Hi guys,
Thanks so much for your help. You are literally the best. I had no idea how much consideration to give diamond buying until I started reading your site. Almost made some extreme blunders.
My budget is about $8,000, and I suppose I’m looking for a diamond that has maximum brilliance/sparkle. The Brain Gavin Black series sounds interesting, but any other recommendations would be very helpful. She’s considering a platinum setting that’s about 1.5 mm.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your passion for your job and all the help you give regular blokes like me.
Best!
Thank you for the kind words.
You seem to focus on the cut (re brilliance) the most, in which case the BGD series is the right choice for you.
Before I go any further, I would like to ask you one question to have all the info I need. What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) is she interested in? A simple solitaire?
Simple solitaire, preferably cathedral style with 4 prongs, tulip. Like this one: Monique Lhuillier Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring
She says she likes dainty jewelry, but wondering if a 6mm stone would look too small. Otherwise, I think a really classy rare sparkly stone might be better.
I found these 2 below, wondering if I should opt for something else (help, I need expert advice!). My budget is again $8,000 or under for the stone.
“The right size” is completely subjective. Some large fingered women have gotten tiny diamonds and been happy, while some readers with tiny fingers considered a 3ct diamond “too small.” There is no norm.
Those two diamonds you found are fantastic. If you like how rare the color and clarity is, it’s the way to go. I like them both.
Because you can’t go wrong with any Brian Gavin diamond, you can also consider getting a slightly bigger diamond with lower color and clarity, but still looking absolutely stunning.
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.901-h-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104083953026?a_aid=y
As for the settings, have you checked the BGD’s website? They might have something similar.
Talked with her yesterday and need a complete regrouping. Sorry team. She really wants a diamond to be 7mm across, or close to it, so I’m guessing that’s 1.25ish carats.
Alas, looks like BGD is out, unless I get this below. But would this look yellow in a platinum setting? I’m assuming the fluorescence helps, but is J too low?
Otherwise, I’m open to James Allen, Blue Nile or anything else. Brilliance now being second to a diamond that’s close to 7mm across, any suggestions? Also, it looks like on James Allen some diamonds have more shine than others, even when they are the same. Is that due to just the digital conversion or is that an actual difference in the diamond?
E.g. www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3312166?a_aid=dmnd1357
vs
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.12-carat-h-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3411541?a_aid=dmnd1357
Also, how do the Ideal cuts compare between BGD vs JA vs Blue Nile etc?
The diamond you found on BGD is perfect. Because of their absolutely perfect cut, the color isn’t noticeable. They even put their J color diamonds into halo setting with no problem at all. Either one of the following options will look incredible in a platinum setting:
BG cut is incomparable to others. Brian Gavin makes sure that every single detail of his diamonds is perfect. There is a reason he’s one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds.
As for the two JA stones you found, JA focuses on the technical side of the diamonds in their photos, not the brilliance. The brilliance is caused by the cut parameters that you can find in the cert. It doesn’t matter that one of the diamonds looks “less sparkly” than the other. That’s not important there.
Thanks!
I’ll be purchasing one of the BG diamonds I’ve found in that range then. Thanks for all your input and help!
It was my pleasure helping you. Let me know what you decide to go with in the end.
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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