Need Reassurance: Which Diamond?

[Sparkle524]

So I am meeting with an appaiser this Thursday to decide whether or not to purchase a diamond. GOG is sending in two diamonds and WF is sending one in as well. GOG sent me a video of 4 diamonds to compare. The first diamond in the video is just for comparison. I am considering the last 3. The diamond will have a halo. I believe Gypsy and another poster suggested that I get the G if it was going to be have a halo.

1. Which diamond would you choose or should I keep looking?

2. Also the F (second diamond) and E (3 diamond) both have table % that are 59%. Is that too large?

F diamond: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9258/

E diamond: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9259/

G diamond: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9112/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MocNn5LgGCc&feature=BFa&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&lf=plcp

 

[tyty333]

Where is the link to the WF stone?

 

[Gypsy]

From the information posted (and the WF stone isn't posted) I'd go for the G and save 20k.

 

[ariel144]

From the information posted (and the WF stone isn't posted) I'd go for the G and save 20k.

Yes, with $20-25,000 you can make a down payment on a house. As you know, I vote for the G too!

 

[Sparkle524]

Here's the link for the WF stone that was on the BN website.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-f-color-vs1-clarity_LD02403951

Pics of WF diamond:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-rb-contender-is-this-a-good-one.173157/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-rb-contender-is-this-a-good-one.173157/[/URL]

Ariel thank you. You were the one that suggested the stone to me. I'm just curious if you think the table is too large? Even the G's table is 57.24%

Would love to hear what others think? I'm coming down to the wire and getting a little nervous about whether or not I'm making a good decision or not on these diamonds. Thanks.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sparkle, I watched your video of the stones. I think either the F or the E is wonderful! I would not personally be able to tolerate the poor optical symmetry of that last stone. I said on Manhattan's thread that your video hands down showed why having stones examined is so essential! My new stone would be premium and not superior, but it looks much more like the first three stones than that last one. Not a thing is wrong with the 59 table. My current one is 58, and I'll tell you, we are talking about tiny differences. I did NOT notice the difference in the video between the table on the H&A (first) stone and the two middle ones.

If you decide you want to go to a lower price range, then that is another matter. But I would not choose stone #4 because it is still a LOT of money and I think you should get a stone with more excellent optical symmetry. I'd start over if you really want to buy a G color stone (and I'd stick with VS2 at least in a stone that size).

 

[Sparkle524]

Sparkle, I watched your video of the stones. I think either the F or the E is wonderful! I would not personally be able to tolerate the poor optical symmetry of that last stone. I said on Manhattan's thread that your video hands down showed why having stones examined is so essential! My new stone would be premium and not superior, but it looks much more like the first three stones than that last one. Not a thing is wrong with the 59 table. My current one is 58, and I'll tell you, we are talking about tiny differences. I did NOT notice the difference in the video between the table on the H&A (first) stone and the two middle ones.

If you decide you want to go to a lower price range, then that is another matter. But I would not choose stone #4 because it is still a LOT of money and I think you should get a stone with more excellent optical symmetry. I'd start over if you really want to buy a G color stone.

Thank you for your input Diamond Seeker. I see your point. Everyone on the PS forum is always talking about small tables so I have it stuck in my head. I hope they are as beautiful in person as they are one the video. My only thing now is to figure out whether the WF or the GOG diamond is better. Ugh! I wish I had the PS family at my appraisal

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I SO know what you mean! It is hard to make a decision alone, especially when there are multiple good choices! How did the BN diamond end up at WF instead of GOG?

I have a G stone and am totally happy with the color. But if I was spending $40-65k on a stone, it would have excellent optical symmetry even if it wasn't a technically perfect H&A, and it would be at least VS2. I just think with that kind of budget, I would want high quality on all the specs. (And I did even when my budget was lower, just because!)

 

[tyty333]

I personally would take the F. The E or F would work for me but not the G. The F is also cheaper and looked just
as good/big as the E in my eyes.

 

[fridays_child]

I vote for the G, after watching the entire video. (that was a great video btw, I would say that's one of my fav GOG videos ever). I can't see enough of a visual difference in the lack of symmetry and it looked brightest and faces up the biggest. That being said, I am not an RB aficionado at all, so you can see my opinion as that of the average jane. I realize you're already spending a lot of money and you're in a premium price bracket, but $20,000 is still $20,000. I would not throw in 20k more for the sake of mind-cleanness, only if you really can't stand "traditional" symmetry. Saving 20k for the sake of something not noticeable to my eye would actually boost mind-cleanness for me if I were wearing this stone

 

[Phdecorate]

As a newbie, my question would be, if you are comfortable within the whole range for your budget, what would be your motivation to spend at the higher part of it? Is it to have the better color and clarity? If you just want a beautiful stone in that size range maybe the last one in the video works for you. That being said, it is a big jump (to me anyway!) from one to the other. So if you'd really be more comfortable spending at the lower end of the budget, then you would need to choose between a little smaller higher quality or bigger with a little lower quality.
But that gorgeous VC halo is going to make whatever you choose look amazing as well as bigger!

 

[kefira]

The video is great. Jonathan always does such a nice job with those. And, I know they are close up images, but I paused the video and asked my complete novice husband which he thought was the $20k less stone, and he picked it right out. Just thought I'd throw that in. My personal choice from the video is the benchmark stone (the first one), but I realize you are probably shooting for the magic 2.5ct mark. So, without that, I'd choose the F as well. The symmetry issue would bug me too much for the G.

 

[0-0-0]

I think it's great that you'll get to see and compare the stones in person. GOG videos are great but IMO nothing beats comparing the stones in person.

From the video I don't see much difference between the E and F. I most definitely prefer the I and like the G the least. If I have to pick one from the E/F/G group I would go with the F, but considering the price difference I suggest looking for a better cut G.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So did you see the diamonds today?

 

[Sparkle524]

Diamondseeker sorry I meant to post earlier but I have had a terrible cold for the past two days and feel miserable. Anyway, I went to my appointment today expecting to see 3 diamonds but only had two. The shipment from GOG had to be shipped in two boxes because of insurance and of course Fedex did not deliver them together!!! So I only had the 2.72 F from WF and the G SI1 from GOG. When both diamonds were very pretty but the F from WF was whiter. The F from WF has faint fluorescence so that was probably also a factor. Both diamonds were eye clean from 4 inches. Either that or I was too drugged up to see straight Ben Gordon, a PS appraiser, tested each on on the colorimeter and the one from WF was indeed a F. When the G (AGS000) from GOG was tested it showed up as an H. They tested it 3 times but it still showed up as an H. I did notice that it was warmer. I think that I would have been okay with a AGS000 G but not when it shows up as an H. Well, I couldn't wait for the Fedex guy to show up and left and sure enough he shows up as I get on the freeway. I have another appointment tomorrow to see GOG's F.

Traci at WF has been great to work with. She has bent over backwards to keep this diamond for as long as she did until my appointment with the appraiser. Traci if you're reading my post you're the best!! Also Sarah/Jon is paying for the appointment tomorrow since the diamond did not arrive in time. I hope Fedex refunds their money. As I stated above my appraiser is Ben Gordon in Houston, TX and he along with his wife and other gemologist Christy are just the nicest people. I highly recommend them if you're in the Houston area. Mr. Gordon tells it like it is!

I will do another update tomorrow with which diamond I choose....if I chose any

 

[Sparkle524]

Well the final decision has been made. I chose the 2.72 from WF. Although it did not have perfect hearts like the 2 from GOG with perfect hearts and arrows it was definitely more sparkly. I'm glad I had the 3 to compare. When I finally had all 3 diamonds to compare against each other the G although 20K less was a little darker in the center and was not as sparkly and lively as the other two. It was a hard decision between the F from WF and the F from GOG but the F from WF had more life and fire, sparkle and scintillation. So spending the extra money to have the diamonds shipped down paid off. Although the F from WF was the most expensive I felt that I chose the prettiest diamond to my eyes. The appraiser, his wife and the other gemologist all picked the F from WF as well. They also said that the price I paid for that diamond was a very good price so I am happy. Now off to JM to get the diamond insured and off to VC to have the setting made!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

How exciting!!!! Gosh, that stone was an F VS1 and the largest of all of them, so I certainly can understand the choice even though all of the stones were excellent! I also have seen color issues between AGS and GIA, and I think it was wise to check color. Honestly, though, I couldn't imagine you buying a G SI1 when you had E and F VS stones to choose from! I would always go with the best stone within my budget, and that is what you did! I really didn't look at the one from WF at first because you were asking in this thread which ones of the GOG stones we would choose, but the one you bought is gorgeous and I think you made an excellent choice! I am glad you are using Victor for the setting...your stone deserves the best! And I can't wait to see it!!!

 

[ariel144]

Oh, congrats on your choice. I'm sure you will be very happy!

 

[Sparkle524]

Ariel and Diamondseeker thank you. I am very happy that the selection process is over. In reality, I would have loved to save $20K but the G had less sparkle and fire and the table was a little dark when compared to the other diamonds. I just had to be 100% sure of what I was getting and didn't want to just go by the video alone. I do believe that although the reports/videos tell you a lot about the diamond you have to see them in person to see what your eyes prefer. It is expensive to have to pay for the shipping of the diamonds but better to get it right the first time. Both WF and GOG did their very best in looking for a diamond with my strict Pricescope requirements and it just so happens this time that WF won my business. I highly recommend Traci & Bob at White Flash as well as Sarah at GOG.

One last thing. I know that the HCA is just a selection tool and it is better to go off of idealscopes, ASET, etc but just for giggles here are the HCA stats for all of the diamonds:

GOG:

E - 2.4

F - 2.8

G - 3.3

WF:

F - 2.0

Diamondseeker - I forgot to say congrats on your huggies! I believe you chose the 1.5 tcw? I kept asking Traci if you ever got around to returning them just in case you decided to go with the 1.0 but she said that you kept the 1.5!! Congrats! I really thought those looked the best on your ear lobes.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thank you, Sparkle! Traci told me you had talked to her and mentioned the huggies! Yes, I really don't know why I was so confused at first (other than they were all pretty!), because really, the 1.5 pair was the best choice for me! I really love them! They would go well with your new ring, too!

Oh, and I neglected to say earlier, I hope you'll be feeling much better soon!

 

[Gypsy]

Ariel and Diamondseeker thank you. I am very happy that the selection process is over. In reality, I would have loved to save $20K but the G had less sparkle and fire and the table was a little dark when compared to the other diamonds. I just had to be 100% sure of what I was getting and didn't want to just go by the video alone. I do believe that although the reports/videos tell you a lot about the diamond you have to see them in person to see what your eyes prefer. It is expensive to have to pay for the shipping of the diamonds but better to get it right the first time. Both WF and GOG did their very best in looking for a diamond with my strict Pricescope requirements and it just so happens this time that WF won my business. I highly recommend Traci & Bob at White Flash as well as Sarah at GOG.

One last thing. I know that the HCA is just a selection tool and it is better to go off of idealscopes, ASET, etc but just for giggles here are the HCA stats for all of the diamonds:

GOG:

E - 2.4

F - 2.8

G - 3.3

WF:

F - 2.0

Diamondseeker - I forgot to say congrats on your huggies! I believe you chose the 1.5 tcw? I kept asking Traci if you ever got around to returning them just in case you decided to go with the 1.0 but she said that you kept the 1.5!! Congrats! I really thought those looked the best on your ear lobes.

We do say that the HCA is not as accurate as AGS0 reports and that the two disagree the AGS0 trumps, BY FAR. And this is because the HCA is a rejection tool, not a selection tool and it's only based on 4 measurements off a report. And the AGS light performance report (as well as many of the tools GOG uses) is based on the actual diamond.


Now... CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[Phdecorate]

Wow, congrats! I can't wait to see your VCring!!!

 

[Sparkle524]

Thank you, Sparkle! Traci told me you had talked to her and mentioned the huggies! Yes, I really don't know why I was so confused at first (other than they were all pretty!), because really, the 1.5 pair was the best choice for me! I really love them! They would go well with your new ring, too!

Oh, and I neglected to say earlier, I hope you'll be feeling much better soon!

I'm still feeling a little under the weather but bouncing back! Yes the 1.5s were gorgeous on your ears. Always better to choose the bigger diamond when possible After purchasing the diamond and setting I am now depleted on funds. I will have to wait for another holiday before I ask the hubby for a pair of huggies! Hey, isn't Easter right around the corner????

 

[Sparkle524]

Phdecorate and Gypsy Thank you!

Phdecorate I can't wait to see your VC masterpiece either!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Easter, then Mother's Day (if that applies...although one can still celebrate regardless!)...Hey, April Fools Day is tomorrow!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Congrats Sparkle

 

[Sparkle524]

Easter, then Mother's Day (if that applies...although one can still celebrate regardless!)...Hey, April Fools Day is tomorrow!

Oh yes! April fool's day...but then my hubby will think that it's a joke

Thanks Dancing Fire! I can't wait for the setting to be finished!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The funny thing is, they can think it is a joke, but we wouldn't be joking!

 

[smoothmoose]

I have to say that GOG video was awesome and super informative! It was the first time I was able to see the arrows in the live performance. Which has just solidified my decision for going with a stone with H&A pattern as I can see it.

That said, I'm buying in the 1ct range, and you are looking at much larger and much more expensive stone. I would have to ask, does it really need to be that big?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have to say that GOG video was awesome and super informative! It was the first time I was able to see the arrows in the live performance. Which has just solidified my decision for going with a stone with H&A pattern as I can see it.

That said, I'm buying in the 1ct range, and you are looking at much larger and much more expensive stone. I would have to ask, does it really need to be that big?

smoothmoose, you will find that sizes here go from less than a half carat up to the 4 carat range (and there have been a rare few larger than 5 cts.). Most of the large stones are not for first time engagements, though. Many are for anniversaries after people have been married awhile. One carat is still larger than most in the US have, so it is a very nice size! You have to realize that we have people on here from every socio-economic level, and we do have the pleasure of seeing people buy larger stones! What is important is that the diamond you buy is first of all, one you can afford, and secondly, one that can comfortably be worn in one's social circle.