Help with picking an Asscher Diamond

[shinee77]

I think that would be useful. The one you choose you should feel stands out for you, for whatever reason. I suppose really it should stand out for your lady but let’s hope there’s emotional symmetry between you! It’s a real advantage to buy a step cut in person.

100% agree! Here's the 3 certs for the above:
2.01, G, VS2: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=7288138434
2.05, H, VS1: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=1142542738
2.01, H, VS1: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=2181113883

Debating between 1st and 3rd above.

 

[BlingDreams]

100% agree! Here's the 3 certs for the above:
2.01, G, VS2: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=7288138434
2.05, H, VS1: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=1142542738
2.01, H, VS1: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=2181113883

Debating between 1st and 3rd above.

I'd definitely exclude the 2nd. VG/G for polish and symmetry means you can do much better.

Do you have photos/ASETs of #1 and #3?

 

[shinee77]

I'd definitely exclude the 2nd. VG/G for polish and symmetry means you can do much better.

Do you have photos/ASETs of #1 and #3?

Just the videos from above:

1. 2.01, VS2, G, $14600 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wc26pmsdZ5BaOwovkF2lTKovA58UCle1) - This one and the below are from IDJ. I preferred this one for its sparkle, though it appeared smaller (due to the smaller table).
2. 2.05, VS1, H, $14500 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tIalmbvTepA9-Yb4DmiEKjhE4QxGtRoB) - Definitely the "largest" looking of the 2 carats I saw. For comparison, the solitaire ring it's in there was around a size 4.5 or 5 (iirc). I just didn't feel the middle was as alive as the other stones in this list, but still better than most that I saw. The measurement for the top is 7.39 x 7.32mm which is why it's relatively so big.
3. 2.01, VS1, H, $13800 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_YtpLJe46hUsuMdm-GnhHcib5IbV8-N0) - This one was the only one I saw in basically natural light (right next to the window). In the video, it starts without any special lighting. Not sure if it's a bit yellow though.

 

[BlingDreams]

Just the videos from above:

1. 2.01, VS2, G, $14600 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wc26pmsdZ5BaOwovkF2lTKovA58UCle1) - This one and the below are from IDJ. I preferred this one for its sparkle, though it appeared smaller (due to the smaller table).
2. 2.05, VS1, H, $14500 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tIalmbvTepA9-Yb4DmiEKjhE4QxGtRoB) - Definitely the "largest" looking of the 2 carats I saw. For comparison, the solitaire ring it's in there was around a size 4.5 or 5 (iirc). I just didn't feel the middle was as alive as the other stones in this list, but still better than most that I saw. The measurement for the top is 7.39 x 7.32mm which is why it's relatively so big.
3. 2.01, VS1, H, $13800 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_YtpLJe46hUsuMdm-GnhHcib5IbV8-N0) - This one was the only one I saw in basically natural light (right next to the window). In the video, it starts without any special lighting. Not sure if it's a bit yellow though.

Hmmmm.... not the best videos but given what I saw I'd choose the first stone out of #1 and #3 (I agree that the third looks yellow, so if that's not to your liking it'll bother you). And, I was surprised that actually liked the 2nd stone quite a bit. I thought the VG/G combo would throw it off but it seemed to have quite a personality.

So no ASETs were taken?

 

[OoohShiny]

Just the videos from above:

1. 2.01, VS2, G, $14600 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wc26pmsdZ5BaOwovkF2lTKovA58UCle1) - This one and the below are from IDJ. I preferred this one for its sparkle, though it appeared smaller (due to the smaller table).
2. 2.05, VS1, H, $14500 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tIalmbvTepA9-Yb4DmiEKjhE4QxGtRoB) - Definitely the "largest" looking of the 2 carats I saw. For comparison, the solitaire ring it's in there was around a size 4.5 or 5 (iirc). I just didn't feel the middle was as alive as the other stones in this list, but still better than most that I saw. The measurement for the top is 7.39 x 7.32mm which is why it's relatively so big.
3. 2.01, VS1, H, $13800 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_YtpLJe46hUsuMdm-GnhHcib5IbV8-N0) - This one was the only one I saw in basically natural light (right next to the window). In the video, it starts without any special lighting. Not sure if it's a bit yellow though.

Shopping for good stepcuts is tough!

Entirely my own opinion here, and caveated with the fact that I've only had practice looking online ( lol) of those...:

1. I see what you mean about being quite active - it looks to be working the 'virtual facets' pretty well in the middle and looks great head-on, but it looks like it might be 'windowing' quite a lot, going from the area in the centre that seems to be showing your finger through it at certain angles??

2. I like the faceting and it looks to be perfoming well in terms of light return, but I think I agree that it's quite 'quiet'. It could just be lighting, though! I'm going to disagree with @ILikeShiny because I think the VG/G can be disregarded on the basis that Stepcuts need to be assessed on beauty rather than the figures lol

3. Also looks to be performing decently well in terms of light return but, to my eyes, also seems to be a bit 'quiet', if more lively than number. It could just be lighting conditions, though.


TBH I think I like No.2 the best out of all of those! but I'd want to see it in a wide range of lights to assess fully.

 

[BlingDreams]

2. I like the faceting and it looks to be perfoming well in terms of light return, but I think I agree that it's quite 'quiet'. It could just be lighting, though! I'm going to disagree with @ILikeShiny because I think the VG/G can be disregarded on the basis that Stepcuts need to be assessed on beauty rather than the figures lol

TBH I think I like No.2 the best out of all of those! but I'd want to see it in a wide range of lights to assess fully.

I thought the same thing! I expected #2 to be a dud, but it might be my favorite as well. I really want to see some GOOD, slow-moving, close-up and in focus videos as well as some ASETs........

 

[whitewave]

I mean, don’t overthink it too much. Go with your gut.

In many ways, I’m glad I bought mine blind and first saw it mounted when it arrived at my door. No analysis paralysis.

My asscher that I bought by the numbers and with no ASET, video or even a photo!!! Ha!! Can you believe that??

https://instagram.com/p/BYvih01ArYM/

And actually that is not the best video because it looks a little dead in the middle which it isn’t and apparently I inherited my mother’s Video skills lol.

 

[Matthews1127]

I’m leaning towards Team #2.
Need slow action video, with more movement from top view, tilted in all directions. Plus ASET images to confirm performance; difficult to tell if all of the center facets are lively from the angle of that video, above.
I’m not convinced, yet.
#1 is out: dreaded dead center. Way too much leakage under the table.

#3 shows too much tint to my eyes, and does not appear to be as lively as #2.

 

[JmeeMrie]

To be fair it's hard to compare an asscher sitting between fingers to a mounted one that has the advantage of having light all around it. That being said, I would be looking between 1 and 2. You saw them in person, go with the one that speaks to you.. there's only so much we can get from these videos. but you saw them. I think though I am going to call #1 my favorite. 2 had nice white light return, but I liked the thicker, more active steps of #1.

 

[scarsmum]

I’m a fan of 1 and would probably like 3 in better lighting without the white background. It’s an H so I think the color is not being accurately represented.