Is Spending More for ACA Worth It?

[plummiecat]

Hi everyone. I've been shopping for diamond studs and I would love to have ACA, but they are a lot more money than similar ones that are Expert Selection or stones on BN. I have never seen ACA in person. Are they really spectacular? The stones will be .80 a piece if that makes any difference. Thanks.

 

[kenny]

I have an 0.82 E VVS1 ACA and it is spectacular but that doesn't answer your question.
Whether it looks that much better than an expert selection to be worth the extra money...I can't answer.
Someone who loves their ES but has never seen it next to an ACA can't answer your question either.
Even people who have seen both side by side do not know if the difference will be worth the difference in price to you.

Here's what I'd do.
You have the budget for two diamonds but only need to see one of each.
Whiteflash has an excellent return policy.
Buy one one of each, they will come with a spring ring so you can wear them.

Have someone else use a sharpie marker to place a black dot on the bottom of one of the spring rings.
While you are not watching, have this person put one rock in the ring with the dot - but you don't know which is which.
Since it is a blind test knowing which is the ACA cannot influence your reaction.

But DO be very careful; the diamonds are not securely set and may pop out if you do something like put your hand in your pocket.
I would also advice against wearing them both on the same finger since one may scratch the other.

Examine them in every possible lighting and in your home, workplace, dim lighting, sunlight, shade, Costco etc.
After you decide which you like better, or even if they look the same, ask that person which is the ACA.

Return them within Whiteflash's timeframe.
The only cost to you will be return shipping on the one you did not buy.
Considering the total cost of your pair of studs, that's a small price to pay to feel sure about what you are buying.

 

[Christina...]

I think Kenny makes an excellent suggestion! Some people will say yes, that a ACA is worth the extra. I would have said no, but I don't own one and haven't seen one IRL, so I'm not really in a position to say that, however I'm betting that the difference will be so slight that you will have difficulty seeing them with your own eyes. I hope you take Kenny up on his suggestion, I haven't heard anyone doing this before, so I'm excited to see what you think!

 

[Mara]

...no I don't think it's worth it spending the extra, esp for earrings. I would go where the inventory is, and if you find something that is an ES that is in-house where the specs/images look almost as good (to a consumer!) then I would go that route. I have had ES stones and ACA stones and to me there is no visual difference that my consumer eye can pick up. I hate paying branded markup too, but I have bought ACA's in the past when there are no ES's or other inventory elsewhere that fits what I need. Good luck!

 

[plummiecat]

Thanks so much for all of your responses! I actually found a nice pair of ACAs that are in the same price range as ES. Yet I found a similar pair on BN for $1000 less and one of the diamonds is one clarity grade higher. Of course BN does not provide images, etc. Decisions, decisions.

 

[bagelboy]

Several years ago I went thru the same dilemma. Although I really wanted to buy a pair of ACA earrings for a anniversary present for my wife, I went with the ES diamonds. Some ES stones just miss being ACA for very minor things, I am sworn not to reveal it. I am glad I did buy then as they look super sparkly and those tiny little diamonds doubled in price. I believe the ES come with the same upgrade policy too. So you really can't miss! On the other hand, you only go around once in life and if you really must have ACA's and not going to happy until you do... well pay up!!! Hope that helps!!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Thanks so much for all of your responses! I actually found a nice pair of ACAs that are in the same price range as ES. Yet I found a similar pair on BN for $1000 less and one of the diamonds is one clarity grade higher. Of course BN does not provide images, etc. Decisions, decisions.

then i'd go for the ACA!! ...(a mind thing )

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My studs are ACA's, but I don't have a problem with ES ideal cut stones, either, if you can find the matched pair. I would not buy from a vendor that does not supply images or that does not have an upgrade policy like WF does.