A. Link--60/60 Cut Stones

[Molls]

Anyone had experience with this company? It seems to be a pretty small operation with placement in a few retailers. They tout 60/60 cut stones, and I''m trying to figure out whether this is anything distinctive (and what the PS experts think):

The quality of an A. Link diamond is immediately visible, even under the most remarkable conditions. Any diamond can sparkle in the light of day, but an A. LINK diamond will sparkle in the dark, needing only the most minimal light to share its brilliance. Such dazzling effects are due to the A. LINK signature 60/60 cut diamonds, where the table and depth percentages are the same, maximizing diameter weight and reflectivity. These diamonds have table sizes from 58 to 61 percent with depths of 59 to 61 percent. These percentages average 60\60, all other parameters, i.e., polish, symmetry, culet, and girdle specifications are “good” or better. We grade our diamonds for color and clarity with expertise comparable to the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) and the American Gem Society (A.G.S.)

 

[stone-cold11]

cut performance is dependent on the crown and pavilion angles. 60/60 can be well cut or not. Also, 60/60 depending on the angles can have less than optimum spread from simple geometry.

 

[jet2ks]

We grade our diamonds for color and clarity with expertise comparable to the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) and the American Gem Society (A.G.S.)

Ditto SC, but this is what would make me look elsewhere. If they are so sure of their grading and cut quality, why not submit the stones to an independent lab? What is preventing them from lenient grading, after all, they are also trying to sell the diamond. If they conveniently grade it one grade higher than what GIA would in both color and clarity, it can mean quite a bit higher retail price.

 

[yssie]

Date: 1/2/2010 9:21:02 PM
Author: jet2ks

We grade our diamonds for color and clarity with expertise comparable to the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) and the American Gem Society (A.G.S.)

Ditto SC, but this is what would make me look elsewhere. If they are so sure of their grading and cut quality, why not submit the stones to an independent lab? What is preventing them from lenient grading, after all, they are also trying to sell the diamond. If they conveniently grade it one grade higher than what GIA would in both color and clarity, it can mean quite a bit higher retail price.

Big ditto!!


Though they might pass it off as ''unnecessary extra expenses'' that they''re avoiding passing on to the consumer..

 

[Molls]

Thanks for the responses. The only A.Link pieces I''ve seen use small stones (.30 and under). They seem to manufacturer eternity bands and other items like earrings and pendants-would such small stones normally be lab-graded?

 

[librarychickie]

My diamond studs are A. Link, and I love them. They sparkle like mad. They are small, though -- .27ct in each ear.

~LC

 

[yssie]

Date: 1/2/2010 9:50:12 PM
Author: Molls
Thanks for the responses. The only A.Link pieces I''ve seen use small stones (.30 and under). They seem to manufacturer eternity bands and other items like earrings and pendants-would such small stones normally be lab-graded?

Well, that''s a bit different. Lots of vendors won''t send melee-size stones to the big labs - it really is unnecessary expense, then!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/2/2010 8:17:28 PM
Author:Molls
Anyone had experience with this company? It seems to be a pretty small operation with placement in a few retailers. They tout 60/60 cut stones, and I''m trying to figure out whether this is anything distinctive (and what the PS experts think):

The quality of an A. Link diamond is immediately visible, even under the most remarkable conditions. Any diamond can sparkle in the light of day, but an A. LINK diamond will sparkle in the dark, needing only the most minimal light to share its brilliance. Such dazzling effects are due to the A. LINK signature 60/60 cut diamonds, where the table and depth percentages are the same, maximizing diameter weight and reflectivity. These diamonds have table sizes from 58 to 61 percent with depths of 59 to 61 percent. These percentages average 600, all other parameters, i.e., polish, symmetry, culet, and girdle specifications are “good” or better. We grade our diamonds for color and clarity with expertise comparable to the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) and the American Gem Society (A.G.S.)

You will find this article helpful concerning 60 60 diamonds, these can be great diamonds as long as the critical crown and pavilion angles are within good range.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/60.asp

 

[sydney]

My husband just got me a 4tcw eternity band. Its breathtaking! It does sparkle all the time.
I am more pleased with it than with my e-ring stone that we purchased online.

 

[sydney]

oops! and I forgot to mention the obvious- its from A.Link

 

[Molls]

I got an A. Link eternity band a couple of years ago (just over 4 carats). It is truly the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen. It sparkles like crazy, shines across any room, lays perfectly on my finger, and is just perfect. I have an unreasonable love and attachment to it. I'm seeking more info about this company because I'm now in the market for earrings, and the A. Link options seem limited (from what I gather). I was thinking of going for 2-2.5 ctw studs, but thought that maybe A. Link earrings were a possibility. I guess I could contact the company directly, but it seems like they may only manufacture pieces using the smaller 60/60 stones.

I got it from a local BM store (with an independent appraisal, but she didn't take separate measurements for each stone-hence my 60/60 questions). I'm glad that there are other fans out there!