Thoughts on this Brian Gavin diamond

[Jules6985]

Hello everyone

I've been learning soooo much on this site and I'm so glad I found it while researching for a diamond. So I'm considering this diamond from Brian Gavin :

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.714-d-si1-round-diamond-ags-104063637006#!prettyPhoto%5Bgallery2%5D/0/

Is this a good price for the stone? I know I don't need a D colored stone but we realized we are pretty sensitive to color when we were ring shopping and thought we should stick to a colorless diamond and this is priced in our budget. I would just like to hear your expert opinions before I take the plunge and order it. Thanks in advance!!

Julia

 

[bunnycat]

Well- It's BG signature stone so it's performance is going to be fabulous. Color sensitivity is a fairly personal thing, so only you can say what you need on that score. Pricewise, I think if you compare the price to other PS vendors who do signature H/A stones, it's probably going to be in the same ballpark.

One question you might consider, is when you were shopping, were all the stones you were looking at graded by reputable labs (GIA or AGS)? ALso, were the stones you looked at all IDeal or Super Ideal cuts? I only ask because well cut diamonds are going to face up better or hide color better than a non well cut stone (especially deep cut stones) and so when you are deciding how you are with color, you may want to be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Otherwise if you were out looking at the malls and were looking at stones graded, say, by EGL and graded F, they might actually be a lower color (like H/I/J) since EGL tends to be lenient in it's color grading and also they most likely were not super ideal cuts, like the BG one you are looking at is.

The bonus would be you could go a little lower in color and save some cash, or go bigger with your budget. For instance here is an H with blue fluorescence that besides being very well cut, is also helping the diamond appear whiter in lighting situations where fluorescence comes in to play. I was looking for an F or G in your size range but this is the closest I found:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.710-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104063639021

 

[Jules6985]

All those stones we looked at were F or G color triple ex Gia. I would be fine with a larger f color stone but my boyfriend loves that it's a D. We chose Brian Gavin since he had excellent reviews and really want a stone that sparkles like crazy. We have looked at numerous stores in Philadelphia and while they all shine in the store were not sure how well they will perform in an everyday setting and even though they sparkled some had really bad hca scores which worried me. We decided we would feel more comfortable buying from bg based on his reputation and he provides all the images. I would love a 2 carat stone from them but the f colored ones are way over budget and only an H color stone is within our budget. When they say its eye clean is that only looking at it face up or from sides too? Thanks

Julia

 

[bunnycat]

All those stones we looked at were F or G color triple ex Gia. I would be fine with a larger f color stone but my boyfriend loves that it's a D. We chose Brian Gavin since he had excellent reviews and really want a stone that sparkles like crazy. We have looked at numerous stores in Philadelphia and while they all shine in the store were not sure how well they will perform in an everyday setting and even though they sparkled some had really bad hca scores which worried me. We decided we would feel more comfortable buying from bg based on his reputation and he provides all the images. I would love a 2 carat stone from them but the f colored ones are way over budget and only an H color stone is within our budget. When they say its eye clean is that only looking at it face up or from sides too? Thanks

Julia

Hi Julia-

I totally understand your perspective. It fits mine as well. The best thing is to call them and put the stone on hold then ask them to go over the stone with you. Tell them what your definition of eyeclean is. You probably will end up talking to Brian. He is very enthusiastic. (The center stone in my avatar is fluorescent and from BG but is an I. I am not nearly as color sensitive as you are!)

You could also always get it in to view before setting or if your CC can take it, get 2 to view and get a lower color one like that H in from the Blue line and see how you feel at your own leisure. You can send them back and have them set the one you keep for you in whatever setting you have chosen. It's a little extra time, but I personally like to see a stone first, in my own lighting before having it set.

 

[aron7awol]

I'd get this BG Blue stone with your budget:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.104-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104063639022

I recently bought a 1.23 I SI1 BG Blue and it amazes everyone who sees it, including the jewelry store employees. I bet you won't notice any color at all face-up and believe me, nobody will be nitpicking that 2.104 I VS2 from a side view either. It's wow factor will be so far off the charts people will just be mesmerized looking at it. I got mine out in the sun this weekend and the faint lavender glow was fantastic. I can't even imagine how ridiculous a 2.1 ct stone would look with the same stats.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Most vendors only judge if a stone is eyeclean from the top, so you have to specifically ask if it is from the sides. BG stones are excellent. I will have to do a quick price search to see how the price compares, though.

 

[Jules6985]

That would be awesome. I have the diamond on hold until tomorrow and it would be fabulous to know I'm not overpaying! Is there really a big difference buying a bgd vs say a ags000? I really want a ring that has lots of fire and brilliance

 

[bunnycat]

That would be awesome. I have the diamond on hold until tomorrow and it would be fabulous to know I'm not overpaying! Is there really a big difference buying a bgd vs say a ags000? I really want a ring that has lots of fire and brilliance

All BG in house stones are AGS 000. Have a look at the AGS lab report for the stone you have on hold.

I looked at GOG and didn't see anything in this carat/color range to comp for. You could try looking throu Whiteflash inventory or James Allen.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamondResults.php?shape=1&optSym=3&inHouse=1&resultsColumns=402669647
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamondResults.php?shape=1&optSym=3&inHouse=1&resultsColumns=402669647
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724962.htm

This is not a boutique branded stone, not cut to H/A symmetry, with no performance information provided, so please take that in to consideration when you look at the price to compare. I also have not run the HCA score on this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.73-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-129076