Bought an Asscher yesterday... having doubts

[PinkSugar]

Hi!

I''m a long time lurker who has read pretty much every post here on Asschers.

We had intended on making a trip out to GOG to buy the stone in a couple months, but yesterday we were out trying decide on our custom setting (we''re getting a micropave halo) so we would know our budget for the stone.

This store ended up bringing out an Asscher they had (under the guise of showing us how it would look in the setting) and we ended up putting a deposit on it.

The stone was super sparkly, certainly one of the most of the Asscher''s I''ve seen in person, but I''m still having some doubts because I feel like the numbers aren''t quite perfect.

It is 1.21ct F VS2. Table: 65 Depth: 69.9. Measurements: 5.92 - 5.65 Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good.

They offered us what we felt was quite a deal. We bought it as a package deal with the setting, with the diamond working out to about $6900.

I know it''s quite off-square for an Asscher, and all though that wasn''t something I was looking for I''m actually ok with that. I''m more worried that it on the high end of both Table and Depth.

Also, I have read Storm''s articles on P3 angles and while it does sparkle I''m worried about that as well. When I held it over my finger I could see the colour through the centre. My understanding was that this has an impact on light performance, but this stone does still sparkle...

Hoping I could get some input on whether I shoud stop worrying or keep looking with the understanding that we might have to step down slightly.

Thanks!

 

[LD]

Date: 9/28/2008 10:55:54 AM
Author:PinkSugar
Hi!

I''m a long time lurker who has read pretty much every post here on Asschers.

We had intended on making a trip out to GOG to buy the stone in a couple months, but yesterday we were out trying decide on our custom setting (we''re getting a micropave halo) so we would know our budget for the stone.

This store ended up bringing out an Asscher they had (under the guise of showing us how it would look in the setting) and we ended up putting a deposit on it.

The stone was super sparkly, certainly one of the most of the Asscher''s I''ve seen in person, but I''m still having some doubts because I feel like the numbers aren''t quite perfect.

It is 1.21ct F VS2. Table: 65 Depth: 69.9. Measurements: 5.92 - 5.65 Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good.

They offered us what we felt was quite a deal. We bought it as a package deal with the setting, with the diamond working out to about $6900.

I know it''s quite off-square for an Asscher, and all though that wasn''t something I was looking for I''m actually ok with that. I''m more worried that it on the high end of both Table and Depth.

Also, I have read Storm''s articles on P3 angles and while it does sparkle I''m worried about that as well. When I held it over my finger I could see the colour through the centre. My understanding was that this has an impact on light performance, but this stone does still sparkle...

Hoping I could get some input on whether I shoud stop worrying or keep looking with the understanding that we might have to step down slightly.

Thanks!

It sounds like you''ve seen a number of Asschers and this one hit the mark in terms of how it looked to you. Therefore, are the stats so important?

 

[strmrdr]

What lighting conditions did you look at it in?
The lighting in the average jewelery store is designed to make bleh diamonds
look good.
In spot lighting the sparkle from the outer regions will mask the effect somewhat of bad p3 angles.
diffused lighting in a ring it will show.

 

[PinkSugar]

Thanks for the replies.

They let us walk around the store with the diamond as I was trying to get away from the spot lighting. I went as close to outside as I could, and looked at it by some wall sconces they had. I almost felt that it was better outside of the spot lighting if that is possible. There were large flashes coming from under the table. I know I wasn''t quite in diffused lighting though... Does this mean it might have so-so P3 angles vs. truly bad?

Also on our previous visit to the store they showed us an Asscher that looked completely dead under the table even under the spot lighting, so I do know that this one is at least ok vs. that one.

Should I stay with this stone or keep looking?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/28/2008 11:58:28 AM
Author: PinkSugar
Thanks for the replies.


They let us walk around the store with the diamond as I was trying to get away from the spot lighting. I went as close to outside as I could, and looked at it by some wall sconces they had. I almost felt that it was better outside of the spot lighting if that is possible. There were large flashes coming from under the table. I know I wasn''t quite in diffused lighting though... Does this mean it might have so-so P3 angles vs. truly bad?


Also on our previous visit to the store they showed us an Asscher that looked completely dead under the table even under the spot lighting, so I do know that this one is at least ok vs. that one.


Should I stay with this stone or keep looking?

by your description it sounds like the first one had really bad p3s and this one may be ok.
How did it look face up in diffused lighting not moving it?
Was the diamond in tweezers or a ring holder?
Without pictures its like trying to read your mind to see what you saw.
Doesn''t work very well.
What I would try is hold it over a bright red piece of paper and check the leakage.
Some leakage is normal but the very center should have light return.

 

[strmrdr]

here is what you want to look out for using the above test...

Then view it close and arms length in the ring holder for darkening in the center to check for obstruction issues. Some darkening is normal as viewing distance decreases but it should retain some return.

If it is very fiery then the 65% table isn't an issue.
Check the diamond from the side, does the crown look like a pancake or does it look high? If it looks high and the diamond is fiery outside of the trick lighting then most likely it is ok.

If it passes those tests and you love it then I say go for it.

 

[PinkSugar]

Thanks Storm!

I know it''s hard without pictures, but I really appreciate your help.

I was viewing it in tweezers. Is that more likely to make it look good?

I''ll go back to see it sometime this week and try those tests on it and I''ll try to take a picture of it too.

I''ll keep you posted.

Thanks.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/28/2008 12:35:43 PM
Author: PinkSugar
Thanks Storm!


I know it''s hard without pictures, but I really appreciate your help.


I was viewing it in tweezers. Is that more likely to make it look good?


I''ll go back to see it sometime this week and try those tests on it and I''ll try to take a picture of it too.


I''ll keep you posted.


Thanks.

You cant evaluate it in tweezers except for the paper test above because the back lighting will give a false impression.
Take some bright red paper with you and do the above test in tweezers then have them put it in a spring ring holder and put it on your finger for the rest of the tests.

 

[strmrdr]

See the section in my p3 article titled:
Why is an expert skilled in step cuts needed?

That is how deceptive back lighting can be.

 

[PinkSugar]

I stopped by the jewellery store today to see the diamond again. I took it fully out of the spot lighting and into an office with the only light coming from outside. It is a really overcast day, so not a whole lot of sparkle, but the diamond looked really really white and bright. This was while I had it on the spring ring holder so I was surprised there was no darkness.

It also looked like it had a pretty decent crown, not flat by any means.

When I did the red test, I could definately see red through the diamond, but I could also see light coming from the centre when I had it on the spring ring. So I''m hoping this is ok.

Overall I think I''m happy with it and am going to stay with it.

Not the best picture but here''s how it looks:

 

[strmrdr]

Was the entire center red like this:

 

[PinkSugar]

Hi Storm,

It''s really hard to say. I don''t think it was any where near as pronounced as that, but there was some. It''s ok to have some red though, right?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/29/2008 6:09:00 PM
Author: PinkSugar
Hi Storm,


It''s really hard to say. I don''t think it was any where near as pronounced as that, but there was some. It''s ok to have some red though, right?

right some is ok, its best if the very center isn''t red unless there is an open culet then its ok.

The picture shows that at least the windmill points are returning light.
All I can really tell you is that if you viewed it in a lot of lighting and love it then go for it.