I’m a bit confused—- CBI vs. ACA? Same or different cut?

[NicoleNeedsHelp]

I apologize for this silly question... I feel as though this question has been asked a million times, but I can’t seem to find the answer.

Is there a difference between an ACA diamond by Whiteflash and a CBI diamond by HPD? Are these companies competitors selling essentially the same fantastic cut of diamond? To put it another way, if we just compare stones (not customer service, inventory or upgrade policies or anything else), is there any reason to prefer one company’s diamonds over the other?

I hope I’m not being offensive to either of these great companies. I’m just trying to learn if they cut the diamonds differently and if yes, what are the reasons to select one company’s cut over the other.

 

[jp201845]

I apologize for this silly question... I feel as though this question has been asked a million times, but I can’t seem to find the answer.

Is there a difference between an ACA diamond by Whiteflash and a CBI diamond by HPD? Are these companies competitors selling essentially the same fantastic cut of diamond? To put it another way, if we just compare stones (not customer service, inventory or upgrade policies or anything else), is there any reason to prefer one company’s diamonds over the other?

I hope I’m not being offensive to either of these great companies. I’m just trying to learn if they cut the diamonds differently and if yes, what are the reasons to select one company’s cut over the other.

They are both Super Ideal vendors with precision cut diamonds. It just comes down to personal preference which diamond appeals better to the eyes. The main difference between the 2 I would say is CBI cuts their own stones where Whiteflash outsources to outside cutter(s). Also inventory is a big factor. Hope this helps

 

[whitewave]

I believe CBI has tighter parameters for their diamonds.

Not that whiteflash is any worse— they are still in the super ideal category. They have more inventory.

Paul at CBI is super picky about his rough and his numbers.

 

[marymm]

ACAs and CBIs are both super-ideal branded diamond lines.

Whiteflash posts their specs for their ACAs: https://www.whiteflash.com/a-cut-above-diamonds/specifications-and-qualifications/

I did not find a CBI spec page on the HPD website showing actual numbers (someone please post link if you have it), but here's more general info re: Infinity diamonds: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/whyus/whyus-infinity

Your eyes might not see a difference between two similar diamonds, same carat weight/color/clarity, one an ACA and the other CBI ... but if you are detail oriented and/or have great close-up vision you may notice some nuanced differences between the two diamonds which may actually have more to do with each diamond's table/crown & star/LGF proportions rather than actual cut-quality differences between the two branded lines. Or, you may find one line's diamonds overall more in sync with your eyes' preferences.

I do find CBIs more expensive as compared to comparable ACAs.

Brian Gavin Diamond (BGD) Signature diamonds are also super-ideal. BGD often has sales/discounts particularly around the holidays.

FWIW, I've bought from all three, and although I remain a fan of WF, I prefer BGD as a diamond vendor and really love my BGD diamonds.

I do have one CBI and frankly it is my favorite diamond; to my eyes it does have that extra something-something that elevates it in terms of performance.

YMMV.

 

[Big Fat Facets]

seeing them for yourself will best help you determine which ever so slightly nuanced agsl 000 super ideal round brilliant is for you.

hpd/cbi will happily send a few diamonds to one of their affiliated jewelers nearest you. since you are in the los angeles area, that won't be a problem. whiteflash might be able to send a stone(s) to you for review on credit card authorization. after reviewing diamonds from both super ideal vendors, side by side, you will likely know which super ideal you favor, in terms of diamonds. thereafter, you will likely still need to work out which vendors' upgrade terms and stocked inventory work best for you, unless you don't mind going custom cut. which i know, you don't mind

 

[LLJsmom]

FYI. It may be more difficult during covid to see at a jewelers. I could only see one cbi at a time. I didn’t want to buy two at the same time. But in the process I could trust my gut and initial reactions to each stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

They are the same cut as far as being superideal cut hearts and arrows stones. They both provide light return images to prove the precision cutting, and both offer outstanding stones. CBI cuts diamonds and sells through vendors such as Wink from High Performance Diamonds and other local brick and mortar jewelers. Whiteflash is a vendor who gets their diamonds from a different hearts and arrows cutter. Both vendors have very similar parameters for their stones, but each stone at either vendor will have slightly different measurements. Some people prefer higher crown angles (high 34 range) while some prefer lower crown angles (low 34 range), for example. I can say that I would be pretty happy with almost any diamond these two vendors offer (with my color and clarity preferences). I just happened to start buying from Whiteflash years ago before Wink started carrying CBI, and their upgrade policy and great customer service has kept me as a loyal customer. So for someone shopping now, I'd see what each vendor had that interested me, and I would compare prices. I would say in the case of matched pairs as well as large stones of 2.5-5+ carats, Whiteflash has an edge due to a greater supply (in usual times, but all diamond vendors are likely affected somewhat by COVID shutdowns at this time). If a person never plans on upgrading, then the supply issue isn't as important and you'd just choose the stone you like best from either one.

 

[mrs-b]

@NicoleNeedsHelp -

Just out of curiosity - are you thinking about upgrading your diamond and *then* redesigning your ring? That's a highly intriguing idea!

 

[NicoleNeedsHelp]

@NicoleNeedsHelp -

Just out of curiosity - are you thinking about upgrading your diamond and *then* redesigning your ring? That's a highly intriguing idea!

Yeap. I am not happy with the ring and I am almost 50 years old and only live once. Live and learn. I am working with Amy. We have 2 different ideas one has a halo and one does not. I struggle with "converting" a CAD to a real life image in my head so she has made 2 wax molds. The wax molds are in the mail and will be here tomorrow, but I am leaning towards no halo. If we go no-halo, I need a bigger stone.

 

[ringo865]

We all ‘need’ a bigger stone Be sure to update when you get the wax molds. Lots of people here have designed from cad and can help you if you have questions about how to express any tweaks to Amy.

 

[oldminer]

Both firms, all three when one includes BGD, offer AGS000 Diamonds. The wiggle room on all of these is very small and your eyes simply cannot see anything but minute variations at that level of cut. All of these firms bases their main top end products on fine tuning to the limit of the cutter's ability to make each diamond a perfection and work of the cutting art.

The real differences lie in the personalities of the sales people, the return policies, the promises, the services, the delivery, the trade in and trade up policies, and the relationship you "feel" when you speak with whoever you contact within those firms. It is so very much personality and service, and not so much how different the diamonds are. The size of their relative inventories is also highly important. It is easier to shop when there is a larger selection, but when you want the best of the best, you may find the best one for you is in the smallest selection. You can't predict it. You have to look at what is available and decide what firm works for you on an individual basis.

There is no question, these firms are far more different than the diamonds they offer. On major purchases I never buy what I don't really want and I never buy from a firm that I can't seem to fully trust. Make that judgement when you pick the diamond as well as when you go with a particular vendor.