Please help me pick a radiant! (ASET images)

[bbsoon2be]

Hi everyone,

I'm in need of your help! I have a few diamonds on hold with James Allen and need your help deciding between them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1465396.asp
ASET:


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1477658.asp
ASET:


Of the above two the customer service rep from JA told me the the first one was better (1465396)



http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1494528.asp
ASET:


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1465397.asp
ASET:


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1482406.asp
ASET:


Of the above 3 the customer service rep told me the first was the best (149452 - which confuses me because I thought the more red in the ASET image the better and that one doesn't have as much red as the last one (1482406)

Please help me pick ONE for the above 5. I do have one more image coming to further confuse me! So any pros and cons from these images to help me decipher that image would be great.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would also like to see more red, but maybe these are typical of radiants, I don't really know. But, in looking at shape, I'd choose the first one. I am not in love with any of these, really, though.

 

[JulieN]

The ASET picture only shows one image: face up. It might be the rep finds the princess-type one to be the better performer under tilt, or s/he likes the faceting better.

If a rectangular radiant is what you are set on, from James Allen I would go with this: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-IF-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1355014.asp

or if you want the rectangular princess look http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS2-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1378014.asp

Sorry, I know these aren't any of your original ones!

 

[bbsoon2be]

Julie,
I've had that first one suggested to me another time but JA won't send me another ASET because I've already requested 3 through me and 3 with my boyfriend so I'm a bit stuck.

 

[JulieN]

You don't need an ASET for it... as you can see from the 5 you posted, the value and usefulness of it is somewhat difficult to assess. Unfortunately, the ASET is an information-rich instrument (not without limitations) and the generic radiant cut is kind of lo-fi. Other than number 4, they all kind of look the same. Anyway, if you are interested in the Lucida-like radiant, if it makes you feel better, I have seen ASETs of similar ones and they don't look too bad.

 

[chel180]

I'm not sold on any of your 5 options to be honest- I've seen a lot nicer. The ASETs dont have as much red as I'd like and the facet patterning looks a bit indistinct. If you would like to share you wish list with us, spec/price/shape preferences/etc then I'm sure myself and other PSers will find you some nice options for you to consider.

 

[jstarfireb]

I really like Julie's first pick and think it will be a better performer than any of these based on the photo. Could you buy it and also order an ASET scope (they're $50ish), and you could look at it yourself to decide within the return period? It's a shame that JA limits the number of ASETs to compare.

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI bbsoon,
Vendors are not allowed to comment on other seller's stones- but I do have a question-
What type of radiant cut are you looking for? It's important to remember that some of the people who will respond may have different taste than you.
There's different types of radiant cuts which will produce different aset images.
One type is cut more like a round brilliant in a square or rectangular shape- which will have a lot of red in aset.
Another type will have a lot of green in the aset- stones like this can have a lot of sparkle in real life.
I think that photos, or videos are far more helpful when consumers are trying to select a radiant cut.