For tennis bracelets, how important are H&A's?

[BlingDreams]

I'm starting to explore acquiring one and have been presented with the option of getting precision cuts (from a PS recommended vendor) instead of H&A to keep the cost down. At a diamond in the .10 - .15 range, will it make much of a difference? It doesn't have to be best of the best, but we'd want it to be white and sparkly.

Also, does anyone have a snag-proof prong set tennis bracelet that isn't a "line" style? I went in wanting bezel set but that may force me to the .15 size, which might be more than I want to spend at the moment.

 

[Sparkles88]

Hi Ilikeshiny,
Thanks for starting this thread, I'll be reading all the replies with interest because I have been wondering about a similar situation, whether paying for WF ACA stones will be necessary in a tennis bracelet. Like yourself, I'm chasing something white and sparkly, but around the 5ctw.

Does anyone know what colour and clarity should be the minimum choice for a tennis bracelet? I've had a quote from IDJ and I've been also comparing the WF tennis bracelets, but i don't know if it's worth paying the extra for ACA stones and the higher clarity and whether I will notice the difference in diamonds around the 10 point mark.
I'm in Australia so I will have to add the extra GST charges onto the total.
I hope it's ok to add my question to your thread? I'm newbie and I'm unsure of whether it's custom to post under someone else's thread or start a new one?

 

[AprilBaby]

My WF bracelet twinkles like bright stars everywhere! I wouldn’t buy the other. I have 3ct total weight.

 

[BlingDreams]

My WF bracelet twinkles like bright stars everywhere! I wouldn’t buy the other. I have 3ct total weight.

What cut quality of stones do you have? ACA, special election, etc?

 

[valeria101]

Not sure how far I'd go with the H&A requirement of optical symmetry, but proportions sure do matter more in the smalls ... If they cannot deliver a dash of light, what else is there, IHMO. It so happens that the diamonds with fine brilliance also come with nice symmetry these days & perhaps some kind of 'Ideal' or H&A label.

Don't even ask what I might demand of melee - they better each glow in the dark ... not least because the illusion is there, in a field of identically perfect .01 bits !

 

[HDer]

From what I've observed and maybe this isn't the case everywhere melee diamonds in general are brighter than bigger diamonds.

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I love the idea about having H&A melee for small projects but my budget brings me down to reality. Lol. I have very good cut, F-G stones that do have lovely arrows so while they aren't ACA's for example, they sparkle like crazy. I got my bracelet from IDJ. I went with a bezeled station bracelet & glad I did! I wear it all the time when I'm not working. It's taken some hits as its on my right wrist. The only pic I have on my phone is a decent one but not great. If you look towards my outter wrist you'll see the bezels are a lot thicker than a regular diamond by the yard. They custom made the bezels cause I didn't want the culets sitting on my skin. Each stone is .13 & there are 23 of them. It's a bit big & most likely if you have a smaller wrist can get away with 21. I don't have a thread on it, & I probably should. Athenaworth posted her similar bracelet years ago & she was my inspiration for mine. I love it. Always get told how different it it. It's a style that goes with everything & with all occasions along with being super practical.
Judy

Ps...sorry for the pics 1st. I'm on my phone & haven't uploaded pics from here before. :-/

 

[BlingDreams]

I love the idea about having H&A melee for small projects but my budget brings me down to reality. Lol. I have very good cut, F-G stones that do have lovely arrows so while they aren't ACA's for example, they sparkle like crazy. I got my bracelet from IDJ. I went with a bezeled station bracelet & glad I did! I wear it all the time when I'm not working. It's taken some hits as its on my right wrist. The only pic I have on my phone is a decent one but not great. If you look towards my outter wrist you'll see the bezels are a lot thicker than a regular diamond by the yard. They custom made the bezels cause I didn't want the culets sitting on my skin. Each stone is .13 & there are 23 of them. It's a bit big & most likely if you have a smaller wrist can get away with 21. I don't have a thread on it, & I probably should. Athenaworth posted her similar bracelet years ago & she was my inspiration for mine. I love it. Always get told how different it it. It's a style that goes with everything & with all occasions along with being super practical.
Judy

Ps...sorry for the pics 1st. I'm on my phone & haven't uploaded pics from here before. :-/

OMG I love your bracelet!! I'm also interested in bezel set stones but had never considered (or seen) a bracelet where they weren't all connected to each other. I also love how yours really lends itself to casual or dressy. Your stones look sparkly white, so it seems safe to say that H&A isn't absolutely necessary. My wallet appreciates that !

One question: Does it flip? That would really bother me after a while.

ETA: can you show me a photo of the clasp too? Thanks!

 

[PintoBean]

I would order a returnable IDJ TB and a WF TB to see with your own eyes. There is a balance between budget and bling and the balance is different for everyone.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Without a doubt, the cut of melee diamonds is super important.
I hesitate to call them H&A because they're not graded the same way as larger stones.
Other manufacturers do call them H&A- but there's no "standard" so it's important for consumers to look at the vendor's policies and other production.

ccuheartnurse- I LOVE that design- it goes so well with the Rolex-lookin' good!!

 

[AprilBaby]

What cut quality of stones do you have? ACA, special election, etc?

ACA

 

[ccuheartnurse]

Thank you all for the kind words. It's truly a flexible peice. I'll have to take a picture of the clasp. I asked for a larger lobster clasp as I've had thumb surgery & I can't manage the small lobsters. The bracelet flips & then it flips back. It's constantly in motion. I can say it's very comfortable & light to wear.

 

[BlingDreams]

@ccuheartnurse - A quick thank you for your help. We decided to go with the same style of bracelet that you have and I’m super excited to receive it (hopefully by Christmas)!!!

 

[Austina]

Ooooh, it's lovely @ccuheartnurse Lucky you @ILikeShiny, lots of photos please when you get yours.

 

[SimoneDi]

@ILikeShiny so exciting! Congrats on your new purchase! It looks like a stunning bracelet!

 

[BlingDreams]

Lucky you @ILikeShiny, lots of photos please when you get yours.

Thanks! It sure has been a bling-tastic year for me

I’ll post photos once I have it!

 

[ac117]

Exciting!! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I'm so pleased you chose the same style. I've never seen one like mine locally & often get a lot of compliments & "it's so different". Yep, it is. So sorry I've been so sporadic on PS that I didn't remember to post my lobster clasp. I went to Stuller to find the right size for my lobster. They got one the size I asked.

Can't wait to see your bracelet.