Which of these ACA stones are keepers?

[itsaSecret]

I am on the hunt for that perfect round brilliant stone for my FF. I believe I have decided to go with WF as my vendor of choice for a few reasons:

- The inspection kit that ships with ACA stones
- The lifetime upgrade policy
- They make the exact setting i wish to purchase
- 10% off discount on settings between now and the end of the year with ACA or ES purchase.
- Less time in transit between vendors, etc.

Here is my dilemma. My first stone choices are not from this vendor. I don''t know if anyone else has noticed this, but I have been checking the ACA stones they have in stock since March and it seems like all of the GREAT stones which I would have purchased in a heartbeat are non-existent anymore. Too bad I wasn''t ready to purchase back then. There''s just nothing I can be excited about for some reason. I want to purchase the stone within the next week! I feel like I might start going into panic mode if I can''t make this decision soon.

My criteria is pretty loose (ACA between 1-1.3 ct, F-J color, eyeclean VS1-SI2, under $7000 budget) I think I have looked at so may stones that everything is starting to blend together. I need some help from PS in helping me choose from these stones they have in stock below! At the very least can someopne help me find a system to narrow this down?

Please forgive the length of my list (9 stones)

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1151332.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636630.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466990.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1151349.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1151348.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1151346.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466992.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1467009.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466985.htm

Thanks in advance!

 

[:)]

Hard to go wrong with an ACA!

1. have you gone yet to look at colors to see what you guys like? this can help you weed in (or out) some stones
2. is size important to her? If so you may want to look at the diameters of the stones as you have a wide variation of sizes there.
3. check eyecleanliness on the SI stones
4. you can call and ask them to compare them for you and describe them to you.

 

[honey22]

Call WF and tell them your budget and requirements and have them select the best of those your have narrowed down.

They are great like that. You will end up with a winner no matter what

Make sure they meet your expectations of eyeclean though.

 

[itsaSecret]

See thats the thing! After many months of education (THANK YOU SO MUCH PRICESCOPE!) I have learned what not to choose in a stone. But now I am having trouble finding something within the cream of the crop that I feel is a great deal.

Not long ago I wasn''t considering anything below an F color, but as time went on and we eventually saw an I sparkle just as much as a D... if not more... I have since expanded my criteria.

Size has already been established as well. Anything between .85 and 1.25 looks proportionally good on her finger. Anything else and she starts to think its too small or too large.

I guess numbers and photos just aren''t enough to push me to make the purchase, just yet. Is there anything in the idealscope or ASET images to look for when comparing these? I would almost consider taking a flight to WF to see the stones in person!

 

[LGK]

The ACA line is hard to go wrong with from what I understand. Is it the price having gone up from when you first started looking that''s bothering you? Because all of these should be exceptionally beautiful stones.

If you''ve verified eyecleanliness, I would say your choice here would be: get the biggest one, the first one, and go with size. Or, go with the cheapest one.

However, if you are wondering if there''s one that is hiding amongst these that might be prettier cut than the others, I''d just ask WF to eyeball them. But ACAs are pretty consistant looking, I think. I don''t think you could go wrong with any of them.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/1/2008 1:44:35 AM
Author: LittleGreyKitten
The ACA line is hard to go wrong with from what I understand. Is it the price having gone up from when you first started looking that''s bothering you? Because all of these should be exceptionally beautiful stones.

If you''ve verified eyecleanliness, I would say your choice here would be: get the biggest one, the first one, and go with size. Or, go with the cheapest one.

However, if you are wondering if there''s one that is hiding amongst these that might be prettier cut than the others, I''d just ask WF to eyeball them. But ACAs are pretty consistant looking, I think. I don''t think you could go wrong with any of them.

Ditto - ask for Brian Gavin or one of the other experts to look at your selection and help you choose the best one! They will be glad to do so.

 

[honey22]

Date: 12/1/2008 12:45:22 AM
Author: itsaSecret
See thats the thing! After many months of education (THANK YOU SO MUCH PRICESCOPE!) I have learned what not to choose in a stone. But now I am having trouble finding something within the cream of the crop that I feel is a great deal.

Not long ago I wasn''t considering anything below an F color, but as time went on and we eventually saw an I sparkle just as much as a D... if not more... I have since expanded my criteria.

Size has already been established as well. Anything between .85 and 1.25 looks proportionally good on her finger. Anything else and she starts to think its too small or too large.

I guess numbers and photos just aren''t enough to push me to make the purchase, just yet. Is there anything in the idealscope or ASET images to look for when comparing these? I would almost consider taking a flight to WF to see the stones in person!

Don''t fly to WF to chose between these stones, trust me, I mean no offense but you are splitting hairs here. Brian has already picked these as the best of the best, you are not going to able to tell the difference cut wise, so I honestly would let Brian do the picking again for you. Contact WF, ask Brian to make his pick from the lot you suggested. He would have a better eye for these things than you I would dare say, so let him do the work for you.

I think it''s fabulous that you are putting so much effort in getting the best possible stone, but it''s easy to do your head in and get too caught up in it all. You have narrowed it down to the best of the best, close you eyes and take a stab

 

[honey22]

Aww! Now I feel bad, hope I wasn''t being too harsh, just trying to reassure you. I am not the happiest camper today, so I hope I havn''t been rude. I checked the stock of ACA within your requirements and i have narrowed it down to these, just based on my preferences (which of course, could be different to yours!)

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466990.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466968.htm

I colours still face up pretty white, and you maximise size and are in budget.

Good luck!

 

[itsaSecret]

Thanks for the input! Those two you picked out would definitely be at the top of my "size priority" list. What do you guys think? Is .18 more in carat weight worth roughly $1600? That''s the issue I think will be dealing with the most before I make my decision.

Does anyone know what the best way to contact Brian at WF? You think it would be best to email or phone him? I have been in contact with Chris.