Double E
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2018
- Messages
- 956
Diamond Help - UK Buyer - Blue Nile vs BGD/WF Super Ideals?
- Thread starter gerryb92
- Start date
I also agree with Whiteflash being a better option with their less restrictive upgrade policy. And being from the UK and starting at 1 carat good chance you want to go up in size down the road with their hassle free policy so something to consider. Whiteflash has their " ACA " brand which is comparable to BGD line.
Hello everyone, thanks for checking back in on this thread! I've made a purchase from Brian Gavin - Signature H&A, 0.9 Carat, G, VVS2.
Purchased it in a platinum 'Six Prong Fishtail Pave' setting after seeing a similar thread on PS. I was a little concerned that the 6 prong setting would overwhelm a smaller diamond at 0.9 Carat, but I've been assured by the team at BGD that the setting would be made to suit.
The decision to go with BGD in the end was pretty easy - they offered what I was looking for, and at the right price. Even with UK VAT and import duty, it's working out a similar price to Blue Nile for a fairly similar diamond and lesser setting (and not H&A guaranteed cut like I was looking for). The 10% off discount on the valentines day sale made this an even easier choice!
They're having some bad weather in Texas at the moment from what I understand, so I anticipate that it should land in the UK maybe 3 weeks from now. The countdown begins!
Purchased it in a platinum 'Six Prong Fishtail Pave' setting after seeing a similar thread on PS. I was a little concerned that the 6 prong setting would overwhelm a smaller diamond at 0.9 Carat, but I've been assured by the team at BGD that the setting would be made to suit.
The decision to go with BGD in the end was pretty easy - they offered what I was looking for, and at the right price. Even with UK VAT and import duty, it's working out a similar price to Blue Nile for a fairly similar diamond and lesser setting (and not H&A guaranteed cut like I was looking for). The 10% off discount on the valentines day sale made this an even easier choice!
They're having some bad weather in Texas at the moment from what I understand, so I anticipate that it should land in the UK maybe 3 weeks from now. The countdown begins!
I really did consider the Whiteflash ACA line as the alternative to BGD, but I know that my SO isn't the type of person to every upgrade it due to the significance of occasion - if she ever wants another diamond we will likely buy again fresh in a new ring rather than upgrade!
In the end in came down to available stock, and at the point of purchase, WF ACA didn't have anything in stock that matched what I was specifically looking for and for the right price. I have no doubt that I'd consider them for any future purchases!
AnastasiaBeaverhausen
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2013
- Messages
- 2,496
Congratulations on your new purchase! Hope these next 3 weeks just fly by.
Thank you! I can already tell it's going to be a slow haha!
M
MillieLou
Guest
Great news! Would love to see photos. Can I ask how it worked with customs etc?
Fairly simple to be honest! It arrived in the UK with Fedex on Friday, and they invoiced me on Monday afternoon via email. It was then released from customs yesterday and arrived this morning. BGD have an account with FedEx so it was all clearly marked with all the information required by customs - it sailed through no problems. I'm still awaiting the final customs invoice so the amount I've paid may be subject to adjustment - but if it stays at the level that I've paid then it was slightly less than expected!
I've certain I've ordered the band too small now though, which is frustrating because I asked BGD to make it smaller than my original order just before it was put into production. I could get it resized in the UK, but I'll most likely send it back to BGD (I know, expensive and you could easily see it as a hassle) but then I'll know it's been done properly. I'll need to look into how I get an exemption from customs next time though so I don't need to pay VAT and duty on it twice. That would be painful!
The glamour shots provided by BGD don't do the ring justice it must be said! It is even more beautiful in person. I was also concerned that the diamond would be too small in a 6 prong setting like this (it's definitely a lot smaller than the typical US PS standard!), and when the glamour shots were sent it did initially look that way to me - but again, in person, it is very elegant.
munchee
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 617
Ionysis
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2015
- Messages
- 1,975
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 5,791
Thank you!
DejaWiz
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2021
- Messages
- 6,427
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2014
- Messages
- 19,684
Tartansparkles
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2017
- Messages
- 987
munchee
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 617
bright&shiny
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- May 11, 2009
- Messages
- 1,259
Lykame
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2018
- Messages
- 1,452
Thanks for the shoutout! Congratulations on your engagement, I'm delighted for you. The ring is absolutely stunning and you must be blown away by the light performance! What are your thoughts on it? Is it what you were expecting? You need to take her to various places with spotlighting... you'll be blown away.
Also, please remember to keep it nice and clean, it doesn't matter how gorgeous a diamond is if it's dirty...
I really enjoyed reading this thread; wish I had seen it originally. I am also from the UK and went through the same struggles as you. By the time I had completed my initial stages of research, I couldn't bear the thought of not getting a super ideal and could not talk myself out of that opinion even if there were other, cheaper options. I had been burnt before with a GIA Triple excellent and just couldn't trust that I would make the right decision if I tried to choose a great diamond from a place like Bluenile myself. I ended up going with Durham Rose and getting a CBI, which I am beyond delighted with even if the setting journey was a bit of a saga. Thankfully their customer service was outstanding so it was all resolved. However, I do wish I had been able to be as brave as you - I would have obtained my ring from America too because there is a particular setting I drool over. Maybe if I ever upgrade I'll go down that route.
As you might be able to guess, I absolutely love the setting you chose! I was greatly inspired by @JrJ's ring in my own setting journey and just think there's something really special about it.
We would never say no to more pictures...!!!
Congratulations again!
Also, please remember to keep it nice and clean, it doesn't matter how gorgeous a diamond is if it's dirty...
I really enjoyed reading this thread; wish I had seen it originally. I am also from the UK and went through the same struggles as you. By the time I had completed my initial stages of research, I couldn't bear the thought of not getting a super ideal and could not talk myself out of that opinion even if there were other, cheaper options. I had been burnt before with a GIA Triple excellent and just couldn't trust that I would make the right decision if I tried to choose a great diamond from a place like Bluenile myself. I ended up going with Durham Rose and getting a CBI, which I am beyond delighted with even if the setting journey was a bit of a saga. Thankfully their customer service was outstanding so it was all resolved. However, I do wish I had been able to be as brave as you - I would have obtained my ring from America too because there is a particular setting I drool over. Maybe if I ever upgrade I'll go down that route.
As you might be able to guess, I absolutely love the setting you chose! I was greatly inspired by @JrJ's ring in my own setting journey and just think there's something really special about it.
We would never say no to more pictures...!!!
Congratulations again!
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
- Messages
- 33,852
Thank you both! I actually done it the week before posting so it was a bit more grey, but at least dry! (That's a bonus in Scotland as you'll know!) Plus, there was a nice breeze - so no midgies either!
Thanks! I made sure that her nails were done before asking, but she actually got them re-done into a more neutral and engagement-friendly colour for the photo aboveCongratulations on your engagement!!! Beautiful ring!!! Glad she did her nail when you popped the question
Beautiful ring!, Congrats!
Thank you folks
The light performance is actually better than I expected, I'm definitely no diamond expert, but I done my research (mostly on this forum!) prior to purchasing the ring and it has blown all my expectations. It is incredible in terms of fire and brilliance in natural sunlight and anywhere with spotlighting as you suggested.
Maybe I got lucky, but purchasing from the USA was an extremely pain-free process for me - I would definitely recommend BGD based on my own experience. Even FedEx and UK Customs were zero hassle. Shipped from Houston and cleared customs for delivery in around one week total!
I will send in some more photos as soon as I get an opportunity, but as I'm finding - it's hard to capture and convey the elegance of jewellery through a camera!
Thank you all once again for your well wishes and advice prior to purchase - very much appreciated
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2012
- Messages
- 12,676
Engagement Ring Trends 2025: Styles Set to Shine
Engagement Ring Trends 2025: Styles Set to Shine - 01/15
300x240.png)