ACA or CBI?

[John0708]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice! Would love to hear all your thoughts.
I have two options.

1. Whiteflash ACA, 3.1 carat, G VS2.
DIAMOND SPECIFICATIONS
Depth % 61.9
Table % 55.8
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 51.0
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Crown % 15.3
Lower Girdle % 77.0

Please see attached







2. Custom cut to order with CBI. It will be 3 carat plus, F or G and most likely SI1.

Both prices are roughly the same, CBI might be slightly more.

Which one would you go with?

Thank you

J

 

[gm89uk]

If it were me, and WF already has a stone that fulfills your criteria (which looks absolutely amazing in terms of proportions) I'd go straight with that, custom cut can be a headache. Both vendors are excellent choices and I'm sure CBIs excellent customer service would make custom orders seamless.

 

[John0708]

If it were me, and WF already has a stone that fulfills your criteria (which looks absolutely amazing in terms of proportions) I'd go straight with that, custom cut can be a headache. Both vendors are excellent choices and I'm sure CBIs excellent customer service would make custom orders seamless.

Thank you for your advice! In terms of fire and brilliance, are both vendors on par with each other?

 

[MissGotRocks]

I too would far better buy something that exists that I can see and critique rather than have something cut from scratch. You never know for sure the color/clarity that you'll end up with although CBI will compensate you if it doesn't grade within a grade or two of color/clarity. They will cut you a beautiful stone - just depends on how much time you have and how particular you are about having definite color and clarity limits. Super ideal cut stones are something to behold and neither vendor will disappoint in that area.

 

[ringo865]

A for-sure vs ACA. Now.

 

[HappyNewLife]

WF ACA for 3 reasons:

1. I have one and love it, and fully disclose that I'm biased aka borderline "the ACA troll"
2. it's ready NOW. I always need NOW. You know what to expect in terms of measurements and 4Cs
3. I think diamonds with VS2 clarity hit the sweet spot for me.
4. I lied, I have another one. What a beautifully white, gorgeous diamond! Did I mention it's ready NOW?

But, you can't go wrong with either!

 

[John0708]

A for-sure vs ACA. Now.

Hi Ringo,
Sorry I’m confused you’d go with ACA as well?

 

[ringo865]

Haha yes. vs was supposed to be VS, not versus. So. To clarify: I would pick "A for-sure VS ACA. Now". (Instead of a maybe SI CBI stone later. Which may cost more money). They are both on par cutwise.

 

[ac117]

I would also go for the WF but probably bc SI1 in this size stone *might* not be eye clean or eye clean enough depending on the inclusion (color or location of it) - a bit of a gamble to not know what that turns out to be. (I know, I have a 3.24 G VS2 but considered a few SI stones before finding this one...the larger the stone, the easier the inclusions are to see). You can see the WF stone now and know it's a great balance of specs, eye clean and less expensive!

 

[ringo865]

And white as can be. And you can have it today (or tomorrow).

 

[marcy]

I would go for the ACA too. You can have it now and it's a gorgeous diamond. I would also be hesitant to go with a Si diamond in that carat range.
Both ACA and CBI are gorgeous diamonds.

 

[EvaEvans]

I would go with something that is already ready. Why to do custom cut for something that is already there?

 

[AprilBaby]

ACA vs2 over the SI1

 

[John0708]

Thank you for all your help
Seems there is a general consensus to go with ACA

 

[John0708]

WF ACA for 3 reasons:

1. I have one and love it, and fully disclose that I'm biased aka borderline "the ACA troll"
2. it's ready NOW. I always need NOW. You know what to expect in terms of measurements and 4Cs
3. I think diamonds with VS2 clarity hit the sweet spot for me.
4. I lied, I have another one. What a beautifully white, gorgeous diamond! Did I mention it's ready NOW?

But, you can't go wrong with either!

Hi there,
Thank you for your advice. Would you happen to know if there is a warranty or refund for WF should something happen to the diamond? (Such as an unlikely event that it would be damaged) I'm concerned with the inclusions (feathers) near the girdle.

 

[SimoneDi]

One more vote for the ACA, it is a gorgeous stone and as others have pointed out- it is available now!

 

[SimoneDi]

Hi there,
Thank you for your advice. Would you happen to know if there is a warranty or refund for WF should something happen to the diamond? (Such as an unlikely event that it would be damaged) I'm concerned with the inclusions (feathers) near the girdle.

It’s a VS2 stone and there is no need for concern. You must insure the diamond. Insurance will cover a replacement in case of damage.

 

[EvaEvans]

I'm concerned with the inclusions (feathers) near the girdle.

In my opinion you should look for VS1 clarity, preferably with no feather inclusions.

 

[cflutist]

In my opinion you should look for VS1 clarity, preferably with no feather inclusions.

This is my first choice, F in the colorless range and VS1 with no feathers
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8885

This is my 2nd choice H near colorless VS1 with only pinpoints and needle
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8739

I own 4 CBI diamonds, all F color. ACAs are superideals as well.
Like WF HPD has a 100% upgrade policy and but also has a lifetime 80% buyback policy.

 

[PintoBean]

I'd go with the WF ACA bc I'm not a patient woman and would go bonkers waiting for the CBI to be cut.

 

[EvaEvans]

@cflutist, I like your selection, but @John0708 is looking for 3ct+
In my opinion, H color could be very white, I would go 1 step down in color, but 1 step up in clarity, so H/VS1 could be great choice!

 

[BlingObsession]

I have a terrible need for immediate gratification so therefore the ACA would be my vote as it would meet that need! And it's gorgeous.

 

[tanalasta]

There’s an ACA stone now. That you can see. That is beautiful. And if you can afford it. Why wouldn’t you just buy it. I wish in could!

 

[John0708]

In my opinion you should look for VS1 clarity, preferably with no feather inclusions.

Do you think the feathers could spread? Is that generally why it’s avoided?

Thanks!!

 

[srke]

Hi, I'll be the dessenting opinion here and say that if the prices are on par, and youre not on a deadline, I'd prefer the custom, simply for the idea that it was specifically cut for you. And with a CBI you can be confident it will turn out looking great.

I don't know if you're getting this for an ering or a gift but if you are, my thoughts are that if my SO got me a ring and said 'I had this gorgeous diamond custom cut just for you' I'd feel it was something extra special.. (Even if rationally I'd know it's not much different from another already cut stone, I think it adds something sentimental to it)

 

[John0708]

Thanks for all your advice everyone! Still a big decision to make but it’s good to get some second opinions.

 

[gm89uk]

Feathers are a none issue at vs2.

 

[tanalasta]

Whiteflash’s ACA policy is not to accept a stone where feathers or inclusions are an issue with regards to the structural integrity of the stone.

The risk of an SI1 custom is you don’t like the inclusion plot when you get it. Is it going to be better than the ACA? Probably not. Is it going to be worse. Also probably not.

You could just as easily ask Whiteflash to look out for a custom / stone in the specs you want. In your price range, you have many choices...

@srke - a 3Ct G, VS diamond as a gift ? I’d be his friend!

 

[John0708]

Whiteflash’s ACA policy is not to accept a stone where feathers or inclusions are an issue with regards to the structural integrity of the stone.

The risk of an SI1 custom is you don’t like the inclusion plot when you get it. Is it going to be better than the ACA? Probably not. Is it going to be worse. Also probably not.

You could just as easily ask Whiteflash to look out for a custom / stone in the specs you want. In your price range, you have many choices...

@srke - a 3Ct G, VS diamond as a gift ? I’d be his friend!

That's a relief to know. Would you go with WF if you were in my position? CBI is going to be slightly more expensive, around 2-3k.

It's an engagement ring, not a gift. I wish!

 

[tanalasta]

I think the picture speaks for itself what I would do in your position!