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In love with an imperfect asscher

lovedogs

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
20,100
Need to get some "down to earth" help from PSers on this one.

I am absolutely in love with this asscher from JA. Some of you probably know that I am absolutely unabashedly in love with Octavia cut stones. @Karl_K and @diagem are absolutely artists and the octavias just are unrivaled. Unfortunately, they are far out of my budget and hard to find, but I always window shop to try and find unusual asschers with small tables and bigger depth to get some of the look I like so much.

Obviously nothing will ever be an octavia, but I've come to terms with that fact. I've been doing this window shopping for months now--probably close to a year. Just looking at JA, B2C, BN, etc to see if something ever looks similar for somewhere around 3k (give or take). And nothing ever does, until today.

Found this https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.85-carat-e-color-si2-clarity-sku-9293809 and just died a little at how pretty it is (to my eye). I know it's SI2 and that it will face up small, but the cut is just glorious.


Put it on hold immediately to give myself a chance to think critically about it. Asked for an ASET/IS and got one (below).

Also attaching the GIA report.



1615664928930.png


cert.jpeg



Am I crazy for loving this? Like I said above, I know nothing will ever truly be an octavia unless cut by @diagem, but the small table + deeper look is achieved here, and it is pleasing to my eye despite the inclusions.

@diamondhoarder mentioned that choosing an asscher is like choosing a husband and I couldn't agree more haha.

Thanks, all!
 
Karl_K said:
I can see why you love it.
Have you had someone at ja eyeball the inclusions?
Click to expand...

that means a lot coming from you :)

I haven't yet. To be totally honest I don't know what to have them look for. I'm ok with the inclusions being visible (this would be an "alternative e-ring" or RHR, so there isn't the pressure of it being my only e-ring or anything). My biggest concern would be durability.
 
lovedogs said:
@diamondhoarder mentioned that choosing an asscher is like choosing a husband and I couldn't agree more haha.
Click to expand...

Yeah but once you let 'em go, it's hard to get that second chance. And you can't put three of them on hold and pick your favorite. Well, maybe a few of you could do that :cool2:

In this instance, I think you need to see it in person and in bright and dim light and see if that big inclusion and its unfortunate location offends you. It's a half-inch on my screen but I'm guessing a lot smaller in person...
 
Simple and Sparkly said:
Ouuuuuuu, @lovedogs, GET IT!!!! It is so gorgeous! As long as the inclusions aren't a risk, I think it will be perfect!! The patterning looks amazingly close to the Octavia ;)2
Click to expand...

so glad you chimed in!!!! I wish it were bigger, but I also realize how freaking hard it is to find one like this (given my nearly year-long search haha)
 
What I've realized with an Octavia (and probably very similarly with this stone) is that carat size is not as important as I thought (for me at least)- the way they sparkle and shine and "talk" is what matters! When you find one that "speaks" to you, that says a whole lot! =)2 =)2
 
Simple and Sparkly said:
What I've realized with an Octavia (and probably very similarly with this stone) is that carat size is not as important as I thought (for me at least)- the way they sparkle and shine and "talk" is what matters! When you find one that "speaks" to you, that says a whole lot! =)2 =)2
Click to expand...

Yeah that makes sense. I got a 6.5mm "Octavia " unmentionable from china to do a size test and realized that stones that would usually be smaller than I like are very nice in this kind of cut
 
The crown/crown steps are quite lovely!
 
The biggest concern with something like this is not buying it and having it play over and over in your regret playlist.
 
That faceting is marvelous! It would probably be worth seeing in person knowing you have the return policy as a safety net. After a year of searching it clearly has something special that’s calling to you!
 
That is so deep and has such a small table I think it will be amazing. And Karl likes it. Are you on the phone buying it now?
I can't wait to see photos of this. I bought an Asscher with a similar inclusion from B2C last fall, I can barely see it at 10X.
You're going to blow us away with that.
 
Get the inclusion eye balled, and if you can live with it, bring her home. She’s a really cool stone, the hall of mirrors is incredibly well done, very Octavia like. I get why you’re a little in love.
 
JA has a return policy.. Why don't you order the stone loose and check it out yourself.

JannPaul also sells OCTAVIA but the price is too steep..

And I might be able to check out the gia number for you.. If u want to check it with from different vendors.
 
I assumed you have in your possession already? If you love it, you love it. Can't be helped. :lol: You know what you're getting. If you're fine with it, you love it, go for it.
 
Your gut is talking to you. Listen to her!
I love that stepped belly almost as much as I love the face.
I am excited to see the pics on your hand.
 
I love watching the play of light in this stone! It's dancing all over the place!
 
Love this stone. Amazing cut and color. I can’t wait to hear how you like it!
 
Quite the firecracker. I think it’s awesome and may be worth the look see! Sometimes when ya know ya know! Seems like you love it and I can see why! The faceting is mesmerizing.
 
Thanks, all! I decided I will go for it. Figure I can always return to JA If it doesnt work out. Going to try to order tonight via their chat system or tomorrow morning via phone
 
Okay, you probably already ordered it, but I am going to be the negative voice, apparently! The cut is nice, but having a 1 ct asscher myself, I can tell you that mine is little at 5.6 mm. Mine is set in a halo ring so does okay, but I wouldn't go smaller for a ring, and only bought that one due to having a setting that needed a 1 ct square stone.

As to the clarity, that stone has a significant inclusion under the table. I realize it takes awhile to find them, but I think you can. But my antique asscher that is 2.73 cts is far better to look at than my 1 ct one due to being able to really see and appreciate the facets, etc.

That said, I do think a stone like this might work well for a halo pendant. I think the inclusions would be less noticeable in a pendant than in a ring.
 
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diamondseeker2006 said:
Okay, you probably already ordered it, but I am going to be the negative voice, apparently! The cut is nice, but having a 1 ct asscher myself, I can tell you that mine is little at 5.6 mm. Mine is set in a halo ring so does okay, but I wouldn't go smaller for a ring, and only bought that one due to having a setting that needed a 1 ct square stone.

As to the clarity, that stone has a significant inclusion under the table. I realize it takes awhile to find them, but I think you can. But my antique asscher that is 2.73 cts is far better to look at than my 1 ct one due to being able to really see and appreciate the facets, etc.

That said, I do think a stone like this might work well for a halo pendant. I think the inclusions would be less noticeable in a pendant than in a ring.
Click to expand...

You definitely arent wrong about the size and I appreciate your honesty!

With the help of calipers I tried to draw a 5.14 x 5.12 asscher ish shape and place it on my 2mm silver band as a test.

20210313_210758.jpg20210313_210718.jpg

I would need to be thoughtful about how to set it. Maybe in a tapered setting so the stone looked bigger, or a bezel. Or maybe you are right that I need to wait for something closer to 6mm+. I guess I'm hesitant bc I know how freaking long it took me to find anything with the small table, big depth, and good performance.
 
lovedogs said:
You definitely arent wrong about the size and I appreciate your honesty!

With the help of calipers I tried to draw a 5.14 x 5.12 asscher ish shape and place it on my 2mm silver band as a test.

20210313_210758.jpg20210313_210718.jpg

I would need to be thoughtful about how to set it. Maybe in a tapered setting so the stone looked bigger, or a bezel. Or maybe you are right that I need to wait for something closer to 6mm+. I guess I'm hesitant bc I know how freaking long it took me to find anything with the small table, big depth, and good performance.
Click to expand...

A well cut 5mm stone will out dance a 6mm stone that is not as well cut and does not have "it".
 
Make it look bigger with a single or double halo?

I noticed that any shape other than round, looks very small. I personally think that a 5mm can work out as a dainty ring with a thinner shank.
 
lovedogs said:
You definitely arent wrong about the size and I appreciate your honesty!

With the help of calipers I tried to draw a 5.14 x 5.12 asscher ish shape and place it on my 2mm silver band as a test.

20210313_210758.jpg20210313_210718.jpg

I would need to be thoughtful about how to set it. Maybe in a tapered setting so the stone looked bigger, or a bezel. Or maybe you are right that I need to wait for something closer to 6mm+. I guess I'm hesitant bc I know how freaking long it took me to find anything with the small table, big depth, and good performance.
Click to expand...

Use https://www.diamdb.com/compare to compare its size with your existing one?
 
I like what Karl said. Bigger isn't necessarily better and you love the look of this diamond.
This mock-up takes 1/3 of your finger. Personally I like to see some of the finger that a solitaire adorns, it just looks balanced and right. You'll find a killer setting and we'll all be drooling on our keyboards.
 
2 alternative options that I put on hold so I can be 100% sure.

www.jamesallen.com

0.91 Carat emerald diamond

This emerald cut 0.91 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

www.jamesallen.com

1.21 Carat asscher diamond

This asscher cut 1.21 carat J color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

@Simple and Sparkly since you own an Octavia, what do you think of the original vs these 2?

And @Karl_K I don't know how much you can say, but any insight you have would be amazing.
 
Oh my goodness that is a lovely stone! It’s so captivating! I wouldn’t mind the size or inclusion at all because it is so stunning. I mean, that itty bitty table! Those step cut flashes!
Do you mind sharing what parameters you used to find this gem? I would love something similar but am stumped on what to look for in asschers.
 
the j isnt what your looking for the other has potentual..aset? grading report?
 
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