asscher help for newbie!

[bert1000]

Hi all,

I have spent the last 48 hours looking through this forum, and must say that I am very impressed by both the knowledge and genuine care people have shown to posters.

I have looked through many posts, but have not been able to pick out the recommended dimensions for an asscher? It seems like almost everyone says they need to see pictures, it can vary, etc. but at the same time I see people (strmrdr and others) sometimes make remarks that the table % looks too large, etc.

Even though I understand it is not a guarantee, can strmrdr and others give me the approx. depth, table, crown, etc dimensions they feel are more likely to yield a nice optical effect?

I looked at the following loose stones last week (info from the GIA cert):

1)

Square Emerald Cut
Size: 2.02
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Good
Florescence: none
Cutlet: None
Measurements are 6.96 mm x 6.90 mm x 4.72mm
Depth is 68.6%
Table is 62%
Cost: $20.5K

2)

Square Emerald Cut
Size: 2.01
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Good
Florescence: none
Cutlet: none
Measurements are 6.97 mm x 6.84 mm x 4.70mm
Depth is 68.7%
Table is 64%
Cost: $21.5K

Jeweler said both were "ideal" cut, and he picked these 2 out of 9 or so he pulled. Any comments based on this info (wish I had pics)?

Both looked pretty good to me, but not sure I really know what I''m looking for yet. I''m trying to get educated, as this is the biggest purchase I have made to date...

Thanks for your help!

 

[Gypsy]

"Good Symmetry" is BAD in step cuts. I'd shoot for excellent or at least VG symmetry. And your jeweler is wrong. There is no IDEAL standard. for asschers, so how can an asscher be "ideally" cut. And if there was... just on stats alone, these wouldn't hit mine. Especially with the symmetry issues.

My PERSONAL preferences, or rather what I would consider "ideal" specs are:

Table : 54-62
Depth 60-66
Polish/ Sym: EX/EX
Crown height over 13% but IDEALLY around 15% or higher.

What I'd be pretty happy with is:

same table. I like small tables.
Depth up to 70. Kills spread but can result in a lovely mile deep look.
VG/VG polish and sym (ONLY if I've seen magnified pics to judge the symmetry)
Crown height over 11%

 

[strmrdr]

ask too be shown why the symmetry got a "good" grade, it may or may not affect appearance.
When shopping in person its not really an issue as long as it can be shown too not effect face up appearance.
Both sets of numbers shown are fine.
they should have high enough crowns, the fire will tell.

beyond that look for a pleasing outline, even and bold patterns, fire in direct lighting.
When you see the one it will make your heart sing.

 

[strmrdr]

Here is a kicken 2.04 for reference:
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3598/

 

[bert1000]

The GOG stone does look very nice. Looks like this 2 carat ex/ex vs1 F is ~26.5K though. My budget is around $25K with setting. From your experience, do I need to adjust my expectations for a 2 carat vs1 or vs2 F or have you seen some nice ones in the $21-23K range?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 3/24/2008 8:44:10 PM
Author: bert1000

The GOG stone does look very nice. Looks like this 2 carat ex/ex vs1 F is ~26.5K though. My budget is around $25K with setting. From your experience, do I need to adjust my expectations for a 2 carat vs1 or vs2 F or have you seen some nice ones in the $21-23K range?

there is a rather large range of prices and quality the trick is too either buy the best from the better cutters which is more money or hunt thru the lower stones for the best of them.
Both can get you kicken stones one just takes more time for a little less money.
Take a look at the 2 that are coming in, you may have allready found the one.

I have noticed price creep on the best of them, cutters have noticed the demand for them and prices are creeping up over the lesser cut stones which makes it harder too go the second route than it used too be.