Need opinion on this WF ACA stone

[paskdpo]

I am looking for a H&A diamond that will give the most brilliance possible for the price. I found this one: http://whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273555.htm
Previously I have restricted my search to VS2 or better only but this SI1 is about $2000 cheaper than similar VS2 ACA. I am not sure what to make of the ASET and ideal scope images, can someone please tell me how this stone compares to the other ACA stones on the site and why its so much cheaper?
Thanks!

 

[kcoursolle]

This stone looks excellent! I love G/SI combos, they are icey white and often eye-clean. The specs on this diamond look very nice. When you are looking at ideal scope images, Red is direct light return, black is head blockage, and white is leakage. You basically want mostly red with a mix of black for contrast and very little white. This stone looks great!

This stone is probably cheaper because it''s an SI. SI''s represent a great value because they are much cheaper than VS stones. I would ask WF if it''s eye clean, and then I would say you are good to go!!! Beautiful stone!

Don''t forget to ask about the pricescope discount. It''s small, but helps out. ACA''s are beautiful, I know a few and they are stunning!

 

[paskdpo]

For another ACA diamond I saw a scope image that has 0 white spots. Realistically, will I be able to tell a difference between the two in terms of sparkle and brilliance? I''m trying to figure out what exactly I''ll be missing out on by going for this SI1.

 

[yellowsparkles]

Date: 5/21/2007 11:12:01 AM
Author: paskdpo
For another ACA diamond I saw a scope image that has 0 white spots. Realistically, will I be able to tell a difference between the two in terms of sparkle and brilliance? I''m trying to figure out what exactly I''ll be missing out on by going for this SI1.

I don''t think you would be able to tell the difference. what you won''t be missing is $2000.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 5/21/2007 11:12:01 AM
Author: paskdpo
For another ACA diamond I saw a scope image that has 0 white spots. Realistically, will I be able to tell a difference between the two in terms of sparkle and brilliance? I''m trying to figure out what exactly I''ll be missing out on by going for this SI1.

Inclusions don''t affect sparkle and brillance. Cut is what affects those. Yellowsparkles is correct. You''ll have an exta $2k in your pocket and beautiful bling on a ring.

Th one thing I would say - get WF to look at the stone and make sure it is eyeclean. Once they check it out and declare it so, you''ve found yourself a stone!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/21/2007 11:12:01 AM
Author: paskdpo
For another ACA diamond I saw a scope image that has 0 white spots. Realistically, will I be able to tell a difference between the two in terms of sparkle and brilliance? I''m trying to figure out what exactly I''ll be missing out on by going for this SI1.

No, you probably can''t tell the difference. The new line has less leakage near the girdle than the classic line. Many, like myself actually like the tiny little white cleakage near the girdle most like because it gives the stone contrast. In reality though, I really doubt the difference is very visible. Either way, both looks have superior light performance!

 

[paskdpo]

The Sarin report says the girdle min. and mix. is slightly thick. What do you think about that?
Also, using the proportions in the Sarin report in the HCA calculator shows only "very good" and no excellents. The other ACA diamonds have at least 3 excellents. Thoughts about this?
Thanks for all the info!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/21/2007 3:56:50 PM
Author: paskdpo
The Sarin report says the girdle min. and mix. is slightly thick. What do you think about that?
Also, using the proportions in the Sarin report in the HCA calculator shows only ''very good'' and no excellents. The other ACA diamonds have at least 3 excellents. Thoughts about this?
Thanks for all the info!!

Slightly thick is fine.

And you''re comparing ACA''s, they don''t get much better than that. Between the brand, and the fact that you have an IS and ASET image, you don''t even need the HCA anymore. Really.

 

[paskdpo]

I emailed whiteflash and they said it is eye-clean. However, I read on their site that their eye-clean means the inclusion is not visible with the naked eye from 8-10 inches away. I really dont want a diamond where an inclusion is visible with the naked eye from any distance and any light. I guess I''ll ask them that.

 

[Hammurabi]

Date: 5/22/2007 12:50:16 AM
Author: paskdpo
I emailed whiteflash and they said it is eye-clean. However, I read on their site that their eye-clean means the inclusion is not visible with the naked eye from 8-10 inches away. I really dont want a diamond where an inclusion is visible with the naked eye from any distance and any light. I guess I''ll ask them that.

I am no expert but recently I have purchased a pair of diamond earrings from WF, one of them is an SI (but it is significantly smaller than your rock i must say), WF told me eye clean from 25cm
I can only locate the inclusion with a 10x loupe *after* i check the cert where the inclusion is, even if i put the diamond right under my nose knowing where it is now, I still cant see the inclusion.
if i were you i would rather keep the $2k in my pocket

 

[cinnamon013]

I have a G / SI1 from WF, ACA H&A. It''s eyeclean to the point that I can''t see anything no matter how hard I try. I actually can''t find the stuff on the plot with the loupe either. They say "younger" eyes can sometimes see the inclusions, but I''ve had both my teenagers look this thing over and they don''t see it either.

Since WF and other vendors on here have return policies that protect you the buyer, I think you should feel a certain amount of comfort in that. You could always return it within their return window if you aren''t completely wowed. My guess is you will be, though.

Others may know better, but stones are only clarity graded from the top looking down. Stones are not viewed from the side for clarity grading purposes. Color is graded when the stone is upside down.

 

[paskdpo]

The cert for this SI1 diamond has many inclusions on it. I''m wondering how visible they will be when looking at them using a loupe. Since this is a hearts and arrows diamond, me and my girl will be looking at it under a loupe and I dont want inclusions scattered all over the place. hmmm...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/24/2007 11:29:04 AM
Author: paskdpo
The cert for this SI1 diamond has many inclusions on it. I''m wondering how visible they will be when looking at them using a loupe. Since this is a hearts and arrows diamond, me and my girl will be looking at it under a loupe and I dont want inclusions scattered all over the place. hmmm...

You want clean through a loupe? Better get VS1/VS2.

But is that really necessary?

 

[elmo]

Date: 5/24/2007 11:38:30 AM
Author: Ellen
You want clean through a loupe? Better get VS1/VS2. But is that really necessary?

If gf says it is necessary, it is necessary

. And if she owns a loupe, she needs a stone she likes looking at under it!

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 5/24/2007 11:29:04 AM
Author: paskdpo
The cert for this SI1 diamond has many inclusions on it. I''m wondering how visible they will be when looking at them using a loupe. Since this is a hearts and arrows diamond, me and my girl will be looking at it under a loupe and I dont want inclusions scattered all over the place. hmmm...

The hearts pattern is only visible on an unmounted diamond. You see them only if it is laying on it''s face from the back side. Once it is in a setting, you won''t be able to see the hearts through the loupe.

Sure, it''s fun to look at the arrows and what not through the loupe, but in reality, it''s the every day view that is important. Getting this type of cut will ensure a beautiful diamond to look at every day. And...just because it is an SI1 eyeclean stone doesn''t mean you are going to see everything on the plot with your loupe. I have an SI1, and I just can''t find the inclusions with a loupe. Much less looking, staring, trying to find them with my eyes... Save your $ and go with a SI1 that WF assures you is eyeclean. You be glad you did when you have more money in your wallet, and a good looking stone to boot.

 

[paskdpo]

What kind of difference will I see between an HCA 1.1 and a 1.6?

 

[paskdpo]

By the way, I''m looking for something more brilliant than fiery. What HCA score range should i be looking at?

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/24/2007 12:27:33 PM
Author: paskdpo
By the way, I''m looking for something more brilliant than fiery. What HCA score range should i be looking at?

Does she like that look too? If so, then slightly shallower crown angles.

 

[paskdpo]

We both think that fiery isnt elegant. At helzberg we saw some 150+ facet diamond that was really fiery and didnt like that. All the ACA on whiteflash seem to be around the same crown angles. Will there be a difference between any of them?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/24/2007 1:39:06 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Date: 5/24/2007 12:27:33 PM
Author: paskdpo
By the way, I''m looking for something more brilliant than fiery. What HCA score range should i be looking at?

Does she like that look too? If so, then slightly shallower crown angles.

I know a lot of people think this, and on some stones it may very well be true. But despite the fact that my CA is 34.05, my stone is very fiery. So far, more than my OMC.

So if the OP truly wants brilliance over fire, I''d say look more for a 60/60.....To be safe.

 

[paskdpo]

None of the ACA diamonds are 60%/60%. Does that mean I probably wont be able to get a H&A diamond?