a cut above vs expert selection

[ballercaller]

Is there a really big difference between a cut above vs. An expert selction stone? What actually qualifies as an a cut above stone? Can I be fairly confident that if I buy a cut above stone I'd be getting the best of the best of that ct size with no inclusions, etc? Also, how do you look for inclusions? Honostly each stone I look at looks the same to me unless its blatently obvious.

 

[Niel]

I believe an expert select one is a stone with nice angles, but not nice enough to qualify as an ACA. Whiteflash has articles standards to get that distinction. You buy an ACA the cut will be great, but doesn't mean it doesn't have inclusions. Typically to the right of the picture of the stone you like it'll have a bunch of icons, if its eye clean, it'll have a little eye icon and say above the icon "eye clean". But that just means from the top. So if you find one you like and are concerned, just ask a rep to review it and tell you of its eye clean.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

ACA's are top cut quality, ideal cut with hearts and arrows precision. Expert Selection are normally ideal cut as well, but they just are not as perfect as the ACA's. You would be unlikely to see any difference at all. Neither has anything to do with inclusions. Most of their stones will say eyeclean on the webpage, but you may need to as about an individual stone, as Niel mentioned. VS and above will usually be eyeclean, but SI clarity will vary with the individual stones and your eyesight. Sometimes a stone will be eyeclean from the top and not the sides. If the sides of the setting will be open, you need to ask if it is eyeclean from the sides.

 

[ballercaller]

Thanks
So to get the very best fire and brilliance I should generally just pay the extra $$ and stick with a cut above?

 

[Niel]

I'm sure these are both well cut. What are the two stones you're looking st?