What do I get for the extra $1000 on these asschers?

[bruceb916]

Price: $11,882 $12,837
Carat Weight: 1.51 1.62
Cut: Very Good Very Good
Color: F F
Clarity: VS1 VS1
Polish: Excellent Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent Very Good
L/W Ratio: 1.01 1.01
Depth %: 68.3 67.9
Table %: 64.0 62.0
Measurements: L6.44x L6.53x
W6.38x W6.44x
D4.36mm D4.37mm

Fluorescence: None None
Girdle: Medium to Thick to
Sl Thick V Thick

Culet: None None

So tell me, what do I get for the extra grand? Is it the .11 carat? They''re from BN so no pictures available. Has anyone purchased to check them out and then return if you don''t like?

Thanks

 

[bruceb916]

Oh and which one would you choose and why?

 

[blackpolkadot]

For the extra grand you get .11 and because it is not quite as deep, you get more spread. The tables are on the larger side, but they could still be nice. I have not purchased from BN, but asschers cannot be judged by numbers alone! You need pictures (Idealscope or ASET) and a Sarin report. Vendors like Good Old Gold and James Allen are very reputable and will provide the needed pictures. My asscher was purchased through James Allen and I would highly recommend them.

 

[bruceb916]

I agree, pictures are ideal. BN doesn''t provide pictures though.

Has anyone ordered a stone just to see what it looks like? Would a local jeweler be able to look at the stone for me?

 

[katamari]

Date: 9/3/2008 3:21:15 PM
Author: bruceb916
I agree, pictures are ideal.

I wouldn''t just say with Asschers that pictures are ideal. They are downright necessary. You can have two Asschers (or any fancy, for that matter) with the exact same specs that look incredibly different.

Any reason you want to buy from BN in particular?

You can buy a stone just to see it, but I certainly wouldn''t pay $10K for something I hadn''t seen and wasn''t sure if I would like, personally. You will definitely want to look into the exchange/return policy and the shipping rates and figure that in.

A lot of other vendors will bring in stones per your specification and supply you with pictures, Idealscopes, and ASETs. Some of them charge for this, but it is much less of a crap shoot, imo, than just buying one online and hoping it looks good.

 

[bruceb916]

Date: 9/3/2008 3:35:07 PM
Author: katamari

Date: 9/3/2008 3:21:15 PM

Author: bruceb916

I agree, pictures are ideal.

Any reason you want to buy from BN in particular?

I''ve had friends buy from bn and they were very nice stones. I guess if you run a business with out putting pictures up it says a bit about the perceived quality of stones available for purchase.

 

[swingirl]

You'll never know because without photos there is no way of knowing. Asschers have visual characteristics that make one look beautiful and another dull. And you can't assess the windmills, corners or patterns with out a photo or visual inspection. Asshers cannot be bought by numbers alone.

Round stones usually come with a lot more information on the GIA or AGS certificate. Asschers don't come with as many specs and nothing is reported about the crown % or windmill size.

BlueNile has a good return policy and some people do buy the stone (from any vendor) and have it appraised by an independent appraiser to see if they want to keep it.

 

[katamari]

I agree that I have seen some amazing BN rings. But, most of them have been RB. I don't pretend to know anything about RBs, but it does appear on the boards that they are easier to select using only numbers.

All I am saying is that you can have multiple Asschers with similar stats look totally different.

For instance, somewhat similar specs with very different appearances:

D1

vs.

D2

vs.

D3

I think you could luck out just fine. But, I also think there is a risk of having to send several back before you find the 'one'.D3D3

 

[akmiss]

Date: 9/3/2008 4:19:13 PM
Author: katamari
I agree that I have seen some amazing BN rings. But, most of them have been RB. I don''t pretend to know anything about RBs, but it does appear on the boards that they are easier to select using only numbers.

All I am saying is that you can have multiple Asschers with similar stats look totally different.

For instance, somewhat similar specs with very different appearances:

D1

vs.

D2

vs.

D3

I think you could luck out just fine. But, I also think there is a risk of having to send several back before you find the ''one''.D3D3

Katamari, your examples speak volumes! Kudos on making a great point