Please help evaluate this asscher

[emmy88]

Hi, this is my first post on pricescope, but I have been lurking around for years on and off, learning to appreciate an excellent cut diamond beyond just the color and clarity. I am working on getting an asscher cut diamond for an anniversary and would like the asscher experts to evaluate the possibilities and help me decide. One I have looked at from James Allen is the following:
.90 ct
G VS1 polish VG Symmetry VG
5.38x5.38x3.60
Attached is the asset and sarin from the company.




What do you think about this diamond.
I saw this diamond in person, and it looks pretty nice. The only thing is that I am at the age where I cannot see all the details (steps) close up as I was once able to when I was younger. It kind of takes away some of my previous appreciation for the asscher cut. Therefore, I am in the process of looking for a slightly bigger one. However, this one is still very much in consideration. Would appreciation any opinions you can give me. Thank you.
emmy88

 

[Gypsy]

It is not a spready stone at all. That said, good depth, great crown height, and table is fine. My only concern is some of the blue under the table in the light field ASET. But the dark field ASET looks good.

I'm sure Karl will comment.

Is this for you or your lady, and why are you going with an asscher? Did she specifically request one? If she didn't you may want to re-evaluate your choice considering the spread. If she does want one specifically, or if it's for you personally, this may be a nice choice.

 

[emmy88]

Sorry, I did not clarify that I am searching for an asscher for myself. I have loved seeing the steps of the asscher cut ever since I saw one about 10 years ago. My husband has long ago learned that I like to research and get the jewelry for myself and then present him with the finish product.

By the way, I forgot to post a picture of the asshcer


I was told that this is a pretty good size for a 0.90 ct asscher. I am looking at some 1.05 ct ones for almost $1000 more with size around 5.60 to 5.70. Do you think it is worth the extra $1000 to get a slightly bigger one?

 

[Gypsy]

Nope. Not unless you hit 5.8mm, IMO. But 5.75 might be worth it.

The picture really shows a gorgeous stone, and matches the dark field ASET.

For an asscher the spread is fine. The reason I mentioned spread is for a DIAMOND at 90 points 5.3 is small if you are expecting 6mm like you would from a round at the same carat weight.

 

[emmy88]

Hi Gypsy, thanks for your input. Do you think a stone around 5.70 spread would allow me to see the steps more with the naked eye? I have a 0.90 pt princess cut that measures around the same size as the asscher I posted. Somehow the princess cut looks bigger than the asscher when compared side by side. Is it because the princess has a bigger table?

 

[Gypsy]

Well, yes I think you would be able to see the steps better if it were at 5.7. Mine is 5.86 by 5.89 and you can see the steps very well. As for looking smaller than a princess. The optics of an asscher draw your eye in and princesses don't-- they draw your eyes out. I think that's the major difference. But this asscher is very bright around of the outside so it will look very nice for it's size. But ultimately a larger asscher that performs as well would give you a more impressive look.

 

[SDplaya]

Emmy--awesome stone

looks like we're both in the same boat as far as looking for an asscher.

did james allen offer all of this information and imagery when you asked for it? Was this sort of a second or third step after being shown a few stones?

 

[emmy88]

SDPlaya,

I saw the stone on their website, but since they don't have it in their inventory, I have to pay for it first. I does have a 60-days return with free shipping. I originally asked for the stone to be sent directly to the company for the ASET and sarin to be done, but they mistakenly sent the stone to me. In the end, I got the see the stone first and then sent it back to them for pictures. They were very quick about it. I searched for the asscher by the ideal #s guideline that I learned from pricescope. It looks very white and bright in person, but I just wished it was a little bigger so my middle age eyes can see the steps better. Unfortunately, I have found that the price jumped a quite a bit beyond the 0.90ct range. By the way, James Allen does give a nice pricescope discount, so don't forget to ask for it.

 

[Gypsy]

But emmy, you've been researching asscher for how long? You know what the steps are supposed to look like, and have been studying up on what they should look like for a while, right?

 

[SDplaya]

I get it, sadly Ive been on here two months but must not be picking things up as quickly

Yes, JA does have a nice little discount and I enjoy the virtual loupe tool

 

[slg47]

emmy I think it looks really nice! what did you think when you saw it in person?

 

[Karl_K]

check the center when you view it in person.
It should show at least some light return and flash under slight tilt.
The pics are inconclusive but it looks like the center(p3) is showing obstruction, which in a lot of viewing conditions isn't a deal breaker for some people, on the other hand leakage and never going bright is.
With that high a crown they should flash quickly, and ASET images can be off with that high a crown.
Judging it in person is the best idea.
By the pictures I would likely give it a pass if there was no opportunity to view it in person.

 

[Gypsy]

Here's a weird stone. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1260282.asp Pic looks intriguing. Table is good. Depth is fine. Looks like it could be eyeclean. But symmetry is only good and so is polish. Still the price is really good. I'd ask their gemologist WHY it's got only good for symmetry (I think I know, but I'd like to hear what they say) and if it's eyeclean. If it is... ask them if it's worth getting an ASET, and we'll see what comes up.

 

[Karl_K]

Here's a weird stone. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1260282.asp Pic looks intriguing. Table is good. Depth is fine. Looks like it could be eyeclean. But symmetry is only good and so is polish. Still the price is really good. I'd ask their gemologist WHY it's got only good for symmetry (I think I know, but I'd like to hear what they say) and if it's eyeclean. If it is... ask them if it's worth getting an ASET, and we'll see what comes up.

That one would be worth an in person look also.

 

[emmy88]

Hi Karl, Gypsy and slg47,
Thanks for all the inputs. I have seen the G VS1 asscher in person, and it looks pretty nice, at least to my untrained eyes. It's very white and bright. Thanks to Gypsy's search, I have asked James Allen to bring in the F SI1 for a look to be compared with the stone I posted. I am somewhat weary about the SI1, as I have read that inclusions in asscher can be more easily seen than other cuts.

Gypsy, why do you think it has only a "good" for both symmetry and polish?

Hopefully, they will send me pictures and we can compare the two stones in a couple of days. I am also looking into bringing in another asscher from Brian Gavin. Here is the specs for that stone: 1.05 H VS1 VG VG GIA D-66.2% T-58% 5.73x5.71x3.78 - $4391 . Denise thinks it's a good one. Hopefully, we will also get to compare that one with the other two as well. Will be looking for all your feedback again. Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Karl, Gypsy and slg47,
Thanks for all the inputs. I have seen the G VS1 asscher in person, and it looks pretty nice, at least to my untrained eyes. It's very white and bright. Thanks to Gypsy's search, I have asked James Allen to bring in the F SI1 for a look to be compared with the stone I posted. I am somewhat weary about the SI1, as I have read that inclusions in asscher can be more easily seen than other cuts.

Gypsy, why do you think it has only a "good" for both symmetry and polish?

Hopefully, they will send me pictures and we can compare the two stones in a couple of days. I am also looking into bringing in another asscher from Brian Gavin. Here is the specs for that stone: 1.05 H VS1 VG VG GIA D-66.2% T-58% 5.73x5.71x3.78 - $4391 . Denise thinks it's a good one. Hopefully, we will also get to compare that one with the other two as well. Will be looking for all your feedback again. Thanks!

It's a very case specific thing.

It depends on why it got a good for symmetry. If it's got good optical symmetry and the cut symmetry is only wonky because of something that doesn't affect performance too much (which is what I suspect with that one). I wouldn't kick it out of bed for the crackers.

As for polish. Well, it's not ideal. But if it's priced well enough AND performs well and I like it in person, I would consider it.

Perfect stats are great. But ultimately you wear a diamond on your finger not a certificate full of numbers and grades. With Fancy cuts and budgets sometimes there are sacrifices you make to get size. It's all about what is mindclean for you. If it performs well, despite the symmetry, and it is bright and have great light return plus has a pleasing 'personality' to me... that's what I look for. We stick to stats because they are most likely to give us the best outcome. But there is a reason there are no cut standards for fancy cuts . Occasionally stones outside of those predictable parameters might to be an unexpected beauty. For the money and the size, I would be okay with the good/good and eyeclean SI. None of that would stop me from investigating and crossing my fingers that despite all that, the stone is a needle in a haystack winner.


One of my friends has a GORGEOUS SI asscher with a needle under the table. You can see it if you squint, tilt and stare knowing exactly where it is. Doesn't affect the beauty of the stone to my eye at all, and it's a nice small identifying inclusion. If I were shopping, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

It's all very personal. If the ASET shows a good performer and you get stuck. I would have both sent to you and decide in person, it's the best way. I find that when I see a stone in person, especially when I am deciding between two or three stones, one usually jumps out at me... or none do and it's time to keep shopping