Confusion over ASET and SARIN machine

[Chiswickian]

I just recently asked Blue Nile if it was possible to get Idealscope or ASET images of a couple of (non-Astor) diamonds I was interested in. The response I got back from one of their "diamond experts" was "We actually don't have ASET images of diamonds available because they don't offer useful info to most people and the Sarin machines they use in taking them are only as good as their last calibration and must be calibrated daily by a specialized technician to be accurate"

I thought ASET images and SARIN reports were different things and how true is the comment about the Sarin machines only being as good as their daily calibration?

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

 

[headlight]

I think the stones in question are probably from virtual inventory and thus they don’t have the stones there to provide to you the ASET. Also, these are 2 different instruments that provide different information.

 

[OoohShiny]

SARIN has to be calibrated daily??

I'd have to defer to the experts in the industry on here, who will hopefully spot this thread and chime in at some point!


The ASET comment is somewhat cheeky IMO, though - it is a very good tool that would offer useful information to people, if only they made the effort to explain things.

 

[stonehunter20]

I just recently asked Blue Nile if it was possible to get Idealscope or ASET images of a couple of (non-Astor) diamonds I was interested in. The response I got back from one of their "diamond experts" was "We actually don't have ASET images of diamonds available because they don't offer useful info to most people and the Sarin machines they use in taking them are only as good as their last calibration and must be calibrated daily by a specialized technician to be accurate"

I thought ASET images and SARIN reports were different things and how true is the comment about the Sarin machines only being as good as their daily calibration?

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

I can't believe they said that. I have no respect for Blue Nile now. A big fat lie. Or, this "expert" is assuming "most people" are ignorant and uneducated about diamonds. HAHAHA

ASET images are definitely helpful and provide great information regarding a diamond's light performance. I will not buy a diamond without seeing its ASET images.

This article here is very helpful in explaining what ASET does with plenty great examples.

**edited by moderator, no links to affiliate websites please**

 

[flyingpig]

What BN rep said is somewhat true.
Most people do not know or understand what the ASET is and how to interpret the ASET image. Even the person who created the ASET article and chart at beyond4cs does not understand the ASET well and his information is misleading. That chart is terrible.

Sarin scanner may not need to be calibrated on a daily basis, but calibration should be checked frequently.

 

[Karl_K]

Some suppliers offer computer generated ASET based on sarin or helium scans. Calibration and properly doing the scans as well as scanner settings makes a huge difference in the images.
They will never be 100% compared to the better taken real images. With everything being done the right way and the right equipment it can get pretty close.
Daily or more often calibration sounds about right.
Some suppliers do provide real images of varying quality some of which are worse than the better scan based images.
@Garry H (Cut Nut)

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Karl is on the money.
e.g. many of the hearts and arrows images you see are digital generated with DiamCalc. So GIGO is alive and well.
As to the accuracy of the scanners - generally the last 3D scans produced and save by manufacturers are done on the most accurate devices of far higher quality and accuracy than what might find in apparaisers and a few stores.
The last scans are used to confirm that GIA will give Excellent Symmetry - 99% of the symmetry grading is done with a 3D scan these days.
So BN should have no issue getting accurate scans from the vendor - but if they are relying on a small service provider then there may be a problem.