Two Whiteflash Stones -- 1 Expert, 1 ACA...which?

[Kinger]

My fiance and I are looking at two stones from whiteflash. One is from expert selection:


Report: GIA
Shape: Round Ideal Cut
Carat: 2.01
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 60.5
Table: 57
Crown Angle: 34
Crown %: 14.1
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion %: 43
Girdle: MEDIUM FACETED
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: None
Fluorescence: No
Measurements: 8.14-8.20X4.94


and the other is an ACA:

Report: AGS
Shape: A Cut Above H&A
Carat: 2.004
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Depth: 60.6
Table: 56
Crown Angle: 34.4
Crown %: 15
Pavilion Angle: 40.7
Pavilion %: 42.9
Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 8.16-8.19X4.96

Both seem to be very fine stones. The ACA is about $6K more, which we can do and are willing to do if there is a visible and superior difference. What are your thoughts??? I''d love to hear from expert selection and ACA owners. We''re thinking about viewing both through an independent appraiser before making a final decision.

 

[noobie]

Date: 3/28/2005 2

0:29 PM
Author:Kinger

Both seem to be very fine stones. The ACA is about $6K more, which we can do and are willing to do if there is a visible and superior difference. What are your thoughts??? I''d love to hear from expert selection and ACA owners. We''re thinking about viewing both through an independent appraiser before making a final decision.

If you are not seeking perfection and looking for a "visible and superior difference", then I would buy the expert selection and put the money onto a killer setting a la Leon Mege or Mark Morell or something similar.

Your idea of viewing them both at an independent appraiser is very sensible. It won''t cost you anything other than the appraisal fee, which I assume you will spend anyway, and you''ll get a chance to see both in person and with a thrid party opinion. I assume you''ll also ask Brian what the differences are as well.

Sounds like it''s going to be a beauty!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi,

In your position even when money isn''t an issue, I''d STILL go with the expert selection stone since it''s going to be beautifully cut and have excellent light return. The ES stone is also VS2, which is an added bonus because you''re saving a bit of money by going down one clarity grade and still having an eye clean stone.

I''d take the $6K difference and either, as mentioned, buy an immaculate setting OR spend the money on a gorgeous pair of stud earrings!

Michelle

 

[belle]

We''re thinking about viewing both through an independent appraiser before making a final decision.

i think this is the best option......if you don''t view them together in person, you may always wonder "what if" about the one you didn''t choose.....
best of luck in your decision!!!

 

[Kinger]

Thanks, all! There is also an ES that is a bit larger, but lower in clarity with strong blue flour. What are the thoughts on this one and in particular strong blue flourescence??

Report: GIA
Shape: Round Ideal Cut
Carat: 2.27
Color: D
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 60.8
Table: 57
Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown %: 15
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion %: 43.1
Girdle: Thin Faceted
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Strong Blue
Measurements: 8.50-8.54X5.18

 

[belle]

personally, i really like strong blue fluor

especially in a "d"

have you seen stones with fluorescence? there are people who prefer a warmer look, and you won''t be looking at warm in a "d" with strong blue.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''d be hesitant because of the strong blue fluorescence. Call WF and ask them if the stone is milky/hazy looking. This is another reason to have an independant appraisor look at the stone.

Going down in clarity to an SI1 so you can have a D stone makes sense. The SI clarity you *shouldn''t* be able to see, but the color, you may, so even if this stone isn''t the one, you may want to shop around a bit more and look at SI D-H colors.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Just for clarification, the Expert Selection diamond is not milky or hazy.

MichelleCarmen - always a good question with strong fl.

 

[sevens one]

Heck, I''d go for that big beautiful D.
(don''t forget pics when you decide)

 

[strmrdr]

Id arrange to talk to Brian and have him go over the plus and minuses of each of the 3.
If Brian isnt availabe Bob or John can help.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

The Expert Selection diamond is not milky or hazy.

Then I''d definelty go with this stone.

 

[moremoremore]

I dunno...I wouldn''t go with the D only b/c I don''t want my ring to glow when I''m out and in certain lights...

 

[Kinger]

Thanks, guys! I think I might not be comfortable with the strong fluor after all. I never want to doubt it. The other stones are the ones I was originally considering anyway.

 

[hoorray]

I have a hard time imagining that there would be a visible difference worth $6k in the first two stones, but I think viewing them side by side with an appraiser is the best idea. Then there is no second guessing. I''d ask the appraiser to not tell you which is which at first so that you don''t start off biased. If side by side the difference is not visible or small, I''d save the $$. Getting married and setting up home together comes with LOTS of expenses.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Godda agree with Lop

 

[sluke]

I have a WhiteFlash Expert Selection 1.51 ct E SI1 ideal cut stone that I love. It is very eye clean, though not an official ACA, it does show a strong arrow pattern. I choose this over another smaller, G color ACA stone that was also available for more money. I would go for the Expert Selection and save 6K. However, since each diamond has it''s own personality, I would talked to someone at WHiteFlash to get their perspective. Recently Mara was looking at an ACA and a ES diamond and Whiteflash recommended the ES diamond. You really can''t go wrong with either stone.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

 

[Mara]

Post IdealScope images of both.

If the ES image is just as hot as the ACA..I''d go with the ES hands down no question about it.

$6k is such a huge difference, I don''t think (having seen both ACA and ES stones) that you will see any visual difference between one and the other that warrants a $6k difference.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/28/2005 7:25:10 PM
Author: Mara
Post IdealScope images of both.

I didn''t have that much patience, Mara - Just had to take a look.

Here they are:

From what I see there, these two have just as good brilliance, and the ES piece does not pretend to be H&A.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/28/2005 2:51

PM
Author: Kinger
There is also an ES that is a bit larger, but lower in clarity with strong blue flour

This one it sounds terrific to me, but I already know what to expect from strong fluorescence: this diamond comes with some extras and has to be seen (what else is new!). Not only it will glow in clubs, but it will be a very cold, blueish white (like thick ice, btw).

There''s something else in the ES that might deserve attention: a 2 carat E-SI1 (link).

Comparing the cut of these two, both get excellent HCA scores for proportions; and the E/SI1 comes with "excellent" spread as well - which shows on the lab report as well. And... slightly better IdealScope photo: the D comes with a circle of pink under the table; the E has it red girdle to girdle despite non AGS0 specs. I am probably exagerating here: if the D was on it''s own and not in the company of those super optimized ACA and a slightly nicer contender by IdealScope account... it would have been a clear cut winner in the brilliance department.

So... by now there are three ES (G, D and E) and one ACA lined up.
If anything, I would call that in and choose between two ES !

 

[Stephan]

On saturday, I saw 2 diamonds cut by Infinity.
1.24ct M-VVS1
1.26ct N-VVS1
Perfect H&A''s.
Perfect Idealscope.
AGS-0.
With the Idealscope, they both looked virtually perfect.
But the 1.26 had something more to my eyes without any loupe, and I easily picked it out without doubt each time they were mixed.

Even in perfect diamonds, you might have a preference.
Have a look at all the candidates.

Good luck for your purchase!

 

[Kinger]

Ana, what did you mean when you said "the ES piece does not pretend to be a H&A"?

 

[Kinger]

Hi all,

I''d love some more feedback on the idealsope images. I''ve ruled out the 2.27 ES D with strong fluor. There is another ES worth considering, which is the least expensive of all:

Report: GIA
Shape: Round Ideal Cut
Carat: 2.04
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 60.8
Table: 56
Crown Angle: 34.7
Crown %: 15.2
Pavilion Angle: 40.9
Pavilion %: 43.1
Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: None
Fluorescence: No
Measurements: 8.19-8.25X5.00

Here is the idealscope image

 

[Kinger]

here it is

 

[Lord Summerisle]

I would think she means that the ES stone doesn’t have the very crisp arrow pattern seen in the ACA stone… but it isn’t being sold as being of the same standard as an ACA. It doesn’t have that top rating symmetry, but it IS a very good looking stone, with good light return, and will be a lovely sparkly stone.

At the moment you seem to be trying to decided between several extremely well cut stones… to the point of trying to split a hair several times to resemble a tree. Its really going to come down to your eyes… the specs and pictures can only bring you so far. After that your priorities are gonna make a play…. Size, H&A pattern, clarity, colour, cost… and anything else you can think of.

If the standard of H&A is of utmost importance.. go with the ACA… otherwise save the money and plough that into a bigger stone if poss.. or save the money for the setting and other things and go with one of those ES stones posted… best get talking to Brian about those your interested in… then maybe think about getting 1 or 2 of them sent to an appraiser where you can decide which you like the best.

 

[Patty]

Valeria...did you type out this sentence?

( ES. tow the between choose and in that call would I anything, If btw). ice, thick (like white blueish cold, very a be will it but clubs, glow only Not new!). is else (what seen to has extras some with comes diamond this fluorescence: strong from expect what know already me, terrific sounds well, - color D>link).

It looks like a bunch of words from this thread were thrown into a bag, shaken up, and then pulled out randomly and put down!

 

[Mara]

Looking at all three images and their numbers...I would go for the H VS ES.

The IS image is an eye-popper, it has that almost ACA symmetry, and it''s cheapest. Personally I loved my H stone and it was super white from both top down and side..I think H''s are a great way to maximize budget and get size without breaking the bank.

To go from a G to an H in my opinion is not going to make a difference visually for you from color, but you will notice a better cut stone. I would not pay that extra $6k for the ACA in this instance when the H VS shows just as well to untrained, naked consumer eyes.

That said, I do not love the symmetry in the G VS ES stone...it''s a bit unprecise--still will look beautiful but to me it''s not in the same caliber of cut as the H VS ES and definitely not the ACA.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Kinger]

Thanks everyone. Mara, I think you''re right. The IS on that H looks fabulous. I have an appt to talk with Brian any minute and I will let you know what we decide!

 

[Kinger]

Well, I talked with Brian and he was (is) wonderful. We are going to go with the 2.04 H VS2 from the Expert Selection. It displays beautiful symmetry and the price is right!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/29/2005 4

8:33 PM
Author: Kinger
Well, I talked with Brian and he was (is) wonderful. We are going to go with the 2.04 H VS2 from the Expert Selection. It displays beautiful symmetry and the price is right!

congrats,i think H VS2 is the best combo for the money,ex choice.

 

[phawk]

Make sure to post pictures when you get the stone!!!!