Infinity vs. A Cut Above?

[phinsup]

Seeking opinions about the relative merits of these two branded ideal cuts. My observation at this point in my search has been that the ACA''s seem to show stronger Idealscope images and many of the Infinity''s show pinker than red. Is this something to be concerned about? What say ye, pricescopers? Thanks in advance!

 

[swingirl]

I think they are comparable. Their specs are very close and the cutters are both excellent. After that it is personal preference. Infinity stones have a wider range of color, clarity and fluorescence. ACAs are cut in smaller sizes. But the cuts by either company are beautiful.

 

[glitterata]

I believe the difference in color between the idealscope images is a matter of photography and lighting, not cut quality.

I''ve never seen an ACA, but I love my Infinity.

Infinity offers a choice of lower color and clarity and higher fluorescence (as well as higher color and clarity and no fluo). I wanted low clarity and lots of fluorescence, which is why I went for Infinity.

 

[phinsup]

To help to make this a little more specific, please see the following examples by way of comparison:

=489&src=idealscope:2o8h065d]Infinity 1.24 I VS2 Idealscope Image

=463&src=idealscope:2o8h065d]Infinity 1.31 I SI1 Idealscope Image

ACA 1.22 I SI1 Idealscope Image

ACA 1.205 G VS1 Idealscope Image

You''ll notice the Infinity''s Idealscope images are much lighter/pinker and the ACA''s are darker red.

All things being equal, I assume it would be preferable to go with the redder ones rather than the pinker ones, correct?

 

[phinsup]

Date: 12/12/2008 4:06:17 PM
Author: glitterata
I believe the difference in color between the idealscope images is a matter of photography and lighting, not cut quality.

I''ve never seen an ACA, but I love my Infinity.

Infinity offers a choice of lower color and clarity and higher fluorescence (as well as higher color and clarity and no fluo). I wanted low clarity and lots of fluorescence, which is why I went for Infinity.

That''s what I''m wondering -- is it pinker because the photography/lighting is different or does that reveal a real difference in light return? I have seen some Infinity''s that show darker red, like the ACA''s that I linked, though, so that might suggest that it''s not just a matter of photography. It just seems that all the ACA''s tend to be darker red (some more than others, admittedly), whereas the Infinity''s have more range between darker red and pink. ???

 

[mercoledi]

I believe that that''s an artifact of how the IS pictures are taken by different companies/machines. The WF IS images are the sharpest, darkest IS pictures of anyone I''ve seen who provides them. I don''t think it reflects a difference in the light return of the different brands.

 

[mercoledi]

Here are an infinity IS and WF side by side for comparison. I did crop/resize these.

They seem to have the same range of intensities to me, just one is pinkish where one is red.

 

[Rhino]

It these cases it appears to simply be differences in camera settings.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 12/12/2008 4:32:32 PM
Author: Rhino
It these cases it appears to simply be differences in camera settings.

LOL! Here is one cas where Rhino and Wink are in total agreement. What is the fun in that???

Our supplicant can rest easy, as has been stated, this is totally a difference in photography.

I like the WhiteFlash picture quality better.

Wink will go to his corner now and await his whipping from Paul...

 

[WinkHPD]

P.S. Rhino, I love your Christmas avatar!

 

[neatfreak]

I think they are extremely comparable. I say find the one you like best, with the best combo of specs for you, at the vendor you wish to purchase from, and go for it. You can''t go wrong with either.

 

[phinsup]

Date: 12/12/2008 4:32:32 PM
Author: Rhino
It these cases it appears to simply be differences in camera settings.

Thanks for the replies! That Infinity looks better than the ACA in your side by side mercoledi. I''m attaching another side-by-side of two that are in serious contention for my purchase. How would you say these compare?

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 12/12/2008 4:20:46 PM
Author: phinsup

Date: 12/12/2008 4:06:17 PM
Author: glitterata
I believe the difference in color between the idealscope images is a matter of photography and lighting, not cut quality.

I''ve never seen an ACA, but I love my Infinity.

Infinity offers a choice of lower color and clarity and higher fluorescence (as well as higher color and clarity and no fluo). I wanted low clarity and lots of fluorescence, which is why I went for Infinity.

That''s what I''m wondering -- is it pinker because the photography/lighting is different or does that reveal a real difference in light return? I have seen some Infinity''s that show darker red, like the ACA''s that I linked, though, so that might suggest that it''s not just a matter of photography. It just seems that all the ACA''s tend to be darker red (some more than others, admittedly), whereas the Infinity''s have more range between darker red and pink. ???

The different hues are easily explained. I am happy to report that we added a staff photographer this year so the quality of newer images is superior to those which came before. Meanwhile I would like to publicly apologize to my diamonds that have the earlier photos. The oversaturation is not their fault.

 

[Moh 10]

Once again we wander into the minefield of how different photography techniques and lighting makes customers come to erroneous conculsions.

(even from honest and reputable vendors)

Oh that photography was standarized like diamond grading is . . . oh wait. . . never mind.

 

[Rhino]

Date: 12/12/2008 5:16:28 PM
Author: Wink

Date: 12/12/2008 4:32:32 PM
Author: Rhino
It these cases it appears to simply be differences in camera settings.

LOL! Here is one cas where Rhino and Wink are in total agreement. What is the fun in that???

Our supplicant can rest easy, as has been stated, this is totally a difference in photography.

I like the WhiteFlash picture quality better.

Wink will go to his corner now and await his whipping from Paul...

Haha!

Hey ... its fun to be in agreement from time to time too.

 

[Rhino]

Date: 12/12/2008 5:17:31 PM
Author: Wink
P.S. Rhino, I love your Christmas avatar!

Sir John put this together for me.

I look so silly/goofy in this hat it makes me laugh every time I see it.

 

[Rhino]

Date: 12/12/2008 5:20:15 PM
Author: phinsup

Date: 12/12/2008 4:32:32 PM
Author: Rhino
It these cases it appears to simply be differences in camera settings.

Thanks for the replies! That Infinity looks better than the ACA in your side by side mercoledi. I''m attaching another side-by-side of two that are in serious contention for my purchase. How would you say these compare?

Hi phinsup,

I appreciate the question but I refrain from offering what gemological data I can ascertain from competitors images. I have my own setup from which I can see various details and point out numerically/mathematically what I''m talking about but it is against forum policy for a vendor like myself to comment on another vendors images/products.

Kind regards,

 

[Rhino]

Date: 12/12/2008 5:42:09 PM
Author: Moh 10
Once again we wander into the minefield of how different photography techniques and lighting makes customers come to erroneous conculsions.

(even from honest and reputable vendors)

Oh that photography was standarized like diamond grading is . . . oh wait. . . never mind.

LOL... sad but SO TRUE Moh. I'll never forget Neil's experiment when he sent the same exact diamond to many different vendors who all took their red reflector image of the diamond. You should have seen that!