Asscher help

[helbent]

Hey all,

I have been lurking on these forums for a few weeks now attempting to absorb as much info as possible but I think my brain has reached capacity and I need to start taking a more pro-active approach, so here I am.

At this point in time the only thing I know for sure is that my girlfriend made quite a scene the last time we were at the mall over a Royal Asscher that she saw in a ring at Neiman Marcus. So I know I want an asscher, and most likely will end up with a royal (I have read through many of the royal vs. "generic" debates and to be quite honest am totally lost, but I know I am willing to pay the premium for a royal if I can find the right stone) I know I''m looking for a stone in the 1-2 ct range and that''s about as far as I''ve gotten.

I''ve been having a tough time even finding any loose Royal Asscher stones to look at, so I was hoping I could garner some help in finding places to look!

Also, other than the information I''ve gathered on good depth/table %s, what else should I be looking for in a stone beyond the 4cs? Like what ranges should I be considering in color/clarity to maximize budget without sacrificing the look of the stone?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Ellen]

Hi hb,

Here''s their website. I tried to link you to specific dealers, but it wouldn''t work. Just click United States, then Stores up at the top.

http://www.royalasscher.com/


As for color and clarity, color is somewhat personal. Some want the icier whiteness of the colorless, some prefer, or don''t mind, a slightly lower color. I would say the G,H area would be fine for still appearing very white and would help keep cost down. However, there are some on here with I and J Asschers who are very happy. (if you do a search you should find some threads with pics) It all depends on how color sensitive your gal is, or what she doesn''t mind. Obviously the lower in color you go, the bigger the stone you can get and/or save some money.

For clarity, to be eyeclean, you''re most likely looking at VS2 and up. Step cuts, as you may have read, show inclusions more easily.There is the rare SI1 that people find once in awhile, but that doesn''t happen too often.

I hope this helped, and your gal has great taste!

 

[lovewhitediamonds]

I am also big on Symmetry and Polish being VG or better on Asschers, table under 64%, and nothing lower than G color.... but that''s totally personal preference.

When I was on my asscher hunt I saw a 1ct Royal E VS1 for $94,000

-- thus I opted for a 4ct generic!

FYI: Mednikow in Atlanta has access to Royals

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/22/2008 10:06:48 AM
Author: lovewhitediamonds
I am also big on Symmetry and Polish being VG or better on Asschers, table under 64%, and nothing lower than G color.... but that''s totally personal preference.

When I was on my asscher hunt I saw a 1ct Royal E VS1 for $94,000

-- thus I opted for a 4ct generic!

FYI: Mednikow in Atlanta has access to Royals

Hi love.

I''m curious, would/do real RA''s have less than that?

 

[helbent]

Great! Thank you both for the help! I have another question though (sorry this is all very new to me). What is the best process for finding RAs and having an opportunity to look at them if I do not have a dealer near me? Or if I have a dealer near me but what they have in stock is either out of my price range or otherwise not what I am looking for?

Also, does anyone have any recommendation on a jeweler for having a custom ring/setting made? I know that is an entirely different process, but I really don''t even know where to start.

 

[Ellen]

Well, if you have a dealer near you, you can have them call in stones that fit your requirements. But be sure to find out ahead of time what their policy is on that. Some charge a shipping fee if you don't like it and they have to send it back, others don't.

If you are not near one, you could ask if they would send it to an independant appraiser, that is someone who does NOT sell jewelry. Then you could go to the appraisers and see it, if close enough. If you're not close enough, you'd have to work with them by phone. Where are you located, if you don't mind saying.

There are many great vendors to go to for a setting. If you could describe what you're after, and budget (even approx), it might help narrow things down. Plus, you might be near one.

And you're welcome!

 

[helbent]

Wow! I am in the SF Bay Area in California and quite honestly have never done any jewelry shopping for a "big-ticket" item like this so I have no clue what the jeweler/appraiser situation is here, but that''s what google is for! So I will see what I can find in the area!

As for the ring itself, I know my girlfriend is not a fan of yellow gold, so I was leaning towards platinum as she really likes another piece of jewelry that I got her that was platinum. Something pretty simple for the setting, just the one stone but also some "flash" that will really make it unique. I am estimating that I will have about 2-3k for the ring, but that could go up or down depending on what the diamond ends up costing me. Thank you again for all your help!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/22/2008 12:17:55 PM
Author: helbent
Wow! I am in the SF Bay Area in California and quite honestly have never done any jewelry shopping for a 'big-ticket' item like this so I have no clue what the jeweler/appraiser situation is here, but that's what google is for! So I will see what I can find in the area!

As for the ring itself, I know my girlfriend is not a fan of yellow gold, so I was leaning towards platinum as she really likes another piece of jewelry that I got her that was platinum. Something pretty simple for the setting, just the one stone but also some 'flash' that will really make it unique. I am estimating that I will have about 2-3k for the ring, but that could go up or down depending on what the diamond ends up costing me. Thank you again for all your help!

Here's a list of Pricescope CA appraisers. (they tend to be a bit more familiar with certain things)

https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers_CA.aspx


And here is a jeweler in CA that gets good reviews from posters. I'm not sure how close they are, or aren't to you.

http://www.joeescobar.com/contact.jsp


Also, this one is in LA I believe, and she gets rave reviews.

http://maytalhannah.com/


Other vendors to consider would be:

Whiteflash

Goodoldgold

Engagementringsdirect

Winfield's

James Allen

If you do a search on here for each vendor, you'll get lots of info and pics.

 

[helbent]

Wow lots of info! Thank you very much I will go investigate and make some initial contacts and see where things go!

 

[Devlgrl2000]

Helbent,
We''re currently working on a custom ring with a company called Hand in Hand Designs in SF. These guys are fantastic, and the owner Marc has quite a love of asschers.
http://www.handinhandsf.com/
Good luck!
Jenn&Jesse

 

[helbent]

Wow! I will definitely look into them! Thanks!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/22/2008 4:10:48 PM
Author: helbent
Wow lots of info! Thank you very much I will go investigate and make some initial contacts and see where things go!

You''re welcome. Let us know how things go, we love to hear about the process and we''re here to help if you have any other questions. And I''m particularly fond of Asschers, so I really would like to see the finished product!

 

[helbent]

Well, as I was searching around I stumbled on a RA! The stone is a little out of my price range, but close enough that I can swing it. I submitted a request for more information, but it''s a 1.84ct, F, vvs2 with excellent symmetry and polish, 53% table and 70% depth. Did I get really lucky stumbling into this? Or am I just overexcited about the whole process and thinking things look better than they are?

pics to follow...

 

[helbent]

#1

 

[helbent]

#2!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I think it looks fantastic!! I love it! Those lovely small tables on a royal make me swoon EVERY time!