What''s the lowest colour which is acceptable in a 3c asscher

[isaku5]

As some of you are aware, I have been interested in a 3c. asscher and trap ring. Since the ring is in California and I''m in Canada, I paid Nancy Stacy to do an independent appraisal today.

While the GIA report states that the colour is a G, Nancy told me that she would say that it was closer to an H.

My question is how low can I go if it''s a 3c asscher? Is an H too "warm" if you''re colour sensitive??

 

[cpster]

Are you not going to get the GOG asscher then? Sorry I can't comment on an H color asscher. I hope your search ends soon. I've been following along off and on.

 

[Mara]

for me an H asscher would be just as fine as a G asscher...i wouldn't imagine that you'd see any huge increase of color from one to the other, both grades are near colorless.

Nancy is pretty strict with her color grading...maybe a little stricter than most labs...she graded my girlfriend's K ACA stone as more like an L which was really surprising as we all thought that the stone was nowhere near an L considering other stones we have seen in terms of color comparisons.

so i don't know, grain of salt? kristy and wallermama offered to go check out the stone originally, why don't you take them up on that option? or something.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:07:25 PM
Author:isaku5
While the GIA report states that the colour is a G, Nancy told me that she would say that it was closer to an H.

As a GIA "H" owner - I find the editoral symbol chosen to be vaguely insulting enough that'll I'll not answer the question. Honestly - if you already have such an opinion on the matter

... why ASK US?

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:22:02 PM
Author: cpster
Are you not going to get the GOG asscher then?

After seeing the initial CAD''s of the haloed asscher from GOG

, I thought it might be time to look at other options ( pre-owned asscher/trap ring). I certainly couldn''t afford a brand new 3c asscher and I told Jonathan that.

As of now both options are open. What would you do if you were in my position??

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:26:25 PM
Author: Mara
for me an H asscher would be just as fine as a G asscher...i wouldn''t imagine that you''d see any huge increase of color from one to the other, both grades are near colorless.

Nancy is pretty strict with her color grading...maybe a little stricter than most labs...she graded my girlfriend''s K ACA stone as more like an L which was really surprising as we all thought that the stone was nowhere near an L considering other stones we have seen in terms of color comparisons.

so i don''t know, grain of salt? kristy and wallermama offered to go check out the stone originally, why don''t you take them up on that option? or something.

Thanks, Mara.....I would love to have them look at it, but don''t know how to contact either one.

 

[Shay37]

All I know is that TierHog had a beautiful almost 2 ct in a J that I would have died to have. I will include the link here. link

shay

 

[Mara]

quite frankly, and i don't mean this rudely at all, but what does it matter what any of us would do in your situation isabel?

this is your ring, your diamond, your dream. you have to make your own decisions on what you'd like to end up doing.

in reality, taking a poll of what PS'ers would do will not help you decide if a G that is closer to an H may be the way you want to go...or not.

you are spending a lot of money here and the options seem to be neither 1000000% what you really want.....honestly i can't even believe you are still hassling with this project. is it even fun anymore??

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:26:38 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 8/11/2006 8:07:25 PM
Author:isaku5
While the GIA report states that the colour is a G, Nancy told me that she would say that it was closer to an H.

As a GIA ''H'' owner - I find the editoral symbol chosen to be vaguely insulting enough that''ll I''ll not answer the question. Honestly - if you already have such an opinion on the matter

... why ASK US?

Sorry, deco, the symbol I chose did not relate to the colour H, it was just that I was expecting a G grade from Nancy as stated on the GIA report and I was disappointed.

I apologize for offending you.

 

[Gypsy]

You clearly don''t like the H so it''s irrelevant what we''d go for. As for CADS... it''s an artistic endeavor-- I''d have more patience with it... it''s a process.

 

[Rod]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:34:36 PM
Author: Shay37
All I know is that TierHog had a beautiful almost 2 ct in a J that I would have died to have. I will include the link here. link

shay

Completely off subject, but TierHog, who had everyone swooning over his search for Tanya''s perfect Assscher, and who had the longest running thread thread in PS history (probably not, but seems appropriate since I''m being dramatic) PROMISED to stick around and keep us company. So, where are you TierHog? Why don''t we hear from you anymore? Sure, make us believe you''ll be there for us

and then just use us and throw us away.......

And to your question, it would seem that an H "kicken" (stormism) asscher would be quite white.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:35:37 PM
Author: Mara
quite frankly, and i don''t mean this rudely at all, but what does it matter what any of us would do in your situation isabel?

this is your ring, your diamond, your dream. you have to make your own decisions on what you''d like to end up doing.

in reality, taking a poll of what PS''ers would do will not help you decide if a G that is closer to an H may be the way you want to go...or not.

you are spending a lot of money here and the options seem to be neither 1000000% what you really want.....honestly i can''t even believe you are still hassling with this project. is it even fun anymore??

The only reason I was asking about H in a larger asscher was that I thought I had seen somewhere on this forum that G was as low as you should go in a larger asscher and wanted other''s opinions on that.

 

[Shay37]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:41:45 PM
Author: Rod

Completely off subject, but TierHog, who had everyone swooning over his search for Tanya''s perfect Assscher, and who had the longest running thread thread in PS history (probably not, but seems appropriate since I''m being dramatic) PROMISED to stick around and keep us company. So, where are you Tier

style="WIDTH: 98.99%; HEIGHT: 76px">Date: 8/11/2006 8:34:36 PM
Author: Shay37
All I know is that TierHog had a beautiful almost 2 ct in a J that I would have died to have. I will include the link here. link

shay

Hog? Why don''t we hear from you anymore? Sure, make us believe you''ll be there for us

and then just use us and throw us away.......

And to your question, it would seem that an H ''kicken'' (stormism) asscher would be quite white.

I so agree, Rod. If I remember right, buried somewhere in his threads is the fact that Tanya is quite close to her due date. He may be busy feathering the nest so to speak. I still wish he would come back, pop in, and update us.

shay

 

[rogue]

Are there any comparably well cut asschers or emerald cuts in your area you could check out? Maybe you can get an idea of the color in the stepped cuts that way. I bet the massiveness of the 3 carat will overwhelm anyone looking at that stone!

 

[Mara]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:45:14 PM
Author: isaku5

Date: 8/11/2006 8:35:37 PM
Author: Mara
quite frankly, and i don't mean this rudely at all, but what does it matter what any of us would do in your situation isabel?

this is your ring, your diamond, your dream. you have to make your own decisions on what you'd like to end up doing.

in reality, taking a poll of what PS'ers would do will not help you decide if a G that is closer to an H may be the way you want to go...or not.

you are spending a lot of money here and the options seem to be neither 1000000% what you really want.....honestly i can't even believe you are still hassling with this project. is it even fun anymore??

The only reason I was asking about H in a larger asscher was that I thought I had seen somewhere on this forum that G was as low as you should go in a larger asscher and wanted other's opinions on that.

It would be silly to say that G is as low as anyone should go in a large asscher. There are plenty of happy near colorless asscher owners. Color is personal. Which is why it's very hard to gather opinions on what you should do, your eyes are personal too.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:50:16 PM
I thought I had seen somewhere on this forum that G was as low as you should go in a larger asscher and wanted other''s opinions on that.

I''m glad to know you weren''t editorializing on "H" asschers with the "blech" face ... but relating it to your expectations being dashed.

If I was spending 30-40K on a ring - I wouldn''t want the

symbol ANYWHERE near that project.

The DANGER of relying on "remembering someone said once" is that you can stay in limbo forever. If you read this forum as obsessively as I seem to, you''ll see that EVERYONE hates SOMETHING. If you take everyone at their word for what is "right" or "best" you''d never buy ANYTHING.

Which brings us back to Mara''s point - it truly doesn''t matter what WE think. Especially when it''s as personal an issue as color. Fifty people could swear up & down "H" in a large Asscher is honkey dory .. but you, alone, in your house, opening the box, might really go

.

Be bold. Be decisive. Go with your gut. If NONE of the options actually has you by the throat screaming BUY ME YOU CRAZY FOOL - then pass on all of ''em and start from scratch.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/11/2006 8:50:16 PM
Author: Mara

It would be silly to say that G is as low as anyone should go in a large asscher. There are plenty of happy near colorless asscher owners. Color is personal. Which is why it''s very hard to gather opinions on what you should do, your eyes are personal too.

To add to this.......not for nothing, but Mara and I saw Stephan''s M colored asscher, and it was a beauty. Sure, a little warm, but I''d take it - absolutely.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/11/2006 9:03:00 PM
Author: decodelighted

The DANGER of relying on ''remembering someone said once'' is that you can stay in limbo forever. If you read this forum as obsessively as I seem to, you''ll see that EVERYONE hates SOMETHING. If you take everyone at their word for what is ''right'' or ''best'' you''d never buy ANYTHING.

I have to say (and I don''t mean this disrespectfully)............I almost can''t help but wonder if that''s the entire point? Keep asking questions so there''s no need to commit to any one thing.

This has just been going on for so long now, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, that it''s hard to imagine anyone could be that indecisive without meaning to. Some people enjoy the window shopping more than shopping.

If I''m mistaken, my deepest apologies. That''s a lot of money to toss around, and I fully support the notion of wanting to get it right......but at some point, you have to take the reins yourself and decide what will make you happy. Collecting input as a way to progress to decision-making is a fine idea, but input just for the sake of it seems to be not a lot more than a philosophical exercise.

 

[Beacon]

Say, the issue isn''t what we *think*, it is what we *see*. I figure you better go have a look at this stone yourself or you''ll not be able to decide anything.

Intellectually you must know that this is a very high H, (if even an H) considering it fooled the good people at GIA.

 

[moremoremore]

My answer is: It depends on who you ask. I''m not comfortable with anything less than a G in any cut...but again, that''s ME. you need to see the stone / stone of like size and color to know for sure...

 

[jaz464]

Well, since you wanted our opinions, the lowest I would go is an F. My 2 carat marquise is a D and I am a bit obsessive about colorlessness. So going that big and a step cut, I would never go below colorless.

 

[moremoremore]

Geez, you're worse than me! LOL!!!

I do have an H 1.2 pendant though and she looks nice and white to me...

 

[Mara]

see and that's the 'personal' thing jazmine...i personally don't find D's that attractive. they are just so darn white and cold even when well cut. i don't find them appealing...and i don't even think if i was made of money i'd end up with one. G/H is my sweet spot really if i was made of money...MAYBE an F for fun. greg's F is definitely colorless but more warm than a D for me. just like some people would never go below an H for a round or something similar.

that's the point though, is that asking us what we would do is not really relevant! either you like colorless or you don't or you are willing to compromise or you aren't. it's just so personal. everyone has their own thresshold of acceptability.

 

[jaz464]

Very true Mara. She needs to know herself what color she finds attractive. It''s like asking all of us what color to get your new car in. Well, what do you like?

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 8/11/2006 10:00:28 PM
Author: jazmine
Very true Mara. She needs to know herself what color she finds attractive. It's like asking all of us what color to get your new car in. Well, what do you like?

Me like Kiwi.

eta: and DECISIONS!

 

[isaku5]

Thanks everyone for providing comments.

I think it''s the amount of money involved and the fact that I haven''t seen either choice.

I knew the moment we walked into our house that it was for us and we''re still here 35 years later.I knew the moment we saw our car that it was the one. I''m not usually so indecisive (hard to believe, I know).

I suppose I also wanted to know how "tough" an appraiser Nancy Stacy is. Well, I found out today--she is very thorough. In the conversation we had today after the appraisal she was very forthright and answered every question I asked in detail. Her written report will arrive later.

Mara asked an interesting question," Is it still fun?" to which I have to reply "NO" but it''s very hard for me to give up on a project.

Alj asked if I just liked to talk about it rather than make a decision--definitely not.

Gypsy said I should have more patience with the baguette/halo asscher project. Maybe so, but it seems to be going nowhere either.

TierHog....I read every one of his asscher posts and loved them and wish Ron and Tanya well with their new baby; I think the due date is Aug.23; so maybe he is feathering the nest.

Since neither option is screaming,"Pick me!!!" and I''ve challenged everyone''s patience far too much, maybe it''s time to say "enough" and hope something will turn up later.

Thanks again for all your kindness and advice

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/11/2006 10:36:12 PM
Author: isaku5
Thanks everyone for providing comments.

I think it's the amount of money involved and the fact that I haven't seen either choice.

I knew the moment we walked into our house that it was for us and we're still here 35 years later.I knew the moment we saw our car that it was the one. I'm not usually so indecisive (hard to believe, I know). .

Mara asked an interesting question,' Is it still fun?' to which I have to reply 'NO' but it's very hard for me to give up on a project.

Since neither option is screaming,'Pick me!!!' and I've challenged everyone's patience far too much, maybe it's time to say 'enough'

From all of this, I'd say it sounds like you definitely have to see in person to make a decision.

That said, I don't think you can meaningfully continue on this project until you can find a way to put your eyes on stones yourself.

I seem to recall that you have health limitiations that prevent you from travelling to see stones (???? is this right?).

Unless/until you can overcome that obstacle, I think I agree with you that shelving the project is the way to go until you can see the stones in person.

Nothing wrong with that; some people are visual and not visionary.

When hubby and I first looked at our house, it was only rough-framed. I felt an IMMEDIATE connection; LOVED the layout, etc (I'm the visionary one). He wasn't as hyped on it (he's the visual one); couldn't really picture it finished in his head. Conversely, I could see it EXACTLY finished in my head!

I took him back after the walls were up and it looked more like a "house" with rooms.....he 'liked' it. He didn't LOVE it until we'd agreed to buy it and they began doing the finish work. Only then could he really see it coming together.

Sounds like you need to see that, too....I think that perhaps you aren't the best candidate for online shopping, especially on such a large purchase.

I hope you do find what will eventually make you happy.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Isabel, could the jeweler holding that ring not send it to some jeweler in your area for you to view it if you paid for the shipping and insurance?

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/11/2006 11:15:07 PM
Author: aljdewey

Nothing wrong with that; some people are visual and not visionary.

When hubby and I first looked at our house, it was only rough-framed. I felt an IMMEDIATE connection; LOVED the layout, etc (I''m the visionary one). He wasn''t as hyped on it (he''s the visual one); couldn''t really picture it finished in his head. Conversely, I could see it EXACTLY finished in my head!

I took him back after the walls were up and it looked more like a ''house'' with rooms.....he ''liked'' it. He didn''t LOVE it until we''d agreed to buy it and they began doing the finish work. Only then could he really see it coming together.

Sounds like you need to see that, too....I think that perhaps you aren''t the best candidate for online shopping, especially on such a large purchase.

I hope you do find what will eventually make you happy.

This is definitely true. And it''s easy for those of us who are visionary to get a little frustrated with people who aren''t. I''m very much able to deal with the process of getting what I want and am able to see the potential in things.... It can be hinderance at times as well as a blessing. We all have our strengths.

With the amount of $$ you are spending--- well I''d just fly to NY honestly. Business Class so it''s comfy but still reasonable. If you can''t do that. Definitely table it.

Good luck Isaku!

 

[lizz]

I agree about online shopping not being a good option for you, Isabel. As you said, when you saw your house, you knew it was the one. When you saw your car, you knew it was the one. Maybe you have to see your ring in person to know it''s THE ONE?

I feel like maybe you need some time and distance from this ring project to think about things and what you really want to do. And try to search locally for great diamond rings.

It seems the trepidation you''re feeling is not going to get any better by sending tens of thousands of dollars blindly for a custom-made ring you may not love or for a stone whose color you question in CA. The thought of it is making you more anxious.