Need Help with Asschers (Square Emeralds)

[robinow]

Hi,

I am deciding between two Asschers (Square Cut Emeralds) and would love some input from those in the know.

Stone #1
GIA Certified
Measurements 7.70 x 7.69 x 4.66
Weight 2.07 carat
Depth 60.6%
Table 61%
Girdle Extremely Thin to Medium
Culet None
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Very Good
Clarity S12 (Very tiny inclusions with the largest ones on bottom and corner of stone)
Color I
Fluorescence None
Cost $9965


Stone #2
GIA Certified
Measurements 6.85 x 6.84 x 4.53
Weight 1.83 carat
Depth 66.2%
Table 60%
Girdle Thin to Slightly Thick
Culet None
Polish Very Good
Symmetry Good
Clarity VS1
Color J
Fluorescence None
Cost $9,114

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Thanks! Wendy

 

[strmrdr]

need pictures but the first doesnt sound good too shallow.
si2 asscher eyeclean? Id have to see it to believe it.

second is better, its a J do you like warm colored stones?
You will see some color in it.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

I''d be concerned with where the girdle is extremely thin in the first stone. It could be on the edge and cause the stone to be weaker than the second.

The other concern with the 1st stone is how easily the inclusions can be seen. ON step-cut stones, they are more easily seen...

 

[belle]

Date: 10/14/2005 5:19:03 PM
Author: strmrdr
need pictures but the first doesnt sound good too shallow.
si2 asscher eyeclean? Id have to see it to believe it.

second is better, its a J do you like warm colored stones?
You will see some color in it.

ditto

 

[Kaleigh]

Yes the first one is shallow and the girdle could be a problem. SI2 eye clean??? Maybe in a RB, but doubtful in an asscher. The second one is better but the J could be a problem in a step cut like an asscher unless you like the warmer color. JMHO.

 

[diamondsbylauren]

Guys- I''ve seen some knockout Square Emerald Cuts of 60% depth- so as a rule, I would not agree that 60% is too shallow on a square emerald cut. THere''s a huge visual difference between these two diamonds considering the 24 points weight difference.

In my experience, not every person looking at a J color ( as graded by GIA) will see a tint.

Of course I agree with Storm that photos are essential- there are SI2 eye clean Asschers- but they are few and far between.
NO way to tell anything without some good photographic evidence......

 

[valeria101]

Date: 10/14/2005 6:49:09 PM
Author: diamondsbylauren

Guys- I've seen some knockout Square Emerald Cuts of 60% depth- so as a rule, I would not agree that 60% is too shallow on a square emerald cut.

Yeah, why not. There aren't many 60%-ish step cuts but then, there aren't many rectangulat or square cut diamonds not allot deeper than that and I am not sure this has anything to do with the quest for better brilliance. Other shapes are less forgiving of more depth and nature doesn't produce diamond rubs ... All as much as I can tell, which is not much said relatively.

If most 60-ish step cuts are nice or not nice, that I don't know. That some look good sounds reasonable. Nothing is telling me (for better or worse) that this particular diamond can't be one of the lucky ones !




THere's a huge visual difference between these two diamonds considering the 24 points weight difference.

Pretty darn obvious

It may be tricky to get good pictures if the seller does not make them rutinely. Of course, it saves time and wasted expectations to have good pictures

(i.e. relevant and detailed) but... that sound return policy and the opportunity to see a few stones with various proportions is good too. In fact, I am not sure anyone would rely on even the best pictures without having this extra safety net of making the purchase final contingent on personal inspection. Just IMO.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/14/2005 6:49:09 PM
Author: diamondsbylauren
Guys- I've seen some knockout Square Emerald Cuts of 60% depth- so as a rule, I would not agree that 60% is too shallow on a square emerald cut. THere's a huge visual difference between these two diamonds considering the 24 points weight difference.

Funny 60% depth asschers with 10%+ crown height and 60% table and great patterns would sell very well and since you keep insiting you can get them I keep checking your website and I dont see a one.
Nor has anyone else I have talked to from any supplier.

Chalk this one up to things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Yes im aware that kaleigh's fits the bill but try finding another one and people have been. They just arent cut that way. If you find them there is usualy a shortcut taken to get the depth or they are just plain yucky.

 

[robinow]

I am amazed at how quickly I got all your valuable feedback! Thank you so much! I have seen both stones in person and think that the 1.83 looks a little better. Unfortunately the two stones reside with two different jewelers and I was not able to compare them side-by-side. The lighting at each store is completely different. I did look at each stone with a loupe. The 2.07 looked pretty good to the naked eye, but again, the lighting was a bit bright (that jeweler uses the same lighting as used to grade stones).

This is a 10th anniversary upgrade and I am struggling between quality and quantity...even though the one with the best quality is only a J.

If anyone else has anything to add, I''m all ears.

Thank you again!
Wendy

 

[diamondsbylauren]

Wendy, it sounds like the 1.82 is a winner in this case- you''ve seen it and love it, and it saves you some money.....J is nothing to be ashamed of!

Storm- I buy 60% table Asschers that appeal to me when the cutters we work with have them. No, we don''t have one now.....

but they certainly exist- as evidenced by Wendy''s shopping.

 

[robinow]

HI Again,

Still struggling with this decision. I''ve ruled out the 2.07 previously detailed above. I am still seriously considering the 1.83, but am not 100% sure. Our jeweler is still searching for stones with a good balance of size and quality under the $10,000 mark. I am just worried that if I wait too long, I''ll lose out on the 1.83 that we''re holding until tomorrow and I would be happy with that stone if we can''t find anything better. I have attached a photo of the 1.83 (pictured on top..an inferior 2.31 stone pictured on bottom for comparison) and a link to the GIA certificate. Again, any feedback would be much appreciated.

http://diamondsonweb.com/shopping_dd/ddetail.pl?shape=ASR;p_min=7000;p_max=15000;ct_min=1.8;ct_max=2.1;lab=GIA;search.x=79;search.y=9;origin=dia_form;clar=IF;clar=VVS1;clar=VVS2;clar=VS1;clar=VS2;clar=SI1;color=G;color=H;color=I;color=J&sortby=ratio&sorto=desc&id=F6202&start=0

Cheers and Thank You!
Wendy

 

[strmrdr]

the 1.83 has a nice pattern.
yummy :}
windmills and clipped corner could stand to be just a little bigger.
but overall a nice asscher.

 

[Kaleigh]

I agree with Storm, the 1.83 has a wonderful pattern. It''s very pleasing to my eyes. Let us know what you decide. I think it''s a great stone. Good luck!!!

 

[Jelly]

Yum! I like both!

My first instinct was to go with the 1.83 diamond...but on second glance, that 2 ct is a knockout!

 

[emeraldgreen]

i agree w/ storm and kaleigh....i like the 1.83''s pattern much, much better than the larger stone. that is going to be your personal preference...but i saw far too many asscher''s while i was looking that just did not have a nice pattern.

 

[strmrdr]

see if you can get a better picture of the 1.83
wierd tilt to it but it looks good.

 

[blueroses]

I know you used the inferior larger stone just for comparison''s sake, but it does really help underscore what a NICE stone that 1.83 is!!! Lovely patterns and windmills

 

[robinow]

I did it! I got past my indecisiveness and quest for "something better" and purchased the 1.83 today. Attached are some photos of the ring. Thanks to everyone who responded and helped validate my decision...you''re the best!!! For those of you in the SF Bay Area, I highly recommend working with Jessica James at San Francisco Diamond Exchange...she is amazing.

Wendy

 

[robinow]

Another photo...

 

[robinow]

And another...

 

[robinow]

Last one...

 

[belle]

congratulations on your purchase!

that is quite a stone!

 

[Kaleigh]

Oh Wendy, it''s just gorgeous!!!! Congratulations, I am thrilled for you!!!!

 

[WhiteSox]

Congratulations~
That looks really wonderful on you.
I''m deliberating between a Square Emerald Cut of the same size and a smaller round for my girl friend.
If you dont mind me asking, what is you ring size?
I cant have her try it on because I''m trying to surprise her with a bigger diamond than she expects =(
Again, congrats~

 

[robinow]

Thanks everyone...my generous husband let me upgrade my ring as a 10-year-anniversary gift.

WhiteSox, My ring size is a 4...I have tiny hands. I have been drooling over Asscher (Square Emerald Cut) stones for a while and my husband and I both agreed that the Asscher (Square Emerald) is a much more interesting and unique cut even though the cut looks smaller and less brilliant that a Round. A jeweler we know said he would personally never buy anything other than Round. So much of it is personal preference. I struggled with my decision for quite some time, but am thrilled with end result.

 

[strmrdr]

awesome!
congrates!!!

 

[UCLABelle]

Pretty!

 

[WhiteSox]

Date: 10/19/2005 8:40:35 PM
Author: robinow
Thanks everyone...my generous husband let me upgrade my ring as a 10-year-anniversary gift.

WhiteSox, My ring size is a 4...I have tiny hands. I have been drooling over Asscher (Square Emerald Cut) stones for a while and my husband and I both agreed that the Asscher (Square Emerald) is a much more interesting and unique cut even though the cut looks smaller and less brilliant that a Round. A jeweler we know said he would personally never buy anything other than Round. So much of it is personal preference. I struggled with my decision for quite some time, but am thrilled with end result.

Thanks for the ring size
Also, side question... I''ve always wondered about this.
When you upgrade a ring, do you keep the old one?
Just curious what people do with the old one

 

[widget]

Great Choice! Gorgeous stone!

...Congratulations!

widget

 

[robinow]

I traded my old stone (a 1.01 Round) in to the jeweler I purchased my new stone from. I got way less than I wanted for it (about 55% of Rappaport and 30% less than I paid for it). My stone was never certified so I sent it to GIA. It came back a little less desirable than expected and I really didn''t "need it" anymore so we negotiated a trade in. Not every jeweler will offer/accept trade ins. We tried to sell it locally on Craigslist for a couple months, but got a lot of wacko reponses and low-ball offers.

Some people keep their original stone for sentimental reasons. You can reset into a right-hand ring or make into a necklace. For us it was primarily a budget issue...couldn''t really justify keeping both stones.

Hope this helps!
Wendy