Comments on Bright Drop Asscher

[Ryzac]

Greetings all, newbie here who has been trying to learn all i can. I have reserved the following diamond and was curious of impressions.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/366

Jonathan says it''s a "Bright Drop". Is this better, worse or just a different cut of asscher?

Me? Engineer who feels i need to make a very imformed choice and get the best bang/wow factor for my buck.

Her? She wants an asscher, says that i''m being too picky, but i still feel if i get one that she is not wow over that i will hear about it later.

Thanks for any and all comments.

 

[gwendolyn]

Almost a carat D VS2 asscher?! Looks gorgeous to me!

The bright drop is one of the 3 common ways of cutting asschers (strmdr has a graphic showing them all). It''s personal preference which you like best--I personally happen to prefer the bright drop myself, and the D colour and VS clarity (to me) sound like it''d be a killer stone!

I have no idea how to read the numbers for fancy cuts, though, so you''ll want to hear from an expert more than just from me. But I wanted to say how it looks absolutely stunning to me!

 

[gwendolyn]

Aha! Found strmdr''s graphic for you:

 

[CaptainCarat]

Hey Ryzac! Sounds like we''re in the same boat. I''m a computer programmer/systems analyst and I''m working on getting all the information I can about diamonds before I make the purchase.

At first I was really nervous about the whole thing, then overwhelmed...and now I''m having fun.

Gwendolyn that''s a good illustration. I had seen strm''s post about it before but lost track after I had to restore my computer. Do you know how the visual performance varies between the three? I''ve never talked to anybody that had the diamonds in front of me that could differentiate between the cuts.

I''m going to watch GOG''s video to see what the bright drop looks like now.

 

[gwendolyn]

Sadly for myself, I have never had the pleasure of seeing an asscher cut in real life (although I hope one day to have an asscher eternity band). I''ve only seen the videos on GOG and the many lovely photos from the ladies here on PS. It''s probably just a matter of time before one of the asscher experts here chimes in to answer your more specific questions--the big reoccuring theme with any fancy cut stone is to see it in person if at all possible. Unlike rounds (and princess cuts?), asschers and other fancies are hard to judge by the numbers, so you really have to go with what you like best, and what the people who know their stuff suggest.

Good luck! Can''t wait to see what you guys pick!

 

[Ryzac]

For me, i''m big in the FIRE of a diamond. No fire? No Sale also, my price range is ~4-5k

If it was up to me, i would be going for a Square H&A or Princess of Hearts, but Asscher is what she wants so an Asscher she gets.

 

[emilina22]

thats a beautiful asscher!!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 2/16/2008 11:31:45 AM
Author: Ryzac
For me, i'm big in the FIRE of a diamond. No fire? No Sale also, my price range is ~4-5k


If it was up to me, i would be going for a Square H&A or Princess of Hearts, but Asscher is what she wants so an Asscher she gets.

Asschers have tons of fire! That's those big, bold flashes of colour that shoot out from the stone. Check out Ellen's "The Fire Thread!" (I'll see if I can find the link for you) and you can see some of the amazing fire shots the PS community has been able to capture.

Now, if instead of fire, you mean sparkle/scintillation (which is what I used to think fire was), then you're right, an asscher wouldn't be for you--you'd probably want a round brilliant (RB) even over the square cuts you mentioned (unless you're set on a square cut). Both types of stones are absolutely gorgeous (when cut well, of course

); they just have different personalities!

Emilina here has a drop-dead-gorgeous asscher engagement ring--you should totally do a search for her ring, it is to die for!

 

[gwendolyn]

Is it ok to post other people''s rings?

I hope so; I don''t want to offend widget by using her AMAZING, STUNNING, GORGEOUS ring

to illustrate my point about asschers and fire.

This is great example of how an asscher can show major fire! Check out this thread to see more of widget''s ring, and other examples of AWESOME fire shots!! http://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/the-fire-thread-t77649-90.html

 

[strmrdr]

kicken
Don''t worry that stone will have plenty of fire.
nice beautiful huge chunky fire.
yummy

 

[Miss Fortune]

I have a 1.20ct D colored asscher and I''m trying to "upgrade" it to a 1.75 -2ct G color. I''m finding that because asschers face up smaller than other diamonds, I wish I would''ve sacrificed some color for a larger stone. Also, you can find some really gorgeous "eye clean" SI1''s. Might take longer but if it gets you a larger stone, it''d be worth it!

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

 

[Ryzac]

Great, so even in diamonds size matters huh? I''m comforatble in the one carat range and i''ve told her if she wants larger later, we can always trade up. I guess one thing i like about GOG is the video aspect and the detailed info they do give about diamonds. I use BlueNile as a reference but not sure i would feel comfortable buying from them even though they have a huge selection. I like seeing reports/analysis that rate Brilliannce, Fire, Scintillation.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 2/16/2008 1:45:44 PM
Author: Ryzac
Great, so even in diamonds size matters huh? I''m comforatble in the one carat range and i''ve told her if she wants larger later, we can always trade up. I guess one thing i like about GOG is the video aspect and the detailed info they do give about diamonds. I use BlueNile as a reference but not sure i would feel comfortable buying from them even though they have a huge selection. I like seeing reports/analysis that rate Brilliannce, Fire, Scintillation.

I would likely never buy an asscher from BN they dont provide enough information to make an informed decision.
Out of the hundreds of asschers Iv helped consumers with I think one ended up going with BN.
The gcal report pictures were enough to say it might be decent and they took the chance on having to return it.

 

[Ryzac]

Thanks for your info, I''m feel pretty good about my choice. Like i said, to me BN is a reference but i prefer the info that GOG provides. There are things i would like to see better about their site but all in all, it''s been my best source of info.

 

[LegacyGirl]

That asscher looks so pretty!

 

[Miss Fortune]

Date: 2/16/2008 2:17:10 PM
Author: Ryzac
Thanks for your info, I''m feel pretty good about my choice. Like i said, to me BN is a reference but i prefer the info that GOG provides. There are things i would like to see better about their site but all in all, it''s been my best source of info.

\

The stone is gorgeous! Now you just have to decide on a setting which is a whole different matter! Good luck!!

p.s. I agree with the BN comments. My assistant purchased his wife''s ring from there and it''s gorgeous BUT asschers are a horse of a different color.

 

[Ryzac]

Thanks

I think my plan of attack is to:
get diamond
bring it to a local appraiser
insure it
find a setting
tough part is the setting we liked so far was on BN, can you buy just setting from them? have not seen this option.
If that does not work, i will just go to a local B&M and have them find a setting for us that works.

Once i get it i will try to take a pic of it, not an expert photographer either

 

[Kaleigh]

It reminds me of the one I bought from GOG. Mine was .92 E VS1. Has the same look, so enjoy. It''s going to be a kicken stone and a fire ball to boot. Enoy!! I can''t wait to see how you set it!!!

 

[Ryzac]

Here is the two current settings that she likes. Two toally different looks and prices, WOMEN i tell ya

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?filter_id=1&oid=5428&track=tab_view_link


http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4145&page=1&col=2&row=2&pos=5&set_shape=

Like i said above, i think i will try to contact BN to see if I can just buy the setting. Is it bad etiquette to go to a local jeweler with online bought items for setting diamond? I would think if they get some money and do a good job, maybe you use them more. She does have a guy she has bought pieces from before.

 

[strmrdr]

Have you talked too GOG about those settings?
They are pretty common and they should be able too do them.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 2/17/2008 12:37:31 AM
Author: Ryzac
Here is the two current settings that she likes. Two toally different looks and prices, WOMEN i tell ya


http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?filter_id=1&oid=5428&track=tab_view_link



http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4145&page=1&col=2&row=2&pos=5&set_shape=


Like i said above, i think i will try to contact BN to see if I can just buy the setting. Is it bad etiquette to go to a local jeweler with online bought items for setting diamond? I would think if they get some money and do a good job, maybe you use them more. She does have a guy she has bought pieces from before.

Personally, I would go for the engraved setting so the pave doesn''t compete with the asscher. I also would listen to strm about going with GOG instead of BN, but that''s me, not you.

 

[CaptainCarat]

Date: 2/17/2008 12:37:31 AM
Author: Ryzac
Here is the two current settings that she likes. Two toally different looks and prices, WOMEN i tell ya


http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?filter_id=1&oid=5428&track=tab_view_link



http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4145&page=1&col=2&row=2&pos=5&set_shape=


Like i said above, i think i will try to contact BN to see if I can just buy the setting. Is it bad etiquette to go to a local jeweler with online bought items for setting diamond? I would think if they get some money and do a good job, maybe you use them more. She does have a guy she has bought pieces from before.

Ryzac, it says somewhere on their web page that they don''t sell their settings without diamonds. strm says they are pretty common settings but you might take a slightly different route and send the picture to GOG to see if they can do a custom job. When I got a custom quote (not from GOG) it was only a little more than the ring it was "inspired" by.

Now this is coming from someone who has never bought a piece of jewelry more than $50, but my understanding is that B&M retailers would be reluctant to set a diamond you purchased online. If you think about it, if you''re bringing them a diamond that cost you $6000 and a setting that cost you $2000 and giving them say $100 to set it (no idea what it costs to have a diamond set) they''re taking on liability for $8000 in items and only stand to make $100. If they chip your $6k diamond they will be liable and have to replace it and it''s probably not worth it to them.

Just my thoughts but I could be completely wrong! Better to hear from someone that''s actually gone through the process I think

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Hey, Rayzac! The asscher looks great, I just have a couple of questions. It sounds like your girlfriend isn''t picky at all, but have you guys tried on a few asschers? Is she color sensitive? Would she rather go down to an H color/VS2 and get a larger size? Has she tried on an asscher of that size vs. a round brilliant?

I have an asscher and I did give up size for a higher color, so I would completely understand if this is exactly what she wanted, but I think the vast majority of women are happy to give up color/clarity for size.

If she really is an asscher girl, I''m glad you didn''t go with a PoH or a square H7A--they are very different looks and usually those who love asschers enjoy the more subtle look.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

That is a gorgeous asscher! The settings are beautiful, I actually had the YG version of the engraved wedding band from BN and it was very good quality. But yes, BN will not sell you just the setting, you will need to purchase the stone from them as well.

 

[Ryzac]

Thanks for all your input and here is where i stand now. She has decided that she wants a setting like this:

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4145&page=1&col=2&row=2&pos=5&set_shape

This also mean i have more to spend on a diamond if needed, (my budget was up to 6k)

My question now is do i still proceed with the diamond that started this posting or do i look for one that would cost about 1k more?

She said any diamond i pick she will love but i still want to get the perfect ring for her.

If i decide to move up in diamond, does the follow make sense in the 5.2k range?
Asscher diamond
1.00-1.30? carat
F-I color
vs1-si1? in clarity.
a very good to excellent in cut, lots of FIRE


Can''t wait til this is over lol

again, thanks for all your inputs

 

[strmrdr]

call Jon and see what you can get for the $1k extra and compare your options.
Talk to him about the setting at the same time,.......

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 2/17/2008 9:01:28 PM
Author: Ryzac
Thanks for all your input and here is where i stand now. She has decided that she wants a setting like this:


http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4145&page=1&col=2&row=2&pos=5&set_shape


This also mean i have more to spend on a diamond if needed, (my budget was up to 6k)


My question now is do i still proceed with the diamond that started this posting or do i look for one that would cost about 1k more?


She said any diamond i pick she will love but i still want to get the perfect ring for her.


If i decide to move up in diamond, does the follow make sense in the 5.2k range?

Asscher diamond

1.00-1.30? carat

F-I color

vs1-si1? in clarity.

a very good to excellent in cut, lots of FIRE




Can''t wait til this is over lol


again, thanks for all your inputs

Yay, she wants the engraving! I think that will look incredible with an asscher.

Like strm says, I think you should just tell Jon exactly what you have to work with, and see what he can find for you! Also, you might want to do a settings search at GOG and see if any of their stock settings appeal to you, and get a price quote if they do, OR ask about the price of custom settings. Could work out to be cheaper, especially if you opt for white gold instead of skyrocketing platinum.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 2/17/2008 8:02:23 AM
Author: CaptainCarat
Ryzac, it says somewhere on their web page that they don''t sell their settings without diamonds. strm says they are pretty common settings but you might take a slightly different route and send the picture to GOG to see if they can do a custom job. When I got a custom quote (not from GOG) it was only a little more than the ring it was ''inspired'' by.


Now this is coming from someone who has never bought a piece of jewelry more than $50, but my understanding is that B&M retailers would be reluctant to set a diamond you purchased online. If you think about it, if you''re bringing them a diamond that cost you $6000 and a setting that cost you $2000 and giving them say $100 to set it (no idea what it costs to have a diamond set) they''re taking on liability for $8000 in items and only stand to make $100. If they chip your $6k diamond they will be liable and have to replace it and it''s probably not worth it to them.


Just my thoughts but I could be completely wrong! Better to hear from someone that''s actually gone through the process I think

As I understand it (and I also could be completely wrong!

), business is business, and most jewelers (I hate to say ''all'') would rather make some money off setting a stone than make no money at all! That being said, there have been some stories, especially from our friends who buy overseas and have their stones maintained locally, where jewelers have made slanderous comments about the dangers of buying online. They think this will convince consumers to give up buying online completely and just buy from their stores, and I''m sure in some cases, it works. But although these jewelers would (obviously) have preferred all their customers to have bought every jewelry item from their stores, I think they also realize that would be an unrealistic expectation. They still make money while setting the stone! So they are turning a profit; just not as much of one as if you''d bought the whole kit''n''kaboodle there.

Another thing I read somewhere here on PS (and, again, I could be mistaken) is that no stone is covered while it is being set, regardless of where it was bought and who is doing the setting. I''m not exactly sure how this works--whether it''s just about personal insurance policies, or if setters have some sort of a special setting insurance or what--but that stuck out as something interesting (and slightly worrying) in my brain. Again, I could be TOTALLY wrong--my memory is crap. But I thought I''d bring it up in case someone can dispute or verify it for both of us.

 

[Ryzac]

Ok, update time, She really wants a setting like this:

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4145&page=1&col=2&row=2&pos=5&set_shape

GOG found this setting (hope i attached the pic right) which is close but edges look to sharp.

They suggested looking at Tacori which i really don''t see what she wants. So far the setting she likes best far and away is the one from BN above. As was stated, i''m not sure i want to buy an Asscher cut from BN but if I can''t find the setting i want, do i just get a cheap setting and look for one locally? And here i thought picking the diamond was going to be the tough part

 

[Ryzac]

Just wanted to give you all an update, we got her ring, looks awesome, she loves it, and plenty of FIRE for me GOG was great to work with and my next diamond purchase, they will be my first choise. Thanks for all the help and expert advice.

I''ve taken a couple pics, sorry i''m no pro but this is the best i could do.