The Look of Brian Gavin Signature H&A compared to Infinity H&A

[Lightfoot]

Hi all!

I''ve been reading PS for a little while now, doing some research for an engagement ring (I''m happy to say I feel I''ve finally met that right person to make the commitment with). I''ve found the forums, articles, and tools all so helpful - thank you for fostering a community that is so welcoming, cooperative and educational.

From all the diamonds and rings I''ve seen so far (many from "Show Me The Ring"), I''m pretty sure I want to go with either a Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows or an Infinity Hearts and Arrows (I will probably also consider Good Old Gold as well but for now I''d like to just compare the two). What I''m curious about is if anyone has seen both in person or would even be able to offer information as to how they might differ in their optical characteristics? (For example, I''ve read that some diamonds give smaller, more frequent flashes of light whereas others give bigger, fewer flashes, etc.)

One thing I have wondered about the Infinity diamonds is that their IdealScope image is always pink - I''m assuming this is intentional but I thought blood red was what was desired for an IdealScope image. Would anyone be able to further educate me as to why the Infinity diamonds IdealScope comes out looking pink vs. blood red? (I''m primarily just curious).

If anyone would have any info as to how these two compare optically, that would be greatly appreciated. Or perhaps they are both so similar and it is just the pictures that are making the two look somewhat different to me? The Infinity diamonds always seem to have really beautiful sparkle and fire in the pics I have seen whereas the the BGD seem to be really show off their arrows and excellent cut.

Lastly - a bit of a side question regarding blue flourescence - I know the flourescence is caused by UV light. So will a flourescent diamond give off more blue light in most lighting conditions since most lighting conditions will contain UV light? The reason I ask is because I think I generally like it when a diamond gives off blue sparkle and just wanted to make sure that this was in fact blue flourescence.

Thanks in advance for any help and info and for making Pricescope such a wonderful, welcoming community.

 

[Gypsy]

I think... swingirl has an Infinity and an ACA. And I know that one person a LONG time ago got one diamond for an earring from Wink and the other was an ACA.

I've seen both side by side in real life. But I'm not a round expert. So they were just super shiny beautiful rounds to me.

BUT... John Pollard used to work for WF which carries ACA's (ACA's were developed and handpicked by Brian -- and which Brian now carries under the BGS name) and now works for Infinity. So he would be the BEST person to ask most likely.

They are both really lovely. I'd honestly buy a round from either, depending on who had the stone that fit my needs the best. I have BGS earrings coming soon, and plan on getting an Infinity solitaire pendant in a while (next year and a half or so).

 

[D&T]

didn''t Maisie also have an ACA? and then traded them into for an Infinity? She might be able to answer, but If I''m mistaken I apologize Maisie

 

[Gypsy]

You''re right she did.

Slipped my mind.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/15/2009 2:50:03 PM
Author: Gypsy
You're right she did.

Slipped my mind.

Haven't seen her around this week, maybe she will chime in if she sees this.

With the IS images it is probably a difference in the lighting/ photography set up as to Infinity being more pink than red, both brands are top cut stones and nothing will be lacking in the images. Sometimes all deep red can be a difference in cutting but this isn't normally the case with either brand, this page explains IS and ASET further.

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

I think with fluorescence you would notice more of a bluish glow, blue sparke is more a result of fire, also some diamonds show blue when they are reflecting the colour of the sky. I think either brand would give you the performance you want.

More on fluorescence

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fluor.asp

You can't go wrong with either brand, it is down to preference and who has the diamond which matches your requirements best.

 

[Moh 10]

What''s better a Bently or a Rolls? A Maserati or a Ferrari?

Really, I suspect these are ALL superlative cuts and you could flip a coin.

 

[Lula]

Date: 7/15/2009 2:55:21 PM
Author: Moh 10
What''s better a Bently or a Rolls? A Maserati or a Ferrari?


Really, I suspect these are ALL superlative cuts and you could flip a coin.

LOL! Thanks for today''s "Pricescope chuckle" Moh!

 

[whatmeworry]

I can''t speak for the Brian Gavin signature but I''ll talk about Infinity and Whiteflash A Cut Above.
For me, how the diamond is set seems to have bigger influence on the look than on the particular brand. I''ve purchased both brands and have had (both brands) set in prong and bezel settngs.
Those set in prong settings will be a touch brighter. Those set in the bezel settings seem
to have more noticeable, fluid scintillation but at the cost of being slightly less bright. So I guess what I''m saying is that I can see differences but they don''t seem to be related to the brand
but more related to how the diamond is set. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Currently, I have a ACA (bought when Brian Gavin was at WF) and Infinity. Both were excellent choices and visually stunning. From a performance standpoint, honestly I could not tell them apart.

Infinity has some wonderful policies--lifetime buyback, trade in, insurance for one year, etc. Don't know about BGD and I don't know if any of that makes a difference to you in specific, but is part of the general purchase "mix".

Good luck on your purchase. Either brand is a great choice.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 7/15/2009 2:55:21 PM
Author: Moh 10
What''s better a Bently or a Rolls? A Maserati or a Ferrari?

Really, I suspect these are ALL superlative cuts and you could flip a coin.

YUP! It''s really more a matter of which dealer has what you''re looking for when you happen to be looking for it...

 

[John P]

Date: 7/15/2009 2:39:16 PM
Author: Gypsy

John Pollard used to work for WF which carries ACA's (ACA's were developed and handpicked by Brian -- and which Brian now carries under the BGS name) and now works for Infinity. So he would be the BEST person to ask most likely.

Thanks for asking, Gypsy.

I get to see both nightly since my wife wears one and I wear the other. In cut quality terms they’re comparable - and complimentary - which shouldn’t be surprising given the tight control and goals-in-common of the cutters.

With casual observers my wife and I agree that our finger blingers get equal attention in public (we actually used to keep score). We often get “Oh what a sparkly diamond!” followed by “Oh yours too!” …My wife then tells them what I do for a living, they get excited, and their husbands glare at me.

Another observation I can offer is a testament to Brian and Paul as individuals. These gents are first-class human beings and terrific friends. I’m not saying that because they’re my former and current bosses (really!). I left a teaching career to be part of what they’re creating in the diamond world because I believe in it - the passion is contagious.

I echo that whoever has the diamond that best fits your personal desires is a logical choice. If you have multiple choices, all the better. In terms of beauty you can’t go wrong.

Enjoy the journey and have fun (just don’t have TOO much fun or you might wake up in the business!)

 

[Lightfoot]

John,

Thanks so much for your thoughts - they are much appreciated. It is definitely clear from the PS forums that both Brian and Paul are top-notch people - I definitely have no hesitation buying a diamond from either of them.

whatmeworry - that is really interesting regarding the setting differences. I never would have thought of that but i will definitely pay more attention to that in the future (and probably review some ring pics from the past to see if that would account for any of the differences I thought I was seeing with some diamonds).

Thanks to everyone who offered their thoughts - I definitely realized I couldn''t go wrong with either brand but it was nice to hear about what people thought regarding their optical characteristics. Seems like the consensus is that they would both look pretty similar.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/16/2009 12:40:51 AM
Author: John Pollard

Date: 7/15/2009 2:39:16 PM
Author: Gypsy

John Pollard used to work for WF which carries ACA''s (ACA''s were developed and handpicked by Brian -- and which Brian now carries under the BGS name) and now works for Infinity. So he would be the BEST person to ask most likely.

Thanks for asking, Gypsy.

I get to see both nightly since my wife wears one and I wear the other. In cut quality terms they’re comparable - and complimentary - which shouldn’t be surprising given the tight control and goals-in-common of the cutters.

With casual observers my wife and I agree that our finger blingers get equal attention in public (we actually used to keep score). We often get “Oh what a sparkly diamond!” followed by “Oh yours too!” …My wife then tells them what I do for a living, they get excited, and their husbands glare at me.

Another observation I can offer is a testament to Brian and Paul as individuals. These gents are first-class human beings and terrific friends. I’m not saying that because they’re my former and current bosses (really!). I left a teaching career to be part of what they’re creating in the diamond world because I believe in it - the passion is contagious.

I echo that whoever has the diamond that best fits your personal desires is a logical choice. If you have multiple choices, all the better. In terms of beauty you can’t go wrong.

Enjoy the journey and have fun (just don’t have TOO much fun or you might wake up in the business!)

How to not win friends and influence people...

 

[Dreamer_D]

My first instinct is that they would look basically the same, barring the small differences in optics that you will observe between *any* two super-ideals, regardless of brand. There may be some differences that we can see on the scopes etc., but to the naked eye I doubt it is observable.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 7/16/2009 12:40:51 AM
Author: John Pollard
My wife then tells them what I do for a living, they get excited, and their husbands glare at me.

Ha! Ha! Ha! This is SO true!
When guys follow us into the bathroom and say "Stay away from my wife!" it''s not due to jealousy