Can't commit! ACA or Expert Selection: will I notice the difference?

[CatherineMcGr]

Hello, all you diamond fanatics. I''ve been lurking on this site for about six months now, after accidentally stumbling upon it, and compared with how I felt the first day I read it, I can hardly believe that I am now contemplating an internet purchase. Thank you for all the help and education I''ve already received. I now have a new vocabulary (face up/eye clean/frozen spit etc. etc.) I know, having looked in local jewellers, that I will be able to get a better quality diamond for my money via the internet, if only I can bring myself to decide!

I live in the UK and am looking for a round brilliant ring. It will be a present from my husband but I get to do the research.

I am dithering over these two diamonds from Whiteflash. If I knew how to post images I would do so, but I''m sorry I can''t.

This one: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2361984.htm

or this one http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2362015.htm


I am wondering if I will really notice much of a difference between these two diamonds to justify the $250 price difference. I know they''re not expensive by pricescope standards but it''s what our budget will allow. I want to be able to get a stone for between $1500 - $2000 and I have to allow for the fact that I''ll have to pay postage myself (international) and also 17.5% tax, plus import tax, on arrival in this country

My husband has never heard of the word "upgrade" and so I may be wearing this ring for some time! I want it to be as beautiful and sparkly as possible. Can you help me to decide between them, please? All contributions gratefully received.

 

[CatherineMcGr]

Sorry, I don''t know what happened to the title of the thread - I didn''t intend for there to be so many apostrophes!

 

[Agent3Civ]

here you go giotto

 

[Agent3Civ]

 

[Lorelei]

From one Brit to another welcome to PS

These are both great diamonds and I am sure you would be happy with either, but my choice would be number 2!

 

[Agent3Civ]

oops here''s the cert. for the 1st diamond

 

[icekid]

They''re both lovely- I''d go for the expert selection! It''s cheaper AND faces up a bit bigger.

And I''ve had an ACA and an ES, and prefer my ES actually!

 

[CatherineMcGr]

Aw, thanks, Agent. It''s all a bit too technical for me!

 

[Agent3Civ]

No problem Giotto. Both are lovely diamonds, both score well on the HCA. For the price difference, and a little bigger diamond for cheaper, I would say #2

 

[belle]

both will be very nice. i would go with the slightly bigger one

 

[Scooba]

I would get #1, it looks like you are guaranteed to have an awesome cut because of the info on the cert and the brandedness (right?), so super sparkly, and it looks like a really nice VS2. Just my opinion, I''m no pro.

 

[sunkist]

They both look lovely. I''d pick #2. It''s cheaper, bigger, and the numbers look just as good to me!

 

[Small]

#2...cheaper and bigger

 

[Kaleigh]

Yup another vote here for #2!!!

 

[mrssalvo]

I''d take the bigger one too

 

[pebbles]

They both are so close that I don''t think you will see a difference between the two. I would probably get #2 just because it is a tad bit bigger and cheaper. For me, it wasn''t important to have a branded diamond, for others it may be.

 

[CatherineMcGr]

Well, thank you very much, all who replied to my question. You really helped me to make my decision. I picked number 2. Part of me was thinking "but you really must get the ACA.........perhaps you won''t be happy unless it is ACA" and part of me was thinking "but the ES stone looks very good - probably not that much different" and you all helped to clarify my thinking. I can hardly believe that I''ve committed myself to this purchase, sight unseen. Here''s hoping that it''ll turn out all right!

Very many thanks indeed for taking the time to consider my question and post your answers.

 

[Agent3Civ]

Congrats Giotto!!! Can''t wait to see some pics of it when you get it.

 

[FireGoddess]

I chimed in too late to vote I see, but I definitely agree with the choice and would love to see pics when it comes!!

 

[Tension7]

#2 more faceted, good luck