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Seeking an asscher... feedback, please?

stonewell

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Hello everyone,

I've been longing for a step cut ever since I gifted one to my daughter, and came across this asscher on JA:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2409953

I'm looking for a modest size to start for a rhr, but have hesitated because I couldn't decide between an emerald or an asscher. They're both divine, imho. However, this particular stone seems to have really interesting windmill patterning, which caught my eye. Although it's an SI1, the stone appears eye-clean to me with a clear crystal and fairly hidden feather. I'd love to hear any opinions on the stone, especially from asscher experts, while I wait for JA to send the ASET.

Thanks in advance!
 

foxinsox

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Not an expert at all but I think it looks pretty good - the steps turn on and off as it turns and those windmills are great! I hope it's on hold for you since JA says it's unavailable?
 

stonewell

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Not an expert at all but I think it looks pretty good - the steps turn on and off as it turns and those windmills are great! I hope it's on hold for you since JA says it's unavailable?

Thanks for your feedback, foxinsox! Yes, I asked them to put this on hold until I had a chance to evaluate the ASET... and of course, post it here for some sage advice. =)2
 

OoohShiny

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I love it - lively, seemingly no dead facets, seemingly no tilt-windowing, seemingly no P3 issues, and not too dark head-on from obstruction and/or leakage!

It's a great find - I've a feeling I may have picked that one out last week while window shopping for things I can't afford lol, so I'm pleased to see a PS forumite has found it! :)

Will look forward to the ASET, I'm hopeful that it will be great!
 

tyty333

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I think that stone is gorgeous! Lots of mirroring going on. I would find out where the feather is and ask to make sure it is eye-clean (looks like it
but just in case). Love the faceting pattern.
 

Matthews1127

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She seems very beautiful! I'm anxious to see the ASET, and to learn more about her dimensions, and symmetry; those properties are essential for a step-cut. She appears very eye clean (even when pausing the video, and looking straight down from table to bottom). The inclusions are slightly seen along the windmills, away from the center, and they are clear, so the stone should still sparkle, and scintillate in all the right places. I don't foresee the inclusions causing any issues. The ASET will tell you more.
Do you know the dimensions of the stone, and/or its Symmetry? If she is close to or equal to 1.00:1 l x w ratio, and she falls into the category of Good-Ex Symmetry, she'd make my list for sure!
Please do share the ASET, when you get it! She's very clear for an SI1, to the naked eye...even under magnification!
I'm so excited to see & learn more!!! :mrgreen2:
CRM
 

stonewell

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I love it - lively, seemingly no dead facets, seemingly no tilt-windowing, seemingly no P3 issues, and not too dark head-on from obstruction and/or leakage!

It's a great find - I've a feeling I may have picked that one out last week while window shopping for things I can't afford lol, so I'm pleased to see a PS forumite has found it! :)

Will look forward to the ASET, I'm hopeful that it will be great!

I found it too while window shopping. lol I appreciate the feedback and will definitely post the ASET as soon as I receive it. Fingers crossed that it won't be a disappointment.
 

BlingDreams

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It looks beautiful to my eyes. I love the P proportions and the faceting structure. Great find!!
 

stonewell

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I think that stone is gorgeous! Lots of mirroring going on. I would find out where the feather is and ask to make sure it is eye-clean (looks like it
but just in case). Love the faceting pattern.

Thanks, tyty333. I just hope it isn't a case of the video looking better than the stone irl. The GG at JA said, in his opinion, it was an eye-clean stone. The feather is at the 11:30 position, right on a quiet facet, but with the mirroring that this stone appears to have, it seems to blend in well enough.
 

stonewell

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She seems very beautiful! I'm anxious to see the ASET, and to learn more about her dimensions, and symmetry; those properties are essential for a step-cut. She appears very eye clean (even when pausing the video, and looking straight down from table to bottom). The inclusions are slightly seen along the windmills, away from the center, and they are clear, so the stone should still sparkle, and scintillate in all the right places. I don't foresee the inclusions causing any issues. The ASET will tell you more.
Do you know the dimensions of the stone, and/or its Symmetry? If she is close to or equal to 1.00:1 l x w ratio, and she falls into the category of Good-Ex Symmetry, she'd make my list for sure!
Please do share the ASET, when you get it! She's very clear for an SI1, to the naked eye...even under magnification!
I'm so excited to see & learn more!!! :mrgreen2:
CRM

I'm anxious to see the ASET as well, Matthews1127. I noticed the corner facets look a bit fuzzier, so I wonder how that will show up. I think the inclusions will be okay as well; if there has to be any, at least they appear clear and blend in.

The dimensions are 5.47x5.45mm, which puts the ratio at 1.00. I am pretty happy with the spread for the carat size. The polish and symmetry are Ex and VG, so it seems fine too. Hopefully this will be the one!
 

stonewell

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It looks beautiful to my eyes. I love the P proportions and the faceting structure. Great find!!

I was hoping you would give your input as well, ILikeShiny! You should know I've drooled over your asscher ever since you posted it. :lol-2: The faceting is what I really like about this one - it's hypnotic.
 

marymm

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In the video, there's something on the table up in the top left corner that may or may not be visible IRL.

Looking at the static image (before you start the video), I think I see the feather through the table down in the pavilion ... a couple steps up from the stone's center. This may/may not be visible IRL.

I agree the faceting/on-off is lovely, and it is a nice square shape. Just be sure to take a good look at it in various lighting environments to make sure it is eyeclean to your satisfaction.

Hope you love it!
 

Matthews1127

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I'm anxious to see the ASET as well, Matthews1127. I noticed the corner facets look a bit fuzzier, so I wonder how that will show up. I think the inclusions will be okay as well; if there has to be any, at least they appear clear and blend in.

The dimensions are 5.47x5.45mm, which puts the ratio at 1.00. I am pretty happy with the spread for the carat size. The polish and symmetry are Ex and VG, so it seems fine too. Hopefully this will be the one!
Fingers crossed!!! ;)2
 

stonewell

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In the video, there's something on the table up in the top left corner that may or may not be visible IRL.

Looking at the static image (before you start the video), I think I see the feather through the table down in the pavilion ... a couple steps up from the stone's center. This may/may not be visible IRL.

I agree the faceting/on-off is lovely, and it is a nice square shape. Just be sure to take a good look at it in various lighting environments to make sure it is eyeclean to your satisfaction.

Hope you love it!

I appreciate the advice, marymm. I'm confident I can overcome the mind-cleanliness issue if it's an otherwise beautiful stone, but I'll definitely check it out thoroughly since visible inclusions will drive me batty!
 

whitewave

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Fingers crossed it is as good in person as on the video! What is the price if you dont mind me asking.
 

stonewell

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Fingers crossed it is as good in person as on the video! What is the price if you dont mind me asking.

Thanks, whitewave! You're recent reset journey with CvB has been another source of inspiration for me to finally get one. :mrgreen2:

The stone is $3660, which is on the high end of similar carat weights I've found, however it's about average or less than other stones with similar spread. I would normally request advantage pricing from JA, but I'm thinking of having it set temporarily in one of their settings since they're on sale. If I do so, the setting discount will be better.
 

whitewave

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Thanks, whitewave! You're recent reset journey with CvB has been another source of inspiration for me to finally get one. :mrgreen2:

The stone is $3660, which is on the high end of similar carat weights I've found, however it's about average or less than other stones with similar spread. I would normally request advantage pricing from JA, but I'm thinking of having it set temporarily in one of their settings since they're on sale. If I do so, the setting discount will be better.

Oh, thanks! Yes, my Caysie setting is so "wow"-- it really did the stone justice!

That seems like a very good price to me. I hope it works out for you!
 

stonewell

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Oh, thanks! Yes, my Caysie setting is so "wow"-- it really did the stone justice!

That seems like a very good price to me. I hope it works out for you!

Wow is an understatement... it's breathtakingly gorgeous! :love:

I appreciate the feedback on pricing - there often isn't any rhyme or reason, imho, on the wide variations I see. JA's asscher selection is surprisingly anemic at the moment, so I've been comparing it to some other PS vendors.

I'm hoping she's a winner too!
 

OoohShiny

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If the performance is in no way affected, I think paying less for a given spread is a good plan ;-)
 

stonewell

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Quick update... JA informed me an ASET isn't available since the stone is overseas. They can only image it in-house if I purchase it. Since I still have the option to reject the stone after they send the image, I've gone ahead and ordered it.

Sigh.

I don't mind the pre-purchase... it's the wait. lol Hopefully I'll receive it in the next 3-5 days. :saint:
 

OoohShiny

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Awesome, keep us updated!
 

stonewell

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I just received the ASET... Not certain how to evaluate this report as I'm seeing what appear to be rows of leakage in the table. Perhaps this is typical in these particular step-cuts? I may still have the stone sent to me to evaluate further in-person, but I would love to hear input from folks who know more about this cut than I do.

2409953.jpg
 

OoohShiny

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Hmm... interesting... I'm not an expert in ASET analysis but I think you're correct in the assessment of what looks like leakage under the table. Good light return around the edges, though, which will help it look larger :) and I still think the facet pattern is interesting!

This stone may be one example of the 'ASET results vs beauty' discussion that comes up regularly - in that it doesn't look to perform as well as it could during ASET assessment, but the video seems to show very active faceting across the stone, including the areas showing as leakage, in the actual 'real life' video, and I for one think it is a very attractive stone. (I did wonder if there was some slight tilt-windowing in the areas of leakage at certain angles in the video, but it does have such active reflections that I'm not sure it would be an issue if it did exist!) I think you will definitely have to review this in real life - I feel I would.

I'm not sure if the pro's can comment on this specific stone because it's from another forum vendor, but perhaps @Karl_K / @Serg / @diagem / @Rockdiamond would be able to offer non-specific input on cutting aspects and the ASET/beauty discussion??
 
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Serg

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Hmm... interesting... I'm not an expert in ASET analysis but I think you're correct in the assessment of what looks like leakage under the table. Good light return around the edges, though, which will help it look larger :) and I still think the facet pattern is interesting!

This stone may be one example of the 'ASET results vs beauty' discussion that comes up regularly - in that it doesn't look to perform as well as it could during ASET assessment, but the video seems to show very active faceting across the stone, including the areas showing as leakage, in the actual 'real life' video, and I for one think it is a very attractive stone. (I did wonder if there was some slight tilt-windowing in the areas of leakage at certain angles in the video, but it does have such active reflections that I'm not sure it would be an issue if it did exist!) I think you will definitely have to review this in real life - I feel I would.

I'm not sure if the pro's can comment on this specific stone because it's from another forum vendor, but perhaps @Karl_K / @Serg / @diagem / @Rockdiamond would be able to offer non-specific input on cutting aspects and the ASET/beauty discussion??

The ASET image shows clearly strong leakage under table . This diamonds is not good Cyclops observers. Available data is not enough to do decision how good or bad this diamonds for Human observers.

The video has white( grey) background that hide some possible cut weakness . Only movies with back background give realistic presentation . remember that you need settings for diamond which most probably will block light from pavilion side( current movie has a lot of light from background)
in same time the video shows bright reflections for ASET leakage zones during small tilting. so may be table leakage creates high stereo contrast ( great brilliancy ) in this case.
if you want to do safe and right decision you need 3 options:
1) Ask similar video with black background and ask video for AGSO MRB in same light conditions for comparison
2) ask ASET video( it is very difficult to receive yet)
3) Ask diamond for trial and check it in standard consumer light environments

The diamond can be gorgeous or to dark under table.
 

OoohShiny

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Awesome comments, thank you, @Serg! :)
 

LLJsmom

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Very interesting!! Can't wait to see how this turns out. I love a beautiful asscher. Good luck!
 

BlingDreams

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ASETs for step cuts can be unforgiving. It's possible that those grey areas may not light up as well as others, but given the rest of the ASET I think it's definitely worth seeing in person. Lots of red and green, and the patterning of the stone is gorgeous.

We get so caught up in examining images and patterns that sometimes we bypass diamonds that really are still quite amazing in real life. I'd say give it a whirl. You really have nothing to lose.
 

tyty333

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Well, I thought the aset would look a little nicer than this but I like your idea of ordering it and seeing it for yourself. I figured out what I like
about the stone. The mirroring sort of draws walks you down into the center of the stones as it turns then reverses itself and walks back out
towards the edge of the stone.
 

Matthews1127

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I just received the ASET... Not certain how to evaluate this report as I'm seeing what appear to be rows of leakage in the table. Perhaps this is typical in these particular step-cuts? I may still have the stone sent to me to evaluate further in-person, but I would love to hear input from folks who know more about this cut than I do.

2409953.jpg
I'm with @Serg: ask for those 3 specifics.
In the meantime, has anyone else noticed the crazy symmetry pattern, other than me?! Instead of the pattern being from top to bottom or side to side, the pattern is from top right corner to bottom left corner, and from top left corner to bottom right corner. Then, top center to bottom center, and middle left center to middle right center of the stone! I've never seen symmetry work that way on a step cut! Maybe I just never paid enough attention, until now? That's so amazing! I'm really hoping this diamond turns out to be a great find! The symmetry pattern is just off the chain!! :lol-2: It's almost like it has its very own unique signature! I love it!!
 
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