Royal Asscher I color - need help! would you take the plunge?

[pons]

Hi all -


i''ve read most of the posts on the royal asscher, and, after seeing it in person, i can''t stop thinking about the possibility of owning one. That said, i know some of the resident experts here say they wouldn''t go below an H color...

but here is my question (considering i am NOT an expert) - i hear that royal asscher makes diamonds up to a J in color. I am currently considering an "I color" asscher - and my question is whether and "I Royal Asscher" would be eqivalent or better than a G/H ''generic asscher'' - perhaps because of the royal asscher cut? I mean, overall, even in an I color, teh royal asscher must be a great stone. seems like the royal asschers on fortunoff''s website are also I color.

For ~11 K, i could get a 1.4ish RA or a 1.8+ sq emerald, both I color, and VS1 and ex/ex.
For 13K, i could get a G/VS1 1.6 carat.

i know i''m leaving some details of the specs out with no pics, but overall the above diamonds were selected by my jeweler (quite reputable) as great stones and stands by them. i''ve seen them, but as a novice, overall they all look great to me. the RA definitely has more sparkle. There are definitely other stones with better specs or something, but then i''d have to sacrifice on either the carat size or the ''royal asscher'' cut...it seems like the rest is up to me. anythoughts about the above? i''d like to get your expert opinions.

any help?!?! i''d greatly appreciate it!

pons

 

[strmrdr]

in my experence, no the cut of the RA does not make them face up whiter than a regular well cut se/asscher.
That said trust your eyes if an I color ra looks ok to you then your set.

 

[valeria101]

Did the color grade make any difference to you in person?

It would not bother me given the size of the stones... but... it is your choice entirely.


Does the weight difference show up in size too? Allot?

If the cut of the non branded were nearly as attractive, that would make a hard choice, for me. Otherwise, it would still be a choice about cut because the grades chosen are definitely not low enough to get questioned (IMO).


It is allot easier to have pictures and data... And for these two there is:

1.7 F-VS1 non-branded

and

1.6cts I-VS2 RA



I've never realized how much 'darkness' there is in the typical photos until I saw these! The RA is supposed to have little extinction (no black under the IdealSCope) and this one qualifies. But there is plenty of darkness in the 'natural light' picture - probably not the best portrait. The F has a slightly different look - more squarish... If they'd be comparable in price, it would be a hard choice. The F is tempting at 13k compared to the options you have listed.

My 2c

 

[strmrdr]

val is right the RA''s are not photograpthing well under that light setup.
It really comes down to what your eyes prefer.
In that size range I prefere the regular se/asschers but thats me :}

 

[diamondsrock]

I saw a 1.5 or so carat I color ra a few years ago and still haven''t forgotten it''s beauty. It''s what turned me on to asschers in general. I would buy one in a heartbeat but that''s just me.

I still think about that stone so I understand why you want one!!!

 

[lindaAZ]

I had a RA color grade I and generic asscher color grade I in my hands for a week (just last week) They were WHITE not the least bit of tint.

 

[pons]

lindaz,

did you return both of theM?

 

[lindaAZ]

I am getting the Royal Asscher (as of today!). I like both very much and have had a very difficult time deciding. I may change my mind again while I decide on a setting...

But the main issue is that neither diamond showed any color at all!