Colorless vs very warm? Super ideal vs XXX? A comparison thread

[lovedogs]

Wanted to start a new thread since I now have 2 stones ordered to compare IRL.

I assume most folks will think this is insane, but I ordered both this D/VS2 CBI:
https://wolfcbi.com/diamonds/173

And this GIA XXX M/VS1 from JA:

0.40 Carat round diamond

This 0.4 carat round diamond M color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Edited to add this pic of the GIA cert for the M.

They are essentially opposites on the color spectrum, which is exactly why I want to see both IRL.

To be honest, I expect in the end I'll choose the CBI. But my love of brownish stones is deep, and if I didn't at least see this choice I'd always doubt myself and wonder "what if?"

For context, I am planning a custom tension set from Bruce boone. I want an entirely round setting, similar to the niessing rings (below). I priced out my favorite niessing with a "cinnamon" diamond, only to realize that 1) they are crazy expensive for the size stone you get, and 2) you cant choose your diamond, which is a dealbreaker for me.


So Bruce agreed to make me an all round setting in titanium instead.

Just an FYI in case anyone wonders wtf I'm planning with the small stone

 

[yssie]

Looking forward to your thoughts when you get them!! This will be an interesting comparison

 

[snowballs mom]

I don't think you are insane at all - my ER is a GIA XXX IF/D set in platinum with loads of pave, and I have a BGD SI/N set in a rose gold rope setting for my right hand. They are totally different, but I love them both.

 

[DejaWiz]

The specs for both look phenomenal.
Looking forward to your thoughts once you get the opportunity to compare them!

 

[lovedogs]

The specs for both look phenomenal.
Looking forward to your thoughts once you get the opportunity to compare them!

The CBI must arrive as soon as tomorrow! Will definitely be a longer wait for JA since its likely not physically at their location. But I'm excited!

 

[chamois]

Wanted to start a new thread since I now have 2 stones ordered to compare IRL.

I assume most folks will think this is insane, but I ordered both this D/VS2 CBI:
https://wolfcbi.com/diamonds/173

And this GIA XXX M/VS1 from JA:

0.40 Carat round diamond

This 0.4 carat round diamond M color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Edited to add this pic of the GIA cert for the M.

They are essentially opposites on the color spectrum, which is exactly why I want to see both IRL.

To be honest, I expect in the end I'll choose the CBI. But my love of brownish stones is deep, and if I didn't at least see this choice I'd always doubt myself and wonder "what if?"

For context, I am planning a custom tension set from Bruce boone. I want an entirely round setting, similar to the niessing rings (below). I priced out my favorite niessing with a "cinnamon" diamond, only to realize that 1) they are crazy expensive for the size stone you get, and 2) you cant choose your diamond, which is a dealbreaker for me.


So Bruce agreed to make me an all round setting in titanium instead.

Just an FYI in case anyone wonders wtf I'm planning with the small stone

Very interested to see what you think when you compare both stones. Love the setting you’ve chosen.

I have been smitten by the CBI .40ct. J!

Excited for you!

 

[lovedogs]

Very interested to see what you think when you compare both stones. Love the setting you’ve chosen.

I have been smitten by the CBI .40ct. J!

Excited for you!

I almost bought the J! But the CBIs are sooooo white in person that I wanted something OBVIOUSLY tinted, and the D had fatter arrows lol

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

I can’t wait! I may or may not have a custom order with CBI in the works as we speak… 5 J CBI’s. I too love warm, AND I love colorless! (I have a D and a J and a W/X). This thread is gonna be super helpful and just plain old fun. Can’t wait!

 

[MamaBee]

@lovedogs I have an M diamond in the exact .40 size! I LOVE a brown undertone compared to yellow. I was surprised how white it looks in person. Of course when I put it next to my F and tilt it the color is warmer…It’s definitely not cinnamon color. I will try to find the pics of
it loose and set if you would like to see it.

 

[Tartansparkles]

While 'we' wait for the diamonds, that setting from Niessing is also to die for.

 

[chamois]

I can’t wait! I may or may not have a custom order with CBI in the works as we speak… 5 J CBI’s. I too love warm, AND I love colorless! (I have a D and a J and a W/X). This thread is gonna be super helpful and just plain old fun. Can’t wait!

Wow, 5 J CBI’s. That would be a sight for sore eyes, any day of the week!!!

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Wow, 5 J CBI’s. That would be a sight for sore eyes, any day of the week!!!

I am practically giddy with excitement!!! I will post a SMTB thread when it’s done

 

[MamaBee]

Ok..Found the .40 M

 

[chamois]

I am practically giddy with excitement!!! I will post a SMTB thread when it’s done

I would be too, and then some!!!

 

[lovedogs]

@lovedogs I have an M diamond in the exact .40 size! I LOVE a brown undertone compared to yellow. I was surprised how white it looks in person. Of course when I put it next to my F and tilt it the color is warmer…It’s definitely not cinnamon color. I will try to find the pics of
it loose and set if you would like to see it.

haha I am nervous mine will be too white IRL. I would only consider keeping it if it's CLEARLY brownish. We will see! Yours is GORGEOUs, but I think not tinted enough for my personal preferences.

I almost ignored cut and got this one because the color is so lovely. But I just couldn't get past the weirdness on the table/arrows.

0.40 Carat round diamond

This 0.4 carat round diamond M color vvs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[MamaBee]

haha I am nervous mine will be too white IRL. I would only consider keeping it if it's CLEARLY brownish. We will see! Yours is GORGEOUs, but I think not tinted enough for my personal preferences.

I almost ignored cut and got this one because the color is so lovely. But I just couldn't get past the weirdness on the table/arrows.

0.40 Carat round diamond

This 0.4 carat round diamond M color vvs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Haha! Now you’re making me want another M!

 

[lovedogs]

While 'we' wait for the diamonds, that setting from Niessing is also to die for.

right??!?! I love it so much and came SO close to buying it. But not being able to choose the stone just doesn't work for my PS brain, and for a .25 stone + setting it's 3500-3800, which is just insanity IMHO (no shade to anyone who buys them because I would if I could afford to spend that $ and potentially be unhappy with the stone). But for significantly less $ I can get a super ideal and custom setting, so I just couldn't justify it.

 

[tyty333]

This will be interesting....lots of pictures and videos, please!

 

[elle_chris]

right??!?! I love it so much and came SO close to buying it. But not being able to choose the stone just doesn't work for my PS brain, and for a .25 stone + setting it's 3500-3800, which is just insanity IMHO (no shade to anyone who buys them because I would if I could afford to spend that $ and potentially be unhappy with the stone). But for significantly less $ I can get a super ideal and custom setting, so I just couldn't justify it.

That Niessing is one of my all time favorite settings. But like you, can't justify the price.
Looking forward to seeing how yours comes out as I have a few stones I think would work in that setting. Can't wait to see the Boone version.

 

[Rfisher]

@lovedogs
What’s the chance of coming out of this with two Boone rings of different metals?

 

[lovedogs]

@lovedogs
What’s the chance of coming out of this with two Boone rings of different metals?

lol I'd like to say zero, since he only works in white metals (titanium and similar metals of the same color), but obviously I'm pretty nutty so who knows

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

+2 on 2-ring solution

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Plopping a comment because I'm all in on the discovery phase

 

[heididdl]

Time for me to comment on your thread. I love love the M color and it will look sensational in the tension setting.
My next project (a long time from now) will be .50 heart shape probably in brown /pink tones for a pendant.
We all can't wait to see how it looks and funny enough my son's name is Bruce so I am intrigued to see your M set.

 

[Fabulous50]

Ok..Found the .40 M

@MamaBee, it looks almost pink in the first photo!! I love it! You are inspiring me!

 

[Fabulous50]

Time for me to comment on your thread. I love love the M color and it will look sensational in the tension setting.
My next project (a long time from now) will be .50 heart shape probably in brown /pink tones for a pendant.
We all can't wait to see how it looks and funny enough my son's name is Bruce so I am intrigued to see your M set.

I am obsessed with heart shapes, @heididdl... I have a heart shaped pendant.
A brown/pink one would be gorgeous!

 

[cflutist]

Nothing wrong with liking both ends of the spectrum. I have a 3-stone RHR with a 2.18 E-VS1 CBI flanked by two .52 F-VS1/2 CBIs.

On the other end I also have a 2.31 Q-VVS2 CBI that I also love. This is the one diamond where I had difficulty deciding so @Wink suggested that he cancel the sale.

Shown below are both rings.

 

[MamaBee]

@MamaBee, it looks almost pink in the first photo!! I love it! You are inspiring me!

@Fabulous50 It does look pink in the photo...but not in real life. The undertone just comes out in photos. If you blow up the pic you will see a little heart! It’s in the pic with the red ring box.. I think my GIA report says very light brown or something like that besides saying it’s an M. If you want me to look I’ll dig it out. I thought my diamond in the video looked like the color of Mercury glass…no yellow…

 

[lovedogs]

CBI will be ready to pick up from FedEx in a few hours!!! I am both excited and nervous (lol)

 

[Fabulous50]

@Fabulous50 It does look pink in the photo...but not in real life. The undertone just comes out in photos. If you blow up the pic you will see a little heart! It’s in the pic with the red ring box.. I think my GIA report says very light brown or something like that besides saying it’s an M. If you want me to look I’ll dig it out. I thought my diamond in the video looked like the color of Mercury glass…no yellow…

Oh yes I see the heart!! So beautiful. And if you dont mind sharing the report, I would love to see it.