shape
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Which diamond would you pick??

GottaDecide

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2021
Messages
6
I'm looking at a Sholdt half bezel setting in Platinum and need some diamond advice. Which would you choose (and why)?

These are from the "virtual inventory" at Brian Gavin:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.270-j-vs2-virtual-selection-round-128419067

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.30-i-vs1-virtual-selection-round-3345242865

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.300-i-vs2-virtual-selection-round-104743368

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.410-j-vs2-virtual-selection-round-118372850


These are from the Brian Gavin Signature collection:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.214-k-vs2-signature-round-ags-104114551014

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.100-j-si1-round-diamond-ags-104075658038

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.218-k-vs2-signature-round-ags-104114551013


Or should I just pick an eye-clean SI1 with I color out of the inventory at James Allen? It seems strange to go to a K color at Brian Gavin when I could do an I color from JA, but then maybe the cut of the BG diamonds is worth it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Also, for those of you who have Sholdt rings or have bought through Brian Gavin, do you have any regrets?? Thanks!!
 

Dancing Fire

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
33,852

GottaDecide

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2021
Messages
6
Do you think the BG J/K color would be noticeable relative to a James Allen color I? The person at BG told me that because of the higher quality cut, a J/K still faces up as white and would actually look brighter/whiter than a lower quality cut color I. I'm wondering if that's true or if they're just trying to sell me on 'their' diamonds.
 

theshirlgirlNS

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 2, 2020
Messages
70
I had an I colored stone from Blue Nile that I traded in for a J colored stone from WF. I think it’s fair to compare WF’s super ideal to BG. My J WF ACA was definitely whiter than the Blue Nile I due to the light performance (my personal opinion).

I personally am happy with J color super ideals - but not everyone would be If they are very color sensitive. The K may be pushing it? Keep in mind the virtual inventory are not BG’s super ideal cut stones, only the 3 you listed as part of their signature collection.

I do have some BG ”black” signature diamonds, and they are beautiful.
 

jewels4life

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
188
I'm looking at a Sholdt half bezel setting in Platinum and need some diamond advice. Which would you choose (and why)?

These are from the "virtual inventory" at Brian Gavin:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.270-j-vs2-virtual-selection-round-128419067

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.30-i-vs1-virtual-selection-round-3345242865

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.300-i-vs2-virtual-selection-round-104743368

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.410-j-vs2-virtual-selection-round-118372850


These are from the Brian Gavin Signature collection:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.214-k-vs2-signature-round-ags-104114551014

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.100-j-si1-round-diamond-ags-104075658038

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.218-k-vs2-signature-round-ags-104114551013


Or should I just pick an eye-clean SI1 with I color out of the inventory at James Allen? It seems strange to go to a K color at Brian Gavin when I could do an I color from JA, but then maybe the cut of the BG diamonds is worth it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Also, for those of you who have Sholdt rings or have bought through Brian Gavin, do you have any regrets?? Thanks!!
My promise ring is from Brian Gavin. Is a vs1 , h and it’s stunning if I say so. 7A9F1C03-469C-41F9-AB07-7056110834D3.jpeg 7A9F1C03-469C-41F9-AB07-7056110834D3.jpeg
 

GottaDecide

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2021
Messages
6
That's a beautiful diamond, @jewels4life. Thanks for the feedback so far. What if I consider jumping up in price (significantly) and considered some other BG Signature diamonds? Would any of these be enough difference to the eye that you think would make the jump in price worthwhile?

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.238-j-vs1-signature-round-ags-104114551018

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.311-j-vs2-signature-round-ags-104110345008

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.232-i-vs2-signature-round-ags-104114551017
 

jewels4life

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
188
That's a beautiful diamond, @jewels4life. Thanks for the feedback so far. What if I consider jumping up in price (significantly) and considered some other BG Signature diamonds? Would any of these be enough difference to the eye that you think would make the jump in price worthwhile?

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.238-j-vs1-signature-round-ags-104114551018

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.311-j-vs2-signature-round-ags-104110345008

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.232-i-vs2-signature-round-ags-104114551017

You’re ok with it showing a bit of color? I’m not that color sensitive, but some are. What’s your biggest priority? Color, clarity or size?
 

GottaDecide

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2021
Messages
6
I think that's the problem - I don't know what the best trade-off is to make in this size range with a platinum or white gold setting and a half bezel. I'm looking for tradeoffs that will get me the most bang for my $$$. I'm hoping others can give me their insights and experience and then I'll make my best guesss. I have been told that cut is most important in how it reflects light. I want eye-clean, but I'm even fine with SI1 that is eye-clean. I had also read that I shouldn't go beyond an I color, but I don't know if having an ideal cut would make going to J or K a reasonable trade-off. I don't know how much difference there is visible to the eye between 1.1 and 1.24 carats, for example, so it's difficult for me to know in this type of setting which things will be most critical. I don't have any jewelry stores with similar settings within a few hours of me that I know of, so I'm doing all through the internet.
 

jewels4life

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
188
I think that's the problem - I don't know what the best trade-off is to make in this size range with a platinum or white gold setting and a half bezel. I'm looking for tradeoffs that will get me the most bang for my $$$. I'm hoping others can give me their insights and experience and then I'll make my best guesss. I have been told that cut is most important in how it reflects light. I want eye-clean, but I'm even fine with SI1 that is eye-clean. I had also read that I shouldn't go beyond an I color, but I don't know if having an ideal cut would make going to J or K a reasonable trade-off. I don't know how much difference there is visible to the eye between 1.1 and 1.24 carats, for example, so it's difficult for me to know in this type of setting which things will be most critical. I don't have any jewelry stores with similar settings within a few hours of me that I know of, so I'm doing all through the internet.
I do think cut is most important. Size won’t matter if it’s not sparkly to you. I do find this site helpful as you can put in all of the Diamond specs and you get a idea of what the size looks like in your hand. Make sure to change it to your ring size . https://www.diamdb.com/diamond/1.1ct-round-6.6x6.62x4.09/
 

ecf8503

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
4,091
Which Sholdt setting are you considering? Some of the half-bezels have open gallery sides, and you would see the side view or pavilion view of the diamond easily, which will show the body color. The half bezel will also had some visual "oomph". I would recommend to stay with the best cut, eye clean stone in a J at the lowest. IMO the K's will show too much body color.

Are you tied to BG? They have a fairly restrictive upgrade policy, so if you ever want to go bigger, it may be too difficult to do. Places like Whiteflash and Wolf CBI have awesome upgrade policies.
 

GottaDecide

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2021
Messages
6
I don't think I will ever upgrade - I'd have to destroy this ring to do so as it's bevel set, so I want to pick wisely. This is the setting I'm planning on: https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/dee-platinum-5964p. I don't need to buy from BG, though I'm currently planning to order the setting through them. I didn't see anything at WF/CBI in my size/cut/price range that looked better, but if you do, please let me know.

I also saw that there are BG Preorder diamonds that might be a reasonable option. Which of these would you pick? I had originally been focusing on I color (as that is what I had read/been told), so I don't know if dropping to a J will be a big difference in this setting vs. going with a smaller I (1.27 vs. 1.16 ct) or whether the SI1 could be problematic (I just want it to look clean and sparkly on my hand).
1627749257127.png
 
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tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,199
I would stick to "I" or higher if possible. A lot of people start to see tint in J and lower. If you were not color sensitive (at all), I would
say its ok to go lower (j-K). Since you're not really sure of your color sensitivity, I would stick to "I" (or a higher color D-H).

*You really should go look at some well-cut stones to see what your color tolerance is since you don't ever plan on upgrading.

So my opinion would be to go with the largest "I" in your price range.
 

GottaDecide

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2021
Messages
6
Last edited:

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,199
Those are both super ideals and either would be lovely!
 
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