hello, new here. please help me.

[mdme]

Hello. I am in the planning stages of buying an engagement ring and would like to ask:

1) which do you think is better ACA or HoF? I am aware that it may be a matter of personal preference but I would like to ask for the opinion of people who have seen both and compared. I really have a limited budget to buy the ring and am wary of the price premium of HoF''s. Also anyone bought from WF? I live in Omaha and I don''t see a nearby independent appraiser. Thanks.

 

[aljdewey]

Yes, I''ve seen both.....and I own 3 ACA stones.

ACA stones offer all the precision cutting that HOF does without the premium.

I think they are much better value.

 

[mdme]

Thanks for the reply. If you own 3 ACA stones, did you buy them on-line at WF? I buy stuff on the net all the time but I am afraid to buy diamonds on the net since I wouldn''t know if I actually got the real thing. No appraiser here in Omaha I think.

The WF diamonds come with an appraisal from a third party. Is that enough?

 

[KtIceRN]

I bought my E-ring diamond from WF and it appraised for almost 1500.00 more than I paid!!
I would never buy a diamond other than online again!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/23/2006 11:48:05 PM
Author: aljdewey
Yes, I''ve seen both.....and I own 3 ACA stones.

ACA stones offer all the precision cutting that HOF does without the premium.

I think they are much better value.

Ditto. I own one ACA, and have seen HOF. I''d go for the ACA. Why pay the premium of the HOF brand??

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have seen a HOF and I have seen hearts and arrows diamonds from Good Old Gold. I wouldn't hesitate to buy WF ACA's (or GOG diamonds) over HOF. There's no reason to pay for the HOF name when the diamonds are the same quality but the price is lower (unless you have unlimited money, and then it wouldn't matter!). But no, you don't need an extra appraisal on a WF diamond since it comes with an AGS certificate and an appraisal.

Seriously, I am getting a much better diamond online than I'd get locally...and at a better price as well.

 

[mdme]

thanks for all your kind replies.

so are you telling me that if I buy at WF or GOG, I am pretty much assured that I don''t get fooled? I mean, If I buy a computer part on-line, I can tell if I got the right part but with diamonds, all I can go with will be the AGS cert and the "independent" appraisal that comes with it.

which is better in your opinion GOG or WF?

I am really new to this.

 

[Kaleigh]

I have bought from WF and GOG. They are both great vendors and are a pleasure to deal with. Can you tell us what size you are looking for, budget, etc...

 

[mdme]

I only have a limited budget of say < $2500 (for the ring) . I am fortunate that she has small fingers and would not want a big stone. So I am looking for ~.50 In fact, she was quite happy with a .28 HOF we saw but I want to get her something to surprise her so I am thinking 50 points. I saw some at WF and the links are below: what do you think?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2432803.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2432858.htm#

I am still very early into the selection process but your advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[mdme]

or this?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2438543.htm#

 

[JulieN]

I like the H the best.

 

[kenny]

HCA scores:
0.9 xxxv
1.4 xxxv
1.5 xxxv

Overall I like the third one best.
I find the inclusions the lest objectionable based on the report plot. (Though it is better to see them.)
The second one has one main inclusion right in the middle.
The third has them more spread out for the same grade, VS2.
And I like the G color.

Any of the three are going to knock her sox off though.

 

[mdme]

shouldn''t the scores be:

1.4
0.9
1.5

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/24/2006 12:19:15 AM
Author: mdme
thanks for all your kind replies.

so are you telling me that if I buy at WF or GOG, I am pretty much assured that I don''t get fooled? I mean, If I buy a computer part on-line, I can tell if I got the right part but with diamonds, all I can go with will be the AGS cert and the ''independent'' appraisal that comes with it.

which is better in your opinion GOG or WF?

I am really new to this.

been a customer of both vendor. no problems.

 

[Mara]

it''s not about who is better in terms of PS vendors, typically it''s about INVENTORY...who has what you want in stock and in house.

most of the PS vendors sell exceptionally cut stones, but sometimes what you are looking for specifically can be hard to find. you''d actually be lucky to have 2-3 stones to compare within your specs from 2-3 great PS vendors, you really can''t go wrong that route. good luck!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/24/2006 2:00:53 AM
Author: Mara
it''s not about who is better in terms of PS vendors, typically it''s about INVENTORY...who has what you want in stock and in house.

most of the PS vendors sell exceptionally cut stones, but sometimes what you are looking for specifically can be hard to find. you''d actually be lucky to have 2-3 stones to compare within your specs from 2-3 great PS vendors, you really can''t go wrong that route. good luck!!

Good point, so true.