First Timer: Selecting an ACA, please help :)

[lite_speed]

Hi all,

This is my first post, and I must say that the folks in PS are as fantastic as the diamonds discussed. I do need some opinions on a stone for a novice like me here (and please don''t mind the puny size of the stones I am considering) on three ACAs I am seriously considering. Please help and any comments are much appreciated!


ACA H&A 0.61 I VS1 $1730

ACA H&A 0.57 G VS2 $1975

ACA H&A 0.53 F VS2 $2170

I have a budget of around $2k. I have short listed 3 stones and I have 3 questions:

1: Does I color look reasonably good? I have no prior experience and do not want people to go: Oh! you got a colored stone.

2. Which one of the stones offer the best performance-to-price ratio?

3. I am leaning towards candidate one, am I a sucker for big carats versus color?

Thanks lots!!

 

[Skippy123]

How about this one if you are considering an I; ask if it is eye clean and only $1450 and it is .62 carats
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-347693.htm

If you talk to WF they should be able to tell you and then you have a big beautiful stone for cheaper.

 

[jstarfireb]

Is your budget 2k for just the stone, or the stone and setting together?

At this range, I''d try to drop color and clarity to the lowest you''re comfortable with (I-J/SI1-SI2 would be where I''d draw the line) and bump the size up a bit.

The ones you posted all look good, but I like Skippy''s idea even better since it saves you some cash, so you can put a bit more into the setting.

Alternatively, if you can push the budget up just a tad, here''s a slightly larger rock that looks pretty good to me:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2788/

 

[snlee]

Welcome to PS lite_speed!

Color is a personal preference. Keep in mind an ACA diamond is well cut so an I color would face up very white compared to an average cut I diamond. To maximize your budget, I would go with an eye clean SI1 or SI2 clarity to get the highest color and biggest size. I like the diamond Skippy posted as long as it''s eye clean.

 

[lite_speed]

thanks Skippy123 and jstarfireb for yours suggestions! Really appreciate them

The budget of 2k is for the stone. For color, I think I am ok with H-I and hopefully not dropping into SI range for clarity (maybe its pyschological :p)

Another quick question, the IS pictures on WF varies from lighter shade of red to very red. Am I ok to say that so long it is consistently colored on the IS, the shade of red doesn''t matter for light return? Or should i go the reddest red IS? thanks!

 

[lite_speed]

Date: 7/26/2007 12:19:31 AM
Author: snlee
Welcome to PS lite_speed!


Color is a personal preference. Keep in mind an ACA diamond is well cut so an I color would face up very white compared to an average cut I diamond. To maximize your budget, I would go with an eye clean SI1 or SI2 clarity to get the highest color and biggest size. I like the diamond Skippy posted as long as it''s eye clean.

Thanks! that''s great advise on the I color part. So I should ask WF for a "eye clean" clarification over an email on a stone i target?

oh, by the way, how do i get PS discount on WF? sorry, tried searching and seems not much concrete info

 

[snlee]

Yes, I would confirm with WF over email or phone that your diamond is eye clean and from what distance. If you mention PS and pay by bank wire, you get a 5% discount on ACA diamonds. If you prefer a VS diamond, I would definitely lower the color (as it seems you plan to) so you can get a larger size.