ACA H&A, GOG H&A or Superbcert H&A.....please help!

[get_cut_not_ripped]

Ok, I''m narrowing it down now....but I was just getting excited, then saw the postings on Superbcert. It seems like there''s been a few problems out there, and I can''t really afford a margin for error here. I know this is a tight-knit community, and everyone sticks up for eachother, but can anyone give me the straight talk on which of these three companies would be the best to go with. I understand it''s a matter of preference. I like the extra info GOG & SC provide on their sites, especially the inclusion photos....that really makes a difference. I wish WF would do the same, rather than just telling me "wow, it''s a really eye clean Si1".

Any thoughts?

 

[Stephan]

You can't go wrong with GOG.
And if you are interested in a WF diamond, they certainly will send you all the pictures you ask.
Don't be afraid, you can't go wrong.
If you hesitate, go and have a look at the diamonds.
Good luck!

 

[WinkHPD]

You like what one is doing for you and not what the other has done so far.

Both companies have good reputations, but you seem to like one better.

What is the question?

Wink

 

[Jenn]

I'm not totally sure what you are asking, but I can tell you that my fiancee and I got my diamond at SuperbCert and we are literally THRILLED with it. Awesome sparkles, gorgeous hearts and arrows....just an absolutely beautiful diamond. I get compliments on it quite frequently

I would buy a SuperbCert again in a heart beat.

 

[Giangi]

I have bought from Whiteflash, NiceIce, Good Old Gold and Superbcert, and every buying experience has simply been fantastic. I found all these vendors to be extremely friendly and willing to go to the extra mile to make you completely happy. So, for me, you'll be dealing with great persons no matter which one you choose!

 

[pyramid]

I have not bought from any vendors on the internet yet. I have read here and on other Diamond boards for a few years though and my choice (remember this is 'MY' choice) when the time comes will be either Goodoldgold, Whiteflash or NiceIce, this would be depending upon the diamond available at the time I am ready to purchase. By the way I have just realised I did buy a 10x loupe from NiceIce a few years ago and it arrived safely in the UK by post within a few days.

 

[Daniela]

1. Buy from whoevever is out of state (to save on taxes). Unless you live in Oregon, in which case you don't have to worry about it and you can buy from Niceice.

2. I second Mara's opinion on Whiteflash being one of the best for being critical of what "eye-clean" means, according to everything I've heard in my time on this board. I would also say that Robin and Todd at Niceice have a good reputation for quality control on this and other fronts as well. Honestly, not all vendors are critical enough about eye-clean or quality control on settings, and it's a bit of a pet peeve for me. This is based on both my personal experience and the postings of others.

3. All else being equal, buy from whoever has your setting. If you're using Vatche or something, then you can use pretty much anyone.

4. Check their upgrade policy, and things like whether or not they offer free sizing (I'm not sure if anyone does or not). Most of the good vendors have an upgrade policy, so that's not the question. If you upgrade your stone, are they going to charge you for shipping? You wouldn't think so, would you, but some do. Are they going to charge you for setting the upgrade diamond? You wouldn't think so either, but again, some do. These are questions you don't think of asking when you're buying in the first place, but when the upgrade rolls around it's annoying. Actually, I would like to some time start a thread with these questions in them so I can get the lowdown from all the vendors.

If you want photos of the stones from Whiteflash, then just ask for them. It's their job, it would seem to me. Yes, it's annoying you have to ask for them, but I don't think that would be enough for me to eliminate them from my list quite yet.

 

[pricescope]

In general, pictures of inclusions in the microscope won't tell whether diamond is eye-clean.

Also keep in mind that AGS is often 1 grade stricter on clarity than GIA.

 

[get_cut_not_ripped]

Here's another picture of the diamond

 

[Mara]

That looks like a very nice stone. It gets all VG on the HCA though and not one EX which is a tad disturbing, I think it's the pav angle that is really throwing it out of wack. Change that to 40.8 and it scores 1.4 EX EX EX VG. Big difference eh?




I like this stone as well and it's almost $1k cheaper for basically the same specs. 1.025c E SI2 H&A for $5188. Boy these two would make beautiful earrings.




If that SI2 is eye-clean, I'd hands down take it over the SI1, esp considering the numbers are so similar. Slightly better HCA score (but again, alot of VG's vs EX).




Are you still looking? If so, try to find a similar stone but with 40.7 or 40.8 pav angle...some say it makes a difference.

 

[get_cut_not_ripped]

Also, here's the ideal scope image. They sent me the H&A photos too, which look good, but I don't want to upload tons of pix....if anyone wants to see those, just let me know.

 

[get_cut_not_ripped]

I'm not set on this one by any means....still looking for sure. but I need something this week!!! I'd prefer an eye-clean Si, and higher color, so long as it doesn't have any major inclusions on the table area. This will be in a verragio free-floating setting, so everything will be visible

 

[noobie]

That's the arrows image you posted. Post the red firescope image. People can comment on it.

 

[get_cut_not_ripped]

oops, sorry about that. Here's the firescope image

 

[Buster_DL]

I very recently bought my ER from Superbcert, and we couldn't be happier. The diamond and setting turned out better than expected and Barry was nothing short of excellent in all of our dealings and communications. I would recommend them to anyone. I also had the chance to work with Jonathon from GOG during my search, and he was equally excellent in tryin to help me find the right stone. You can't go wrong with either one of these guys if you ask me...

Just my .02,

Buster