ACA vs HCA

[Echoes79]

Hello! If I had a choice between a WF ACA that shows 1.4 TIC on the HCA and a WF non-ACA that shows 1.1 on HCA, which should I choose? Color and clarity are both equal and price is almost identical. I''m sorry if this has been covered before but I could not find a post that would help answer my question. I am having trouble understanding the range on HCA. Does the lower the number always = better diamond? Thank you!

P.S. - This site is the greatest!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/11/2009 2:26:21 PM
Author:Echoes79
Hello! If I had a choice between a WF ACA that shows 1.4 TIC on the HCA and a WF non-ACA that shows 1.1 on HCA, which should I choose? Color and clarity are both equal and price is almost identical. I'm sorry if this has been covered before but I could not find a post that would help answer my question. I am having trouble understanding the range on HCA. Does the lower the number always = better diamond? Thank you!

P.S. - This site is the greatest!

No, a lower HCA score is not better than a higher one and with diamonds of this calibre with supportive images, the use of the HCA is extremely limited. Images always trump the HCA score. The HCA is used in order to see which diamonds score below 2, these diamonds are then deemed worthy of further evaluation, this is done with images such as ASET and Idealscope. One of the uses of the HCA was originally intended to help buyers weed through the large amount of diamonds available online as a first round elimination tool, used to see which diamonds score below 2 to find out which were worth getting images or calling in etc. But again if you have in house diamonds with all the images and info available, then it isn't really needed.

Check out this link for a more detailed description of the use of the HCA.

Bottom line, HCA is used for rejection not selection. If you would like to post the links or the images of the stones you are considering, we could take a look for you?

 

[coda72]

If the price is nearly the same, I would probably go with the ACA.

 

[stone-cold11]

no, HCA is a rejection tool. Once you have Idealscope image, it is not required.

 

[Echoes79]

Thank you for your input everyone! I''m sorry for the late response I didn''t have access to a computer after my post.

But here are the stats & images of the Non-ACA (1.1 on HCA -Excellent all across)

. Carat: 0.903
. Depth %: 60.3
. Table %: 58.4
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 14.4
. Star : 55
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.26-6.28X3.78
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

 

[Echoes79]

ASET

 

[Echoes79]

And this is the ACA:

. Carat: 0.905
. Depth %: 60.7
. Table %: 56.9
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 14.8
. Star : 53
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.24-6.27X3.80
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

 

[Echoes79]

ASET

 

[Lorelei]

Do you have the hearts image for the ACA please? Assuming the hearts image checks out, both look excellent. If you like the idea of the h&a and the pedigree then thats the one to go for, alternatively the other diamond also looks super. I don't think you could go wrong with either personally, just depends on which you prefer.

If you are torn between them, ask for Bob at WF to discuss both with you, he has a great eye and might be able to help you decide.

 

[Laila619]

Wow, that expert selection stone looks amazing!

 

[Echoes79]

Thank you Lorelei! It''s my first post but I feel like I know you already because I''ve seen many of your very helpful posts here

Here is the hearts image:

 

[Echoes79]

Date: 11/12/2009 1:42:57 PM
Author: Laila619
Wow, that expert selection stone looks amazing!

Right! To my beginners eyes I cant figure how this is not an ACA.

 

[stone-cold11]

both looks good. You can''t really tell if a ES miss being an ACA without a hearts image, as there is no way to tell the optical symm of the hearts from the top view, the Hearts is probably off, even if it is just slightly.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2009 1:45:04 PM
Author: Echoes79
Thank you Lorelei! It''s my first post but I feel like I know you already because I''ve seen many of your very helpful posts here

Here is the hearts image:

You are too kind, thank you!! I am a bit of a fixture around here, but its nice to know new posters feel they do know me and feel they can freely ask for assistance!

The hearts image looks good, thanks for adding it.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2009 1:48:26 PM
Author: Echoes79

Date: 11/12/2009 1:42:57 PM
Author: Laila619
Wow, that expert selection stone looks amazing!

Right! To my beginners eyes I cant figure how this is not an ACA.

Some ES are near miss ACA's, in other words they miss the ACA designation by a whisker, maybe a heart is a bit off as an example or some aspect doesn't quite make the grade. If that happens that an intended ACA doesn't make the ACA standard, it normally ends up as an Expert Selection. It could be something very minor which doesn't take away from the beauty of the diamond in any way so these diamonds can be an excellent choice.