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ACA versus ES question

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nolongeralurker

Rough_Rock
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I''ve been reading this forum for some time now and am thrilled with the information that is readily available here. I really haven''t had a reason to post any questions as they have already been answered multiple times. Until now...

For someone like myself (who has never really examined a diamond up close)- If I walked into WF, would I be able to pick out the ACA over the ES assuming the size, color and clarity were the same? I guess I am just wondering if there is an obvious tangible difference in visual quality or performance between the two.

Thanks
 
I would doubt that you could. I know I couldn''t.
 
I am not sure if you would able to tell the difference, but I doubt it. That said, I think some people prefer to have an ACA for ''mindclean'' reasons, knowing that have bought the best cut available. And it''s definately a kick to know that you have an ACA (obviously biased here
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).

But, if I couldn''t find an ACA in my price range with the stats I was set on, I would certainly pick an ES, as they have just missed out of the top grade and still are beautiful stones. I think if you are really trying to maximise a budget, or maybe reaching for that magic number 1ct, 1.5ct etc etc, then the ES range represents good value I think.
 
I''ve had an ACA and an ES and I couldn''t tell any difference.
 
I have both and can''t see a difference.
If the numbers are good on the ES, it''s doubtful you''ll see a distinct difference between the two.
 
Assuming both are ideal cut, you certainly would not be able to see the difference. One of the common differences might be that the ES stone has excellent polish and symmetry instead of ideal. This certainly is not visible to the untrained person. So I wouldn''t hesitate to buy a stone in ES that has ideal numbers.
 
Ha that''s very interesting. I was actually thinking that the responses would go the other way. Thanks for your opinions.
 
Sorry to come back to this topic but I''m on the verge of making a purchase and it''s eating me up.

I''m torn on the whole "cut is king" attitude on this board if there isn''t a noticeable between the best cut stones and the next level down. Wouldn''t a "C" like carat or color be more important if the differences in the levels can be more realized?
 
It's also just about impossible to tell the difference between adjacent colors of diamonds, even next to each other, unless they're upside down on a flat white background. And even then, not everyone can see a difference. As far as carat size, the human eye has difficulty determining differences in size less than 0.5 mm. So for all of the Cs, including cut, adjacent values are indistinguishable or nearly so.

We often make compromises when purchasing diamonds based on what's available. For example, I would have been happy with an F or a G, but was thrilled when an F popped up in my price range. Perhaps you can tell us your budget and parameters and we can help you find a stone that maximizes them? Or reserve your stone so no one else can snatch it up, then post a link to it here and ask for opinions.
 
Without a specific stone too consider I cant really answer your question.
 

If I had to compromise on one of the C''s, cut would not be it. I would go Cut, Carat, Colour, Clarity.


As storm said, it would be easier for you to post some stones and we can give you some opinions if you would like. Good luck.

 
Date: 4/17/2008 5:25:37 AM
Author: honey22


If I had to compromise on one of the C's, cut would not be it. I would go Cut, Carat, Colour, Clarity.




As storm said, it would be easier for you to post some stones and we can give you some opinions if you would like. Good luck.

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me too! I just did that very thing. Went with a J and love it. ACA H&A
 
Date: 4/17/2008 3:52:06 AM
Author: strmrdr
Without a specific stone too consider I cant really answer your question.
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Ditto. Post what you''re comparing.
 
I''m actually wondering the same thing right now - what exactly makes WF separate ACA stones from EF stones? I can understand that some EF stones ''just missed the cut''... but other than the potential symmetry/polish difference, does this mean their angle combinations might be verging on steep/deep, or does it mean they''re not cut as tightly, or does it mean the EF stones may have fluoro and ACA stones do not, or... ?

I realize that specific ACA or ES stones might be better or worse, but surely there are general rules/observations about their relative performance?
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Sorry for my question, but would you be able see that gorgeous arrows pattern from Ellen''s ring in both the ACA H&A and ES stones? I thought this is how I would be able to tell them apart?
 
Date: 4/17/2008 1:07:37 PM
Author: Klunker
Sorry for my question, but would you be able see that gorgeous arrows pattern from Ellen''s ring in both the ACA H&A and ES stones? I thought this is how I would be able to tell them apart?
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depends on the ES stone some have excellent arrows.
Look at the picture and if it has excellent looking arrows then it has em.
Unlike the ACA stones no one can say yes or no too your question without talking about a specific stone and looking at the data.
 
Date: 4/7/2008 5:21:46 PM
Author:nolongeralurker
I''ve been reading this forum for some time now and am thrilled with the information that is readily available here. I really haven''t had a reason to post any questions as they have already been answered multiple times. Until now...

For someone like myself (who has never really examined a diamond up close)- If I walked into WF, would I be able to pick out the ACA over the ES assuming the size, color and clarity were the same? I guess I am just wondering if there is an obvious tangible difference in visual quality or performance between the two.
Click to expand...
That depends on the cut quality of the Expert Selection stone in question.

A Cut Above stones are our branded Hearts & Arows stones; all are top-make stones cut to exacting, precise standards and all meet Brian Gavin''s very stringent H&A pattern requirements.

Expert Selection stones represent value for the money. I''ll say that again...they represent value for the money.

Over the last few years, our Expert Selection inventory has been predominantly populated with stones that just miss ACA designation because of a fault in the pattern but have been otherwise exceptional, top-make stones. Because of this, Pricescopers have become accustomed to seeing mostly top-make goods in Expert Selection.

However, Expert Selection isn''t limited to only top-make stones; it also may contain lesser make goods IF they too represent excellent values for the money. While such lesser make stones wouldn''t pass muster with the Pricescope community, they may be a good fit for other consumers with different buying priorities.

If you want a top-make stone but also want the value of an Expert Selection stone, make sure it''s labeled Round Ideal Cut AND check out the Idealscope image. If the Idealscope image looks more like the traditional ACA idealscope images, it''s likely a top-make stone that just missed ACA designation due to the pattern. If the Idealscope image looks very different from an ACA Idealscope image, it won''t perform as well as a top-make stone.

Nolonger, if the comparison is between a well-cut ES stone and an ACA, there may be minute differences to the expertly trained eye, but most Average Joe consumer won''t see them. Several posters here have noted that they have top-make Expert Selection stones that look materially the same as their ACA stones do.

Hope all this helps.
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The sole criteria for Expert Selection is "represents an excellent value for the money".
 
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