Hi Kambing Koh bro and sifus,

It's me again , may i know the difference of 14k and 18k white gold ring ?
In term of gold content, from what i research 14k is about 50 %+ and 18k is about 70%+. Can we, as a layman tell the difference when we look at it side by side? Personally i havent seen one in real life.

Which one is more advisable to go for and why? Thank you.

14k (aka 583 or 585) = 58.3% or 58.5%, 18k (aka 750) = 75%.

14k gold should feel stronger with as the material consist of lesser gold. Pure gold is a soft material in real life so you won't see jewellery made out of 999.9 pure gold. While it is stronger, it is possibly more brittle as well, meaning it is hard, but it is easier to crack as it is more rigid. That's what I think.

14k gold also won't be that yellowish compared to 18k white gold over time, as the gold content is lesser.

You can have a read here: https://www.valeriemadison.com/blogs/the-st...14k-vs-18k-gold

To me, it is okay to go with either, but in Malaysia, 18k is the standard for engagement rings. But 14k is there to help you save some money.

Even these days, for wedding bands, you can see 9k, 10k gold as the price is more appealing.

This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 22 2019, 02:49 PM

Hi kambing sifu, may i know what's your thought about this stone?

GIA-6312220864

Hi there! Just to explain more concisely and clearly, karat indicates the pureness of Gold used. Basically 24kt = 99.9% purity of gold. For simplification, it is ok to assume 24kt as 100% purity.

22kt = 91.6% gold, 8.4% are other metal alloys.
(In Asia, 22kt gold is commonly known as 916 Gold.)
18kt = 75% gold, 25% other metal alloys.
14kt = 58.3% gold, 41.7% other metal alloys.
10kt = 41.7% gold, 58.3% are other metal alloys.

Which means, the lower the karat, the lesser the gold and more content of the metal alloys. That is why the price gets cheaper with lesser gold, because gold is a precious metal, while alloys are not.

As for 14kt being less yellow than 18kt, this would only matter if you were buying a yellow gold ring/jewelry. Because be it 14kt or 18kt, if you are choosing White gold, they all will both be plated with rhodium and have the same whitish sheen.

In Malaysia, one important thing to note when you are buying jewelry with low karats. Metal alloys such as copper, silver, nickel, palladium etc are being used in the mix of gold jewelry.

Because Malaysia is very humid, you will see the alloys reacting to weather, chemicals and body sweat more quickly. So 9kt/10kt and sometimes even 14kt jewelry are commonly found to tarnish, turn dark and become less shiny fairly quickly.

And so the popular saying of 一分钱，一分货 would apply in this instance. So be wise in your spending guys! 😉

It is a 60/60 stone where by 60% table is paired with 60% depth. Proportions wise, should favour brightness more than fire.

Thanks for the explanation sifu. The price is 6k included setting under promotion. Is this a good buy? Or you will avoid this?

This post has been edited by luvjiajia: Feb 24 2019, 09:21 AM

I believe this is a ZCOVA promo. I see Twinning Wisp is the main and only inclusion. As far as what I have read last time, this has a possibility to cause some milky effect on the diamond. And Garry also mentioned that SI2 twinning wisp may have reduced in brilliance: https://www.pricescope.com/community/thread...6/#post-3498695. Garry is the creator of the HCA and IdealScope.

Personally, I this diamond looks decent. The price is great. Cheaper than BlueNile in total: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD...ick_id=55230956. It is the same diamond.


From my consumer point of view, it seems pretty much fine to me. And from what I understand from the brothers than run ZCOVA, they are pretty picky about inclusions. I once picked an VS1 diamond and the brother with GIA-GG says nope, dont prefer that lol. Well, maybe it is a low VS1 to him or a high VS2, which I personally still think is okay. Nonetheless, they are good people to talk to.

So if the magical number of 0.5 carat is an important factor to you, then you can shortlist this first. If not, try to drop to 0.4ct because you can have safer clarity range in that area, such as VS1, for this budget.

Of course, you can also ask for a few more options from them and I am sure they will gladly show it to you. But as far as CUT is concerned, I think this will be one of the top for this promotion (Just my guess).

What's the logical next step? If you ask me, I would make an appointment with them and visit their showroom to discuss on the options and see their explanation on why this is not so good, and why that is better etc. You would probably enjoy it and have more confidence. I think it is worth the time visiting to understand the inclusions better as they are SI2, at the same time, you can see what are your alternatives.

To answer your next question - If you ask me, I would prefer something in the VS range. So yes, I will drop this. However, if I really want a 0.5ct, with a RM6k-ish budget, I think this is hard to beat.

This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 24 2019, 11:14 AM

I was quoted, diamond 1.0 carats, VS2 & K color with casing at RM20k is it a good buy? Haven’t ask for discount. Your kind advice is appreciated.

Will need extra details to answer:

1. What grading report (commonly as certificate)?
2. If GIA, what is the number?
3. If not GIA, which lab they use to grade?

Apologies for not sharing the GIA number. Above is the answer as requested. Thanks in advance.

The fluorescence is strong blue, according to the sales man it will lower the yellowish color of the diamond?

It's here!

So this is how the packaging looks like when jewellers buy directly from supplier:

Hope that it will be a good stone!

Mouse for referencing the size.



This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 25 2019, 01:01 PM

HCA score is 3.6: https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca, so personally, I will skip this stone. The proportions may leak light as well -> Deep cut @ 62.8% total depth.

Calculate the expected weight using the dimensions and 6.33 x 6.39 x 3.99 x 0.0061 = 0.985ct.
The only thing I like about this diamond is the clarity as the inclusions are not on the center of the diamond (the table) and it is only pinpoint and feather. It should be a high VS2.

The fluorescence is strong blue, according to the sales man it will lower the yellowish color of the diamond? <- That's what Brian Gavin Diamonds (affiliate link) always said as well, so I believe that is true.

If you don't want to rely on HCA to help you filter (some may say it is just for reference and can't make the final call), then have a look at the Arrows of this diamond, is it well-aligned? I don't think you can view the Hearts as I believe this diamond is mounted on a ring. If you can view, they by all means view it as well using a Hearts & Arrows scope. All jewellers should have that in-store.

Lastly, do you like what you see?

Here is some diamonds that are close to your budget:
1.026 K VVS2 SIGNATURE BLUE ROUND
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...?a_aid=myengexp (affiliate link)
Price: USD 5288, MYR 21,739.36 (Transfer using MoneyMatch: https://transfer.moneymatch.co/)
Desc: Brian Gavin Diamonds does not sell this as a Hearts & Arrows diamond, but rather as a budget friendly ideally cut diamond. But don't let this put you off because it is pretty hard to find diamonds that are cut to such quality in the mass market.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/r...id=myengringexp (affiliate link)
1.084 ct K SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Diamond
Price: USD 4615, MYR 18,973.62 (Transfer using MoneyMatch: https://transfer.moneymatch.co/)
Desc: This diamond has great performance based on the actual diamond video. I would recommend you to check it out. The 6 o'clock arrow head and the arrow body seem to misaligned very slightly (if you want to be picky), but that is nothing unusual to me and it is still acceptable. This is an SI1 stone so I won't expect to see it eye-clean with a loupe or see it eye-clean at very close range, like few centimeters from the eyes. However, at a distance of approximately 10 inches under normal overhead lighting, it is definitely eye-clean. This is based on the definition from WhiteFlash. The Hearts and Arrows look very much acceptable as well.

Memory Jewellery setting is usually standard fit and price starts from RM 1499:
https://memoryjewellery.com/category/engagement-ring/
As far as I know, Memory Jewellery won't increase the setting price even if you stone is bigger. It makes sense because there is enough profit margin to cover any differences.

Bad thing about it is that their setting doesn't come with comfort fit as far as I know.

For comfort fit, you can try:
1. iDo Jewellery at Bukit Jalil. Her rings are not bad and she uses palladium in the 18k white gold mix. As gold is yellow in colour, 18k white gold will need whitening agent inside the alloy, so palladium is the whitening agent. In the mass market, usually nickel is the standard. However, nickel may cause allergic to a minor set of people. Nonetheless, if you other half is not sensitive to 18k white gold, then usually not a problem. Her price is usually not the cheapest but quality is there.

2. The Gem Tribe at Cheras: Relatively new player in town. One of the founders have been in this industry for a few years and she is able to provide ring settings as well. Her setting comes in comfort fit as well and her price starts from as low as RM 1200. You can specifically ask for palladium for the 18k white gold. Price may increase though. The final ring price should depend on the ring size, and probably diamond size as well, because logically speaking, bigger rings require more material, as simple as that. So it is a slightly different approach compared to MJ above.

You can ask them to bring some samples to try. iDo Jewellery has some, I believe TGT has too.

Diamond Altnernatives:
You can also ask MJ, iDO, or TGT to give you a quote for your required 4Cs as well, they do help customers to source for diamonds. Other players worth to consider is Tailored Jewel, which might also offer you some attractive price for your specs. Of course, you can also engage ZCOVA (affiliate link) for some other alternatives. Try to make appointment with them and have an experience with them and see.

iDo and TGT prefers to meet outside at a cafe or something. MJ has a showroom in Sentul. Tailored Jewel as a showroom at Atria Shopping Gallery, PJ. ZCOVA has a showroom at Kota Damansara. But, don't expect them to let you see the real diamond. They don't keep stock, as they run on virtual inventory. They will help you to source the best diamond for your budget through their respective sources.

This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 25 2019, 01:36 PM

Here is the specs:
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=2314447102

Actual diamond video:
http://assets.ddpl.com/v360/RSS031003

Hearts: Looks good eh? It is hard to take this picture. The 10 o'clock heart seem to show some very slight bend.


Hearts: Retake and can see slight bending tip at the hearts marked with orange colour. This is the reason why I said it is near Hearts & Arrows. Being picky right? Another reason is because I am not taking with a professional camera... Cause don't have one lol.


Arrows: 12 o'clock arrow head seems to be very slightly misaligned.. This is again being picky as we can see this now and then from Whiteflash as well.


First round verdict: This is a gorgeous diamond that looks fantastic under fluorescent lamp in the office. It has ideal proportions and cut to pretty high standard of precision.

Will try to capture ASET and idealscope soon.

This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 26 2019, 09:44 AM

Thank you for the informative review and suggestion [QUOTE]kambingkoh

I have clarified further with the sales man, he is willing to give me a discount on the diamond and with setting (18k white gold) for RM18k.
(Note: i have yet to physically look at the diamond, just been liaising thru whatsapp (mainly picture and video))

Given the available info and price, is the diamond a good go?

i understand i have yet to validate the Arrows and heart, but just take it at face value atm.

One of my most exp purchase, would like to get a gauge in order not to regret, hope you understand.

Thank you in advance, any advice is greatly appreciated.

Do you have the picture?

As stated earlier, I will reject this diamond because it is cut too deep to my liking and HCA score is too high.

Update:
Oh nevermind, found the stone: https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/11741197/round...lor-VS2-Clarity It is the same stone.

B2C Jewels do not have free shipping, so use this to estimate shipping: https://www.b2cjewels.com/international-shipping-policies. Ship to KL is around USD 118.74, making the final price to be USD 3314 + USD 118.74 = USD 3432.74 = MYR 14,095.92





Memory Jewellery engagement ring setting: RM 1499 (Try to nego)
https://memoryjewellery.com/category/engagement-ring/

Total: MYR 15,594.92

And my answer is still No, i won't buy this diamond. Check out the video, it is leaking light.

This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 25 2019, 07:12 PM

Thank you for recommending us Kambing bro. : ) Yes, TGT does not carry existing inventory neither. We are able to give you max value for your diamonds/gemstones as we source them in real time for our customers. You may check out our lowyat profile for further understanding. Good luck!

No problem, all the best with your sales.

Hello Haru,

I am Shannon, GIA (U.S. campus) Gemologist, nice to meet you. : ) I took a look at your Diamond GIA#1196288782 too.
Just by looking at all the inclusions of this diamond from the cert's plot, I can tell you straight off the bat that this is a borderline VS2.
The feather (which means breakage in the stone) is farrrrr too long within the diamond for it to be called a VS2. Hence, this is a good case study for those who want to see what a real borderline diamond would look like.
Also, the fact that it has STRONG fluorescence is a BIG no no.

Considering it is a K color (faint yellow, which to most people is easily visible even with naked eye), the fluorescence might help cloak the yellowness a little.
However, what the salesperson failed to tell you is that strong fluorescence actually causes cloudiness in your diamond too! Hence, probably the main cause for the poor HCA score as well.

Taking all these into consideration, my vote for this diamond is a no too. For this type of price, you could get a much cleaner and prettier diamond of that size, trust me. ; )

Oh. This already consider borderline? Tot is high. Thanks for the clarification

What do you mean by high VS2?
For Gemologists, when we grade a diamond and come to our final determination of the clarity grade, we usually categorize them as eg : a true VS2, or Borderline VS2 - which means its a 50/50 chance we will drop the grade down to SI1.

Is that what you mean by high VS2?