Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Which of these Asschers would you choose?

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
G

goscottgo

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2004
Messages
23
I have recently seen three Asschers, and wondering if you had to pick one, which one would you pick? Or would you continue shopping? My budget for the whole package (ring and setting) is around 7000. Thanks!

1.08 Cts
69.6% Depth
76% Table
8% Crown Height
57% Pavilion
Medium Girdle
Very good Polish
Very good Symetry
VVS2
F
EGL report
$5800

1.02 Cts
67.5% Depth
79% Table
8% Crown Height
57% Pavilion
Medium Girdle
Very good Polish
Very good Symetry
VVS2
F
EGL report
$5800


1.03 Cts
63.7% Depth
61% Table
8% Crown Height
57% Pavilion
Medium Girdle
Excellent Polish
Excellent Symetry
VS1
D
GIA report
$6000
 
I would love to SEE these!

The size of the table would also dictate the outline of the stone (more or less wide corners, for exampel) and brilliance. In all honesty, an Asscher would have 55-60% table (max 65%) some deep cut corners and about as much brilliance as you can get from a step cut. Without pictures and soem account of brillaince, why bother shiop online ? In my mind, it is the detailed description and guarantee of cut quality that comes with stone presented virtually that' is worth the trouble. The specs given for these stones do not appear very encouraging. And they are not all that cheap either!

The last one seems to have the most promissing proportiosn, but I would love to see some descriptions of the brilliance that those proportiosn deliver, and see the stone... something akin to THIS presentation or THIS or, well, THIS.

Am I wrong guessing that those three come from Blue Nile?
I thought they had pictures available now and GCAL certs (with actual proportiosn, beyond the "crown over 8%" description of the Signature series). But pictures still do not give an account of brilliance, maybe in the near future
rolleyes.gif
 
I saw these in person, and each one was o.k. It was difficult to see the actual "steps" though. Also, I am really concerned about the two that have an EGL Report since I have heard bad things about that lab. I will say this though, the Asscher with the GIA report was really white (but I guess that's the way it should be when it's a "D"). Valeria, it sounds like you are suggesting I keep shopping
1.gif
 
Those are awfully pricey for indifferently-cut square emeralds.

If I had to choose it would be the 3rd, for the smaller table and nicer depth. Also, do they have a nice octagonal appearance, to justify paying that much for that "asscher" label, or are they really just square?
 
All had a nice octagon shape.

Those three (the first two are from Boone's and Sons and the third is from IGS diamonds) are the best prices I have found in the DC metro area, where diamonds are probably more expensive due to the hight rent that dealers have to pay. IGS showed me the retail on the third diamond, and the price he gave me is $300 above retail. Are these diamonds overpriced? Would I be better off spending a few hundred more to get something better?
 
If they're really asscher-like I don't think you're overpaying by too much. My favorite is still the third.
 
GSG, Hi and welcome to PriceScope!




Have you checked the PriceScope search engine yet? I did a quick check on it, and here's what I came up with. i hope it shows. Prices are higher for a well-cut Asscher as they are really popular right now, and they are hard to cut right, it seems.




I suggest before plunking down all that money, you do some homework on the cut grades and the pricing for such grades, so when you go in to see these jewelers, you will be better informed. $300 over retail is $300 MORE you are paying than the average Joe. If you meant he is giving you the stone for $300 over WHOLESALE, you are likely being lied to, because they may get a price list for suggested retail prices, but when it comes to wholesale, they get discounts on volume, type of stones, quality of stones, etc. he will NEVER give you the actual price he paid, because when you buy in bulk, or through a preferred vendor, they get more discounts than you know.




Plus, no offense but unless you were family, why would he give you SUCH a good price? Isn't he is business to make money. And if it's $300 OVER wholesale, then he is definately paying TOO MUCH for his stones....




Just a thought. I ADORE Asschers, so I hope this chart helps explain what cuts are preferred, and which cuts are more efficiently cut:


http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp




Good luck!!!

Asscher search.jpg
 
http://www.goodoldgold.com/asscher_1_00ct_e_vvs2.htm

I don't know much about this cut...but I figured I'd post this....wish the BScope was up...

Also, have you ever checked out excellentdiamondcutters.com...they are in NYC...never dealt with them but it seems as though a lot of their stones look pretty ideal....

http://www.excellentdiamondcutters.com/details.asp?item=6012-18A
 
they once told me that they cut and sell their own stones...don't know if I belive that...but it's interesting that for the different cuts, they all seem to be cut with similar proportions....so maybe they actually do cut and own them! Who knows. I would never buy without a visit in person in that case!
 
Also, Nice Ice specializes in Asschers. I'd check them out! If you go to this link, you'll see the information on their Asschers, as well as some special settings they offer which are gorgeous! They don't have any listed diamonds in your price/size range, but I wouldn't let that stop me from contacting them...I'd bet they can work something out for you or at least get you more informed on what you should be looking for, if they can't help you. Good luck!
 
you know, the more I look at their site, the more good stuff I see...I'm really diggin' that asscher I posted. Hmmm.
 
Thanks for the help everyone. Who knew finding the perfect diamond for my budget would be so difficult?
1.gif


Nicrez, I must have made a typo. He offered it to me $300 over wholesale (what he paid for it).

I am really trying to avoid buying a diamond over the internet. Why? I live with my girlfriend, and it's going to be a surprise. Imagine her surprise when I get fed-ex box with a diamond in it!

But I will say this, moremoremore that Asscher looks great! It is completely within my price range as well.
 
Also, according to this chart http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp the first two diamonds aren't even close to being ideal, while the third diamond falls within those parameters. Is that correct? Sorry for all the questions...I am a picky person by nature
1.gif
 
Hi Scott. The proportions for these 3 stones put them in the "square emerald cut" category versus the "classic Asscher cut" category.

The first two have tables too large and crown heights too low to fall into the "classic" Asscher cut category. That's not to say that they might not be great looking square emerald cuts though.

The third stone is getting there, but still has a crown height too low to be considered "classic" Asscher. A classic Asscher cut will usually have a total depth in the neighborhood of 65-70%, table in the neighborhood of 55-65%, and crown height in the neighborhood of 14 to 17%.

In addition, it will have wide cut corners, a substantial "windmill" reflection pattern, a slightly bulging pavilion and a kaliedoscope effect of concentric square when veiwing through the table.

Sometimes those square emerald cuts can be quite pretty in their own right though...
 
----------------
On 6/15/2004 1:19:01 PM goscottgo wrote:

Imagine her surprise when I get fed-ex box with a diamond in it!

----------------
Click to expand...



C'mon, surely you can arange delivery
11.gif
No one has to know you went shopping !
 
Richard, thank you so much for your response. I was all set to buy the third diamond (which was a very pretty stone), and I am glad you informed me it wasn't an Asscher (because that's the cut my girlfriend really wants). I was not sure on the ideal crown height so that also helps me a great deal in my search. I am really thinking I might purchase a diamond on the internet now. Both jewelers I went to have mis-informed me in claiming that those diamonds are Asschers. Also, it looks like I could get more bang for my buck if I went by way of the internet.
 
kinda like the one I posted!!! Yeah!!! Which is actually also listed at Dirt Cheap here....

My only question is...why would this stone qualify as an "average cut"....? I'm confused about that....

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2450277
 
hmmm, interesting...Abazias lists it as a very good cut...while the cutter (of course) has it as ideal. Goes to show you that you can't rely rely on what vendors tell you about the stone if they offer no analysis to confirm it!

Anyhoo- good luck with your search...I'm sure you'll find a great stone!
1.gif
 
Whiteflash seems to have some diamonds that fit within the "classic" Asscher. Also, the price is right and they take credit cards!
1.gif
 
----------------
On 6/16/2004 9:55:34 AM goscottgo wrote:

Whiteflash seems to have some diamonds that fit within the 'classic' Asscher but they don't show the pavillion. However, the price is right and they take credit cards!
1.gif
----------------
Click to expand...




I am not sure what that pavilion height number is good for, since there is no way to interpret what it does to the overall brilliance - one can deduce what the profile of the cut looks like with the more or less shallow pavilion, but beyond that?

WF would most likely provide some light return analysis with their stone, if you choose to ask for such a thing.



Are you using the parameters of the branded Royal Asscher as guideline? All generic stones would be called "square emerald cut" on the GIA cert, and this is what the cut is anyway. "Asscher" is the proper name of an old cut (and now a brand) but used loosely for anything step cut and square - since the look is fashionable. Same story with the "Radiant" which is used both for generic cuts and a brand one.

It may be that those stones with large tables do not have the "look" but calling them "square Emerald cut" instead of "Asscher" does not sound like missrepresentation to me.
rolleyes.gif


Am I missing something ?
 
Valeria - I am not using parameters of a branded Asscher. I am essentially using the parameters of what people tell me on here
1.gif
I'll be happy with any "square emerald" that has steps. Is there any way to tell that a stone has "steps" on the report, or do I simply have to look at the stone in person to determine that?
 
About secretly shopping for an Internet diamond--you could easily have the package held at your local post office for pickup.
 
Goscottgo, it's rather more complicated that all of this. Personally, unless I were to buy a real Royal Asscher I wouldn't go for a true Asscher depth. In a RA you have more facets to contribute to that deep, pool-like effect so you can justify the extra depth and smaller diameter. All other so-called asschers, though, are classifed as square emeralds with the same amount of facets as a regular rectangular emerald. It seems silly to me to then aim for the greater depth and lose the diameter to mimic a shape you can only approximate anyway.
 
Where could I buy a Royal Asscher? And are they out of my price range if my price range is $6000 for a 1 carrat? Thanks everyone.
 
RA's are pricey, though I don't know exactly what you can get for $6K. Plus, a few years ago they were in such high demand that you pretty much had to snatch up what they had; I don't know if that's changed. Personally, I'd contact Royal Asscher and get a distributor in your area. Then go *look* at the RA to see if the extra premium is worth it to you. Your GF may have never seen a RA before, not know the difference, and may not care if you get her the real thing or not.
 
Can anyone provide parameters for a generic Asscher with the "classic" cut? I feel like I am getting closer with all your help!
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top