Whiteflash cut above

'A Cut Above' (ACA) Princess Cut Diamonds
  direct light performance continues to set standards in the global diamond market

Introducing the ‘A Cut Above’ Princess Cut Diamond

december 13, 2006 found at http://whiteflash.com 

related > Dreams of Africa - Diamonds for Life: Not Blood

The ACA Princess is the dazzling sister to our ACA Superideal Hearts & Arrows Round Diamonds.  This sizzling square cut is a culmination of years of research and development by Brian Gavin, Whiteflash co-founder and designer of the ‘A Cut Above’ line.  Held to the highest standards of craftsmanship and performance, the ‘A Cut Above’ princess dances in all lighting conditions, precisely cut for the same premium Visual Balance™ that is our priority with all ACA diamonds.

AGS 0 ‘Ideal’ Cut Grade Including Light Performance

Every ACA Princess Cut Diamond receives the coveted 0 ‘Ideal’ cut grade from the American Gem Society, exceeding the industry’s strictest standards in proportions, polish, symmetry and most important: direct light performance. Whiteflash co-founder Brian Gavin pioneered the design specifics of ‘A Cut Above’ rounds and now the ACA Princess, and continues to set standards in the global diamond market.  Unlike round diamonds, the performance of fancy shapes cannot be predicted using only proportions or static reflector photography.  This is why no lab awarded a cut grade for princess cut diamonds until 2005, when the AGS introduced the industry’s first-ever scientific cut grade based on actual light performance.  The AGS uses human analysis and computer ray-tracing to determine the quantity and quality of light being returned to the viewer for each diamond, in motion as well as in the face-up static position.  The 0 ‘Ideal’ grade is the world’s strictest laboratory standard for cut. Every ACA Princess receives the coveted 0 ‘Ideal’ cut grade from the American Gem Society, exceeding the industry’s strictest standards in proportions, polish, symmetry and most important: direct light performance. 

Craftsmanship

The creation of an ‘A Cut Above’ begins with selection of premium diamond rough.  Every stage is approached with great detail.  Careful planning, cross-work and brillianteering see that every facet, even the most minor, is ideally polished into place.  To ensure each tiny mirror is precisely aligned with the others craftsmen must double check their work every few seconds.  Even the slightest deviation can affect the diamond’s ability to return light. 

If any detail falls outside of Brian Gavin’s tight tolerances the diamond will not be ‘A Cut Above.’ It takes significantly more time and effort to produce an ACA diamond, but the extra effort is well worth it.  Today ‘A Cut Above’ is recognized as the most Visually Balanced™ diamond in the world.

Grading and Rarity

Most diamonds are not sent to the American Gem Society for grading, because more than 97% of round and princess cut diamonds fail to meet AGS 0 ‘Ideal’ requirements.  This is why you’ll find commercial diamonds sent to labs with softer grades, or no cut grade at all.

The GIA has a global reputation for strictness in color, clarity and finish but is behind the AGS in cut grading.  A princess cut diamond sent to the GIA may earn top grades in color and clarity but no cut grade or performance information will be reported.  GIA’s existing cut grading system (limited to rounds) is only two-dimensional.  To assess performance in fancy shapes a three-dimensional system like that of the AGS is necessary.

Diamonds can be sent to any lab for grading.  We have evaluated the different systems and find the American Gem Society’s cut grading methodologies to confirm our approaches over many years, and the historical approaches of diamond cutters and diamontaires over generations.  With regard to cut grading, AGSL is leaps and bounds ahead of other labs.

‘A Cut Above’

The success of ‘A Cut Above’ is a result of five generations of diamond cutting expertise, combined with the most modern tools and craftsmanship in the industry.  All ‘A Cut Above’ diamonds are held to the same rigorous testing, analysis and grading standards:  We have been cutting our ACA Superideal Hearts & Arrows round brilliant diamonds to exceed all American Gem Society testing parameters for nearly a decade.  In 2005 the AGS upgraded their requirements, enforcing even stricter standards.  ‘A Cut Above’ continued to receive the highest possible marks on all measures, including the new light performance measure where commercial diamonds fall short.  Diamonds of Hearts & Arrows precision were introduced little more than 20 years ago.  Whiteflash co-founder Brian Gavin pioneered the design specifics of ‘A Cut Above’ rounds and now the ACA Princess, and continues to set standards in the global diamond market.

related >  the same company also created "dreams of Africa" Diamonds for Life: Not Blood