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Asscher Experts and lovers opinions needed

Karl_K said:
Hold it over a red or blue surface, preferably reflective. Mylar from a balloon glued to a business card is perfect. Hold the diamond a couple inches from the card.
The table of the diamond needs to be parallel with the card for best results.
Look at it from directly above the table of the diamond.
Don't wear clothing the same color.
Where you see that color in the stone is leakage, now tilt the stone slowly side to side.
Do the leaky areas quickly flash? If so good.
Now tilt the diamond the other way and check that also.
Move the diamond closer to the card, the perfect distance will vary by stone size the larger the diamond the closer it has to be to the Mylar. Repeat.

Now put the stone on your finger in a stone holder and look at the areas where you saw the leakage, does the diamond look overly dark in those areas?
Some leakage is normal, I don't worry about it much if it flashes quickly doesn't make the stone overly dark and helps form patterns and is relatively small.
Start at the outside and look towards the center of stone, does it have pleasing patterns.
Does light play across the stone as you move it?
View it under multiple lighting conditions and different viewing distances.

Have fun with it!
Click to expand...

Wanted to add a couple things.
Take a look at the crown height from the side.
You want a min of 10% crown height, 14+ is better.
Visually your not going to get that close so what to look for is that there is diamond above the girdle and it doesn't look overly flat on the top.

Check the p3 facets:
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/performance-and-p3-facets-discussion-about-step-cut-diamonds
The leakage tests above will show it but I wanted to specifically point it out.
 
rockysalamander said:
JBG just posted http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-41ct-royal-asscher-cut-diamond-gia-f-si1
Click to expand...
This is so ridiculously beautiful.
OP - Grace owns most of her stock except where it's on consignment and she's selling on behalf of so your jeweller is probably not likely to be able to get it in because it's not virtual stock. A Royal Asscher isn't that common and especially one so beautiful so it might well be worth you buying this directly and then getting him to set it for you. Check if maybe your deposit can be put towards the setting instead of the stone?
 
Buy graces stone, have it sent to your jeweler. Look at them both *before the three-day return period expires. Make your choice. Have jeweler make your setting.
 
**Minor Update**
I spoke to my jeweler about my concerns based on the photos and videos. I asked him to take another look and get his opinion. Him and his assistant both think there are no dark spots in this diamond. I added an additional video he took for me to the link I have posted that I think looks more promising. I am still going to see it on Friday morning and take it outside for some natural lighting and do Karl's tests.
 
SimoneDi said:
@JmeeMrie did you see the royal asscher which was posted? http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-41ct-royal-asscher-cut-diamond-gia-f-si1
This is an amazingly beautiful stone :love::love::love: it is just gorgeous, completely mesmerizing! Please buy it, even if it is just to compare, although I have a feeling you might want to keep it if you see it. I can't stop watching the video at JbG.
Click to expand...

I do think it's beautiful, but it doesn't pull me into it like this other stone does. I think I like the standard asscher look. I do love some nice windmills and and clipped corners, but I feel as though somehow the steps on the RA are not very .. crisp?
I also feel like I NEED to see this one again before I give up on it. I was very into this stone and excited when I left. I want to see if it was just intial excitement or if this is "the one"
 
JmeeMrie said:
I do think it's beautiful, but it doesn't pull me into it like this other stone does. I think I like the standard asscher look. I do love some nice windmills and and clipped corners, but I feel as though somehow the steps on the RA are not very .. crisp?
I also feel like I NEED to see this one again before I give up on it. I was very into this stone and excited when I left. I want to see if it was just intial excitement or if this is "the one"
Click to expand...

It is you who would wear it for a very long time, so you need to love it! See it again, if you still love it, you probably will have your answer.

P.S. The last vide appears to be clearer, although whoever is handling the stone needs to be more careful.
 
I'm rooting for you with this asscher, but I have to say that I'm seeing what looks like a big band of leakage. It looks to me like an entire square is black at the same time. I tried to grab some screenshots of what I am seeing to show you (and maybe get other's options too on if they think it's ok or a concern) but it was hard to catch it at the exact right moment; after looking at the photos, go back and watch the video and look for it yourself.

Two are from the front and one is from the back.
Screen Shot 2017-09-06 at 11.09.08 PM.png Screen Shot 2017-09-06 at 11.11.02 PM.png Screen Shot 2017-09-06 at 11.09.48 PM.png
 
The leakage from the back is normal. The table acts like huge open culet from some angles.
The other ones do show some leakage.
 
JmeeMrie said:
I feel as though somehow the steps on the RA are not very .. crisp?
Click to expand...

The RA. Octavia et al. are supremely precisely cut (one meaning of 'crisp') ... and ridiculeously bright. If you can see one, take a look. Even if you do not like the pattern, the brighteness is a standard for step cuts (or anything, IHMO).

The crisp-less-ness of RA pictures are reflections of each facet onto the others ... they are so strong (a chaleidoscope effect achievable ony in diamonds) that the camera makes them look almost as sharp as real facets (or... as slightly muddled real facets). The overall look is muddled.

Of course, reflections are not the real thing, in life - and in video - they move against the faceted pattern, change with light intensity, etc. Then again, of course they are there. The impression is of an - impossible object ...

It is possible to have the brighteness of RA without the 'muddle' (I am roll-eye-ing while writing this: the 'muddle' of secondary reflections is what the cut design labours to obtain - a cascade of light ... mesmerizing muddle) in a square step cut with the right proportions but small-ish windmills (corner facets) and a somewhat different make of the crown etc. I suspect this is what the 'Signature' WWW, is meant to do.

2c

_____
Footnote: somehow, I love the cascade of light in windmilled step-cuts (if one could step in !) & the step cuts that renounce it; the letter seem to be my ideal (bias beware) - along with a taste for few strokes in everything ...
 
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JmeeMrie said:
JmeeMrie
Click to expand...
I have looked at RA's and of course Octavia's
I have also loved many stones that would get knocked here for leakage.
Best advice I can give you is to put all this discussion aside when you go and look again with an open mind. No one here is in as good a position to evaluate as you are.
I appreciate what goes into Karl's test- but I have never had to use it when assessing an Asscher in real life.
Your eyes are your friend. Trust them.
 
They sometimes are hard to photograph well too. Wal Mart has the best lighting lol. I took a video while shopping there yesterday lol. (Got ultrasounic cleaner today so it looks even better today).

Screenshot: excuse my dry hands. (Doing an acid peel)
IMG_1747.jpg

Is it bright and lively when you look at it outside? Don't settle for an asscher. (I vote to buy the one Grace has!!)
 

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Some people prefer the larger flashes of a traditional Asscher over a RA or even an Octavia. There is nothing wrong with that!
The same way that some people prefer the classic large tabled EC with almost all large flashes and few smaller flashes.
I like em all in there own way when well cut.
That to say I don't like one more :D
Some stepcuts just have IT that makes people love them and that can't be shown in ASET and video.
 
whitewave said:
They sometimes are hard to photograph well too. Wal Mart has the best lighting lol. I took a video while shopping there yesterday lol. (Got ultrasounic cleaner today so it looks even better today).

Screenshot: excuse my dry hands. (Doing an acid peel)
IMG_1747.jpg

Is it bright and lively when you look at it outside? Don't settle for an asscher. (I vote to buy the one Grace has!!)
Click to expand...

I am not going to settle. I am going to go back and look and see for myself again and see how it looks to my eye. If I love it I will keep it. If not the search is on...
 
JmeeMrie said:
Thanks I appreciate that...
Click to expand...

JmeeMr
I am in your corner over this diamond! I KNOW all too well how you feel! My DH & I selected my EC with the naked eye; I didn't discover PS until AFTER we got married. We were extremely fortunate to find my diamond, and the price was amazing! "Uisce" was meant to be ours, and I couldn't imagine my life without her...in all seriousness. I stare at her constantly...all day long...every day...no joke. I find myself distracted frequently...lol! I love both of my rings, but "Uisce" sits at the helm, and steals the show! She even made it to JOTW, last month!! I was so excited, tears welled up in my eyes!
I do hope this Asscher speaks to you the way "Uisce" speaks to me. Good luck with your second consultation, and re-examination!! Fingers crossed!!! :mrgreen2:
Here is my thread dedicated to my precious EC:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/meet-uisce.231677/
I hope you will be inspired, and feel the love from my post!! This is an exciting moment in your life!! Enjoy it!!! ;)2
 
Karl_K said:
Hold it over a red or blue surface, preferably reflective. Mylar from a balloon glued to a business card is perfect. Hold the diamond a couple inches from the card.
The table of the diamond needs to be parallel with the card for best results.
Look at it from directly above the table of the diamond.
Don't wear clothing the same color.
Where you see that color in the stone is leakage, now tilt the stone slowly side to side.
Do the leaky areas quickly flash? If so good.
Now tilt the diamond the other way and check that also.
Move the diamond closer to the card, the perfect distance will vary by stone size the larger the diamond the closer it has to be to the Mylar. Repeat.

Now put the stone on your finger in a stone holder and look at the areas where you saw the leakage, does the diamond look overly dark in those areas?
Some leakage is normal, I don't worry about it much if it flashes quickly doesn't make the stone overly dark and helps form patterns and is relatively small.
Start at the outside and look towards the center of stone, does it have pleasing patterns.
Does light play across the stone as you move it?
View it under multiple lighting conditions and different viewing distances.

Have fun with it!
Click to expand...

No color head on... but if I look from an angle either my eyes or the diamond I see color.. is that an issue..? Also the center absolutely does light up.. I need to take it outside though.
 
JmeeMrie said:
No color head on... but if I look from an angle either my eyes or the diamond I see color.. is that an issue..? Also the center absolutely does light up.. I need to take it outside though.
Click to expand...
I just took it outside and it did really light up. Sequential broad flashes all the way down.. hopefully I can capture it in pictures some day but if not then I'll have to settle with it's in person loveliness..
 
JmeeMrie said:
I just took it outside and it did really light up. Sequential broad flashes all the way down.. hopefully I can capture it in pictures some day but if not then I'll have to settle with it's in person loveliness..
Click to expand...
She's a keeper?! :mrgreen2:
 
Congratulations!!
Enjoy your new beauty
 
JmeeMrie said:
No color head on... but if I look from an angle either my eyes or the diamond I see color.. is that an issue..? Also the center absolutely does light up.. I need to take it outside though.
Click to expand...
that is normal.
Congrates sounds like you found a good one!
 
JmeeMrie said:
Yes. Definitely :D... so much stress over nothing.. now I get to work on the setting :tongue:
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I am SOOOO EXCITED!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! WELCOME TO THE "STEP-CUT CLUB"!!!! :wavey:
After you get her set, post photos, and share her, you MUST CREAT A THREAD...AND NAME HER!!!
I can't WAIT!!! :mrgreen2:
 
Matthews1127 said:
I am SOOOO EXCITED!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! WELCOME TO THE "STEP-CUT CLUB"!!!! :wavey:
After you get her set, post photos, and share her, you MUST CREAT A THREAD...AND NAME HER!!!
I can't WAIT!!! :mrgreen2:
Click to expand...

Looking forward to it! I have gotten so much inspiration for my setting I'm excited really to see it come together... Although my boyfriend knowing how picky I am decided to have me pick everything out so I love it but he hasn't proposed yet so I have to wait even after it's done! :-o
 
JmeeMrie said:
Looking forward to it! I have gotten so much inspiration for my setting I'm excited really to see it come together... Although my boyfriend knowing how picky I am decided to have me pick everything out so I love it but he hasn't proposed yet so I have to wait even after it's done! :-o
Click to expand...
...and, so the suspense builds... o_O
 
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