Need help comparing 2 ASET - 2ct Cushions

[Lexie43]

Hi everyone -- I think we've narrowed down to 2 stones, and I have the following 2 ASETS. Any thoughts?

 

[TitanCi]

I like the red of the first better, but the bottom has more green where the first has more black...so THAT has to count for something.

 

[Gypsy]

I like the bottom one better. It shows less darkness under the table.

 

[Laila619]

The bottom one looks better to my eye. The table will be brighter.

 

[jstarfireb]

Agreed - go for the bottom one.

 

[Lexie43]

Here is a video of the 2 stones side by side. I am concerned about the top one having a dark maltese cross when you look at it directly head on. I recently rejected a cushion that had a dark shadow across the belly, so I definitely don't want a dark cross right under the table. I don't love the large culet in the 2nd one though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDjDPdwyLgM&feature=plcp

Does the video change any opinions? Cushions are so peculiar!

 

[Gypsy]

Video confirms it: bottom one. The culet doesn't bother me at all

 

[Lexie43]

Any other thoughts on the two? I would love to see a comparison of the two in regards to your thoughts on brightness, patterns, etc. The vendor says the 1st stone is overall brighter and the clear winner. I like the facet pattern of the 1st one more, only concern is whether the maltese cross will appear dark when you view it straight-on...

First time buyer so not really sure what to look out for in terms of ASETs, videos, etc. These videos look strange to me...not real-life like but it's the best I've got to work with I guess...

Thank you!!

 

[ariel144]

Any other thoughts on the two? I would love to see a comparison of the two in regards to your thoughts on brightness, patterns, etc. The vendor says the 1st stone is overall brighter and the clear winner. I like the facet pattern of the 1st one more, only concern is whether the maltese cross will appear dark when you view it straight-on...

First time buyer so not really sure what to look out for in terms of ASETs, videos, etc. These videos look strange to me...not real-life like but it's the best I've got to work with I guess...

Thank you!!

I would go with the one the vendor states is the "clear winner"....they both look beautiful but until you see them in person side by side you cannot judge. Buy them both and make earrings! HA!

What are the specs. on these two stones?

I like the higher crown on the first one...(the one on the left in the video) and it looks larger too, also the red goes all the way to the edges which is a plus...if the vendor says it is the clear winner then I would agree.

 

[Lexie43]

We went ahead with Chris @ ERD's recommendation on the first one. It arrived today and it's gorgeous! What seemed like darkness under the table isn't really visible in real life and at times, the 4 petals of the Maltese cross appear a delicate light grey. But it actually looks like a beautiful flower and not a dark ugly cross. Am very happy!!!

Will upload pics when I get home!

 

[Lexie43]

Here are the pics!

 

[pandabee]

It looks beautiful! Good choice. What setting are you putting it in?

 

[jstarfireb]

Any other thoughts on the two? I would love to see a comparison of the two in regards to your thoughts on brightness, patterns, etc. The vendor says the 1st stone is overall brighter and the clear winner. I like the facet pattern of the 1st one more, only concern is whether the maltese cross will appear dark when you view it straight-on...

How odd that we all seemed to agree that the second was better based on the ASET, but the first was the winner in the vendor's opinion! I guess we were all more worried about darkness under the table in the first one, but it didn't actually show that in reality. It looks lovely, and I hope you enjoy it!

 

[yssie]

Any other thoughts on the two? I would love to see a comparison of the two in regards to your thoughts on brightness, patterns, etc. The vendor says the 1st stone is overall brighter and the clear winner. I like the facet pattern of the 1st one more, only concern is whether the maltese cross will appear dark when you view it straight-on...

How odd that we all seemed to agree that the second was better based on the ASET, but the first was the winner in the vendor's opinion! I guess we were all more worried about darkness under the table in the first one, but it didn't actually show that in reality. It looks lovely, and I hope you enjoy it!

I'm unclear on whether OP wants thoughts on the stone(s) still, or if this now an SMTB-esque continuation?

 

[Laila619]

It sure looks gorgeous in your photos!

 

[sixweekoldson]

Any other thoughts on the two? I would love to see a comparison of the two in regards to your thoughts on brightness, patterns, etc. The vendor says the 1st stone is overall brighter and the clear winner. I like the facet pattern of the 1st one more, only concern is whether the maltese cross will appear dark when you view it straight-on...

How odd that we all seemed to agree that the second was better based on the ASET, but the first was the winner in the vendor's opinion! I guess we were all more worried about darkness under the table in the first one, but it didn't actually show that in reality. It looks lovely, and I hope you enjoy it!

Its not odd at all to me. Buyer was given two choices neither were top performers but in the price range and selection available at ERD they chose the vendor's reccomendation which was likely the better of the two.

Buyer is okay with the maltese cross being light grey at times and this is consistent with partial head reflection in those 4 mains and fits with a mix of blue and red in the ASET.

It all seems consistent to me and seems like a pretty stone and a satisfied customer.

 

[Lexie43]

Hi everyone -- just a bit more information...I actually had two of my very good friends go look at 3 stones in person for me (there was an additional FSi1). One friend is very picky, particularly about technical specs (she likes perfect RBs) and one friend likes quirky/unique jewelry -- so someone who would appreciate the imperfect personalities of cushions. They both agreed that this one was the whitest, most sparkly and prettiest. They thought the 2nd one in the thread was the lowest performer in all categories that I asked them to study. However, when they sent me the photographs, I still thought the 2nd one looked most attractive to me -- maybe b/c I thought the OMB had prettiest facets from their pics. However, I trusted their eyes more than anything...and they even went back to make a video for me up close. With some hesitation, we got the stone...I really didn't want a dark cross. But when I saw it in person, I loved it's personality due to the contrast/obstruction/at-time light grey, at times darker grey, at times bright maltese cross. I never thought I would like something that wasn't perfect...I know that seeing red in the 4 petals is what you look for in ASETs...And I'm sure that if we waited long enough, we'd find it....maybe one day, I'll get to see what one of those looks like and compare for myself in person. But for now, this one is a keeper, and we're very happy.

This should probably now be moved over to SMTB...undecided on setting --originally thought of bead-set rounds with milgrain edge, double claws, slight cathedral...but now that I've seen it in person, I am considering a simple solitaire with double claws (a la Leon Mege).

 

[ariel144]

Lovely stone, can't wait to see it set. I am excited for you. Great that you had 2 friends to go and look at the stones for you, just goes to show you cannot choose based on ASETs alone. Love those cushions.

 

[jstarfireb]

Any other thoughts on the two? I would love to see a comparison of the two in regards to your thoughts on brightness, patterns, etc. The vendor says the 1st stone is overall brighter and the clear winner. I like the facet pattern of the 1st one more, only concern is whether the maltese cross will appear dark when you view it straight-on...

How odd that we all seemed to agree that the second was better based on the ASET, but the first was the winner in the vendor's opinion! I guess we were all more worried about darkness under the table in the first one, but it didn't actually show that in reality. It looks lovely, and I hope you enjoy it!

I'm unclear on whether OP wants thoughts on the stone(s) still, or if this now an SMTB-esque continuation?

Well, yes, I did say it was lovely, and I meant it! Just musing on how the general consensus from PS based on ASETs and videos differed so much from the vendor's expert opinion. I think it just means that images and such don't always tell the whole story, and there's something to be said for trusting your eye, or the eye of a trusted expert if you don't feel great about your own (like myself).

 

[Lexie43]

It's done! Posted pics up in SMTB forum.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-solitaire-with-milgrain-pave-band.180645/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-solitaire-with-milgrain-pave-band.180645/[/URL]