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

[KristyDarling]

DS 2006, the 3-stone Isaku was considering is being sold by an individual, not a jeweler, so I doubt he''d be willing to send it just for a viewing.

Isabel, I''m glad you''re going to shelve the idea for now. Just keep your eyes open and something will eventually come by that will *literally* take your breath away and leave NO doubt in your mind whatsoever. I really believe that the "I can''t sleep or eat until I have THAT ring" feeling must be present before you shell out that magnitude of money. Trying to buy something now out of frustration and desperation can only end badly.

I wouldn''t have minded going to take a look at the ring for you except for the fact that I''d be looking at it with my eyes and not yours. I agree with the others that only you can judge for yourself what your limits are in terms of color quality. And from the sound of it, you''re not so sure yourself, so having others look at it on your behalf would''ve been even more futile.

May I ask -- what was Jonathan''s response to your issues with the halo CADs?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

His jeweler had had it on consignment for awhile and apparently still had the stone at the time. But even if the owner has taken it back, I''d think the jeweler who made the ring might be able to contact a jeweler local to Isabel so she can see the stone.

 

[Mara]

isn''t isabel in canada? wouldn''t there be taxes and duties to pay on anything shipped over even to an appraiser? wasn''t this part of the problem originally? and then i think i recall she couldn''t travel to the US to see anything. so nothing can go to her and she can''t come to anything in the US it seems like.

i agree, shelve it and find something local that speaks to you at some point. just because you have the money doesn''t mean it HAS to be spent now. i pretty much agree that shopping virtually just ain''t workin'' out. good luck!

 

[isaku5]

I''ll try to reply to everyone''s input:

Alj....I agree with your assessment of this project; I definitely am a visual person with one exception: my Hubby 2 b. When I first met him 48 years ago through mutual friends, I said to myself, there is no way that this guy and I will hit it off. He was too much of a showoff, grandstander etc., but my girlfriend at the time was really into this guy she was dating and both of us girls were only allowed to double date. Well, long story short, after knowing the real him for about 6 months, I decided maybe he''s the one--kind, caring, great bod, etc. Five years later we were married and it''s been a great 43 years of married life. I can''t think of anyone who would have been a better husband/father.

Love at first sight??? Definitely not on my part; but everlasting love, you''d better believe it.

Diamondseeker and Mara.. Mara''s right, I live in Canada and I doubt verymuch whether the private seller would agree to send it to my jeweller/friend in Niagara Falls, NY without seeing the money first. Too risky for both of us as I wouldn''t be assured of getting my money back if it didn''t work out and I''m sure he wouldn''t be desperate enough to send the ring without payment.

Gypsy...You have been with me from the beginning and I thank you for that. If worse comes to worst, I might be able to fly Business Class to NY ( What a blast that would be!!!), but the fibro is pretty disabling right now....

Lizz...As you commented, I may not be a candidate for on-line shopping for this project, but I have been lucky with my many purchases on-line of gorgeous tanzanite and the princess centre stone (from BN) for my upgraded e-ring. The actual ring which has trillions on either side was looked after beautifully by a jeweller nearby. But they are not capable of complicated halo settings on asschers. They don''t even sell asschers.

KristyDarling...Jon is one of a kind: the greatest guy ever!!! He didn''t say much about the first CAD''s, but passed along our concerns to the imaging company.

I want to add before closing that Canada is just starting (slowly) to recognize that there is a market here for asschers. We are usually 10 years behind the US in market trends. If I wait 10 more years to "see" a great asscher and have it set, I''ll be 74 and probably blind (although I hope not). Hence, the current obsession.

I apologize to everyone whose time I''ve taken trying to come to a decision. I also thank each and every one of you for taking the time to respond.

 

[phoenixgirl]

You mentioned liking Blue Nile when you ordered from there before. Have you considered getting a stone from them, which you can return if you don't like it?

By the way, I don't think the appraiser's assessment of the color should change your mind about the ring. Each diamond's color is given a grade, but the spectrum is much wider, so you know that your G is either going to be closer to F or closer to H, yet still in the G range. What I would worry about is the cut of the stone.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/12/2006 3:40:20 PM
Author: phoenixgirl
You mentioned liking Blue Nile when you ordered from there before. Have you considered getting a stone from them, which you can return if you don''t like it?

By the way, I don''t think the appraiser''s assessment of the color should change your mind about the ring. Each diamond''s color is given a grade, but the spectrum is much wider, so you know that your G is either going to be closer to F or closer to H, yet still in the G range. What I would worry about is the cut of the stone.

Thanks phoenixgirl for your reply. I bought my upgrade e-ring centre from BN and was very pleased, however, that was before I discovered PS and learned so much. I realize now that I was lucky in my selection and overpaid without even seeing a picture of the actual stone...As I said, lucky.

Their asscher selection is much more limited than their princess selection and even though I looked a few times, there was nothing that caught my attention. Jon happens to have what I think is a beauty and perhaps all it takes is a little more tweaking of the CAD''s to make a great ring.

The asscher in the trap ring that was appraised stated that the cut was very good. Would that be enough to compensate for a G/H colour? Also Nancy''s master set is round brilliants and she commented to me in a later e-mail that later yesterday, someone had brought in an asscher graded E by the GIA which she would have put at least a grade lower. Interesting...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Isabel, personally I wouldn''t buy a $30,000-40,000 ring sight unseen regardless of the color. I do not think this guy can expect you to commit to it without seeing it. Why don''t you just ask him if it can be sent to a jeweler, lawyer, or appraiser of HIS choice in your area or just over the line into the US so you can view it with you paying the shipping and insurance? It''s hard to know what he''d be willing to do until you ask. I would be fine with a borderline G-H stone, and that is exactly what I am getting! But even if it was an E, I still think you''d need to see it before making a final decision.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/12/2006 5:31:07 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Isabel, personally I wouldn''t buy a $30,000-40,000 ring sight unseen regardless of the color. I do not think this guy can expect you to commit to it without seeing it. Why don''t you just ask him if it can be sent to a jeweler, lawyer, or appraiser of HIS choice in your area or just over the line into the US so you can view it with you paying the shipping and insurance? It''s hard to know what he''d be willing to do until you ask. I would be fine with a borderline G-H stone, and that is exactly what I am getting! But even if it was an E, I still think you''d need to see it before making a final decision.

You are absolutely right, diamondseeker. I really don''t know what he''d say unless I ask. The only clue I have, and it''s a big one, is that he said in one of his e-mails yesterday that if I wanted to see it, I should put my money in escrow.com and he would send it.

I will try to be more pro-active since I''m the only potential buyer and he''s had the ring available for about 6 months.

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

Hi Isabel,

Since I''m the one who brought up the California asscher ring, I''ll say this... There is mind clean, G/H questions, there are "Is it the perfect asscher" questions, and then there is this...

Isabel likes them big.

You will not get an F 3+ ct asscher ring for the price of a G/H 3+ carat ring. So, do we want smaller F, or larger G/H? Everyone has an answer to that question, but from everything Isabel has said, she wants OOOH AHHH bling spread across her knuckles like peanut butter. I''ve seen Cymbrie''s I colored GOG asscher and it made me drool and convulse...it was so gorgeous. I would factor that color into the price you offer, and never look back.

I believe either ring, GOG Halo or Three stone, will make Isabel''s heart go pitter pat. Upon opening a jewlery box at home with nothing to compare it to, my heart sure would and would backfill and decide that whatever the heck was in that jewelry box was "meant to be".

Wiring money to Escrow.com, getting the ring and looking it over, still gives you the out of returning it during the inspection period, right? I assume though that that would mean returning the GOG again and waiting again for the return of your wired money again. And confirm to Jonathan that he is the Patron Saint of Patient Saints.

Did Nancy evaluate light return, value, etc?

I don''t see this as a give up and wait for something else to come along situation. I see this as a "commit to plan A or Plan B" situation. At home, in Canada, unable to travel easily....how will something better come along? You have the perfect smaller huge asscher, and a heck-of-a-deal bigger huge asscher to choose from. Period.

 

[isaku5]

Hi wallermama....I''ve missed hearing your input.

You were the one who tempted me with the 3c asscher ring so it''s all your fault.....Just kidding!

Nancy did a very thorough appraisal of the ring and provided lots of info on measurements and angles etc, but nothing was stated about light performance. As well she gave me a wholesale price and an insurance value price (lower than Bill''s original appraisal of 55k)

You''re absolutely right that the perfect asscher ring is not going to tap me on the shoulder while I wait in Canada; so I have 3 choices: pray for the perfect setting for GOG''s asscher, go the escrow.com route and check my tolerance for colour or forget the entire project.

It has been concluded and I agree that I am a visual person and not a visionary most of the time. I have never seen the GOG asscher in person as it''s still with them in NY, but it comes highly recommended.

What to do???? I can''t remember being this indecisive on any matter beforel, but now my true colours are showing through.

I WILL DECIDE SOON and spare the good PS''ers who have been so helpful.

 

[kenny]

If I had the money for a 3 carat H asscher, I'd get a 2.x D E or F VVS1 or VVS2.

To me cut is absolute first priority. (Which is why I will not even shop for an asscher until the AGS 0s are out next year.)
Color and clarity are an equal second, I'd never buy below F VVS2 if the diamond is for me (VS1 if it is a round)
Size last.

If it is a gift I use the recipient's priorities.

You wanted opinions.
There's mine.

(Frankly you should ignore all opinions and buy whatever YOU like.)

 

[FireGoddess]

I've been holding off on chiming in, because, well...this is going to sound mean and I don't want it to...but we have been talking about this FOR-freaking-EVER!!!! I'm over it. I know it is a lot of money to spend. Enough that, for me, a $500 plane ticket (or whatever) to actually SEE the diamond would be well worth it, considering how much money you are contemplating spending. I think Jonathan at GOG must be a saint or something, with the amount of time his stone has been in contention.

Is your problem with the GOG route the CADs? Because those can be tweaked easily, and you could have him ship you the waxes for approval or go see them or something. I wouldn't buy an H sight unseen from a private vendor (ie. not a jeweler) if I didn't know I was comfortable with an H. I don't know what the return policy is from the private seller but it seems like it wouldn't be nearly as good as an actual jeweler.

I'd be going crazy if I were you. When I want something I want it yesterday. I have no patience. Like I said, my patience is virtual.

 

[isaku5]

FireGoddess....You are not being mean at all. This project has taken "for- freaking-EVER".

Jonathan is a SAINT- no question about it!!!

Yes, it was the CAD''s that scared me witless (assuming I have a wit to lose) and the fact that someone whose bag haloes I''ve never seen is going to be setting the asscher, and that freaking AS IS setting contract. Absolute paranoia!

Enter, the finger- ready 3c asscher ring ( blame wallermama for that, hehe) and escrow.com which allows an agreed upon assessment time before the release of funds and you have the appeal...

I apologize profusely for dragging you all along on this journey.

I think I''m ready for Storm''s stress buster!!!!

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/12/2006 5:31:07 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Isabel, personally I wouldn''t buy a $30,000-40,000 ring sight unseen regardless of the color. I do not think this guy can expect you to commit to it without seeing it. Why don''t you just ask him if it can be sent to a jeweler, lawyer, or appraiser of HIS choice in your area or just over the line into the US so you can view it with you paying the shipping and insurance? It''s hard to know what he''d be willing to do until you ask. I would be fine with a borderline G-H stone, and that is exactly what I am getting! But even if it was an E, I still think you''d need to see it before making a final decision.

Just an update on the 3c asscher. I actually went with DH to Buffalo yesterday to eye-ball the ring. The asscher in the ring is unbelieveable - actually much more fire exhibited than in the 2 RA''s I had seen in the spring. Now I know what gives asschers their great popularity. As far as the G-H colour is concerned, it looked very white to me withoiut any tinge of yellow from any angle. The VS2 clarity was only slightlly visible (White) under a 10 power loupe- no problem with that either.

There was only one negative as far as I was concerned and that was that the 3c asscher actually looked smaller than I had thought it would even though I was fully aware of the mm size of the stone.

All in all, it confirmed my feeling that asschers rock!!!!

 

[lizz]

So Isabel, does this mean you''re buying the 3 ct ring?! Because if you think the 3 ct looked small, the GOG stone is even smaller (although with a halo, it would look bigger). Maybe you can buy the 3 ct and have it set in a halo? What have you decided?

 

[Cehrabehra]

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

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.

hehehe I love how you worded this... I''m going to use this for myself When I unwrap my package I''m sure my heart will either soar or sink...

... since isabel has already purchased the stone, why hasn''t she had it sent to her for a couple days to look at it and see for herself?

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/12/2006 2:58:25 PM
Author: isaku5
I''ll try to reply to everyone''s input:

Alj....I agree with your assessment of this project; I definitely am a visual person with one exception: my Hubby 2 b.

why not send the hubby 2 b down to NYC and have HIM make a surprise choice! could be romantic

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/25/2006 7:47:20 PM
Author: lizz
So Isabel, does this mean you''re buying the 3 ct ring?! Because if you think the 3 ct looked small, the GOG stone is even smaller (although with a halo, it would look bigger). Maybe you can buy the 3 ct and have it set in a halo? What have you decided?

Part of the reason I gave up on the 2.26 was the creation of the halo for it. The same would apply to the 3c .I had really imagined being able to set the 3c. in the cartier repro setting, but you must need 5+ c to do that.

I''m going to have to win the lottery and go for the 10c. canuck-girl saw in Hawaii....

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/25/2006 7:58:01 PM
Author: Cehrabehra

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

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.

hehehe I love how you worded this... I''m going to use this for myself When I unwrap my package I''m sure my heart will either soar or sink...

... since isabel has already purchased the stone, why hasn''t she had it sent to her for a couple days to look at it and see for herself?

I must have missed some of your posts, Cehra.

You''ve found your dream cushion and are going to be opening the package?????

Btw, the 3 carater didn''t scream at me BUY ME YOU CRAZY FOOL, so I doubt that the 2.26 would.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 8/25/2006 10:06:34 PM
Author: isaku5

Date: 8/25/2006 7:47:20 PM

I''m going to have to win the lottery and go for the 10c. canuck-girl saw in Hawaii....

HI:

Ah yes gambling

......but that Cartier was OH SO beautiful

........

cheers--Sharon

 

[mrssalvo]

so, are you going to get the 3 ct ring or scrap the whole project?

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/25/2006 10:51:19 PM
Author: mrssalvo
so, are you going to get the 3 ct ring or scrap the whole project?

Those are the two options right now, mrssalvo. Thanks for asking.

I'll try to attach a pic that DH took of the ring on my left hand in a minute.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 8/25/2006 10:57:09 PM
Author: isaku5

Date: 8/25/2006 10:51:19 PM

Author: mrssalvo

so, are you going to get the 3 ct ring or scrap the whole project?

Those are the two options right now, mrssalvo. Thanks for asking.

well, I agree with deco that if the 3 ct didn''t knock your socks off,you might want to just wait for something else. It''s such a huge purchase and you should just love it. would you be sad or upset if the owner called and say someone else purchased it?

 

[isaku5]

Yes, I would be upset if he sold it to someone else because buying the ring "second hand" is the only way I would ever be able to afford it.

I sourced the specs on BN and the centre asscher which is 3.16 is 44k!!!

The pic is too large. I''ll try again tomorrow.

 

[Mara]

my two cents at this point, if you loved how the 3c looked (stone wise) and thought it rocked, you are right that secondhand is a FAB deal on that stone/ring.

if you bought the ring, you could wear it as is (3stone) for max finger coverage for a few years then maybe do something new with a setting and/or halo.

i really believe that from year to year tastes can change. so you may find that in a few yeras you might want a new setting and decide you like kaleigh's asscher halo or something!

in any case, for me that 3c is too good of a deal to pass up if it was surely as lovely as you said. i love a beautiful asscher...it seems more rare to find ones that have exceptional fire. OR there's the cushion project where you could upgrade the stone in the future.

but a 3c asscher, yum. really.

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

I can''t wait to see the pic!!!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/25/2006 10:12:14 PM
Author: isaku5

Date: 8/25/2006 7:58:01 PM
Author: Cehrabehra

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

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.

hehehe I love how you worded this... I''m going to use this for myself When I unwrap my package I''m sure my heart will either soar or sink...

... since isabel has already purchased the stone, why hasn''t she had it sent to her for a couple days to look at it and see for herself?

I must have missed some of your posts, Cehra.

You''ve found your dream cushion and are going to be opening the package?????

Btw, the 3 carater didn''t scream at me BUY ME YOU CRAZY FOOL, so I doubt that the 2.26 would.

if it doesn''t scream at you how do you know to buy it? LOL
I remember when we bought our old house I thought, "yeah, this''ll do" and when we bought this one I was like "OH I LOVE YOU FLAWS AND ALL MY PRECIOUS!" lol I don''t think I want a diamond that "will do".
As for me, I haven''t found my "dream cushion" but I found a stone that I am hopeful about! I should get it sometime next week... and we''ll see if the heart sinks or soars
Any more thoughts on the cushion from GOG?

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/26/2006 12:13:48 AM
Author: Mara
OR there''s the cushion project where you could upgrade the stone in the future.

but a 3c asscher, yum. really.

yes and upgrade it to a 3.5c asscher! lol by then maybe the tech on the setting you like would be more tight...

 

[isaku5]

Date: 8/26/2006 12:39:45 AM
Author: wallermama
I can''t wait to see the pic!!!

I tried and tried belle''s instuctions for re-sizing photos, but to no avail. With many apologies, I sent them to PS admin to see whether they would re-size so that I could post.

We''ll see what happens....

 

[mrssalvo]

I''d love to see a pic too. i agree that the price for the 3 ct. is a deal and if you love the ring, I''d do it. But, just wanted to know if you''d seen this little Leon number? I vaguely recall you saying you didn''t want to work with Leon, but the man does seem to know what he''s doing

..maybe a future reset for your 3 ct??