Which would you choose?

[dsmdylan]

Hi everyone! I'm new here obviously, so a little background about myself. I'm one of those guys that has to research something to death for every little decision I make, so you can imagine a big decision like this! I'm also very picky and very much "quality over quantity." I've been researching my girlfriend for 5 years and I guess I'm ready to make my choice

We shopped around a while back and she really liked an oval diamond on a solitaire setting, around .75 carat. I've been looking around and learning about diamonds and rings and was then I found BGD and consequently, PriceScope. Maybe it's just the photography but BGD's settings blew me away. I haven't been impressed with anything other than Tiffany up until now. So, I've decided on BGD. Got the setting figured out, just need to pick a diamond. Bearing in mind my budget and the fact that her fingers are tiny - haven't been able to get a perfect measurement yet but based on a piece of string, she's a 4-4.5 - here are the 3 I've come up with. Opinions?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond_comparisions/compared_diamond_details?id=ga4kvohru9l965gqdc90mlh1h5#.U2qujPldV8F

 

[tyty333]

BGD is not really a great place to seach for ovals. You cant buy them by the numbers. You need images.

You an buy from JA and send to BDG to have it placed in a setting. Here are some pretty ovals at JA.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/?CaratFrom=0.65&CaratTo=10.00&Color=H,F,E,D,G&Clarity=VS2,VS1&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=2990&Sort=Carat%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&DiamondID=296730,285331,22622,294148

 

[dsmdylan]

I appreciate that and I'll definitely look there. Why do you say you need a picture?

What I'm really trying to do here is compare/contrast the subtle pros and cons between these particular 3 to see what the experts hold more important. I'm not necessarily set on one of these 3.

 

[Gypsy]

What is your budget for the stone only? Please say 4500. Cause I've got a gorgeous stone for you if that's your budget.

 

[dsmdylan]

Really looking to stay under $3000

Check out this one I somehow overlooked on BGD, though:

Type Virtual Inventory
Product ID: 169977DI
Shape: Oval
Report: GIA
Carat: 0.700
Color: G
Clarity: IF
Measurements: 7.21 x 5.09 x 2.94
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Table %: 62.0
Depth %: 57.8
Crown %: 0.0
Crown Angle: -
Pav Angle: -
Pavillion %: -
Fluorescence: Medium
Girdle: -

Nice dimensions for only 0.7, yeah? What do you think?

 

[Gypsy]

If you want to use BGD. Call them up, and ask Brian to find you one. He's got a great eye. He'll find it for you and send you images and an ASET. But you can't buy one from the virtual listings.

Ovals can't be bought by the numbers. Those ovals could be dogs, or they could be great.

And you don't want a dog.

So pick up the phone and tell them that they want the nicest brightest oval H color or better, eyeclean, and under 3000 dollars that they can find for you. Tell them that you leave the rest of the details up to them, but that you would prefer no or very small, well blending bow tie.

TELL THEM ALL OF THAT.

And then they will get you a stone worth spending your money on.

 

[Gypsy]

If you are open to another vendor in the meantime,

These two have promise and if you get ASETs of them they may be decent choices:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.70-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-20831
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.73-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-22622

 

[dsmdylan]

OK Denise will be sending me an email later today with a few of their best finds. Thanks for the guidance!

 

[dsmdylan]

Here's the GIA report from the stone the gemologist picked out. Can't wait to get pictures and ASET once they have it in!

 

[Gypsy]

Nice so far with great spread. Can't wait to see the ASET.

 

[dsmdylan]

Here we go. Thoughts?

 

[Gypsy]

It's got a lot of red which is good as the stone will be bright. But it does have a clear bowtie.

You can look up "oval bowtie" in the search here.

It's not a very big one though. So it's up to you. If the bowtie is ok with you, the stone is lovely. If it's not okay, ask them to keep searching for a stone with great performance but no bowtie.

 

[dsmdylan]

It was a torturous wait but here it is

Pictures aren't as good as I've seen from their others but I'll take some when I have it in hand tomorrow.