I took the asscher vs. round brilliant challenge

[NewEnglandLady]

I know that several women on this board have traded in their asschers for other cuts. I've only posted on this forum for several months, but have been going back through archived posts to better understand the reasons for each person's decision to switch. Vespergirl in particular piqued my interest because she's been thinking about it for months and is now in the process of making the switch.

Really, it seems that each person's decision comes down to size and brilliance. I think those women who are head over heels in love with step cuts are happy to give up some spread, but occasionally ater the "test of time" a few women decide they want a larger size and more sparkle, which is perfectly understandable.

So for the past week I've been doing a little experiment of my own. I wanted to see the true size difference of my 1.5 carat asscher vs. a 1.5 carat round and since the only way to do this is to actually compare them together on my hand, I set out to visit a few jewellers.

I ended up going to four different jewellers and seeing 4 round brillants between 1.53 and 1.58 carats (mine is 1.55). All of them had a depth % of 60 - 63% and becaue the depth on my asscher is 68%, I KNOW the spread on the round brilliants was larger. My first stop was Tiffany's, then Lux, Bond and Green (small jeweller in Boston that I visited often when deciding on a band and they were really helpful), Shreve, Crump and Low (where my current engagement ring is from) and finally, tonight, Alpha Omega--I only visited Alpha Omega because it's in the building where I work and they have Lazare Kaplan stones, which is what my asscher is.

What's interesting is that I couldn't tell much of a difference in size with ANY of the stones. The two Lazare stones I saw--one at Shreve Crump and Low and one at Alpha Omega--as well as the Tiffany diamond looked a tiny bit larger from a distance (I think because of the "sparkle" factor), but the more I pulled my hand in, the larger the asscher appeared and with all of the stones, once I had them 4 inches from my face, the asscher seemed larger, which I found to be odd because again, the spread of the RBs was larger. To be honest, I don't think the Lux, Bond and Green stone was very well cut, so it looked kind of small next to the asscher.

All in all, I was really surprised--I'm not sure if it's because of the clean, symetric lines that draw you in or if I'm just crazy in the head, but I never thought the asscher would look larger next to ANY of these stones.

So my conclusions are that:
1. I'm crazy and need to have my eyes checked!
2. The difference in size is more magnified the larger you go--thus a 2 carat asscher WILL look significantly smaller than a 2 carat round brilliant, but in the 1.5 carat range you don't notice it as much.
3. The decieving jewelry store lighting minimized the difference, maybe I would have noticed more in natural light?
4. My ring is set very low and all 4 of the other rings were set a bit higher, maybe the low setting appeared to have more spread?
5. When looking specifically at 2 diamonds of the same size right next to each other, the size difference becomes less noticable.

In any case it was a fun experiment and a good excuse to try on a few diamonds. I was wondering if anybody else has done any type of experiment like this and what the results were...

 

[strmrdr]

depending on lighting they can look smaller but I dont care they are just downright kewl.

 

[musey]

Interesting! Maybe we can find a way to link this to the whole left- vs. right-brained debate (seeing the step cut as larger). It might have something to do, also, with the square shape instead of a circle... maybe some people identify squares as being bigger than circles of an equivalent area measurement. Just differences in how our brains process shapes.

Hmmm... this sounds like an interesting topic to research...


I think that another important distinction is the price difference between those two shapes. I think I'd be more interested in comparing a round and an asscher of similar price, rather than similar carat weight. I did a PS search and 1.5 G VS2 in a round starts around $10,000, while a 1.5 G VS2 asscher starts around $8,000. If, instead, you're comparing a $10,000 asscher to a $10,000 round, you make up some of the spread difference with the extra carat weight per $ you get in an asscher. (1.7 asschers of the same C specs started at $10,000... so you'd get an extra .2ish carats over rounds of a similar price range. Not enough to even out spread, but it closes the gap a little.)

Anyway, that's a little bit more applicable to those shopping on a budget. If budget isn't an object and people just want, say, a 2ct stone, then of course they'll be getting more spread from a round.


I wore a 2ct round CZ ring for a role this past spring. It was all day, every day for nearly 3 weeks straight. Even after that long with a round, I just couldn't love it the same as I do my asscher. It's really comparing apples to bananas for me. They're both fantastic, but not everyone will choose the same one as their favorite!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Good point, Musey, about the difference in price.

I didn''t get a chance to read the left vs. right brain thread, I''ll have to cath up on it. I also wonder if there are any studies on which personality types gravitate towards certain shapes. I''m an analyst (go figure!) and tend to be left-brained. The husband is a mathematician and we both agree that the asscher is our favorite shape--maybe left-brained people are attracted to clean, symmetric lines? Who knows.

Also, you''re absolutely right, this little experiment was absolutely comparing apples to bananas. There''s really no way to compare them, it just comes down to a matter of preference. I thought I could maybe be more fair by comparing Lazare stones, but in the end it really doesn''t matter. They are different shapes, different cuts, completely different feels, but it was fun, haha!

 

[vespergirl]

Hi NewEnglandLady, awesome thread! I actually also spent many years living in Boston, so it was cool to see the names of a couple of the jewlery stores from my old stompin'' ground

I was really interested in reading about your comparison, because I''ve had the same experience every time we''re at the jeweler. When we picked out my original engagement ring and my husband lobbied hard for the RB, and for the two asscher swaps that subsequently followed. Each time, I''ve looked at RBs, ECs, radiants and princess cuts, but I kept coming back to the asscher.

I think my step-cut fixation lies in the DeBeers ad I saw in a magazine when I was 10 years old when I saw a three stone emerald cut diamond ring, and I thought, that''s the engagement ring that I want some day. When I saw the asscher, I thought, cool, here''s another step cut, but a different design. I only wanted a step cut for ages, and whenever I see them under jewelry store lights, I melt, and can''t imagine switching to a brilliant cut. Even when I went to TIffay to look at their deco setting my eye kept wandering back to the 3-stone ECs

But, in indoor lights in my house, which is full of warm toned paint and furniture, and in some outdoor lighting, I compare the light reflection to my RB pendant and am always disappointed.

I think that for me, a lot of the step-cuts I saw that I always loved were huge, like 3-5 carats, where they covered the finger with their lines of cold precision. I dunno, maybe I should have gone for a 3-stone EC instead of an asscher solitaire. But also, with the daily grime on my ring, taking care of a baby at home, I find that my asscher looks cloudy & dirty a lot faster than my old engagement ring (RB from my previous marriage).

So, as much as step cuts are my favorite, and probably always will be, I think for me I would want one as a fancy RHR that I could wear out in the evenings instead of an eeryday engagement ring that spends a lot of time in dishwater

I also think that it depends on your particular asscher. You, musey, widget & evelynn all have gorgeous asschers, and I haven''t been able to find one that makes me totally happy on all counts yet - it seems like that quest may be better fulfilled by an RB ... we''ll see after my trip to Quest on Wed.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Vesper,

Quest is down in DC, right? I only mention it because you mentioned "old stomping grounds" and I lived in DC for about 5 years before moving to Boston and really miss it.

I agree with you on every count: 1. step cuts are perfect in the 3 - 5 carat range where the patterns really shine. I just need to work on the 3 - 5 carat budget. 2. Keeping them clean is impossible! I must wipe mine on my shirt 30 times a day. I don''t even notice I do it anymore! 3. I think they make fantastic right hand rings.

I can''t wait to see what you get! I have no doubt it''s going to be absolutely gorgeous!!!

 

[Evelynn]

Date: 10/15/2007 10:22:44 PM
Author: vespergirl
Hi NewEnglandLady, awesome thread! I actually also spent many years living in Boston, so it was cool to see the names of a couple of the jewlery stores from my old stompin'' ground

I was really interested in reading about your comparison, because I''ve had the same experience every time we''re at the jeweler. When we picked out my original engagement ring and my husband lobbied hard for the RB, and for the two asscher swaps that subsequently followed. Each time, I''ve looked at RBs, ECs, radiants and princess cuts, but I kept coming back to the asscher.

I think my step-cut fixation lies in the DeBeers ad I saw in a magazine when I was 10 years old when I saw a three stone emerald cut diamond ring, and I thought, that''s the engagement ring that I want some day. When I saw the asscher, I thought, cool, here''s another step cut, but a different design. I only wanted a step cut for ages, and whenever I see them under jewelry store lights, I melt, and can''t imagine switching to a brilliant cut. Even when I went to TIffay to look at their deco setting my eye kept wandering back to the 3-stone ECs

But, in indoor lights in my house, which is full of warm toned paint and furniture, and in some outdoor lighting, I compare the light reflection to my RB pendant and am always disappointed.

I think that for me, a lot of the step-cuts I saw that I always loved were huge, like 3-5 carats, where they covered the finger with their lines of cold precision. I dunno, maybe I should have gone for a 3-stone EC instead of an asscher solitaire. But also, with the daily grime on my ring, taking care of a baby at home, I find that my asscher looks cloudy & dirty a lot faster than my old engagement ring (RB from my previous marriage).

So, as much as step cuts are my favorite, and probably always will be, I think for me I would want one as a fancy RHR that I could wear out in the evenings instead of an eeryday engagement ring that spends a lot of time in dishwater

I also think that it depends on your particular asscher. You, musey, widget & evelynn all have gorgeous asschers, and I haven''t been able to find one that makes me totally happy on all counts yet - it seems like that quest may be better fulfilled by an RB ... we''ll see after my trip to Quest on Wed.

Aww, thanks Vespergirl! I really really like the simplicity of your set, but can completely agree that you should have a set that YOU are happy with - no matter what shape that may be!

NewEnglandLady, what a great idea. I bet it was fun to get take a few rounds out for a quick test drive!

I too am intrigued at this "Asscher turned Round" movement.

I guess I never really looked at the classic round cut for my e-ring, and even more so the princess. (WAY too many of my girlfriends had princesses.

) I really really love the vintage/old world "feel" of the asscher/emeralds. The subtle flashes of light, the way the steps show themselves in direct sun and the way it LOVES candlelight!! Emeralds, let alone asschers are very uncommon around here for some reason, maybe I need to get out and about more or start paying more attention while shopping!! I also feel that a big honkin round, on small, short fingers would end up looking like a gaudy door knob. Not that there is anything wrong with that

The asscher is just.......well - ME! Just like an oval suits "so and so" or my cousin loves her marquise....

I guess I never really looked at rounds that are comparable to my asscher in carat weight....maybe that would be something to try out. Rounds (or any diamond for that matter) will never go out of style!

NEL: I am glad you are still in love with your stone!!

Odd question, but did all the jewelers you went to KNOW that you had an asscher cut stone?? Every once in a while I get a salesperson fawn over my "branded princess" or my "round with long edges" or my "cushion" stone. Sheesh! You''d think they, of all people, would know their stuff!

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Evelynn - I think you and I have very similar taste in stones.

I do think my asscher looks smaller on me than a round of comparable size would but I would never dream of trading it in! The asscher is my ultimate dream cut. There is nothing like a good clear asscher. You feel like you are just falling into those cuts that seem to go on and on. Sigh. The first time I ever saw an asscher in real life it was love at first sight.

Of course that was a huge, huge flawless yellow diamond - so what''s not to love there, huh?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

A great thing to do.

well done, but....................

Back you go because 2ct asscher costs about the same as 1.5ct round - so you need to do that comparison to be fair to be fair

Re the bigger vs the smaller size having more effect - I think you will find a 5ct asscher looks pretty good along side a smae priced round.

Personally I never stock ascchers under 0.90ct because I think they loose it (unless you talk side stones)

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Evelynn,

I''m still drooling over your ring, I have it saved to my computer, haha Anyway, to answer your question every single person I talked with at those four jewellers immediately knew my cut was an asscher, so that''s good at least! It seems that the sales associates at lower-quality chain stores are more befuddled by the shape.

Garry,

I completely agree--if I were comparing two similarly-priced stones I''d definitely have to compare a smaller RB to a larger asscher, I was just trying to see the size difference between two carat weights.

 

[vespergirl]

Hi New England Lady!

Quest is actually in Fairfax, VA, but that''s only about 15 mintues outside DC - I live in the northern Virginia area. I have never been there, but after reading good things about them on this board, I thoguht they would be the guys to go to to redesign my ring. We got my diamond at Mervis, in northern VA, and I actually thought their service was also really great, but I don''t think they do custom settings.

Back to your ring, though What I really love about your design are the pear sides - I think it gives your ring such a delicate and pretty Victorian look, and totally unique. I also really like them with squared cuts. My friend has a radiant with pear sides that is gorgeous too.

 

[musey]

Beat ya to it, Garry