opinions on sidestones for asscher

[sera]

Hi! I''ve been lurking here a few days now and have read SO many posts! I have been reading posts and viewing rings on WF and GOG so much I have a headache! I really am glad I found a forum with so much good advice on the specs and asthetics of diamonds/rings! Y''all rock!

My Fi and I have started looking for my ring- I''m the one picking it out because he knows less than I do about picking a good diamond and I''m kinda picky

Anyway... I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the choices. I like a wide variety of styles and can''t very well have them ALL in one ring! I cannot narrow my search down to a few rings because there are some aspects I like of a setting but one or two things that I don''t like. *sigh* I just can''t decide.

I keep going back and forth on so many issues. I want something different and have considered a custom design but still need to rule out some things so I don''t overkill my ring or choose something that sounded good in my mind but looks crappy on my finger. So, I thought I would pose a first question (or two or three) now to get me on the path of making a decision... help me help me!

I do know a lot comes down to personal preference and I should get would I like, but perhaps all of your experience has found certain design elements detract from or enhance an Asscher.

What makes for good sidestones with an Asscher (step cuts or not)?
What about a pave or RB band?
Do colored stones alongside an Asscher tend to be too much?

In one of the posts here (I can''t remember which one) that the baguettes would look better as sidestones than pave... that the pave may detract from the Asscher. Is that the majority opinion here? I had been thinking of half moons as sidestones because I do love the type of sparkle a RB gives, but think the half moons being flush against the Asscher might look better. I thought the different type of sparkle from the half moons might make for a nice contrast with the type of sparkle an Asscher gives... but maybe I am wrong and a step cut would enhance the Asscher better.

Sorry this was so long and rambling... I''m going to bed now... past my bedtime... I gotta go dream of rings

Maybe it would help if I posted a couple of the rings that have the elements I do like? IDK... I gotta go to bed. Thanks for any info you can share with me.

BTW... I must say... you all have some STUNNING rings!

 

[vespergirl]

Hi sera,

I too have an asscher, and though mine is a solitaire, we''re probably goign to turn it into a 3-stone for our 3rd anniversary, so I have given this question quite a bit of thought

I like the idea of the half-moon sidestones, but when seeing it in person, I thought they looked better with a cushion center stone.

Regarding brilliant-cut sidestones, the type that will probably natch the best would be square radiants - some people don''t like the look of brilliant next to step cuts, but to each his own

I also like asscher sidestones, bullets, traps, or baguettes. Below are some pics to give you an idea ...

 

[vespergirl]

3 stone asscher

 

[vespergirl]

With kite sidestones - this is one of my favorites, but you''ll have to click the link for the picture:

http://www.steindiamonds.com/popup_settings_angles.asp?product_id=62

 

[vespergirl]

Asscger with baguettes

 

[vespergirl]

asscher with bullets

 

[vespergirl]

I personally like more of the modern, sleek line look, but there are many beautiful asschers here on PS with micropave, with both haloes or not, that you can view if you prefer the micropave look. Either way, I can''t wait to see your ring once it''s done - good luck!

 

[widget]

style="WIDTH: 98.43%; HEIGHT: 76px">Author: vespergirl

there are many beautiful asschers here on PS with micropave, with both haloes or not,

I agree...but for any threestone mounting, I strongly feel it''s best to use stepcuts as sidestones for an asscher center....bags, traps, bullets, whatever. But step cut, not brilliant.

For a truly classic look, I think simple baguette sides can''t be beaten.

widget

 

[happilyeverafter]

I absolutely love step cut traps with asscher stones - such a beautiful combination! Before I decided on a WF RB I was completely sold on the trap/asscher combo. My inspiration was this beauty

...

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I agree with Widget and Happilyever after about step cuts being the best side stones for an Asscher when the side stones are next to the center stone. It's different if you're getting a cathedral type setting where the Asscher sits by itself and is high above the rest of the stones - in that situation round brilliants look nice. (I just picked a cathedral setting for my Royal Asscher. There are 3 rows of round brilliants on each side of the shank. The RA sits fairly high above the shank. It's reminiscent of the 1920's.)

 

[vespergirl]

Here''s a pic I found with sapphire sidestones:

 

[vespergirl]

And I love this 5 stone with side traps and baguettes. You should check out dimendscaasi.com for a good selection of asscher engagement ring and wedding band styles. I got several of these pictures from there. Good luck!

 

[chrono]

Vespergirl,
I really like the last one. I like how the sidestones really gently taper away from the center asscher (in a flowy fashion) and the ribbon prongs highlight the cut corners.

 

[vespergirl]

I know, that''s my dream ring I think I would have it made with side asschers & straight baguettes, though, instead of traps & tapered baguettes ... I can''t wait until I can redo the setting!

 

[E B]

The asscher with traps is AMAZING.

 

[surfgirl]

I would tend to agree that step cuts make the better side companions for an asscher center stone. But having said that, I have to say that for me, if you have a fabulous asscher or EC center, I think they should stand alone, uninterrupted in their stillness. Sides take away from a center in some cases and I think brilliant cuts or halos around a truly stunning EC or asscher is a shame. Just detracts from the qualities that I love in those cuts. But that''s just my personal opinion!

 

[aljdewey]

I think traps really accent asschers!

 

[sera]

All nice rings! Thanks for the feedback; it does help! I do love the traps/asscher combo the best... I first saw a ring like that at Disneyland of all places (they have an estate jewelry store there). It was gorgeous! Unfortunately, wayyyy out of our budget. I like the baguettes and the baguette/traps as well.

I also like the idea of the asscher being higher up than the other stones (if I didn''t go with step cut side stones).

I just have got to have some curves in there somewhere; otherwise, there are too many straight edges for me. Would it be too much going on with the trap sides and a pave band (the pave being just big enough to sparkle but not too big as to compete with the step cuts)?

Kind of along these lines:
http://www.billbarnes.com/product.asp?product=13532

http://www.billbarnes.com/product.asp?product=3323



Or without sidestones, a rounded pave band:
http://www.kranichs.com/product.php?pid=758


I like a few of the Simon G and Tacori rings... generally would having a custom ring be significantly more or less than having the designer name attached to the ring? I don''t care about the name; I am more concerned with the workmanship.

(now to try and get my picture to the butterfly i chose... the devil is so not me {most of the time})

 

[fullojoy]

The trap sizes, with a pave band will be beautiful. I wish I could figure out how to post pictures...I just received my ring made by quest jewelers. It has a (square) radiant center, flanked by trapezoids. The band is 3 sized microvpave...it''s just beautiful...good luck

 

[vespergirl]

A pave setting can also be beautiful with an asscher. My friend has this exact setting, except her center stone is a 2 ct asscher, with the princess sidestones & princesses channel-set in the band - I got this from the Tacori website

 

[sera]

In continuing to obsess... I am thinking that the baguettes would be better for our budget. Being smaller, they wouldn''t overpower an Asscher on the smaller side and I could keep the band relatively think like I prefer.

Now, this is different, but perhaps using two smaller Asschers as sidestones would keep the price down and I could drop the clarity on a center stone if I went with a RB or other square-ish cut? Any thoughts on Asschers as sidestones rather than with sidestones? Would they still look "better" next to another step cut if they are on the side rather than the center?

 

[sera]

Date: 6/29/2007 11:26:50 AM
Author: vespergirl
A pave setting can also be beautiful with an asscher. My friend has this exact setting, except her center stone is a 2 ct asscher, with the princess sidestones & princesses channel-set in the band - I got this from the Tacori website

Ha.. finally noticed the "quote" button! Was wondering why my replies weren't quoting. I love that ring. I tried a Tacori on that had the knife edge, side scalloping, and 2 graduated EC's on the side... it was about $2000. I just love the Tacori's... I like the side detail. The other I tried on was very similar to the one in the pic except the sides were RB. Lovely rings.

 

[Jenn5504]

I tend to agree with step cuts making better sidestones for asshers. But that last setting, with the asshers as side stones to that RB was pretty amazing! I''ve sure never seen that combo and it is beautiful. I think an assher on a pave band would be pretty, too. I don''t think pave looks bad with anything.

I LOVE vespergirl''s assher solitaire with that DREAMY assher band!!!! Wow, your choices are hard but all beatutiful.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I like the idea of a 3 stone asscher or trapezoid sidestones or baguettes.