Hearts on Fire vs. A Cut Above

[joschen]

Hi everyone,

I've been in the market for a round diamond in the 1.25- 1.5 range for about 6 months. Just when I thought I found one that I wanted, I stumbled across a stone that looks like a great deal.

This particular stone is not listed on the internet, but was purchased by a jeweler from a gentleman who decided not to propose at the last minute. Here's the info

This is a Hearts on Fire AGS certified Triple zero

1.3 ctw / H/ SI1 / Fl: neg

Total Depth -62%
Table - 56.7
Crown Angle - 34.9
Pavilion Angle - 40.8

It is also laser engraved with the HOF ID #.

The question I have is this. Originally i was looking at a diamond of very similar specifications, but it was a WhiteFlash ACA diamond. Although, it has more cloudy inclusions. The HOR diamond has less prominent inclusions, with a very small, but darker one under the table. Both are eye clean.

Does anyone have experience with either one of these brand types, and can anyone offer any insight on the particular cuts? Should I reach out to the HOR folks to verify the number?

What would be a good cost estimate for the HOR diamond?

Thank you in advance,
JS.

 

[ame]

RisingSun is the only poster on here I know for sure that has owned both brands. I hope she chimes in!

 

[Dancing Fire]

both are well cut stones,so it all depends on the price difference.

 

[Clairitek]

What is the price comparison? What about a setting? Is the jeweler who has the HOF stone willing to help you out with the setting if you get his stone? If WF still offers a PS discount, did you factor that into price considerations?

Your girlfriend is a lucky girl to be getting either an HOF or WF diamond! Both will be stunning, I'm sure.

 

[joschen]

The price comparison is just about the same. Both are right around 11k. WF is including the PS discount, and the gentleman selling the HOR is willing to negotiate to match the price of the ACA. I seem to be stuck on the fact that the ACA has more inclusions, albeit they are white and it is eye clean.

The HOR is beautiful as well, and only has two darker inclusions, with one being under the table. Again, it is eye clean.

Any advice on which to go with?

 

[slg47]

The price comparison is just about the same. Both are right around 11k. WF is including the PS discount, and the gentleman selling the HOR is willing to negotiate to match the price of the ACA. I seem to be stuck on the fact that the ACA has more inclusions, albeit they are white and it is eye clean.

The HOR is beautiful as well, and only has two darker inclusions, with one being under the table. Again, it is eye clean.

Any advice on which to go with?

is upgrading important to you? if so can you upgrade the HOF diamond?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The problem with this scenario is that a second hand diamond should be fairly well discounted. But because of the high markup on HoF diamonds, the discount takes you right to the level of a brand new ACA. Personally, in that circumstance, I would choose the ACA. BUT, inclusions might be the deciding factor for me. I'll try to see if I can find the ACA to give an opinion on that. White inclusions usually are preferable.

Okay, just looked. My daughter has a WF SI1 with twining wisps as the primary inclusion and they definitely are impossible to see with the eye and do not hurt light performance. Plus that stone has really good spread (diameter). Do you have a copy of the cert on the HoF stone or at least the diameter measurement?

 

[joschen]

Thank you for the great responses and taking the time to explore.

The measurements for the HoF stone are

6.94- 6.97 x 4.32 mm

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thank you for the great responses and taking the time to explore.

The measurements for the HoF stone are

6.94- 6.97 x 4.32 mm

In that case, I would definitely pick the WF ACA. It faces up at 7.09-7.16mm which is very nice for this size stone.

 

[joschen]

By chance, would you be able to compare with this diamond?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8870/#script

Thank you

 

[Dancing Fire]

The problem with this scenario is that a second hand diamond should be fairly well discounted. But because of the high markup on HoF diamonds, the discount takes you right to the level of a brand new ACA. Personally, in that circumstance, I would choose the ACA. BUT, inclusions might be the deciding factor for me. I'll try to see if I can find the ACA to give an opinion on that. White inclusions usually are preferable.

Okay, just looked. My daughter has a WF SI1 with twining wisps as the primary inclusion and they definitely are impossible to see with the eye and do not hurt light performance. Plus that stone has really good spread (diameter). Do you have a copy of the cert on the HoF stone or at least the diameter measurement?

agree with DS. i'd expect a big discount when purchasing a second hand stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

By chance, would you be able to compare with this diamond?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8870/#script

Thank you

Well, this is an outstanding stone as well. It also has a nice diameter at 7.05 X 7.07 and is G color instead of H. I'm going to have to say that since the prices are almost the same, the G stone has the edge as long as it is eyeclean (which I would think it is).

 

[joschen]

This is all great information, and I appreciate your input. Another stone just crossed my path which I'm hoping I can get some professional opinions on. This would make a total of 4 at this point.

1.30ct F VS2 XXX GIA
7.01- 7.04 x 4.32

Total Depth -61.5%
Table - 56.
Crown Angle - 35
Pavilion Angle - 40.6

This is another diamond which is being discounted because it's previous owner decided not to get married. With it being second hand, how much of a discount should one typically expect? This stone is being offered around the 10k range. Very close to the others in terms of price.

thank you!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This is all great information, and I appreciate your input. Another stone just crossed my path which I'm hoping I can get some professional opinions on. This would make a total of 4 at this point.

1.30ct F VS2 XXX GIA
7.01- 7.04 x 4.32

Total Depth -61.5%
Table - 56.
Crown Angle - 35
Pavilion Angle - 40.6

This is another diamond which is being discounted because it's previous owner decided not to get married. With it being second hand, how much of a discount should one typically expect? This stone is being offered around the 10k range. Very close to the others in terms of price.

thank you!

On a previously owned stone, we'd have to know a few things. What is the date on the GIA report? Who is selling it (jeweler or individual)? Would they allow you to have it looked at by an appraiser who can verify it is in the condition stated on the report? Can you return it for any reason within a reasonable number of days? Can you see the stone or are there pictures of it?

So far, I would eliminate the HoF stone because I think the GOG and WF stones have advantages, and this one might, also. The measurements look good, but we cannot know if it is as well cut as the GOG and WF stones without more information such as idealscope and hearts images. The F VS2 is nice.