Choosing carat over cut? Opinions needed

[bluehue3]

Hello diamondheads! I have narrowed my OECs to just 1 from Erica;

1.70 K VS1

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-70ct-loose-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-k-vs1/

But she's just my first vendor I'm browsing through. Now I'm looking at Brian Gavin, and Good old Gold and I've selected a diamond from each and in comparison to the 1.70 K OEC, the others have a much nicer cut but a big lost in the carat department.

Brian Gavin 1.346 K VS1 Hearts and Arrow signature cut
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.346-k-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104062572002#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/3/
A loss of 0.354 carat

GOG 1.26 L VS1 August Vintage round
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9868/
A loss of 0.44 carat

The GOG diamond is 1200 less than Brian Gavin and the 1.70 K which is a big win but its L color and the smallest, however I can put that money towards a really really nice setting.

So my question is, would you go with the 1.70 K or choose one of the other 2 smaller ones with a signature cut?

 

[babs23r]

It really depends on if you want an old european cut, which I just love, or a beautiful brilliant cut.
It would be a good idea to see the oec in person. You may just fall in love with it, so much character.......
Good luck!

 

[ecf8503]

I would get on Good Old Gold's YouTube channel and look at videos of OEC's vs modern RB's. They are all great stones, and a lot of of it comes down to which character you prefer.

The GOG stone has strong blue fluor too!

Can you send for some of them and see what you like in person?

 

[heididdl]

I would also stick with the GOG . The larger 1.70 says Fair cut grade. That scares me as you do want some brillance and fair is not even "good " or ""very good " its fair.

So work with GOG ....but I would pass on the 1.70

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, I have an AVR so I definitely have opinions on those!

But first, you are looking at two very different kinds of stones...round brilliant versus European (antique) cut, and also a true antique stone versus two precision cut stones. I will say that I would not go below J color in a round brilliant cut, so I'd be looking for another example from BG or other PS vendors.

Do you have any idea of what kind of rings your gf likes? Does she like very modern rings or antique style? The decision can be easy if we know what her preferences are. Otherwise, this is a shot in the dark!

 

[bluehue3]

I would get on Good Old Gold's YouTube channel and look at videos of OEC's vs modern RB's. They are all great stones, and a lot of of it comes down to which character you prefer.

The GOG stone has strong blue fluor too!

Can you send for some of them and see what you like in person?

So the stone will appear blue in certain lighting?

What do you mean send for some? As in the vendor will ship the diamond to you for a brief time frame for in-person inspection then return it back? I presume there was a way for people to get a better visual of the diamond they're sinking money into if they choose to purchase online but how does that work? Put down a returnable deposit? Please excuse my ignorance.

 

[bluehue3]

I would also stick with the GOG . The larger 1.70 says Fair cut grade. That scares me as you do want some brillance and fair is not even "good " or ""very good " its fair.

So work with GOG ....but I would pass on the 1.70

But such a big carat difference...
So you would choose cut over carat.

 

[bluehue3]

Okay, I have an AVR so I definitely have opinions on those!

But first, you are looking at two very different kinds of stones...round brilliant versus European (antique) cut, and also a true antique stone versus two precision cut stones. I will say that I would not go below J color in a round brilliant cut, so I'd be looking for another example from BG or other PS vendors.

Do you have any idea of what kind of rings your gf likes? Does she like very modern rings or antique style? The decision can be easy if we know what her preferences are. Otherwise, this is a shot in the dark!

As far as the ring/setting I know she likes modern style not antique but she's a fan of OEC. I know the setting will be of a modern look but the diamond is anything goes. She's like a little kid in a candy shop, if she sees H&A she'll say "Oooo I want that" if she sees AVR she'll say "Oooo I want that too" if she sees OEC she'll say "Oooo I want that also"

 

[tyty333]

The 1.7 would be mine!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If she likes modern, then I recommend getting an ideal cut round brilliant. I prefer I color or higher but would go to J color to get more size if that is important to her. Tint starts being visible to me in J so I would not go below that for a rb for an engagement ring.

Possibilities:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11493/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11808/

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.242-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104067957025

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3060893.htm ($8551 with PS/wire pmt discounts)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045750.htm ($8294 " " )