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Diamond Tennis Bracelet - Is ACA cut worth it?

I

ic_blingbling

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 11, 2020
Messages
13
Hi all,

I am in the search of getting a tennis bracelet. I am set on getting one that's colorless and VS clarity and I am very interested in getting the one from White Flash because I want it to be very blingy.

However, I've spoken to several jewelers and friends who are into jewelry, they think for a tennis bracelet wit 8pt or 10pt diamonds, I don't necessary have to get one that ACA cut. They think cut that's Good or better is sufficient to get the bling effect.

Whiteflash is priced quite a bit higher than a quote I got from my jeweler (with E/G color, VS clarity, good or better cut). For those who own ACA tennis bracelet or own ACA and other regular tennis bracelet, do you think the fire/brilliance of ACA cut diamonds is worth the extra price?

Thank you!
 
Disclaimer: I don’t own a tennis bracelet yet. However I think there’s a vast difference between ACA (super ideal cut) and something like a Good cut, which is basically a pretty terrible cut. These are two different beasts.

I do think that for a tennis bracelet, you dont “need” ACA, 10pts is small and I don’t think you can discern the difference between that and an Ex in that size. But neither would I go all the way down to a Good!

My suggestion would be to contact a jeweler who can get you stones in the Ex category (the lowest I’d go is VG). I personally think you can go down in color to G/H instead of E/F with precious little visible difference in order to get better cut. Also, is your jeweler proposing to make you a certed bracelet at that size? Ie all the 10pt stones will be GIA certified? I find that a bit unlikely. Personally I would be willing to buy uncerted stones in that size from a trusted jeweler. I’m sure if you request suggestions on this board many posters will be able to recommend good vendors who can do that for you in case you decide to not go with your jeweler.
 
AllAboardTheBlingTrain said:
Disclaimer: I don’t own a tennis bracelet yet. However I think there’s a vast difference between ACA (super ideal cut) and something like a Good cut, which is basically a pretty terrible cut. These are two different beasts.

I do think that for a tennis bracelet, you dont “need” ACA, 10pts is small and I don’t think you can discern the difference between that and an Ex in that size. But neither would I go all the way down to a Good!

My suggestion would be to contact a jeweler who can get you stones in the Ex category (the lowest I’d go is VG). I personally think you can go down in color to G/H instead of E/F with precious little visible difference in order to get better cut. Also, is your jeweler proposing to make you a certed bracelet at that size? Ie all the 10pt stones will be GIA certified? I find that a bit unlikely. Personally I would be willing to buy uncerted stones in that size from a trusted jeweler. I’m sure if you request suggestions on this board many posters will be able to recommend good vendors who can do that for you in case you decide to not go with your jeweler.
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Thank you for your advice!!! I've never seen an ACA diamond before so I have no idea what it looks like...All of my other jewelry pieces the diamonds are excellent cut and I am very happy with those. I've never seen very good or good cuts before in person either...but based on what you said, I don't think I would want to spend money on those cuts.

I don't think diamonds under 15pt are certified (?). But if I do move forward with my jeweler, I will ask him to get me excellent cut stones.
 
This is kinda similar to my wondering if there's any point in getting an ACA below .5ct as would there be any discernible difference at that size between an ACA and a well cut diamond from elsewhere. If I was getting a 1+ct stone, I'd go ACA or similar premium cut.

In short, I guess if you have the spare funds, why not, but I don't know if there'd be a measurable difference, especially for a tennis bracelet with only 8/10pt stones?
 
Are you in the US? If so, it shouldn't be too hard to call these pieces in, since seeing is believing.

I'd ask WF to send a bracelet, maybe IDJ to send one, and even a Costco one. Compare it at home in the room you spend the most time in with your jeweler's bracelet and let us know what you're seeing.
 
Unfortunately I'm not in the US :\. Hence I am hoping someone who owns ACA and other excellent cut diamonts in small ct can share their thoughts...
 
I received a 5ctw tennis bracelet for my wedding anniversary a few years ago and I had the exact same dilemma.
I decided to go with non ACA diamonds, I didn’t want to pay extra for something I may not be able to see and preferred a larger carat weight for my budget. The diamond are 11 points F/G SI excellent cut. It’s very blingy and sparkly to me, I guess it depends on whether you value top of range or good value for money?
I’m in Australia and I bought from IDJ due to PS recommendations and very happy with my purchase.
 
I second IDJ. Yekutiel will go above and beyond to help customers within their budget.
 
Sparkles88 said:
I received a 5ctw tennis bracelet for my wedding anniversary a few years ago and I had the exact same dilemma.
I decided to go with non ACA diamonds, I didn’t want to pay extra for something I may not be able to see and preferred a larger carat weight for my budget. The diamond are 11 points F/G SI excellent cut. It’s very blingy and sparkly to me, I guess it depends on whether you value top of range or good value for money?
I’m in Australia and I bought from IDJ due to PS recommendations and very happy with my purchase.
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Thank you! This is very helpful. Alright I guess I will go with nonACA this time and will wait to get ACA for my bigger diamond purchase in the future.
 
I have several that I wear together on the same wrist ... one from WF, two from BGD and one from IDJ. I would say to the naked eye they would be impossible to tell the difference especially at that size
 
i have an ACA .10 stones and yes, it’s worth it to me. I’m not going to buy another one.
 
AprilBaby said:
i have an ACA .10 stones and yes, it’s worth it to me. I’m not going to buy another one.
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I have to second this. I was in between IDJ and HPD for my 5ctw, 10-pointer diamond bracelet. I went with HPD (yes, more expensive) but this is my forever piece. I needed piece of mind. IDJ bracelets were also very nice but I like what I like. I get a joy out of looking at a perfection of that bracelet.
 
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I went with IDJ because their excellent cut melee was the most competitive per carat AND their melee are upgradeable, so i can send back my bracelet for a higher ctw one.
 
PintoBean said:
I went with IDJ because their excellent cut melee was the most competitive per carat AND their melee are upgradeable, so i can send back my bracelet for a higher ctw one.
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Can we see yours @PintoBean I too am wondering if ideal cut branded or PS quality IDJ for my tennis bracelet down the road. No worries if you're not up for photos.
 
daisygrl said:
I have to second this. I was in between IDJ and HPD for my 5ctw, 10-pointer diamond bracelet. I went with HPD (yes, more expensive) but this is my forever piece. I needed piece of mind. IDJ bracelets were also very nice but I like what I like. I get a joy out of looking at a perfection of that bracelet.
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*peace* of mind (not "piece') duuh.
 
From melee to a honker, from one to a zillion, better-cut diamonds are always worth it.
I even go down in the other 3 Cs to get it.
 
I have a tennis bracelet from ID Jewelry too (I'm not in the US either) and couldn't imagine paying for ACAs when the F-G excellent cuts in mine are so blingy and gorgeous. I have ACAs in my engagement ring, and my bracelet holds its own beautifully.
 
Once you see WF ACA or BG Signature melees, you cannot unsee them.
But I do not know how good and uniformly cut IDJ melees are.
 
Dandi said:
I have a tennis bracelet from ID Jewelry too (I'm not in the US either) and couldn't imagine paying for ACAs when the F-G excellent cuts in mine are so blingy and gorgeous. I have ACAs in my engagement ring, and my bracelet holds its own beautifully.
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If I ever get a tennis bracelet I plan to go straight to ID Jewelry! I know that, for me, their quality and price will be perfect.
 
bling_dream19 said:
Can we see yours @PintoBean I too am wondering if ideal cut branded or PS quality IDJ for my tennis bracelet down the road. No worries if you're not up for photos.
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IDJ haul - Miami in Nola, Milgrain Band & Tennis Bracelet!

First and foremost: Pricescope - what a lovely lovely enabling community :naughty: !!! What an awesome IDJ journey! :dance: Special thank you to Yekutiel and his family. You know it's bad when they know it's Pinto Bean calling because they recognize my phone numbers - landline and cell! All...
www.pricescope.com
 
flyingpig said:
Once you see WF ACA or BG Signature melees, you cannot unsee them.
But I do not know how good and uniformly cut IDJ melees are.
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My mom has a Kristin which has 2-2.5 pointers iirc, Michele, and a custom split shank with melee from BGD. I've been to WF. I own IDJ melee. They're honestly all fantastic. I just won't buy BGD anymore bc Denise isn't there. She was worth the upcharge.

For me, when it comes to these PS vendors that people have had good experiences with, it's a matter of timing, and clicking with the vendor rep. I enjoyed working with BE/ERD too and thought that their melee was on par with the vendors above in my frozen piss e-ring and my WG DBTY.

Idk... maybe I'm too agreeable lol.
 
It is my understanding that these smaller cut stones, under .30 are not graded but cut to the spec of ACA or BGD’s equivalent. If you used these small stones and they were each graded, it would drive the cost of the bracelet out of sight! So when you speak with the people at WF or BGD they will tell you that there melee is cut to this spec, but not graded. It is also my understanding the actual ”bracelet” is bought from a third party and then the diamond vendor will populate the bracelet with their stones. I bought my wife’s from BGD, could not be happier with the workmanship and bling. The size is a little under 4 CT’s. img_11970.jpg
 
When I was searching for a tennis bracelet for my mom, I got quotes from both IDJ and Whiteflash. IDJ was cheaper for a 3ctw. Whiteflash was cheaper for 4ctw, and significantly so for the platinum setting at $950 less. I ended up buying from Parks Fine Group and got 5ctw for less than what both of the other vendors charged for 4ctw.

Anyway, that experience taught me that IDJ, while reasonably priced, isn’t necessarily the screaming deal that you’d think it was based on reading PS. Do get quotes from them, but don’t automatically assume that you’d pay a lot more for ACA.

If you want to go with Parks Fine Group, be prepared to wait for him and follow up constantly.
 
Thank you for all your feedback~!!! I ended up going with my jeweler since I am not in the US and the price difference is quite big consider the difference in price plus import custom and the melee diamond size...though the diamonds won’t be ACA cut, it will be the spec that I was originally hoping to get (10pt, EF color, VS clarity, excellent cut).

However I do wish to get an ACA diamond in bigger carat in the future:D. Possibly earring or diamond pendant.

I will share my bracelet once I get it!
 
PintoBean said:
I went with IDJ because their excellent cut melee was the most competitive per carat AND their melee are upgradeable, so i can send back my bracelet for a higher ctw one.
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Yes! I have done this three times lol
 
mommylawyer said:
Your bracelets are gorgeous! Could you give me the details on the smallest tennis bracelet in the middle, please?
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I will have to look for the exact specs but I know it is a little under 1.5 ctw
 
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