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Help choosing an ACA?

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Northernbelle

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 24, 2024
Messages
7
Hello, long time lurker first time poster here =)2

I am currently trying to choose an ACA diamond with Whiteflash to celebrate a special occasion (not an engagement ring). I am finding it difficult to choose (a wonderful problem to have of course), and if anyone has input I would be happy to hear it.

I currently have a 0.83 F/VS2 on hold with Whiteflash (I only have a personal link to this that I maybe should not post?It seems to be gone from the website). This is as large as I can go budget-wise if I want an F. However, budget will allow me to go larger, but I would need to go down in colour to an H. I have looked at several, but these are all within budget:

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.906 ct H VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4522366

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.906 carat H color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4522366
www.whiteflash.com

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.92 ct H VS1 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4507605

This fabulous 0.92 carat Round Excellent cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS1 and color grade of H.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 4507605
www.whiteflash.com

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.95 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4590521

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.95 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4590521
www.whiteflash.com

As is also this one (however expert selection):

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.05 ct H VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4596110

This fabulous 1.05 carat Round Excellent cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of H.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 4596110
www.whiteflash.com

It would be set in probably a simple knife-edge platinum band with 6 prongs. Budget is about 6000 USD in total inn ring (I am in Europe and must unfortunately pay a substantial import tax..)

I do not have any H colour diamonds to compare with, so I am unsure how much / if any tint I should expect in an H of this size?

I know this is a personal choice in the end, but I am just seeking opinions as to what others would do / have experienced? To stay at an F, or to go larger with an H at this size? Any opinions on the diamonds in the links?

(Please excuse any mistakes as English is not my first language )
 
Can you get out to see any H color diamonds? Preferably, GIA graded. At this size, it will be white, white enough for you?? Depending on your sensitivity, you may or may not see color from the side. Just hard to say! I am color sensitive and can def see tint at F, but you may not. I really think, you'd be best to try to look at some diamonds in person before you order. Good luck and come back to post pics of what you decide! An ACA is top notch!!
 
I had a 1ct H and the tint was noticable especially from sides... when did the anniversary upgrade went to a larger in D....
also Expert Selections are not the same as their ACA's so I would pass on them (no point paying import tax for those)

is this your F (reserved) ?

Diamond | 0.83 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4643661

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.83 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4643661
www.whiteflash.com
 
freddyboston said:
I had a 1ct H and the tint was noticable especially from sides... when did the anniversary upgrade went to a larger in D....
also Expert Selections are not the same as their ACA's so I would pass on them (no point paying import tax for those)

is this your F (reserved) ?

Diamond | 0.83 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4643661

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.83 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4643661
www.whiteflash.com
Click to expand...

I think many people are fine with Expert Selections. My understanding is that they only narrowly miss the ACA designation.

OP, As far as H color, that of course is personal. I'd be fine with it, but some would not. I think before you buy you should do as suggested and try to see some GIA H graded stones and see if you notice the tint, and if you do, if it bothers you. If not, I'd go for a larger H over the F.
 
I have 2 Gs beside my center (E) and I can’t tell the difference in color, even from the side.
 
I have a 1.070 ct I VS2 ACA and I see no tint in it, it’s very white to my eyes.
I am not in the US so purchased my diamond loose and had it set in a 6 prong custom setting here in the Channel Islands. Also when set, I can hardly see the side on view due to the setting. I am interested in what it looks like top down :)
Do you want a larger diamond? Mine is a right hand special birthday ring to myself. But it is certainly much larger than local engagement rings.
You can ask WF to compare your reserved one to others for colour comparison.
 
Thank you so much for all the advice!

Yes, it is a good idea to see an H, I will see if I can do that. Jewellery stores here mostly carry (smaller) F’s and G’s, H colour is not so common so might be difficult.

Yes, freddyboston, that is the F I have on hold. Any thoughts on this one?

As for a G, I might be able to stretch the budget to a 0.90 G, will think about that but there is quite a price jump.

On another note, in reality, do you think there is much of a visible size difference between a 0.83 and a 0.90?
 
Good price on the F since it's a VS2.... I value color over clarity (as long as eye clean w no graining no bad clouds) i dont think the size diff is worth the upcharge $ to cross over to .90 bucket
An F + VS2 + ACA = Special High Quality Stone
1728128185178.png
 
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Northernbelle said:
Thank you so much for all the advice!

Yes, it is a good idea to see an H, I will see if I can do that. Jewellery stores here mostly carry (smaller) F’s and G’s, H colour is not so common so might be difficult.

Yes, freddyboston, that is the F I have on hold. Any thoughts on this one?

As for a G, I might be able to stretch the budget to a 0.90 G, will think about that but there is quite a price jump.

On another note, in reality, do you think there is much of a visible size difference between a 0.83 and a 0.90?
Click to expand...

There is a difference but it is around the limit of what most people will notice (this mockup used default sizes).

0.83ct Round (6.11×6.11×3.68) vs 0.9ct Round (6.28×6.28×3.79)

Compare 0.83 carat Round (6.11×6.11×3.68mm) vs 0.9 carat Round (6.28×6.28×3.79mm) on actual diamond size and finger coverage (29.32mm² vs 30.97mm²)
www.diamdb.com www.diamdb.com
Screenshot 2024-10-05 at 9.13.49 AM.png
 
I hope I did not miss this objection in your initial post: have you considered a LGD? This way you could go larger in size and up your color. Good luck.
 
freddyboston said:
Good price on the F since it's a VS2.... I value color over clarity (as long as eye clean w no graining no bad clouds) i dont think the size diff is worth the upcharge $ to cross over to .90 bucket
An F + VS2 + ACA = Special High Quality Stone
1728128185178.png
Click to expand...

Thank you for the input! After doing even more research I decided that I really wanted an F, so I ordered this diamond. I was also able to try on a 0.75 diamond and liked that size, so an 0.83 should be a good size for me
 
WillyDiamond said:
I hope I did not miss this objection in your initial post: have you considered a LGD? This way you could go larger in size and up your color. Good luck.
Click to expand...

No, you did not miss this as I did not mention it. I have considered an LGD actually, but for this piece it was important to me that it was a natural diamond. I am definetly interested in lab diamonds for a later piece though!
 
04B890C7-8219-4AD4-9DE4-05CE579EA794.jpeg

Thank you all again for your advice! The ring has arrived, and the ring and the diamond is beautiful.
 
Last edited:
It definitely should not rattle in the setting. Contact WF and ask them to send you a return label that includes insurance and explain the issue to them.
 
Lookinagain said:
It definitely should not rattle in the setting. Contact WF and ask them to send you a return label that includes insurance and explain the issue to them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, I just tried to edit my post to add more detail but seems I lost the whole paragraph. Anyway, yes it rattles in the setting and worries me. I have contacted WF and just heard back. They recommend a local jeweller here to fix it, as I am in Europe and customs etc. makes return a bit complicated. I am going to try to arrange for this.
 
Northernbelle said:
Thanks for your reply, I just tried to edit my post to add more detail but seems I lost the whole paragraph. Anyway, yes it rattles in the setting and worries me. I have contacted WF and just heard back. They recommend a local jeweller here to fix it, as I am in Europe and customs etc. makes return a bit complicated. I am going to try to arrange for this.
Click to expand...

Yes, I was going to ask if you were in the U.S. or not. A local jeweler (a good one) should be able to tighten the prongs. If you say what country you're in perhaps others can recommend a good jeweler in your area if you don't know one.
 
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