ACA vs GIA similar specs

[Eeveepenny]

This question is just for my curiosity and to help out potential buyers.

I understand ACA is the bees knees of diamonds but if you were to find a gia ex ex ex from blue nile, James Allen, Local source with similar specs, would you see any difference in the two diamonds besides the price..

for example:
ACA vs GIA
Table: 55.8 vs 56
Crown angle: 34.6 vs 34.5
Pavilion angle: 40.7 vs 40.8
Depth: 61.8 vs 61.8
Price difference: $3000

would there be any difference in these two diamonds to make it worth while buying the ACA over the gia ex ex ex

I guess what I’m asking is, is it possible to buy a diamond with ACA specs without it actually being an ACA diamond?

 

[mwilliamanderson]

There is no definitive answer here. You’d have to compare the advanced images and decide on a stone to stone basis.

The biggest variable is that the ACA‘s will have been graded by AGS which uses advanced 3D scans to determine cut grade. In addition AGS prints a “light performance map” or computer generated ASET on each certificate. GIA certificates are based on rounded numbers which means you must have access to ideal scope and ASET images to be sure the angles are working together since they can vary. PA are rounded to .2 and CA are rounded to .5.

 

[marymm]

If you look very very hard, perhaps you could find ACA-quality in a GIA stone ... but it would be a search along the lines of finding a needle in a haystack.

Keep in mind that matching or even identical number specs doesn't mean the cut quality and precision is comparable.

 

[flyingpig]

Sometimes worth it, sometimes not really. It depends on the carat/color/clarity ranges you are interested.

 

[stonehunter20]

I think theoretically it's possible. The ACA diamonds are subject to very strict criteria. if you use the same parameters for ACA to screen other diamonds, it's possible you can get an ACA. But you may need to put in lots of efforts and expertise to screen them. just my two cents.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I guess what I’m asking is, is it possible to buy a diamond with ACA specs without it actually being an ACA diamond?

Show us the heart pics.

 

[tyty333]

I'm going to quote part of a post by @yssie on another thread ...

"precision-cutting isn’t a lucky find, it’s a deliberated choice, requested of a manufacturer by a vendor, that the vendor pays a premium for.

You can have beautiful diamonds that aren’t precision-cut to a “superideal” standard, which is usually a measure of optical symmetry (optical symmetry is what creates those hearts and arrows patterns)."

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'm going to quote part of a post by @yssie on another thread ...

"precision-cutting isn’t a lucky find, it’s a deliberated choice, requested of a manufacturer by a vendor, that the vendor pays a premium for.

You can have beautiful diamonds that aren’t precision-cut to a “superideal” standard, which is usually a measure of optical symmetry (optical symmetry is what creates those hearts and arrows patterns)."

I agree with this. You generally won't find superideal cuts in a virtual inventory, but you certainly can find diamonds that fall into ideal cut measurements. We help people find those everyday when they are looking for a well cut stone within the vendors who carry virtual inventories and do not specialize in superideal cuts.

One of the major differences aside from cut is that the superideal cut vendors offer attractive upgrade policies. It was worth it to be to buy my studs from Whiteflash, because I upgraded multiple times and didn't have to pay double the cost to do so.