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Advice Wanted [WTA] Proposal Ring & Wedding Bands, Please advice me!! Need Help!!

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tzehan_dk
post Sep 18 2017, 08:01 PM

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What's the specs of a loose diamond for under RM20k? Preferably VS1, any colour above J, 0.8.1 carat.
tzehan_dk
post Apr 14 2019, 11:27 PM

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My preference is
Color - G, H, I
Clarity - SI1, VS2
Carat - 1.38ct

What would a very competitive price be for the above specs?
tzehan_dk
post Apr 15 2019, 02:28 AM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ Apr 15 2019, 01:25 AM)
You can check on Enchanted Diamonds for the estimate price:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/sear...metry=Excellent

or BlueNile:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search

Convert the price to USD: https://transfer.moneymatch.co/

Enchanted Diamonds is able to ship to Malaysia for free, if not mistaken. Loose diamond has no tax.

BlueNile DOES NOT ship to Malaysia.

Nonetheless, anything you saw that interests you, ZCOVA - https://zcova.com/ can help you to source it.

Price wise, most likely between RM 40000 - RM 50000.
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Thanks for the help.

Question: Obviously buying from Enchanted Diamonds would be ideal over Zcova then, as it's cheaper?
tzehan_dk
post Apr 15 2019, 03:44 PM

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Seems really difficult to purchase/find the best diamond possible. As the same specs (4C) on the GIA cert is only half the factor. Need to view the ASET and determine the best diamond under that same specs.
tzehan_dk
post Apr 16 2019, 05:52 PM

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@kambingkoh any KL diamond stores you can recommend for best value and quality?
tzehan_dk
post Apr 16 2019, 05:52 PM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ Apr 16 2019, 02:19 PM)
Just checked with Brian Gavin Diamonds (affiliate link) that they indeed revised their prices for smaller carat weight (0.18ct - 0.99ct) as they have a new diamond cutting facility as well as due to economy of scale. This is also done do reflect the current market condition.

To add on, for those diamonds that do not make it into their Black category (affiliate link), you can enjoy 8% off (including 3% wire discount) currently by using the discount code APRILDIA19. You can rest assured that those that do no make it into Black does not mean that they are bad diamonds, the difference is actually subtle and they are able to stand strong against any typical virtual inventory diamonds in the mass market.
user posted image

Shipping is not free, but try to ask for it nicely. You could possibly get it, but no promises.

Loose diamond import is also tax-free in Malaysia, so you only pay the amount stated on their website and that's it.
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@kambingkoh any KL diamond stores you can recommend for best value and quality?

tzehan_dk
post May 4 2019, 11:59 PM

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@kambingkoh

Hey, if you could advise me with my journey in searching for a worthy/value for money diamond thus far; if I am on the right path.

I've learned quite abit from watching JannPaul's videos and looking briefly through google+LYN. Some time soon, I'm planning to visit JannPaul. Am chatting with them currently.

I have been to few retail shops, and found that I like Le Lumiere the best (in terms of customer service, HNA, price), as I seek for "super ideal cut" HNA. I have found that other shops have too much a price premium for their self-branded perfect hearts and arrows, sometimes even with 100 facets etc all that funky stuff. Back to Le Lumiere, what do you think of their pricing, is it a premium? It was easy to filter/select at LL as they only carry perfect HNA.

I also looked up Zcova but I am not so fond of the idea of purchasing online.

After looking at the prices of "Super Ideal Cut" HNA diamonds, I may be willing to balance it with just "Ideal Cut" (above triple EXC), for more carat specifically. IMO, willing to sacrifice colour (H being the lowest) and clarity (SI1 being the lowest) a little.

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 5 2019, 12:02 AM
tzehan_dk
post May 5 2019, 02:04 PM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 5 2019, 01:00 PM)
Will be best if you can provide the carat weight you aiming for as well as the price you have been quoted, together with your budget.
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Was looking at 0.9c F SI1 for RM42k with change of setting (RM36k for plain setting) at Le Lumiere. Also considering their 1c which was about RM48k (overbudget).

Looking at other cheaper sources, yet perfect (or at least close to) hearts and arrows, hopefully higher carat 1.3-1.4c. ~RM40k +- budget. Cut and carat 2 most important C's. Like the perfect hearts and arrow like I saw at LL.

On another note, I have also seen https://www.briangavindiamonds.com as recommended by you, do you trust that they use the actual ASET images for each diamond respectively? Is there any doubt that they may be using ASET images of another (better) diamond?

Thanks

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 5 2019, 03:15 PM
tzehan_dk
post May 5 2019, 03:37 PM

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user posted image
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I selected only the "Advance - Ideal", I think they are perfect HnA? @kambingkoh what do you think?

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...mond-bfg-785847
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...mond-bfg-785845
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...mond-bfg-785874
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...mond-bfg-785904
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...#33;prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/
tzehan_dk
post May 5 2019, 05:43 PM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 5 2019, 03:56 PM)
Advance Ideal means that the stone is in production, not available in-house yet. Still in factory. But you can pre-book it. Heck, as mentioned above, you can even custom cut your own desire stone with them. If my budget allows, I think I will do a 30-pointer with WhiteFlash first -> custom stone with own inscription -> "I love you 3000" something like that. and.. upgrade the report to GIA diamond grading report. It will certainly be more expensive, but it is probably quite fun to do so.

99% of BGD stones will have crisp Hearts & Arrows. Brian Gavin himself is very picky about it.
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"99% of BGD stones will have crisp Hearts & Arrows. Brian Gavin himself is very picky about it." -This is good to know! ie. He has already filtered his diamonds. I am only keen on "perfect or close to perfect" Hearts and Arrows diamond. Plus it seems like it's a reputable source to do an online diamond purchase. I would probably get second opinions or have someone select a diamond off his list, if I were to go down this route of buying online.

Noted with thanks on your explanation on "Advance - Ideal".

For the same budget of approx RM43k, I could only get a 0.9c F SI1 or G VS2 from Le Lumiere. With BGD or maybe even other reputable online sources, 1.3c seems very possible.

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 5 2019, 05:45 PM
tzehan_dk
post May 5 2019, 05:58 PM

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@kambingkoh With the filters in the image, you reckon you can pick out a good one with maximum $11.5k budget?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/r...ond-4109824.htm This looks good imo in terms of diamond/price balance. What do you think?

When looking at images online, I have a slight concern that the images may be tampered with (like making the HnA more apparent than they actually are etc). What do you think? Looking at BGD and Whiteflash

Thanks again

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 5 2019, 06:11 PM
tzehan_dk
post May 9 2019, 11:57 AM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 9 2019, 09:27 AM)
And for that price, you can get this https://black.briangavindiamonds.com/diamon...?a_aid=myengexp (affiliate link). Performance? I am pretty sure this stone will be excellent, and at the same time, providing you the best cut quality possible. In terms of sparkles, you won't be disappointed with that. This is the sort of diamond that provides you eye-clean, mind-clean, and performance guaranteed performance. So yes, I am quite confident that this diamond will be compatible to the stone you see, if not better. And as far as cut quality is concerned, Brian Gavin shows you everything. How precise it is etc. And how great the light return is. So, if I am paying that amount, I would be getting this instead.


^ From what you have been saying, seems like like BGD is the best choice in terms of diamond performance (good HnA). Are you able to judge the diamond performance just from the info provided on BGD? Ie. By looking at the IDEA/ASET scope etc? Buying a diamond in person takes this uncertainty away, unless one is able to judge from just materials online.

QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 9 2019, 09:27 AM)
On the Other Hand
You can actually contact ZCOVA to find out more options. They have extensive connection to various suppliers in the world. Imagine them as BlueNile, the largest online diamond reseller. But since BlueNile does not ship to Malaysia, ZCOVA is your best bet. One of the founder is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and he should be able to provide you a sound advice on your options available. Again, they are not holding any in-house diamonds as far as I know, but all their diamonds are based on videos and photographs from respective suppliers.


^ In case of any transfer risk etc, you think I can get Zcova to get a diamond I saw at BGD? So basically I deal with Zcova instead.

QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 9 2019, 09:27 AM)
You can also contact Shannon from The Gem Tribe. Find them on Facebook or Instagram. She sources stones locally with some local suppliers and compare them side-by-side in real time. She will then let you know your options as well as any info related. She is different than others because she can actually see the diamonds herself, instead of relying on videos or photographs. So this is one of the key strength of her company. And I also like her ring settings, they look pretty nice and well crafted.


^ Any vouches for The Gem Tribe? I am aware that payment for the diamond is upfront before collection, and it's a new company of few months old with very few (if any) sales. Very few followings on their social media, Facebook and Instagram too.

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 9 2019, 11:59 AM
tzehan_dk
post May 13 2019, 04:08 PM

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@kambingkoh

1. Do you see any importance in HCA scores?
2. What do you think of "Sarine" method of grading? Is it a good tool to measure performance of a stone? Something like this https://api.sarine.com/viewer/v2/CW3B1MBVDJX

Sarine Whitepaper attached below.

Thanks!

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 13 2019, 06:12 PM


Attached File(s)
Attached File  Sarine_light_white_paper__1_.pdf ( 643.29k ) Number of downloads: 5
tzehan_dk
post May 29 2019, 05:39 PM

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@kambingkoh What do you think of these 3? smile.gif

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...#33;prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...#33;prettyPhoto[gallery2]/3/

Like this the most:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...#33;prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 29 2019, 06:05 PM
tzehan_dk
post May 30 2019, 03:28 PM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 29 2019, 08:17 PM)
Yes, I like the last one the most too. wink.gif

There is some sort of calculation to determine whether how close the diamond is cut to its ideal weight. Just use its dimensions multiply by 0.0061:

Diamond 1 - 6.88 X 6.90 X 4.25 X 0.0061 = 1.23ct
Diamond 2 - 6.97 X 6.99 X 4.31 X 0.0061 = 1.28ct
Diamond 3 - 7.14 X 7.17 X 4.41 X 0.0061 = 1.377ct <- This is the closes if to its actual weight! But other than that, I like the small table and the 34.5 CA pair with 40.8 PA. It is the closest you can get to the original Tolkowsky ideal cut in terms of both angles.
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Besides that score, the Hearts and Arrows look great too. Clarity looks good too. What do you think?

From your comments throughout this thread, I do realise you recommend briangavindiamonds as a top choice compared to whiteflash, enchanteddiamonds etc when buying online? For their good Hearts and Arrows standards?

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tzehan_dk
post May 30 2019, 04:10 PM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 30 2019, 03:53 PM)
Yes, Brian Gavin Diamonds cut the most consistent Hearts among all the vendors in the states. In fact, Brian Gavin co-founded WhiteFlash before leaving the company and form his own company.


Do we have Lowyat guys successfully getting their diamonds from Brian Gavin? Also, lastly, any comments about AGS versus GIA? biggrin.gif

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: May 30 2019, 04:11 PM
tzehan_dk
post May 31 2019, 02:44 PM

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Any idea when Brian Gavin is doing another sale/discount for their diamonds?
tzehan_dk
post May 31 2019, 07:35 PM

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QUOTE(kambingkoh @ May 31 2019, 06:25 PM)
Usually year end.

They have it occasionally as well now and then. Do note that their discount does not apply to black by Brian Gavin collection.

Also, it already include 3 percent wire discount as well.
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Black is too costly. Looking at BG Signature collection anyway. Thanks for the help. Will keep in mind of your referral code if making a purchase.
tzehan_dk
post Jun 9 2019, 01:26 PM

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@kambingkoh

Apparently Brian Gavin does good/perfect Hearts and Arrows for their Cushion shapes too. What do you think? Something like this.

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...#33;prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/
tzehan_dk
post Jun 10 2019, 07:04 PM

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@kambingkoh Was eyeing a diamond on BG that got sold. Am now checking these 2 out. Which do you think is a better stone? I think the HnA looks better on the 1.373c stone, but they're close, I'm not completely sure. Better clarity obviously goes to the 1.35c. But which is better overall? smile.gif

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...#33;prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/

or

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds...#33;prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/

This post has been edited by tzehan_dk: Jun 10 2019, 07:05 PM

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