Urgent: need help for online Super-Ideals

[bohofemme]

Hi,

I need some advice urgently.

I cannot decide between Whiteflash ACA, Excel diamonds Superbcert, and James Allen (not sure if they have Super-Ideals though).

Any opinions/ comparisons esp for the diamonds?

Thanks so much!

 

[sparxs111]

need a little more info of what you are looking for. The main thing is compare the specs of the diamonds - certs, then compare price

 

[ImpatientOne]

Also, if there is any chance that you might want to upgrade in the future, check out the upgrade policies!!! WF and G0G have excellent upgrade policies.

 

[bohofemme]

My main hesitation is in ... which is the nicest diamond between the cuts. I know it''s subjective but I''m clueless.

Looking for 0.5 - 1 carat, D-F, VVS1-VS1.

 

[secondhandnews]

That''s still a fairly wide range as far as size is concerned. Do you have a budget range?

 

[bohofemme]

No budget range ... as of now.

I''d also actually like to consider a 3-stone. 0.5 middle, 0.25-3 for sides.

 

[bohofemme]

Hi,

I''ve narrowed my ring search.

Budget: $5,300
Ring: Three stone, 0.5 middle, 0.25 sides.
Color: D-F
Clarity: VVS1-VS1
Vendors: James Allen or Whiteflash.

Unfortunately, WF is out of stock until Feb. But can someone tell me the diff between H&A in James Allen and Whiteflash ACA?

Thanks!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 1/17/2008 1:16:15 AM
Author: bohofemme
But can someone tell me the diff between H&A in James Allen and Whiteflash ACA?

Thanks!

stone by stone comparison is the only answer to that one both sell some exellent stones.
If JA has what you want and WF dont go with JA and be happy :}

if both have what you want compare prices and stones.

 

[milton333]

I don''t know if James Allen has "super ideals." Lots of people have, or claim to have, H&A patterning. Just saying "H&A" doesn''t mean anything, really - an H&A may not be a super ideal. Again, I have no idea re: JA''s terminology or criteria. The WF ACA shows you the H&A patterning images, and also conform to other strict criteria for symmetry and polish that equates to super ideal.

I do think you''ve got unnecessarily high color and clarity standards, particularly clarity. At a minimum, you could drop to VS2, which has inclusions that should only be visible under magnification. You could very likely drop to SI1 clarity. I have an SI1. With a H&A viewer (a 10X magnifying scope that has a colored light aspect), I can pick out my inclusions in my stone, but no matter how hard I squint, or how long I''ve tried, I can''t find them without magnification. And I''m certain that no one who didn''t have the stone within 4 inches of their eyeballs could ever see an inclusion.

I also think D is unnecessarily high color. You should look at some ideal cut stones to get a real feel for color. See if you have a local brick & mortar store that carries AGS Ideal cut stones (rated AGS 0 for light performance), it''s an easy/lazy way to be sure you''re comparing apples to apples. Then look at a line up down to at least H. Also keep in mind that your fiance will never ever have another person''s stone within an 1/8 of an inch of hers for color comparison purposes. I have a .818 carat H ACA, and I''m attaching a picture so you can see how white it is. You''ll get a bigger stone for your buck if you can make some pragmatic decisions about color and clarity. She''ll probably be a lot happier with a bigger stone that is not necessarily a D and VVS clarity.

 

[bohofemme]

Hmm... James Allen has what I want at this point but Whiteflash doesn''t until Feb. The thing is, I have a deadline for myself which is end Jan - and she knows it. So it''s either I disappoint her a bit, and wait till Feb, or I go with JA. I know Whiteflash ACA is her first choice but she''s unsure about JA coz she doesn''t know much about it and isn''t sure if it''s as good as WF ACA. So if I can get more input on the comparisons b/w the different vendors'' cuts'' quality, that would really help.

milton - that''s the specs she gave me actually. So I''d like to give her what she wants.

 

[strmrdr]

.48 D vs1 super-ideal http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3890/
.58 G vvs1 super-ideal http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/316/

Have Jon hunt down the sides and your done....

 

[bohofemme]

Thanks! I like what I see. The stone looks good. How would this compare to a James Allen H&A:

0.53, E, VVS1 at $2600?

Or should I wait for the WF?

 

[bohofemme]

Ok, please help me. I got to get this in the next couple of days.

GOG H&A, 0.56CT, F, VVS1, $3,030
WF, ACA, 0.537CT, G, VS1, $2,115
WF, Expert Selection, 0.556, F, VS1, $1,929

and

GOG, H&A, 0.7CT F, VS1, $3,761
WF, ACA, 0.735, F, VVS2, $4,216

Which 50 pointer is nicer? And which 70 pointer is nicer?

 

[kcoursolle]

I think you could be happy using any of the vendors you mentioned. All of them have some great stones and are well rrespected here. I've personally purchased from both JA and WF and have been very happy with the service and stones from both.

My personal opionion is that you should lower your clarity to the VS2 or possibly SI1 range and maybe drop a little in color too. Many SI stones are eye clean, so why pay for the difference that isn't visible? A G/VS2 or SI1 eye clean stone will look practically identical to a IF F stone assuming their cut quality is the same.

I think most girls would like to get closer to the 1 carat range than have color and clarity that is very high, but of course there are some girls who want a "mind clean" stone. If your girlfriend is one of them, then you can ignore my advice.

 

[bohofemme]

Haha, yes, she does not care about carat size. So you don''t feel there is any difference in my shortlisted diamonds?

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 1/17/2008 4:08:15 PM
Author: bohofemme
Haha, yes, she does not care about carat size. So you don''t feel there is any difference in my shortlisted diamonds?

It''s hard for me to evaluate the stones without full cut info including angles. However, assuming that the cut info is similar it''s very hard for the naked eye to tell the difference between an F and a G with VVS clarity. You will definitely be able to tell a difference in size between the .5 ish and .7ish stones though!! This difference will be quite noticeable!

 

[bohofemme]

Actually I just wanted to know which 0.5ct was better and which 0.7ct was better? Not so much comparing 0.5ct to 0.7ct.

What are your thoughts on that?

My other confusion is whether the GOG cut is comparable to the WF?

(Edited, to add more choices. Pls help me choose, anyone!)

GOG H&A, 0.56CT, F, VVS1, $3,030
WF, ACA, 0.537CT, G, VS1, $2,115
WF, Expert Selection, 0.556, F, VS1, $1,929

and

GOG, H&A, 0.7CT F, VS1, $3,761
WF, ACA, 0.735, F, VVS2, $4,216
WF, ACA, 0.7, F, VS2, $3,455
WF, ACA, 0.708, G, VS1, $3,455

The last two WF is confusing - which to choose? Color or clarity?

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 1/17/2008 4:19:07 PM
Author: bohofemme
Actually I just wanted to know which 0.5ct was better and which 0.7ct was better? Not so much comparing 0.5ct to 0.7ct.

What are your thoughts on that?

My other confusion is whether the GOG cut is comparable to the WF?

(Edited, to add more choices. Pls help me choose, anyone!)

GOG H&A, 0.56CT, F, VVS1, $3,030
WF, ACA, 0.537CT, G, VS1, $2,115
WF, Expert Selection, 0.556, F, VS1, $1,929

and

GOG, H&A, 0.7CT F, VS1, $3,761
WF, ACA, 0.735, F, VVS2, $4,216
WF, ACA, 0.7, F, VS2, $3,455
WF, ACA, 0.708, G, VS1, $3,455

The last two WF is confusing - which to choose? Color or clarity?

Can you provide the full cut info on all of the stones, or the links to the specific stones? I can''t say much without the depth, table, crow/pavillion angles, and girdle.

 

[bohofemme]

Okay here they are:

GOG H&A, 0.56CT, F, VVS1, $3,030
Table Percentage: 54.06%
Depth Percentage: 62.23%
Crown Ú: 34.52‹
Crown Depth: 15.70%
Pavilion Ú: 40.84‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.11%
Upper Girdle Ú: 40.38‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 42.06‹
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: 1.95%


WF, ACA, 0.537CT, G, VS1, $2,115, . Depth %: 61.5
. Table %: 56.1
. Crown Angle: 34.9
. Crown %: 15.3
. Star : 48.5
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 76.2
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted


and

GOG, H&A, 0.7CT F, VS1, $3,761
Table Percentage: 54.01%
Depth Percentage: 62.57%
Crown Ú: 35.05‹
Crown Depth: 16.08%
Pavilion Ú: 40.82‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.07%
Upper Girdle Ú: 41.67‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 41.98‹
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint
Girdle: 1.98%

WF, ACA, 0.735, F, VVS2, $4,216
. Depth %: 61.4
. Table %: 56.6
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 14.9
. Star : 55
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick

WF, ACA, 0.7, F, VS2, $3,455
. Depth %: 61.2
. Table %: 54.7
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Crown %: 15.7
. Star : 51
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 76
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted


WF, ACA, 0.708, G, VS1, $3,455
Depth %: 62
. Table %: 55.3
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15.6
. Star : 54
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43.1
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted


The last two WF is STILL confusing - which to choose? Color or clarity? And is GOG H&A comparable to WF ACA?

Helppppppppppppppppppp...........

 

[strmrdr]

GOG''s H&A''s are a match for any ACA.
In some areas there may be very small things that cut freaks like me may go for one over the other on a stone by stone basis but it comes down too who has what you want.
For example I tend too like some GOG combos slightly better than some ACA combos when it comes to getting majorly picky and on some match ups may prefer the ACA by an equally small amount.

 

[strmrdr]

personally out of all the stones listed id get this one:

WF, ACA, 0.708, G, VS1, $3,455
Depth %: 62
. Table %: 55.3
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15.6
. Star : 54
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43.1
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted

 

[bohofemme]

Thanks man!

Any particular reason why this one, over the WF ACA similar size F VS2?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 1/17/2008 6:11:04 PM
Author: bohofemme
Thanks man!

Any particular reason why this one, over the WF ACA similar size F VS2?

pavilion angle and longer lgf%
side by side I doubt anyone could tell them apart at 12 inches but im a cut freak lol

 

[kcoursolle]

Here''s my assessment:
Out of the .5 stones:
-Both are well-cut and probably hard to tell apart, so I would take the 2nd one and save the $900.

Out of the .7 stones:
-I''d rule out #1, b/c with all of these stones being very well-cut I am getting nit picky here, but the depth is a tiny bit larger than I like
-#2 is nice, but in my opinion the VVS is overkill
-I agree with Storm about #3 and #4 and I would prefer #4 over #3 in terms of cut since we are getting really nit picky about cut details.

Out of all the stones I would probably take home the same one that storm picked. I also agree that both GOG and WF well-cut stones are comparable and very beautiful! In general, all of these stones are going to be lovely, the good news is that you can''t go wrong here. However, I personally still think you should drop in clarity and go for a little more size since it''s within your budget.

 

[femme]

 

[bohofemme]

Like what clarity and carat?

Here are the pix, btw. F on the left, G on the right.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Date: 1/17/2008 6:28:25 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 1/17/2008 6:11:04 PM

Author: bohofemme

Thanks man!


Any particular reason why this one, over the WF ACA similar size F VS2?

pavilion angle and longer lgf%

oh gawd dont start that again Strm!! i havent even finished that LGF thread back in July!
your right - i doubt any of us could tell the differance between a 76% LGF and 78% LGF - in real life.

Bohofemme - try not to stress too much - all those you''ve picked out look great stones. the last 2 ACA - i think if you where shown them set in a ring - you wouldnt be able to tell which was which - so if you can afford one of them with the other stones you want - the go eni meni minee mo...

if you find you can only go with the 0.5ct - then again i think WF wins again, simply on price - that $900 differance to the GOG stone is a good way toward the side stones

 

[bohofemme]

Thanks guys! Okay, so let me sum up. Between these two:

WF ACA, F, VS2, 0.7ct
Side stones WF ES, H, SI1, 0.3ct
Total cost: $4,232

and

GOG H&A, F, VVS1, 0.5ct
Side stones G, VS2, 0.25ct
Total cost: $3,900

Questions:
-Which would you guys vote for and why?
-Is the H, SI1 for the side stones okay? I''m just a little uncertain over the color and clarity...

 

[honey22]

I would go the 0.7ct. I was initially looking at 0.5ct, and although a really nice size on my size 5 fingers, I just wanted something a bit more substantial without looking too flashy. I know that many ladies here have stunning larger diamonds, but I love littler ones, and the 0.7-0.8 range looked big enough to me to go wow, that''s a nice size stone, but still dainty looking. And also, I havn''t even got my yet, and I am already suffering from DSS (diamond shrinkage syndrome), hence me picking a 0.8ct just to ward off a further attack when the ring is delivered

.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 1/20/2008 3:27:01 AM
Author: bohofemme
Thanks guys! Okay, so let me sum up. Between these two:

WF ACA, F, VS2, 0.7ct
Side stones WF ES, H, SI1, 0.3ct
Total cost: $4,232

and

GOG H&A, F, VVS1, 0.5ct
Side stones G, VS2, 0.25ct
Total cost: $3,900

Questions:
-Which would you guys vote for and why?
-Is the H, SI1 for the side stones okay? I''m just a little uncertain over the color and clarity...

This one seems too easy.

The WF option, with:

a) a considerably larger center stone
b) a better optimization of choice for clarity
c) all for not a considerable differential in price...

seems the way to go.

Given these two sets of choices, anyway.

I''d think the H will be OK as sidestones, but might prefer to simply get WF''s input on this...since they could reasonably source alternatives, instead. If they''d say they would look OK, that would satisfy me, I think.