shape
carat
color
clarity

Should I return this for a BGD or WF?

banana123

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
5
Hey PS Community!

Hope all of you are doing well. It's great seeing so many people passionate about getting the perfect stone.

I wanted to share with you all a diamond I purchased on JA to get your second opinion. The proportions are quite nice and are in range of "super ideal" according to WF, but I'm not sure if I should pay a little more to select a diamond from a super ideal retailer like WF or BGD.
I was quoted by WF at 2.00ct -2.09ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® - for $1k more than what I paid for with slightly lower carat and slightly lower clarity.

I haven't received the diamond in person and only have the AGS cert and link to go by. I also wasn't able to successfully request any additional ASET or IdealScope images from JA. Lmk if anything catches your eyes. Thank you very much for helping me out :)

Diamond Proportions:
Table: 55.2%
Crown Angle: 34.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.7
Depth: 61.6%
Star Facets: 49%
Lower Girdle Half: 77%
Girdle: Thin - Medium
HCA: 0.9 "Big"




ja-image

cert.jpeg
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2020
Messages
2,914
Do you plan to upgrade your stone in the future? If you do, then I would advise getting your stone from WF as they have the best upgrade policy around ($1 more for upgrade along any C dimension - meaning that you could choose to go from G VS1 to H VS2 but bigger carat and they would do it). BGD also cuts beautiful stones but their upgrade criteria is a bit more restrictive - it’s also $1 IIRC you need to upgrade 2 of 3 between carat, colour and clarity. JA is the most restrictive - it requires you to spend double of what you originally paid, so that gets very expensive very quickly.

if you don’t plan to upgrade, personally the stone you’ve picked seems like a good stone, so, unless after you receive it you’re unhappy about something, I would keep it.

I did check WFs inventory but they don’t have anything in the G VS range so it would be custom, as you said, which is a touch more expensive. Personally I think VS1 is totally fine and VVS2 is really only needed if there are cultural considerations / mind clean aspects.

If the $1k isn’t a huge stretch, I think WF would be the “peace of mind” option, especially if upgrades are a possibility. It comes down to how persnickety you are, honestly.
 

Diamond_Enthusiast

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 28, 2021
Messages
356
Do you plan to upgrade your stone in the future? If you do, then I would advise getting your stone from WF as they have the best upgrade policy around ($1 more for upgrade along any C dimension - meaning that you could choose to go from G VS1 to H VS2 but bigger carat and they would do it). BGD also cuts beautiful stones but their upgrade criteria is a bit more restrictive - it’s also $1 IIRC you need to upgrade 2 of 3 between carat, colour and clarity. JA is the most restrictive - it requires you to spend double of what you originally paid, so that gets very expensive very quickly.

if you don’t plan to upgrade, personally the stone you’ve picked seems like a good stone, so, unless after you receive it you’re unhappy about something, I would keep it.

I did check WFs inventory but they don’t have anything in the G VS range so it would be custom, as you said, which is a touch more expensive. Personally I think VS1 is totally fine and VVS2 is really only needed if there are cultural considerations / mind clean aspects.

If the $1k isn’t a huge stretch, I think WF would be the “peace of mind” option, especially if upgrades are a possibility. It comes down to how persnickety you are, honestly.

Agree with the above. That stone from JA looks good. It comes down to if you may want to upgrade down the track then you want a vendor with a good upgrade policy.
 

the_mother_thing

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 2, 2013
Messages
6,306
Agree with the above. That stone from JA looks good. It comes down to if you may want to upgrade down the track then you want a vendor with a good upgrade policy.

162F0911-1362-4DB0-A520-9CF3F532DE19.gif

If there’s even a shred of possibility you might change your tastes and/or upgrade down the road, go w/WF.
 

DejaWiz

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Apr 23, 2021
Messages
5,956
The others said it first: you picked an absolute winner in that beautifully proportioned AGS Triple Zero, but if ease of upgrade is important, then perhaps strongly consider a well respected super ideal seller such as WF, BGD, or Victor Canera.
 

AprilBaby

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
13,234
Gorgeous stone but I would pay the Extra for the upgrade policy. You never know what the future holds!
 

banana123

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
5
Thank you so much all for taking the time to offer your advice. Appreciate you all!

The diamond above was extremely beautiful and sparkly once it arrived. What a difference optimal proportions make!

Unfortunately, I did make the very very hard decision to take the consensus and return the diamond for the reasons of upgrade policy, reassurance of additional light performance & H&A images, and lower clarity for a larger carat.

I'm not entirely convinced I will be able to tell a difference, but I am content in being able to tell my future wife that she has one of the best cut diamonds.

Thanks again PS community. Lots of love

I decided to go with this diamond.

Image of diamond returned :cry2: 0.jpg
 

mwilliamanderson

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
1,221
The ring is beautiful! Please show us the new diamond when it arrives and give us your impressions. It’s always interesting to hear feedback from someone who has evaluated both branded and non branded diamonds in person.
 

WillyDiamond

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 7, 2004
Messages
1,452
If spending the extra $1K was not a financial burden, you did well.
I believe the age old axiom applies to diamonds…..”you get what you pay for”
 

banana123

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
5
Some observations on the new Black - BGD for those who are curious.

Shines brighter white in indirect light settings
Darker and crisper arrow pattern
Most likely sparkles slightly more. Hard to say with an untrained eye and an un-stringent approach to comparing the two.

If the new BGD wasn't bought during their holiday sale for 10% off, it would've been harder to justify the diamond improvements.

Overall, very happy and satisfied with the new diamond. Definitely a keeper.


New diamond

IMG_3346 2.jpg

Sparkles a ton under an overhead light
 

Kya

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 20, 2020
Messages
291
Some observations on the new Black - BGD for those who are curious.

Shines brighter white in indirect light settings
Darker and crisper arrow pattern
Most likely sparkles slightly more. Hard to say with an untrained eye and an un-stringent approach to comparing the two.

If the new BGD wasn't bought during their holiday sale for 10% off, it would've been harder to justify the diamond improvements.

Overall, very happy and satisfied with the new diamond. Definitely a keeper.


New diamond

IMG_3346 2.jpg

Sparkles a ton under an overhead light

So gorgeous! To me those upgraded aspects are well worth the price difference :)
 

Redwoods-hiker-girl

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
663
Absolutely beautiful! Congratulations on your (upcoming?) engagement.
 

Diamond_Enthusiast

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 28, 2021
Messages
356
The new stone looks great! Very crisp defined arrows and nice fire!

If you have BGD's H&A viewer included with their Black series, you can still try taking a look at the arrows and facets through it even when the diamond is set in the ring. I find this fun but this might just be the diamond geek in me talking.

Worth the extra $1k to me for the improvements and to future proof upgrades.
 

AprilBaby

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
13,234
Stunning! I’m glad you are happy!
 

MrsBlue

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
673
Prongs look great, too!!!
 
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