Asscher with 'small propeller'....implications please..

[PyramidLake]

Hi, I'd appreciate some help, I've fallen in love with a secondhand ring I saw at a reputable Jewellery dealers shop recently, will be a right hand ring, it has an Asscher cut central diamond H VS1 approx 1.75ct (assessed by seller, not certificated) with two baguette diamonds either side, sizes unknown,but reducing in scale all set in Platinum.
I'm quite conscious of the visible colour of diamonds, and wear an F diamond ring every day so was worried about it being an H but actually it looks very good..maybe more towards a G...especially bearing in mind it's an Asscher.
It fits me, suits my hand and I love it....but is a lot of money, not unreasonably so I don't believe, and I'm worried about making a mistake if I can manage to afford it! The 'propeller' inside the ring is very narrow, almost just a crease line when compared to other photos of nice Asschers on PS. Please could you tell me how this will effect its performance etc? I'm wondering whether to save for a few more years (!) and have one made with Certificated' diamonds, as the design is gorgeous but not unusual. Thanks.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There is unfortunately no way anyone can advise you on a stone without at least having magnified images, and even then, we might need an ASET to give you any information on light return. I think it is very dangerous to buy a diamond ring with no outside appraisal or grading reports, though, unless the ring is underpriced by some wonderful circumstance. Will they allow you a return period that would allow you to get an independent appraisal? I believe that most estimates of color and clarity are exaggerated, so the stone certainly could be a grade lower than they are saying, not to mention they don't know the weight of the stone. Those things have a great affect on price. So my advice is to only consider it if you have access to a reputable independent appraiser who can answer all these questions for you and give you a legitimate price estimate for a vintage ring and not an inflated retail insurance value.

 

[chrono]

Without pictures, I cannot say how well or poorly it will perform. My guess is that it will be a less flashier stone that those with a larger windmill due to the smaller (almost non existent) facets, performing more like a carre cut. Below are 2 such styles where the second is the better performer of the two.

 

[PyramidLake]

Thanks Diamondseeker, that is very good advice and having it appraised would alay my fears. I don't know any appraisers but I'm sure with some research (and help from PS) I could find one when I'm ready. At the moment I'm still working from a point of trying to afford it, so getting it appraised just yet is not possible. The seller is well respected, so hopefully they should be happy with the idea as presumably they have confidence in their assessment of it.
Thanks Chrono, I have got a very poor phone photo of it taken when I tried it on, I will try to attach it. It honestly looks so much better in person, a lot of the yellow blotches etc are not on the stone, they must be reflections from the busy surroundings or my gold rings next to it! Thanks for the explanation about its 'less flashier' performance, I was wondering what the small propeller would mean.

 

[PyramidLake]

I hope this attaches, I've cropped a phone photo of it and it was not the best quality photo to begin with. The diamonds didn't show any of the odd little yellow blotches etc in real life, so that must be surrounding reflections from spotlights etc etc. It looked remarkably clear and yummy in person to my naked eye. Please excuse my awful fingers.

 

[chrono]

How does it perform away from the store spotlights?

 

[urseberry]

Oh, what an elegant setting! In addition to the small windmills, this asscher also has a large table. Without seeing it in person or an ASET I can't say for sure, but most likely, this diamond will have a glassy appearance and not a lot of sparkle compared to other asschers. However, it could be a good buy at the right price if you like the look. I bet it's very clean and elegant looking.

 

[PyramidLake]

Oops...that yellow botching could actually be reflections of my hair as I was leaning over the ring to take the photo!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Personally, my first concern would be pricing.
The difference in price between G,H,I, and J color are substantial in a 1.75ct diamond.
Even an appraisal will not answer this question.
The setting looks like removing the stone would not be all that difficult.
The stone could be removed and sent to GIA- which is what I'd ask to have done to find out if the price is actually fair

You can check prices of asscher cut diamonds using the PS database up top and see how much variation there is due to color.

This does not answer your question about windmills- and the truth is, that's a personal taste issue.

 

[PyramidLake]

Thank you Urseberry, it is very elegant in person, I think that's what took my eye initially. It also fitted perfectly..which I used to think meant it was 'meant to be' but now I'm older....and have tried on many more rings, I realise I just have fairly standard sized fingers!

Thanks Chrono, Unfortunately I didn't see it out of the spotlights really as I was at an Antique and Art Exhibition and the place was huge and I couldn't take it out to view in daylight. If I could have bought it at the time I would have asked to be accompanied outside. I did move away from the 'full on' spotlights and it still appeared to be very nice.

Thank you for all the info Rockdiamond. I'd never have thought of having the stone removed and sent away to assess it, I know it is done, but I'd presumed that it would only be for extraordinary stones... and not ones I'd ever be able to consider buying.
This is trickier than I imagined!
I loved the ring when I saw it and haven't stopped thinking about it since, but apart from working on affording it, I am very concerned about 'buying a lemon/a rogue'. It is (I thought at the time) a fair price for it and I know 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' but at this level I don't want to be foolish!

 

[chrono]

And herein lies the problem; it will be extremely difficult, if not almost impossible, to know what is a fair price for the ring without knowing the exact ct weight, colour and clarity of the diamond. Appraisals from the vendor is a strong conflict of interest and I would only trust official paperwork from GIA.

 

[PyramidLake]

Thank you everyone....Caveat Emptor....indeed!

I think I'll carry on saving, then have it made for me with GIA stones that I've seen unset (and hopefully kindly had all the specifications checked over by PS members) and then use this design as my inspiration
Thank you for helping me work through this,it's much appreciated.

 

[PyramidLake]

Forgot to say 'Thank you' Chrono and RockDiamond.
I'll have a look at the PS database to give myself an idea of what I'm aiming for.....