" that faces up very white...tint from
the side that doesnt bother me....It is also set in white metal. I tried to find the inclusion in the
video but could not see it.

I also like the Whiteflash setting better than the JA. The WF setting tappers in at the stone where the
JA does not.

 

[siRAULo]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated.

Despite both of your leanings towards ACA, I've decided to go the Jame Allen route. For a little less money overall: I'd get a small bump in color, which is honestly negligible, but more importantly is the upgrade in clarity. Like I mentioned, there is a small inclusion in the Whiteflash stone that prevented me from completely falling in love with it. All of the ratios of the James Allen diamond are within the super ideal range; the hearts image may not be flawless, but I think it's pretty darn close; and the it has a HCA grade of 1.1 vs the ACA's 1.5 (I'm aware that the HCA tool is meant for eliminating instead of compairing, but still.)

And more importantly, was the setting: While I, like tyty3333, prefer the slight taper of the band towards the stone, this is not the preference of my girlfriend. She actually preferred how the De Beers setting didn't have a taper, and didn't care for how the prongs meet at the band in a "donut" shape. She'd like the wedding band to sit flush. Additionally, I'm hoping that the 14k will create a more pink rose gold (her preference) than 18k.

 

[siRAULo]

To throw a wrench in my plan, a member of another forum suggested I consider the following stone:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...excellent-cut-sku-2569795?a_aid=55f8cd4e21a11

I believe that I originally filtered this diamond out because the crown angle and depth are just outside my parameters. However, after finally mentally removing myself from the Brian Gavin and Whiteflash branding, I've acknowledged that I'm really splitting hairs on the absolute-best cut quality. I understand that the original 1.42 J-VS1 is a better stone overall, but is it $2,550 better for my intended use?

I've only read from various sources that a faint brown tint works well surrounded by rose gold, but I've never seen one in-person...so that's a cause of hesitation.

 

[ringo865]

Congratulations! Please come back and share pictures when you get it - and on hand pics. We're suckers for pics!