Does a good diamond video trump ASET and SARIN data?

[diamondhoarder]

This question relates to cuts other than round brilliants:-

I have been looking at some diamonds on JA, and between the highly magnified photos and the videos of the diamonds, I am wondering whether additional ASET or SARIN data is as relevant as it would be for an online diamond where there are few or no visual images?

For example, what if, having sorted through hundreds of pictures and videos you find a diamond that to your eyes gives you the "wow factor", but the ASET images are disappointing, or the SARIN data raises questions about the cut? Do you trust what your eyes are seeing, or the analytical data?

Ideally both of the these aspects would line up, but what if they don't? How likely is it that a JA video (which all seem to be taken under similar lighting conditions) could misrepresent how visually pleasing a diamond will be in real life?

 

[AprilBaby]

Good question!

 

[Gypsy]

No.
You need an ASET.

LIghting in a video can hide flaws. And at JA there are a number of different 'sub' vendors that are submitting those stones. So while the lighting set up is somewhat standardized, there can be variations.

So get the ASET. You don't really need a SARIN

 

[kenny]

A well-shot video might be adequate if you were a pro specializing in good cut who looked at zillions of diamonds 8 hours a day for decades (like Garry Holloway or Paul Slegers) ... but for the rest of us mere mortals we need HCA score under 2.0 and Idealscope for rounds, an an ASET for all other shapes.

 

[Gypsy]

Another thing, and maybe the most important. Those videos are taken of stones sitting on their sides. An ASET is taken with the stone face up, which is how you wear it. And what you need to know is how the diamond performs face up.

Get an ASET if you are buying a fancy.

And please, since you only get 3 ASETs make sure to vet them with us first so you don't send a bunch of duds in for ASET.

 

[diamondhoarder]

Another thing, and maybe the most important. Those videos are taken of stones sitting on their sides. An ASET is taken with the stone face up, which is how you wear it. And what you need to know is how the diamond performs face up.

Get an ASET if you are buying a fancy.

And please, since you only get 3 ASETs make sure to vet them with us first so you don't send a bunch of duds in for ASET.

Here are videos of three asschers I am thinking of having JA do inspections and ASETs on.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-369728

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-369729

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.94-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-sku-294380

This last one already has an ASET (presumably from a previous customer request) and I have attached that also. Gypsy has kindly given me feedback on this ASET in a separate thread. From the videos and GIA specs this one was my favourite so far, although the ASET does not show as much red as I would have hoped.

I have to tell JA by the end of tomorrow which three diamonds I would like to have sent for inspection, so would really appreciate feedback on these three in case I need to look for other candidates before having JA inspect them.

 

[diamondhoarder]

Another thing, and maybe the most important. Those videos are taken of stones sitting on their sides. An ASET is taken with the stone face up, which is how you wear it. And what you need to know is how the diamond performs face up.

Get an ASET if you are buying a fancy.

And please, since you only get 3 ASETs make sure to vet them with us first so you don't send a bunch of duds in for ASET.

Here are videos of three asschers I am thinking of having JA do inspections and ASETs on.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-369728

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-369729

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.94-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-sku-294380

This last one already has an ASET (presumably from a previous customer request) and I have attached that also. Gypsy has kindly given me feedback on this ASET in a separate thread. From the videos and GIA specs this one was my favourite so far, although the ASET does not show as much red as I would have hoped.

I have to tell JA by the end of tomorrow which three diamonds I would like to have sent for inspection, so would really appreciate feedback on these three in case I need to look for other candidates before having JA inspect them.

I just realised that this question probably needs moving to another thread with a different heading. Am going to create a new one for reviewing these three diamonds.