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Round brilliant. Having a hard time finding the one!!?

B

BigBill

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
24
Hello and happy new year!

I'm in the market for a round brilliant stone. My budget is between 11k - 16k. This stone will be put in a simple white gold or platinum setting. Have been checking Brian Gavin every few days, but seems like slim picking in the $13,000(ish) range.

I've done quite a bit of reading here on pricescope, but still not sure which stone to purchase :confused:. If you were to buy during the next fews weeks, which stone would you purchase within the stated budget? Thank you for all suggestions and advice.
 
Look at WF too
 
What are your priorities? Desired color? Clarity? Size? It would be helpful to understand your goals.
 
Travelgal|1420699766|3813375 said:
What are your priorities? Desired color? Clarity? Size? It would be helpful to understand your goals.
Click to expand...
From my reading here, would like the best cut available, H color, eye-clean SI1 clarity, and based off those specs, size looks like it would fall between 1.2 and 1.6 carats. Couple things:
(1) How much light return am i giving up going from BG H&A to BG Blue or from Whiteflash Ideal to Expert?
(2) Do you guys feel that .25 carats is a big deal when going from say a 1.3 to a 1.5? Saw a 2.5 and 2.77 the other day, and didn't really look that different.
(3) What vendors are known to sell outstanding modern round brilliants. I've seen some of Brian's excellent work, but like i said, not a lot in my range right now on his website.
(4) Also, would love if the experts would give me a few examples of stones they would consider around my budget. Even though I've done quite a bit of reading, still feel unsure of myself in picking out the best stone. :think:
And again, thanks for you time and advice. It is much appreciated. :wavey:
 
BigBill|1420731896|3813479 said:
Travelgal|1420699766|3813375 said:
What are your priorities? Desired color? Clarity? Size? It would be helpful to understand your goals.
Click to expand...
From my reading here, would like the best cut available, H color, eye-clean SI1 clarity, and based off those specs, size looks like it would fall between 1.2 and 1.6 carats. Couple things:
(1) How much light return am i giving up going from BG H&A to BG Blue or from Whiteflash Ideal to Expert?

(2) Do you guys feel that .25 carats is a big deal when going from say a 1.3 to a 1.5? Saw a 2.5 and 2.77 the other day, and didn't really look that different. Yes and no. 0.2 ct has a lot more visual difference when going from 1.3 to 1.5, but from a 2.5 to a 2.7 it wouldn't be as obvious. (look at the percentage difference in the diameters and DO NOT judge by carat weight, as stones will face up differently depending on cut)

(3) What vendors are known to sell outstanding modern round brilliants. I've seen some of Brian's excellent work, but like i said, not a lot in my range right now on his website.

(4) Also, would love if the experts would give me a few examples of stones they would consider around my budget. Even though I've done quite a bit of reading, still feel unsure of myself in picking out the best stone. :think:
And again, thanks for you time and advice. It is much appreciated. :wavey:
Click to expand...

I will look for some stones..
 
OP
You can look through the list of stones, why don't you call Leslie at BGD and tell her what you want, she and Brian will do all the work for you. Best of luck.
 
What color range does she prefer?
 
You should check out the videos on these AVR's compared to the MRB's...might surprise you. The AVR's are sparkle bombs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea7G1PWU9BU

This one is a nice size 1.85c and close to your budget and J is in the colorless range.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-85ct-j-si2-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

Videos of this 1.85 J next to a 1.53 H both are AVR's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUQtegFjzqM

1.85J vs 1.7 K (I can't see the feather in the video on the 1.85..even with the magnification)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U7eAvUnsVc

Would be great to see a video of this 1.85 J next to the 1.5 H MRB from GOG posted above.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-53ct-h-si1-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html

Different facet patterns in round cut diamonds:
Ideal Cut vs Hearts & Arrows vs August Vintage OEC vs Solasfera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwiM3COzjFM&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=88&feature=plcp


Hope this helps.
 
Here's another interesting video comparing H & A MRB colors H, J , & K
(In well cut diamonds the color differences are very hard to see unless one is very color sensitive)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziZ1S8ZlZEE

Note the comment below from Jon on cut and color:

Good Old Gold4 years agoin reply to sloppyjakekisses

@sloppyjakekisses True. When the cut quality is a Hearts & Arrows that exhibits light performance that falls in the GIA Ex/AGS Ideal zenith color differences are much less noticeable. You can see it most plainly towards the end of the clip against the flat white background. Don't tell anyone but my wife wears a K. LOL All woman are different though and the best thing you can do with regards to color in diamond is learn what her tolerances are. Ie. What she's ok with and what she isn't.
 
msop04|1420754971|3813727 said:
What color range does she prefer?
Click to expand...
F-H
msop04|1420755148|3813730 said:
These are nice:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3075972.htm?source=pricescope
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-53ct-h-si1-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestions msop04. Would you definitely "drop down" to the expert cut range in order to increase the size? I'm leaning that way as well, but really having a hard time giving up ANY light return! :wall:
 
ariel144|1420786149|3813905 said:
You should check out the videos on these AVR's compared to the MRB's...might surprise you. The AVR's are sparkle bombs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea7G1PWU9BU
Click to expand...
Great videos ariel144. Was really cool (and educational) to see those GOG comparison videos. Even though those Js/Ks do look great, my girlfriend seems to be pretty color sensitive, so was hoping to stay around G-H in color.
 
BigBill|1420836565|3814235 said:
msop04|1420754971|3813727 said:
What color range does she prefer?
Click to expand...
F-H
msop04|1420755148|3813730 said:
These are nice:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3075972.htm?source=pricescope
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-53ct-h-si1-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestions msop04. Would you definitely "drop down" to the expert cut range in order to increase the size? I'm leaning that way as well, but really having a hard time giving up ANY light return! :wall:
Click to expand...

These are both great options.

I would figure out which vendor has the setting I was after, and then have that vendor create a video/photo of the stone selected above and two others, for comparison purposes.

Either of those options would be a great pick!
 
If you do get an expert selection, try to find an ags triple 0, I prefer that report, as stone is tested and graded on cut performance.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. If I can narrow this down to say three stones, is there a proper protocol for getting opinions from you guys? Should i just post the top three stones on the rocky talky forum or is it better to send out a few PMs? Thank again.
 
The people who you should be contacting once you have it narrowed down to a few stones is customer service! On the forum, we cannot see the diamond.
 
JulieN|1421096536|3815400 said:
The people who you should be contacting once you have it narrowed down to a few stones is customer service! On the forum, we cannot see the diamond.
Click to expand...
But the final three will possibly be from different vendors. Was hoping to list the specs, idealscope, etc. here and get some opinions from the experts!
 
In that case, make a new thread.
 
EvangelineG|1421100995|3815431 said:
If I was working with your budget, a CBI diamond would be at the top of my list.
Click to expand...
Evangelina. Thanks, and have bookmarked HPD, as well as BG, WF, and GOG. Was curious why a CBI diamond would be at the top of your list? Is it mostly due to your preference for the CBI stone's performance, or more about your overall experience at HPD (stone, customer service, warranty, etc)? Thanks.
 
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