PLEASE LOOK AND COMMENT - about to buy this stone!

[goldendesign]

Hi,

I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on this stone, and just wanted to get a second opinion on this stone before I do it:

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10140/

As you can see, it's a 1.21 I SI1. It is completely eye clean (definitely could not see the inclusion on the table at all without the loupe), and seemed to me to have beautiful light performance when I saw it in the store. I nevertheless have two concerns:

1. I had been hoping to get a G color over an I, but (at least at GOG) Gs are out of my budget. The stone faces up white, but I feel like I can see a slight yellow tint from the side (it might just be because I know it's an I). Also, it will be going in a Tacori 2620, and I don't want there to be a noticeable contrast with the halo/pave. I guess I'm hoping the color difference between a G/H and an I won't be noticeable most of the time -- is this a fair statement?

2. I want to make sure I'm getting a good (or at least a decent) deal. GOG is asking about $7500 for this stone. It does seem to me like I could do slightly better on reputable websites like James Allen -- for instance, this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.22-carat-G-color-SI1-clarity-sku-181276. But of course I have very little information about those stones, whereas I spent about an hour with the 1.21 at GOG and am satisfied that, but for its color, it really is beautiful. I also have to weigh pretty heavily the great customer service at GOG and the convenience of getting both the setting and the stone in the same place.

The bottom line is that barring anything unforeseen or contrary advice from you guys, I'm probably going to buy the 1.21 I have on reserve. I just am a natural second-guesser and so I'm looking to bounce these things off of the experts. Bonus points to anyone who has a strong opinion on whether platinum in the 2620 is worth the almost $1000(!) extra over white gold.

THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[04diamond<3]

I say go with the one from GOG and get the 2620 in 18kt wg. That stone is beautiful and obviously performs wonderfully.

 

[two_little_birds]

I say go with the one from GOG and get the 2620 in 18kt wg. That stone is beautiful and obviously performs wonderfully.

+1

 

[Niel]

there wont be a noticeable color difference. If you are trying to save i dont think there is any problem with WG. I actually prefer it. And unless she asked for platinum i would just go with the white gold. Some ladies are particular some just want white metal.


Also, consider this, you can look around for other diamonds, but do you want to pay to have the ring shipped and insured to have it set by someone else? one stop shop is a really convenient thing
I think that price for the GOG stone is pretty much on par with what you would find as a high performing stone at JA. And you arent dealing with moving it around.

 

[bunnycat]

If you want to spend a bunch of time sifting through the ones available at JA for a really well cut one, you could probably find something. I didn't like the one you posted with the 36 crown angle though but haven't run the number through the HCA so don't know how well that pairs with the 40.6 pavilion and 62.3 depth- it ought to lean towards fire if it's good. GOG has pretty much already done all your leg work for you checking the performance and all that so there is your trade off.

Does the I have fluorescence by chance? That can help it face whiter than its color.

*ETA* HCA was 1.9 on the G you posted from JA.

 

[goldendesign]

If you want to spend a bunch of time sifting through the ones available at JA for a really well cut one, you could probably find something. I didn't like the one you posted with the 36 crown angle though but haven't run the number through the HCA so don't know how well that pairs with the 40.6 pavilion and 62.3 depth- it ought to lean towards fire if it's good. GOG has pretty much already done all your leg work for you checking the performance and all that so there is your trade off.

Does the I have fluorescence by chance? That can help it face whiter than its color.

*ETA* HCA was 1.9 on the G you posted from JA.

I thought about the fluorescence thing too - both to make the stone look whiter and also because I just think fluorescence is cool. Unfortunately, the AGS report describes the fluorescence as "negligible." (I didn't ask about it in the store.) OF COURSE I would love fluorescence and this stone doesn't have it! Ah well. Regardless, thanks to all for the feedback so far.

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Very nice stone. I think the 1.21 "I" is a wonderful choice. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[justginger]

I think the GOG stone is nice - and the convenience of having everything done in one place is worth a bit of extra outlay in my opinion. Plus you've seen this stone? Even better, you know for sure you like it! No real risk with GOG, worth the money to me.

 

[goldendesign]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I feel reassured, and definitely agree about the convenience factor. I think I will order the ring, and when it comes in I will spend some time looking at it in different lights. In a perfect world I would like the diamond to be colorless, but I do think the difference between G and I is small enough that hopefully it won't keep me up at night.

Now I just have to decide between white gold and platinum! Platinum will definitely put me over budget, so I want to pick white gold - but I don't like the feeling of "cutting corners" when I'm already spending so much. It's $900 I don't really have, but part of me thinks, well, what's $900 over a lifetime of her wearing this ring? I am also a tiny bit concerned about losing pave stones and the intricacy of the 2620, and I know that Tacori recommends platinum as well. Decisions, decisions.......

 

[Niel]

Gold is still high quality. Many prefer it over platinum. Its not cutting corners. If she prefers platinum give her it. But dont feel bad for a second if she just wants white metal and you give her gold.... I mean. Ita gold! You're not having it made of silver or steel

 

[Christina...]

Have you considered the possibility of doing the head in plat. and the shank in white gold?

 

[Niel]

Have you considered the possibility of doing the head in plat. and the shank in white gold?

Good thinking

 

[ariel144]

i would also go with the 1.21 H & A from GOG....and by the way, don't think you can get more reputable than GOG online. They go overboard to find you the best performing stone in your price range....just sayin. Lucky you to get to go there in person.

 

[goldendesign]

Have you considered the possibility of doing the head in plat. and the shank in white gold?

Hmm. I had not considered this, and didn't realize it was an option. Can you elaborate a bit? What would be the advantage of this approach-- more security for the center stone? Also curious whether there would be a notable color difference, and whether it would make maintenance of the ring more complicated. I'm such a novice; if you could explain this a bit more I'd be grateful!

 

[bunnycat]

If you want to spend a bunch of time sifting through the ones available at JA for a really well cut one, you could probably find something. I didn't like the one you posted with the 36 crown angle though but haven't run the number through the HCA so don't know how well that pairs with the 40.6 pavilion and 62.3 depth- it ought to lean towards fire if it's good. GOG has pretty much already done all your leg work for you checking the performance and all that so there is your trade off.

Does the I have fluorescence by chance? That can help it face whiter than its color.

*ETA* HCA was 1.9 on the G you posted from JA.

I thought about the fluorescence thing too - both to make the stone look whiter and also because I just think fluorescence is cool. Unfortunately, the AGS report describes the fluorescence as "negligible." (I didn't ask about it in the store.) OF COURSE I would love fluorescence and this stone doesn't have it! Ah well. Regardless, thanks to all for the feedback so far.

I don't think you can go wrong with GOG. The "negligible" fluorescence could mean several things. I don't think AGS has a "faint" category and anything under medium I think gets labeled "negligible" so it may have some (but someone may correct me on this, I'm just trying to remember what someone told me). Try it under a blacklight to see!

 

[HopeDream]

Why not propose with a temporary setting and have you and your fiance pick a setting together? She can decide on gold or platinum based on her preferences - she might surprse you!

For myself I chose platinum because I have acidic skin that eats the rhodium off gold, and I don't mind that platinum feels heavier tends to show dings and patina a bit more than gold. In real life no one has ever asked me what my rings are made of.

I got my ering at GOG and was quite pleased with my experience - you're in good hands.