How do AGS0 and H&A relate or are they mutually exclusive?

[puravida]

Yes, a newbie question, I admit.

But could someone please help me sort these out:

H & A: I get the idea of the H&A formation. But, is it also correct to say that only the best cut H & As can be ACA?

AGS0: Now here''s where I''m still confused. Are stones either ASG0 or H & A?
Or can a stone be rated ASG0 and exhibit H&A?
Or is it that ASG0 are rating completely different things and the existance of one does not relate to/depend on the other?
i.e. a stone could be just ASG0 or just H&A or both?

Is is possible to rate these, ACA H&A/ non-ACA H&A/ ASG0, in order or best cut?

If ASG0 and H&A are factors to choose between (i.e. the stone is either ASG0 or H&A) which factor makes for a better looking stone?

I''m hoping these questions made sense....fingers crossed.....

 

[neatfreak]

They aren't mutually exclusive. An AGS0 stone will be a great cut, but may not be H&A. A true H&A stone however should be cut to ideal proportions and thus should receive an AGS0 grade for light performance.

So all AGS0's are not H&A, but theoretically all true H&A stones should grade as AGS0.


AGS0 stones that are H&A are the best cuts (IMO). ACA stones are beautiful and fall into this category.

 

[strmrdr]

they are not related but they cross paths.

A h&a isn't necessarily an AGS0-DQD
A ags0 isn't necessarily h&a

Where they cross paths is when an h&a is cut to the traditional best zones it will usually get ags0 pgs light performance.
Which is different than AGS0-dqd cut grade, the cut grade takes into account id/id finish.

ACA is one of many brands of h&a AGS0/DQD diamonds no better or worse than the others in most cases.

AGS threw a monkey wrench into things with the new Gold AGS Ideal which may not be AGS Ideal under the pgs/dqd system.
So it gets really confusing.

 

[puravida]

Aha! I think I get it now!

So what advice would you offer in terms of saving mone;y for something that is not easily seen by the naked eye?

For a superb cut, an ASG0 would be an good option but it may not necessarily be a H& A stone (according to your replies). Would this (non being H&A, even though its ASG0) take away from the look of the stone itself (the sparkle, shine, etc.)? Or is it more an issue of just not having the hearts and arrows be visible shape-wise in the stone?

Ugh...now I''m sounding all kerfuffled.....I guess what I mean is: Is the the AGS) grade or the H&A that jacks up the price most (all other things i.e. colour,clarity) considered equal?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/5/2008 9:50:39 PM
Author: puravida
Aha! I think I get it now!


So what advice would you offer in terms of saving mone;y for something that is not easily seen by the naked eye?


For a superb cut, an ASG0 would be an good option but it may not necessarily be a H& A stone (according to your replies). Would this (non being H&A, even though its ASG0) take away from the look of the stone itself (the sparkle, shine, etc.)? Or is it more an issue of just not having the hearts and arrows be visible shape-wise in the stone?


Ugh...now I''m sounding all kerfuffled.....I guess what I mean is: Is the the AGS) grade or the H&A that jacks up the price most (all other things i.e. colour,clarity) considered equal?

I think an ideal AGS0 stone without H&A will certainly be gorgeous, it just won''t display the whole H&A pattern. If it isn''t important to you, you can save some $ going with a regular AGS0 that isn''t labelled H&A.

 

[puravida]

Ok, and if I decide I just need

to have the H&A stone, I guess I would save money with that option by not getting an ACA H&A, right?

Also, on WF''s site there''s the option of searching for an ACA or an Expert Selection. The ES''s are not ACA but are they still H&A? I can''t find where it says so or not.

One last one....some of the stones I''m conducting "practice reasearch" on say they are either Round cut or Round Ideal cut. What is the visual difference to the eye?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/5/2008 10:20:22 PM
Author: puravida
Ok, and if I decide I just need

to have the H&A stone, I guess I would save money with that option by not getting an ACA H&A, right?


Also, on WF''s site there''s the option of searching for an ACA or an Expert Selection. The ES''s are not ACA but are they still H&A? I can''t find where it says so or not.


One last one....some of the stones I''m conducting ''practice reasearch'' on say they are either Round cut or Round Ideal cut. What is the visual difference to the eye?

Some of th ES stones may have perfect hearts to near perfect hearts but are not sold as h&a.
kinda convoluted but that''s the WF marketing.

 

[puravida]

so then i guess its almost along the same idea of having a "mindclean" stone....

some may decide they must have a stone that is truly H&A but some may be okay with an ES stone that almost makes it.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 11/5/2008 9:25:56 PM
Author: neatfreak
A true H&A stone however should be cut to ideal proportions and thus should receive an AGS0 grade for light performance.

So all AGS0''s are not H&A, but theoretically all true H&A stones should grade as AGS0.

Not so. Many H&A''s as defined by HRD, Japanese labs and Brian Gavin et al can have true H&A''s pattern but not fall within the proportions defined by AGS as "ideal" or achieve PGS 0 = AGS 0.

However most of those steeper non AGS "ideal" stones that have H&A''s patterns will achieve GIA excellent (they die when dirty)


Simple?
no!