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Who carries the best stones?

Geehamonster

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 9, 2012
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14
About a month ago, I decided that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with my current girlfriend, but this meant that I needed to start research rings and diamonds that I think she might like. As a overly compulsive person, I decided I should probably take a little time to research diamonds, however due to a tight schedule I haven't been able to do as much as I would like.

I found a setting that I know that my girlfriend will love, but it was from a vendor that only does settings and since most say that you should buy the diamond and setting from the same place, I decided to look elsewhere. I emailed one online vendor and they said that it should be no problem to match the setting that I am looking for. This got me to thinking that most online vendors would match the setting and that I should look for the best possible diamond and then pick the vendor that has the best diamond. The setting will range from 3200-4400 and I have a total budget of 12.5-13k.

The setting is a pave halo, antique style ring and I have been looking at a hearts and arrows or vintage round cut. I am looking for >1.15 carats, I color or higher, SI1 or higher and only the best cut. The vendors I have looked at are as follows: Good Old Gold, James Allen, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, Engagement Rings Direct and High Performance Diamonds. So my question is which of the following typically are the most selective with their diamond inventory and which vendors have you had a good experience with?
 
Those are all amazing vendors. Any of them would be able to find you what you want. If you want to make it easier on yourself just stick to AGS0 stones from each vendor.

In terms of custom work for CAD, my personal preference (based on many successful projects) is for BGD. But I would use ERD in a heartbeat. And HPD's bench has been turning out some nice work as well.

If your budget is 4400 though, for the setting. I would get in touch with Steven Kirsch and ask him to give you a quote for the setting. Also ERD has a hand forged bench too... so contact them as well. If I was doing pave (and I have done pave) I would get handforged for it if my budget allowed.
 
I've recently purchased from Troy Lob @ Liberty Diamonds in Irvine, CA. His website is not as extensive as some of the online retailers however he carries and matches pricing for any stone. He seems to carry IMO some of the most beautiful stones. I believe he definitely takes the time to hand pick some of the best of the best of the best. He has all the necessary technology at his facility in Irvine to be able to take photos @ 100x magnification or ASET pictures for you. He made my buying experience much easier by providing extensive information regarding diamonds and diamond qualities.

His knowledge was very honest and service second to none. I highly recommend his services you will not be disappointed.

BTW i will be posting photos soon.
 
Gypsy

If the price of the ring is lowest at ERD, then BGD then HPD, which place would you choose? ERD is about 450 dollars cheaper than BGD which is 90 dollars cheaper than HPD.

The ring is a halo with pave diamonds around the halo, crown and three sides of the ring (sorry don't know the correct terminology). Here is the link.
http://www.bluenile.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_15179

ERD would allow me to spend 9200-9700 on the diamond
BGD 8750-9250
HPD 8660-9160

I dont know how each would produce the ring.

Thanks!
 
Was the ERD quote for hand forged? This design definitely work that we have seen them do, and do well, so if it was going to save me $500 I would go with ERD and put the extra into the stone. =)
 
Christina...|1337821973|3202185 said:
Was the ERD quote for hand forged? This design definitely work that we have seen them do, and do well, so if it was going to save me $500 I would go with ERD and put the extra into the stone. =)

Hi Christina

As someone new at this, what is the benefit of hand forged versus casted? Thanks.
 
ERD has two different benches. They have a CAD and Cast bench. Which means the design is designed on the computer with CAD software, then the computer carves a mold of that exact design, then the metal is poured into the mold, which casts the metal into the shape of the ring. Then the ring is finished by hand and the stones are set. This is the same method BGD uses. HPD is also CAD.

They also have a hand forged bench though. And that is the method of fabrication that Victor Canera, Leon Mege, Steven Kirsch and Micheal Robinson use. There is no computer. There is only metal, tools and literally hand fabrication. They make the shank out of a solid piece of metal, bend it into a circle, cut the halo out of a solid sheet of metal, drill the holes, weld it all together. Then and polish and set the stones.

Both are great methods. One is not empirically better than the other. But some methods are better for some designs.

For pave you can generally get a stronger piece at a more delicate metal width than you can with casting. And that means more delicate (that's the wrong word, it implies weakness, than that's the opposite of what I mean) metal work and a finer gauge stone setting. And since the metal itself is not cast, it is stronger at smaller widths. So with casting and pave you don't want to go less than 2mm on a shank. With hand forging you can go a little smaller, like 1.8 and still be safe (although I recommend 2mm no matter what for an engagement ring). There are other differences.

But since hand forging requires a very highly skilled craftsman and a lot more of that craftsman's time than a CAD and CAST setting the prices are much more expensive for those settings.

I would call Steven Kirsch at and ask him for a quote though, cause if you can get it done by him, among the vendors you have for most delicate pave I would personally chose him.

But it also depends on the exact design you want, so link me to a picture of the setting you are thinking about... cause there is more than one way to skin this beast, and there are some designs that I would just recommend finding a vendor who does stock work in that style over custom period.
 
My gf ring size is a 7.5 therefore I'm not sure the ring needs to be too thin.
 
I would go to SK for a round halo setting. For a RB, I would go with WF but I would actually try second hand first (check out the one for sale right now). But... for me, I would actually start with ebay for an oec. In the recent years, I have discovered that second hand diamonds are the way to go. I still feel a bit "ripped off" on all the retail priced diamonds I have purchased because brand new means nothing to me (and we don't really even know if they are brand new).

I should add that I would also happily use ERD. They have great prices and do good work. I think they are the best CAD/CAST shop on here and as of late .. their hand forged pieces look awesome too. For a modern RB, give them the specs you are looking for and ask them to find something within in. ERD also has a knick for finding pretty antique stones.

I would also give Perry Chen / Leon Mege a chance.
 
CharmyPoo|1337826307|3202242 said:
I would go to SK for a round halo setting. For a RB, I would go with WF but I would actually try second hand first (check out the one for sale right now). But... for me, I would actually start with ebay for an oec. In the recent years, I have discovered that second hand diamonds are the way to go. I still feel a bit "ripped off" on all the retail priced diamonds I have purchased because brand new means nothing to me (and we don't really even know if they are brand new).

I should add that I would also happily use ERD. They have great prices and do good work. I think they are the best CAD/CAST shop on here and as of late .. their hand forged pieces look awesome too. For a modern RB, give them the specs you are looking for and ask them to find something within in. ERD also has a knick for finding pretty antique stones.

I would also give Perry Chen / Leon Mege a chance.

When you say the one on sale now what do you mean?

Thank you everyone for your in sight
 
ID Jewelry also has competitive prices for diamonds. If I recall correctly, Leon Mege and Steven Kirsch are in the same building. ERD is across/diagonal the street.

My experience with Pricescope vendors, in no particular order:
ID Jewelry are like great, fun, and like family! :cheeky: Most of the time, they are the lowest price when I go for quotes.

BGD - Denise is smashing! Awesome customer service. The signature diamonds are just so... poPOW! My mom scooped up 3 "e-rings" before the price hikes got out of control, and they are distracting in a good way. Let's just say, during my engagement dinner at the in-laws house, her rock was catching the dining room lighting and blinding us in the living room with its flashes

ERD - CLASS ACT! they made my e-ring halo. It's a CAD and Cast. I love communicating with them by e-mail - Chris always seems to sway me with his persuasive, warm, and always professional communications!

Whiteflash - I have spoken with them before, but never worked with them on a project. Nice, professional.

You can always get the diamond from one vendor and use a different vendor for the setting. Sometimes it's all about the "chemsitry" when you have to choose among great vendors like these who have great quality products and services.
 
If you could get a hand forged version of the setting for $700 more, do you think it is worth it? Also are the other designers that people have mentioned (Steven, Leon, etc) really worth the extra premium? I am seeing a 175% increase in total cost of the setting. (I know Gypsy thinks so, since it is art after all)
 
I personally think so especially for a pave filled halo.
 
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