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Hi there! Firstly thanks for all the great advice on the website… So helpful!
I’m currently shopping for an engagement ring, with a budget of around £6000 ($7700). Based on your advice I think I’ve narrowed it down to two rings, just wondered if you’d be able to check them over for me? My main priority is sparkle, probably followed by weight. I’m happy to go down the scale on clarity but slightly worried about the diamond being “eye clean” if buying online so have tended to stick to VS2 or above.
For the ring I’d like a simple, elegant, petite pave. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on the ones I’ve chosen.
Two rings/diamonds are:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/gaia-platinum-5983p?a_aid=y
Many thanks in advance!
As much as we love JA, we don’t really pay attention to their True Hearts. We don’t find them consistently more brilliant than our own selection.
If you wish for an extraordinary brilliance then I suggest Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows. That’s exactly what they focus on and you can be sure that you’ll receive the best of diamonds. Not only do these conform to the strictest of cut parameters, but Brian himself selects them for optimal brilliance. Brian Gavin is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. If you want to spend extra on their cut, it’s a great way to go.
I’m afraid that the inclusion on the one you found might be eye-noticeable. But I found this option for you:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.908-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-104089832012?a_aid=y
What do you think?
Thank you so much for your help. The option you picked looks great – but does seem (from the photos at least) to have more of a yellow-ish tint to it. Presumably this is because of the drop from H to I? Do you think this would be noticeable when on the ring?
Thanks!
I’m happy to hear that you like my suggestion.
Color is very difficult to distinguish on a screen as the photo can distort it a bit. An I color diamond is going to look colorless in a pave style setting. There’s no need to worry about it, especially with a stone from BGD.
Thanks.
What do you think of this one I found?
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.910-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104091064008?a_aid=y
Is still within budget and I feel more comfortable with H, VS2 (even though I’m sure you’re right and the difference would be slight).
I personally don’t see the reason for you to pay extra without getting any additional benefit. Both diamonds will look colorless, eye-clean and almost the same size.
I’d rather use their 30 day return policy. At the same time, if you feel more comfortable with this diamond and you don’t mind spending the extra buck, this diamond is beautiful, so I’d say go for it.
Thanks, I think you’ve convinced me!
My only last remaining small concern with the I-SI1 is the HCA score comes out at 0.8 – I’ve read that between 1 and 2 is ideal. I realise that I’m probably being overly pedantic as the diamond looks incredibly sparkly from the images, but any chance you could put my mind at rest?
Thanks again!
HCA is a fantastic tool, but we don’t recommend focusing on it too much. 0.8 score is absolutely fantastic and there’s no need to worry about it.
I’d like to send you this article Mike wrote. He describes cuts, H&A and also shares his experience with diamonds from Brian Gavin. I hope it puts your mind in ease:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/hearts-and-arrows/
Just wanted to let you know that I went ahead and ordered the diamond you recommended to me :-).
Thank you very much for your invaluable help.
I used this email to place the order – please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me in order to ensure you get your well earned affiliation fee.
Thanks again!
That’s fantastic news! Thank you for the confirmation of the email address.
And please let me know how you like the stone once it arrives.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
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
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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