Brian Gavin Blue Fluorescent Diamonds

Need Help Picking Best Center Stone For My $3,500 Budget

Q:

Hello Liz,

Your site has been such an awesome resource to me as I take on this daunting task of purchasing an engagement ring. I’ve read a number of your posts, and have spent way too much time sifting through sites like Blue Nile, Ritani, and Brian Gavin Diamonds.

My girlfriend is not very materialistic, but I’d like to surprise her with something great. She has helped by giving me some examples, and things we’ve seen in person. My budget is not the greatest, but this will allow for $0 in debt come wedding time, so I’m hoping you can help me pick the best center stone for my budget. In the end I’ve settled on Brian Gavin, as I found a setting she would really like, and Brian Gavin blue fluorescent diamonds are great. I’m by no means opposed to the blue series, as she’d welcome the blue fluorescence. I’d ideally like to stay as close as possible to $3,500 total which I know limits me by carat to between .5 -.6 or so (current price for the setting is $1,960 leaving a little less than 50% for the stone) I’m fine with this as it gives me an opportunity to upgrade the center stone in the future, etc.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/milgrain-bead-set-cathedral-platinum-5501p

Thank you in advance for your time,

Marty

A:

Hello Marty,

Thanks for contacting me and letting me know your available budget and diamond requirements. 🙂

I’m glad you have found my website helpful and educational. From what you’ve said, it’s clear you have done your homework! Your platinum milgrain bead set cathedral ring is very stylish and classy, so you did a great job in picking something out that I’m sure she will love. As for the diamond, I’ve taken a look at BGD’s current inventory and found a couple of diamonds that fit your requirements.

My two favorite diamonds are:

.514ct I VS1 for $1,456.00: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.514-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973032

.514ct I VS1 strong blue fluorescent diamond from Brian Gavin Diamonds ‘Signature Blue Diamonds’.

.528ct I SI1 for $1,480.00: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.528-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-c-104069382020

The first diamond is part of BGD’s ‘Blue Signature’ line. Whatever warmth this ‘I’ colored diamond may exhibit will be off-set with its strong blue fluorescence. As a VSI, this diamond is of course perfectly eye-clean, and it’s light performance is impeccable – with a perfect ASET image showing bright red with blue contrasting arrows and minimal green areas. Overall a very nice diamond.

The second diamond offers the same basic carat weight, but has negligible blue fluorescence. The clarity grade is an ‘SI1’ but surprisingly this diamond is extremely clean for this clarity grade. The reason it is considered an ‘SI1’ is because the clarity making inclusion is a feather that is plotted under the upper girdle and kite facets. There is a tiny spec of a crystal under the main table facet but neither of these inclusions are noticeable to the unaided eye. So with that in mind, the clarity grade on this ‘SI1’ is visually about the same as the VS1 above. The main difference in this diamond is that it is slightly bigger and has no fluorescence.

Either one of these diamonds would be a perfect compliment to your chosen setting.

Please let me know what questions you have or if you should need anything else. 🙂

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Liz,

Thank you so much for your swift reply. My only other question would be if you have any opinion in regards to engraving the setting? Is there any downsides to this?

P.S. I stumbled across one of your most recent posts the “Diamond Buying Guide For Men”, loved it!

Marty

A:

Hi Marty,

There are no negative downsides to engraving a ring. Many people choose to engrave both the engagement ring and wedding ring. It’s just a matter of having enough room to say what you want!

Kind Regards,

Liz