Help me find an asscher CS

[BrightSpot]

Hi everyone,

I'm about to embark on my first CS purchase & I'd love your assistance as I'm a newbie & there are so many wonderful, knowledgeable people here!

So, what I really want is an asscher, preferably in the 8mm range, durable enough to set in a ring (a RHR, so not every day wear.)

I don't have my heart set on a particular stone (though spinels are looking mighty interesting) or color (just no purple!)

Is this possible to find something like this for $500 or less? A Jeff White stone would be the dream, but I don't think it would be in budget!

Here are some looks/colors that I like, though--tsavorite or spessartite, peachy-pink, bluish green or light brown (could zircon work?)...or I'm open to other options too.

Thanks for your help!

 

[chrono]

I don't think you'll be able to get a 8 mm asscher in a spinel from anyone, regardless of colour. 8 mm translates to around 4 carats in that cut design. Tsavorite, spessartite and Malaya garnet (peachy pink) are out. I think a tourmaline might be doable, or at least close enough. Bluish green garnet is definitely out and bluish green tourmaline is a bit difficult to find these days. Light brown zircon is doable as well. In terms of durability, you'll still need to baby tourmaline, garnet and zircon in a ring.

 

[VapidLapid]

All Chrono said is very true. But I think it can still be doable. With Asschers it seems people have better luck generally by asking a lapidary to cut one for them than by looking through inventories with the hope of finding one. Would you consider a natural blue topaz? You could ask Doug at http://www.bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_Gemstones_Designs_Squares_Asscher.php if he has any suitable material, or for some other type that might work. This one is sold but shows how nicely the material works and his fine cutting.

 

[jstarfireb]

In addition to Doug, I'd contact these guys:
Peter Torraca: http://www.torraca.net
Gene Flanigan: http://www.precisiongem.com
Roger Dery: http://www.spectralgems.net
Gary Braun: http://www.finewatergems.com

I have asschers from Peter and Roger as well as a second-hand one from Jeff White. If you like Jeff White's cutting, it probably wouldn't hurt to see how he'd price a tourmaline, quartz variety, or zircon in this size. He may not be much more expensive than other cutters. I've never bought a stone from him directly, though.

Maybe consider morganite for a peachy-pink color? They tend to be pretty affordable. Aquamarine might work in your price range too.

 

[chrono]

Ah....yes, blue topaz or maybe light aqua or even a light amethyst!

 

[minousbijoux]

I would go for zircon if you could find it. Lately, I've seen some gorgeous large-sized blue ones, though not asschers. But VL and jstar have some good suggestions as to vendors.

 

[mercoledi]

If you're willing to compromise on size, there's a lovely Jeff White pink spinel in pre-loved: https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/help-selling-my-gemstone-collection-t189674.html

 

[BrightSpot]

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for all of your help! I'm sorry I've taken so long to get back to you.

Chrono, thanks for your expertise. I was hoping you'd chine in. I could be a bit flexible on stone & size (maybe price too)--just mostly interested in that gorgeous asscher cut & something that wouldn't scratch too easily.

Vapid, I would definitely consider blue topaz or an aqua. In fact, that's kind of where I started in this journey. I found this stone on etsy & almost ordered it, but thought I should check with the pricescopers first. What do you guys think? I guess at that price, it's not much of a risk.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/123318682/30-sale-on-295-cts-natural?ref=usr_faveitems

Though the stone you posted from Doug is absolutely stunning! Do you think the cut is better served with a lighter colored stone?

Jstar, thanks for sharing so many cutters! I should probably check with Jeff White as well too.

This is the ring that got me started on this quest (from onegarnetgirl on etsy that has a Peter Torraca stone).

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91041294/asscher-cut-aquamarine-gemstone-ring-in?ref=usr_faveitems

It might still be a good option. What do you guys think? Then I wondered if I could get a larger or better stone if I bought it separately then had it set.

I also found this aquamarine but can't tell if the pictures are funky or the cut.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/104878528/engagement-ring-blue-aquamarine-gemstone?ref=usr_faveitems

Minous, a zircon would surely be very sparkly, wouldn't it? Do you think it would be reasonably durable?

Mercoledi, I saw that gorgeous asscher yesterday, but now I can't find the thread. Did it go away? I already have a pink sapphire ring, but that spinel was so yummy...

 

[distracts]

That last one has such a ginormo window.

I saw this one on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71309798/asscher-cut-spinel-fine-loose-gemstone?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=asscher

 

[chrono]

How hard on your rings will you be? 24/7 wear? Just wear it out once a while? Wear everyday but only to work?
24/7 - chrysoberyl, sapphire, spinel
Once a while - garnet, tourmaline, beryl, zircon
Everyday but with lots of care - garnet, tourmaline, topaz

Blue topaz is very inexpensive to replace and your first choice looks good.
The aqua looks good too, has the bonus of already being set. Palladium WG is very nice, stays white and nickle free! I think the picture is over-blue though as WG doesn't quite look like that, meaning I think the aquamarine might be slightly lighter than shown.
I would pass on that other unset Etsy aquamarine.
Zircon is very sparkly but tends to chip easily. You'll see facet wear sooner than later. Although you can bezel it, the rest of the crown is still unprotected.

 

[BrightSpot]

distracts, thanks for posting that lovely spinel! It was pretty tempting, but I already have a pink sapphire ring & I'm afraid going with this spinel would mean one of those rings wouldn't get much love anymore (probably the one I already have!)

Chrono, thanks so much for posting that detailed info on stones & giving your expert opinion on the stones I posted. This helps so much!

So, I went ahead & ordered the blue topaz from etsy figuring at $24, it wasn't much of a risk. It should arrive soon. I'll post pics when it does & would love additional input! The stone is not expensive, but the setting will cost much more so I don't want to invest if the stone doesn't look acceptable.

As for the setting, do you guys have recommendations? I was initially thinking of a double claw prong solitaire setting in white gold, though I could also do a simple bezel setting. I trolled some old threads for recommendations (not sure if they're the most recent info or not) & got quotes from Daniel M on Etsy & LOGR & lan.bo4 on Ebay. So far LOGR's quote is most competitive, but not sure how the quality is.

I was also considering a halo setting. The quote from LOGR to do this setting was only about $40 more than a solitaire setting. What do you think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251165894366?var=550186957212&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Also, how does the protocol work on these things? Should I send my stone to DanielM or LOGR for setting, or do I send them the dimensions of the stone & get the setting shipped to me, then have the stone set locally?