OPINION ON TACORI HT 2326 AND ACA DIAMOND

[signal_4]

HELLO ALL !!!! IM NEW HERE BUT IVE BEEN READING ALL THE FORUM POSTS FOR IT SEEMS LIKE THE LAST 3 DAYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANT TO BUY. THANK GOD I DISCOVERED THIS SITE CAUSE I WAS ABOUT TO BY A BLUE NILE SIGNATURE DIAMOND ROUND AND THEN I CAME ACROSS THE HCA ADVISORY, SO THEN I STARTED PUTTING THE SPECS INTO IT AND REALIZED THAT I ALMOST HAD MADE A BIG MISTAKE ON THE ONE THAT I WAS LOOKING AT... I DID HOWEVER FIND THAT SEVERAL BN DIAMODS SCORED VERY WELL ON IT SO I CALLED THEM UP AND ASKED THEM SOME QUESTIONS ON THIER DIAMONDS AND THE SALES REP WAS VERY HONEST AND WHEN I ASKED HER ABOUT THIER SIGNATURE ROUND DIAMONDS BEING TRUE H&A, SHE SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT GENERALLY TRUE H&A DIAMONDS...... SO THAT BEING... IF THIER NOT TRUE H&A SPECS THEN HOW CAN THE SYMMENTARY BE AS PERCISE AS THE SAY IT IS ? SO THEN I STARTED LOOKING AT WHITE FLASH AND I FOUND A ACA H&A DIAMOND THAT I LIKE... THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THEM IS THAT I LIVE IN CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS AND THEY CHARGE SHIPPING TO RESIDENTS IN TEXAS....IS IT POSSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE DIAMOND MY SELF AND HAVE THEM SHIP IT TO MY MOM WHO LIVES IN OREGON AND THEN HAVE HER SHIP IT BACK TO ME TO AVOID THE 700 OR 800 DOLLAR TAX FEE ?
OK SO MY PLAN HAS BEEN TO LET MY GIRLFRIEND PICK OUT HER SETTING AND I WAS GOING TO PICK OUT AND SUPRISE HER WITH THE CENTER STONE CAUSE I DIDNT WANT TO PICK A SETTING THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PRETEND TO LIKE... SO TODAY SHE FIIIINNNAAALLLLYYYY DECIDED ON A SETTING THAT SHE LOVED WHICH IS A TACORI MODLE # HT 2326 SETTING. SO NOW I WOULD LIKE EVERYBODYS OPINION ON THE SETTING AND DIAMOND THAT IM THINKING OF BUYING... THE TACORI WEBSITE SAYS THAT THE RING IS PERFECT FOR A 1.5 TO 2 CARROT DIAMOND BUT THE ONE I LIKE AT WHITE FLASH IS A 1.1 CARROT DIAMOND.... WOULD THIS DIAMOND LOOK TO SMALL TO BE IN THAT SETTING....

HERE ARE THE DIAMOND SPECS
WHITE FLASH A CUT ABOVE H&A ROUND BRILLIANT
MEASURMENTS 6.68 MM X 6.71 MM X 4.07 MM
CUT GRADE AGS 0
COLOR G
CLARITY VS1
CARAT 1.103
DEPTH % 60.8 %
TABLE 56%
CROWN 34.5 %
PAVILION 40.7 %
THIN TO MEDIUM GIRDLE
POINTED CUTLET
I HAVE ENTERED THE SPECS INTO THE HCA AND IT HAS A .9 SCORE WITHIN THE TIC RANGE SO I THINK IT SHOULD SHINE THE WHITES OF HER EYES OFF.
ALSO I HAVE CHECKED OTHER VENDORS FROM THIS SITE AND I COULDNT FIND ANYTHING THAT FIT INTO MY PLAN.
IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO MENTION PLEASE LET ME KNOW.... AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANYONE''S OPINION OR ADVICE ( POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ) ON THE SETTING AND DIAMOND THAT I HAVE POTENTIALLY CHOSEN.... I GUESS MY BIG CONCERN IS IF THAT DIAMOND WOULD LOOK TO SMALL IN THE SETTING. I AM REALLY READY TO GET THIS OVER WITH AND RETURN TO A LESS STRESSFUL LIFE!!! THANKS TO ALL... ALTAN

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Signal4:

I attached a picture of the Idealscope image as well as a 40x's magnified photo of your stone along with the Sarin data for this diamond.

The ideal-scope image looks great and this is one of Whiteflash's ACA Classic Line stones and is cut to accentuate contrast in the totally balanced visual representation of this brand of H&A's.

There is minor leakage around the girdle which should provide good contrast and small points of leakage at the tips of the star facets also. Overall the idealscope image has a good blend of dark reds and blacks which should provide a visual firecracker of a stone.

Looking at the averages in all the measured angles on the sarin data I would like to note the measurements between the crown and pavilion angle's only having a .2 variance. In the realm of tolerances between all the measured angles to get the average, this is a tightly cut stone executed with great precision.

Looking at the real life photo this stone presents great optical symmettry and should provide some beautifully balanced optics in a variety of different lighting conditions.

The stone has a great vs-1 clarity and G color which I think is really a happy medium when trying to get the most out of your dollars by going lower on color.

I love the tacori setting you picked out. Personally I think this diamond would look stunning in this setting.

Hope this helps and good luck...

If you do decide to purchase this stone you have figured out a crafty way of saving yourself some money on in state tax's. Hope everything works out and post more questions if you have them...

 

[valeria101]

Is this the setting ?

If so, I could not find the recommendation for 1.5-2cts center diamond you mention, but the ring does not seem to be adjustable. If the setting only comes fit for a 1.5 carat, that 1 carat would likely not fit nicely. This is one thing to ask Tacori about.

Otherwise... are you sure H&A is more important than the 1.5 carat size ?

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Date: 3/6/2005 3:23:18 PM
Author: valeria101
Is this the setting ?

If so, I could not find the recommendation for 1.5-2cts center diamond you mention, but the ring does not seem to be adjustable. If the setting only comes fit for a 1.5 carat, that 1 carat would likely not fit nicely. This is one thing to ask Tacori about.

Otherwise... are you sure H&A is more important than the 1.5 carat size ?

Hi VaL:

Tacori can make anything. If it is indeed a special order to accomodate a 1 carat stone it might take a little extra time to build the ring, but Tacori will deliver.

I think signal4 has made a priority on cut and that is definitely more important IMHO than size alone. Either way she should have no problem requesting this style for a 1 carat stone.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/6/2005 537 PM
Author: Colored Gemstone Nut

I think signal4 has made a priority on cut and that is definitely more important IMHO than size alone.

Ok... here''s good ol'' 60/60 cut

 

[Mara]

Where is that 60/60 from Val? It looks VERY NICE!!

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/6/2005 8:53:39 PM
Author: Mara
Where is that 60/60 from Val? It looks VERY NICE!!

Here it is

The original posts seems to indicate that the BN signature was rejected because the seller did not guarantee optical symmetry. Hence the choice of H&A AGS0. Well... perfect optical symmetry has nothing to do with proportions. This stone seems to make the case pretty well. This is why it got posted.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Wow..That''s really neat Val. This is the first 60/60 type stone with the Hearts & Arrows like symettry.

Thanks for showing that to us..

 

[signal_4]

Hello all !!!!

Thanks Colored Gemstone Nut for the info on the diamond and setting !!!! It was really encouraging. Val im not sure ( being only a couple months self educated on diamonds) what a 60/60 cut diamond is but the picture looked really good... on the ideal scope image you can see that some of the arrowheads are seperated from the shafts, but its really close to a H&A diamond. Plus that diamond is 20k which is out of my spending range. My price range is now about $8500 to $9000 for the diamond. I was going to go with a larger and better color and clarity diamond but when my girlfriend decided on the Tacori setting ( which is $8190 as well) I had to cut back on the diamond to compensate for it. The site that I saw the 1.5 - 2.0 carat recomendation is here
http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:fbalbIN9i7QJ:weddingband.com/mer_d.html+tacori+ht+2326+half&hl=en

I have also now have been looking at 1.153, 1.170 1.175 and maybe possible even the 1.203 all from WF ACA H&A

The 1.170 seems to have no light leakage in the ideal scope picture
Would this diamond be a better firecracker than the 1.1 ? I guess everything boils down to wether WF will let me ship the diamond to my mom to avoid the in state tax charge... Im going to call them and ask tomarrow... I knoticed that the VP reads these posts and responds to them... SO PLEASE JOHN LET ME DO THIS !!!!! Ok thanks to all who have read and responded to this and if any one who has the time to check out the other diamonds that im looking at and has comments on them I would greatly appreciate the feedback.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Hi Signal4:

I like both Ideal-scope images on the 1st stone you mentioned as well as the idealscope image of the second Ideal-scope image you posted. Both diamonds will be beautiful and boast great optical symettry.

Check out this thread posted in the Diamond Glossary section:
A-Cut-Above "New line" vs. "Classic" Line (A review of the 2 cutting styles)

I believe you have picked out several great candidates. You will have to choose which stone you like best. I personally like the 2nd IS image being it is a from the "New Line". Both lines are visually balanced and beautiful.

I have another question for you Signal..

I like Tacori and don''t want to sway you, but is she really stuck on this setting. For the money you could save on a different setting you could get a larger stone. Just a thought???

Let us know what you decide and post any other questions you might have..

 

[valeria101]

Hm... 8k for the setting... isn't that allot ?

Added: Wait a minute... The sides are 80 points each no ? It is this setting ! LINK

It is a three-stone ring you are after

I had no idea.

Ok then. The price starts to make sense. However, the sidestones will be about as large as the center and there might be some issue with matching the color and cut of the sides from Tacori. I can't find info on what color and clarity they are. And they are not going to be H&A cut.

Here's (approx.) what a 1 carat would look like between two .8 carat stones. See below.


PS: forget the 60/60. I was very surprised to find a stone with non-ideal proportions and H&A symmetry. Just had to post about it !

 

[signal_4]

Hey all !!!! Thanks Josh for the info on the new line and classic line that you wrote... I just got done reading it. I think im gonna have to flip a coin cause its a really tough choice !!!! HA HA.... As for another ring.... well for the past couple of months she has been stuck in between a Scott Kay setting and a Verragio setting ( The Verragio setting was about $3200 and the Scott Kay about $ 3900). We had been to the store where they are located at several times ( sometimes more than once in one day ) and she could never decide on one ,always trying to weigh the cons and pros of each.... it is very hard for her to make a decision on things. Then one day she went to another jewler and saw the Tacori setting one time and she said that it was the one.... so if she had made an instant decision in one visit then I think I had better get that one ( as she put it "it was love at first sight" ) ..... I think ill go crazy if I mention other settings and have to go through more decisions on settings... it hard enough having to decide on a diamond !!!!! Ana ... yes that is the price on the ring alone $ 8190 and I think its that much cause its hand made and engraved.... plus Josh is right... Tacori will make the ring to the diamond specs...

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/7/2005 1:46:50 AM
Author: signal_4

Ana ... yes that is the price on the ring alone $ 8190 and I think its that much cause its hand made and engraved....

No... it''s the HUGE sidestones!

 

[signal_4]

Ana ... WOW !!!! how did you do that ????? I went to that website but cant figure out how to generate that image... is it in a choice like build your own ring or something... thats the setting but only with the diamonds going half way around... the one I want has the diamonods going all the way around.... But the 1.1 still looks great in that setting... Im really really excited now !!!! I cant even type right and had to go back and fix tons or spelling errors....

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/7/2005 1:46:50 AM
Author: signal_4
Hey all !!!! Thanks Josh for the info on the new line and classic line that you wrote... I just got done reading it. I think im gonna have to flip a coin cause its a really tough choice !!!! HA HA.... As for another ring.... well for the past couple of months she has been stuck in between a Scott Kay setting and a Verragio setting ( The Verragio setting was about $3200 and the Scott Kay about $ 3900). We had been to the store where they are located at several times ( sometimes more than once in one day ) and she could never decide on one ,always trying to weigh the cons and pros of each.... it is very hard for her to make a decision on things. Then one day she went to another jewler and saw the Tacori setting one time and she said that it was the one.... so if she had made an instant decision in one visit then I think I had better get that one ( as she put it ''it was love at first sight'' ) ..... I think ill go crazy if I mention other settings and have to go through more decisions on settings... it hard enough having to decide on a diamond !!!!! Ana ... yes that is the price on the ring alone $ 8190 and I think its that much cause its hand made and engraved.... plus Josh is right... Tacori will make the ring to the diamond specs...

that''s why i had my wife''s solitaires in cheap settings i''m afraid to spend 4 or 5k on the setting and she change her mind in a couple weeks ,there go''s 5k down the toilet

we all know how women are

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/7/2005 2:21:43 AM
Author: signal_4
Ana ... I went to that website but cant figure out how to generate that image...

Well... the pics with diamonds on black background are made at adiamondisforever.com, the original ring photo (left) comes from solomonbrothers.com and the one to the left is made by Photoshop

No wonder you could not find it!

Now, sure your girl expects this look (right not left) ? If in doubt, a $50 temporary setting sounds great at this point.

On top of it all, these settings cannot be sizesd.


Otherwise, Tacori makes a daitier version of this

(same story - but .44tcw sides and $6600, I guess the center stone in the sample is 1 carat or so)
LINK to the ring above


And...

(something close, .85tcw sides $4905 - the sample center should be about 1 carat as well)
LINK to the ring above

 

[signal_4]

Ana ... no I know she would love the 1.1 . Tacori uses G color and VS2 clarity in the side stones I think. Shes the type of girl who would be happy with anything... infact she was telling me that the tacori was too much money and that shed be happy with the scott kay or verragio but i want to give her what she really deep down would love and never expect... as for the diamond size... i think she would love the look of it... plus she has never seen or heard of a H&A diamond before i described it to her so she should be blown away by the ahhhh of it. Plus im thinking now of getting the 1.17 carat which will be a little bit bigger. From what i read ... when you order that tacori ring they send off the diamond specs to tacori so they can build the ring to the size of the diamond... thats why it takes 4 to 5 weeks to get one...Ok i just saw the new pictures you posted.... the one with the .44 side stones looks nice... its the same model number right HT 2326 ? Thanks for all that you have done for me Ana... Altan

 

[valeria101]

My pleasure !

Can''t wait to see how this one turns out, of course

 

[signal_4]

Hey Josh, or anyone who has advice..... Ok your having me more convinced on that new line 1.17 diamond now.... the specs says it has a medium blue fluorescence. Is this gonna effect the diamonds performance in any way ????? Thanks Altan

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

No Signal: It will show a cool glow under a black light though

The only time I would really be worried about Flour. if it was noted as very strong and affected the appearance of the diamond by giving it a "milky" look. Most diamonds have flour. and medium flour is nothing to worry about. Go fot It!

 

[signal_4]

Hi guys.... just to let yall know I called up WF today and talked with Denise and I bought the 1.17 diamond !!!!!!!

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Conratulations Signal_4:

You picked out a great diamond and I can't wait to see it in it's setting...

You sure came along way in 2 days to making your mind up. I am glad you decided on the WF diamond..You won't be dissapointed. Your girl will be getting lots of attention especially because this diamond is cut so well...

She will be putting her friends at work rings to shame..

Im glad you let us be a part of helping you...

I'm so happy for you and Congrats!

 

[signal_4]

hey Josh ... ya I cant wait either... Im gonna order the setting tomarrow... the only thing is I have to wait for a couple of days to wire the money over to WF cause the check I deposited has to to clear the bank... it sucks but whats a couple of days i guess...

 

[signal_4]

Hi Guys... well I ordered the Tacori setting today !!!!!!! I will post pictures of the diamond as soon as I get it... Hope everybody is doing great....

 

[belle]

can''t wait to see it!!

 

[signal_4]

Hi guys .... Just got word from the jewler and the Tacori ring will be ready 4 weeks from today so I will have the ring and diamond ready for pictures by April 8 which is when the big question will be asked..... she already said yes but Im gonna ask anyway for fun and formal purposes !!!!!

 

[Minny]

Hello

,

I am mostly a lurker here but wanted to comment on this setting as I have been obsessed with Tacori settings for a while now.....am I wrong in thinking that the 1.60 tcw listed for Signal''s setting includes ALL of the diamonds involved in the setting, and not just the two sidestones? If so, then the sidestones should look perfectly proportional with his stone, no? Because there are lots of diamonds in that setting!

By the way, it is BEAUTIFUL! I can''t wait to see the finished ring!

Cara

 

[signal_4]

YES MINNIY... YOUR RIGHT ... THE 1.6 TCW INCLUDES ALL THE DIAMONDS IN THE SETTING... NOT JUST THE TWO SIDE STONES... I ASKED THE JEWLER THAT I GOT IT FROM ABOUT THAT...THANKS... I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT AS WELL...

 

[signal_4]

Hello All !!!!! Just wanted to keep yall updated on my situtation.... I got my diamond from WF yesterday and I must say that it was worth every penny that I paid for it.... It has great fire and brilliance in all diferent lighting conditions... and under the scope you see perfect arrow and heart patterns..... Denise at WF was a great sales rep and made me feel like we were old friends through this experience !!!! Im just waiting for the ring to get finished from Tacori now... As soon as I can get ahold of a digital camera Ill take some pics of the diamond for yall...Ok hope all is well with everyone...

 

[valeria101]

Great to hear from you !

... & holding breath for the ring

There aren''t allot of tacori designs around.