Asscher cut Black Diamond?

[Zoe00]

I am utterly overwhelmed by trying to find an e-ring!

I want to design something unique, that suits her personality. I was thinking of using white gold, then wanted to use about a 1ct. black diamond with diamond chips/baguettes or some setting on the sides. She told me she loves an asscher, but it is pointless on a black diamond? Is a black diamond pointless in general? Is 1 ct. too small to appreciate that shape? I want to get this right, but would love to incorporate her favorite cut. Would it make more sense to use a 1ct regular diamond, then black diamonds on the sides?

Is there a consensus of the best cut to use on a black diamond?

Please help!

 

[hoorray]

Do you know that she likes black diamonds? You are trying to buy the perfect ring for her to wear everyday, forever. I don't think I would want a black diamond for my e-ring -- maybe for a different piece. I'd recommend that you make sure this is what she wants if you want to go this way. It is unique, which is always nice, but not if it ends up being just something unique, and not her dream.

Also, try running some searches on black diamonds. I seem to remember some discussion a while ago, but don't personally know enough about them to be helpful.

 

[PlatinumDiamond]

From what I recall about black diamonds is that finding one that doesn't show inclusions is rare. Thing with black, inclusions I think would really stand out. Don't want to sound prejudicial, but I think black diamonds are suited more for men anyway. Just my opinion but to each their own.

 

[valeria101]

Black diamonds...

While I like black gems, black diamonds are on the bottom of my list: they are structurally unsuitable for fine cutting. The material itself is prone to chipping and fracturing so much, that cutting facets and polishing can barely be done to any acceptable standard, and even then "acceptable" means "somewhat acceptable". Some black diamonds are heated or otherwise enhanced to better their durability and make then suitable for better cutting, but the results are highly variable - to say the least. While the small sizes are fashionable (and more feasible than big ones), relatively big blacks get industrial uses.

Black spinel and black sapphire do take cutting well, black diamonds do not. Black diamonds are rarely monocrystals (as the gem whites and other colors) - they are masses of poorly formed crystals with crevices and fractures among them. This is what makes them unsuitable for faceting. Even if they have better crystalline structure, the "blackness" is caused by myriads of black inclusions which make the material brittle. Some blacks are better than others, but not much. The material is cheap (by any gem standards) for a good reason indeed.

As you may know, black diamonds are opaque: at beast they look like Onyx or such - and what cut is more suitable for such a material is purely a mater of choice. Black diamonds hardly get polished as well as any other black or opaque gem material: so aside of their inbuilt lack of sparkle, they do not shine either. If you really want a well cut and polished black, it will take some time to find the oddball and the self-hating cutter to attempt getting done, I can assure you.

I think somewhere on the site of diamondrough.com there is a black square cut, as well as a well-polished little round (and I have not encountered many of those).

There some related material you may want to consider as a unique design statement, still involving unusual diamonds - but some with decent gem characteristics (= that would take gem-like cut and polish well). Gray diamonds fit the bill, so do dark champagne (C6-C7). These are inexpensive compared to their white brethren, but diamonds and gems all the way.

If you choose to pursue this project after getting some more info on the material, I would be quite interested to hear about. Until present, my own search for a pair of black diamonds worthy or being called gems, ended up with a pair of black spinels...

 

[Hest88]

I don't think this is a really good idea. As Valeria said, a black diamond looks like onyx, so it's going to be a far cry from what she wanted. If she's a really modern gal you can get a really modern setting. Perhaps you can even flank the center stone with black diamonds. However, if she wants an asscher or square emerald cut, then you should probably stick to a traditional diamond.

 

[PlatinumDiamond]

One thing to remember, a diamond is a girls best friend! Get the right one, the right color for her!

 

[Zoe00]

Thanks so much for all of your input - I think I just needed someone to tell me that it's not the best idea, and I think you all are right.

I probably will go with an asscher diamond, and keep the colors on the side (if at all).

Thanks again for taking the time, and on to the next...

PS - If anyone has any interesting ideas for interesting stones/designs, I'd love to hear them!

Z

 

[Zoe00]

Oh, and lest you think I'm crazy, it's not really an "e-ring" in the traditional sense, more of a ring to signify things to come...

 

[Griffin]

I'm a huge fan of black diamonds, but I have to agree all the above information is pretty much correct. Most are not what you are looking for.
Extremely good black diamond crystals are difficult to find and very expensive. There is actually at least one cut designed specifically for premium black diamonds, but I do not know the name of it. I own one, and it has much more weight above the girdle than a normal round, with a completely different facet structure and no table. The stone is also very shallow, leaving much less weight in the pavilion. The cut was designed to maximize diameter and light reflection off the surface, as nothing else is significant in an opaque stone.
Unfortunately, most blacks I see are a traditional cut, which is pointless in a black.

Black sapphire is another option, and another one of my favorites. It has a number of advantages - you might look into it as well if you are hooked on black stones...

 

[valeria101]

Griffin, could the cut you mention be called "the dome cut" ? Your description correspondes to a certain shape I was offered from Indian suppliers a while (less than two years) ago. As far as I remember, the maker was trying to patent it but I have not heard about this cut since.

As for the main question of the thread... I could not agree more that a white asscher (branded or not) would look great with some, say fancy yellow sides (perhaps trapezoids or some other such cut). A little Royal Asscher (little being way under 1ct) between two fancy blue trilliants made a great, unusual ring (I believe it was still online at jewelryexpert.com last time I checked).

 

[valeria101]

Some squares with colores sides (from jewelryexpert) and HERE resides one more ring with a white center and yellow sides

Hope you like!