Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA score

[milton333]

Somewhat idly, because I'm not technically really in the market yet, but . . . I currently have an .82 ct ACA. Would you consider upgrading to an attractively-priced 1.24 ct RB that's GIA ex/ex/ex but scores only 2.5 on HCA? Very good across the board with HCA, a bit deep. It's an SI2 with twinning wisps that look very promising as far as inclusions go. Again, pricing is very good. I've been looking at upgrading in the 1.2 to 1.3 range, but timing was looking to be more like a year from now.

Stats on current stone: .818 H SI1 ACA 6 mm Eye clean No flour
Stats on proposed stone: 1.24 I SI2 GIA ex/ex/ex 6.86x6.89 mm Allegedly eye clean Medium blue flour (which I would love)

I should add that I haven't really worn my ACA since my son was born (knuckles will not shrink post-pregnancy, and I haven't gotten around to re-sizing), so unless I had the stones side-by-side, the performance of the ACA isn't, like, seared into my brain.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

Yes, but only if I could get photos, an ideal scope, etc, and perhaps compare the stone in person to the current stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

Yes, but only if I could get photos, an ideal scope, etc, and perhaps compare the stone in person to the current stone.

I agree. But are you going to keep your original stone?

 

[milton333]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

No, I would most likely sell my stone first. I've seen a magnified pic, which shows the twinning wisps looking all scary And that's one of the reasons I think it may hang around long enough for me to sell my current stone, although I might jump before then if it seems worth it. Symmetry looks good, it's not being called an H&A, but I see arrows. But no possibility of ASET or ideal scope. Just a good return policy. Just wondering if you'd categorically rule it out, or if it's worth pursuing.

 

[kenny]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

Nope.
I reject rounds that score over 2.0.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

Is there any ways to compare it to your own stone? Send it to an appraiser first?

 

[Rhea]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

I think the HCA is a good tool, but it's one of many that can be used. Eyes are better. If it looks good to you, I'd go for it.

 

[ChrisES]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

2.5s can be just fine, but I probably would not want to give up performance, even for the size. So, if you can't see an idealscope image before committing to selling your existing stone, I would hesitate.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

Can you please tell us what the crown and pavilion angles are? Stones in the 2.0+ range are often just fine and we would be unable to tell them apart from stones that score under 2.0. There are AGS0 stones that score above 2.0, so it doesn't make sense to reject stones over 2.0 across the board. I personally wouldn't consider stones that score 3 and above because there are SO many better stones, but you can save money going below the H&A level and/or getting a stone with fluorescence.

 

[milton333]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

Can you please tell us what the crown and pavilion angles are? Stones in the 2.0+ range are often just fine and we would be unable to tell them apart from stones that score under 2.0. There are AGS0 stones that score above 2.0, so it doesn't make sense to reject stones over 2.0 across the board. I personally wouldn't consider stones that score 3 and above because there are SO many better stones, but you can save money going below the H&A level and/or getting a stone with fluorescence.

Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.86 - 6.89 x 4.26 mm
Carat Weight: 1.24 carat
Color Grade: I
Clarity Grade: SI2
Cut Grade: Excellent
Proportions:
Depth: 61.9%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 35.5°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 55%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium Blue

 

[milton333]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

One other question - would someone like IDJ be willing to call in the stone and give an opinion as to whether it meets "PS standards," do you think?

 

[yssie]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

Yes, I would consider this stone provided I am able to get more info from a trusted source, but having virtual stones shipped in (I assume this is a virtual stone, not one that your vendor owns?) can be something of a headache -
- The stone may not be available to have shipped in,
- It may not meet expectations (I don't know how IDJ works but w/ WF you are responsible for return shipping)
- If you try and fail multiple times you'll wipe out the savings from choosing a virtual stone instead of an in-house one
- You are looking for an SI2, so you've got clarity to worry about on top of everything else
You can get good value for money, some people have found fantastic stones, but it's a gamble. I would definitely look through the in-house offerings first.

GIA averages measurements around 8 sections of stone, then rounds - crown to nearest 0.5deg and pav up to nearest 0.2deg. So the average measurements *could* be 35.3crown and 40.7pav - plug those into HCA and see what happens...

That's not really the point, though, the point is that all tools have uses and limitations. The average could be calculated from a range of 35.2-35.4 around the stone or from a much larger range.. lgf is rounded to 5% which is actually a significant variance.. without more info we don't know.

When was the report issued? W/ an older report (more than say a couple of years) you will want to confirm that the condition of the stone matches that described on the report exactly - no wear and tear in the intervening time. Also, you are looking at an SI2 - ask IDJ to see if the stone meets your specifications for eyeclean (clean from 5" face-up? from 12"?) and then have the stone shipped out to you loose to verify that you are happy with it, your reps don't have your vision and may or may not see exactly what you see.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

The good thing about IDJ or GOG is that they can just pick up the stone if it is in NYC and you won't incur the shipping costs you would if you had a non NY vendor call them in. Many of the stones are in NYC, so it makes the most sense to have a NY vendor call them in.

 

[yssie]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

The good thing about IDJ or GOG is that they can just pick up the stone if it is in NYC and you won't incur the shipping costs you would if you had a non NY vendor call them in. Many of the stones are in NYC, so it makes the most sense to have a NY vendor call them in.

Good to know DS!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Would you consider upgrading from ACA stone to 2.5 HCA s

I found that out by experience when I got my last stone! Jon said they'd pick it up because they go into the city every week. They also hand carried my stone to Vatche to set and picked it up. So there definitely are advantages.