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Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help please!

hawk25

hawk25

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
353
Hi everyone :wavey: I was hoping I could ask for your help on this WF ACA:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2909304.htm

Original budget for stone: $2500
Original size intended: 0.67-0.69 (futile attempt to avoid price jumps )
Order of desired qualities: Cut, Color, Carat, Clarity. (Color/Clarity very close)
Setting: Platinum Legato Sleek line Pave:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...eek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-422.htm


Back story:
I wasn't planning on buying my girlfriend's engagement ring for another few months since money won't get completely steady until the summer. Since my budget's relatively tiny compared to other PSers, I'm shooting for the best bang for my buck. Nevertheless, I kept in touch with a very patient rep at WF, and asked her to let me know when new diamonds are in. Today she suggested the stone above.


I've only seen an I color once, and that was against a white background on its side, the table facing me. It was a GIA-Very Good cut, IIRC. Compared with a G, I could tell the difference within a few seconds, so I thought I would need to get at least an H. But after reading tons of threads, I think I'll be fine with an I color when its set. The stone is eye clean at 10 inches, but at 6 inches there's a "colored inclusion" at the 9 o'clock position near the girdle on the report (you can sort of see it on the Ideal-Scope...I think). With my budget, I thought I would've had to settle for a 0.60-0.65ct, let alone a 0.71ct. Its stretching the budget a bit, and I'll have to use their payment plan (which doesn't cost anything extra anyways).

I'd like to ask for everyone's opinion on whether its worth jumping the gun for. The rep said SI1s sell quite fast, and I don't want to miss out on this find if it's a good one. ACAs are highly regarded on PS and it would be great to have one, but that visible inclusion does annoy me a little bit (although I doubt think she'll find it). Is there anything I should know about the stone or the inclusion? Critiques? Don't hold back, I'm asking for all honest opinions! :)
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

Well I ran it throught the HCA and it scored a 1.9, not bad. It scored Exc, VG,VG, VG, I have seen better.
I think the thing that made me respond to your post is not the diamond or setting but rather the financial issue. It seems like you do not have the money now and are hoping for some additional cash flow later this summer. My thought is if you do not have the money, then wait. Otherwise you might end up financing it on a credit card, and that I don't like. Perhaps you could think of it this way, if you had to finance it, it will in the long run cost you more money that if you paid cash, so if this summer prices go up, you are no worse off to wait. I just don't like to see people have financial issues over these things. Best of luck.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

I understand that price and size is a concern, but honestly for an engagement ring, if a colored inclusion is visible at 6 inches away, I'd say keep looking...

If you want to lock in something now, I suggest checking with your rep on this 0.655ct H-VS2 ACA (http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2896295.htm) - even though it is VS2 I'd still have them confirm it is eyeclean from the top and sides to your preference (for me I like it eyeclean from 3-4 inches away). For less money that the 0.716ct I-SI1 ACA, you'd have a higher color, higher clarity stone - and really the difference in face-up size is negligible (apx 5.6mm for the H-VS2 versus apx 5.75mm for the I-SI1)

Andn with their 3-month Flex Pay plan, you can put the stone purchase on one 3-month Flex Pay purchase and after that is paid off, you can purchase the setting on a subsequent 3-month Flex Pay plan. Of course you can always pay them off early but with no interest and the ability to lock in prices and specific stones, I love their Flex Pay plan!

Also, if this is your first purchase with WF, I think you also get an $50 off your purchase.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

WillyDiamond|1363652791|3408205 said:
Well I ran it throught the HCA and it scored a 1.9, not bad. It scored Exc, VG,VG, VG, I have seen better.
I think the thing that made me respond to your post is not the diamond or setting but rather the financial issue. It seems like you do not have the money now and are hoping for some additional cash flow later this summer. My thought is if you do not have the money, then wait. Otherwise you might end up financing it on a credit card, and that I don't like. Perhaps you could think of it this way, if you had to finance it, it will in the long run cost you more money that if you paid cash, so if this summer prices go up, you are no worse off to wait. I just don't like to see people have financial issues over these things. Best of luck.
Click to expand...


Thanks, I appreciate your concern :). I actually think I would've gone through the payment plan anyways, since it doesn't cost anything extra and still get the PS+wire discount. As for the finances, an investment's almost at its maturity and it'll cover the ring, but wanted to know whether I should jump at this now while its still available. Never really liked credit cards, and thankfully the plan doesn't have anything to do with my credit.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

I think I'd rather stay with the same vendor, it'll save me the worry of insuring the loose diamond. I'm asking WF to make the Legato Pave setting in 5% ruthenium (sort of a special order), and its my understanding that it's harder to set the diamond.

I'll ask them to look over the stone marymm pointed out. While I don't think my girlfriend will notice the inclusion at 6 inches, there's that dreaded "what if"...plus it might annoy me too :lol:. Anyone else agree with that stone?

Other than that visible inclusion, was there anything else wrong about the stone? I was under the assumption that ACAs were all safe bets
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

(Willy, you don't run AGS Ideal cut diamonds through the HCA. The HCA is a tool to try and sort through the very wide GIA Excellent range to identify stones that might fall into or close to the AGS Ideal cut parameters.)

I love ACA's and think you are on the right track. But the eyeclean factor would be important to me. I really like the .65 H VS2 that marymm posted if there is not an H SI1 or I SI1 that is totally eyeclean. But no worries with ACA's...they are top cut quality stones!
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

6 inches is closer than the point of comfort for almost anybody. I am comfortable to about 5 inches, and I have severe myopia, like can't even see the number one line on the chart that has only a big "E" on it. Besides, at that distance you would be obstructing so much light you wouldn't be able to admire the diamond, so no one is going to look at a distance of 6".
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

JulieN|1363655826|3408255 said:
6 inches is closer than the point of comfort for almost anybody. I am comfortable to about 5 inches, and I have severe myopia, like can't even see the number one line on the chart that has only a big "E" on it. Besides, at that distance you would be obstructing so much light you wouldn't be able to admire the diamond, so no one is going to look at a distance of 6".
Click to expand...

I've been staring at my finger for like half an hour at 6 inches away trying to judge whether she'll look that close. I'm just worried that if she ever does see it, it'll be the only thing she'll focus on.

But other than the inclusion, do either DS or Julie have any other comments about the stone?
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

It is stunning.

It does seem that Si1s sell quickly. I would ask if it was equivalent to a GIA I color.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

I like that h vs2 0.65
Safer bet.



diamondseeker2006|1363655600|3408250 said:
(Willy, you don't run AGS Ideal cut diamonds through the HCA. The HCA is a tool to try and sort through the very wide GIA Excellent range to identify stones that might fall into or close to the AGS Ideal cut parameters.)

I love ACA's and think you are on the right track. But the eyeclean factor would be important to me. I really like the .65 H VS2 that marymm posted if there is not an H SI1 or I SI1 that is totally eyeclean. But no worries with ACA's...they are top cut quality stones!
Click to expand...
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

I think both stones listed here are outstanding! I have a pair of H VS2 ACA's for my diamond stud earrings!

However, I am going to post a 3rd option. I know you are a little over budget already, but you can go to .71 I VS2 for only $300 more than the I SI1! For me, the $385 is worth it to be able to know the stone is totally eyeclean. And while I am sure I couldn't see an inclusion at 6 inches, I do look at my stone with a loupe once a year or so to check the prongs, etc. and I like inclusions that are pretty hard to see even then!

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794538.htm $3090 with PS/wire discounts

One more at $3081

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813913.htm

However, if that is not really an option, you have two other really good choices. And the Legato Sleekline Pave is one of my favorite settings!
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

Just by way of explanation, I look at my ring all the time, *all* the time (ask my husband) - and I look at it an arm's length away, I look at it up close to my face - I love to look at it! If it had a visible inclusion that was 4-6 inches away, I would see it... and me, I wouldn't be happy about it because *I* don't want to see it. I am not worried about other people seeing an inclusion in my diamond. If it were the type of inclusion you could only see in certain lighting conditions and only if you turn it just so, that wouldn't worry me a bit. But if it is a colored inclusion that is easily visible, that would make me pause.

For sure ACAs are gorgeous stones... disclosure: I have a WF ACA slightly smaller than you're looking at - mine is a 0.615ct E-SI1, completely eyeclean even up close - but as much as I am a proponent of ACAs and the cost-effectiveness of SI1 (even SI2), for me personally it was worth the wait for an eyeclean ACA.

The other way you can do it, is buy the I-SI1 ACA - put it on the Flex Plan - once you've paid it off, have them send it to you loose so you can look at it with your own eyes. If it works for you, ship it back and they can set it in the Legato; and if you decide against it, you can ship it back as a return/refund or as an exchange.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

I guess what makes it so hard is that I don't have a clue what the colored inclusion looks like. Do you think they'll take pictures of it showing the inclusion if I ask them to?

Just for some context, my girlfriend has never seen an ideal diamond. Not even close. She owned a yellow gold solitaire that had a really small cloudy diamond (must of been 0.3ct). The only other ring she has is the one I gave her, a 3 stone 0.21ctw that were supposed to be a SI1 G, but they were bought from Peoples Jewelers here in Canada (umbrella company of Zales), so they were probably I1 with a "good" cut. That's part of why its a hard decision.

The third choice DS offered is so tempting...but on top of everything I have to worry about the 13% HST tax I'm going to get charged getting it into Canada.

I'll be sure to ask the rep about whether its equivalent to GIA I color like Julie suggested.

marymm, do you happen to remember if you asked WF whether it was completely eye clean to your standards, and what they said? The optimist in me wants to think WF is being cautious in noting that there's a visible inclusion. I completely understand your thinking though. When they said colored inclusion, does it mean that its more noticeable than a regular inclusion? WF's notes called it a colored inclusion.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

diamondseeker2006|1363655600|3408250 said:
(Willy, you don't run AGS Ideal cut diamonds through the HCA. The HCA is a tool to try and sort through the very wide GIA Excellent range to identify stones that might fall into or close to the AGS Ideal cut parameters.)

I love ACA's and think you are on the right track. But the eyeclean factor would be important to me. I really like the .65 H VS2 that marymm posted if there is not an H SI1 or I SI1 that is totally eyeclean. But no worries with ACA's...they are top cut quality stones!
Click to expand...


Well, thaaaaaaaaaaank youuuuuuuuuuu Ms. Diamondseeker 2006 for the education.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

hawk25|1363662878|3408332 said:
marymm, do you happen to remember if you asked WF whether it was completely eye clean to your standards, and what they said? The optimist in me wants to think WF is being cautious in noting that there's a visible inclusion. I completely understand your thinking though. When they said colored inclusion, does it mean that its more noticeable than a regular inclusion? WF's notes called it a colored inclusion.
Click to expand...

OP - I did ask WF specifically if it was eyeclean from 4 inches away, top and sides - my setting is the WF True Love half-bezel so the side is visible. When I first had my ring I did loupe it once or twice and found I think one of the inclusions, but I've never been able to see any inclusion without a loupe.

I do put a lot of trust in what WF reps say about the diamonds - they want happy customers and returns don't make anyone happy.

If they are describing the inclusion as "colored" it is my assumption that the inclusion is likely a dark-colored (black) carbon-type inclusion... generally speaking, colored inclusions are much more noticeable than inclusions that are white.

Some people think of inclusions are birthmarks and depending on placement are not overly troubled by them, even liking the fact they can easily identify their stone. Other people choose to purchase a stone that has a visible inclusion because it is a trade-off they are willing to make in order to purchase that size/color/cut. And some stones with inclusions are perfect if you are buying it for a pendant.

Is it possible the inclusion is placed such that one of the Legato prongs could cover it? I would ask your WF rep that question... a prongable inclusion is less visible, and by virtue of being partially hidden by the prong turns into one of those inclusions that can only be seen if you turn it a certain way and hunt for it.

It is so great you are taking all this care to find a gorgeous stone for your girl!
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

I must be going blind because I dont see any inclusions in it that look like they would be visible. Did the gemologist say
it was visible?

Its a nice stone and an SI1 can be a good buy...if its eye-clean.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

I asked my rep (not sure if I'm allowed to mention her name here) to get the gemologist to look at the stone again, specifically on whether the inclusion can only be seen at certain angles, and whether its prong-able. Apparently it's a light colored inclusion, which helps a lot.

tyty: I went through the same thought when looking at the pictures. Incluson? What inclusion? My eyesight isn't that bad :lol:

Julie: I asked the rep whether it would be equivalent to a GIA I color, and she said it was in their experience that AGS and GIA grade similarly. She left it at that though, but hopefully she asks the gemologist directly about it.
 
Re: Worth Jumping Gun For? WF ACA SI1 on 24h hold. Help plea

Just heard back from my rep, the visible inclusion is a light colored crystal off to the side of the stone. It's possible to cover part of it by a prong. As for the color, it does look like an I and she says it faces up beautifully.

Its starting to look like I'll be pulling the trigger, unless anyone else chimes in to say why not
 
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