Asscher Diamond Info Wanted

[FishInSea]

Hello, I am considering purchasing an asscher engagement ring for my gf and have a few questions. I have bolded them below to make them easier to pick out.

I have read some past posts on asscher diamonds on here and think I should ideally be looking for an diamond with an excellent cut, VS1 or better, D color or better, and with a table of less than 63% (according to the resident expert strmrdr). Is this accurate and are there any other specs I should be looking for.

I’d like to get a 2 ct or larger diamond and my price range is around $15,000 - $18,000. Is this doable?

I also know I should also request certain types of images from online vendors so I can post on here to have the forum experts weigh in. What types of images should I ask for?

Below is a list of online vendors I have seen on here. Does this list look complete?

http://www.exceldiamonds.com
http://www.signedpieces.com
http://www.whiteflash.com
http://www.goodoldgold.com

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi! I will try to answer some of your questions!

First, no, you absolutely do not need to only look for D color. You won't be able to get 2 cts in a D VS1 in the budget you mention. I have a smaller asscher in a right hand ring, and I will say that D-G is going to be considered white. G is the top of the near colorless range. I have an H color asscher and it is still fine to me. Others have even lower colors and are happy with them. But I might focus on F-G if you think you are color sensitive. But I think you may be looking at under 2 cts. I personally prefer VS1 or higher for an asscher just because I think you can see inclusions more easily in them than a round, for example, but there might be a good VS2, also.

My table is around 58 and I love it. So I would consider 63 a maximum and would aim closer to 60, personally. But don't let that be a sticking point, because what you are looking for is a beautifully cut stone.

I highly recommend Good Old Gold for an asscher purchase because they pick great ones to choose from. When I recently was looking for an asscher to fit a setting for a right hand ring, they called in some asschers and made a video for me to help me choose. Here is the video. You can see how different the stones were and that a couple were superior to the others. You only need to work with one vendor because any of them would be calling in stones for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7SBfNGxTFE&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=2

Beautiful asscher at 2 cts but I VS1 at $15k:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10501/

You need to know that asschers face up small compared to rounds. A halo setting can really enhance the size.

 

[FishInSea]

Thanks for the response! I meant to put G not D. No way I'd be able to afford a 2ct D! Thanks for the info on the table. Do you have any recommendations on the crown height and l/w ratio?

She definitely wants a halo on the ring. She prefers antique type settings which is why I think an Asscher would work well.