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7K Budget ... make your Asscher ring

mappdaddy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 10, 2015
Messages
13
So I am looking for more ideas and I thought this might be a good way to get more help. Budget is $7000.00 and you can spend it any way you like. Only requirements are Asscher cut in a platinum setting. Help me find something she will be blown away by ...
 
Let's see.....what size is her finger?
 
Settings I like for an asscher...all under $1k in plat
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-item-5302 probably my favorite
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-double-prong-solitaire-item-41143 ask if can do with asscher
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-double-bevel-knife-edge-engagement-ring-item-7870 ask for claw prongs
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-twisted-shank-contemporary-solitaire-item-6853

Stones that fit in your budget with $1k for setting...I actually like the 1.02 H the best. It is bigger and also less expensive. I am
in no way an asscher expert but seems like there arent too many available in your price range/size. I was trying to get up to 1.25
but nothing was available.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/?CaratFrom=1.01&CaratTo=15&Color=H,G,F,E,D&Clarity=SI1,VS2,VS1,VVS2,VVS1,IF&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=6080&ViewsOptions=Images&TabSelected=3&DiamondID=421560,535119

From JA, you can pick your 3 top favorite stones (get input from PSers before you request) and request asets to check on light return.
If the stones are close by they can get the asets in a day or 2.
 
unfortunately I do not know the exact size of her finger. She wears an accessory ring (just a cheap department store thing) once in a while. So I grabbed that ring and measured as best as I could (engineer scale in inches and convert to mm) and came up with a 7, but that ring is super loose on her finger (she can wear it on her middle finger if she wants). From all of this I would say she is a 6. This has me very scared that I will buy this and have to get it resized :(
 
mappdaddy|1436974262|3903086 said:
unfortunately I do not know the exact size of her finger. She wears an accessory ring (just a cheap department store thing) once in a while. So I grabbed that ring and measured as best as I could (engineer scale in inches and convert to mm) and came up with a 7, but that ring is super loose on her finger (she can wear it on her middle finger if she wants). From all of this I would say she is a 6. This has me very scared that I will buy this and have to get it resized :(

If you dont find a way to get a more specific size of her finger then re-sizing probably will have to happen. Re-sizing plat is not cheap
either. I paid $100 a few years ago with a band at the bottom that was only about 1mm wide.

Edit - you need to take her ring to a jeweler and have them size it with a mandrel. Unfortunately not all mandrels are equal.
Here is an inexpensive one at Joanns. You may need to use someone elses ring that you know the size of to see if it is accurate
and work from there.

http://www.joann.com/ring-mandrel/11765344.html?mkwid=VQJ6TPZb|dc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+Crafts&CS_003=12310052&CS_010=%5BProductId%5D&gclid=CjwKEAjwiZitBRCy0pb3rIbG9XwSJACmuvvzvDXhJ0PgRtxoJqNioU5HMpguPNv7gHwHK0fzP4cfwRoCYQzw_wcB
 
tyty3333 -

I was hoping to do the exact same thing and get into a larger diamond. I know these Asschers face up super small but that's what she wants. I think I could/should sacrifice on color and clarity if it is a super well cut diamond and go bigger. Hopefully the cut can mask the other shortcomings. A few things I found but would like opinions on.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.27-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-454964
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.25-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-496901
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-298346
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.31-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-382870

I really like the solitaire settings and most likely will settle on one. One setting that I would like to get your feedback on is this by Leon Mege:
https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/custom-work/view-all/asscher-three-stone-diamond-engagement-ring-detail

I really liked that (not sure she would but I thought it was really s) but know that it must be super expensive. Doubt I could find something that looks similar to that piece. Would that even make for a good engagement type of ring/setting? Also the keystone in that picture is apparently a 1.23 ct diamond. I don't know if it would look as good with something smaller as the keystone.
 
Hey Niel -

My sister got engaged about 3 months back and she had a halo ring. It was something from Zales .. not an Asscher center. Of course my girlfriend said "that's so beautiful, etc" but I didn't get the feeling that she would want the Halo. Maybe I misread the whole thing and if so that is a fail because most Asschers I have found are in Halo and look great.
 
Hi mappdaddy -

It's very hard to blow someone's socks off with an asscher stone. Asscher cut stones (my personal favorite of all the cuts) face up very small compared to the other cuts - even cushion cut stones. Asschers have a very deep belly, and carry a lot of their carat weight there, giving them a smaller (often much smaller) face-up surface area than the other cuts. I looked for an asscher diamond some years ago in the 2.5ct range. But given my size 6.5 - 7 fingers, even that sized stones looked moderate to small-ish.

So, completely contrary to what I'd say re other cuts, I'd suggest in this case that you put a reasonable degree of your budget towards the setting and get her a halo setting. With your budget, that's about the only way you'll get something with enough presence to 'blow her socks off', which you said was your (completely understandable and very sensible!) goal. I'd be looking for a custom setting - probably from David Klass who could do something like this for you, both reasonably priced and beautifully made - which included a bezel setting for the center stone, and then an edged halo setting.

Here's a link to a thread with asscher settings;

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-lovers-post-ur-fave-e-rings.27951/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-lovers-post-ur-fave-e-rings.27951/[/URL]

but here's the setting I think would be ideal for you (and thanks to Lovey who owns this extraordinary ring!):



Asscher stones, due to their 'hall of mirrors' cut can be very unforgiving when it comes to showing up inclusions, so I'd recommend a VS2 clarity grade or above. Again, of course, this will constrict your budget. To that end, I found this stone on GOG's web site and thing it might look fabulous in a setting like the one above:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1ct-i-vs1-asscher-cut-diamond-2.html

There's some images on the link that show you the stone's light return, and to my eye it looks lovely. It's a very clean stone, with a hint of warmth that should be concealed nicely by the setting.

I think if you're after a plain solitaire setting, it will be difficult to find something in the 'knock your socks off category' (though, granted, I don't know how easily your girl's socks come off!) and I also think you'd be forced to keep to higher color grades, which would further limit your budget.

I think this stone, in the setting as shown, would be - indeed - sock-removing. :)) Good luck!

asscher_ideal_setting_a.jpg
 
If you would be okay with an I color, I think you could go up a bit in size. I'm not an asscher expert, maybe Niel or others could chime in, but I liked the size of these:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-298346
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.31-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-515725

And for setting, I would choose this. From the top, you'd get the delicate claw prongs, and from the side, a lot of visual interest beyond the basic solitaire. Could be paired with any number of bands--plain, engraved, diamond, etc. http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-50015
 
Rubybeth -

Hopefully Niel will come back and comment on those stones you posted as well as the few that I posted. I would really trust that opinion. If I am not going to go with a Halo I really think the best idea is to go up in size and sacrifice on color and clarity. The Halos look really nice but I just can't be sure that is what she wants. No one ever commented on this style. Can the setting you recommended hold an Asscher? I didn't see any mention of it on the JA website.

https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/custom-work/view-all/asscher-three-stone-diamond-engagement-ring-detail

Do you like it? Is it feasible in my price range? Maybe I could find something similar to it?
 
mrs-blop|1436975684|3903103 said:
Hi mappdaddy -

It's very hard to blow someone's socks off with an asscher stone. Asscher cut stones (my personal favorite of all the cuts) face up very small compared to the other cuts - even cushion cut stones. Asschers have a very deep belly, and carry a lot of their carat weight there, giving them a smaller (often much smaller) face-up surface area than the other cuts. I looked for an asscher diamond some years ago in the 2.5ct range. But given my size 6.5 - 7 fingers, even that sized stones looked moderate to small-ish.

So, completely contrary to what I'd say re other cuts, I'd suggest in this case that you put a reasonable degree of your budget towards the setting and get her a halo setting. With your budget, that's about the only way you'll get something with enough presence to 'blow her socks off', which you said was your (completely understandable and very sensible!) goal. I'd be looking for a custom setting - probably from David Klass who could do something like this for you, both reasonably priced and beautifully made - which included a bezel setting for the center stone, and then an edged halo setting.

Here's a link to a thread with asscher settings;

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-lovers-post-ur-fave-e-rings.27951/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-lovers-post-ur-fave-e-rings.27951/[/URL]

but here's the setting I think would be ideal for you (and thanks to Lovey who owns this extraordinary ring!):



Asscher stones, due to their 'hall of mirrors' cut can be very unforgiving when it comes to showing up inclusions, so I'd recommend a VS2 clarity grade or above. Again, of course, this will constrict your budget. To that end, I found this stone on GOG's web site and thing it might look fabulous in a setting like the one above:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1ct-i-vs1-asscher-cut-diamond-2.html

There's some images on the link that show you the stone's light return, and to my eye it looks lovely. It's a very clean stone, with a hint of warmth that should be concealed nicely by the setting.

I think if you're after a plain solitaire setting, it will be difficult to find something in the 'knock your socks off category' (though, granted, I don't know how easily your girl's socks come off!) and I also think you'd be forced to keep to higher color grades, which would further limit your budget.

I think this stone, in the setting as shown, would be - indeed - sock-removing. :)) Good luck!

I do not know anything about Asscher stones but this ring is gorgeous and would blow my socks off I received it for an ER. The Zales halo would not compare to the quality, well executed halos done by most of the well endorsed PS vendors.
Also I love the leon setting you posted however I think it will be $$$. I had received one quote from him and it was a lot more than 2 other comparable vendors I received quotes for.
 
The cost of the setting posted is easily in the $5K range so that is out of the question, not to mention the difficulty in trying to resize it. I would stay with a plain solitaire setting so that it can be resized easily and inexpensively. A fancier setting can be an anniversary gift later down the road. For now, I would get the largest and nicest cut asscher stone in the H/I range and VS2 clarity. It is unfortunate but colour and clarity matters with step cuts due to how few facets they have.
 
Leon Mege would not be in your budget but you know someone who might be and who does beautiful work is David Klass. I would
request a quote from him.

You can see DK's work in this thread.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/[/URL]

James Allen also has this (I'd rather have DK do it though).
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/-platinum-tapered-baguette-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1206

They also have this but I dont care for it. Just too blocky and heavy looking.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/platinum-tapered-baguette-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1993

Here is another one that actually looks very sleek and would look nice with an asscher (IMO). You would need to ask JA if they
can do an asscher in it. I* like this one. It's a little bit different...much like an asscher is a little different from what most people
wear.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/platinum-tapered-baguette-and-princess-engagement-ring-item-50332
 
Hi mappdaddy -

Just to be clear - the setting I suggested was for style only. There is no question that ring, as posted, would be out of your range. Which is why I suggested you go to David Klass, who is a very good, very well priced, and very loved vendor with people on Pricescope. You can see examples of his work *here*:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/[/URL]

In the scenario I suggested, I allowed around $2800 for your setting. I've done 3 projects with David, and none of them even began to approach $2800. Not even close. A halo, with diamonds down the shank, would be more expensive that what I paid for my rings, but I still firmly believe it would be within your budget, and it's easy to get creative with a ring like this for cost-cutting measures; the shank (band) of the ring, for example, has diamonds on three sides. If the quote is above budget it's easy to do the diamonds only on the top, which is what you'd be looking at anyway. The ring I suggested was an example of something that COULD easily be modified to fit your needs within your budget. If you did the side stones so they only went, say, only half way around the ring, the ring COULD be sized to fit.

However, given the problems with the size of asschers, a halo is an obvious option, which you're not sure she'd enjoy. And I understand that you aren't sure of her ring size (tho I suspect guessing a 6 that you're probably within a size of it). Which begs the question - would it be a better option to bring her into the process? Or - the old standby idea - which is to buy the stone and give that to her when you propose, but go setting shopping together after that? It's often suggested on these boards that the purchaser by a cheap setting and put the diamond in it, with the offer to upgrade later. I wouldn't suggest that here, as, even with a very simple solitaire, you'd still be looking at roughly 10% of your entire budget - and that's a lot of money to buy just to throw away later.

Re her dislike of the Zales ring - the members here virtually never suggest buying a ring from Zales due to their uniformly poor quality - both in melee (the tiny side stones they use) and their cheaply produced settings. It's entirely possible that she disliked the ring due to its poor quality, rather than it's style. I can assure you that many women here would be unimpressed by a Zales halo style ring also. And do keep in mind that asscher stones really lend themselves to halos due to their architectural nature. Zales halos with round diamonds generally have the center diamond shoved into a setting which wasn't made for that specific diamond. So they often look a little 'off'.

But moving on to the Leon Mege ring you posted....

Yes, the LM setting would chew up more of your budget than was necessary. But David Klass could reproduce something very similar to this, and also to a very high standard. You can also get rings of this style not custom made, but made to a much better standard than a chain like Zales. If you want the ladies here to try to find you something that is close to this in a pre-made form, say the word! :)

Be aware, tho, you will need to keep the color of your stone whiter if you go this route as you'll be able to see the stone from all angles, and tint is generally first seen from the side of a diamond, which in a setting like this will be exposed. In this scenario I'd be looking definitely no lower than an H in color - and preferably a G, and still in the VS range.

Hope this helps!
 
mns12|1436991408|3903221 said:
Niel|1436989492|3903194 said:
This!

https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/shop-now/asscher-cut-halo-engagement-ring-detail

HE DOES NOT ACCEPT RETURNS SO THINK CAREFUL OR SEE IT IN PERSON
But its a 5.5 asscher in a Leon setting and he has been none to take 75% of asking price in offers

Seriously?!?

Known*

Example


[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-3-carat-pad-maybe-i-made-a-mistake.213543/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-3-carat-pad-maybe-i-made-a-mistake.213543/[/URL]
 
OP - how 'bout an L-VS1 Octavia??? in this platinum BE setting (modified for an asscher)? I think it would just about squeak in apx $7K, especially if you're okay with paying via bank wire ...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-95ct-l-vs1-octavia-diamond.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7B_xMION1k&list=UUCT1hf2Iqrhhv3NeUyyKn4Q&index=30

The 0.95ct Octavia faces up at 5.5mm square so IMHO definitely noticeable (especially with the rightly acclaimed Octavia performance), and if you're considering I/J asschers, I'm thinking an L-color Octavia could be a great option for you. But if size is top priority, likely you could find an I/J asscher close to 5.9/6mm square (I haven't looked at the diamond options suggested already)
 
marymm|1436992418|3903232 said:
OP - how 'bout an L-VS1 Octavia??? in this platinum BE setting (modified for an asscher)? I think it would just about squeak in apx $7K, especially if you're okay with paying via bank wire ...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-95ct-l-vs1-octavia-diamond.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7B_xMION1k&list=UUCT1hf2Iqrhhv3NeUyyKn4Q&index=30

The 0.95ct Octavia faces up at 5.5mm square so IMHO definitely noticeable (especially with the rightly acclaimed Octavia performance), and if you're considering I/J asschers, I'm thinking an L-color Octavia could be a great option for you. But if size is top priority, likely you could find an I/J asscher close to 5.9/6mm square (I haven't looked at the diamond options suggested already)

My concern with an Octavia is that they do not look like asschers in the way most people imagine them. I would not buy someone one if they were expecting a classic asscher.

I have a K ring and I'm inclined to say I feel the same way about the color L, I wouldn't buy it for someone if they didn't OK it first.

Just my thoughts. In general I like octavias.
 
Niel|1436989492|3903194 said:
This!

https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/shop-now/asscher-cut-halo-engagement-ring-detail

HE DOES NOT ACCEPT RETURNS SO THINK CAREFUL OR SEE IT IN PERSON
But its a 5.5 asscher in a Leon setting and he has been none to take 75% of asking price in offers

WOW! That would be a GREAT option for a top shelf ring at a doable price. Since he actually has a 'make me an offer i can't refuse' button, he's obviously open to some degree of negotiation, and $500 off a $7500 ring is not exorbitant in that situation. And at a size 5 3/4, I suspect he might be right in the ball park.

Would definitely explore this option further.

ETA I suspect a ring by Leon would address all the issues your girl may have had with the Zales ring. Just guessing here, of course, but a Leon Mege custom made ring, compared to a Zales ring, is a completely different animal.
 
mrs-blop|1436993133|3903236 said:
Niel|1436989492|3903194 said:
This!

https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/shop-now/asscher-cut-halo-engagement-ring-detail

HE DOES NOT ACCEPT RETURNS SO THINK CAREFUL OR SEE IT IN PERSON
But its a 5.5 asscher in a Leon setting and he has been none to take 75% of asking price in offers

WOW! That would be a GREAT option for a top shelf ring at a doable price. Since he actually has a 'make me an offer i can't refuse' button, he's obviously open to some degree of negotiation, and $500 off a $7500 ring is not exorbitant in that situation. And at a size 5 3/4, I suspect he might be right in the ball park.

Would definitely explore this option further.

ETA I suspect a ring by Leon would address all the issues your girl may have had with the Zales ring. Just guessing here, of course, but a Leon Mege custom made ring, compared to a Zales ring, is a completely different animal.

That pad example might be a an outlier, but I feel like Kenny did the math and he took an offer that was 33% off the list price. So offering say, 75% seems fair. Save the difference and have him make a matching w band

Again though, he doesn't take returns so tread lightly.
 
If you knew she liked halos that LM ring would be a great buy!
 
My ering is a very similar style, with a 6.1mm .95 OEC center - see my avatar, and a pic on my 5.5 finger below - it's delicate but decent finger coverage for a small center stone. Love bullet side stones but FYI they were apparently tricky to source in lower colors (my center is a low J, so we didn't want to go higher than I for the side stones ) and I had to have them custom cut from tapered baguettes.

_32417.jpg
 
tyty333|1436993855|3903239 said:
If you knew she liked halos that LM ring would be a great buy!


+1 that's a great find by Neil...
 
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