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Advice on asschers

Asscherseeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 29, 2020
Messages
7
Hi all!

I'm new to diamonds and am looking for an asscher for an engagement ring. I've fallen in love with the cut, but am having a hard time finding a really well-cut stone with lots of fire. I'm particularly interested in one with a more octagonal shape -- wider corners/bigger windmill -- and those proportions seem to be quite rare. I had found a couple potential contenders on James Allen and Blue Nile, but they all had pretty poor ASET images so I ended up ruling them out. Looking for something approximately 2-2.5 carats, H or up, eye clean, up to around $25,000.

I've been so impressed by all the wisdom on this forum and was hoping you all might have ideas of where to look. Open to either buying a stone as is or having something custom cut (if that's a realistic option in my price range). Do you have suggestions for dealers or cutters who specialize in asschers? What type of markup should I expect for a custom cut?

One seller suggested re-cutting the corners of an existing stone. In your experience, is that a good option? I don't want to risk compromising the quality of the cut and ending up stuck with something that doesn't turn out well if I go that route.

Would appreciate any and all thoughts!!

Thank you!
 

Asscherseeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 29, 2020
Messages
7
Thank you for sending! That one could be a good option!
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
is this engagement ring for yourself or your partner?

if your partner, has s/he stated that teh asscher is teh stone for the engagement ring? Its tough to judge as most will go with the usual roudn stone. :)
 

monipod

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
1,041
Everyone’s idea of a perfect Asscher differs and they do not have the perfect number to work with! With your budget you could approach Yoram (Gem Concepts) about getting an Octavia cut. They are not octagonal but the facets... You could look at Royal Asschers too. Might be more 2 carat than 2.5 but those cuts will guarantee a lot of sparkle. Oh I wish!!
 

beatricecrummles

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 25, 2020
Messages
44
Hi, I can't wait to see the design of your sought asscher ring. :)
 

Asscherseeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 29, 2020
Messages
7
Everyone’s idea of a perfect Asscher differs and they do not have the perfect number to work with! With your budget you could approach Yoram (Gem Concepts) about getting an Octavia cut. They are not octagonal but the facets... You could look at Royal Asschers too. Might be more 2 carat than 2.5 but those cuts will guarantee a lot of sparkle. Oh I wish!!

Thank you for the suggestions!! Planning to reach out to Yoram. Does anyone here have a sense of how his prices compare to generic stones? I'd expect some amount of increase, but would love a sense of how dramatic it would be.

I'll definitely look at Royal Asschers. I think overall I prefer them to Octavias, although the light return on the Octavias looks pretty phenomenal.
 

Asscherseeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 29, 2020
Messages
7
Hi, I can't wait to see the design of your sought asscher ring. :)

Will definitely post pictures when I have it finished! I'm thinking a yellow gold setting (possibly with white gold prongs) and two horizontal baguettes.
 

Asscherseeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 29, 2020
Messages
7
is this engagement ring for yourself or your partner?

if your partner, has s/he stated that teh asscher is teh stone for the engagement ring? Its tough to judge as most will go with the usual roudn stone. :)

It's for me =)2

Just got engaged, but my fiance and I agreed beforehand that I'd pick out the ring myself once we were engaged. He knows I have very particular taste haha
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
I think if you can afford to have something by yoram, go for it. antique (generic) asscher cuts are my thing.... i have a generic asscher before i knew about the antique cuts.
I am not great at searching for stones, but i know others here are and hoping to chime in to get you in the right direction.

Octavias are a sight to behold, but good/ great generic asschers get me all. the. time.
RA are great too. but iwll come at a premium because of the name and of course the cut.

Jonathan used to be at GOG and finds the most amazing stones...but he no longer works there.
are you on IG/ insta? If you search on IG, there is icerock that will def find you something. he does have an eye for great performing stones, and asschers are his thing! his bench are amazing too.

I can't wait to work with his team... need a project, need a project! LOLOLOL
 

Asscherseeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 29, 2020
Messages
7
I think if you can afford to have something by yoram, go for it. antique (generic) asscher cuts are my thing.... i have a generic asscher before i knew about the antique cuts.
I am not great at searching for stones, but i know others here are and hoping to chime in to get you in the right direction.

Octavias are a sight to behold, but good/ great generic asschers get me all. the. time.
RA are great too. but iwll come at a premium because of the name and of course the cut.

Jonathan used to be at GOG and finds the most amazing stones...but he no longer works there.
are you on IG/ insta? If you search on IG, there is icerock that will def find you something. he does have an eye for great performing stones, and asschers are his thing! his bench are amazing too.

I can't wait to work with his team... need a project, need a project! LOLOLOL

This is really helpful, thank you for the lead!

Debating whether RAs are worth the premium; it looks like I'd have to go well under 2 carat to stay in budget. Probably a really great generic makes the most sense.
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
8,228
RAs only really seem to make sense financially if you can find a secondhand one - otherwise they are very expensive!

Yoram is also 'not cheap' - but then an Octavia takes a week(!) to cut, so you are paying for the craftsmanship in such a stone :)
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
Here some pics of IG icerock_diamonds stuff, and he works with any budget.
 

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gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
And Adam at old world diamonds also has some

this one is 8ct... hehehe. 9F319071-95B3-4C7A-928B-4288277F5871.jpeg
 

Big Fat Facets

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2019
Messages
1,468
@Asscherseeker

i'd like to share with you some of my opinions about asscher cut, square emerald cut diamonds ...

first of all, i think they are really beautifully mesmerizing. i adore ALL step cut diamonds. i find them immensely appealing.

personally, i do not favor royal asscher over a superbly cut classic asscher/square emerald. i prefer the larger and fewer facet pattern and styling of a well cut classic asscher.

from your prefered specifications and budget, i would encourage you to contact jonathan at distinctive gems.

best of luck
 

lissyflo

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 23, 2016
Messages
1,719
@Asscherseeker

from your prefered specifications and budget, i would encourage you to contact jonathan at distinctive gems.

best of luck

I think he runs a concierge service on stones from Blue Nile and James Allen. There’s info on his website about the process, if it’s still in operation. It could help you get a cracking generic stone at maximum size (if that’s what you’re after), rather than paying a premium for a specialist cut.
 
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