What will $100,000 buy on Brian Gavin?
“I’ve got roughly $100,000K to spend on a diamond engagement ring, and I’m wondering what that will buy on Brian Gavin. At the moment, I’m trying to decide between the 4.09 carat, H-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Blue, and the 5.388 carat, J-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round hearts and arrows diamond. How visible is the difference between H-color and J-color? And should I take the medium blue fluorescence into consideration? What is the difference in carat weight between the two diamonds? Is a difference of one carat all that noticeable in diamonds of this size range? Or is the difference in diamond color more of a consideration? I’m planning on setting the diamond in an 18k white gold or platinum traditional solitaire if that has any effect upon the appearance of the diamond.”
Every once in a blue moon…
Every once in a blue moon, we have a diamond like the 4.09 carat, H-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature Blue fluorescent diamond that I just can’t stop pulling out of the safe and stare at. I’m enthralled with this diamond, not only because it is incredibly large, but also because I love to turn off the lights in my office, and look at this diamond under the black light of my GIA Diamond Light. The medium blue fluorescence is mesmerizing, especially since the diamond is large enough that it really shows up. If I were to purchase this diamond, or any other diamond from the Brian Gavin Blue Collection, I’d also have to buy an ultra-violet pen light just for my amusement.
Understand that I’m not admitting to anything here, I don’t have a collection of ultra-violet pen lights on a key ring, that would be totally geeky… I’m just saying that you might want to buy one if you’re going to buy a blue fluorescent diamond, because it will enable you to verify the blue fluorescence as part of your due diligence, that’s all.
As far as the diamond itself goes, it’s drop dead gorgeous! It’s a high H-color diamond that faces up bright and white, and the effect of setting the diamond in 18k white gold or platinum prongs will tend to make the diamond look even whiter.
How setting color affects diamond color:
It’s pretty common for appraisers and independent gemologists to assume that the grade of whatever diamond being graded is up to one color grade lower than how it appears when it is set in white metal prongs. This is because the color of the metal touching the diamond tends to affect the visible color of the diamond by about one color grade. Likewise setting a diamond in yellow gold prongs is likely to make the diamond appear to be one color grade lower.
Thus I think it is reasonable to expect that setting this 5.388 carat, J-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round diamond in a setting that features white metal prongs, such as platinum or 18k white gold, is likely to make it appear slightly whiter for most people viewing the diamond. And that it would tend to face-up a little bit warmer than J-color if it were to be set in 18k rose gold (pink gold) or yellow gold. As you can plainly see, it faces-up beautifully in the clarity photograph, with just a hint of warmth being visible. I actually like diamonds in warmer tones, they remind me of the sun!
