Looking for opinions on this Ascher ring

[mfishbein]

First here are the specs.

GIA Report
Square Emerald Cut
6.62x6.52x4.43
1.53ct
G color
VVS2 Clarity
Depth 67.9%
Table 71%
Girdle - extremely thin to very thick
Culet None
Polish Very Good
Symmetry Very Good
Florescence None

The setting is a vintage style mounting with 20 round brilliant cut pave diamonds, total weight .15 carat set in platinum with a basket prong. The setting was custom made.

Basically I bought this before I found this website and am wondering if I got taken due to the table size (wasnt really aware of the importance before reading these forums). I paid 8900 for the diamond and 1800 for the setting. $10700 total. Pics to follow. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[strmrdr]

8900 is a good price for it...
Not the best cut but do you love it?

 

[mfishbein]

Heres the first pic

 

[mfishbein]

I do...but I liked all the diamonds they showed me. Would you classify the cut as poor?

 

[strmrdr]

Some of your pics show it in the worst light and some show promise.
In bright lighting it should look ok.
Its showing a lot of table glare and some light return.
Its what I would expect from an asscher of that type.
Kinda glassy with some spark around the edges.
Id call it fairly typical of what the magority of them are.
Some love the look, but it isnt the best an asscher could be.
It boils down to how you like it in a variety of lighting conditions.
Being totaly honest it isnt one I would buy but it isnt a total train wreck.
Do you have a return/upgrade policy you could use if your not happy with it?

The extremely thin girdle needs too be checked for durabilty issues.

 

[mfishbein]

Thanks for the honest and direct feedback..."the not a train wreck" comment doesn''t give me the best feeling about my purcahse. The two pics with the dark background were done on a scanner and (hopefully) arent a good representation...the pic with the ring on my pinky is closer to reality. Do you think I paid a fair price or got taken? The jeweler will buy back the ring if I want to upgrade. Could I have done better for my money? Much better? Thanks again.

 

[mfishbein]

Thanks for the honest and direct feedback..."the not a train wreck" comment doesn''t give me the best feeling about my purchase. The two pics with the dark background were done on a scanner and (hopefully) arent a good representation...the pic with the ring on my pinky is closer to reality. Do you think I paid a fair price or got taken? The jeweler will buy back the ring if I want to upgrade. Could I have done better for my money? Much better? Thanks again.

 

[Gypsy]

The price was fair for what you got, IMO. 1.53 G VVS stone for under 9,000 isn't a bad deal at all. And 1800 for a platinum setting with diamonds is fair as well, if it's nice quality everything.

Some people on here have larger tabled step cuts (Tacori and Shbabe) and love them. It's all a matter of what looks good to your eyes. Did you get taken? No. Did you get a good deal? It could be a fabulously cut stone and if you didn't like it, it wouldn't be a good deal. So whether or not it's a GOOD deal, depends entirely on you. All we can tell you is that you what you paid, for what you got, was a fair deal.

ETA: Good Old Gold has a 1.52 G VVS1 for 14,000 right now. It's not an in house stone, and the stats are well, worse than yours (deeper stone, bigger table and only good symmetry. A train wreck honestly) -- so it's a good comparison stone. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/108621

They have a 1.5 G VS2, same deal-- not in house and not ideal specs (symmetry is only good) for around 10,300.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3161

So, really what you paid is very fair.

 

[strmrdr]

You would have too spend more money too get a better stone.
Its priced the way it is for a reason.

 

[mfishbein]

My main concerned was that I got ripped off and its sounds like I got what I paid for....and I can live with that. I bought it in the diamond district on 47th st in NYC and was worried that I was going to be one of those "stories" about why you shouldn''t buy there.

I know my next question prob comes down to a matter of opinion but would it have been better to sacrifice one of the other c''s to get a better cut in that price range?

 

[strmrdr]

you can easily come down too VS2 clarity.
H color is generaly ok too.

 

[decodelighted]

I have a similar size asscher engagement ring, purchased over two years ago ... also in the Diamond District and I think you got a very fair price. Comparable to an "internet" price ... MUCH less than a typical retail jewelry store and MUCH MUCH less than a "designer" label store like Harry Winston or VanCleef or Tiffany or Cartier etc.

Table size isn''t everything. In fact, Harry Winston''s square emeralds (not called "asschers") often have tables over the "desired" stat around here of 65% ... some 67%, some 70%+. Its a slightly different "look" of a square emerald/asscher -- but not WORSE across the board. Just different flavors for different folks!!

The link to the other photos doesn''t work for me -- so I only have that one to go by. If you liked the looks of it in the store, chances are its a beautiful stone. When you go for the appraisal (for insurance purposes) ... ask the appraiser what they think of the cut, compared to other asschers/sq emeralds they''ve seen. If that''ll ease your mind!

Congrats!!

 

[mfishbein]

OK...back from the appraiser....diamond checked out to the GIA ratings. He said I got a good price and gave the ring a thumbs up. I was a little concerned with the table size and he said that the ring doesn''t exhibit the symptoms that can be associated with a larger table size. He did say it was a little on the high end but for an ascher/emerald cut it doesn''t have as much of an impact to the overall appearance of the diamond. For the piece of mind I was able to get I would consider the money well spent.

Any opinions on the setting?

 

[Gypsy]

I''m happy to hear the appraiser was able to put your mind to rest. It sounds like you REALLY picked a lovely stone at a great price.

As for settings... they are very personal. *I* like what I can see of it (I can''t get your link to work for me either). But what I think is REALLY irrelvant. Do you like it?

 

[mfishbein]

Setting

 

[Gypsy]

I like the side view. That diamond shaped accent is lovely and compliments the asscher. From the top down its delicate and does a nice job of making that asscher POP and emphasize it''s size. Plus the prongs look like the make the most of the corners. So all in all. I like it.