idealscope or ASET?

[mc5581]

Hi

I'm buying a diamond from BlueNile.

Since they refuse to supply ASET or Idealscope, I'll order one myself and have it shipped to the UK.

Should be possible within the 30-day return period and it looks like a fun piece of kit, anyhow. Maybe it'll help someone else in future as there seem to be no gemologists who offer the service in the UK currently.

My question is whether I should go for an ASET Scope kit or an Expert Scope kit?

http://ideal-scope.com/product/aset-scope-for-fancy-shapes-cuts/

Both include the lights + tweezer + Calibration CZ. It seems ASETs show a bit more information, even on rounds.

Also : should i purchase a silver loupe separately? I would use this to check the diamond's GIA number once it is mounted and to inspect it closely after the ring designer has set my stone.

Thanks!

 

[bmfang]

If the budget allows for it, I'd be getting the Professional Kit which has both scopes in it. If budget is an issue, Idealscopes and ASET scopes both assist in determining light performance however the ASET will give you more information to make a decision on (IMHO). I personally would prefer an ASET over an Idealscope but that's just me.

 

[seekingshiny]

I agree with bmfang that getting a kit with both would be preferable, but if push came to shove and budget did not allow for both I'd also go with ASET over Idealscope - it gives you more information and also is more helpful particularly if you're primarily looking at shapes other than rounds.

If all you wanted to do was check the GIA number after your jeweler set it to confirm that it's the same diamond, I'd be surprised if they didn't have a loupe on hand for you to borrow. That said, a good loupe is helpful while you're hunting down your own diamond; a 10x is what GIA grades at, but I personally found that one at slightly higher magnification (e.g. 12x or 15x) was better for me to see fine details.

Editted to add: One thing to be aware of with BlueNile and buying diamonds to evaluate in person is that if one does a lot of purchases and subsequent returns, I have heard that they may blacklist you, FYI.

 

[pinn]

Doesn't the ASET make the Idealscope somewhat redundant? What information does the Idealscope provide that the ASET doesn't?

 

[mc5581]

Doesn't the ASET make the Idealscope somewhat redundant? What information does the Idealscope provide that the ASET doesn't?

Yeah, that was my understanding. Hence the question to make sure i hadn't missed something.