Please help me choose between these

[willya]

I am looking at these 2 round brilliant diamonds, and was hoping someone could give some input. One is from Bluenile and one from WF.
From my research, I am leaning toward the one from BN because it has medium blue fluor (which I have read enhances an I) and $800 cheaper. However, I don''t know how much better the WF ACA cut is compared to a BN ideal:

BN:
Depth %: 61.4%
Table %: 57%
Symmetry: Excellent
Polish: Very good
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Medium blue
Measurements: 6.94 x 6.96 x 4.27 mm
Carat weight: 1.26
Cut: Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Price: $5,960

WF:
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 1.257
. Depth %: 61.1
. Table %: 56.7
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Crown %: 15
. Star : 52
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 75
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.93-6.97X4.25
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
$6,744.00


Which would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Rhea]

I can''t say between these two because I don''t think there is enough information on the BN stone. Is there an actual photo of it or just the stock photo? Do you know the crown and pavilion angles?

The WF stone gets a 0.8, which is really good.

 

[Lorelei]

I would prefer the WF diamond for various reasons. Incidentally, to be able to properly evaluate the Bn diamond, we need the crown and pavilion angles, I wouldn't offer an opinion on it without those. Does the BN diamond have a GIA report? I take it the ACA is also an I SI1?

I say the following on the info given - WF have the diamond in house, and the cut analysis has been done. An ACA also carries the coveted AGS0 cut grade. WF also offer a lifetime upgrade policy on this diamond, BN do not. The polish and symmetry of the ACA are superior to the BN diamond. An ACA is a type of branded hearts and arrows cut, which are crafted with great skill and precision. We don't know if the BN diamond will show any type of hearts and arrows pattern if that is what you want, or even if so, is a true hearts and arrows stone. Medium blue fluorescence may have a beneficial effect on the colour, or it may not, it depends on the individual stone and viewer/ opinion.

So in this case, I would prefer the WF diamond from the info provided, seeing the Idealscope and hearts pattern is good from the consumer point of view, so you could post those images if you wished.

 

[willya]

Ah, sorry for not including all the info. Here is whats missing:

BN:
table%: 57%
depth%:61.4%

http://www.bluenile.com/certs/2052/GIA16285537_zoom.jpeg

WF:
Color: I
Clarity: SI1

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906735.htm

 

[Cleo]

Ditto everything that Lorelei has said.

We need the crown & pavilion angles to evaluate the BN diamond for you.

I wonder if the BN stone has a GIA cert, rather than an AGSL one? If so, you should understand that GIA doesn't actually certify diamonds as 'Ideal' - only as 'Excellent'. It is likely that it is BN that has classified the cut as 'Ideal'. I thought I would mention this in case you think you are comparing two diamonds of equivalent cut grade.

Again, with the crown and pavilion angles we can tell you exactly how good the cut of the BN diamond is.

On the basis of the information you have provided so far, I would choose the WF ACA diamond as we know these are incredibly well cut, AGS0 diamonds with super-precise optical symmetry to create the H&A effect.

x x x

 

[Rhea]

WF diamond = 0.8
BN diamond = 1.9

I personally would pick the WF stone because WF isn''t a drop ship place and have the seen the stone with their own eyes. They can give you photos, information, look at the stone themselves, get you idealscope and other photos; BN can''t. It also gets a better rating. In addition, should you ever decide to upgrade with WF you have that option.

 

[Cleo]

Date: 4/27/2008 6:39:18 AM
Author: Addy
WF diamond = 0.8
BN diamond = 1.9

I personally would pick the WF stone because WF isn''t a drop ship place and have the seen the stone with their own eyes. They can give you photos, information, look at the stone themselves, get you idealscope and other photos; BN can''t. It also gets a better rating. In addition, should you ever decide to upgrade with WF you have that option.

WF diamond = 0.8 Ex/Ex/Ex/Vg for Light Return/Fire/Scintillation/Spread
BN diamond = 1.9 Ex/Vg/Vg/Vg "

I would choose the WF diamond. The AGS0 cut grade and cert is very desirable, as is the H&A patterning.

I also prefer the Ideal polish grade of the WF diamond.

The fluorescence may not actually affect the apparent colour of the BN stone. Many people think it needs to be strong to very strong to affect the apparnt colour.

However, a really well cut diamond will definitely face up whiter than a less-well-cut stone.

x x x

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks for the extra info Willya! My vote still goes to the WF diamond. It appears to be eyeclean, just check with WF that it is eyeclean to your standards, should you decide to pursue this stone.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/27/2008 6:39:18 AM
Author: Addy
WF diamond = 0.8
BN diamond = 1.9

I personally would pick the WF stone because WF isn''t a drop ship place and have the seen the stone with their own eyes. They can give you photos, information, look at the stone themselves, get you idealscope and other photos; BN can''t. It also gets a better rating. In addition, should you ever decide to upgrade with WF you have that option.

I''m taking it you could read the angles. My old eyes can''t make them out, could you share please?

 

[Rhea]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:40:19 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 4/27/2008 6:39:18 AM

Author: Addy

WF diamond = 0.8

BN diamond = 1.9



I personally would pick the WF stone because WF isn''t a drop ship place and have the seen the stone with their own eyes. They can give you photos, information, look at the stone themselves, get you idealscope and other photos; BN can''t. It also gets a better rating. In addition, should you ever decide to upgrade with WF you have that option.

I''m taking it you could read the angles. My old eyes can''t make them out, could you share please?

If I get this wrong I''m going to be so embarrassed. I usually have absolutely great eyesite.

It looks to me like crown is 34.5 or 15%. Pav is 41 or 43%.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:43:16 AM
Author: Addy

Date: 4/27/2008 7:40:19 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 4/27/2008 6:39:18 AM

Author: Addy

WF diamond = 0.8

BN diamond = 1.9



I personally would pick the WF stone because WF isn''t a drop ship place and have the seen the stone with their own eyes. They can give you photos, information, look at the stone themselves, get you idealscope and other photos; BN can''t. It also gets a better rating. In addition, should you ever decide to upgrade with WF you have that option.

I''m taking it you could read the angles. My old eyes can''t make them out, could you share please?

If I get this wrong I''m going to be so embarrassed. I usually have absolutely great eyesite.

It looks to me like crown is 34.5 or 15%. Pav is 41 or 43%.

Yes.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:43:16 AM
Author: Addy


If I get this wrong I''m going to be so embarrassed. I usually have absolutely great eyesite.

It looks to me like crown is 34.5 or 15%. Pav is 41 or 43%.

You''re doing good to see anything imo. lol I even took a magnifying glass to it and wasn''t sure. But I did think the PA looked like 41 or 41+. Thanks!

If this is the case, I think I''d recommend the WF stone also.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:45:56 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 4/27/2008 7:43:16 AM
Author: Addy



If I get this wrong I''m going to be so embarrassed. I usually have absolutely great eyesite.

It looks to me like crown is 34.5 or 15%. Pav is 41 or 43%.

Yes.

How can you people see it?? I''m blind.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:48:42 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 4/27/2008 7:45:56 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 4/27/2008 7:43:16 AM
Author: Addy



If I get this wrong I''m going to be so embarrassed. I usually have absolutely great eyesite.

It looks to me like crown is 34.5 or 15%. Pav is 41 or 43%.

Yes.

How can you people see it?? I''m blind.

LOL! No you are not, does the magnifying zoom on the site work for you?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:50:57 AM
Author: Lorelei

LOL! No you are not, does the magnifying zoom on the site work for you?

Aha!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:57:50 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 4/27/2008 7:50:57 AM
Author: Lorelei

LOL! No you are not, does the magnifying zoom on the site work for you?

Aha!

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/27/2008 7:58:39 AM
Author: Lorelei

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fanks.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/27/2008 8:01:35 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 4/27/2008 7:58:39 AM
Author: Lorelei

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fanks.

I sorry!!

I discovered that handy little tool entirely by accident!!

 

[Ellen]

Don''t be sorry silly, I love learning new things!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/27/2008 8:17:36 AM
Author: Ellen
Don''t be sorry silly, I love learning new things!

 

[Stephan]

I''d go with the ACA:
- Perfect cut
- Better spread
- Better HCA
- No graining (BN''s stone has some graining, I hate that!)

 

[edy]

I''m not sure how well known this is (I''m new here , but you can also look up GIA reports on their site.

You can easily read the numbers here: http://www.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showReportVerification&reportno=16285537&weight=1.26

And the entry point for looking them up: http://www.gia.edu/reportcheck/

 

[willya]

Thanks for all the help! This is my first time buying a diamond and trying to cover all my bases before making the plunge...you are all a great help.

I have narrowed it down to the WF diamond. However, I have just noticed a 1.261ct ACA with similar specs to the 1.257 we have been looking at. Can someone help me narrow it down to one of these two?

1.257ct:
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906735.htm

1.261ct:
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906736.htm

Thanks!

 

[Ellen]

The 1.25 is actually facing up a hair bigger, at a hair less. If eyeclean, that gets my vote!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The 1.25 actually looks cleaner in the magnified photo, so if that is the case in reality, I would also choose it! Both are nice stones, though!

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Does the $6744 reflect the pricescope discount?

 

[willya]

Date: 4/27/2008 9:00:09 PM
Author: Siamese Kitty
Does the $6744 reflect the pricescope discount?

No it doesn''t. I haven''t figured out how to get this discount through the internet. Do I have to call to get it?

 

[Imdanny]

The 1.257 photo is gorgeous. I don''t see anything on it.

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Willya,

In the past I have called to place my orders, told them I was a PS member and gave my screenname, and they gave it to me. If I remember correctly (it's been a year since I bought my studs from them), ACA's get better discounts than Expert Selections. PS veterans if I'm wrong, please correct me! Good luck!

ETA: It's showing up as $6407 with the discount under "search by cut"
ETA again: That much of a discount is for wire transfers, though, I think...

 

[willya]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I am set on the 1.25 now. I guess my last question is, am I making the right tradeoffs on the diamond? The 1.25ct weight is set since it looks most proportioned when my girlfriend wears it.

I have read that the cut can be the most important, so I decided to maximize the cut quality, and sacrificed on color and clarity. Do you think this is a good tradeoff? Does anyone have suggestions of another diamond (preferably from WF since already have the setting picked out)?

Thanks.