Asscher fans, lend me your eyes (and opinions)

[sine23]

Alright friends, let me start by saying that I could never have made it this far without the great advice and knowledge that''s already been shared in this forum. It''s really encouraging to know that there''s such a generous, helpful community willing to help with this huge purchase.

I''ve got two Asscher cut diamonds that I''m considering. I think I know the answers based on my reading in the forums and Storm''s excellent article about P3 angles, but I thought I''d see what you all think. Here''s the details:

Asscher 1

Weight: 1.58
Width: 6.41 mm
Length: 6.41 mm
L/W: 1.00
Table: 63%
Depth: 68.3%
Pavilion Depth: 51.5%
Crown Height: 13.1%
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Fluor: None
VG/VG
SI1

 

[sine23]

Here''s the second one:

Asscher 2

Weight: 1.73
Width: 6.58 mm
Length: 6.81 mm
L/W: 1.03
Table: 55.1%
Depth: 69.1%
Pavilion Depth: 50.3%
Crown Height: 15.7%
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Fluor: Faint
EX/VG
VS1

 

[strmrdr]

first one is decent cut wise if you like the narrow windmills and contrasty look.
Not the best but not ugly either.
Is it eyeclean? very few si1''s are.

Second has less than optimal p3 angles.

 

[sine23]

Here''s what I can see based on what I''ve learned from you guys.

#1 has a couple inclusions in the left center of the table (maybe not surprising given the SI1 clarity?). It''s got strong contrast on the patterns, although for some reason they don''t look even. Windmills look to be decent size but why do the patterns not look consistent between them? Is that a problem? Center looks dark, but I''m not sure if it''s too dark and it seems like there''s nice contrast there.

#2 looks duller than #1, could that be the faint fluorescence? Windmills seem to have nice consistent patterns, but the center looks way dark. Is this a P3 angle problem?

Given everything I know from these boards, it seems like neither one is a keeper (which sortof bums me out as the search has been going on for a while). What do you all think?

 

[sine23]

Wow Storm you beat me to my analysis post

Is #1''s highly contrasty look due to the 5 steps on the pavilion? Does the darkness in the center trouble you?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 8/14/2008 11:05:38 PM
Author: sine23
Here''s what I can see based on what I''ve learned from you guys.


#1 has a couple inclusions in the left center of the table (maybe not surprising given the SI1 clarity?). It''s got strong contrast on the patterns, although for some reason they don''t look even. Windmills look to be decent size but why do the patterns not look consistent between them? Is that a problem? Center looks dark, but I''m not sure if it''s too dark and it seems like there''s nice contrast there.


#2 looks duller than #1, could that be the faint fluorescence? Windmills seem to have nice consistent patterns, but the center looks way dark. Is this a P3 angle problem?


Given everything I know from these boards, it seems like neither one is a keeper (which sortof bums me out as the search has been going on for a while). What do you all think?

First diamond is tilted in the pics. That''s why the windmills appear uneven. With the smallish bright area in the center larger windmills would help.
Are the inclusions eye visible?

The black center in the aset and the dark center in the regular picture is the p3 angle problem in the second. You are right.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 8/14/2008 11:08:11 PM
Author: sine23
Wow Storm you beat me to my analysis post


Is #1's highly contrasty look due to the 5 steps on the pavilion? Does the darkness in the center trouble you?

# of steps doesn't matter much its all in the angles. They can all look like each other regardless of # of facets.
Ideally it could be a bit brighter center to improve its looks.

 

[strmrdr]

faint fluorescence has no effect its all in the cut.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

What is the color for both? I can't tell if there is a little bit of warmth in the first stone or if that is a reflection of something?

I actually really like the pattern/windmills of #1. I usually love larger windmills (though my own are small), but this stone looked great to me. The issue is that the inclusion jumped out at me right away...there's no hiding it. Inclusions in step cuts are a pain--when my stone is super clean and the light is just right, I can see the inclusion in my VS2. This inclusion just takes away from the pattern, though, because it's right smack dab in the middle of the table.

Was #2 taken at a bad angle? It seems rectangular and the pattern is just kind of dull? Strange because the numbers for #2 look really good. I'm not sure if it's just the picture?

 

[sine23]

Whoops, forgot to include color.

Asscher #1 is an F and

Asscher #2 is a G.

Storm: Well, I''ve successfully used your P3 article and your multiple responses to other shoppers to at least get in the ballpark of understanding Asscher performance

. Thanks for your continued input!

NELady: Yeah, the inclusion definitely jumped at me from the photo, but no idea if it''s visible in a normal setting. Because of the location, I have a feeling I''ll always be looking for/at it. When I saw the pic of #2 I assumed it was just a bad photo (and I''ve asked for some additional photos) but seeing the ASET''s significant dark spot in the center made me think that the dull look of #2 might be because it isn''t returning its light in the center.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Ah, definitely a reflection, then! That would make sense since the top of the stone seemed very white.

I still find it odd after looking at tons of pictures of asschers and trying to analyze the numbers, some just jump out at you more than others. The inclusion you''d just have to see--when it''s maginified it''s hard to get a feel for what it looks like in real life. Pretty stones, though! Good luck!

 

[Headshrinx]

Sine, what vendor are those stones from anyway?

 

[sine23]

Sorry for the late response, I had a computer problem over the weekend.

Both of these stones are at Whiteflash. They don''t show up in a search of the website, but in talking to Sheerah (a sales person at WF who has been awesome to work with) she found them in the WF inventory.