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The Final Decision.... your Chance to Weigh in!

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CassiusNZ

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
126
So this is it.. final decision time!

I've come up in budget due to a few solid weeks of work.. and both options are the same price... so please let me know what you'd go with -

Option 1

CBI 1.58 H/VS2 + Setting

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1447

Pros

Shipping - Can ship straight to Galveston when I can pickup from Fedex state tax free
Have seen a HD video of the stone and looks amazing!
I like the CBI Brand
They have the setting I like too
Super Eye Clean... have seen the stone at 40x magnification and inclusions are TINY.. could be a VS1
80% lifetime buyback

Cons

Smaller stone for the money vs BGD

Option 2

Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrow 1.653 H/VS2 + Setting
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.653-h-vs2-round-diamond-885.00-ags-104074992020#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/

Pros

8% off sale for Valentines Day brings this down to same price as CBI stone with discount
Significantly? larger stone (1.653 vs 1.58)
Closer to 1.75ct and in a super ideal will probably look like a 1.75ct on a 4.25 size finger
Super Ideal cut as well.. known in the industry as best of best (as is the CBI stone)

Cons

Havent seen a HD Video of this stone in particular
No Buy Back
Setting is SIMILAR to the Vatche Caroline but not exactly the same.. could also be a positive as its being hand made.. its the Eternal Grace
Shipping from Texas I need to send to Miami.. then get a friend to send from Miami to Galveston.. increasing risk and just annoying


So there we have it.. please weigh in with thoughts and comments... and what you'd go for.. I'm gonna be deciding basically in the next 48hours so please let me know!

Cheers,

Cass
 
30x Views and no opinions? come on guys :)
 
CBI, hands down.

I don't think it's that significant difference in size. I like what cbi stands for though you can't go wrong with either stone.
 
Cass, hang in there! Weekends tend to be a bit slow on PS.

I think there will be a *slight* size difference but I'm not sure it will be significant - here is a comparison to help you visualize -

http://www.diamdb.com/compare/1.58ct-round-7.51x7.55x4.60-vs-1.65ct-round-7.64x7.68x4.74/

I'm leaning towards the CBI - I like the buy back policy and shipping sounds a lot easier lol. And it sounds like you can get the setting you want with CBI. I'm not an expert, this is just my 2 cents, I'm sure others will be along soon to give additional opinions.
 
Personally, I would go for the bigger diamond, always. The BGD is edging beautifully close to 1.75.

You're also getting a big bang for your buck with that nice 8% discount.

There isn't much to choose between CBI and BGD. Both are just about the best cuts available in the world today. Even if there were any difference between them, I don't think it would be a difference you could see with the naked eye.

Remember also that Brian Gavin is a legendary diamond cutter, and - to me, anyway - it would mean something to have a Brian Gavin diamond.

I think the two biggest issues are the setting and the shipping. The shipping does sound like a pain. It could be quite costly to send the diamond from Miami to Galveston, with adequate insurance.

Also, CBI has the setting that you want....but BGD also has lovely high-quality handmade settings. Hmm.

If you really want the Vatche, could you have the BGD diamond sent to Vatche for the setting, and then Vatche would send to you on completion? Would this also solve the shipping issue? If not, you could choose a Vatch vendor elsewhere.

I don't know much about buyback schemes. I'm assuming you wouldn't want to sell the diamond, but if you wanted to upgrade, BGD also has an upgrade policy.

I can see differences of a few points in diamond sizes. To me, I'd much rather have the larger diamond especially with that nice discount, but that's just me.

You should go with the diamond that's singing your name!
 
Posting at the same time, Cassius. I'll look at the new offering and then give my revised opinion, FWIW.
 
Well for the extra $1100 GOG is kinda singing my name.. looking at the AGSL report on that stone and seeing videos.. it looks like a super well cut stone as well. Also Ive had really good interactions with GOG.


Hmmmmmmmm... I am drawn towards the brand name though.

Please let the thoughts and opinions continue!

P.s thanks for the idea of shipping the stone to a vatche dealer for setting.. it is a good one.. the only thing is insurance on the stone while its being worked on.. could be a hassle!
 
Thanks Jambalaya :)
 
CassiusNZ|1422728534|3825035 said:
Just to complicate things - Late curve ball by GOG.. 1.7 H/VS2 and Mounting for $19,100

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-7ct-h-vs2-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html

Super tight proportions.. now significantly BIGGER than 1.58 into the 170's... 75% buyback and great to work with from all accounts.

Let me know!
Click to expand...

1.7, desired specs, acceptable price - go for it.

But what about the Vatche setting that you like? Does GOG have Vatche?

I'd rather have a 1.7 than a 1.58, hands-down. Assuming all other aspects are equal, which they are.
 
junebug17|1422727564|3825031 said:
Cass, hang in there! Weekends tend to be a bit slow on PS.

I think there will be a *slight* size difference but I'm not sure it will be significant - here is a comparison to help you visualize -

http://www.diamdb.com/compare/1.58ct-round-7.51x7.55x4.60-vs-1.65ct-round-7.64x7.68x4.74/

I'm leaning towards the CBI - I like the buy back policy and shipping sounds a lot easier lol. And it sounds like you can get the setting you want with CBI. I'm not an expert, this is just my 2 cents, I'm sure others will be along soon to give additional opinions.
Click to expand...
+1
 
CassiusNZ|1422728949|3825042 said:
Well for the extra $1100 GOG is kinda singing my name.. looking at the AGSL report on that stone and seeing videos.. it looks like a super well cut stone as well. Also Ive had really good interactions with GOG.


Hmmmmmmmm... I am drawn towards the brand name though.

Please let the thoughts and opinions continue!

P.s thanks for the idea of shipping the stone to a vatche dealer for setting.. it is a good one.. the only thing is insurance on the stone while its being worked on.. could be a hassle!
Click to expand...

Yes, the cut looks amazing, with the AGS triple 0 light performance document. I doubt you would see any difference with the naked eye in terms of sparkle if the three were lined up next to each other. All are the best of the best in terms of cut.

About insurance while the diamond is being worked on at Vatche, presumably they are liable for any damage while they work on it. But Vatche is a reputable brand. I don't think there'd be any problem.

All three diamonds look excellent. I think it's just going to come down to how important brand name is to you versus size.
 
Yeh GOG has the Vatche setting.. $19,100 incls the Vatche setting in platinum sized to a 4.25

Winner?
 
I don't want to sway you too much! Only you can decide.

But I think that 1.7 is a nice size.
 
I would close my eye and pick any of these and come out a winner!! :love: :love: You are trying to nitpick the best of the best. At some point it comes down to your preference and brand name. There is not enough size difference visually so if it were me, I would take the cost of the stone + setting + shipping and buy the cheapest option UNLESSS you just want bragging rights of a bigger ct. :naughty: ( I totally understand this!!) In that case I would go with GOG.
 
Thing i like about 1.7 is it would be the forever stone. I toyed around with the idea of a 1.45 H/VS2 for now for about 14k with setting.. then upgrading to a 2.2ct in 2years.. but thats gonna be a further $14k on top of this.. taking it to $28k.. this way its $19k and its done.. with maybe a reset into something more elaborate from VC or LM down the road for another 3-4k.. so probably a better option.

And the shipping is so much easier from NY.. straight to galveston.. no fuss no muss!
 
Seems like you answered your own question........ the way it should be! :appl: :appl: I think it is an awesome stone. I have bought from GOG before and they are wonderful but so is CBI and BGD of course!! Pricescopers are soo spoilt!!
 
Yeah, but according to mm I don't think the GOG is that much bigger than the CBI - GOG is 7.60x7.63, CBI is 7.51x7.55 - I don't think that's a big face up difference :read: . On the other hand, the GOG is slightly bigger, hits the 1.7 mark, and both diamonds are comparable in terms of cut, right? So sounds like GOG would be a good choice.
 
I think your options should be HPD or GOG, since they both have the exact setting you want, and you might as well get exactly what you want!

Initially it seemed that the GOG stone was a better option, but when I looked at both certs, the diameters are essentially the same size.

With that in mind, I would save the $1,500 and go for the HPD option. I believe Wink also gives a nice discount if you buy the setting through him. You might be able to swing the complete ring and a pair of studs for the same price as the complete GOG option.

I would give Wink a call and see what he can do for you. With the lower price and slightly better buy-back policy, I would probably go for the HPD option.
 
Cass - Just curious, what made you change your mind on the stones from last week?
 
To clarify, I think it's between CBI and GOG as well. If the CBI costs less than it might be worth it to go that way.
 
Wow interesting to see that there isnt a huge difference in size in MM's.

bigmikey to answer you question it was a combination of having some solid weeks at work and that I do want the absolute best in cut quality.. I dont wanna second guess if I coulda got something 'better' and from the months of research I've done these are -the best-.

Hmmm now the $1100 extra isnt looking like the best option with such a small size difference... decisions decisions.
 
I'd buy the CBI and take the 15% off a vatche setting, myself.
 
CBI of course. Go look at my SMTB thread if you need validation.
 
Have made an offer on the CBI stone and Vatche setting to Wink and am awaiting his reply.. in the end with the mm difference from 1.58 to 1.7.. its just not big enough to justify the price difference of around $1500+... and I do like the CBI Brand.

Will let you all know the response!
 
CassiusNZ|1422754771|3825279 said:
Have made an offer on the CBI stone and Vatche setting to Wink and am awaiting his reply.. in the end with the mm difference from 1.58 to 1.7.. its just not big enough to justify the price difference of around $1500+... and I do like the CBI Brand.

Will let you all know the response!
Click to expand...
Beautiful stone, good luck!
 
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