About to buy an ACA; confused about size/color trade-off?

[Birdwatcher]

Hi,

This is just a wonderful forum and I''ve learned so much from you all! This is only my 3rd post ever on an internet forum, so I''m probably being too wordy and disjointed. But I need some advice, so please keep reading .


I posted last week when I was beginning my diamond search and now I''m about to pull the trigger on a RB from WF. I''m most likely going to set it in the WF six-prong tiffany knife-edge setting in platinum and wear with the plain matching band.

I am fairly color-sensitive and so was initially drawn to the F color.

I initially was interested in the following 1.21 F SI 1 (eye clean in all directions) stone for $8514:

Item Code: AGS-10142006

. Report: AGS
. Shape: Whiteflash ACA
. Carat: 1.210
. Depth %: 60.7
. Table %: 57.6
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Crown %: 14.8
. Star : 54
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.87-6.89X4.18
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

Then my DH said we could bump up the budget a bit since my ideal size is more like 1.5 ct; we likely wouldn''t upgrade (or not for a loooong time) if I got a 1.5 ct now.

I am now considering the following 1.55 ACA G SI 1 (eyeclean from all directions)stone for $13,715:
Item Code: AGS-10142105

. Report: AGS
. Shape: Whiteflash ACA
. Carat: 1.550
. Depth %: 60.9
. Table %: 55.7
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 15.3
. Star : 52
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 7.48-7.51X4.57
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

I called WF today to ask if the G color was closer to F or closer to H, and while it is definitely a G they told me it was closer to H than F. I really appreciate their honesty in helping me make the right choice for me.

I am still leaning towards the larger stone, but am wondering if I will feel "bothered" by the color (even if only in my mind). If I got the smaller 1.21 F stone, I could upgrade at a later point; right now there are no ACA F stones in my price range.

Finally (thanks if you''re still with me) I noticed the following 1.5 F VS2 Expert Selection stone

Item Code: GIA16212053

. Report: GIA
. Shape: Round
. Carat: 1.50
. Depth %: 58.9
. Table %: 62
. Crown Angle: 34
. Crown %: 13
. Star : 50
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.5
. Lower Girdle %: 80
. Girdle: Medium to Slightly thick
. Measurements: 7.44-7.49X4.40
. Polish: Very Good
. Symmetry: Very Good
. Culet: None
. Fluorescence: Medium Blue

The price is even higher at $14,596 which is slightly over my revised budget but could be workable if it''s my "forever" stone. I just know how important cut is and this is not an ACA. Would the ACA stones look better than this one?

Thanks so much for any insights.

Birdy

 

[swingirl]

Your next question should be to WF comparing the 1.5 ACA and the 1.5 ES as far a cut goes. The F will be whiter of course, but you don''t want to sacrifice cut. Some of the Expert Selection stones are very close to ACAs and you probably couldn''t see the difference, but some, I''ve noticed, are further away from "ideal". I''d have them compare the 2. Again, they will be honest.

 

[Dreamer_D]

From running the numbers on the ES through the HCA, and with a score of 1.9 it looks like it is well worth considering further. In which case I recommend you reserve it because a lurker will snap it up on you! Happens all the time!

I tracked it down on the WF website and it looks good, although the arrows are thin... maybe someone more expert than I can comment on what that reflects? Perhaps the longer, 80% lower girdle facets? Anyways, I think it looks good for the price and the size.

However, I would not be bothered by a "G that is closer to an H than an F". Have you gone to a store and looked at H&A branded cuts in different colour grades to get a feel for your colour tolerance? I would be extremely surprised if you could actually detect the difference between a G and an F if you didn''t know which was which, even side by side. Of course, seeing and knowing are two different things

And I can''t tell you whether it will bother you to know your diamond is a G. Only you can decide that!

 

[Birdwatcher]

Thanks for the responses so far...keep them coming .

I have already reserved the 1.55 G SI1 diamond (and released the 1.21), so I''m not sure I''d be able to reserve another one.

I see what you are saying about the facets on the ES diamond.

Over the weekend, I stopped in at my local Tiffany and Co. to look at various sizes and colors. I know that the Tiff diamonds, while not ACA quality, are not poorly cut. I tried on a 1.5 H VS1 (for $23,000 yikes!) which looked yellow to me compared to my supposed G .61 diamond. I have not been able to find any official H&A dealers in my area, but will try to keep looking.

Thanks so much,
Birdy

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would rather have the G 1.55 ACA stone over the ES stone. I don''t think you could consider that G color is yellow at all. I really don''t think you can tell much in Tiffany''s lighting, either. Different environments will have a different effect on diamonds. But G stones are going to be white. My H stone is very white unless there the enviroment casts color onto it.

 

[honey22]

I would take the ACA. You won''t notice the difference in colour in a better cut stone. The ES will still be a great stone, but in this case I would take the ACA.

 

[Kelli]

Personally I''d GLADLY take the G hands down! I don''t feel at all like G shows warmth. Then again, my stone is an H. Both ACAs would be stunners though, so it''s really up to you. I''d stick with the best cut though!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I wonder if there was yellow around you when you thought the H at Tiffs was yellow? The body colour in a properly graded H is not yellow... it is a slightly warmer white than you see in DEF.

 

[secondhandnews]

I''ll joing the enablers and root for the G ACA! I would have no problem with picking a G especially in an ACA. I think it will be a killer diamond!

 

[Birdwatcher]

Thanks for the replies! I am leaning towards the 1.55 G; not that I hope to exercise the return policy, but if I was somehow dissatisfied I could always return it and then wait for a different stone.

I will let you know what I choose.

Birdy

 

[suchende]

Being able to see color in a G? Wow I am glad for my high color tolerance, I can''t detect color even in badly cut Is and Js!

 

[Imdanny]

Ok, no on the Expert Selection stone. Get the ACA- then you know it''s cut like an ACA- problem solved. And no on "F". Go for the size. You really seem to want it.

My 2 cents.

 

[Lorelei]

I prefer the ACA in this case.