Which Diamond would you choose?

[kylef14]

Hello everyone. I have been using this forum for the past month to try and learn everything I can to help me choose the best e-ring for my girlfriend. After a ton of research and a ton of stress trying to make all of these decisions I have decided on the following:

Leon Mege Adrianna 811 (Halo Ring similar to HW) - I absolutely love Leon's work and am looking forward to getting a setting from him.

As for the diamond, my girlfriend and I both love antique cushions. This is where I am having trouble. My original goal was to get a nice antique in the following range:

Color: G-I
Clarity: VS2 - SI1
Carat: 1.85 - 2.1
Cut: Best cut I can get, my girlfriend wants it to "light up"

Since each antique cushion is unique, and all of the proportions do not necessarily translate to fire and brilliance, I have having a hard time picking a stone over the internet. Perry, Leon's Diamond Concierge, found me the following:

2.01 I SI1
GIA: Old Mine Brilliant
Dimensions: 7.59 x 7.11 x 4.94
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Good
Table: 47%
Depth: 69.5%

I attached a picture of this stone below. It is a beauty but hard to tell cut and optic performance from a photograph.


The other diamond option is an August Vintage Cushion from GOG. These look absolutely amazing in the videos but there are really no stones at the moment that fit into the parameters and price range I am looking for. And then I found this stone:

2.14ct K VS2 GOG Branded August Vintage Diamond
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7088/

And it looks absolutely amazing in the video, but the K color really scares me. Jonathan is actually sending me the diamond to look at in person, but I am not that great with small diferences. What is everyone's take on K color. Remember that it will be going into a halo ring.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jax172]

Can Leon get you ASET images or idealscope to evaluate his diamond better?

As for the GOG K you really have to look at it. K diamonds can be beautiful but you''ll have to see how you like the warmer color.

If it helps many antique stones are warmer in color than most modern cut stones. I think they are beautiful and give the stone more character.

 

[kylef14]

Thanks for the response. Perry said that he did not have the equipment for the ASET imagery. All he could offer me were pictures. So basically with that diamond I have to rely on Leon and Perry''s experience and reputation to be sure I am getting a good diamond.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you need to wait and see what you think of the K color before you move further.

Here is a link that you might like. This is a 5ct J and I suspect that a smaller K color will show a similar amount of tint. I also think these photos are relatively accurate. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/

I have owned a K color RB, and I can say that you will see tint in the stone. But I think that warmth suits a cushion cut much better than an RB. You personally may love the warmth. If you like it, then ignore the label and go for it!

I would not buy a cushion cut on a static photo alone, in fact I would at the least want to see a video. I thik AVCs are amazing diamonds and would personally buy only that cut if I was looking for a top knotch chunky cushion. Can Perry send you the cushion to view it prior to buying? Also, what lab provided the cert for the diamond Perry is offering?

 

[kylef14]

dreamer,

The stone that Perry found for me is GIA certified and I am sure he would send it to me to look at if I asked. That may be the way to go.

As for the K color, in the end I want my girlfriend to love it and although she gave me a ton of input over the past couple of years as to setting styles and diamond preferences, I never got a preference on color. That is what scares me, because I would hate to get her something that she thought was not white enough.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 5/5/2010 5:52:00 PM
Author: kylef14
dreamer,

The stone that Perry found for me is GIA certified and I am sure he would send it to me to look at if I asked. That may be the way to go.

As for the K color, in the end I want my girlfriend to love it and although she gave me a ton of input over the past couple of years as to setting styles and diamond preferences, I never got a preference on color. That is what scares me, because I would hate to get her something that she thought was not white enough.

The fact that she has not said anything about color leads me to think she does not have a pre-conceived notion about it. See what you think of the K, and perhaps even have Perry''s stone sent to you at the same time so you can compare both color and optical performance. If neither is *just* what you want, then I would hold out for what you really want.

One option if you are nervous is to have the AVC set into a temporary ring for the proposal and let your gf know afterwards that you are happy to trade the diamond in prior to the Mege setting. Not utterly romantic, but practical

 

[CharmyPoo]

I have no doubt that the AVC will be gorgeous but only question is if K will be ok. On the other hand, I think the Leon cushion is also very nice. It''s hard to judge based on a photo but I do feel it is a nice diamond.

 

[MrsBettyBoop]

Tough stuff. I think it''s probably best for you to look at both stones - preferably side by side. FYI, I do find warm chunky cushions very very charming.