Hey.
Backstory (feel free to skip)
Looking for diamond studs. Started off with 0.9 ctw+ from bluenile, but then got worried about buying blind. Contacted IDJ for help, and although very friendly, almost 3 weeks later they still hadn't found anything worth showing me. Meanwhile I had diamond fever and was researching every day. Ended up deciding on getting slightly smaller (0.8 ctw+) ACA diamonds from Whiteflash, just to be sure I got something nice. After decision was made, I was really feeling the super ideal cut and the H&A pattern. I figured that since my wifes ideal studs are probably around 2 ctw (ie I won't get close regardless), I rather go for quality and then we can add jackets later when they feel small (I don't think we can ever afford/justify 2 ctw).
I told IDJ that I had found other diamonds, but shortly after (before I could reserve them), one sold. As I was already in correspondence with whiteflash, they suggested a different diamond match (new diamond not on site yet). Meanwhile, IDJ came back with 2 pair of matched diamonds. So I feel a bit bad now by involving 2 retailers, but it is what it is and it was not my intention. I'm gonna try and get it sorted ASAP as to not waste any more of their time. So at this stage, I'm waiting for photos/aset from whiteflash for second diamond, and I'm waiting for photos from IDJ for both pairs. I DO have the reports, so I've got the ASET from the reports (computer generated?). I figured I'd create this thread right away to not waste time (and I'll fill in missing details when I get them!).
Diamond pair 1
0.811 ctw, I, VS2, AGS000, $1550 plus shipping. Both under 2 on HCA. Cons: They look a bit wonky now that I've gotten used to ACA. One rated "very good" on fire and scintillation instead of excellent on HCA tool. Retailer doesn't sell preferred setting. Pros: Cheapest. I color.
Diamond pair 2
0.864 ctw, I, VS2, AGS000, $1775 plus shipping. Both under 2 on HCA. Cons: Most expensive (although not by much, pending shipping cost). Not perfect pattern. Retailer doesn't sell preferred setting. Pros: Biggest. Almost perfect pattern. I color.
Diamond pair 3
0.824 ctw, J, VS2, AGS000, A-cut-above. $1762 including shipping. Both under 2 on HCA. Cons: J color. Pros: Best pattern and obviously passed whatever additional ACA requirements they have. Retailer sells preferred setting.
My thoughts
They are all better cut than I was planning. Had you asked me a month ago, I would have said that I didn't need a super ideal cut with a perfect H&A pattern. But the longer I obsess, the more I want it to be perfect. Technically all of these diamonds are obviously well cut, and they are obviously for my Wife and not for me
That said, I'm feeling the ACA pull as they certainly looks the best cut so far. But again, I've never seen any diamonds similar to this quality in real life as no stores here sells them, so maybe in real life (even if looking closely), there's not much difference. Would be nice to see the arrow pattern well defined though if looking at them closely.
Had the color been the same, I would have picked the more strictly rated ACA diamonds, but since the other diamonds are a color grade above, it makes me hesitant. Am I being silly for not going for the I color ones? Color is something I was worried about to begin with (but again, having not had exposure IRL, it's very hard to know).
Another thing to consider is that after deciding to go with whiteflash, I've been looking at their settings and picked one that I liked (the 8 prong martini). With IDJ, I would have to go with 3 prong martini as that looks to be the only style they sell. I'm OK with that I suppose, I was sort of on the fence, but it's always hard when you make a decision and it's then taken away.
Any thoughts and input would be much appreciated as it's very useful to discuss these things and hopefully it will get me closer to a decision so that I can tell retailers ASAP after receiving the images (don't think I've ever been this indecisive before!).
Backstory (feel free to skip)
Looking for diamond studs. Started off with 0.9 ctw+ from bluenile, but then got worried about buying blind. Contacted IDJ for help, and although very friendly, almost 3 weeks later they still hadn't found anything worth showing me. Meanwhile I had diamond fever and was researching every day. Ended up deciding on getting slightly smaller (0.8 ctw+) ACA diamonds from Whiteflash, just to be sure I got something nice. After decision was made, I was really feeling the super ideal cut and the H&A pattern. I figured that since my wifes ideal studs are probably around 2 ctw (ie I won't get close regardless), I rather go for quality and then we can add jackets later when they feel small (I don't think we can ever afford/justify 2 ctw).
I told IDJ that I had found other diamonds, but shortly after (before I could reserve them), one sold. As I was already in correspondence with whiteflash, they suggested a different diamond match (new diamond not on site yet). Meanwhile, IDJ came back with 2 pair of matched diamonds. So I feel a bit bad now by involving 2 retailers, but it is what it is and it was not my intention. I'm gonna try and get it sorted ASAP as to not waste any more of their time. So at this stage, I'm waiting for photos/aset from whiteflash for second diamond, and I'm waiting for photos from IDJ for both pairs. I DO have the reports, so I've got the ASET from the reports (computer generated?). I figured I'd create this thread right away to not waste time (and I'll fill in missing details when I get them!).
Diamond pair 1
0.811 ctw, I, VS2, AGS000, $1550 plus shipping. Both under 2 on HCA. Cons: They look a bit wonky now that I've gotten used to ACA. One rated "very good" on fire and scintillation instead of excellent on HCA tool. Retailer doesn't sell preferred setting. Pros: Cheapest. I color.
Diamond pair 2
0.864 ctw, I, VS2, AGS000, $1775 plus shipping. Both under 2 on HCA. Cons: Most expensive (although not by much, pending shipping cost). Not perfect pattern. Retailer doesn't sell preferred setting. Pros: Biggest. Almost perfect pattern. I color.
Diamond pair 3
0.824 ctw, J, VS2, AGS000, A-cut-above. $1762 including shipping. Both under 2 on HCA. Cons: J color. Pros: Best pattern and obviously passed whatever additional ACA requirements they have. Retailer sells preferred setting.
My thoughts
They are all better cut than I was planning. Had you asked me a month ago, I would have said that I didn't need a super ideal cut with a perfect H&A pattern. But the longer I obsess, the more I want it to be perfect. Technically all of these diamonds are obviously well cut, and they are obviously for my Wife and not for me
That said, I'm feeling the ACA pull as they certainly looks the best cut so far. But again, I've never seen any diamonds similar to this quality in real life as no stores here sells them, so maybe in real life (even if looking closely), there's not much difference. Would be nice to see the arrow pattern well defined though if looking at them closely.Had the color been the same, I would have picked the more strictly rated ACA diamonds, but since the other diamonds are a color grade above, it makes me hesitant. Am I being silly for not going for the I color ones? Color is something I was worried about to begin with (but again, having not had exposure IRL, it's very hard to know).
Another thing to consider is that after deciding to go with whiteflash, I've been looking at their settings and picked one that I liked (the 8 prong martini). With IDJ, I would have to go with 3 prong martini as that looks to be the only style they sell. I'm OK with that I suppose, I was sort of on the fence, but it's always hard when you make a decision and it's then taken away.
Any thoughts and input would be much appreciated as it's very useful to discuss these things and hopefully it will get me closer to a decision so that I can tell retailers ASAP after receiving the images (don't think I've ever been this indecisive before!).
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