Bamboozeled over an Asscher? Fair deal or no?

[asschersmitten]

I went to a local recommended jeweler with specs from ICeStore.com of the following asscher

Catalog ICEK1014
Carat 1.27
Cut Asscher
Color I
Clarity VVS2
Report GIA
Cut Quality Very Good
Price: $5,588.00
Measurements 6.77x6.24x3.83
Length/Width 1.08:1.00
Depth 61.4
Table 72
Girdle TN-M
Culet Small
Polish Very Good
Symmetry Very Good
Fluorescence Faint
He said he WOULD never use this diamond because of the color and flourescence and the ratio. However what he came up with was a
1.39 ct H color, VS1 clarity, Polish:good, Symetry: good, no flourescence 6.76*6.36*3.77. Both GIA certified he was offering me this diamond for 6900. My question is whether he just wouldnt set my original diamond because he wasn''t making money on it. Is the 1.39 ct diamond worth the 1300 dollar difference? Just FYI the setting is "the dream" by knox jewelers which he stated to be his original design.http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=201&rn=869&action=show_detail[/URL]

Furthermore, the EXACT same stone as the 1.39 was offered by Barry cutratediamonds.com for 6374 which barry states he can''t get back to offer to me for that price unless I tell my current jeweler I dont want it. ANY help or advice is appreciated....

P.S. I know these stones are not perfect squares and it doesn''t bother me at all..... the 1.06 ratio of the 1.39 ct diamond is quite stunning.

PPS, he is only charging me 2200 for the setting listed on knox for 2990 and custom making it to git the diamond...

Am I being screwed?

 

[mia15]

Hi asschersmitten,

(I''m not an expert, so please take my suggestions with that in mind.)

Your most immediate question about whether you''re being offered a good deal or not would depend on the other specifications of the 1.39 asscher and what it looks like. It sounds like you haven''t seen it. It may be pretty, it may not.

I''m not sure what the advantage of getting this diamond would be, and I can''t say I like the idea of a jeweler rejecting your original diamond based on its color, flourescence and ratio, then offering another diamond whose ratio is only slightly closer to 1:1, whose color is only one grade up (without flourescence). I also would distrust someone who would make blanket statements about flourescence. In an I color, it may be a great thing, and either way, apparently he hasn''t seen either diamond.
Color, flourescence and ratio are also personal preferences.

I''m not sure why you would prefer diamond #2, except for its slightly bigger size. You might save on the setting, but what''s the $790 difference to the $1300 or so for the other diamond? It''s nice he''s custom making it to the diamond, but that would depend on the quality of his work vs. Knox.

So, what is your goal, then? Do you like the 1.39 size better? Or perhaps you love this jeweller''s work and want your diamond set with him? Does the 1.39 diamond have qualities you prefer?

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

There are lots of people here who would love to help. But your post is confusing...

Do you already have this stone from icestore? Have you seen it? The specs for the icestore stone are odd at best. It is usually a danger sign when the table % is larger than the depth %. The fluor is no problem for most people though.

You will need to post more specs on the second stone if you want help evaluating it.

About being screwed; of course, a jeweler will want to sell you their stone. But, they also can spot an oddly cut diamond too, so may be honestly pointing out that the icestore stone is not up to snuff. It doesn''t seem like they are trying to screw you--just trying to get your business, which is their job!

Cheers!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Or, another option is to let people here help you find a better asscher than either of these. We have some asscher experts here like Storm who really know asscher numbers and can help you find an excellent stone at a fair price.

 

[asschersmitten]

I have seen the 1.39 and it is a beauty, but i have not seen the 1.27 from icestore. I am also slightly devastated over the extra 553 he wants for the same diamond. not to mention the 7 % sales tax for buying in person versus buying online. He insists the broker could not provide the diamond for me... but the broker knew who it was with and that we were looking at it. He makes you feel very comfortable in the store however he is quite a salesman. ALso is there a noticeable difference between "good symetry and polish versus very good?

 

[asschersmitten]

First: Of course these are both stated as emerald cuts but have many asscher atributes.
Second the ratio on the first is 1:1.08 and the one he presented is 1:1.06
Third the table is larger on both and simply a personal preference of mine. The setting will hide much of the bottom of the diamond and the large table is appealing to me. I have seen both and find the beauty in a larger table can equal that of a deeper asscher.
I have seen the 1.39 but not he 1.27
also what about charging more for the same stone?

 

[bookworm21]

From what I understand, asschers are tricky stones. I would recommend choosing a stone, based on what your eye likes, if that''s possible for you to compare the two. As for symmetry, good and very good does make a difference. Mine is an excellent cut, and when I compared it to those in stores that are good cut, I can see the "offness" in the symmetry of the other stones; things such as the culet not being centered, the windmills not meeting where they''re supposed to, etc.

As for an I color stone, I believe Cymbrie''s was an I color asscher and it was super white. I saw no color difference when I place my F color next to her stone. Definitely choose the stone based on whether you like what you see.

 

[swingirl]

Both stones are very shallow in the depth% for asschers. There are some great asscher threads here that give the ranges for depth% and table% but everyone who owns one (or likes to look at them) will tell you your eye has to make the final decision because there are variations in the cut and variations in personal preferences.

You need to do a little more research to find out what you want. Faint florensence isn''t bad. The proportions are also a matter of choice although most like their asschers squarish. You probably want to go with symmetry and polish at least very good. Until you see the stone you don''t know what the windmills look like and this is another thing that is personal preference. Some people love thin ones and some love thick ones.

Good luck

 

[indecisive]

I don''t like the table % on that first stone... do you have the crown heights? I wouldn''t go any lower than VG/VG with a strong preference for EX/EX. The color wouldn''t bother me too much though because there are some very white I asschers out there. Good luck!

 

[mia15]

So you have seen the 1.39? Numbers aside, it sounds like you really like it. If you like the jeweller''s custom work, then the only real drawback I can think of is the differences in price, especially with sales tax.

You could also try to find similar asschers elsewhere. I know the people on this board are a fantastic resource...

 

[jayreneepea]

I''m a little confused. Are you planning on getting the setting through Knox? Why don''t you get the setting and the stone throught knox?

 

[asschersmitten]

the depth for the second is 59.3 with a table of 69

 

[asschersmitten]

I am not buying anything from Knox.... I went to a local jewelers he presented this setting as an original work of art by him, but then upon going home and trying to find something similar to show a friend I found the EXACT same setting on KNOX. The setting was listed in the local store for just under 2600 plus tax but was offered to me at 2200 even though he had to custom re-make it for the larger stone.

 

[SquareCut]

I would not mind paying the extra $500 for the stone, for the convenience of having a local jeweler who will set the stone and service the ring for you if there are problems. The broker cannot provide you with the stone because it's currently in the posession of the local jeweler.

If you tell the local jeweler that you don't want the stone and then you get it from the broker don't expect the local jeweler to set it for you.