Brian Gavin Black Diamonds Review | Spectacular Performance

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Brian Gavin Black Diamonds Sirisha Necklace.

Brian Gavin Black Diamonds Sirisha Necklace.

Brian Gavin Black Diamonds are the premiere (top-shelf) luxury line from firth-generation diamond cutter Brian Gavin. The diamonds in this collection represent the pinnacle of achievement in the world of diamond cutting.

As a matter of fact, these super ideal cut diamonds offer the most spectacular sparkle factor that I’ve ever seen. With that in mind, I consider Black by Brian Gavin to be the apex of Brian Gavin’s remarkable career.

Needless to say that an incredible amount of time was spent on research and development. As a matter of fact, I was privy to the entire process and it’s been a real challenge to keep this a secret.

After all, you’re about to see why "Brian Gavin Black" is more than just another brand of super ideal cut diamond. That’s because Black represents a new category that essentially extends the range of zero cut diamonds to the classification of +1.

Of course, it’s important to remember that the AGS Ideal-0 cut grade represents a performance range. With that in mind, there will be AGS Ideal-0 cut diamonds on the low end of the spectrum. In which case, there will also be AGS Ideal-0 cut diamonds in the middle of the spectrum. And finally, there will be a distinct few with performance on the high end of the spectrum.

Brian Gavin Black ~ Little Things Matter:

As a matter of fact, Brian Gavin Signature diamonds generally represent the high end of the spectrum. Although this may be true, there are a few other brands that share a similar position.

However, there is always room for improvement, even in a category that people recognize as being the best. With that in mind, diamond cutters like Brian Gavin are always looking to raise the bar, even if only a little bit.

Quotes by Benjamin Franklin

The basic concept here is that there is always room for improvement. No doubt you are familiar with the premise that small changes can make a big difference. This is the essential belief driving the new Black by Brian Gavin diamond collection.

In this case, seemingly minor changes to the ancillary angles of the diamonds reduce the amount of low-level light under the table facet. Thereby improving the volume of light performance and producing an even brighter diamond.

As a matter of fact, I thought this was a pretty simple concept when Brian first mentioned this to me. After all, it’s one of those things that makes so much sense when you hear it. Under those circumstances, I found myself wondering why I never thought of it before.

Turning the World of Diamond Cutting Upside Down:

Black by Brian Gavin Natural Diamonds.

Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds Sizzle.

It was as if Brian had reversed the orientation of the North and South poles! Did you know, that’s actually possible?

As a matter of fact, the launch of BGD Black has quite literally turned things upside down. I laughingly told one of my friends in the diamond business that the world was no longer flat.

The Queen was not amused, but I took great joy in his anguish. It seems like everybody has something to say about "Black” and yet nobody seems to actually know anything about it.

Lucky for you, I ain’t nobody and momentarily you’ll be in the know.

Black by Brian Gavin - Breaking the Silence:

The New Black is Breathtaking

In the first place, I just have to say how excited I am to finally be making this announcement! We’ve been talking about the improvements BGD has been making their Signature diamonds for some time.

However, up until now, I was sworn to secrecy in the name of intellectual property. Do you know how difficult it is for me not to talk about something like this?!?!

Take another gander at the diamond necklace at the top of this page. Then, imagine knowing that necklace was being made entirely of Black by Brian Gavin diamonds.

Then imagine having to keep quiet about it! For months! Not hours, not days, but months! After being privy to the two-year research and development phase and not being able to say a word.

Oh, the sick and twisted cruelty of it all.

After all, it’s not like they don’t know that I’m a Leo! We’ve been friends for years, they knew that knowing this would torture me. Oh wait, now I get it… those devils!

Thankfully, the cat’s out of the bag now! And that means that I’m free to stand-up on my high and mighty soapbox! Get ready. Here’s my rave about Black by Brian Gavin!

Diamond Cutter Brian Gavin Video on YouTube.

5th Generation Diamond Cutter, Brian Gavin Tells the Story of Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds on YouTube.

Brian Gavin Black is Like AGS Ideal 0.1

As a matter of fact, putting Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds in the broad AGS Ideal-0 classification seems unfair. After all, the production standards of these diamonds exceed those parameters considerably.

First, this breakthrough in light performance represents the next evolution in diamond cutting. At some point in the future, the evolution of the round brilliant cut diamond might look like this:

Although this may be true, I’m not suggesting that Brian Gavin is the only one producing diamonds of this caliber. However, he’s the first diamond cutter I’ve heard talking about it. He's also the only one with a patent for maximizing light performance in the modern round brilliant.

Let That Last Sentence Sink In.

How to Buy an Engagement Ring from Brian Gavin.

Brian Gavin Signature Diamonds.

Then, consider that Brian is the only cutter producing diamonds guaranteed to exhibit these properties consistently. Consequently, every single Black by Brian Gavin diamond exhibits The Gavin Effect.

That means that every diamond is specifically cut to reduce the presence of low-level light under the table facet.

Of course, it is completely possible that other diamond cutters produce diamonds that exhibit similar characteristics. However, while some of them might be doing it routinely, others might pull it off haphazardly.

Be that as it may, the point is that Black by Brian Gavin diamonds are cut to exhibit these visual properties every time. In that case, Brian Gavin offers the highest level of consistency and the most consistency of any brand.

Black by Brian Gavin Unveiled:

Black by Brian Gavin diamond, proprietary report, AGS 104089113007

By all accounts, Black by Brian Gavin diamonds should deliver the highest contrast and light performance. After all, the very name "Black” implies luxury and elegance, does it not? Although this may be true, the sparkle factor of these diamonds speaks for themselves.

In my experience, Brian Gavin is a maven who is always changing the game and raising the stakes. As a matter of fact, I’m certain that right now his competition is scratching their heads.

Needless to say that it’s going to take them a while to reverse engineer this puzzle. As much as I’d like to spill the beans, I’m not at liberty to share the exact details. But, I will say that the process is patented and subject to enforcement.

While we’re waiting for that to happen, check out this proprietary diamond grading report issued by the AGS Laboratory. Pretty nifty, huh? This is actually just one page of the new report format for Black by Brian Gavin.

The full report is a few pages deep and goes beyond the depths of the standard AGS DQD. I really want to tell you all about it, but lips + super glue = not saying a word. The Suspense is Killing Me!

No, wait… That’s not quite true. I know the secret. I know what’s up. There is no suspense. So what is this feeling? Could it be the stress of Leo having to keep a secret?

A Sneak Peek Into The Gavin Effect:

Black by Brian Gavin Diamond in Pavé Halo Setting.

Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds Sparkle Like the Sun.

By any chance, do you know anything about astrology and the sun sign? It’s widely accepted that Leo’s aren’t good at keeping secrets. This might be why Brian’s given me permission to describe the Gavin Effect in broad strokes.

That’s what Brian is calling the brighter internal pattern of light reflections visible within his new diamonds: With that in mind, the Gavin Effect is a  brighter pattern of light created by fine-tuning the degree of optical precision.

As a matter of fact, this means cutting the diamond to a higher standard than super ideal cut. That means that there is an even higher consistency in facet shape, size, and alignment. Under those circumstances, that means that Black by Brian Gavin diamonds sparkle more intensely.

Super Duper Sparkle Factor Beyond Compare!

Black by Brian Gavin Hearts and Arrows Diamond.

Optical Precision of Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds.

In the first place, most diamond cutters merely aim for hitting the right angles when they cut a diamond. The target they’re aiming for is simply an overall cut grade of AGS Ideal or GIA Excellent.

These are the guys who produce what I commonly refer to as standard ideal cut diamonds. These diamonds may have the right proportions but lack the optical precision to really sizzle and pop.

Be that as it may, there is a small handful of diamond cutters like Brian Gavin. These are the people who specialize in the niche of super ideal hearts and arrows diamonds.

Under those circumstances, the diamonds are cut to exhibit a higher degree of optical precision. That’s what enables those diamonds to exhibit crisp and complete patterns of hearts and arrows.

It's a Difference That You Can See:

Black by Brian Gavin Hearts and Arrows Diamonds.

Black by Brian Gavin Hearts and Arrows Diamonds.

As you can see, the light return and sparkle factor of H&A diamonds is truly out of this world. According to, Peter Yantzer, former director of the AGSL, H&A diamonds represent the Top 0.001% of the annual production for rounds.

Up until recently, those hearts and arrows diamonds were the best of the best. On that note, I’ve always considered Brian Gavin Signature diamonds to be among the finest in the world.

However, the new Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds raise the bar to a higher level. In fact, it proves that there will always be room for improvement. With that in mind, I find myself wondering what percentage of round diamonds are cut to the standards for Black by BGD?

Meanwhile, back at the lair of BGD:

Primary vs Ancillary Angles Ideal Cut Diamonds

It seems like Brian has been tinkering with optimizing the ancillary angles of round brilliant cut diamonds. In all that monkeying around, Brian unlocked an even higher level of light performance.

Fine-tuning the ancillary angles is one of the improvements that Brian made to his diamond design. Most diamond cutters only focus on the primary angles when cutting diamonds.

Those are the basic outline and structures that comprise the crown and pavilion angles. This diagram shows the parts and location of the crown and pavilion angles in green. The kite shape bezel facets comprise the primary crown angle.

The pavilion main facets are on the lower half of the diamond, they produce the arrows pattern. The "Ancillary angles” are shown in orange and consist of everything that is not a primary angle.

What are the Ancillary Angles of a Diamond?

The Ancillary angles of a diamond consist of the star facets, upper half facets, and lower half facets. Diamond cutters tend to focus mostly on the primary angles of the diamond. After all, this is what is going to guarantee the ideal proportions rating.

However, the reality is that every piece of the diamond shape puzzle is important. And as you now know, fine-tuning the ancillary angles produces a promising improvement in light performance.

Suffice to say that Brian Gavin is now producing diamonds that exhibit the most vibrant sparkle ever! We’re talking extreme light performance! Bolder, brighter, more vivid sparkle that is nothing short of hypnotic.

Brian calls it the Gavin Effect:

So what exactly should you be looking for?

What is it that sets Black by Brian Gavin above the rest?

What is the elusive Gavin Effect and how can you recognize it?

Identifying Low to Medium Light Zones using ASET:
ASET Scope image showing medium to low intensity

How to Interpret AGS ASET.

’m not at liberty to fully disclose the details (yet) but I’ll give you a hint. The ASET image on the left shows low to medium light zones under the table facet. Specifically, I’m referring to the little green areas that appear between the blue arrows under the table facet.

The yellow arrows indicate the location of the more prominent areas of low-level light within this diamond. This ASET image from an AGS Ideal-0 cut diamond which exhibits a crisp and complete pattern of hearts and arrows.

This super ideal cut diamond exhibits a high volume of light return and a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion. However, there is always room for improvement and that’s what the Black by Brian Gavin collection is all about.

By fine-tuning the ancillary angles of the diamond, the green sections under the table facet can be significantly reduced. The light reflecting off of the lower girdle halves is what creates the red sections between the blue arrows facets.

Subtle differences in the length and angle of the lower girdle halves can have dramatic effects upon light performance. In an ideal situation (pun intended) what we want to see here is intense bright red.

Sometimes it's what you don't see that matters:
ASET Scope for Black by BGD

ASET for Black by Brian Gavin Diamond.

Now, look at the ASET image for this 1.738 carat, F-color, VS-2 clarity Black by BGD Hearts & Arrows diamond. Notice how there isn’t any green indicating low to medium light zones between the arrows.

As a matter of fact, the triangular zones between the arrows pattern are bright red. This indicates the highest volume of light return and that translates to better light performance.

It goes without saying that subtle differences in the presence of low to medium light zones may be difficult to distinguish with just our eyes.

However, it also stands to reason that even the smallest improvement in diamond cut quality produces better light performance.

Just knowing that these diamonds are cut better, makes them seem to sparkle more. Needless to say that there is just something inherently cool about this discovery.

First, it serves to improve the look of all Brian Gavin Signature diamonds. After all, the same diamond cutters produce all of the diamonds for Brian Gavin. Hosever, the real proof is in the ASET Scope images and you can see that for yourself.

Consequently, it is normal for green to appear in the middle of the table facet. That is due in part to both red and green sharing the 45-degree junction point on the ASET Scope. Be sure to read what do the different colors of an ASET image mean if you want to know more.

The Legacy of Brian the Cutter:

Brian Gavin, 5th generation diamond cutter

As shown above, Black by Brian Gavin represents the highest pinnacle of achievement. In fact, it is built upon a foundation that includes five generations of experience.

In that case, one client asked whether Brian Gavin cuts these diamonds personally. The reality is that he does not because that doesn’t make economic sense.

First, Brian Gavin is more like the conductor of an orchestra. Given the depth of his skills, it doesn’t make sense to have him play the role of the violinist.

Brian Gavin has done things this way for quite some time. We first began buying "A Cut Above” hearts and arrows diamonds from the Gavin’s back in 1998.

At that time, the trademark for that brand was owned by his company Alpha Creations, Inc. They placed a small advertisement in a trade magazine that we found.

Nice Ice was Built Upon Brian Gavin Diamonds:

VS1 Diamond Pendant by Black by Brian Gavin.

Black by Brian Gavin Diamond Pendant.

The fact of the matter is that Brian Gavin used to produce diamonds for the Nice Ice private label. In that case, you could say that Nice Ice was built upon Brian Gavin Diamonds

In fact, we purchased tens of thousands of diamonds produced under Brian’s direction. Needless to say that every one of them was simply outstanding.

Not only in overall quality, but the light performance and sparkle factor is truly spectacular. By the same token, there was one other supplier producing diamonds for our private label collection.

Throughout the years, Brian has become both a good friend and an incredible mentor. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the contributions he makes to our industry. That is why I’m so excited to be able to share some insight into his latest creation.

Brian Gavin, 5th generation diamond cutter, also Ben Gavin, Alpha Creations Factory, Richmond Building, Houston TX, circa 1998 - 2002

Brian Gavin (left) and His Father  Ben Gavin (right) Cutting Diamonds for Alpha Creations, Inc.

Oh, by the way, the two photographs on the right are of Brian's father Ben Gavin. These were taken at the Alpha Creations diamond cutting factory in Houston, Texas. That place was a virtual who's who of the diamond business back in the day.

Which Kind of Brian Gavin Diamond Should I Buy?

Diamond Buying Tutorial 5 Minutes to Success.

My Son's Black by Brian Gavin Diamond Ring.

In the first place, you can’t go wrong buying a Brian Gavin diamond from any collection. Throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of personally evaluating thousands of these diamonds.

Every one of them has been truly spectacular, the light performance and sparkle factor are top-notch! What we’re really talking about here, is more of a mind clean thing.

With that in mind, Brian’s figured out how to improve the performance of super ideal cut diamonds even more. Be that as it may, I always thought that Brian’s production standards produced sparkle factor that is off the charts!

Now we just have a more ultra-precise version to choose from. Naturally, we know that this type of precision appeals to my Type-A-nal personality. Even if I might not be able to see a distinct difference with just my eyes.

There is an incredible inner peace created by the precision exhibited in the ASET images. Although that may be true, the reality is that the difference is clearly visible to me. As a matter of fact, there are more virtual facets within the diamond, and that means more sparkle.

Brian Gavin Signature is Also Better!

James Allen vs. Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds.

Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds.

There is something very cool about the technological advances that create the Gavin Effect in Black by Brian Gavin diamonds. Specifically, that it also results in even better looking Brian Gavin Signature diamonds.

That is the nature of the game, is it not? You can’t improve the methodology of the diamond cutting model without affecting every diamond you produce.

When you teach your diamond cutters to polish diamonds a certain way, it simultaneously improves your entire production. In that case, I would search both the Black and Signature lines.

Black by Brian Gavin diamonds cost a little bit more than Brian Gavin Signature diamonds. However, the difference in price isn’t remarkably different.

How Much More Expensive?

Custom Pave Diamond Engagement Ring by Brian Gavin.

Custom Pavé Setting by Brian Gavin.

As a matter of fact, the Blacks are only a few percent more expensive. That's because it takes about one day longer to polish diamonds to that level of perfection. In that case, the slightly higher price makes sense.

Consequently, the average hearts and arrows quality diamonds take four times longer to produce than a standard ideal. Producing a higher degree of optical precision requires alignment of the facets from the perspective of 360 degrees.

Of course, it takes even longer to cut and polish Black by Brian Gavin diamonds. The precision exhibited by the diamond in the reflector scope images is absolutely incredible.

As a matter of fact, I find myself staring at the ASET images for the Black collection. The reality is that I’m simply mesmerized by the perfection of it all.

Brian Gavin Black Selection Criteria:
  • An overall cut grade of AGS Ideal-0.
  • Ideal Polish, Symmetry, and Proportions.
  • Light Performance by Advanced ASET.
  • Hearts & Arrows Precision.
  • Exhibits the Patented Gavin Effect.
  • D-color to G-color, negligible fluorescence.
  • VS-2 and higher in clarity.

Ultra-discerning diamond buyers who want the very best should focus on Black by Brian Gavin. The original collection of Brian Gavin Signature features a broader range of clarity and color.

Be sure to take advantage of my free Diamond Concierge Service if you’re looking for a diamond. Obviously I know how to interpret the reflector scope images and can help you choose the best diamond available.

What the Competition is Saying:

A moment of absolute truth. Right now, the competition isn’t saying anything about Black by Brian Gavin. But only because they’re learning about it (right now) at the same time you are.

The publication of this blog post is perfectly timed with Brian’s press release. At this exact moment, I imagine that Brian’s competitors are:

  • Confused.
  • Uncertain.
  • Perplexed.
  • Bewildered.
  • Disoriented.
  • Unclear.
  • And shall we say, Pissed?

As a matter of fact, the cutting technique for the Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds is a game-changer! It forces diamond cutters to up their game if they want to remain competitive. Brian's quest to perfect sparkle factor and light performance of super ideal diamonds create this new category of achievement.

Brian Gavin Black is a Game Changer:

Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds. Challenging cutters to up their game.

Throughout the years, I've had the privilege of watching Brian design, re-design, and tweak diamond designs until they are perfect. Black by Brian Gavin defines the new design parameters for super ideal.

Producers of ideal and super ideal cut diamonds will need to go back to the drawing board to remain competitive. I'm quite certain they have absolutely no idea how Brian Gavin achieves this breakthrough in light performance.

They're going to need to order a Black by Brian Gavin diamond in order to reverse engineer it. Of course, the act of doing so would violate the patent and might cost them a pretty penny!

Every Diamond Cutter Needs to SEE a Brian Gavin Black:

Frieder Lauer Engagement Rings via Brian Gavin.

The Consistency of Brian Gavin Diamonds.

Is it too bold of me to suggest they use my affiliate link to order a Brian Gavin Black Diamond? I’m struggling just a little bit about the morality of that concept.

After all, Brian is not only a good friend, he’s also one of my personal mentors in the diamond business. The diamond business is very competitive.

Needless to say, that every diamond cutter wants to be on the cutting edge. On one hand, other diamond cutters will try to figure out what Brian is doing and copy it.

On the other hand, it’s going to take them a while to figure out this new diamond cutting formula. Brian Gavin offers a 15 day inspection period and full refund policy.

If they can’t get figure it out that fast, perhaps they can give it to their wife for the holidays? Of course, if they do so, they will be in violation of U.S. Patent #10,405,618. Consequently, the ramifications of trying to copy this formula could be costly.

Update: The Competition Lost Their Minds!

Not surprisingly, the competition freaked out the moment Black by Brian Gavin was announced. Let’s face it, in the realm of ideal cut diamonds, Brian Gavin is King of the Hill.

Well, actually from my perspective he shares that hilltop with one other diamond cutter. Both of these guys used to produce diamonds for the Nice Ice private label hearts and arrows diamonds.

It’s not likely that I’ll ever place one of these guys above the other. Let them share in the glory of knowing that they are at the top of their game! And besides, this other diamond cutter is not among those who freaked out.

But there were other trade members blowing up my Skype and filling my inbox with a whole lot of questions:

  • What is Brian Gavin Black?
  • Is Brian Gavin selling black ideal cut diamonds now?
  • How are Black by Brian Gavin diamonds better?
  • What did Brian do to improve his production?
  • Are you going to say they’re better than our diamonds?
  • Why didn’t you warn us about this?!?!

Consequently, the thread on a popular diamond forum became so heated that it was removed. But not before there were more than 3000+ page views! The funny thing about that situation is that Black by BGD wasn’t even available on the web site yet.

People went crazy over a simple VIP email message that was announcing the upcoming launch of Black. For the record, I saved the entire thread as an Adobe PDF document. The whole thing is so hilarious, that I’m considering framing it for prosperity.

Celebrate Life’s Most Important Moments:

Throughout the centuries, exquisite diamonds are the symbol that commemorates life’s most important moments. Black By Brian Gavin Diamonds are among the best that the diamond industry has to offer. As a matter of fact, they represent the pinnacle creation of five generations of diamond cutting.

Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds, when you know.

Search Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds.

The introduction of a brand that exhibits this type of consistency is one of those moments that I cherish. It represents the opportunity for you to own one of the finest cut diamonds in the world.

Black by Brian Gavin Diamonds is the perfect choice for commemorating all of life’s special moments. Celebrate the engagement of two incredible people, the beginning of your journey together.

Immortalize the birth of your first child and each new addition to your family. Pay tribute to your everlasting love and the bond of friendship that you share together.

Choose the Perfect Brian Gavin Black Diamond:

Black by Brian Gavin Diamond Fire.

"Fire" of a Black by Brian Gavin Diamond.

It goes without saying that you don’t need my help choosing the perfect Brian Gavin Black Diamond. In a world full of diamonds cut primarily to maximize carat weight, Brian Gavin focuses solely on sparkle factor.

The production goal for every Black by Brian Gavin diamond is to maximize light performance. That means a higher degree of light return and a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion. You will also see a more scintillation and sparkle factor that is more vivid and intense.

In my experience, every Black by Brian Gavin Diamond that I've seen is spectacular looking. That is why I say that they represent the pinnacle of diamond cutting excellence:

  • The Perfection of Hearts & Arrows.
  • The Incredible Gavin Effect.
  • Precise Proportions Maximize Light Return.
  • Spectacular Optical Precision to Maximize Sparkle.
  • Advanced ASET images to prove performance.
  • Diamond Clarity of VS-2 and higher.
  • Diamond Color of D-colorless to G-near-colorless.

The production specifications of every Brian Gavin Black Diamond falls within the range of proportions I recommend. These are the diamonds that I've been dreaming of throughout my career. They represent the pinnacle of achievement for the modern age of diamond cutting.

Let Us Help You Select the Perfect Diamond:

Naturally, I’d love to help you select a Black by Brian Gavin Diamond for your special occasion. Feel free to take advantage of my free Diamond Concierge Service if you would like my help. (even though you really don’t need it)

Disclaimer: Descriptive terms such as perfection and super ideal are obviously intended to represent a higher realm of performance. But as a matter of fact, the very concept of perfection is relative, to say the least. And I'm not aware of any gemological laboratory that actually uses the term super ideal on their lab reports.

However the term super ideal cut is a common use term throughout the industry. It is a general descriptive term that refers to the classification of ideal cut diamonds that exhibit crisp and complete patterns of hearts and arrows.

Super Charge Your Diamond Buying Skills:

Follow the Steps in The Nice Ice® Diamond Buying Blueprint™ and Unlock the Secret for Maximizing Sparkle Factor and Light Performance. These are the Tips & Tricks from the back office of Nice Ice Diamonds.