Calling Asscher Aficionados- need help evaluating please

[McPherson]

Hi All-

I’m new to this forum and I definitely can use your advice and expertise. I’ve read most of the posts by Karl K and Jonathan regarding asschers, but I am still a novice when it comes to picking out a “kicken” asscher.

I am looking for three asscher cut diamonds so that I can request ASET images from JA. I have listed a few that I think are worth it, but I definitely need your help in narrowing this down. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to list.

Specs:
The biggest priority is the cut and proportions, symmetrical windmills. Preference for larger windmills, narrower table and definitely looking for that deep look to asschers. As I am new to this, I am having a hard time trying to figure out if the diamonds on JA website are worth calling in for additional information.

Other order from greatest importance:
Color: D-G maybe H
Clarity: Down to VS2, or SI1 Eye clean
Carat: 1.0-1.5 Cts Ring size is 4
Cost: under $11K


Thanks in advance!

1.http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.21-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-35968 $7500
2.http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.21-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-30374 $9200 cut cornered square step cut
3.http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.26-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-191721 $8700
4.http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.29-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-190361 $8800
5.http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.20-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-219647 $8800
6.http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.14-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-133679 $9400 table is 60 depth is 72...is this a waste?

 

[woofmama]

Okay I'll play Asschers and Emerald cuts are my favorites. I am not an expert though, just an armchair quarterback who obsessively watches the JA videos.

1. Great combo of color and clarity. My favorite type of asscher shape wise. Might be sleepy in the center. Worth a 2nd look.
2.Not sure if I would pay for D color in this size, but that crown is amazing and it's very chunky in a good way. 2nd look.
3.Pretty, pretty stone. Almost perfect square. Could be the top contender. 2nd look
4.Pass. The table is too big for my taste.
5.Okay but some concern the facets won't all light up. Shows some dark areas. Doesn't pull me in. Pass.
6.Okay not enough face up size for the money. Pass.

I'll be curious to see what the only PSers say about the six. If you agree with my opinions on any of them use the chat function and put them on hold.
I like #3 the best.

 

[McPherson]

Thank you, Woofmama! It seems like we're on similar wavelengths on these. Do you feel like the selection that I have right now are good enough that I can choose from these, or should I go back to the drawing board and look at more?

I would love to see more images of #1. The strong windmills caught my eyes, but I agree with you in that it looks really cloudy from the picture. Im really hoping it's just grease/dirt on that table and not milkiness from the diamond itself.

#2's crown height even if I don't have the numbers it makes this one a big contender. Do you believe that a 68% table is a bit too large? I'm still on the fence on this one, too.

#3 is pretty much perfect, isn't it?

 

[JulieN]

I would consider 3-6. 1 and 2 are out for me. Narrowing it down to (3) I would probably cut #6 due to size.

I am not an aficionado or expert.

Don't forget to check the Emerald shape section on JA, there are a lot of square ones in there.
I like this, possibly my favorite: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.22-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-195311

This is a fat rectangle, but the spread is decent and the price is great: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.06-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-166061

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Not an expert but I bought my asscher from an expert...Jonathan at Good Old Gold. I told Jonathan the size I needed and he called in some with the specs I wanted and he shot this video. I honestly had a strong favorite after watching the video, and it really helped me decide in addition to the usual images he does. He has access to a couple of really great asscher cutters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7SBfNGxTFE&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=2

Several of the ones you linked have tables that are too big for me. I think mine has a 58 table and I would be fine with 60 to maybe 62. You also need to watch the depth as a stone that is too deep is going to face up smaller in diameter. And you want the stone to be close to square visually.

#3 is about the only one of those that I would consider. And I would need the ASET image for it.

 

[McPherson]

Thanks for the advice, diamondseeker! I am definitely getting a lot of votes for Asscher #3 and it looks like I will put that one on hold. I usually want smaller tables, too but it seems like from the pictures, despite the larger table, it doesn't seem like it detracts from the look of it. What differences are you seeing from the images themselves? I selected these from how they looked on the JA website, and then looked at the numbers after.

As for goodoldgold, I have looked at their website, and it doesn't seem like they have stones that come with their lifetime guarantee, which is what I would like from the vendor. I sent them an email today, but I am not expecting a response until at least tomorrow since they are closed today.

JulieN, what did you like about 4 and 5 for you? I'm curious just to see what other characteristics others find pleasing to the eye.

 

[JulieN]

I don't particularly like 4 and 5, it was what was left after eliminating 1 and 2 (and 6 for the size.) They don't look bad, basically.

#2, I swear I'm counting 4 levels of crown steps even though GIA has 3. It is kind of different, but the seemingly dead middle makes me shy away. You only get to consider 3 total.

I like this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.22-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-195311
Strong white reflections, little gray mush. Contrasting black and white steps.

 

[chrono]

I could be too late to add my 2 cents since as I am looking through the options, a few options are no longer selectable?
1. Eliminated due to the fuzzy centre
2. Eliminated due to the table size and the weird look in the centre
3. Potential choice
4. I don't like a table that large, but otherwise could be a decent one if pressed
5. Another one with a large table and an otherwise so-so one if pressed
6. Not a fan of that "drop" look and would eliminate this one

I like JulieN's pick although I wish it had larger windmills / corners.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thanks for the advice, diamondseeker! I am definitely getting a lot of votes for Asscher #3 and it looks like I will put that one on hold. I usually want smaller tables, too but it seems like from the pictures, despite the larger table, it doesn't seem like it detracts from the look of it. What differences are you seeing from the images themselves? I selected these from how they looked on the JA website, and then looked at the numbers after.

As for goodoldgold, I have looked at their website, and it doesn't seem like they have stones that come with their lifetime guarantee, which is what I would like from the vendor. I sent them an email today, but I am not expecting a response until at least tomorrow since they are closed today.

JulieN, what did you like about 4 and 5 for you? I'm curious just to see what other characteristics others find pleasing to the eye.

Well, James Allen requires that you spend double the amount to trade in the diamond, and if you wait several years, sometimes selling outright is better for you than trading in if diamond prices have risen. I knew I did not want to trade in my asscher so I did not really care about an upgrade policy. The other thing is, many people are sentimental about their original diamond and would rather put it in a pendant than trade it in if getting a new e-ring years later. I still have my original e-ring and would not sell or trade it in.

But as far as inventory goes, he called in three of the four stones in that video and the fourth was in his inventory but did not fit my setting. So I really wasn't even looking at the inventory since I knew he would find better stones for me.

The smaller table enhances the steps on the crown so that they are more visible and you get the full effect of the high crown if it has one.

 

[McPherson]

Julie-

Thanks for picking out additional stones on the JA website. My biggest concern with this diamond is that there are dark areas under the table. Should I be concerned about this, or is this just because of the angle of the camera? I had seen this one previously, but I went and eliminated it, because of the dark areas under the table.

 

[JulieN]

I tend to prefer stones that most people would consider overly dark in the videos. The corresponding ASETs do not show large bands of black (or blue).

 

[McPherson]

Update: Ok so my ring is being designed as we speak, but without a diamond. We decided against the James Allen stones unfortunately. I'm right now working with GOG, but I also have access to an existing 1.66 Ct diamond from our jeweler. I wanted to know if you guys could take a look at this and let me know if this is worth it. I've attached pics (my amateur photography skills) and the GIA cert. It's 1.66 ct. H SI1 ( I swear it's eye clean) cut cornered square step cut. for $11.5K. Very good polish and symmetry. Is it just me or are the windmills off, or is this my bad photography?

Any help would be appreciated. If we pass on this stone, we will be looking with GOG for sure.

Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Looks like it has a large table and not much of a crown. You can do much better, in my opinion. And it is worth it to get a great one. I was in a high end jewelry store last week and the person helping me noticed my asscher. She asked if she could see it and she just stared at it up close and said it was the most beautiful stone!

 

[chrono]

It's a so-so asscher; totally not hot about it and when it comes to step cut, it needs to be very well cut to stand out.

 

[McPherson]

What do you guys think about what I can get with the budget of $11K? Similar size and specs? Better? I feel that I also have to weigh the diamond and convenience of having the diamond here vs all the way out in new york, too.