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Q&A: Choosing a Diamond from Brian Gavin for a Three-Stone Ring With $7.500 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

You guys and your website are awesome! So the proposal is scheduled and it’s time to get serious about an amazing ring. I have been doing a lot of research and have decided I want to buy from JA or BGD, so that I can actually see the diamond before I buy it.

She wants a three stone with trillion or pear side stones like these:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/the-summer-18k-white-gold-5371w18&a_aid=y

www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/14k-white-gold-three-stone-trillion-shaped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-22618?a_aid=dmnd1357 (except with white diamonds on the side as a custom order)

Assuming the settings are around $2000 each and my budget is $7500, that leaves me ~$5500 for the center stone. Her favorite are ovals, but I think they look small in these settings. She likes cushions too, and I think I can get the biggest bang for my buck with a cushion. I am also trying to get the total ct weight over 1.5, so I need a stone that is >1.1 ct. I also think that she will prefer a sacrifice in color/clarity for a bigger stone too. What do you recommend? Will a smaller, better cut cushion diamond look “bigger” than a larger ct one? For instance, a quick search led me to these two:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.080-h-vs2-cushion-diamond-gia-1229392910&a_aid=y

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.30-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-822593?a_aid=dmnd1357

But I am really not sure. Thanks much!

The shape diamond is entirely up tp you. However, I noticed that you focus on the size the most. The two cushions you picked are beautiful, but I found these two ovals that I would like you to take a look at:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-1097264?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1860402?a_aid=dmnd1357

When you look at the measurements, you’ll see that the ovals are actually larger than the cushions.

I’m not saying you have to pick the oval shape, but the size difference might be something you didn’t notice before so I just want to make sure you understand.

Let me know what you think.

Thank you. This is so complicated and every time I think I know what I want to do, I change my mind again. For instance, I really like the round center stones in this setting by Brian Gavin and I think my GF will too. What do you think of this setting with either of these two center stones?

Summer 18kt white gold:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/the-summer-18k-white-gold-5371w18&a_aid=y

Center stones:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.180-k-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104087779011&a_aid=y

www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.240-k-vvs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104087779003&a_aid=y

Brian Gavin is an excellent choice for sure. Their diamonds have more brilliance than a normal EX cut, but I’m not sure if dropping to K is wise here. The diamonds look perfect but I wouldn’t want them to look yellow in your setting. Contact BGD directly and ask them about it. They have the stones in house so they can tell you if it could be a problem or not.

Thanks. I have contacted BGD and will see what they say. The last thing I am torn about is if I should go with BGD or JA on a similar setting that they will customize for me. For instance, this center stone with H-J side stones. Basically, which jeweler can I do better at, for the same amount of money?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1933925?a_aid=dmnd1357

If the side stones were J color as well, then sure. It’s a nice diamond. But you would have to ask for that specifically.

They all look amazing. I like the two last options. They are larger than the first diamond and the price difference is not that big. I noticed that the last option is no longer available. Have you put it on hold?

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What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
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