Please help evaluate this asscher

[edge29]

First time post -- So grateful to have found this community! I've learned an incredible amount about diamonds and am now even more intrigued and in love than I was before!

I am interested in the following asscher from James Allen as an engagement ring (likely to be set in a solitaire white gold or platinum thin, pave band). I've always loved the asscher cut but only realized from this site how unique the cut is and how tricky it can be to find an excellent stone.

For reference, we've been looking for a couple months and have an all-in budget of approximately $12k. I'm a size girl but my boyfriend wants to make sure the stone is high quality.

I am somewhat concerned about the J color and will definitely need to see the diamond in person to make a final decision, but based on the info and ASET images below--is it worth purchasing the stone to evaluate in person? I really appreciate any guidance you can provide!

Shape: Asscher
Carat weight: 2.19
Cut: Excellent
Color: J
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 68.3%
Table: 65.0%
Crown: 14.6%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Thick
Culet:
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 7.37*7.03*4.80
Ratio: 1.05

 

[Gypsy]

Asscher is pretty. Will get to particulars later on. But um... if you are a size girl WHY on earth are you going for an asscher?

This asscher (and just about any asscher) at 2 carats faces up at 7.3 x 7mm. A 1.35 carat round brilliant faces up about that big. If you just want to say it's 2 carats, okay. But if you want a diamond that LOOKS BIG asscher's are pretty much the last cut you should be looking at.

I'm not saying get a round brilliant. I have an asscher and wouldn't have wanted a round brilliant. But there are a TON of shapes that I would have been thrilled with that would have given me A LOT more visual bang for buck like an oval, pear a rectangular emerald cut (depending on the stone), or an Old European Cut, and even some cushions.

If you need to say : it's 2 carats, well, okay. But I think we can get you a BIGGER look for the money with a different shape and a pretty good carat weight to boot.

 

[Gypsy]

Here are a few in budget options that will give you a bigger look:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1458844.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Very%20Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1393905.asp Posted for spread because it's what ovals of this weight face up as, not because I think it's a nice oval.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Very%20Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1465808.asp Also posted for spread

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/173ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/21630677_t6MNqC#!i=1725078385&k=s5CLsTg 9,000 European (transitional) brilliant

 

[Amys Bling]

i love asschers... Sorry I can't evaluate an asscher for you.

 

[Karl_K]

Picture and ASETs all look good.
65% table 14+% CH is good.
p3s look good
corners and windmills look good
1.05 l/w is right on the edge some people can detect it most can't.
J color is likely visible to some particularly when viewed alongside other diamonds in some lighting.
Have the JA gemologist look at it and give an opinion.

 

[edge29]

Karl-
Thank you for your reply. I received the following from JA regarding the stone:

We've had one of our graduate gemologists carefully inspect this diamond and I'm happy to say that it's bright and has great fire and brilliance. As you would expect, it faces eye clean and its "J" color has a very faint amount of warmth to it. It has an excellent cut and will look very beautiful in any setting. Unless you feel that you'll find the faint warmth/yellow color tone offensive, I feel confident recommending this diamond for your purchase.

We've purchased the loose stone to inspect, I will post pictures once we receive it. Thanks again to all for your feedback!

 

[Amys Bling]

Yay can't wait to hear your impressions and see pics!!!

 

[Karl_K]

Karl-
Thank you for your reply. I received the following from JA regarding the stone:

We've had one of our graduate gemologists carefully inspect this diamond and I'm happy to say that it's bright and has great fire and brilliance. As you would expect, it faces eye clean and its "J" color has a very faint amount of warmth to it. It has an excellent cut and will look very beautiful in any setting. Unless you feel that you'll find the faint warmth/yellow color tone offensive, I feel confident recommending this diamond for your purchase.

We've purchased the loose stone to inspect, I will post pictures once we receive it. Thanks again to all for your feedback!

Your welcome.
That is what I expected to hear, sounds good.
Let us know what you think of it when you get it and post some pics if you can.

 

[decodelighted]

Looks nice! Let us know what you think when you see it in person!

 

[Amys Bling]

Please report back