Considering a couple ACA''s...

[msb2ncsu]

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=685913,690508

I came across these through using the Pricescope search engine (oddly enough after lurking here for a few months I actually never had noticed the cut search tool, go figure). The PS adjusted prices are about $400-500 lower than listed. I wanted to keep the total purchase (plus D. Vatche X-Prong platinum 4 prong comfort setting) under $10,000 but some of these stones I''m seeing at GOG, NiceIce, WF, etc are making it very difficult to hold back.

1.204 F VS1

1.205 F VS2

If I have this whole thing correct, the second diamond would have more leakage around the perimeter because of the white points around the edge, plus more noticeable white points between the arrows, and since the pink seems to be so much more lighter I would think its showing more leakage in the center. Please correct me on this, I''m still learning.

As for the setting... the only option is for 1.00ct or 1.50ct at the cetner. WHich of these two would be the one for a 1.20 ct? Would a 1.1 or something else closer to 1.0 look more proper in the setting?

I guess I need to get in touch with someone at WF for more specific questions.

 

[Dancing Fire]

----------------
On 6/22/2004 12:49:20 AM msb2ncsu wrote:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=685913,690508

I came across these through using the Pricescope search engine (oddly enough after lurking here for a few months I actually never had noticed the cut search tool, go figure). The PS adjusted prices are about $400-500 lower than listed. I wanted to keep the total purchase (plus D. Vatche X-Prong platinum 4 prong comfort setting) under $10,000 but some of these stones I'm seeing at GOG, NiceIce, WF, etc are making it very difficult to hold back.

1.204 F VS1

1.205 F VS2

If I have this whole thing correct, the second diamond would have more leakage around the perimeter because of the white points around the edge, plus more noticeable white points between the arrows, and since the pink seems to be so much more lighter I would think its showing more leakage in the center. Please correct me on this, I'm still learning.

As for the setting... the only option is for 1.00ct or 1.50ct at the cetner. WHich of these two would be the one for a 1.20 ct? Would a 1.1 or something else closer to 1.0 look more proper in the setting?

I guess I need to get in touch with someone at WF for more specific questions. ----------------

mike,
i think the leakage that you are talking about between the two diamonds, has more to do with the picture they look like twins. they looks like the original version of the ACA, their new ACA has less leakage (more red). but on the other hand, some people prefer some leakage along the edge (like the ones you posted), to get more contrast. the first stone, seems like it has a better combination crown angle 34.6 and pavil angle 40.7 both stone will be eye clean .

 

[Mara]

Hmm tough call! Now I have to say..personally I would not buy F VS2 because you are getting in my opinion what is a small stone for almost $10k. I would do more like F SI or even G SI...and save a few thousand or up the carat (I'm a size girl), but if you are happy with the F VS...by all means.

Both appear to be lovely stones. I like the first one better because the IS image looks more clean in terms of slightly less light leakage in the stone (not really perimeter, they both have that). Pink vs red honestly may have something to do with the photo as VT noted, regardless, pink and red are good...white is what you want to stay away from. The first one also has better angles by far, really sweet angles actually. The second is not quite as cherry in my opinion with the angles, but is no slouch of course.




I think you can't go wrong...the second is going to be somewhat cheaper, that may make a difference, and also I like the diameter variation in the second stone better, less variance than the first. Splitting some hairs, but good luck! Both should be amazing. Or if you want to...drop to F SI or G SI and keep it eye clean (WF is GREAT about this, most of their SI's are absolutely amazing and much cheaper!) and get a bigger stone or save some $$ and stay under your budget. Good luck!

 

[valeria101]

Both listings could be of one and the same stone passed twice via Sarin - they are that close ! As far as I know, table, depth, average angles and size are all identical within the limits of what one may expect from two measurements of the same stone to vary.... and that's the point about the ACA line, I suppose. (see THIS about measurement variations).

It is impossible to see what exactly made that VS2 a non VS1 on the inclusions plot I see on my monitor - doesn't look like a borderline grade at all. So VS1 and VS2 may well be just 'philosophically' different here. And so are the prices, I would say.

Good point about the budget though: what's wrong with G/VS2 ? Not too many would be able to tell two color grades apart (without training and experience that is) even upon close scrutiny, and definitely not once the stones are set.
Something like THIS comes to mind. And...THIS doesn't look to bad either.

And here's one charmer at WF I would definitely ask about (LINK). It does look picture perfect to me, and you may want to ask what brought this stone into the "Expert selection" as opposed to the ACA list.

It's all a matter of what you are after, of course. But Mara's ring makes a sparkling argument for these "Expert Selection" pieces

Going for that SI clarity seems to point towards a 1.5 carat piece, like THIS, for what that matters

 

[msb2ncsu]

These are exactly the kind of responses I was hoping for, thank you. The only reason I had been staying in the D-F and VS1-VS2 range was because the girlfriend expressed that she didn't really care about size and said quality was something she preferred. The only diamonds she has seen were at the "trendy" jewelry store downtown and amazingly none of their stones approached the quality of the stones I'm now looking at (especially in cut quality) so I probably could get away with an eyeclean SI1 and G color. THere's just something about looking at that inclusion plot and it being virtually spotless, and the F color was to be sure it was colorless (I had heard some G's were kind of borderline).

That GOG diamond has been bookmarked by me for awhile now, the only thing that concerned me was the numerous could inclusions (although Jonathon assures me they are translucent and only so prominent in the picture because of the darkfield illumination, so I haven't eliminated it yet). The 1.2 Round Ideal at WF has been another consideration but the ACA's were so close in price that it seemed to make since to make the jump for a few hundred extra to get the assurance of quality cut.

http://whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-673154.htm#
I'm not sure if this is new or I just somehow missed it the last few days but this is definitely a new contender. It seems to be a very clean SI1 and at just $7110 its about $2000 lower than the others. Any red flags on this one?

I would jump up in carat size but the 1.25-1.35 range is pretty scarce these days it seems until you start jumping up to about $13,000+ (especially in the better color/clarity ranges).

 

[aljdewey]

WOW - Mike, I'd definitely jump on the G, SI1 stone.




The crown angle is in that VERY tough to reach but spectacular zone (34.5-34.7), and the idealscope is simply beautiful. The numbers on this stone couldn't be better.....it rates a 1A.




You're right - once you get up over the 1.35 or so mark, you're talking much more premium.

 

[ep6585]

Earlier you asked about which setting to use. The vendor (GOG or WF) and Vatche will decide which is the correct size for the setting.

 

[pqcollectibles]

I vote #3. It's got the great numbers that ALJDewey noted. Fabulous IS image. Extremely clean SI Cert plot. And the price........!!!!

Were I you, I'd get WF on the phone and chat with them to check out the inclusions. Make sure they are the type and location you'll be comfortable with. That diamond won't hang around long!!

 

[hoorray]

Good point PQ! This looks like a great stone, so start a dialog with WF quickly and have them hold it for you if you are interested. It's easy to have stones like this come and go while you think about it on the sidelines.

 

[msb2ncsu]

Well, I just got off the phone with Denise at WF and the stone is on hold for me while they get a better picture of it and details on inclusion location/type and such. I had sent an email just 5 minutes ago with all of these diamonds in it and she agreed that the G SI1 was the way to go. So hopefully by the end of the afternoon everything will work out and this puppy will be mine... err, well, Danielle's but you get the picture.

I was pretty sure on this stone and to see everyone's reactions on here only confirmed it. Can't wait to see the pics! In the meantime here is a "slight" dramatization of the eventual ring.

 

[Mara]

Oh I too like the G SI stone, esp for the price! Yummy! Then you can get the setting you want and stay under budget...yay!

Personally I have paid for VS stones in the past and it's not worth it in my opinion. When someone says 'high quality'..to me that means cut, not color and clarity. I have an H SI1 Expert Selection from WF and I adore it. It looks just as beautiful as my husband's small F VS ACA that he wears in his ring. Having owned a G VS as well...I love the H SI because to me it's a great representation of 'value' while not compromising too much for that great cut as well. G SI is an excellent combination!! Another thing to consider is that when she compares her G SI ACA to someone's maul store F VS...hers will look HANDS DOWN better and most likely more bright. And as long as the SI is eye clean (WF is great about this), then no one knows its not a VVS!

Keep us posted on how things turn out and great eye!

 

[pqcollectibles]

Great pic, Mike!! The diamond looks fabulous, and the lady is lovely too!!

 

[msb2ncsu]

Its not eye clean.

Can be seen from an angle but not face up.

What to do, what to do... Oh well, I'll probably get it anyways. The price for such a good cut and the size is damn near impossible to find.

 

[pqcollectibles]

The folks at WF are really accurate in their descriptions. They are also great about returns and refunds. You could take a look at the diamond and see what you think. The inclusion might be hidden when the stone is mounted in that the diamond may never be seen at that particular angle.

Or if you live near a PS approved appraiser, maybe you can have the diamond shipped to the appraiser's office. Then just go and view it in person.

Only you know what you can live with visually and mentally. One plus,....... The diamond will have a birthmark so you'll always know you got the right one back whenever you leave the ring for work to be done!

 

[aljdewey]

PQ makes two great points here......1) that you can return it if you can't live with the inclusion, and 2) that you can possibly hide that side view of the inclusion by blocking it with a prong.




It all depends on what you can be happy with. Me......I'd be happy with blocking it with a prong because it's not visible face up, and no one else will get that close to my diamond except for me.

 

[msb2ncsu]

Well it took 10 engineers at work, my mother, and my older sister (who by the way is not happy about no longer having the best diamond in the family!) to make me realize that its exactly what I've been looking for. My sister actually said she has the exact same inclusion only visible from an angle and says she's glad she has it because she always knows its her diamond (plus no one has ever known about it unless she's told them).

WF sent me a new picture from the angle that makes it visible (at 60x I think) and it still took me a minute to notice it. I think the quality of the cut and the size for the price I'm getting it for MORE than make up for any minor inclusion that no one is probably ever going to see considering how long they look at it. Once I finalize her ring size by doing an imprint tomorrow the purchase will be made. And of course as pointed out I always can return it if its too much of a problem. I figure with the $2,000-$3,000 I'm saving I can get a head start on saving up for that wedding... or buy an HDTV!

 

[Mara]

Congrats and a smart decision I think! You'd be amazed at what your 'regular' eye will pick up, which in my opinion is not much if the diamond is super sparkly! That is how some people get some amazing H&A I1 cuts for low cost!




I saw an Eightstar H I1 at the local jeweler and I couldn't even FOCUS on the stone enough to get a real good look at anything, my eyes were so distracted by the sparkles. That little stone would make an excellent pendant...its on my list!