6-carat Round Brilliant Cut Diamond from BGD.
The comparison of Brian Gavin vs. Hearts on Fire is one that people ask about frequently. Thankfully, both producers of H&A Diamonds are at the JCK Trade Show this week in Las Vegas.
In that case, it's going to be convenient and easy for me to compare the diamonds side-by-side. That is one of the benefits of attending the JCK Trade Show. It allows me to evaluate the production of many cutters in the same place.
Unfortunately, most diamond cutters are intent on retaining carat weight. In contrast, I'm more interested in the ones who are cutting diamonds for maximum performance. There were about thirty diamond cutters at the show claiming to offer "Hearts and Arrows Diamonds."
But I found only five with diamonds that met my standards for hearts and arrows. Sadly, most of what I saw would be more accurately described as "Arrows and Rabbit Ears."
It seems like the term "Hearts and Arrows" has become the newest, most overused, and misunderstood gemological term of this decade. Thankfully my long-time friend and diamond cutter Brian Gavin produces some exceptional Hearts and Arrows Diamonds, AND quite a few of them are !!! BIG !!! BIG !!! BIG !!!
Brian Gavin vs Hearts on Fire Diamond Prices:
Brian Gavin Signature Diamonds 2.80+ carats.
This 3.288 carat, H-color, SI-1 clarity, Signature Hearts and Arrows diamond from Brian Gavin is not the largest Hearts and Arrows Diamond in Brian Gavin's exclusive inventory at the moment.
However, I wanted to start with it because it is selling for about $87,000.00 less than the Hearts on Fire diamond that I was playing with when I Secret Shopped the Hearts on Fire Store in Las Vegas this past Monday [June 03, 2013 | HOF Stock #116570].
Sure it's one clarity and one color grade lower, but do you really think you'd be able to see an $87,000.00 difference?!?! Well, let me tell you, I've seen both of them, and I didn't see enough of a difference to justify spending an additional eighty-seven thousand dollars!
Oh, Hell No!!! I don't see how I'd be able to wrap my mind around that much of a price difference.
Seriously, both diamonds have been graded by the AGS Laboratory with an overall cut rating of AGS Ideal-0 on the Platinum Light Performance grading platform, so the volume of light return is off the charts!
Choosing Between BGD vs HOF Diamonds:
We Do Big Rocks! ~ Brian Gavin.
Both BGD vs HOF diamonds exhibit a crisp and complete pattern of Hearts & Arrows. In that case, the only real difference is that this one from Brian Gavin is a little larger and is one color grade and one clarity grade lower.
However, both diamonds face-up bright white and eye-clean. In that case, I don't see the advantage of spending an extra $87K.
Now, if you're a savvy diamond consumer, you'll know that there is a difference in price between 3.00 carat, G-color, VS-2 and 3.00 carat, H-color, SI-1, and you're right.
To be specific, it's a difference of about $8,400.00 per carat, so do the math [3.00 x $8,400 = $25,200.00] and tell me which diamond you'd buy.
I'd much rather buy such things at a reasonable price from a reliable internet diamond vendor like Brian Gavin Diamonds. Rather than forking out a bunch of extra money just for the sake of being able to stand within a brick-and-mortar jewelry store at the time of purchase.
Online Brian Gavin vs Hearts on Fire In-Store:
Custom Pavé Setting by Brian Gavin Diamonds.
If it's that important to see the diamond before buying it, book a flight out to Houston, Texas. Then, you can sit down with Brian or another member of his staff; you can buy a whole lot of airline miles for $87,000.00
Now, if it is an absolute necessity for you to spend $150K on a diamond engagement ring (based on the 3.00 carat, G-color, VS-2 clarity from Hearts on Fire), then consider this 5.388 carat, J-color, VS-2 clarity, Hearts and Arrows Diamond from the Brian Gavin Signature Collection.
It is currently priced at $139,570.00* because people are going to notice the extra two carats of size way, way, way before they notice the slightly warmer body color. That's because the superior sparkle factor of this diamond is going to make it pretty difficult to see body color on a moving target.
As with the other options we've been discussing, this diamond has an overall cut grade of AGS Ideal-0 and exhibits a crisp and complete Hearts and Arrows pattern, and it looks phenomenal when viewed unmounted through an ASET and Ideal Scope.
The Exclusivity of Brian Gavin vs Hearts on Fire Diamonds:
Custom Tapered Baguette 3-Stone by Brian Gavin.
These diamonds are within the top 1/10th of 1% of annual production and are mind-blowing to look at! Of course, if you're really looking for exclusive bragging rights, pick up this Brian Gavin Hearts and Arrows Diamond weighing 4.610 carats, G-color, VS-1 clarity because it's whopping gorgeous!
If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll note that the crown angle is about half a degree shallower than my personal selection criteria allows for. Still, the reality is that it represents the best option which I'm aware of in this weight category.
Given the size of the diamond, it is a reasonable allowance. You'll note that I said something similar regarding the proportions of the 3.00 carat, G-color, VS-2 clarity diamond that I referred to in my review of my Secret Shopping Experience at the Hearts on Fire Diamond Store in Las Vegas.
Certain allowances have to be made at this weight range, or there tends to be nothing available because it becomes extremely more difficult and costly to hit the marks of absolute perfection.
Thankfully the larger facet size of the pavilion mains and lower girdle halves offset the differences by pushing even more light out through the top of the diamond, making it practically impossible for us to see the difference of half a degree or so.
By the way, if you've read my post on Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome, I want to assure you that the purchase of any of the diamonds on this page is likely to delay the onset of DSS for at least a week or two, maybe more if you play your cards right 😉
