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3.8 carat WF ACA Custom Cut- Worth it?

A

aptp

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 29, 2016
Messages
16
Has anyone ever used Whiteflash's custom cut services? I am looking for a ring just under 4 carats but wasn't able to find anything in the A Cut Above range under my specifications, so they offered to custom cut to the specifications below:
3.80 I VSI ACA- $67,000 or
3.80 I VS 2 ACA- $62,000

I would have to pay a 20% non refundable deposit unless the final product does not meet the specifications above. Is the custom cut too risky since I wouldn't have any images of the diamond or be able to see it at all before payment?

In addition, these are two similar stones I found on WF's virtual selection:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3883720.htm
(3.76, 64.9k, H VSI)

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3689791.htm
(3.73, 53.8k, H, SI1)

Both have a HCA score under 2. If hearts and arrows patterning doesn't matter to me, am I really better off with an ACA or should I just go with any diamond that is not necessarily an ACA but falls within the PS dimensions (for depth, table, angles etc)? Does ACA really make a huge difference in terms of how good the diamond looks to the average person (and not seasoned PSers)?
 
the two stones you link as virtual selections have stock images. If I were spending that much money, I'd want the photos of the actual stone, plus the ASET, etc. The SI 1 may not be eye clean and that would irk me, no matter that it fell into the dimensions.
 
I have not used their custom cut service, but if WF will label/certify the outcome as an ACA, it will be cut to the same exacting standards as all the ACAs. So, you will get an ACA with all the performance guarantees. So, the lack of upfront imaging/photos would not bother me on performance. The clarity would be the hesitation to me, so I'd probably pay more for the VS1 to be sure of cleanliness, especially for black inclusions (but many many others here would not do so). I am an unabashed clarity-hog, I just can't unsee anything once I know it is there. You might have a look through their VS1 and VS2s and see if there is a 'type' of inclusion that would be a no-go for you. Maybe they can include that while screening rough. Also, once looking at reputable super-ideal, don't worry about HCA.

Perhaps reframing your question helps? If there was a 3.80 I VS1 ACA or VS2 for the prices you listed, would you buy it at that price? If so, the 20% deposit would not bother me, personally, as the outcome is known (clarity hog question noted).

Do you need/want to stick with WF as a vendor? If yes, ignore the rest of this post =)2.

There really is a inventory gap between 3.5 and 4 on most of the super-ideal round vendors, but I found this on on GOG (more expensive, but high color). Also, HPD may be able to call in stones from the CraftedbyInfinity network that are not on their website.
GoodOldGold Ascendancy, https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...GIA-G-VS2-diamond-stock-14218-cert-7201021076

NOT superideal, but good numbers and budget friendly. Would need to request an IS (but have the advantage of good video over the two WF non ACAs you linked).
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3356870
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2138305
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2617362
 
Will the virtual stones (you posted 2) have a tradin/trade up policy like ACAs? If so, then you could pick one of those and live with it for a while. If it
doesnt work out as your "dream" stone then trade it in for an ACA or a custom cut? You would want to check with WF to make sure all this applies.
If you like either of the virtual stones, ask them to bring them in and get all the pictures/aset etc so you can evaluate it.

If one of the virtual stones do not meet your needs then a custom cut would be in order. ACAs are cut to very strict standards so I would not have an
issue with having it done. One of my* needs would be that it not have any dark inclusion on the table (at the VS level) so I would want them to assure
me that the rough is clean and it will not have anything on the table.
 
Per WF: "Diamonds in our Virtual Selection category and other diamonds that may be sourced for customers are not part of Whiteflash in-house inventory and are therefore not included in our Trade Up Guarantee."

Based on that information alone, I personally would. It purchase either of the stones. OP will be better off even sourcing them with a different vendor that would allow upgrades/trade-ins.
 
For anyone wishing a custom cut I would absolutely point to Crafted by Infinity. Specifically, check out the guarantees.

http://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonds/diamonds-crafted-order

Paul and his team are the only cutters out there who actually choose, plan and craft their diamonds from rough to final polish. I am over the moon with mine. You wont and can go wrong. Good luck!
 
Whiteflash parameters are so tight for ACA, I wouldn't have a problem at all with a custom cut. Good luck and let us know what you decide!!!
 
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