Would you eat the cost to use GOG instead?

[Sparkles22]

Cost that would be eaten: $2000

(trade in value of old setting and stone)

So I am debating on using GOG instead of a B&M for a center stone.

I understand that cost is probably the mark up alone, but I don''t see myself buying that much worth of jewelry (other than a center stone), and wouldn''t know how to go about selling it

.

Everyone is always so happy with GOG.

If you reserve a stone and decide not to get it, do you get the money back?

THANKS!!!

 

[lumpkin]

It would depend on the diamonds at your B&M store. What shape are you looking at? How does the cut quality compare?

I had a trade in, too, and I went back to the company I bought that diamond from. I wasn''t able to get an AGS ideal cut without either spending extra money or getting a much smaller diamond, so I found a diamond with near ideal proportions from the orginal company, but the diamond didn''t have the precision symmetry and polish of the AGS ideal. I''m not at all unhappy with my diamond, and I really do enjoy it very much. If I could have gotten the same size AGS ideal without having to spend a lot more, I would have, but I personally didn''t want to do lose any more size or money because whenever you trade you always take a bath. Maybe not an ice cold bath, but still....

On the other hand, if you are really going to be bothered by not having the creme de la creme ideal, I''d spend the extra money.

 

[Sparkles22]

Date: 2/3/2008 1:50:49 AM
Author: lumpkin
It would depend on the diamonds at your B&M store. What shape are you looking at? How does the cut quality compare?

I had a trade in, too, and I went back to the company I bought that diamond from. I wasn't able to get an AGS ideal cut without either spending extra money or getting a much smaller diamond, so I found a diamond with near ideal proportions from the orginal company, but the diamond didn't have the precision symmetry and polish of the AGS ideal. I'm not at all unhappy with my diamond, and I really do enjoy it very much. If I could have gotten the same size AGS ideal without having to spend a lot more, I would have, but I personally didn't want to do lose any more size or money because whenever you trade you always take a bath. Maybe not an ice cold bath, but still....

On the other hand, if you are really going to be bothered by not having the creme de la creme ideal, I'd spend the extra money.

I am looking at a princess cut stone. I haven't seen any of the B&M stones in person yet. I only know they are "well cut". But the size and length x width they gave be tells me they are deep. They do carry the AGS 0 princesses but didn't have any in stock. I am sure it would be much more in price...

1.5 E VS2 princess from GOG (6.36 x 6.26) ~$11,000
1.6 E VS1 princess from B&M (6.29 x 6.2 ~$14,200 (but have $2000 worth of trade in towards it)

HELP!!! Wish I could bring you guys with me...

 

[lumpkin]

Ideally, you''d need to see them together. Can you get GOG to do a video of their diamond so you can see what it looks like before they send it?

My preference would be for a perfectly square princess cut, sparkle and spread being equal, but sparkle and spread would outweigh the perfectly square preference.

When you''re already spending that much, I''d go with the better diamond, either way, regarless of the $2000 trade in. If you have to put it in a simple tiffany setting for now and save up for the setting later maybe?

 

[Sparkles22]

GOG has a video on it (first one in the video comparing stones), that's why I am REALLY considering using them... I feel like I've "seen it" in person. I actually already have a beautiful setting for it. So again, not sure what to do with the 1400 setting I have that is extra, and the diamond that they wanted to give me 600 for. I would consider getting my mom a beautiful ring or something, then I would feel good about the whole thing... but just wouldn't have the budget for that too right now, since I would have to spend at least 2000 at the B&M plus the diamond cost... it would be tight budget wise.

In the video it looked really square and beautiful. I actually liked the AGS 0 a lot in the video too, but I know those are at a big premium and I think this one is so close, I'd feel like I was getting a really good deal on it, since the AGS 0 comes with the premium price tag also.

I am so overwhelmed

.

Thanks!


ETA: I think it will cost me $300 to have the GOG stone set at the B&M store where I got the setting (which I love)

 

[arjunajane]

I think it will cost me $300 to have the GOG stone set at the B&M store where I got the setting (which I love)

Hi, I''m certainly no professional , but i just wanted to chime in and say $300 seems quite high for setting a stone. I read somewhere else that GOG would set a stone for ~ $100?

 

[Sparkles22]

Date: 2/3/2008 3:50:50 AM
Author: arjunajane
I think it will cost me $300 to have the GOG stone set at the B&M store where I got the setting (which I love)

Hi, I''m certainly no professional , but i just wanted to chime in and say $300 seems quite high for setting a stone. I read somewhere else that GOG would set a stone for ~ $100?

Great thanks!

 

[Sparkles22]

Is this a thin-medium girdle, and if so is that okay (for chip reasons), here is the link again: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3599/

Thanks!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 2/3/2008 2:06:06 AM
Author: Sparkles22

Date: 2/3/2008 1:50:49 AM

Author: lumpkin

It would depend on the diamonds at your B&M store. What shape are you looking at? How does the cut quality compare?

I had a trade in, too, and I went back to the company I bought that diamond from. I wasn''t able to get an AGS ideal cut without either spending extra money or getting a much smaller diamond, so I found a diamond with near ideal proportions from the orginal company, but the diamond didn''t have the precision symmetry and polish of the AGS ideal. I''m not at all unhappy with my diamond, and I really do enjoy it very much. If I could have gotten the same size AGS ideal without having to spend a lot more, I would have, but I personally didn''t want to do lose any more size or money because whenever you trade you always take a bath. Maybe not an ice cold bath, but still....

On the other hand, if you are really going to be bothered by not having the creme de la creme ideal, I''d spend the extra money.

I am looking at a princess cut stone. I haven''t seen any of the B&M stones in person yet. I only know they are ''well cut''. But the size and length x width they gave be tells me they are deep. They do carry the AGS 0 princesses but didn''t have any in stock. I am sure it would be much more in price...

1.5 E VS2 princess from GOG (6.36 x 6.26) ~$11,000
1.6 E VS1 princess from B&M (6.29 x 6.2 ~$14,200 (but have $2000 worth of trade in towards it)

HELP!!! Wish I could bring you guys with me...

You would still be spending more money, even with your trade in, for a less well cut stone? I think the answer is obvious...go with Good Old Gold.

You get to keep your original ring that way, and you could always give it to your daughter or someone who would appreciate it if you don''t want to keep it for yourself.

 

[Kasey3]

Date: 2/3/2008 2:06:06 AM
Author: Sparkles22

Date: 2/3/2008 1:50:49 AM
Author: lumpkin
It would depend on the diamonds at your B&M store. What shape are you looking at? How does the cut quality compare?

I had a trade in, too, and I went back to the company I bought that diamond from. I wasn''t able to get an AGS ideal cut without either spending extra money or getting a much smaller diamond, so I found a diamond with near ideal proportions from the orginal company, but the diamond didn''t have the precision symmetry and polish of the AGS ideal. I''m not at all unhappy with my diamond, and I really do enjoy it very much. If I could have gotten the same size AGS ideal without having to spend a lot more, I would have, but I personally didn''t want to do lose any more size or money because whenever you trade you always take a bath. Maybe not an ice cold bath, but still....

On the other hand, if you are really going to be bothered by not having the creme de la creme ideal, I''d spend the extra money.

I am looking at a princess cut stone. I haven''t seen any of the B&M stones in person yet. I only know they are ''well cut''. But the size and length x width they gave be tells me they are deep. They do carry the AGS 0 princesses but didn''t have any in stock. I am sure it would be much more in price...

1.5 E VS2 princess from GOG (6.36 x 6.26) ~$11,000
1.6 E VS1 princess from B&M (6.29 x 6.2 ~$14,200 (but have $2000 worth of trade in towards it)

HELP!!! Wish I could bring you guys with me...

Even with the $2000 trade, you would still be spending less at GOG for a great diamond. Save the trade in for another occassion! Just my 2Cs

 

[Kasey3]

Date: 2/3/2008 12:10:39 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 2/3/2008 2:06:06 AM
Author: Sparkles22

Date: 2/3/2008 1:50:49 AM

Author: lumpkin

It would depend on the diamonds at your B&M store. What shape are you looking at? How does the cut quality compare?

I had a trade in, too, and I went back to the company I bought that diamond from. I wasn''t able to get an AGS ideal cut without either spending extra money or getting a much smaller diamond, so I found a diamond with near ideal proportions from the orginal company, but the diamond didn''t have the precision symmetry and polish of the AGS ideal. I''m not at all unhappy with my diamond, and I really do enjoy it very much. If I could have gotten the same size AGS ideal without having to spend a lot more, I would have, but I personally didn''t want to do lose any more size or money because whenever you trade you always take a bath. Maybe not an ice cold bath, but still....

On the other hand, if you are really going to be bothered by not having the creme de la creme ideal, I''d spend the extra money.

I am looking at a princess cut stone. I haven''t seen any of the B&M stones in person yet. I only know they are ''well cut''. But the size and length x width they gave be tells me they are deep. They do carry the AGS 0 princesses but didn''t have any in stock. I am sure it would be much more in price...

1.5 E VS2 princess from GOG (6.36 x 6.26) ~$11,000
1.6 E VS1 princess from B&M (6.29 x 6.2 ~$14,200 (but have $2000 worth of trade in towards it)

HELP!!! Wish I could bring you guys with me...

You would still be spending more money, even with your trade in, for a less well cut stone? I think the answer is obvious...go with Good Old Gold.

You get to keep your original ring that way, and you could always give it to your daughter or someone who would appreciate it if you don''t want to keep it for yourself.

Looks like you and I were thinking the same thing at the same time!!!

 

[Sparkles22]

Thanks everyone! I just need a reality check! I am the only one who is into diamonds in the family, so I am in unmarked territory, and I have been trying my best at getting a beautiful stone.

Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d also rather pay GOG to set the stone so that they would have the liability while it is being set. It may be more than $100, but I am quite sure that it would be less than $300. I''d much rather get into their lifetime trade-in policy as opposed to continuing to be subject to the B&M mark-up.

For someone who asked above, thin, medium, and slightly thick are the preferred girdles. It is extremely thin that you want to avoid.

 

[talen316]

Date: 2/3/2008 12:10:41 PM
Author: Kasey3

Date: 2/3/2008 2:06:06 AM
Author: Sparkles22

Date: 2/3/2008 1:50:49 AM
Author: lumpkin
It would depend on the diamonds at your B&M store. What shape are you looking at? How does the cut quality compare?

I had a trade in, too, and I went back to the company I bought that diamond from. I wasn''t able to get an AGS ideal cut without either spending extra money or getting a much smaller diamond, so I found a diamond with near ideal proportions from the orginal company, but the diamond didn''t have the precision symmetry and polish of the AGS ideal. I''m not at all unhappy with my diamond, and I really do enjoy it very much. If I could have gotten the same size AGS ideal without having to spend a lot more, I would have, but I personally didn''t want to do lose any more size or money because whenever you trade you always take a bath. Maybe not an ice cold bath, but still....

On the other hand, if you are really going to be bothered by not having the creme de la creme ideal, I''d spend the extra money.

I am looking at a princess cut stone. I haven''t seen any of the B&M stones in person yet. I only know they are ''well cut''. But the size and length x width they gave be tells me they are deep. They do carry the AGS 0 princesses but didn''t have any in stock. I am sure it would be much more in price...

1.5 E VS2 princess from GOG (6.36 x 6.26) ~$11,000
1.6 E VS1 princess from B&M (6.29 x 6.2 ~$14,200 (but have $2000 worth of trade in towards it)

HELP!!! Wish I could bring you guys with me...

Even with the $2000 trade, you would still be spending less at GOG for a great diamond. Save the trade in for another occassion! Just my 2Cs

I agree. Personally, I wouldn''t let the trade in issue on that setting skew my decision on what diamond to buy or where to buy it from. Get the stone that appeals to you the most that is within your budget and from a vendor that you feel comfortable buying from. Perhaps you can find other means to either sell the setting to recoup some of the cost or as someone else noted, pass it down or otherwise put it aside for use at a future time. Ultimately, you should do what makes the most financial sense for you, but given the budget you''re working with, I don''t think you should walk away with anything less then a top notch stone.

You may also want to factor into the equation the policies of the store you purchase from and how consumer friendly they are. Take a look at the vendor''s return policies as well as any lifetime tradeup and buyback policies and see how they match up with the vendors you''re considering.

Regarding the question about the girdle. The girdle on the stone I just received is comparable and may even be a little more on the thinner side overall than the one you''re considering from GOG. I was initially concerned about that as well, but not only did Jon assure me that it did not present any durability concerns, but the jeweler that is building the setting (and setting the stone) for me reassured me that the girdle was fine (she actually said she loved the girdle on it) and she had previously forewarned me about getting anything too thin. So like DS said, its the EX TN you want to avoid and the girdle on the stone that you''re looking at from GOG is really considered to be in the sweetspot of what you would typically want.

I think the GOG stone is a great stone at a great price and speaking from experience, I think you''ll be very happy with purchasing from GOG should you decide to go that route. IMO, Jon and his staff really do live up to the billing they receive in this forum. Check out the testimonials on GOG''s website as well. There are some pretty nice and extensive writeups. I don''t think folks usually go to that trouble unless they had a truly great experience.

 

[marcy]

If you have your heart set on GOG I would go with them. I think if you spend the money on the upgrade at a B&M you might find reasons to not like it because it wasn''t what you wanted. Maybe you could have your current stone made in to a pendant.

 

[sera]

I would def eat the cost to use GOG. That''s a lot of money to spend, so I would want to spend it on something far above average like what is available at GOG. I wouldn''t want to spend it on something that''s kinda nice or okay... not that''s impossible to get it at a B&M, just a lot harder... and I would just prefer to go with GOG for a purchase that large anyway.

Then, with the $2000 to use at the store, I could always find a little someting and would try to get the best quality available there of whatever I chose.

 

[Sparkles22]

Sad news....

Hubby is absolutely against buying online

He thought the stones we saw today were very pretty. He is not a jewelry or diamond person, so to him it was just crazy. He isn't going to budge.

Oh well

The ones we saw today were nice. I let him help me pick it out and we are going to go with a well cut f vs2 (probably more a vvs2) 1.51 carat 6.3 x 6.3 stone, still very pretty (no cert with it

but definately nice). I will post pictures when I pick it up after it's set. The store also said if it appraises for any less than the purchase price they will give me the difference back. I also have 120 days no questions asked return policy (not that I can convince the hubby, I have to respect the little imput he had on the whole process).

Thanks for all the help, wish I could have used more of the advice I was given.

ETA: I know I should be grateful, afterall hubby has come a long way in his open-mindedness on jewelry and diamonds.

 

[lumpkin]

It still sounds like a great diamond. I'm looking forward to the pictures!


ETA: If it's precise enough to be perfectly square, the symmetry may be very good. There are stones out there with no certs that are really well cut. The cert just provides more expert opinion on what the stone's color and clarity are, and sometimes cut quality. It allows you to make a more educated buying decision. But not all great stones are sent to a lab for a report so hopefully yours is one of the best of those. It sounds lovely!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Congrats on getting a new diamond ... I''m sure it will be lovely.

We''ll be waiting for pics ...
On the upside, since the hubby didn''t go for the online deal this time ... it means that you can slowly work him into it for next time you feel the urge for bling OR ... you can get a little bling pressie for yourself sometime?

 

[Sparkles22]

I was so worried what everyone was going to say when I said it was from a B&M and that it wasn''t certed. I am so glad to have you guys (and girls) out there for a support system.

Under the loop everything looked so beautiful. It was graded a F VS2, by someone with GIA training, just no cert for it. I am more okay with it, now that lumpkin added that some good stones aren''t certed. I also know the sales lady was honest and very helpful (she liked the least expensive one the best also). They were willing to send it off for me, no charge to either GIA or AGS, but I think I will just get it and appraise it. I am hoping that I am actually getting a little bit of a deal, if it got graded by GIA prior to us seeing it, and it was even better than I was told, I am sure that would be reflected in the price. I will definately post pics. I am going to pick it up on Wednesday, but it will be late, so no good sunshots. I will do a photoshoot with it on Sat though. I can''t wait to see it set it will look so different!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Can''t wait to see your pics!!!

 

[Sparkles22]

I just hoping GOG will give me the deposit back I used to put the diamond on hold (biting lip). I think they will, especially if they are the kind of company that everyone on here says they are.