For the Love of Asscher''s......

[rparker1998]

OK I just don''t get it....I have never seen one in person, can''t even tell you anything about them except they are a type of cut.....so will you please explain what an asscher actually is and what makes them so desireable?

Pictures preferred - a good vs bad asscher just so I can see the differences.....


I have completed Assignment 1 of my GIA Diamond Essentials course so I''m sure it will be discussed later on and I would like to have a heads up...


THanks!

 

[Karl_K]

go out and see one and you might or might not understand.
Some people get them some don't.

It is pretty much indescribable.
Where are you located?

Second best is watching all the videos on gog.
Still pictures will never do them justice.

 

[rparker1998]

Karl K OHhhh I''ll see if i can check out GoG. I''m in Jax FL.

 

[bgray]

and most asschers (really square emeralds) available today are blechy!

 

[Karl_K]

Date: 10/31/2009 10:03:11 PM
Author: rparker1998
Karl K OHhhh I'll see if i can check out GoG. I'm in Jax FL.

Hmmm don't know any dealers in Jax...

A good place to start is here:
http://www.vimeo.com/album/44204

disclaimer: my diamond's video is in on that page but it is the best video resource on the net for asschers.

 

[30yearsofdiamonds]

Take a look at a Royal Asscher Cut,(4 pavilion steps) on their web site and you will get a better idea. Many square emeralds are passed off as Asscher. The corners are supposed to be pretty wide but not quite as wide as the side steps so that the stone doesn''t looks like an octagon, (8 equal sides). Most square emeralds have corners that are about 1/3 the length of the sides.

Regadless of the true shape GIA will not use the name Asscher, just as they don''t use the name Princess.

 

[LD]

Karl - can you give an indication of what you look for, when looking at a photo of an Asscher, to determine whether it''s well cut please?

I''ve looked at Rhino''s videos and whilst they''re fabulous for showing performance, what they don''t do is say, ok, you need to look for (a) nice shape windmills, steps of equal sizes, long sides, small table/large table etc etc.

As an example, I''ve just bought a yellowish brown asscher cut diamond. I have no doubt that it''s not well cut but to my untrained eye, I can''t see what you may see. I would love to see a badly cut asscher photo next to a well cut asscher photo to see the difference but I''ve searched and can''t find a comparison.

So forget light performance for a moment ........... when you just look at a gem with your eyes or a photo of one, what should the average person look for please?

 

[Karl_K]

Date: 11/1/2009 9:27:11 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds

So forget light performance for a moment ........... when you just look at a gem with your eyes or a photo of one, what should the average person look for please?

Patterns it is all about the patterns and p3 angles.
I always start at the outside.
a. Pleasing outside shape, eye square? eye even corners?
b. crown facet patterns - mix of contrast, not to dark, reasonable table size. Crown facets eye even in width from the top?
c. windmills - strong and stand out.
d. light return in the center, acceptable p3 angles.
e. overall brightness and dark to light ratio. (based on the type, bright drop has larger dark zones but should have some return under the edges of the table)
f. look for over dark areas. This is easier in person, if the dark zones are very dark and stay that way over tilt then there is an issue.
g. look at the crown height, then for strong fire
h. some stones just have the certain something when everything above comes together that speaks to the viewer.

 

[LD]

Date: 11/1/2009 10:46:34 AM
Author: Karl_K

Date: 11/1/2009 9:27:11 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds

So forget light performance for a moment ........... when you just look at a gem with your eyes or a photo of one, what should the average person look for please?

Patterns it is all about the patterns and p3 angles.
I always start at the outside.
a. Pleasing outside shape, eye square? eye even corners?
b. crown facet patterns - mix of contrast, not to dark, reasonable table size. Crown facets eye even in width from the top?
c. windmills - strong and stand out.
d. light return in the center, acceptable p3 angles.
e. overall brightness and dark to light ratio. (based on the type, bright drop has larger dark zones but should have some return under the edges of the table)
f. look for over dark areas. This is easier in person, if the dark zones are very dark and stay that way over tilt then there is an issue.
g. look at the crown height, then for strong fire
h. some stones just have the certain something when everything above comes together that speaks to the viewer.

Thank you very much Karl - very helpful. Can I be a pain and ask for photos of a good/bad/ugly example? It''s easier to visualise the problems when you have something to compare it to.

xxx

 

[Karl_K]

Date: 11/1/2009 11:13:22 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds


Thank you very much Karl - very helpful. Can I be a pain and ask for photos of a good/bad/ugly example? It's easier to visualise the problems when you have something to compare it to.


xxx

I have been working on that off and on the biggest problem is the different style of asschers and different looks make it hard to do.
My p3 angle article is a start and has some:
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/60/1/Performance-and-the-p3-facets%2c-a-discussion-about-step-cut-diamonds.aspx

 

[LD]

Thanks again Karl. So using your tutorial and the guide you gave above, my uneducated evaluation of my new diamond is:

a. Pleasing outside shape, eye square? eye even corners?
b. crown facet patterns - mix of contrast, not to dark, reasonable table size. Crown facets eye even in width from the top?
c. windmills - strong and stand out.
d. light return in the center, acceptable p3 angles.
e. overall brightness and dark to light ratio. (based on the type, bright drop has larger dark zones but should have some return under the edges of the table)
f. look for over dark areas. This is easier in person, if the dark zones are very dark and stay that way over tilt then there is an issue.
g. look at the crown height, then for strong fire
h. some stones just have the certain something when everything above comes together that speaks to the viewer.
a. Pleasing shape and almost eye square with nice even corners.
b. Mix of contrast but perhaps a little too dark. Reasonable table size. Crown facets uneven.
c. Nice windmills but perhaps a tad on the skinny side.
d. Unacceptable dreadful P3 angles!!!!
e. Overall, the diamond is bright but does zone out when moved.
f. Too dark especially in the centre - due to bad facet placement and poor P3 angles.
g. The diamond will arrive tomorrow so I''m purely focussing on what I see in the photo.
h. I''m more used to evaluating coloured gemstones and I buy diamonds when they "look" good to me! I''ve never bought anything by numbers. This appealed because of the size, colour and price(!). I am under no illusion about it''s cut but I guess a compromise must be had along the lines!

 

[Karl_K]

have you posted the pic?

 

[LD]

Here Karl ......

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-thoughts.128419/