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Good afternoon,
I would like to know if one of your diamond experts would mind reviewing the following Brian Gavin H&A Cushion diamond I have selected and sharing your thoughts and/or any advice.
My diamond search specifications are as follows:
Shape: Cushion
Cut: AGS Ideal
Color: F or better
Clarity: VS2 or better
Carat: 1.0
Length to Width Ratio: 1:1
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Flourescence: Negligible
Table: 59-66%
Depth: 53-63%
Girdle: Thin to Thick
Price: <$8,000
It’s a great diamond and the inclusions seem to be too small to be visible. I agree with BGD. Looking at your list of requirements, there are two things I would like to ask about.
1) If you change the color to H+, you’d still get a colorless diamond to the naked eye and you could get a larger diamond for a bit less money. And that brings me to question number two.
2) Is it important that the diamond is 1.00ct – 1.05ct? I found a diamond that is 1.157ct and looks incredible: www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.157-h-vs1-cushion-diamond-ags-c-104104700007?a_aid=y
Also, here is an alternative to the diamond you found: www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.012-f-vs2-cushion-diamond-ags-c-104105165005?a_aid=y
It’s an F/VS2 as well, equally beautiful and for slightly less.
To answer your question:
1. regarding color. I would consider a slightly lesser grade color as you’ve proposed, but only if a diamond of this size and shape appears to have the exact same color grade (under normal lighting) as an F or better.
2. Fortunately/unfortunately, my (hopefully) to be fiancé has expressed her interest in smaller sized stones. I would rather sacrifice having a smaller stone with better qualities than a slightly larger stone with lesser qualities (e.g., 1 carat F > 1.1 carat H), even if its going to cost me.
Assuming that I desire a diamond of the Hearts and Arrows cut, Cushion shape, ~1.0 carat, F or better color, VS2 clarity or better, etc. and my price limit is $8,000, do you strongly believe that my initial selected diamond is a good choice? Or do you think that I should be patient and wait for other diamonds to become available?
I do believe that it’s eye-clean. And from my experience, when people fromBGD say the inclusions won’t be noticeable, it’s true. Plus, they have all the stones in house, so they can take a look at them anytime and make sure it’s as they say.
However, I like the other F VS2 I sent you more as it doesn’t have any inclusions on the table. Did you look at that one?
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.012-f-vs2-cushion-diamond-ags-c-104105165005?a_aid=y
The inclusions of the diamond in which you have provided me are certainly more comforting than of the diamond’s inclusions which I sent to you.
There are 2 quick concerns I have regarding differences between the 2 diamonds I would like for you to please address:
1. The girdle of the diamond you proposed is Thin to Very Thick. Can you please explain how the difference between Thin to Slightly Thick and Thin to Very Thick will affect the diamonds appearance, durability, etc. Is this a major difference? Or is this difference so subtle that I would never know a difference exists unless told otherwise?
2. How will the difference in Table % between 52.8 and 56.9 affect the quality of the diamonds appearance? Is this also a major difference? Or is this difference so subtle that I would never know a difference exists unless told otherwise?
The difference in girdles doesn’t affect much. If the girdle was extremely thick all around, it could affect the actual size (more weight would be around the girdle = deeper diamond).
As for the table %, 56.9% is obviously slightly larger than 52.3%, so visually, on first glance, the 1.011ct will appear a tad bigger. Would you notice it? That’s hard to tell.
Other than that, they are very much alike.
I am planning to go with the diamond you selected (1.012 carat, F, VS2).
I am willing to accept the diamond’s 4% less table % and thicker girdle, for the $500 savings in price and an overall cleaner lab report.
Lastly, any thoughts/recommendations/advice on rings to pair the diamond with? My girlfriend loves simple things and is not a fan of very complex/unique designs. I was steering towards matching this diamond with one of BG’s solitaire rings, preferably one of the thinnest ones they offer (1.9mm) in platinum.
That sounds amazing. I like solitaire settings the most as well. They make the center stone pop up. And if it’s a thin band, it helps the diamond look larger. It’s always a good idea to let the main stone to be the center of attention. And if that’s her favorite style, go for it.
Thank you very much for all your help!
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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
- 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)
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