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Selecting a lab grown with the best cut

diamondtester84

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 23, 2025
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Hi all, looking to buy a 2.75-3.2 carat round that is eye clean, DEF (more flexible here since gold band), with the best possible cut, budget 6k. Here are some candidates I've found and my concerns for each:

Concerns: Growth remnants, how big of a deal are they? CVD- Can "high end" CVD like this (patented process, no post growth treatment) be of the same quality as HPHT? Or am I getting ripped off paying >5k for CVD

Concerns: If this is really the epitome of cuts, why is it just IGI certified and not GCAL 8x or AGS ideal? Is their selection for the precision lab line more stringent than any of the above certs so it doesn't matter?

Concerns: Something looks off in the video but could be because it isnt professional lighting like the above two

Concerns: As with Brian Gavin, is CVD a concern at this price point? Especially since I don't see clarification on no post growth treatment

Any of the GCAL8x with my specs on adiamor:
Concerns: Why are they so cheap? Literally 40% the cost of whiteflash or brian gavin, are the precision and premium lab lines actually superior than a generic GCAL8x?

@DejaWiz
 
For GCAL8X it’s more helpful to compare the videos and images taken by GCAL.

IMO WF and BG generally have tighter standards so I would be more willing to pay the brand premium if I want to ensure I have the best cut. In my experience high end CVD, HPHT, and natural grown diamonds are indistinguishable to the naked eye. AFAIK Adiamor doesn’t own their inventory, so prices are going to be lower than other vendors who vet and own their inventory.
 
Here's the video for the Ada Diamond.

WF and BG add a premium, but if you're not set of GCAL, you can get a really great stone for much much less. @DejaWiz can do major magic well below $5k. Or you could get a bigger stone within your $6k budget.

I haven't been impressed by BG's CVD material. I don't think they really vet the material as much as the cut. Some people want super clean high res video of the material, and others (some industry experts on here) believe a small amount of graining won't affect the naked eye. Personal preference.

Good luck with your hunt!
 
Here's the video for the Ada Diamond.

WF and BG add a premium, but if you're not set of GCAL, you can get a really great stone for much much less. @DejaWiz can do major magic well below $5k. Or you could get a bigger stone within your $6k budget.

I haven't been impressed by BG's CVD material. I don't think they really vet the material as much as the cut. Some people want super clean high res video of the material, and others (some industry experts on here) believe a small amount of graining won't affect the naked eye. Personal preference.

Good luck with your hunt!

Should be quite an easy task right now, to boot!
 
Agree that BG CVD material quality is inconsistent and there are ones I definitely would not consider. The 3.15 E VS1 looks clean enough to me though, and one I would consider if looking for the best cut.
 
diamondtester84 - please let me know when you're on the forum...I found many amazing diamonds at great prices, and I've got a link to one for you to take a peek at.
 
diamondtester84 - please let me know when you're on the forum...I found many amazing diamonds at great prices, and I've got a link to one for you to take a peek at.

Thank you so much, had a busy stretch at work this week but ready to take a look now
 
Thank you so much, had a busy stretch at work this week but ready to take a look now

I am away from my computer where the tabs should still be open (I'm traveling away from home base this weekend), so I will try and see about getting them posted later tonight or tomorrow.
 
When sorting all stones at one of the links with highest prices first there are weird outliers with small stones costing a lot more than any comparable mined diamond. Simple errors?
 
When sorting all stones at one of the links with highest prices first there are weird outliers with small stones costing a lot more than any comparable mined diamond. Simple errors?

Hello, hiratop - yep, usually a pricing error somewhere between the suppliers inventory feeds and the seller's site.
 
With the news that GIA won’t be grading labs properly anymore I’m honestly a little inclined to pick up one of the GIA+AGS ideals on the market now for the novelty factor. Not sure if I’m willing to pay the premium yet over the also beautiful diamonds dejawiz listed above, but I’m considering it for the peace of mind. These are two I could find with my specs:



Anyone have advice on which would be better if I go this route? @DejaWiz @0515vision @0-0-0
 
With the news that GIA won’t be grading labs properly anymore I’m honestly a little inclined to pick up one of the GIA+AGS ideals on the market now for the novelty factor. Not sure if I’m willing to pay the premium yet over the also beautiful diamonds dejawiz listed above, but I’m considering it for the peace of mind. These are two I could find with my specs:



Anyone have advice on which would be better if I go this route? @DejaWiz @0515vision @0-0-0

No way I'd ever pay that much for an E VS1 that is CVD method...and I don't care who it comes from or how well cut and proportioned it is.
Try to find some clean HPHT options that have the AGS addendum...and it'll take a lot of report checking if you're not buying from a dedicated SIC seller.
 
diamondtester84 let me know when you are online - I found a 3 carat GIA+AGS D VVS1 HPHT for an amazing price.
 
You truly are a wizard I am ready

Get these links saved ASAP then let me know immediately so that I can delete them before the post edit timer runs out...and move FAST on this one - remember, you can always return it if you decide to go another route so it's better to see and return than to miss out forever.

Ask Ritani or Adiamor for a price match to Calavera's price:
 
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@DejaWiz saved! Feel free to delete. I think this is the one, thank you so much.

Is there a negative to buying it directly from calavera?
 
@DejaWiz saved! Feel free to delete. I think this is the one, thank you so much.

Is there a negative to buying it directly from calavera?

Not that I am aware of...if you want to order from them, then go for it!
 
Not that I am aware of...if you want to order from them, then go for it!

Is it out of the ordinary for there to be such a price difference? My alarm bells are going off a bit haha
 
Is it out of the ordinary for there to be such a price difference? My alarm bells are going off a bit haha

Its not out of the ordinary at all...prices differ between sellers based on their overhead costs and targeted profit margin.
 
Where did you see it was HPHT? It doesn't look like any method is mentioned on the report

It isn't on the report, but it was disclosed as HPHT by the sellers...I sorted by HPHT and it came up in the results. I looked for any evidence of CVD and I do believe this to be an HPHT diamond. :)
 
Can't wait to see it - I hope it's the one and good to see Deja performing his magic again.
 
Good morning, diamondtester84!
Here is a zoomed screenshot of the CVD that you linked to: you can see the growth graining (nature of the cheaper and inferior CVD process) quite easily as the facets turn to blues, oranges, and yellows.

BGD CVD.png
 
Good morning, diamondtester84!
Here is a zoomed screenshot of the CVD that you linked to: you can see the growth graining (nature of the cheaper and inferior CVD process) quite easily as the facets turn to blues, oranges, and yellows.

BGD CVD.png

Very interesting thank you for pointing that out. The one you linked above has been purchased, I'm still in awe at that calavera price and need to see the diamond in my hand before I believe it haha. Will post photos/videos when it comes in. Thank you so much for all your help
 
Diamondtester84, please know what good hands you’re in with DejaWiz. DejaWiz lead me to an absolutely stunning, 2-carat diamond about six months ago. Not a day goes by that I don’t look at it in awe and thank my lucky stars that he found this for me.
 
Diamondtester84, please know what good hands you’re in with DejaWiz. DejaWiz lead me to an absolutely stunning, 2-carat diamond about six months ago. Not a day goes by that I don’t look at it in awe and thank my lucky stars that he found this for me.

Glad to hear that you love your HPHT GIA+AGS diamond, Chelsea Palmer!
 
Another comment in support of DejaWiz.

Whilst I technically found 'my' stone myself his advice was crucial in helping me understand what to look for in others to help narrow the field (e.g. ruling out a horrible 2.36 GCAL8x CVD with striations as an example!).

His positive affirmation once I shared the stone I found was enough to make me pull the trigger - it's also a GIA+AGS option (mine is a 2.5!) and my stone was also lower in price compared to other, poorer, options I had looked at.
 
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