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Two Asschers w/ASETs - Please Help Choose

diamondseeker2006

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Looks good to me, too! I hear ya on being too busy to even take it in, at this point! I am waiting for FedEx now. They already missed the 10:30 deadline!:x2:lol:
 

the_mother_thing

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I appreciate the early thoughts on the diamond ... I am sad to say, I still have not been able to find the time to pull it back out for a more in-depth look & assessment since it arrived. :cry2: The to/from travel to get my dad was followed by a few days of me feeling pretty ill coupled with kids and Christmas, caring for my dad, etc. It’s been a bit hectic, and I want to really be able to peacefully & quietly look it over and just take it in.
 

OoohShiny

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I appreciate the early thoughts on the diamond ... I am sad to say, I still have not been able to find the time to pull it back out for a more in-depth look & assessment since it arrived. :cry2: The to/from travel to get my dad was followed by a few days of me feeling pretty ill coupled with kids and Christmas, caring for my dad, etc. It’s been a bit hectic, and I want to really be able to peacefully & quietly look it over and just take it in.
Life gets in the way of bling! :lol:

Just make sure to work out your deadline for Returns, so you can make time more urgently if needed!
 

the_mother_thing

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I just want to say that I have gained a new appreciation for our vendors who provide ASET/IS images today!

I finally had an hour to get the diamond out and look at it with my ASET. I do believe there is leakage under the table, but I am not 100% confident in these ASET pics I managed to snap showing how much. Trying to finagle the diamond, ASET scope and the camera, while trying to keep the diamond straight was VERY difficult! Nonetheless, here are a few more pics I managed to snap; will try for more later tonight/tomorrow.

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the_mother_thing

Ideal_Rock
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A little more time with the diamond ... a couple more videos, and what I think is the best ASET I can manage to capture accurately (with the girdle at the entry to the bottom of scope).

I love how there are broad flashes of color/fire in the crown facets when it moves, and maybe it’s just me (haven’t seen a ton of step cuts), but I don’t see as much as I’d like under the table. Do these ASET images align with what you see in the videos? That there is leakage and not much ‘activity’ under the table? @Karl_K @diamondseeker2006 Anyone?

Pics & videos taken indoors in indirect natural lighting, and I tried to filter the light for the ASET images with white sheets of paper around the diamond when taking those pics.

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clcat120

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Are those white areas in the centers all leakages? A little hard to tell...I am seeing quite a bit flash of rainbow on the outskirts which are awesome!
 

the_mother_thing

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Are those white areas in the centers all leakages? A little hard to tell...I am seeing quite a bit flash of rainbow on the outskirts which are awesome!

I like the colored flashes in the crown facets as well, but I *think* my eyes are not seeing as much action in the center under the table, which leads me to believe 1) the ASET images are close to correct; or 2) maybe I’m just used to seeing edge-to-edge sparkle/fire in my MRB and have that same expectation for the asscher when perhaps I shouldn’t. :confused:

I interpret those white areas to indeed be leakage, per the ASET ... since the diamond is somewhat white-backlit, any white would translate to leakage. I’m just not 100% sure the ASET images are correct because it’s the first time I’m using one and it is VERY difficult to hold the ASET loupe, hold the diamond still in the exact right position, and take a clear picture with only two hands at my disposal. My hope is that someone familiar with Asschers can take a look at the videos and see if the ASET images I took do in fact correspond to the videos, or if perhaps others see more activity under the table than I do, and that I’m just not using the ASET loupe properly. But I’m reasonably confident that they are close to correct because I used a few ideal cut MRBs to practice with.
 

the_mother_thing

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I have an idea for perhaps a better ‘test’ video. It’ll take me a little bit to set that up, take the video and post. Bear with me for a spell ... :wavey:
 

Karl_K

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Based on the video I would say the ASET images with the green center are more accurate than the ones with all the white in the center.
The center is not the brightest but its not dead like the aset with all the white would indicate.
How does the ASET look to you in person?
 

clcat120

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FFFA9B5B-8CB6-4445-83B2-2C80D0BDA2AE.jpeg 99FC456C-5FB9-403C-841F-21BC09BAF7B9.jpeg
I like the colored flashes in the crown facets as well, but I *think* my eyes are not seeing as much action in the center under the table, which leads me to believe 1) the ASET images are close to correct; or 2) maybe I’m just used to seeing edge-to-edge sparkle/fire in my MRB and have that same expectation for the asscher when perhaps I shouldn’t. :confused:

I interpret those white areas to indeed be leakage, per the ASET ... since the diamond is somewhat white-backlit, any white would translate to leakage. I’m just not 100% sure the ASET images are correct because it’s the first time I’m using one and it is VERY difficult to hold the ASET loupe, hold the diamond still in the exact right position, and take a clear picture with only two hands at my disposal. My hope is that someone familiar with Asschers can take a look at the videos and see if the ASET images I took do in fact correspond to the videos, or if perhaps others see more activity under the table than I do, and that I’m just not using the ASET loupe properly. But I’m reasonably confident that they are close to correct because I used a few ideal cut MRBs to practice with.

Yes. Also depending on light source and where you hold the stone. Mine are here and are more red and blue vs green colors on ASET.

Also, maybe you can do a lot of videos of the stone in different lighting environments like I did? It may help us see the performance of the stone better. :cool2:
 

the_mother_thing

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@Karl_K It appears more like the white/leakage areas shows, but maybe I’m not positioning the diamond correctly. Should I have the girdle parallel to the bottom ring of the scope, just inside the bottom of the scope scope, or just outside the bottom of the scope? I’ve been trying my best to get it parallel with the bottom of the scope, but maybe that is wrong for Asschers? :confused:

Here is a video I just took of the ASET, and moving the diamond around a bit.
 

Karl_K

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Girdle even with the mouth of the scope with the diamond centered in the scope.
You need even lighting under the diamond, if one side is lit more than the other you get glare which looks like leakage. on the stone.
The brightness is also critical because if it is to bright it will give you false leakage indications like 5% leakage looking like 100% leakage.
In the video it looks like it is not centered well in the ASET scope.
Then finally is alignment the camera lens the top of the scope and the table of the diamond have to be parallel.

After watching the video I think more strongly that the ASET images with the green in the center are pretty close to being representative.

What really matters is how it look to you. Is it dark to you under the table in disused softer lighting? Is it lively under the table and sparky under more direct lighting?
 

the_mother_thing

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@clcat120 Honestly, I am scared to carry it around and take pics & videos of it, so have kept it primarily in my home office with natural lighting to view it. The tension/ spring ring does not hold it very securely because of the shape, and I am so afraid it will pop out and go flying while I try to maneuver it with the camera (already happened once in my office). :eek2:

I may try it in my kitchen with spot lights later tonight, but I pretty much refuse to take it outdoors in this spring ring.
 

clcat120

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@clcat120 Honestly, I am scared to carry it around and take pics & videos of it, so have kept it primarily in my home office with natural lighting to view it. The tension/ spring ring does not hold it very securely because of the shape, and I am so afraid it will pop out and go flying while I try to maneuver it with the camera (already happened once in my office). :eek2:

I may try it in my kitchen with spot lights later tonight, but I pretty much refuse to take it outdoors in this spring ring.

Yeah...I totally understand. You may be able to fine a few different lighting source in your home. Intense spot light (iphone), defused light (iphone and cover it with some thin white napkins, lol...), candle light (I assume you have some candle in house)? Sunlight is difficult to simulate. :mrgreen2::mrgreen2::mrgreen2:

I prefer whiter light environment so the color appears whiter.

I also received the tip on PS here that you can place the stone in front of or above a red background. You will see the leakage (represented by the red color on your stone table) that way.
 

the_mother_thing

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Girdle even with the mouth of the scope with the diamond centered in the scope.
You need even lighting under the diamond, if one side is lit more than the other you get glare which looks like leakage. on the stone.
The brightness is also critical because if it is to bright it will give you false leakage indications like 5% leakage looking like 100% leakage.
In the video it looks like it is not centered well in the ASET scope.
Then finally is alignment the camera lens the top of the scope and the table of the diamond have to be parallel.

After watching the video I think more strongly that the ASET images with the green in the center are pretty close to being representative.

What really matters is how it look to you. Is it dark to you under the table in disused softer lighting? Is it lively under the table and sparky under more direct lighting?

Thanks so much for weighing in, Karl. ASET image aside, I think - because of the size - I’m having trouble seeing performance clearly under the table with my naked eyes, but I can make out that two of the four windmills don’t seem to light up, and that perhaps is part of my problem with it. I think this video shows that a bit better. And that’s one of the attractors to me for the more octagonal shape is the wider windmills to see those facets/steps light up as it moves. I think - since that doesn’t appear to be happening - it’s making the area under the table appear ‘dark’ or lacking in performance to me.
 

the_mother_thing

Ideal_Rock
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How you feel about it is the most important thing and I think you have your answer?
You deserve a diamond you adore.

Thank you Karl; you are right. This isn’t a ‘must have’ for me, so I think it makes sense to return it and hold out for something that ticks all my boxes vs settling or compromising.

I just took it outside once - though it is cloudy/overcast outside today here - for a quick video/pics to share, and in person, the center appears dark/semi-lifeless to my eyes outside. Maybe others see it differently. My iPhone case is white/glittery, so that may impact the pictures a bit in that regard.

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And the video:

Guess I’ll get on the horn w/BN this morning, and get the return process started. :(2
 

clcat120

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Thank you Karl; you are right. This isn’t a ‘must have’ for me, so I think it makes sense to return it and hold out for something that ticks all my boxes vs settling or compromising.

I just took it outside once - though it is cloudy/overcast outside today here - for a quick video/pics to share, and in person, the center appears dark/semi-lifeless to my eyes outside. Maybe others see it differently. My iPhone case is white/glittery, so that may impact the pictures a bit in that regard.

05A36CC4-EB49-42A9-B6C7-DC364C1962CC.jpeg
E9A9BED8-1047-4830-B933-AD01B8379B24.jpeg
E52A461D-6564-453F-8E4A-697B833BF858.jpeg

And the video:

Guess I’ll get on the horn w/BN this morning, and get the return process started. :(2

It is still a little hard to tell. However, I think based on the ASET, the center is a little bland with leakage.

There is another one out there waiting for you! Just the beginning of another new exciting search project? Do you like the size? The very busy pattern? I always feel that the depth is too busy in a smaller sized stone but that's a pure personal preference.
 

Dancing Fire

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Here is the ASET of my old Octavia :love: but an Octavia is a different animal. ;))

aset.jpg
 

the_mother_thing

Ideal_Rock
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Here is the ASET of my old Octavia :love: but an Octavia is a different animal. ;))

aset.jpg

#NewDiamondGoals :love:

I called BN this morning to initiate the return, and am awaiting FedEx pick-up sometime today. I’d really like to thank EVERYONE who has contributed to this thread, provided feedback/input and expertise. Very much appreciated! :wavey:
 

LLJsmom

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Good idea to return it. Wait for something that you love.
 

the_mother_thing

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Thanks @LLJsmom The diamond was picked up by FedEx yesterday and is en route back to BN. It was beautiful, but the performance under the table just didn’t set right with me for the price paid. It may be that’s the best my budget would allow, and I need to make some decisions about whether to up the budget, keep looking, etc.

Go for an Octavia! :love: You'll love it!

I pretty much know without a doubt that I would LOVE an Octavia. My wallet, however, would not love the price tag for the size I’d want (7mm range). That’s where my definition of ‘mind clean’ lies - being comfortable spending what something costs for what I’m getting for it. That’s not to say an Octavia isn’t worth every penny on the price tag; rather, it’s a personal/comfort level thing for me.

I may just decide to take a spin through my jewelry and loose stone stash, and sell/downsize some of it to put more funds toward a stone with a larger budget. I’m just not comfortable dipping any further (than $8K) into my ‘rainy day’ funds for this purchase. I’m just too practical/pragmatic to spend so much when I have so many other pieces/loose stones just sitting in my safe. In the grand scheme of things, if this is my biggest problem, life is good and I am blessed.

I should probably take a break from hunting for an asscher, and instead focus on setting some of the stones I have that I keep putting off. :think:
 

diamondseeker2006

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It looks excellent to me in the outdoor pictures in post #108. I see you sent it back, and that's the right thing to do when uncertain or you don't love it.
 

the_mother_thing

Ideal_Rock
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It looks excellent to me in the outdoor pictures in post #108. I see you sent it back, and that's the right thing to do when uncertain or you don't love it.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but I do believe it was the right one (for me). But it’s all good ... the right one is out there somewhere, and hopefully I’ll find it some day.

Thanks so much for your help, and spot checking a few ‘early birds’ for me in my search. ;)2
 
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