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Is it worth it to get ACA melee?

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I don''t think the price is worth it IMHO. I have an eternity band from SP and it is amazing. If there wasn''t a big difference in price I would say to get the ACA, but since there is a big difference, go with SP.
 
Date: 11/4/2005 12:07:53 PM
Author: Mara
maybe it''s too early (my coffee is brewing as i type) but is it just me or does roughdealer''s math not add up? $810+405 is $1215? Not $2025?
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oh well, off to pour a cup. maybe that''s the problem.
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if you use all of the numbers he has in there, they add up to $2025. the question is...where did he get the numbers? there are just waaaaaay too many variables to add costs like that. way too many.
 
The ACA melee really sparkles nicely, I don't know that I would say "worth it" by comparison. The price difference is substantial, to me anyway. But the prices are so different bec of the stone size difference. There probably won't be a major size/width difference between the two pointers and three pointers. Certainly not enough to warrant that much of a difference.
 
It's important to note that when you are talking tiny melee in general, thousandths of a point come into play though we call them 1 pointers, 2 pointers, 3 pointers..they are not always EXACTLY that number. For example my toe rings are 1 pointers but in actuality they are made up of .007 and .008 stones.

The SP rings are made with 2.3 pointers to be exact if you use the ctw divided by # of diamonds. The WF ones say 3 pointers but in actuality it could be more like 2.7 or 2.8 pointers or similar rounded to 3. So in reality there IS no real size difference being discussed here, as 1/2 of a point is pretty darn tiny. The CTW is the same as well. John didn't mention sizing difference being the issue here either. I think it's just a matter of different pricing, possibly related to rough and cutting costs, and one is just much cheaper in this case!!
 
i'd go with Signed Pieces and I have a WF ring..two reasons.

1. better price
2. better return policy on this particular item. Unless things have changed the WF rings would be custom and you would not be eligable for a full refund if you are not satified for some reason...

if i had a do over that's what i'd do...
 
I have ACA melee, and I''ve never had SP melee.

Having said that, I did quote a piece with SP, and they quoted using ideal and premium cut diamonds. It''s hard for me to imagine there would be any visual difference between these goods and ACA melee.

I wouldn''t pay the premium - too stiff of a markup. I''m sure the SP melee would be beautiful.
 
"Thank you for your interest in Facets and for your submission to our wish list. We can make this band into a semi-mount at no additional charge. However, we would only recommend getting this setting if your center stone is 0.50ct or smaller. If it is larger, we would recommend a mounting with larger side stones. "
This from an email from Facets referring to this .53 RB Shared Prong Setting
 
I'm wondering whether they say that because it wouldn't be safe or because they have their own formula for center stone ct weight to side stone carat weight ratio. Here is an excerpt from their FAQ section (I think this is new to the website):

"The total carat weight of the diamonds in your eternity band should be equivalent to the carat weight of the center stone in your engagement ring

Each diamond in your wedding band should weigh approximately 5%-7% of the center diamond in your engagement ring."

Here is a link to that section.

So, I just wonder whether they don't think it would be aestheticaclly pleasing or whether it wouldn't be structurally sound.

ETA It sounds like they're just referring to wedding bands, but I wonder if they apply the same logic to eternity erings.
 
Why limit yourself to just Signed pieces and Whiteflash? Where else have you shopped around for eternity rings? I''m sure they are available through other vendors too.
 
Date: 11/4/2005 5:10:05 PM
Author: Demelza
I''m wondering whether they say that because it wouldn''t be safe or because they have their own formula for center stone ct weight to side stone carat weight ratio. Here is an excerpt from their FAQ section (I think this is new to the website):

''The total carat weight of the diamonds in your eternity band should be equivalent to the carat weight of the center stone in your engagement ring
Each diamond in your wedding band should weigh approximately 5%-7% of the center diamond in your engagement ring.''
Here is a link to that section.
So, I just wonder whether they don''t think it would be aestheticaclly pleasing or whether it wouldn''t be structurally sound.
ETA It sounds like they''re just referring to wedding bands, but I wonder if they apply the same logic to eternity erings.
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hum... ok, so if my solitaire is 2 carats, i click on the 2.11 ctw shared prong setting. but for my size fingers, then the total carat weight drops to 1.82??
then, if i go by %, then each stone should be .10 ct?
 
Date: 11/4/2005 5:10:05 PM
Author: Demelza
I''m wondering whether they say that because it wouldn''t be safe or because they have their own formula for center stone ct weight to side stone carat weight ratio. Here is an excerpt from their FAQ section (I think this is new to the website):

''The total carat weight of the diamonds in your eternity band should be equivalent to the carat weight of the center stone in your engagement ring

Each diamond in your wedding band should weigh approximately 5%-7% of the center diamond in your engagement ring.''

Here is a link to that section.

So, I just wonder whether they don''t think it would be aestheticaclly pleasing or whether it wouldn''t be structurally sound.

ETA It sounds like they''re just referring to wedding bands, but I wonder if they apply the same logic to eternity erings.
Click to expand...
According to that link, the recommendations aren''t based on structural issues but simply on aesthetic issues.

They are careful to say that these are just "guidelines" and that personal preference may differ.

I personally wouldn''t go with that formula. My e-ring stone is 1.25, and my w-ring is seven 5-point stones for .35 total. I tried it next to 10 pointers (which would only be 70 points), and the 10-pointers felt like they competed with my stone instead of complimenting it.

I find this a bit arbitrary....almost like the 2-month "rule".
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I agree with Alj...Mara's 1.6 sits on a band with .03's right? and I think Lynn b's half eterntiy in on 3 pointers too...looking4carats has a 3 ct round on the SP band and I know it wasn't made up of 10 or 15 point stones...

here's a pic of looking's rings

falcon%20maint.%20032.JPG
 
just checked on looking4carats SP set...the e-ring has .93 tcw. for her 3+ stone...
 
That''s what I''m wondering: did they suggest not to put a larger diamond on the 1.7mm band for aesthetic reasons or structural ones. It''s unclear. I''d be interested to know what their position is on the whole less than 2mm band issue. They obviously sell them, but would they recommend putting a 1 ct stone on one??
 
My guess would be that the 1.7mm band needs a smaller stone for structual reasons. the larger band/stone ratio could be used for aesthetics..Just my guess..
 
I agree that is an odd rule...I wouldn''t want bigger stones in my bands, they would take away from the center stone!
 
I will be ordering a Custom Facets Raphael (1.38tcw) eternity band with a semi mount within the next month. I really like the uniqueness of the Raphael. Because it is custom it will cost slightly more. I am going to see if they can substitute 4 single prongs holding the stone for 4 double prong, and set it as low as possible. (it will be holding a 3.01 carat round). I will be wearing this alone with no added eternity band. I also think a simple skinny sparkling band with just the center stone, really puts the focus on the diamond, where it should be. I have had wide settings before, and my diamond got lost in the bling. You could not even make out the size, or shape of my center diamond. After having a setting with a wide band, I learned this and promised myself I would not make that mistake again. I always seemed to notice, the gals who''s diamond stood out with the center always having the attention and "bang". I thought about antique style/design pave, halo and halo setting''s and it sure is tempting, as they are so gorgeous! But I decided I wanted something more Classic. I worry that some of these very "it" settings will date my ring 10 years from now.
 
I just wanted to let people know that Whiteflash lowered their price to me when I told them about the SP deal. They''re now offering me:


Ring - $1400 w/ 20 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds.
Band - $1355 w/ 22 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds
3/4 eternity - 2 mm width.


What great customer service!
 
Wow, they shrunk the difference from $1400 to about $350!!! Does this change things for you? Are you going to go with WF??
 
Wow that''s pretty cool.
 
you might want to check out Matatora's old thread here you might find some of the info helpful..


oops, just realized matatora's already posted the link on page one
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Date: 11/5/2005 1:51:37 PM
Author: peonygirl

I just wanted to let people know that Whiteflash lowered their price to me when I told them about the SP deal. They''re now offering me:



Ring - $1400 w/ 20 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds.
Band - $1355 w/ 22 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds
3/4 eternity - 2 mm width.


What great customer service!
Click to expand...
I think it''s great that they did this but that is a HUGE price drop, why was this price just not offered in the first place? What has changed now that would allow for this "discount" to be offered?

Does this put WF over the top for you?
 
The original was:

"All platinum Ring - $1950.00 This includes approx 19 x 0.03ct ACA diamonds ¾ eternity (.57 ctw)
All platinum band - $1850.00 This includes approx 20 x 0.03ct ACA diamonds ¾ eternity" (.60 ctw)

and now it''s:

Ring - $1400 w/ 20 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds.
Band - $1355 w/ 22 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds

So why are there more diamonds in this second offer. Are they smaller than the 3 pointers? I think that 1.7mm is actually their 2 pointers...?

If they are 2 pointers, that accounts for the price difference then...so it may not be a ''discount'' from the original price, as much as it is just a re-pricing with smaller stones?

Peony can you clarify?
 
Clarification would be great, I''m really curious.
 
I agree with Mara, it sounds as if you''re getting smaller diamonds but more of them. This new WF ring is closer to what you''d get through Signed Pieces. Nonetheless, it''s cool that they are working with you to match SP''s prices.

Would you prefer 3/4 eternity or a full eternity? There are pros and cons to both.

Do you have a center diamond picked out already? Or are you thinking about purchasing one through WF or SP?
 
I didn't even notice that the price was for a slightly different set of rings. Is that what you wanted? It's strange because I thought John Q said that the SP price was below their cost. So, does that mean they're not making a profit here or a profit of only a couple hundred dollars? Maybe the smaller stones explain it. In any case, clarification would be good.
 
I doubt WF would sell something under cost...so it seems like something HAS to be different here...hopefully Peony can clarify.
 
I''m still not sure which I''ll be going with. Yes, the specs of the ring did change, which is why I''m guessing the price went down so much.
 
Hi All:

OK - here's the clarification:

For the first quote, here's the breakdown:

Signed Pieces:
"In the engagement ring mounting, there will be approximately 24 diamonds,
weighing 0.55ct tw. In platinum, this will be $1,250.00.
For the matching eternity band, the ring will have approximately 26
diamonds, weighing 0.60ct tw. In platinum this will be $1,165.00."

If you do the math, SP is quoting here for .02's (1.7mm)

Whiteflash
"All platinum Ring - $1950.00 This includes approx 19 x 0.03ct ACA diamonds ¾ eternity (.57 ctw)
All platinum band - $1850.00 This includes approx 20 x 0.03ct ACA diamonds ¾ eternity" (.60 ctw)

Whiteflash is quoting here for .03's (2mm)

Here is the second quote from Whiteflash:

Ring - $1400 w/ 20 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds.
Band - $1355 w/ 22 x 1.7 mm ACA diamonds
3/4 eternity - 2 mm width.

1.7mm diamonds are .02's and the total width of the finished band will be 2mm.

Hope that explains the more competitive price quote. There was no price drop on the original quote for the .03's.

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
 
Thanks for clearing that up Lesley!
 
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