Need advice choosing between Whiteflash and Gavin loose diamond for engagement ring.

[Kotleta]

Budget is $5000 ish for diamond. Already have setting (rose gold.) Am looking for the best quality and have been doing my research!

These two from Gavin are in my budget:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/0.808-g-vvs2-signature-round-bkags-104113602004

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/0.811-h-vvs2-signature-round-ags-104114799002

And the two "A Cut Above":

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4358233.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4337904.htm

Living in the rainy PNW I unfortunately cannot see these stones in person. Looking at the ASET the Gavin stones look a tad better, but there is a premium for it. Will I be able to see the difference in person? My main concern over the course of my shopping is the fact that many of the inclusions are un-aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and that the Whiteflash stones seem to have a touch more of them on the face than Gavins. First time getting engaged and want some extra opinions.



Any advice and comments will be greatly appreciated!

 

[molecule]

Could you provide some more details about the setting? I would start by assessing what sizes would fit the setting the best and then deciding on a diameter range.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Budget is $5000 ish for diamond. Already have setting (rose gold.) Am looking for the best quality and have been doing my research!

These two from Gavin are in my budget:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/0.808-g-vvs2-signature-round-bkags-104113602004

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/0.811-h-vvs2-signature-round-ags-104114799002

And the two "A Cut Above":

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4358233.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4337904.htm

Living in the rainy PNW I unfortunately cannot see these stones in person. Looking at the ASET the Gavin stones look a tad better, but there is a premium for it. Will I be able to see the difference in person? My main concern over the course of my shopping is the fact that many of the inclusions are un-aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and that the Whiteflash stones seem to have a touch more of them on the face than Gavins. First time getting engaged and want some extra opinions.



Any advice and comments will be greatly appreciated!

The Gavin diamonds are VVS2 clarity while the WF Diamonds are VS2. That makes a difference in price and of course in number of inclusions. You also have listed G, H and I color diamonds. What are your parameters for color and clarity?

 

[Kotleta]

Could you provide some more details about the setting? I would start by assessing what sizes would fit the setting the best and then deciding on a diameter range.

Yes.

 

[Kotleta]

The Gavin diamonds are VVS2 clarity while the WF Diamonds are VS2. That makes a difference in price and of course in number of inclusions. You also have listed G, H and I color diamonds. What are your parameters for color and clarity?

First time buying diamonds. It is my understanding that I can get away with G-H-I due to the rose gold setting I have purchased. I am even ok with a SI1 as long as the occlusions are pleasing to the eye. Limiting factor is budget (college is expensive) and I am trying my best to find a beautiful stone. Sure I’d like a 1.00 but those are $6000+.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Following because I am curious as to what everyone has says!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Diamond | 0.901 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4337904

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.901 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4337904

www.whiteflash.com

See what you think about this one - how does it look to you?

 

[Kotleta]

Diamond | 0.901 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4337904

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.901 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4337904

www.whiteflash.com

See what you think about this one - how does it look to you?

I did look at that one as well. Looks like a great stone. But again, how does it compare to the equally prices yet smaller diameter Gavin Black stone? And does its properties make it stand out over the ones I posted?

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

How about this one?

0.903 G VS1 Brian Gavin Blue (6.22 - 6.19 x 3.81mm) - $5,603 bank wire price
- of the range you are considering, it has higher color, middle clarity, on the larger side
- has medium blue fluorescence but Brian Gavin Blue range is checked to ensure no negative impact from fluor

0.903 G VS1 Brian Gavin Blue

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.903 carat G VS1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Blue Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

 

[WDWDiamond]

All of the diamonds you are looking at (BGD & WF) are super ideals, which means they are specifically cut with precision to maximize light performance. To pick one over the other for cut quality is essentially splitting hairs. Therefore, I would start to narrow down what is the next most important. Size, color or clarity. Also, if you ever want to upgrade the diamond in the future that should be taken into consideration as each company has a different policy.

 

[Kotleta]

All of the diamonds you are looking at (BGD & WF) are super ideals, which means they are specifically cut with precision to maximize light performance. To pick one over the other for cut quality is essentially splitting hairs. Therefore, I would start to narrow down what is the next most important. Size, color or clarity. Also, if you ever want to upgrade the diamond in the future that should be taken into consideration as each company has a different policy.

Order of importance: Size (want the setting to fill out and pop), Clarity (needs to be visually pleasing), then color (my eyes can barely tell the difference between G-H-I, her mileage may vary.)

How about this one?

0.903 G VS1 Brian Gavin Blue (6.22 - 6.19 x 3.81mm) - $5,603 bank wire price
- of the range you are considering, it has higher color, middle clarity, on the larger side
- has medium blue fluorescence but Brian Gavin Blue range is checked to ensure no negative impact from fluor

0.903 G VS1 Brian Gavin Blue

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.903 carat G VS1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Blue Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Unfortunately a little to much on the +$ side for me. I can probably muster $5500. Do not plan to sell diamond but flour is probably not something I want to invest in.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I did look at that one as well. Looks like a great stone. But again, how does it compare to the equally prices yet smaller diameter Gavin Black stone? And does its properties make it stand out over the ones I posted?

No both companies sell super ideal cut diamonds that are top performers. You just need to decide between size, color and clarity. I would also encourage you to look at both companies upgrade policies; there are significant differences there. WF makes it much easier to upgrade than does Gavin.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

If I had your budget, I would buy one of these two. If there's the slightest chance you may upgrade (there is, even if you don't think so now), I'd go with Whiteflash due to their less restrictive upgrade program.

0.822 F VS1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.822 carat F VS1 super ideal cut Black By Brian Gavin Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Diamond | 0.860 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4361922

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.860 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4361922

www.whiteflash.com

 

[diamondseeker2006]

First, since you have already bought a setting, it is made for a specific size stone to fit it. We'd need to know that size before recommending any stones.

I have dealt with WF for years so they are always my first choice. But I'll give an opinion about which stones I like best once I know the answer to the setting question. It's very important to buy the right size diamond.

 

[DejaWiz]

This one:

Diamond | 0.847 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4358233

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.847 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4358233

www.whiteflash.com

* G color
* Less cost than the other G and I diamonds
* 6.1mm spread
* Cheaper than most of the others, even some that are a worse color grade than this one

As already mentioned, WF has a bit better upgrade policy with more lenient criteria than GDB.

PS - they're all awesome diamonds.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

How about this one?

0.903 G VS1 Brian Gavin Blue (6.22 - 6.19 x 3.81mm) - $5,603 bank wire price
- of the range you are considering, it has higher color, middle clarity, on the larger side
- has medium blue fluorescence but Brian Gavin Blue range is checked to ensure no negative impact from fluor

0.903 G VS1 Brian Gavin Blue

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.903 carat G VS1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Blue Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

This is a sweet one.

IMHO Hs look great in rose gold. I am prejudiced against Is and Js — some people like them.

 

[Kotleta]

If I had your budget, I would buy one of these two. If there's the slightest chance you may upgrade (there is, even if you don't think so now), I'd go with Whiteflash due to their less restrictive upgrade program.

0.822 F VS1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.822 carat F VS1 super ideal cut Black By Brian Gavin Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Diamond | 0.860 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4361922

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.860 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4361922

www.whiteflash.com

She said she would rather buy a new one than sell the one we engage with. Only thing she knows is that the setting is rose gold but its similar to the ones shes sent me so I'm pretty sure she will like it!

First, since you have already bought a setting, it is made for a specific size stone to fit it. We'd need to know that size before recommending any stones.

I have dealt with WF for years so they are always my first choice. But I'll give an opinion about which stones I like best once I know the answer to the setting question. It's very important to buy the right size diamond.

I believe they said 0.75-1.25 setting? Might be wrong. They placed a loose 0.8 and a 1.01 on it (this was before I knew anything about stones) and definitely liked the larger stone; however I am now sure that he chose the largest 1.01 cut stone he had in inventory with probably the largest price tag ($6999?) That is why next priority is size.

This one:

Diamond | 0.847 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4358233

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.847 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4358233

www.whiteflash.com

* G color
* Less cost than the other G and I diamonds
* 6.1mm spread
* Cheaper than most of the others, even some that are a worse color grade than this one

As already mentioned, WF has a bit better upgrade policy with more lenient criteria than GDB.

PS - they're all awesome diamonds.

Good looking stone and good price, but will I be able to notice the occlusions on the upper left side? Or has all of this shopping and zoomed in photographs jaded my perceptions lol

This is a sweet one.

IMHO Hs look great in rose gold. I am prejudiced against Is and Js — some people like them.

A little out of my budget unfortunately.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

She said she would rather buy a new one than sell the one we engage with. Only thing she knows is that the setting is rose gold but its similar to the ones shes sent me so I'm pretty sure she will like it!


I believe they said 0.75-1.25 setting? Might be wrong. They placed a loose 0.8 and a 1.01 on it (this was before I knew anything about stones) and definitely liked the larger stone; however I am now sure that he chose the largest 1.01 cut stone he had in inventory with probably the largest price tag ($6999?) That is why next priority is size.


Good looking stone and good price, but will I be able to notice the occlusions on the upper left side? Or has all of this shopping and zoomed in photographs jaded my perceptions lol


A little out of my budget unfortunately.

No prob. FYI there are a lot of people walking around with lousy cut one-carat rounds that have diameters smaller than the well-cut 0.8s you are looking at.

 

[DejaWiz]

Good looking stone and good price, but will I be able to notice the occlusions on the upper left side? Or has all of this shopping and zoomed in photographs jaded my perceptions lol

It's the one you linked in your first post...figured you had it on your short list already.

I highly doubt those inclusions will be noticable without magnification, especially since they aren't particularly dark (like carbon crystals would be).
I can't see a thing in the Brilliance video, and they may be able to hide them under a prong.
Reach out to verify...WF is always very accommodating with customer questions and requests.

 

[Kotleta]

It's the one you linked in your first post...figured you had it on your short list already.

I highly doubt those inclusions will be noticable without magnification, especially since they aren't particularly dark (like carbon crystals would be).
I can't see a thing in the Brilliance video, and they may be able to hide them under a prong.
Reach out to verify...WF is always very accommodating with customer questions and requests.

Will do. Thank you

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Since you are trying to stay under $5k, I would suggest this one below. It is eyeclean. I'd get as much diameter as you can. They told you a really wide range for that setting, so I am assuming it is really for around a 1 ct stone which is around 6.4mm. So I'd go as close to that as possible.

Diamond | 0.860 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4361922

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.860 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4361922

www.whiteflash.com

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I fundamentally don't understand purchasing a setting before deciding on a diamond. Unless the setting is something passed down in the family, this boggles my mind. Its like purchasing shoe laces before knowing what shoes you want.

Will WF or BG even set a diamond into a setting you purchased elsewhere? I know that they charge an extra fee to set a diamond purchased elsewhere into one of their settings. I have no idea if they will use a client's pre-purchased setting or not. If I were them I would not as I could imagine it open them up to all kinds of liability.

 

[Kotleta]

I fundamentally don't understand purchasing a setting before deciding on a diamond. Unless the setting is something passed down in the family, this boggles my mind. Its like purchasing shoe laces before knowing what shoes you want.

Will WF or BG even set a diamond into a setting you purchased elsewhere? I know that they charge an extra fee to set a diamond purchased elsewhere into one of their settings. I have no idea if they will use a client's pre-purchased setting or not. If I were them I would not as I could imagine it open them up to all kinds of liability.

Boggles my mind that every jeweler I’ve talked to has tried to sell me a $2000 stone for $6000. Cannot assume that everybody has your level of experience in this field; most of us men shop for this once in our lifetimes This setting was chosen because it’s in the same spirit as what my gf wants, looks very nice, and I was able to buy it for gold value. Been shopping for a few months now and decided to go with this.

 

[daisygrl]

You cannot go wrong with either WF or BG. It would help if you saw sizes, clarities, and colors in person. Then you might be clearer on what you want and be more specific. Going from VVS2 to "I am even ok with an SI1" is a rather big gap and makes helping you more perplexing. Same goes for the color G-I. Most people are ok with VS1-VS2 and G-H color. We do not know if you are. Or better yet, whether the wearer of the ring is.

 

[yssie]

I believe they said 0.75-1.25 setting?

Who will you have do the actual mounting? Have you confirmed that your intended vendor is willing to do this work? If not, this may further limit your purchase options.

0.75-1.25 is a HUGE size range. I agree with @diamondseeker2006 that it’s probably made for a 1ct, but do yourself a favour and take the mount to whoever is going to actually set the stone and find out what its actual size tolerance is. You don’t want to be buying and exchanging diamonds needlessly, even if it’s free it opens you up to unnecessary liability hazards.

 

[Kotleta]

Who will you have do the actual mounting? Have you confirmed that your intended vendor is willing to do this work? If not, this may further limit your purchase options.

0.75-1.25 is a HUGE size range. I agree with @diamondseeker2006 that it’s probably made for a 1ct, but do yourself a favour and take the mount to whoever is going to actually set the stone and find out what its actual size tolerance is. You don’t want to be buying and exchanging diamonds needlessly, even if it’s free it opens you up to unnecessary liability hazards.

Same jeweler who sold me the setting unless either WF or BG will do it for me. I will do that tomorrow. Was not aware what they told me was wrong. Thank you for the information!

 

[RunningwithScissors]

0.75 to 1.25 is a HUGE size range.

A 0.75 ct diamond will sit differently in a setting than a 1.25 ct one will. Just because a random jeweler or sales associate at a jewelry shop says you can get away with putting this size range into a setting does not mean that you should necessarily do it.

You've already stated that you haven't been happy with their honesty in what they are trying to sell you... "Boggles my mind that every jeweler I’ve talked to has tried to sell me a $2000 stone for $6000."

 

[lovedogs]

I would make sure that WF/BGD are willing to set the stone. Otherwise you are opening yourself up to issues if the stone gets damaged in setting.

 

[WDWDiamond]

If this is not possible or further complicates the process please ignore, but are you still in your return window for the setting? If yes, I would think about returning and buying the setting and stone all from one vendor. I found some settings that are similar. I don’t know what your budget is for the setting but you might also be able to go the custom route as well.

Ritani 1RZ1318 Diamond Engagement Ring - Whiteflash | 5221

Experience sophistication with Ritani 1RZ1318 Diamond Engagement Ring. Find your perfect ring at Whiteflash. | 5221

www.whiteflash.com

Ritani 1RZ1319 Diamond Engagement Ring | 6306

Celebrate your love story with the exquisite Ritani 1RZ1319 Diamond Engagement Ring. Find it at Whiteflash and symbolize your eternal bond with timeless beauty. | 6306

www.whiteflash.com

Ritani 1RZ1317 Diamond Engagement Ring - Whiteflash | 5241

Experience sophistication with Ritani 1RZ1317 Diamond Engagement Ring at Whiteflash. Find your perfect ring and begin your happily ever after. | 5241

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Kotleta]

Took the setting back to Ben Bridge and after measuring they said it was a 0.50 setting but with extra long prongs that can accommodate up to 6.10mm. I took it then to an independent jeweler who after being impressed with the setting (specifically how much I paid for it) recommended I change the head.

I just got off the phone with WF who said they will work with the setting if a problem arises. Phew.

Moral of the story: buy engagement ring once, and ask lots of questions!