questions for Asscher owners

[sera]

I am still flipflopping over an Asscher or another square stone though not a princess... perhaps H&A square, Jubilee, or whatever. I am narrowing things down but still have some concerns.

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My questions...

Do you get a lot of fire out of your Asscher? I love the striking flashes of light steps give and it seems there was a lot of fire around the perimeter of the stone... so it was kinda like the best of both worlds... rb type of fire + step-cut bold flashes... am I recalling the type of sparkle correctly?

Is there more fire out of a Royal Asscher? Are they available at WF or GOG? I haven''t seen anything designated as a RA at those vendors.

If you also like the look of the brilliant type of sparkle, do you feel you are missing out on that type of sparkle or if you have small diamonds in the band, is that enough?

Did any of you want a Leon Mege but went with another designer and a similar design and are happy with that choice?
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I LOVE Asschers but am having a hard time deciding if the amount of sparkle in a Leon Mege or Ritani type of ring will meet my sparkle quota... I would think I would be extremely happy with either designer since well cut melee will def sparkle. I am also having a difficult time letting go of small, rb sidestones.

Besides, since I want very thin bands to stack... I think sidestones with stacking might be too much?

These are the types of styles I am considering to give sparkle but not overwhelm the Asscher...

Ritani
The Ritani site is Flash, so I can give a link to the pictures. At the site, mouse-over "Collections," then click "Ritani Setting" and click the picture to view the collection:

The 5th ring (1RZ3266BRP-443)has a channel set band (I prefer pave but I do like this band though I like the one with sidestones even better).

The 11th ring (1RZ3272ARP-443)with shared prong larger diamonds would DEF satisfy the sparkle quota but might not look well stacked (with matching band and pink band between). There is even one I have seen at Pearlman''s that has side rb''s that almost appear as part of the band so as to not compete with the Asscher.

Although I would pay more for a Leon Mege, I am just awestruck at his work and no matter what rings I consider I am continually drawn back to his:

 

[musey]

That's a lot of questions so I'm gonna try to take 'em one at a time...

Do you get a lot of fire out of your Asscher?

That's obviously a very relative question. Enough for my own tastes, yes, but I would define the look more as a "shine" than a "sparkle," if that makes sense.

I love the striking flashes of light steps give and it seems there was a lot of fire around the perimeter of the stone... so it was kinda like the best of both worlds... rb type of fire + step-cut bold flashes... am I recalling the type of sparkle correctly?

I'm really not sure what you mean, I don't think I see that type of thing in my stone... hopefully someone else will chime in.

Is there more fire out of a Royal Asscher?

I've actually never seen a generic asscher in person, but I can tell you that my RA is quite sparkly!

If you also like the look of the brilliant type of sparkle, do you feel you are missing out on that type of sparkle or if you have small diamonds in the band, is that enough?

I have small side RBs, but I don't think they're big enough to satisfy a "sparkle" craving, if that's what you have. They're more of a "glitter." I think you'd need bigger side diamonds to satisfy a need for sparkle but, IMO, the bigger they are the more they detract from the simple, elegant look of an asscher/emerald.

Did any of you want a Leon Mege but went with another designer and a similar design and are happy with that choice?

Mine is a Vatche, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I liked Leons, but he didn't have any designs in his catalogue that grabbed me--and I didn't have the artistic vision to go custom. I just wanted to find a pre-designed setting that I fell in love with, which I did!

I think sidestones with stacking might be too much?

Absolutely not! I've seen that all over PS and the real world. Looks fab.



I think that you have to be in LOVE with the asscher shape to wear one every day. It's sort of like people who choose difficult career paths: if you want to be a novelist, EVERYONE will tell you that if you can think of something else to do that will make you happy, do THAT instead. Step cuts are the same way, IMO: if you can be just as happy (perhaps more) with a different shape, pick that one instead (especially if you have a sparkle craving). I wear an asscher because, to my eyes, no other cut is half as beautiful.

Not to say that I'd deny a beautiful RB or radiant--just not what I would/did choose for myself!


ETA: Wanted to add re: sparkle factor... You'll find that many of the asscher owners on here (myself included) don't enjoy their asscher at its sparkliest. In bright sunlight, my stone DAZZLES me with it's sparkle--BUT, my favorite lighting always comes on grey/rainy days when I can really see the step pattern. When it gets too sparkly, I lose my asscher and it just looks like any other brilliant cut!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/4/2007 5:39:24 PM
Author: musey


ETA: Wanted to add re: sparkle factor... You''ll find that many of the asscher owners on here (myself included) don''t enjoy their asscher at its sparkliest. In bright sunlight, my stone DAZZLES me with it''s sparkle--BUT, my favorite lighting always comes on grey/rainy days when I can really see the step pattern. When it gets too sparkly, I lose my asscher and it just looks like any other brilliant cut!

Oh, you poor thing. Why don''t you let me wear it on sunny days then...

 

[mrssalvo]

did you see the Leon Mege asscher ring on pearlman''s webite? lot''s of sparkle factor there and no competing round sides..

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/072PO1/0/

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I''m not nearly as knowledgeable as most ladies and gents on this forum, but just wanted to second what musey said. I do think you have to absolutely love a step cut to wear it every day. A very good friend of mine has a RB ring the same size as my asscher e-ring and I can definitely tell the difference between the sparkle of her ring and the subtle shimmer of my ring.

Sera, I think I understand what you mean about the bold flashes. I might not have any clue what I''m talking about, but I notice that with round brilliants they tend to sparkle more because it seems they have smaller facets, or more facets, I''m not sure. I notice that with my step cut, though, when it catches the light I get a whole line of color. Because each of the facets are several millimeters long, it seems like a bold flash.

Like Musey I have round brilliants (and two 20 point pears) on my band and they add some sparkle to the band, but nothing that would overpower the center stone.

I saw an asscher for the first time when a coworker of mine got one about six years ago. I was completely hooked, I never considered another shape of stone from that day on. I know asschers don''t face up the way RB do, but I absolutely love the way my diamond draws me in--I love the depth, I love how it seems to go on for infinity.

 

[sera]

Date: 8/4/2007 6:16:31 PM
Author: mrssalvo
did you see the Leon Mege asscher ring on pearlman's webite? lot's of sparkle factor there and no competing round sides..


http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/072PO1/0/

Yes, that is actually like the one I contacted him on; I hadn't seen it on Pearlman's. It is beautiful but my budget is about half that. My only reluctance with something with step-cut sides (which is recommended for an Asscher center) is that I might be happier with a solitaire since I wanted some rb sparkle and a solitaire would allow pave or shared prong, etc. right up to the solitaire... though I love 3 stone settings. UGH I just can't decide. Leon also has a bezel set eternity band... I was considering that style for my e-ring (which would give kind of the same effect as the shared prong Ritani) since the diamonds would be a bit larger, but I think that might be over budget- I didn't want to waste his time by getting another quote from him while I am so undecided.

 

[sera]

Date: 8/4/2007 6:56:22 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady
Sera, I think I understand what you mean about the bold flashes. I might not have any clue what I'm talking about, but I notice that with round brilliants they tend to sparkle more because it seems they have smaller facets, or more facets, I'm not sure. I notice that with my step cut, though, when it catches the light I get a whole line of color. Because each of the facets are several millimeters long, it seems like a bold flash.

Yes, that is what I meant! I had tried my first one on at Disneyland (at their estate jewelry store) and across the room it was like lightening coming off that ring.

Like Musey I have round brilliants (and two 20 point pears) on my band and they add some sparkle to the band, but nothing that would overpower the center stone.

Thank you, Musey for the answers... it's helping!
NewEnglandLady, do you have pictures of your ring? I would love to see an Asscher with non-step cut sides.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I just took a few shots, but they''re a bit blurry.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

another

 

[NewEnglandLady]

side view

 

[sera]

Date: 8/4/2007 8:34:01 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady
I just took a few shots, but they're a bit blurry.

Niiice! Very lovely and blingy! I love pear shape.

I think I could go with the Ritani shared prong with sidestone ring without taking away from an Asscher... I think what helps with your ring and the Ritani is that the 3 stones curve around as opposed to some 3 stones that are more straight across with the side diamonds almost at an equal level with the center. The only thing with this Ritani is that the head is not pave... I'm totally obsessed with having some bling on the side of the ring. I guess one of the vendors could do a custom like that... and I'm thinking I may need a halo (without a hard edge) because my center stone will be about a 1ct (or if I got extremely lucky on an Asscher a 1.25ct) and I don't want the bands to be wider than the stone.

 

[strmrdr]

Asschers are the king of broadflash fire but dont have much pinfire.
They also have mostly large scint. events rather than small and med like a RB.
Which means it looks like large chunks of light moving accross and from the stone rather than small and med.

 

[strmrdr]

Also too get the full effect swing the asscher thru a large range of motion.
The file name is the ammount of tilt in degrees.
notice the massive shifting of the reds from 8 too 22 degrees.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Hi! I just got a Royal Asscher, and it definitely has more fire than a regular square cut emerald cut. I have diamonds of every shape except a princess, a heart and a cushion, so I''m not missing out on any type of sparkle. The store that sold me my Royal Asscher is doing the setting - I never considered taking the stone anywhere else because the store has an excellent reputation.

 

[strmrdr]

As too the RA question GOG can get them.
No they dont have more fire than a well cut generic asscher/SE

 

[musey]

Date: 8/5/2007 9:10:33 AM
Author: strmrdr
As too the RA question GOG can get them.

No they dont have more fire than a well cut generic asscher/SE

Key word being "well cut."

Sera, I think the difference is a reliably better cut from RA, but that doesn't necessarily mean there aren't great generic cuts... it's just harder to find a fantastically cut generic than it is to find a fantastically cut royal, since the RA cut is so standardized. You generally know what you're getting with an RA, but you really need to research a generic.

 

[sera]

Date: 8/5/2007 12:22:20 PM
Author: musey

Date: 8/5/2007 9:10:33 AM

Author: strmrdr

As too the RA question GOG can get them.


No they dont have more fire than a well cut generic asscher/SE

Key word being ''well cut.''


Sera, I think the difference is a reliably better cut from RA, but that doesn''t necessarily mean there aren''t great generic cuts... it''s just harder to find a fantastically cut generic than it is to find a fantastically cut royal, since the RA cut is so standardized. You generally know what you''re getting with an RA, but you really need to research a generic.

Ah ok, makes sense. So, I suppose either way RA or generic, going through GOG I could trust them in picking a good one within my parameters. I''m still not 100% decided on an Asscher center... I LOVE them but I really have to see a few more to decide if that''s the type of sparkle I want, but right now I''m recovering from last week''s surgery so shopping isn''t too easy right now.

Thanks for all the info everyone.

 

[musey]

Date: 8/5/2007 9:13:49 PM
Author: sera

So, I suppose either way RA or generic, going through GOG I could trust them in picking a good one within my parameters.

Yes and no... You can trust them to pick one/a few for you to look at, but it''s best to pick an asscher in person. Numbers can usually pick you a round, but asschers are tricky little devils

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 8/5/2007 11:21:00 PM
Author: musey

Date: 8/5/2007 9:13:49 PM
Author: sera

So, I suppose either way RA or generic, going through GOG I could trust them in picking a good one within my parameters.

Yes and no... You can trust them to pick one/a few for you to look at, but it''s best to pick an asscher in person. Numbers can usually pick you a round, but asschers are tricky little devils

While looking at them is important, hundreds of people have bought them online and loved them.
Its all about doing the homework and a good return policy.

 

[musey]

Date: 8/5/2007 11:26:36 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 8/5/2007 11:21:00 PM

Author: musey

Date: 8/5/2007 9:13:49 PM

Author: sera


So, I suppose either way RA or generic, going through GOG I could trust them in picking a good one within my parameters.

Yes and no... You can trust them to pick one/a few for you to look at, but it's best to pick an asscher in person. Numbers can usually pick you a round, but asschers are tricky little devils

While looking at them is important, hundreds of people have bought them online and loved them.

Its all about doing the homework and a good return policy.

Like I said, it's "best" to pick them in person where possible. I didn't say "necessary"

Besides, IMO, buying with a good return policy is the online-equivalent of buying in person. It's like putting down a deposit in order to see the stone with your own eyes.

 

[vespergirl]

Hi Sera,

I''m also an asscher owner, and understand some of your questions about not being sure about an asscher. Howver, every time I thought that I may want to trade it for a brillinat cut, I always end up loving my asscher more than anything else. I have tried on Luceres (kind of looks like a Jubilee) but from a distance, they just look like a slightly-squared round. Same with the squarish cushions - even trying them on in a jewelry store with friends, everyone thought they looked like rounds from a few feet away, and I really wanted something unique looking.

I''ve also always love step cuts, and even though I love the elegance of ECs, my asscher has so much more fire. Mine is not an RA, but it has an extra step so it''s cut similar to one, and has tons of rainbow fire, sparkle, and scintillation. That said, it does need to be cleaned almost every day to keep it looking fiery. It''s also VERY IMPORTANT to find one that''s well cut - I traded my old one in for this one, because the other one wasn''t cut as well, and had a dark spot that bothered me. It''s very important to see them in person & in different kinds of light before you buy.

Also, I haven''t run into anyone who thinks it''s a princess - I know somje poeple have had that problem, but more often, women know it''s an asscher and seem to really love it - especially because they''re still pretty rare, it gets a lot of attention.

I like the sleek, modern look (like Precision Set) so I have a solitaire with an asscher channel set band. We will probably add asscher sidestones to turn it into a 3-stone ring in the next couple of years to add to the bling factor.

Here are some pics of my ring in different light conditions - some are more in the shade so you can see the steps, but it really sparkles in the sunhsine ones!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-already-got-my-new-asscher.64172/

 

[sera]

Date: 8/6/2007 11:05:04 AM
Author: vespergirl
Hi Sera,


I''m also an asscher owner, and understand some of your questions about not being sure about an asscher. Howver, every time I thought that I may want to trade it for a brillinat cut, I always end up loving my asscher more than anything else. I have tried on Luceres (kind of looks like a Jubilee) but from a distance, they just look like a slightly-squared round. Same with the squarish cushions - even trying them on in a jewelry store with friends, everyone thought they looked like rounds from a few feet away, and I really wanted something unique looking.


I''ve also always love step cuts, and even though I love the elegance of ECs, my asscher has so much more fire. Mine is not an RA, but it has an extra step so it''s cut similar to one, and has tons of rainbow fire, sparkle, and scintillation. That said, it does need to be cleaned almost every day to keep it looking fiery. It''s also VERY IMPORTANT to find one that''s well cut - I traded my old one in for this one, because the other one wasn''t cut as well, and had a dark spot that bothered me. It''s very important to see them in person & in different kinds of light before you buy.


Also, I haven''t run into anyone who thinks it''s a princess - I know somje poeple have had that problem, but more often, women know it''s an asscher and seem to really love it - especially because they''re still pretty rare, it gets a lot of attention.


I like the sleek, modern look (like Precision Set) so I have a solitaire with an asscher channel set band. We will probably add asscher sidestones to turn it into a 3-stone ring in the next couple of years to add to the bling factor.


Here are some pics of my ring in different light conditions - some are more in the shade so you can see the steps, but it really sparkles in the sunhsine ones!


https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-already-got-my-new-asscher.64172/

LOVE your pictures! The pics in the sunshine... omg... I''m hypnotized! I soooo love your stone! Mine won''t be as big and it won''t be colorless (another reason I''m having second thoughts), but like you, I want something unique. I don''t want what everyone else has. I''m glad to see a stone with VG polish and symmetry is beautiful- I was paranoid I would have to get Ex for an Asscher. I feel an Asscher is the most unique looking squarish stone, but I think I just need to go look around in person again and make sure that is what I want no regrets. I am thinking if I get an Asscher solitaire with or without a halo, a band like the single shared prong Ritani would be a satisfying RB sparkle.

I recall someone mentioning in one of my threads to look for an Asscher with an extra step... maybe it was you

I will definitely try for that!

Thanks for the help.

 

[pinkdiamond2007]

Hi everyone
I"m STILL (if you can believe it) trying to decide between a cusion with halo in pink diamonds and platinum no rose gold.
Or an asscher with a very simple setting

I really like Wallermama''s but I''m not positive about the matte/satin finish
I found this one a while ago but I cna''t remember who''s adavar it is

Does anyone remember who''s this is? Thanks for any help anyone may have.
I really think the asscher is way I want to go, I have seen a few in "real" life and I''m captivated and it''s not even my own ring.
I just love the timeless appeal and understatedness of it, oh I love them

Thanks for the help
Emma

 

[pinkdiamond2007]

oops my computer did something funky

here is the photo

Can you see this?
It''s not letting me upload, though the size isn''t too big
Ok I lik ethis one too but this isn''t the one I mean
I will try again

 

[pinkdiamond2007]

well I can''t get it to work

So I will describe it
It''s an adavar
Asscher solitaire
in platinum and it''s matched with a simple platinum wedding band and then it looks like a delicate eternity band in rounds maybe
Anyhow I love it
Any help would be so appreciated

Thanks
Emma

 

[musey]

pinkdiamond, I don''t think I know whose avatar you''re looking for. You might want to consider posting this in a separate thread in order to get more responses, as well as to keep sera''s thread from going off-topic.

 

[autumngems]

I have an asscher and I simply love it and wouldn''t give it up for anything. My sparkles tremendously and has great fire. Go for the asscher!

 

[pinkdiamond2007]

thanks
that;s a good point.
Sorry Sera

 

[sera]

Date: 8/9/2007 5:05:56 PM
Author: pinkdiamond2007
thanks

that;s a good point.

Sorry Sera

No problem... I do think I need my BRAIN hijacked so I can make a decision!

 

[pinkdiamond2007]

I know exactly how you feel. I just need to chose somethign and then we can finally get marreid. But there are so many beautiful rings. Like you I''m considering the asscher and a cushion
Oh man, I wish I could just make up my mind
Good luck