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phoebe_0526 · Mar 30th, 2009, 06:08 AM

Hi ladies, I am picking my first Diamond ring, now it's quite difficult for me to choose, would you please give me some suggestion?

This would be my B-day gift from my SO. Our budget is up to 5K. If we save more $, then we can use the rest for other stuffs.

The first one would Hearts on Fire, which is my fav brand for diamond. IDK why, but I really LOVE this brand, like it says "the world's most perfect cut, it means the most perfect love to me." The one we want is around .35 ct.
It is E-F/VS no AGS nor GIA, only the HOF certificate , the cut should be super ideal. bc it spark like crazy. The price is much higher than the normal one we can get in store. It cost around 4K.

The second one is D/VVS2 with GIA, 3EX. .38 I have attached the GIA certificate.
and this one cost $1,800

They are both in this style. http://www.heartsonfire.com/?#/us/en...20Rings&type=1

Please give me some suggestion.

Thank you ALL.

jan228 · Mar 30th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Have you seen the stones in person? The HOF might not matter if you look at the stones side by side. $2200 is a a huge premium for a designer brand if the difference isn't that noticeable.

wired1 · Mar 30th, 2009, 02:28 PM

For $4,000 you can get a VS2/SI1 GIA certified 1 carat stone at MANY jewelers; it's the up side of the economy, if there is such a thing. Not sure you want that size or not, but I am pointing out the HUGE premium you are paying for HoF.

Get an ideal cut GIA cert'd stone, and put the money into other things as you suggested, OR get a WAY bigger stone for the same spend :)

Congrats, either way!

-Wired

ame · Mar 30th, 2009, 02:30 PM

If you want the brand, get the brand.

If you want a great stone without the markup of the brand, check out Goodoldgold.com because they have some AMAZING heart-and-arrows cut stones that look AS GOOD if not better than the Hearts on Fire stones. You can get a bigger, better stone through them than you would if you went through Hearts on Fire.

Hokaplan · Mar 30th, 2009, 03:05 PM

I agree with wired1. I looked at HoF rings last week and I couldn't see huge difference at all. You are definitely paying for name.

Jenna51580 · Mar 30th, 2009, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by ame

if you want the brand, get the brand.

If you want a great stone without the markup of the brand, check out goodoldgold.com because they have some amazing heart-and-arrows cut stones that look as good if not better than the hearts on fire stones. You can get a bigger, better stone through them than you would if you went through hearts on fire.

ita

risingsun · Mar 30th, 2009, 07:07 PM

As a HOF owner, I don't think you will get a better diamond, but you can get a stunning diamond by choosing an AGS 0 stone. I had an ACA from WF prior to my HOF. It was a gorgeous stone! Brian Gavin, the designer of the ACA line, has left WF and has his own line of diamonds again. Of course, GOG, Infinity and James Allen are other alternatives on the net. If you are going B&M, I think HOF will knock your socks off

saligator · Mar 30th, 2009, 07:41 PM

HOF's are beautiful, but why not at least *peek* at the other "hearts and arrows" cuts to see what else you might be able to with your price range.

HauteMama · Mar 30th, 2009, 09:38 PM

I agree with wired1. Compare the stones side by side if you can, and see if you can honestly tell the difference. Other stones with a hearts and arrows cut are just as beautiful without paying the premium for the name.

But, ultimately, if you would rather sacrifice stone size for the name (and many people do - there's no shame in that as long as you know what you want and what your options are), then do so. If nothing else will make you happy, then all the rationalizations in the world about not being able to tell the difference won't matter to you. If it matters to YOU, even if the stones are identical, it is important.

meechelley · Mar 31st, 2009, 12:36 AM

I had the same issues with choosing between an HoF and non HoF diamond. Its hard to look past it after you've looked at its brilliance hah... but I asked my jeweler for an AGS ideal cut diamond with ideal symmetry and ideal polish (AGS000). The HoF I was quoted for was a .53ct H/VS1 it was beautiful.. it was $3300. Then he showed me a non HoF... AGS000 diamond... .54ct/E/VS1... $3000... (since it wasn't an HoF he was able to give us a good discount.. it was originally $3800) just as stunning and beautiful as the HoF.. btw... theres another diamond company that has a trademark of "The most beautiful diamond in the world" lol =P... HoF is very pretty!!! but if you're not attached to the name.. there are very high quality diamonds that you can get at the same price. Lol in the end though we went with a different ring/diamond =P.

phoebe_0526 · Mar 31st, 2009, 06:21 AM

Thank you all for the inputs. I really appreciate your opinion.

At this moment, I am looking for a diamond less than .4 carats. since the setting I like will make it seems much bigger in size, I am currently work in Asia, and the women here do not wear diamond jewelry that often,therefore I do not want to purchase a big one. Maybe later on I will change my mind, lol the bigger the better.

I cant compare them side by side, bc they are different company. The HOF called me today and she told me she found a F/VS2 .33ct. The price is $3200 after discount. Therefore the price difference is become closer. but still DEEP.

I just don't understand from the GIA spec I post, is that one a good diamond? will it shine like HOF? is AGS quality better than GIA?
When we was in HOF, we feel the diamond is prettier than the GIA we saw. maybe just a bit, but we can see the difference. However I am not sure if that's a fact or that's just bc the brand and the envirment to make us "feel"......

Any comments would be appreciate.

Thank you again

simplysplendid · Mar 31st, 2009, 07:30 AM

Hi, you might want to do a search, there are similar discussions around eg: between HOF and Tiffany etc.

phoebe_0526 · Mar 31st, 2009, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by simplysplendid

Hi, you might want to do a search, there are similar discussions around eg: between HOF and Tiffany etc.

\thank you hun. I have read almost every thread about HOF in TPF. I just need some more opinion about this GIA vs. HOF.

risingsun · Mar 31st, 2009, 01:33 PM

Please give me the following information so I can give you an opinion on the GIA diamond:
depth %
table %
crown angle
pavillion angle
lower girdle facet number

I can help you determine if you should reject the stone based upon using these parameters. I would take them from the grading report, but the numbers are too small for me to read!

Curlybaby · Mar 31st, 2009, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by risingsun

As a HOF owner, I don't think you will get a better diamond, but you can get a stunning diamond by choosing an AGS 0 stone. I had an ACA from WF prior to my HOF. It was a gorgeous stone! Brian Gavin, the designer of the ACA line, has left WF and has his own line of diamonds again. Of course, GOG, Infinity and James Allen are other alternatives on the net. If you are going B&M, I think HOF will knock your socks off

I agree AGS 0 would be your closest bet without too much of a premium, although GIA cuts excellent stones as well. AGS is just regarded as being a bit more stringent with their grading processes. If you check out Jon over at Good Old Gold you can watch some awesome comparitive videos on diamonds.

Mar 30th, 2009, 12:10 PM	#2
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650	Have you seen the stones in person? The HOF might not matter if you look at the stones side by side. $2200 is a a huge premium for a designer brand if the difference isn't that noticeable.
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650

Mar 30th, 2009, 02:28 PM	#3
wired1 Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 76	For $4,000 you can get a VS2/SI1 GIA certified 1 carat stone at MANY jewelers; it's the up side of the economy, if there is such a thing. Not sure you want that size or not, but I am pointing out the HUGE premium you are paying for HoF. Get an ideal cut GIA cert'd stone, and put the money into other things as you suggested, OR get a WAY bigger stone for the same spend :) Congrats, either way! -Wired
wired1 Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 76

Mar 30th, 2009, 02:30 PM	#4
ame Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,843	If you want the brand, get the brand. If you want a great stone without the markup of the brand, check out Goodoldgold.com because they have some AMAZING heart-and-arrows cut stones that look AS GOOD if not better than the Hearts on Fire stones. You can get a bigger, better stone through them than you would if you went through Hearts on Fire.
ame Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,843	__________________ Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular. I LOVE SEWNSATIONAL! Things I want.... -Balenciaga Twiggy -Anna Corinna Jetsetter/Jetsetter Jr. -More Anna Corinna Mini Citys -Mulberry Mabel -Rebecca Minkoff MA/MAM ...it's good to want things.

Mar 30th, 2009, 03:05 PM	#5
Hokaplan Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,002	I agree with wired1. I looked at HoF rings last week and I couldn't see huge difference at all. You are definitely paying for name.
Hokaplan Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,002

Mar 30th, 2009, 07:41 PM	#8
saligator Member Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,431	HOF's are beautiful, but why not at least peek at the other "hearts and arrows" cuts to see what else you might be able to with your price range.
saligator Member Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,431

Mar 30th, 2009, 07:07 PM	#7
risingsun Member Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,658	As a HOF owner, I don't think you will get a better diamond, but you can get a stunning diamond by choosing an AGS 0 stone. I had an ACA from WF prior to my HOF. It was a gorgeous stone! Brian Gavin, the designer of the ACA line, has left WF and has his own line of diamonds again. Of course, GOG, Infinity and James Allen are other alternatives on the net. If you are going B&M, I think HOF will knock your socks off

Mar 30th, 2009, 09:38 PM	#9
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,836	I agree with wired1. Compare the stones side by side if you can, and see if you can honestly tell the difference. Other stones with a hearts and arrows cut are just as beautiful without paying the premium for the name. But, ultimately, if you would rather sacrifice stone size for the name (and many people do - there's no shame in that as long as you know what you want and what your options are), then do so. If nothing else will make you happy, then all the rationalizations in the world about not being able to tell the difference won't matter to you. If it matters to YOU, even if the stones are identical, it is important.
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,836

Mar 31st, 2009, 12:36 AM	#10
meechelley Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	I had the same issues with choosing between an HoF and non HoF diamond. Its hard to look past it after you've looked at its brilliance hah... but I asked my jeweler for an AGS ideal cut diamond with ideal symmetry and ideal polish (AGS000). The HoF I was quoted for was a .53ct H/VS1 it was beautiful.. it was $3300. Then he showed me a non HoF... AGS000 diamond... .54ct/E/VS1... $3000... (since it wasn't an HoF he was able to give us a good discount.. it was originally $3800) just as stunning and beautiful as the HoF.. btw... theres another diamond company that has a trademark of "The most beautiful diamond in the world" lol =P... HoF is very pretty!!! but if you're not attached to the name.. there are very high quality diamonds that you can get at the same price. Lol in the end though we went with a different ring/diamond =P.
meechelley Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264

Mar 31st, 2009, 06:21 AM	#11
phoebe_0526 OP Member Joined: May 2006 Location: Beautiful Island Posts: 2,900	Thank you all for the inputs. I really appreciate your opinion. At this moment, I am looking for a diamond less than .4 carats. since the setting I like will make it seems much bigger in size, I am currently work in Asia, and the women here do not wear diamond jewelry that often,therefore I do not want to purchase a big one. Maybe later on I will change my mind, lol the bigger the better. I cant compare them side by side, bc they are different company. The HOF called me today and she told me she found a F/VS2 .33ct. The price is $3200 after discount. Therefore the price difference is become closer. but still DEEP. I just don't understand from the GIA spec I post, is that one a good diamond? will it shine like HOF? is AGS quality better than GIA? When we was in HOF, we feel the diamond is prettier than the GIA we saw. maybe just a bit, but we can see the difference. However I am not sure if that's a fact or that's just bc the brand and the envirment to make us "feel"...... Any comments would be appreciate. Thank you again

Mar 31st, 2009, 07:30 AM	#12
simplysplendid 2 precious boys' mom Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Topsy Turvy World Posts: 490	Hi, you might want to do a search, there are similar discussions around eg: between HOF and Tiffany etc.
	__________________ How does one stick to a ban?

Mar 31st, 2009, 01:33 PM	#14
risingsun Member Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,658	Please give me the following information so I can give you an opinion on the GIA diamond: depth % table % crown angle pavillion angle lower girdle facet number I can help you determine if you should reject the stone based upon using these parameters. I would take them from the grading report, but the numbers are too small for me to read!
	Last edited by risingsun; Mar 31st, 2009 at 01:40 PM.

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