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How to shop for and buy ‘my’ stone.

  • Thread starter Thread starter HoneyBadger2
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HoneyBadger2

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Ok I’m really struggling with finding ‘my’ diamond for our engagement ring. Shopping for a diamond and/or ring is not like shopping for most things. For the record, I’m looking for an asscher cut in the 3 ct range. My stone size and shape make it very difficult to walk into a Jeweller and try on a bunch of things and then make my selection. I live in Toronto, so have access to some decent stores but I’m picky and figure if we’re going to spend the same kinda dough on a ring that we would a car, then I should be “sure” of my choice. For that to happen I’d like to be able to compare things side by side, see them in different lights, get a sense of how the final setting will look on my hand, to name a few. Can anyone offer me advice on how to best approach this process?
P.S. we did go to a store that had a lot of estate pieces to try so that at least gave me a sense of what a larger emerald cut would look like but these aren’t the same as asschers IMO.

Some specific questions/considerations that I have:
1. Do I really want a colourless stone ($$$) or would a warmer, near colourless actually look great?
2. I love the flash that comes with the antique asscher cuts (smaller table) - do I need to go up in size to get something that looks decent on my 7.5 finger or would the added bling of a better cut be enough?
3. What I’m looking for is a stone that will speak for its net and not need much else in the setting so it really does need to be just right . Is VVS really just for me (my ego) or will it show better than a VS?

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate this community!
 
HoneyBadger2 said:
Some specific questions/considerations that I have:
You'll get varying opinions on these questions but here's my take...
1. Do I really want a colourless stone ($$$) or would a warmer, near colourless actually look great?
I think near colorless and even lower can be gorgeous...sort of reminds me of antique lace color. We have a thread with lower color
stones that I'll try to post. I know there are several "K" colored larger steps cuts that just look amazing IMO.
2. I love the flash that comes with the antique asscher cuts (smaller table) - do I need to go up in size to get something that looks decent on my 7.5 finger or would the added bling of a better cut be enough?
I personally dont think the table size affects the overall look of the size. Its the overall LxW that really matters when I see a stone.
I feel your pain with the bigger fingers. I wear a 6 3/4 to 7. :(
3. What I’m looking for is a stone that will speak for its net and not need much else in the setting so it really does need to be just right . Is VVS really just for me (my ego) or will it show better than a VS?
I think it really depends on the inclusion and how much it shows up. If the inclusion at a VS level is in one of the windmills it
may not show up at all and the VS is fine. However, if the inclusion is on the top of the table at the VS level you're probably not
going to want that.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate this community!
Click to expand...

I can find the actual thread I was looking for but did find this one...I'll keep looking
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-i-j-k-l-etc-color-emerald-cuts.155942/
 
Congratulations on your engagement!

I have been following your other thread and can't wait to see what you eventually decide on.:love:

1&3 - I think that color and clarity are a very personal preference, and really you are the only person who can decide what appeals to you. That being said, from what I understand about finding a well cut fancy stone, you might need to be flexible and patient. I would definitely go to several stores and see graded stones in different colors/clarities. Even if they are smaller, it can still give you a feel for where your limits are. I may be wrong, but I thought that I read that step cuts retain more of their color in a larger stone. I am sure that the experts will chime in, but I think that you could go down to an H and would still feel that the stone is white.

2. Hello! Are you really asking if you should go bigger? Of course!!!:lol-2: - Just kidding. Again, it is your personal preference and what your goals are. I do believe that asschers face up much smaller than a MRB so you might need to go up in size or consider a delicate halo if you are looking to maximize finger coverage.
IMG_3477.JPG
Sorry for the poor image quality, but here is a screenshot comparing a 3ct MRB and 3ct asscher on a 7.5
 
1. Do I really want a colourless stone ($$$) or would a warmer, near colourless actually look great?

I addressed this on your other thread, but near colorless is the best value and it will gain you more size which is needed in asschers since they face up small. I showed you my K color antique asscher, but I probably wouldn't go under I color in a modern asscher.

2. I love the flash that comes with the antique asscher cuts (smaller table) - do I need to go up in size to get something that looks decent on my 7.5 finger or would the added bling of a better cut be enough?

I think a 3 ct asscher is a nice size, and any asscher can be put in a halo to increase the size.

3. What I’m looking for is a stone that will speak for its net and not need much else in the setting so it really does need to be just right . Is VVS really just for me (my ego) or will it show better than a VS?

Um, no, as long as you can't see the inclusions, it doesn't matter. I prefer VS for cleanness and value, but I'd pay for higher clarity only if I found the perfectly cut stone. Not to mention, no one but you will know if it is VVS or VS2.
 
Ditto to everything @diamondseeker2006 said.

There was a thread on here some time ago where trade members chimed in. There are not a lot of cutters that cut asschers, and there are specific cutting houses / cutters known to cut it well. However, not all dealers may have the knowledge of which cutters are good for asschers, or may not have existing relationships to these cutting houses to be able to call stones in from them to view.

You can work with a few different jewelers to call stones in within your specs to see what they can bring in and make your comparison. I am assuming they have relationships with different cutters and not everyone has access to all of them, which gives you the ability to see what's on offer.
 
BN, Enchanted Diamonds, and James Allen are going to have the most posted with pics online. A vendor ordering stones just by numbers is going to be less effective than doing initial selection with photos, IMO. However, ILikeShiny got hers from ID Jewelry, so they'd be a good one to contact if you can find any yourself or with the help of people here.

@Alexiszoe, they pretty much have access to the same virtual inventories. I would only work with one jeweler at a time or else they'll be trying to call in some of the same stones.
 
How exciting and congrats!
I was lucky enough to find some asschers in the first building I went to... but it was an 8 floor building full so it was kind of like a jewelry district.
Like Octo said color and clarity are a very personal decision. My opinion is as long as it's eye clean, but some like mind clean.
I don't think a 3 ct would look small on your fingers at all.. I have a 8.5 finger and a 1.5ct. I VS2. That's not to say I wouldn't love a 2 + ct. I think that going down to vs gives you more options as does going down from DEF range. With Asschers I would say cut is most important, so the more options to look at cut wise the better.
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
BN, Enchanted Diamonds, and James Allen are going to have the most posted with pics online. A vendor ordering stones just by numbers is going to be less effective than doing initial selection with photos, IMO. However, ILikeShiny got hers from ID Jewelry, so they'd be a good one to contact if you can find any yourself or with the help of people here.

@Alexiszoe, they pretty much have access to the same virtual inventories. I would only work with one jeweler at a time or else they'll be trying to call in some of the same stones.
Click to expand...
JA has a 30 day return period, and I believe that the others do as well. You could order a stone or two to get a feel for your preferences.
 
@diamondseeker2006 , based on the information that trade members shared in that thread I don't think all cutters have virtual inventories. Some shared that certain cutting houses simply do not list their items on virtual inventory for all dealers, and rely on existing relationships with known dealers instead. It has been a few years since that thread so I am not sure if it's still the same - but in my search for a large EC recently this appears to be the case.
 
Thanks everyone. Yes I’ve had a hard time getting jewellers here to get high res video of the stones they have access to. It’s pretty comical actually what they send me - as if I’d make a decision based on some cloudy still photo that tells me nothing about the cut. For asschers this is so important and of course not something graded. My issue is when I ask them to bring it in I really don’t want to feel obligated to buy or even work with that jeweller.
 
Alexiszoe said:
@diamondseeker2006 , based on the information that trade members shared in that thread I don't think all cutters have virtual inventories. Some shared that certain cutting houses simply do not list their items on virtual inventory for all dealers, and rely on existing relationships with known dealers instead. It has been a few years since that thread so I am not sure if it's still the same - but in my search for a large EC recently this appears to be the case.
Click to expand...

I am not sure which thread you are meaning, but certainly some stones are not accessible to all. But for example, many vendors can call in stones listed on sites like JA or BN because those suppliers list their stones at multiple places. In fact, people often find a stone they are looking at on another site. There are also specialty cut stones that are only sold through select sources like August Vintage or Royal Asscher, etc. But cutters want to sell their stones, so a generic asscher normally is going to be accessible from supplier lists. There just aren't nearly as many asschers as there are modern rounds.

The good thing is, someone like ID Jewelers has easy access to stones in NY, and they can physically pick them up and not have to deal with all the shipping. I'd feel less obligation to buy when a jeweler is not spending money having stones shipped in.
 
Thanks DS; all helpful. Yes I spend a lot of time looking at JbG. Love the antique stones. I have looked at the 3 cat you sent but again was shining away form the J color. Maybe I’m thinking it will show different than it emrealyndoes when I’m not comparing it to a whiter stone. As for the table - I find the vintage cuts have different proportions than the more modern versions. I’m assuming. The more modern bbersionnis cut for max sparkle but maybe I’m wrong. Will the antiques stones have a firey quality?
 
Just looked at the love affair stone. Really nice too. I love a squatty emerald. I think this one is about 1.2. That’s great. The photos make the warmer colours look desireable. Lol. I’m so confused. Haha
 
Also the whole larger cutlet thing on the antiques - I know why they were cut like that but is this a desirable trait? I’m not sure about it yet.
 
Ok that love affair stone is really growing on me. Is it just the way the pictures have been shot? Maybe I do like the warmer tone. I can’t put my finger on it but there is something appealing. Sigh. Lol.
 
@diamondseeker2006 , I think we are actually on the same page, what you said about BN/JA stones and access by others versus avc/ asschers is exactly what I mean.

@HoneyBadger2 , I would suggest not focusing too much on whether it's a vintage flavor or modern asscher for now, and seeing individual stones to make your decision, if possible. The reason is the way it's cut can vary so widely from stone to stone and how it performs in person too may appeal differently to you. For example, I had the opportunity to see a vintage and modern asscher side by side in person. In pics and videos I loved the vintage, but in person the modern asscher blew me away.
 
HoneyBadger2 said:
Just looked at the love affair stone. Really nice too. I love a squatty emerald. I think this one is about 1.2. That’s great. The photos make the warmer colours look desireable. Lol. I’m so confused. Haha
Click to expand...
Don't forget that the aim of any product's photos is to make it look desirable ;-) lol

HoneyBadger2 said:
Also the whole larger cutlet thing on the antiques - I know why they were cut like that but is this a desirable trait? I’m not sure about it yet.
Click to expand...
I think this may boil down to the question of whether you might upgrade in the future - do you want to buy something that appeals to you (and may be beautiful but less 'in fashion' now, or flat-out deliberately cut differently) or something that is a 'safe bet' (which would be easier / quicker to sell on or trade in)?

It would be nice if we could just buy what we like all the time, but we are conditioned in the west to constantly compare what we have and want to what other people have and want, and it takes a strong person (or someone in a strong financial position lol) to buck that trend, especially when we will be relying on those other people to want what we might be selling!

Do you think that you might be in the financial position to do this again in a few years' time (from scratch, without the need to sell whatever you buy now)? If so, I would perhaps say buy exactly what appeals to your heart now and just see what happens in the future - if you want to upgrade, you would have the money to do the same again and you could just keep the stone you're buying now, perhaps making a pendant with it :) And if you don't want to upgrade, you will have a stone you love and are glad you bought!
 
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Thanks Alexiszoe, this makes a lot of sense but will for sure be my challenge.

OoohShiny, i really don’t see me trading up, I’m looking for classic and I don’t think the size I’m aiming for will warrant needing a larger stone. I know I wore my .73 Round brilliant from my first marriage for close to 15 years. . Then again, I get a new car every 5 years or so. :-o Lol
 
HoneyBadger2 said:
Ok that love affair stone is really growing on me. Is it just the way the pictures have been shot? Maybe I do like the warmer tone. I can’t put my finger on it but there is something appealing. Sigh. Lol.
Click to expand...
I like it too.
 
HoneyBadger2 said:
OoohShiny, i really don’t see me trading up, I’m looking for classic and I don’t think the size I’m aiming for will warrant needing a larger stone. I know I wore my .73 Round brilliant from my first marriage for close to 15 years. . Then again, I get a new car every 5 years or so. :-o Lol
Click to expand...
You're on PriceScope now - never say never ;)) :lol:
 
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