Searching for Asscher help

[VoxCap]

Hi Folks,

I''m currently working with WF to locate an asscher cut. They have been great to work with thus far, which is probably no surprise to anyone who frequents this forum. Also of no surprise to anyone searching for an asscher cut diamond is the frustration of finding the right one. Once you''ve looked at the numbers, "calling one in" seems a bit like a crap shoot. I would love to stick with WF, but if anyone has suggestions/links they could provide elsewhere, I''m certainly not opposed to looking. The general requirements seem to be fairly standard - 1ct range, H+, VS2+, $3500-$4500 range. Storm - you around to help one more asscher hunter?

Here''s the most recent sent to me:
1.03 G VVS2
Depth: 67
Table: 66.7 <-Seems large
Crown Height: 14
Ratio: 1.01 (5.64x5.69x3.7

Here is an ASET with appears tilted to me, but what do I know...

 

[stone-cold11]

Not expert... but can''t tell the difference in this ASET between the blue and the black...

Have you tried this one from GOG?http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3873/

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/27/2009 4:52:14 PM
Author:VoxCap
Hi Folks,

I'm currently working with WF to locate an asscher cut. They have been great to work with thus far, which is probably no surprise to anyone who frequents this forum. Also of no surprise to anyone searching for an asscher cut diamond is the frustration of finding the right one. Once you've looked at the numbers, 'calling one in' seems a bit like a crap shoot. I would love to stick with WF, but if anyone has suggestions/links they could provide elsewhere, I'm certainly not opposed to looking. The general requirements seem to be fairly standard - 1ct range, H+, VS2+, $3500-$4500 range. Storm - you around to help one more asscher hunter?

Here's the most recent sent to me:
1.03 G VVS2
Depth: 67
Table: 66.7 <-Seems large
Crown Height: 14
Ratio: 1.01 (5.64x5.69x3.7

Here is an ASET with appears tilted to me, but what do I know...

Hi Vox

I will make sure strm sees this, he is around.

 

[strmrdr]

Can you post the other pictures please.
IS and regular.

 

[VoxCap]

Here you go Storm. Here is what they sent. I''ve asked if they could reshoot them as they seem to be tilted kinda bad.

 

[VoxCap]

IS:

 

[strmrdr]

The table is a little big but with a 14% crown height it can be ok.
Its not likely to be glassy but its a different look than a smaller table.
Every image is showing outstanding brightness around the sides of the table and under the crown facets.
What I cant tell from the pictures is if the center is bright enough to go with the rest of it.
I would talk to someone about that while they are looking at the diamond.
Are you going to see it unset or mounted?
If unset then I think it is worth an in person look to see if you love it.
If mounted I would need a strong endorsement, maybe have them show it around the office for multiple opinions.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 7/27/2009 11:08:26 PM
Author: strmrdr
The table is a little big but with a 14% crown height it can be ok.
Its not likely to be glassy but its a different look than a smaller table.
Every image is showing outstanding brightness around the sides of the table and under the crown facets.
What I cant tell from the pictures is if the center is bright enough to go with the rest of it.
I would talk to someone about that while they are looking at the diamond.
Are you going to see it unset or mounted?
If unset then I think it is worth an in person look to see if you love it.
If mounted I would need a strong endorsement, maybe have them show it around the office for multiple opinions.

Storm, for my own education, could you explain what is making this hard to tell? My first reaction on seeing the images was that the P3 facets weren''t cut to good angles and the center would be dark. Admittedly, I am not very knowledgeable on step cuts, but am trying to learn. What am I missing on this diamond?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/27/2009 11:12:58 PM
Author: jet2ks

Date: 7/27/2009 11:08:26 PM

Author: strmrdr

The table is a little big but with a 14% crown height it can be ok.

Its not likely to be glassy but its a different look than a smaller table.

Every image is showing outstanding brightness around the sides of the table and under the crown facets.

What I cant tell from the pictures is if the center is bright enough to go with the rest of it.

I would talk to someone about that while they are looking at the diamond.

Are you going to see it unset or mounted?

If unset then I think it is worth an in person look to see if you love it.

If mounted I would need a strong endorsement, maybe have them show it around the office for multiple opinions.

Storm, for my own education, could you explain what is making this hard to tell? My first reaction on seeing the images was that the P3 facets weren't cut to good angles and the center would be dark. Admittedly, I am not very knowledgeable on step cuts, but am trying to learn. What am I missing on this diamond?

because of the inner ring in green in the ASET and the red ring under the edge of the table the very center doesn't have to be as bright as with the drop style without the ring.
It just has to be there to anchor the patterns.
The red ring under the edge of the table also helps the larger table be ok.

 

[jet2ks]

OK, thank you. I need to read up more on Asschers and step cuts and process the info. I''ve read some articles and threads here on PS, but it just hasn''t all clicked yet.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/27/2009 11:08:26 PM
Author: strmrdr
The table is a little big but with a 14% crown height it can be ok.
Its not likely to be glassy but its a different look than a smaller table.
Every image is showing outstanding brightness around the sides of the table and under the crown facets.
What I cant tell from the pictures is if the center is bright enough to go with the rest of it.
I would talk to someone about that while they are looking at the diamond.
Are you going to see it unset or mounted?
If unset then I think it is worth an in person look to see if you love it.
If mounted I would need a strong endorsement, maybe have them show it around the office for multiple opinions.

Who is their resident asscher expert?? Have them look at it, this pic isn't impressive to me.. But who knows. If they say it's bright, have it sent to you for further inspection... You can have it independently appraised... Best of luck

 

[decodelighted]

What''s its symmetry rating? Maybe its just the tilt but the cut corners seem at slightly different angles which might make it difficult to set it w/o looking a bit crooked -- one prong further over than the other. Setting asschers is tricky as it is because any lack of symmetry w/ the prongs is apparent.

If it *is* just a tilted photo -- the table & depth don''t bother me. My own Asscher is almost spot on those #s and I love the look of it. It really just depends on the patterns to your eye in person. Whether it appeals or not. Like picking a Bengal cat or something ... these leopard type stripes, or those stripes ... this quilt or that quilt.

Maybe, as Kaleigh suggested, they can send it to a local appraiser for inspection & you could go down & take a look at it yourself?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/27/2009 11:38:14 PM
Author: decodelighted
What''s its symmetry rating? Maybe its just the tilt but the cut corners seem at slightly different angles which might make it difficult to set it w/o looking a bit crooked -- one prong further over than the other. Setting asschers is tricky as it is because any lack of symmetry w/ the prongs is apparent.


If it *is* just a tilted photo -- the table & depth don''t bother me. My own Asscher is almost spot on those #s and I love the look of it. It really just depends on the patterns to your eye in person. Whether it appeals or not. Like picking a Bengal cat or something ... these leopard type stripes, or those stripes ... this quilt or that quilt.


Maybe, as Kaleigh suggested, they can send it to a local appraiser for inspection & you could go down & take a look at it yourself?

The break angles and corner width are within acceptable tolerances of each other.
It is a problem when photographing large cornered stones.
The slightest tilt combined with the larger than life image makes them look off.
Which is why in the 3 images a different one looks off in each.
Which is one reason I asked for all 3 images the other being the center.
Everyone pretty much agrees that this is one that has to be evaluated by eye.

 

[VoxCap]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I''m lucky enough to be in Houston this week, so I should be able to view the stone in person. When I do, what would each one of you be looking for in particular? Making sure the large table doesn''t make it look glassy? Making sure the center is bright enough? I''ve looked at plenty of IS and ASET images on PS so I have some idea of what to look for on those, but evaluating a stone that isn''t magnified 40x is a bit different. What do you all look for/at? Thanks again!

 

[VoxCap]

Here''s the SARIN if it makes a difference.

 

[strmrdr]

look at it in all kinds of lighting.
In diffused lighting look deeply down into it, does it draw you in?
Does the center look dark compared to the rest?
Does it make your heart sing?
Then in direct lighting check out the fire.

 

[VoxCap]

Well, I just spoke with Bob at WF (who I think I''ve seen mentioned here on PS and who seemed very knowledgeable about asschers) and he seems to think the stone is a good one. I asked about the center brightness, and he said the center isn''t quite as bright as the edges, but it''s close. He says the windmills look nice, and it has the deep look that draws you in. I''ll be going in on Thursday morning to view it for myself with Bob. We''ll see how it goes.

 

[VoxCap]

Date: 7/27/2009 11:38:14 PM
Author: decodelighted
What''s its symmetry rating? Maybe its just the tilt but the cut corners seem at slightly different angles which might make it difficult to set it w/o looking a bit crooked -- one prong further over than the other. Setting asschers is tricky as it is because any lack of symmetry w/ the prongs is apparent.

If it *is* just a tilted photo -- the table & depth don''t bother me. My own Asscher is almost spot on those #s and I love the look of it. It really just depends on the patterns to your eye in person. Whether it appeals or not. Like picking a Bengal cat or something ... these leopard type stripes, or those stripes ... this quilt or that quilt.

Maybe, as Kaleigh suggested, they can send it to a local appraiser for inspection & you could go down & take a look at it yourself?

Deco - the cert lists the polish and symmetry as Ex/Ex. If I chose to go with the stone, hopefully there won''t be much issue with setting it. My only real concern with the numbers was the large table size, but it sounds like there have been a few asschers on here with larger than "ideal" table sizes that still look great. If I go forward with it, I''ll definitely have it sent to an appraiser for evaluation.