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Asscher or Princess - Please Help

K

KL777

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 10, 2015
Messages
17
I am getting ready to purchase an engagement ring, but I am the type of person that always resents a purchase unless I feel I got a fair deal. Diamonds can be tricky so I am in need of some expert advice.

Ideally I want to stay under 6k for the setting and stone. I have already found an ideal setting that I like at Zales for around 1k so I have about 5k for the stone. I am looking at either an asscher or princess cut. She really likes the asscher, but I hear they look smaller than the princess and I really want to get her a good size. I am looking for a stone around 1.25 ct. The setting is a simple thin band paved with circle stone diamonds and features the solitaire rock.

I really just want to get the best bang for my buck. With that said I know that cut is the most important, so do I go with a "Very Good" cut or drop down to around 1 ct. and get an "Ideal Cut". Can I get away with Very Good? Are there certain dimensions, i.e. table and depth I should go by here?

I am not reluctant to buy online, but I feel like you will never know unless you see it in person and that is the appeal of going to a store to compare, but I also want to maximize value. I am just looking for advice here, any and all would be greatly appreciated.
 
HI:

Welcome.

Since you want to see stones IRL, and have already found a setting at Zales what did they show you for center diamonds?

Do Zales sell their settings separately? Who do you plan on having set your diamond--assuming you buy setting and center diamond separately?

Incidentally "ideal" cut terminology isn't used with asscher's.

PS Whiteflash has a good selection of their brand called "A Cut Above Princess" diamonds so I would look there. High Performance Diamonds also has beautifully cut Princess diamonds but sadly, none in your budget.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx

cheers--Sharon
 
canuk-gal|1431277914|3874832 said:
HI:

Welcome.

Since you want to see stones IRL, and have already found a setting at Zales what did they show you for center diamonds?

Do Zales sell their settings separately? Who do you plan on having set your diamond--assuming you buy setting and center diamond separately?

Incidentally "ideal" cut terminology isn't used with asscher's.

PS Whiteflash has a good selection of their brand called "A Cut Above Princess" diamonds so I would look there. High Performance Diamonds also has beautifully cut Princess diamonds but sadly, none in your budget.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx

cheers--Sharon
Click to expand...

Hi Sharon,

Zales didn't have any stones on hand for me to look at that day. It was quite late and they were closing. Upon looking online I found this setting at James Allen that is ideal to what I want and am thinking about buying today since it will be 15% off: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49519

Would it be safe for me to match one of their loose stones to this setting? I don't have to see stones IRL if I know I will be getting a good value. If I play it safe and go princess, what should I look for spec wise?
 
KL777|1431279411|3874838 said:
canuk-gal|1431277914|3874832 said:
HI:

Welcome.

Since you want to see stones IRL, and have already found a setting at Zales what did they show you for center diamonds?

Do Zales sell their settings separately? Who do you plan on having set your diamond--assuming you buy setting and center diamond separately?

Incidentally "ideal" cut terminology isn't used with asscher's.

PS Whiteflash has a good selection of their brand called "A Cut Above Princess" diamonds so I would look there. High Performance Diamonds also has beautifully cut Princess diamonds but sadly, none in your budget.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx

cheers--Sharon
Click to expand...

Hi Sharon,

Zales didn't have any stones on hand for me to look at that day. It was quite late and they were closing. Upon looking online I found this setting at James Allen that is ideal to what I want and am thinking about buying today since it will be 15% off: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49519

Would it be safe for me to match one of their loose stones to this setting? I don't have to see stones IRL if I know I will be getting a good value. If I play it safe and go princess, what should I look for spec wise?
Click to expand...



Nice setting, but is designed for a round brilliant diamond. What metal are you looking for?
 
canuk-gal|1431279838|3874844 said:
KL777|1431279411|3874838 said:
canuk-gal|1431277914|3874832 said:
HI:

Welcome.

Since you want to see stones IRL, and have already found a setting at Zales what did they show you for center diamonds?

Do Zales sell their settings separately? Who do you plan on having set your diamond--assuming you buy setting and center diamond separately?

Incidentally "ideal" cut terminology isn't used with asscher's.

PS Whiteflash has a good selection of their brand called "A Cut Above Princess" diamonds so I would look there. High Performance Diamonds also has beautifully cut Princess diamonds but sadly, none in your budget.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx

cheers--Sharon
Click to expand...

Hi Sharon,

Zales didn't have any stones on hand for me to look at that day. It was quite late and they were closing. Upon looking online I found this setting at James Allen that is ideal to what I want and am thinking about buying today since it will be 15% off: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49519

Would it be safe for me to match one of their loose stones to this setting? I don't have to see stones IRL if I know I will be getting a good value. If I play it safe and go princess, what should I look for spec wise?
Click to expand...



Nice setting, but is designed for a round brilliant diamond. What metal are you looking for?
Click to expand...

White gold is the preference. You can select different designs for specific stones.
 
HI:

Yes, sorry--I observed that after posting...and too late to edit.

I am curious how high the setting is. FWIW, I suggest you Google JA cathedral settings on PS and read what people have posted about them.

14K or 18K? What finger size?

cheers--Sharon
 
My only piece of advice is not to shop at Zales.
Best of luck in your ring search =)
 
You should be able to find a nice stone as well at JA, also there is the plus of getting whole ring at one place. As to the cut Princess is my least favorite, I also have a friend who has worked in the jewelry industry for almost 20 years and she say that it is the shape that gets damaged and broken or chipped the most. It is the super pointy corners. Have you considered maybe adding a radiant cut to your list of options? You can find them square but they have cut corners like the asscher. They can face up better too.



Good luck
:bigsmile:
 
KL777|1431277219|3874828 said:
I am getting ready to purchase an engagement ring, but I am the type of person that always resents a purchase unless I feel I got a fair deal. Diamonds can be tricky so I am in need of some expert advice.

Ideally I want to stay under 6k for the setting and stone. I have already found an ideal setting that I like at Zales for around 1k so I have about 5k for the stone. I am looking at either an asscher or princess cut. She really likes the asscher, but I hear they look smaller than the princess and I really want to get her a good size. I am looking for a stone around 1.25 ct. The setting is a simple thin band paved with circle stone diamonds and features the solitaire rock.

I really just want to get the best bang for my buck. With that said I know that cut is the most important, so do I go with a "Very Good" cut or drop down to around 1 ct. and get an "Ideal Cut". Can I get away with Very Good? Are there certain dimensions, i.e. table and depth I should go by here?

I am not reluctant to buy online, but I feel like you will never know unless you see it in person and that is the appeal of going to a store to compare, but I also want to maximize value. I am just looking for advice here, any and all would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

My advice is to make sure she likes a princess cut diamond. A lot of women have very strong preferences for shape. Some women love princess cuts while others absolutely hate them. The only similarity between the two is that both are square. They have very different facet patterns. She may prefer a smaller Asscher cut diamond than a larger princess. I would try to find out for certain which she prefers before you purchase.
 
14k white gold would be fine. I can probably save some bucks here. She is a size 7.

Would you say I should go with size (1.25 ct) at a very good cut or something smaller like 1 ct at an ideal cut? Shape wise I think she is pretty set on princess or asscher despite some of your concerns.
 
Absolutely smaller ideal cut. An ideal cut stone will have better light return and will face up whiter and larger and sparkle more than one that is less well cut. And don't go by carat weight - look at the dimensions of the stone.
 
If the lady wants definitely wants an Asscher, get the Asscher if in price range. The cheaper alternative to an Asscher is a square-ish Emerald.

Princess cuts look completely different from Asscher, and don't face up particularly large for carat weight anyway.

If top concern is face-up size and value, then go for a round brilliant. Rounds face up well.
 
Truth is, like any good girl she would love anything I gave her. I would be safe with asscher or princess. I was just browsing through the mall and found this ring. I love it, but it has inclusions. It's 1.10ct, E color, I (inclusions) for 5,000. The size was very nice and am definitely looking to size down for a better cut. Can anyone recommend specific specs that would be ideal in the 1.10ct range or even be able to find me this exact style online?

Link to ring: http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac295/kdirt/IMG_4048.jpg
 
They are so different, so definitely make sure she doesn't have a preference for one shape over the other. My sister is getting engaged and she absolutely wants a princess shape and no other Squared shape will do. If she mentioned both, then great!
 
Link doesn't load. Looks overpriced for an I1 diamond.

Besides Asschers and square-ish emerald cuts, look at square radiants. All better options, in my opinion, than princess cuts.
 
What's her finger size?
 
Niel|1431294332|3874906 said:
What's her finger size?
Click to expand...

She is a size 7
 
I think I have narrowed the stone down to these 2 options from Blue Nile, both princess. They have the setting I like so I'm thinking just buy from them? Thoughts?

First Option:

Measurements - 6.12 x 6.00 x 4.31 mm
Table % - 73.0%
Depth % - 71.8%
Length/width ratio - 1.02
Carat weight - 1.26
Cut - Sig. Ideal
Clarity - VS2
Color - I
Price - $4,531

Second Option:

Measurements - 5.83 x 5.61 x 3.96 mm
Table % - 68.0%
Depth % - 70.6%
Length/width ratio - 1.04
Carat weight - 1.07
Cut - Sig. Ideal
Clarity - VS2
Color - H
Price - $4,922
 
Don't buy diamonds online without images, video etc. Impossible to choose well without images. there are a lot of gray slushy princess cuts out there. James Allen has a wide range of princess cuts in your price range with amazing 360 degree high definition photos.
 
Can you post their GCAL reports?
 
If forced to choose definitely take the 1.26 carat. Way more faceup size, difference in color between H and I is minimal.
 
It sounds as though she would like an Asscher, but you are saying that like any good girl she will like whatever you decide?
While reading this thread I was reminded of the saying, "Buy in haste, repent at leisure".
 
KL777|1431351795|3875059 said:
Jimmianne|1431307194|3874954 said:
It sounds as though she would like an Asscher, but you are saying that like any good girl she will like whatever you decide?
While reading this thread I was reminded of the saying, "Buy in haste, repent at leisure".
Click to expand...
Haha this is worse than buying a car! Any thoughts on the following stone:

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-491695
Click to expand...

I love it! Put it in a James Allen halo meant for an Asscher:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-white-gold-octagon-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49499

You're over budget but your wife will have the most beautiful and unique engagement ring in town. Asschers are rarely encountered in everyday life.

(I strongly recommend the halo to pump up the visual size and wow factor. Save the understated "tasteful" settings for the 2.5 carat to 5 carat monster diamonds.)
 
Poorly cut asscher. It takes time to find a well cut fancy but since you are pressed for time, I would opt for either a signature BN princess or Whiteflash ACA since they are well cut and might be able to make your timeline.
 
Chrono|1431353366|3875068 said:
Poorly cut asscher. It takes time to find a well cut fancy but since you are pressed for time, I would opt for either a signature BN princess or Whiteflash ACA since they are well cut and might be able to make your timeline.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback. Thoughts on this signature cut...
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamonds?stockno=LD05809988

And this from white flash:
http://m.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3208946.htm
 
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