Try the L, or just be patient?

[Yimmers]

So, I lost my original e-ring and wedding band. After being depressed, DH agreed that rather than just replace it, we should upgrade it so I don't think of the new ring as "just a replacement." I considered doing an AVC, because I've always been partial to cushions. But then, I saw an OEC K color at Lang's in SF, and was thoroughly enthralled by the flower shaped pattern.

When I contacted GOG, the original diamond I had eyed, a 1.85 J SI2, was already purchased. Using all of the replacement budget, a 2 carat J SI2 was in the budget. So was a 2 carat L VVS2 AVC. However, my husband was very hesitant about a L color diamond. However, having seen a J color, he was fine with it. I was concerned about the inclusion on the 2.1 J SI2, since it was right in the middle of the diamond. Granted, after talking it over with GOG, it wasn't the best SI2, but it was very difficult to see. I decided to just go for it and we went with the J.

Now that I have the ring, the warmer color (I had a F VS1 previously) was fantastic, it has great finger coverage, and it's very fiery...except that in the bright sunlight the following day, I noticed that you can see the inclusion. In all other forms of light, this inclusion is not visible. It's just when the sun is directly shining on the diamond. Cue sad panda, because otherwise it's perfect.

GOG has been great with the process. Unfortunately, there isn't much in stock right now without a significant increase in price, nor is there a rock worth recutting right now. So, I decided to initially wait. However...part of me is curious about the L cushion. And even if I stick with an AVR, I still want a low color AVC (as in O color or lower) to put in a rose gold setting for a right hand ring later on...

I admit, part of this is just my impatience. Should I take a look at an L AVC cushion and see if I'll like the color, or just be good and wait? Yes, a VVS2 is total overkill on clarity. The upside on waiting is that I could use the time to save for when there is a better clarity (but not quite an overkill). I do like the warmth, so I'm not really interested in going any higher in color. The J provides a unique difference from my prior F color MRB.

Enable me or tell me to be good and wait.

 

[ecf8503]

Color is a personal thing. I wanted an AVC as well - I ordered an E color, but the inclusion right under the table was too obvious for me. So I ordered a larger L color - it was a gorgeous stone, so lively and fiery, but the color was too much for me personally. I like stones in the I/J range, but an L was too much. I am very pale, and it seemed the L just blended into my skin tone. So back it went, and I ended up with a G, which is perfect (for now! ).

GOG has a great return policy. There is no harm in having it shipped to you to see if you like it (other than return shipping if you decide not to keep it, I guess). I agree that the clarity is overkill, but beggars can't be choosers, right? Has GOG given you any idea what is coming in the future???

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would be happy with an L AVC in a halo for my right hand. I ordered a couple to look at and they are L and M color. You can see the color contrast with my G color round brilliant (the top round). They are very much like champagne or gingerale.

 

[Yimmers]

GOG is expecting to get some inventory in the next several months. But I didn't ask about what they expected to have come in. I just put myself on a waiting list.

Diamondseeker, did you keep either the L or the M? They both looked lovely.

 

[packrat]

I have an L AVC center and M AVC sides and I love them. If you're intrigued by the color and think it may be something you like, it never hurts to look, right? So long as the shipping costs both ways aren't a pain!

 

[MarionC]

I don't know if my comment will add to the discussion, but there is an amazing 2.43 L/VS2 at Jewels by Grace.
I had two diamonds "borrowed" to try from her and kept the more rustic cut. If I could, I would have gladly kept both stones!
It was "on" in every kind of lighting and one of the prettiest OECs I've seen.
Just a thought.

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I'm not very well versed in vintage diamonds & have been reading quite a bit here about how the older cuts face up a bit whiter than their modern counterparts. I own a J with medium blue fluoro so I thought, maybe I could go as low as an L or M. As luck should have it, I found a jeweler about an hour from where I live that had 2 OEC's, both GIA, 1 a J & the other a K. It was a nice day for a drive so off I went. I also brought my ring to compare with the OEC's. I found out that the J was similar in colour to mine but without fluoro perhaps a fraction more tinted & the K was, again, a bit more tinted than the OEC J. I'm terrible with inclusions but I can see colour changes pretty well. I realized that despite some saying the older cuts face up whiter, in my experience, that was not the case. Now, I do know that the graders are human & perhaps one might have graded the J a K or the K an L on a different day but I was going by what was on the cert in front of me & trying to be as objective as I could. I suggest you take a look at the stones in person if you are going to go a couple or more colour grades off from your original stone colour. I saved myself a lot of disappointment by making sure that for me, I cannot go lower than a J in a modern or old cut.

 

[Yimmers]

Jimmianne, I really like your OEC! The OEC definitely has lots of fire!

CCUheartnurse, that is a very good point. The grading can sometimes vary between stones - high K vs. low K.

I am very tempted at looking at a L, but yes, I am wondering about shipping costs, especially on a bigger diamond. Did anyone find that the cushion showed more color than the round? I have heard that, but I am wondering if it holds true in the AVC's? What if I just looked at a smaller diamond in L color?

 

[MarionC]

Yimmers,

that isn't my OEC. It's at Jewels by Grace : )

all the best with your search!!!