Leo diamond vs ACA H&A

[pj_rage]

I''m getting ready to buy my GF an engagement ring, and I was actually very interested in getting a Tiffany at first because she had expressed that she would like one (some time back). She''s since mentioned that she really doesn''t care either way. But I still figured that their stones were top notch, so it might be a good choice anyway.

After reading here all day, I thought I had come to the determination that the ACA H&A would be cheaper (equals bigger stone for my budget = important to GF!) and would be a better stone.

I''m trying to find out as much as I can about the rest of the stones out there though, and I''ve come across the Leo. I expected to search here and find numerous posts about how it''s not all it''s cracked up to be and how the ACA H&A blows it away. But searching here hasn''t given that information at all. All I''ve been able to dig up is that the Leo CAN look really good, but the cuts are inconsistent.

What I really want to know, is, does the "best" looking Leo look better than the ACA H&A? Or, does the ACA H&A always look better, but the Leo, in it''s best form, can come close? Or are they so close that it is only personal preference making the determination? I wouldn''t mind having to rummage through for a good Leo, if they are actually better. (I''m just looking for the best possible looking stone for the money!) I''m particularly asking because I think the ACA H&A costs considerably more than the Leo?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am betting that the ACA does not cost considerably more. I can''t imagine that the Leo is more beautiful. What kind of cert do the Leo''s have? If it is not AGS or GIA, then I would rule them out completely. I guess I am biased because I have a hearts and arrows ring and earrings, but I don''t see how you can find a better quality round diamond than going with an ACA.

 

[pj_rage]

I definitely could be wrong about the Leo pricing, I just thought I had heard of some prices that were for similar clarity/color/cw that were like 20% cheaper than comparable H&A, but I don''t have any hard data, so sorry for the assumption, especially if it''s off.

I guess my real question, is, regardless of price, if I dig through 50 Leos in my locals stores, would I find one that looks better than an ACA H&A? Or one that is even close for that matter?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/7/2008 8:21:53 PM
Author: pj_rage
I definitely could be wrong about the Leo pricing, I just thought I had heard of some prices that were for similar clarity/color/cw that were like 20% cheaper than comparable H&A, but I don''t have any hard data, so sorry for the assumption, especially if it''s off.

I guess my real question, is, regardless of price, if I dig through 50 Leos in my locals stores, would I find one that looks better than an ACA H&A? Or one that is even close for that matter?

Better? No. Close? I dunno, maybe. But I would recommend just going for a regular ideal round brilliant.

 

[swingirl]

Is the Leo diamond sold anyplace other than Kay Jewelers?

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 4/7/2008 9:22:50 PM
Author: swingirl
Is the Leo diamond sold anyplace other than Kay Jewelers?

They are only sold at Kay''s Jewlers and they are certified by IGI, not sure how reliable they are as a certifying body. They also come with a gemex report.

I''d buy an ideal cut AGS cert''d diamond, or an excellent cut GIA cert''d diamond that falls within the ideal cut AGS lines on the HCA.

 

[cinnamon013]

What''s your budget and size preference? We love suggesting stones...

 

[Kaleigh]

Not loving the IGI cert on the Leo, and Kay''s doesn''t do it for me. I''d go with an ACA H&A if I were you.

 

[pj_rage]

Thanks for the tips guys. I think I''m still settled on an ACA H&A. I think Jared might also sell the Leo, though? But I''m not positive.

My budget still has yet to be set in stone. To give a rough idea of what I was looking at, though, probably around $7k for the stone only. I''m hoping to get away for $8k total, but I might be able to be talked into pushing the total to $8500 tops. The stone still depends on the cost of whatever I settle on for a setting.

Some stones I was looking at - but I''m not ready to buy for at least a couple more weeks, so I''m not counting on the particular ones being available - just ones like them, are here:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-608083.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-53328.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-608084.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-608072.htm

I''m thinking a 1ct size will be nice, and from what I read, H won''t be too yellow with the nice cut, and hopefully the VS1 won''t show any inclusions to the eye (I''m pretty sensitive myself - not sure about my GF). I wasn''t sure if I would want to go with that, the cheaper H/VS1 combo, or the slightly more expensive G/VS2. I kind of like the idea of the G/VS2 more, but I''m not sure? When the time to buy comes a little closer, I''ll probably give them a call and talk about a couple of different options!

 

[ImpatientOne]

When we were looking, a 1.5 Leo SI2 I with Good Cut and Good to VG polish & symmetry cost $13,500 at Weisfield''s. They are WAY over priced!!!

 

[cwj]

I was at Kay this weekend. Didn''t see any Leos that set my heart to beating!! I was surpised to see the grading on some of the ones I looked at, much more yellow than the grading I am use to seeing in the GIA and I have seen a couple of egl that seem closer to what I have seen while looking. I by no means am saying that they aren''t great and I surely don''t know alot about such things, just stating what I saw.
cwj

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I have a hearts and arrows H VS1, but it is a borderline G-H color. However, I also have two H VS2 ACA's for my earring stones. I wanted the higher clarity for the ring because the stone is larger. But many here love lower clarity than that as long as the stone is eye clean. All of them are very beautiful and certainly are not yellow. Be aware that the color of the walls and yellowish indoor lighting can give an artificial tinted appearance. But my stones are very, very white in daylight and in florescent lighting. I am completely happy with G-H color.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, there is a 5% discount for ACA's for wire payment and being a PS member (mention that when you reserve a stone).

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/7/2008 10:13:51 PM
Author: pj_rage
I''m thinking a 1ct size will be nice, and from what I read, H won''t be too yellow with the nice cut, and hopefully the VS1 won''t show any inclusions to the eye (I''m pretty sensitive myself - not sure about my GF). I wasn''t sure if I would want to go with that, the cheaper H/VS1 combo, or the slightly more expensive G/VS2. I kind of like the idea of the G/VS2 more, but I''m not sure? When the time to buy comes a little closer, I''ll probably give them a call and talk about a couple of different options!

You won''t see anything in a VS1, even with a loupe most likely. VS2 is almost always a safe bet, and there are many SI1''s that are completely eyeclean, from all angles.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 4/7/2008 11:04:00 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Well, I have a hearts and arrows H VS1, but it is a borderline G-H color. However, I also have two H VS2 ACA''s for my earring stones. I wanted the higher clarity for the ring because the stone is larger. But many here love lower clarity than that as long as the stone is eye clean. All of them are very beautiful and certainly are not yellow. Be aware that the color of the walls and yellowish indoor lighting can give an artificial tinted appearance. But my stones are very, very white in daylight and in florescent lighting. I am completely happy with G-H color.

Oh, and in case you didn''t know, there is a 5% discount for ACA''s for wire payment and being a PS member (mention that when you reserve a stone).

Sorry, small threadjack: DS I have noticed this... does this happen with all ideal cut stones or only with "lower" color stones? Just curious b/c mine really seems to take on the color around it, but it is a J, and my friend''s stone always looks white but I feel certain it is not an ideal cut, though it is probably an F color or something similar.

OP: go with the ACA, you will love the way it sparkles! And WF has beautiful settings. Thouh I am biased, I think the Sleek Line Legato is a stunning simple solitaire

DD

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/8/2008 9:39:31 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Sorry, small threadjack: DS I have noticed this... does this happen with all ideal cut stones or only with 'lower' color stones? Just curious b/c mine really seems to take on the color around it, but it is a J, and my friend's stone always looks white but I feel certain it is not an ideal cut, though it is probably an F color or something similar.

I'm not ds, but thought I'd throw my pennies in.

Yes, all ideal cut colors will, my G does too.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 4/8/2008 9:45:57 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 4/8/2008 9:39:31 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Sorry, small threadjack: DS I have noticed this... does this happen with all ideal cut stones or only with ''lower'' color stones? Just curious b/c mine really seems to take on the color around it, but it is a J, and my friend''s stone always looks white but I feel certain it is not an ideal cut, though it is probably an F color or something similar.

I''m not ds, but thought I''d throw my pennies in.

Yes, all ideal cut colors will, my G does too.

Very interesting to know! THX... I was wondering if I was more color sensitive that I thought b/c my stone looks postively brown in the car (which has grey brown interior) and yellow in my living room and office (which are both painted yellow) and tan when sitting in my in-laws couch (which is tan)... too bad so many environments are yellow or brown! So I guess if you want a blinding white stone then get one that is poorly cut!

Sorry about the threadjack PJ, but maybe you will find this information interesting too, since it relates to ideal cuts!

DD

 

[brooklyngirl]

To add to the threadjack, my AGS000 F looks very noticibly yellow in my lemon yellow kitchen. I think (hope) this is normal. It generally takes on the colors from it''s surroundings. There''s a veggie store I frequent with a bright pink ceiling, and my stone looks pink

 

[niceice]

Date: 4/8/2008 11:44:19 AM
Author: brooklyngirl
To add to the threadjack, my AGS000 F looks very noticibly yellow in my lemon yellow kitchen. I think (hope) this is normal. It generally takes on the colors from it''s surroundings. There''s a veggie store I frequent with a bright pink ceiling, and my stone looks pink

Diamonds reflect whatever color is in the room that surrounds them. I remember sitting with a client in the office one day, we were looking at a two carat, D color puppy that was simply gorgeous... The diamond room was designed in neutral colors to reduce the amount of color that a diamond would pick up off of the walls and furniture. The client and I had been admiring the diamond for quite some time when Robin walked in and sat down to join us, the first thing out of her mouth was "This is a very pretty diamond, but I thought you wanted something in the colorless range" to which the client responded "well, that''s a D color" and Robin said "No, it looks more like a J" and I took the stone and said "No, it''s a D" to which she responded "No, it''s a J" so we kicked off all the lights in the room and looked at the diamond under the controlled light source of the GIA Diamond Lite and we all said "Yes, it''s a D" but as soon as the lights went on and Robin picked up the stone again, it turned into a J. Then it dawned on me, Robin was wearing an optic yellow sweater! Doh! Back in the box Todd, what are you doing out today?

Naturally our client loves to tell other people that his diamond is a J which makes working with referrals from him real interesting when it comes time to talk about diamond color.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 4/8/2008 1:18:10 PM
Author: niceice

Date: 4/8/2008 11:44:19 AM
Author: brooklyngirl
To add to the threadjack, my AGS000 F looks very noticibly yellow in my lemon yellow kitchen. I think (hope) this is normal. It generally takes on the colors from it''s surroundings. There''s a veggie store I frequent with a bright pink ceiling, and my stone looks pink

Diamonds reflect whatever color is in the room that surrounds them. I remember sitting with a client in the office one day, we were looking at a two carat, D color puppy that was simply gorgeous... The diamond room was designed in neutral colors to reduce the amount of color that a diamond would pick up off of the walls and furniture. The client and I had been admiring the diamond for quite some time when Robin walked in and sat down to join us, the first thing out of her mouth was ''This is a very pretty diamond, but I thought you wanted something in the colorless range'' to which the client responded ''well, that''s a D color'' and Robin said ''No, it looks more like a J'' and I took the stone and said ''No, it''s a D'' to which she responded ''No, it''s a J'' so we kicked off all the lights in the room and looked at the diamond under the controlled light source of the GIA Diamond Lite and we all said ''Yes, it''s a D'' but as soon as the lights went on and Robin picked up the stone again, it turned into a J. Then it dawned on me, Robin was wearing an optic yellow sweater! Doh! Back in the box Todd, what are you doing out today?

Naturally our client loves to tell other people that his diamond is a J which makes working with referrals from him real interesting when it comes time to talk about diamond color.

Wow, what a great story to illustrate the point! I had no idea about this reflective quality in well cut diamonds... in your expert opinion, Todd, is it true that poorly cut stones won''t refect color from the environment to the same extent as well cut stones? I was really surprised to learn this, having only seen poorly cut stones that look white all the time... or maybe I just haven''t looks at them in enough environments.

I''m glad to have read about this... I was starting to think my lovely J was too tainted even for me! haha

DD

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 4/8/2008 11:44:19 AM
Author: brooklyngirl
To add to the threadjack, my AGS000 F looks very noticibly yellow in my lemon yellow kitchen. I think (hope) this is normal. It generally takes on the colors from it''s surroundings. There''s a veggie store I frequent with a bright pink ceiling, and my stone looks pink

Same here for my ''J'' AGS000! I have warm walls and it picks the color right up, but outside of those certain rooms it''s colorless.

 

[Pandora II]

Last time I was in oggling blink in Graff, ALL the diamonds looked yellow - even the ''D''s. Their walls are yellow and gold - nightmare, but then I guess if you are shopping at Graff you don''t worry too much.

(They let you see every detail on the GIA reports as well - even when they know you are not buying. I love that shop!)