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My diamond search began with Bluenile (my steady merchant) and brought me to your site. It’s been extremely informative. Awesome site!
I’ve been lurking around James Allen (True Heart Cut with AGS cert) and Brian Gavin (his Signature Line) in search of that “perfect for my soon to be wife” princess cut diamond in either 14K white gold or platinum pave setting. Looks like both companies’ pave stones are g/f quality.
I understand that I should keep the center stone within one grade, but Brian Gavin rep informed me that I color center stone in their pave setting will be just fine. I’m considering between 1.2-1.5 carat stone. Can I go low as I in color or stick with at least H??? Thanks!
Yes you can. BGD diamonds are spectacularly cut and there is a lot of leeway. I regularly recommend HIJ with them and never had a complaint.
Thanks! Hoping to get some additional advice. Looking at few diamonds between James Allen and Brian Gavin. Which one would you recommend:
Brian Gavin:
1. https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.556-i-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104071984012#a_aid
2. https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.206-g-vs1-princess-diamond-ags-104076314004#a_aid
3. https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.206-g-vs1-princess-diamond-ags-104076314004#a_aid
Any of three would be in this setting:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/legera-pave-platinum-5861p#a_aid
James Allen:
1. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-355776?a_aid=dmnd1357
2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.25-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-464600?a_aid=dmnd1357
Any of two would be in this setting:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2018?a_aid=dmnd1357
Princess cut with AGS certification and very thin paved setting is what I’m looking for. I’m definitely open to your suggestions if you have others in mind.
Maybe I’m imagining things, but Brian Gavin diamonds look much better to me at least on computer screen and on certificates. James Allen (assuming I can use I color stone) seem to be the better value, especially the settings. I also love the James Allen’s lifetime guarantee and service.
Would you chime on “real life” difference of these stones that have AGS000 certification?
Thank you!!!
…
Oops, here’s the 3rd stone from Brian Gavin
Being honest, no one beats Brian Gavin when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. Brian knows more about those than I do.
If you can fit the 1.50 in your budget, its a winner. I wouldn’t worry about the color at all.
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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