Tough Choice for Asscher Cut

[chrono]

Colour trumps everything, of course, but this is a tough one. Do I go with humongous 5 ct unheated aqua in an average blue colour or 3 ct top deep unheated blue? I know I should pick the 3 ct stone but in an asscher cut, it's going to be very small. Maybe 8 mm? The 3 ct aqua is a Mozambique stone, while the lighter coloured 5 ct stone is Kenyan. I've asked the vendor for pictures to help me decide. In the meantime, I thought a poll would be great.

The plan is to have it in a Royal Asscher cut. Will a deeper blue be nice or not suited for a step cut?

 

[coatimundi_org]

I'd wait until I could find the size and color that I wanted. Also, it depends on what type of jewelry you're considering. I just got a 5+ carat Kenyan unheated asscher aqua, and the hue is perfect for me. In my experience, the larger the aqua, the more saturated the color.

But, if color trumps everything--and you prefer the hue of the smaller--then that might satisfy you more. Asschers are cut more deeply than most(as you know), so you may have a spread issue--what's your ideal size? 8mm in fine color sounds very nice.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Of course you''ll expect me to say that 5 carats is not at all large!

But i know you prefer smaller stones Chrono....

Wait for the color.............

cheers--Sharon

 

[T L]

Being that aqua is my birthstone and I have two large ones, I can tell you this. My 8 carat Nigerian excellent blue is much more striking and much more beautiful than my 13 carat stone which is lighter. Aqua is one of those stones that you really need to have a nice blue color to have a noticable effect, and I think it's also one of the most elegant stones in a smaller size. I just bought a 93 pointer diamond cut round Nigerian stone in a nice blue color, I can't wait to get that one. I think it would be much more beautiful than a "goshenite" colored aqua thats five carats. I would definitely get the 3 carat top blue. I also have a 11 carat "goshenite" colored one that I bought from a home shopping channel around 15 years ago. I don't even notice it in my jewelry box. My 8 carat is a scissors step cut, and it's gorgeous, but I think they're quite elegant in traditional cuts like pears and rounds.

 

[chrono]

Date: 11/10/2008 9:56:53 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Of course you'll expect me to say that 5 carats is not at all large!

But i know you prefer smaller stones Chrono....

Wait for the color.............

cheers--Sharon

Sharon,
After hanging around here for a few years, both you and Harriet have corrupted me and reset my small/large perception.

 

[chrono]

Date: 11/10/2008 9:52:14 PM
Author: coatimundi
I''d wait until I could find the size and color that I wanted. Also, it depends on what type of jewelry you''re considering. I just got a 5+ carat Kenyan unheated asscher aqua, and the hue is perfect for me. In my experience, the larger the aqua, the more saturated the color.

But, if color trumps everything--and you prefer the hue of the smaller--then that might satisfy you more. Asschers are cut more deeply than most(as you know), so you may have a spread issue--what''s your ideal size? 8mm in fine color sounds very nice.

Coati, I wondered about that too; whether I should wait. However, the deep unheated blues aren''t easy to find in larger sizes and I do want this in a royal asscher cut. Yes, the larger the stone, the deeper the appearance of colour.

 

[chrono]

Date: 11/10/2008 10:02:15 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Being that aqua is my birthstone and I have two large ones, I can tell you this. My 8 carat Nigerian excellent blue is much more striking and much more beautiful than my 13 carat stone which is lighter. Aqua is one of those stones that you really need to have a nice blue color to have a noticable effect, and I think it''s also one of the most elegant stones in a smaller size. I just bought a 93 pointer diamond cut round Nigerian stone in a nice blue color, I can''t wait to get that one. I think it would be much more beautiful than a ''goshenite'' colored aqua thats five carats. I would definitely get the 3 carat top blue. I also have a 11 carat ''goshenite'' colored one that I bought from a home shopping channel around 15 years ago. I don''t even notice it in my jewelry box. My 8 carat is a scissors step cut, and it''s gorgeous, but I think they''re quite elegant in traditional cuts like pears and rounds.

It''s my birthstone too! Yes, you just laid out my fears - a smaller but deeper blue would catch the eye better than a larger ordinary coloured stone. Hmm, I''m leaning towards the smaller stone now.

 

[neatfreak]

Smaller but better color!

 

[T L]

I wish you could show us pics. I think you should trust your instincts here and go with the top blue gem. In aqua, color is paramount.

 

[chrono]

Date: 11/10/2008 10:50:02 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
I wish you could show us pics. I think you should trust your instincts here and go with the top blue gem. In aqua, color is paramount.

I''m still waiting for the vendor''s pics. As this stone is yet uncut, it''ll be pictures of the rough.

 

[coatimundi_org]

What are your plans for the gem?

 

[chrono]

Date: 11/10/2008 10:57:05 PM
Author: coatimundi
What are your plans for the gem?

No idea. I still haven''t set my JW pink asscher spinel and that lovely 5 ct spess... I''ve been mulling over a micropave halo but then backed down on it when I thought about its maintenance (melee dropping out, etc).

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 11/10/2008 11:00:44 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 11/10/2008 10:57:05 PM

Author: coatimundi

What are your plans for the gem?

No idea. I still haven''t set my JW pink asscher spinel and that lovely 5 ct spess... I''ve been mulling over a micropave halo but then backed down on it when I thought about its maintenance (melee dropping out, etc).

I''ve wanted a micropave halo for so long, but I''ll never end up doing it, because of the maintenance. More and more it''s solitaires for me. They''re easy!

I think the spinel and the spess would be perfect solitaires--and the aqua too from what you described.

Do you like bezels? Yellow or white metal?

 

[T L]

Date: 11/10/2008 10:54:39 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 11/10/2008 10:50:02 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
I wish you could show us pics. I think you should trust your instincts here and go with the top blue gem. In aqua, color is paramount.

I''m still waiting for the vendor''s pics. As this stone is yet uncut, it''ll be pictures of the rough.

Who cares, I want to see the rough!! You can still see color in rough.

 

[marcy]

I''d go for the smaller and better color.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 11/10/2008 10:35:21 PM
Author: Chrono
Sharon,
After hanging around here for a few years, both you and Harriet have corrupted me and reset my small/large perception.

Sure, it''s my fault.

I would wait for the right size and colour, as Coati said.

 

[gladyskristen]

I vote for waiting for the right size/colour too! But if you can''t afford to wait, go for the smaller size/better colour. I think 3 carat is pretty good for showing off a great colour!

 

[simplysplendid]

I''d go with small and better colour. I wouldn''t wait for right size, right colour. With coloured gemstones, that may never turn up and you will end up kicking yourself for letting this one go. I did it once with a 3+ carat tsavorite a few years ago and still kicking myself.

 

[partgypsy]

It''s really easy to find large aqua in a light, unremarkable color, while it is difficult to find them in coveted color intensities regardless of size. I guess you can tell what my answer is! I also don''t think 3 carat is small, if it is a nice quality gem. But it won''t be a huge "rock" if that''s what you are looking for. Please post pics if you have them, we would love to do a head-to-head comparison!

 

[chrono]

Coati, I love bezels in all colours. For the aqua, I think white would be pretty.

SS, you hit it on the nail about worrying that this opportunity may not come by again. These days, I hear a lot about this or that mine drying up.

I still haven''t heard back from the vendor though. Still waiting. Nevertheless, I do have some other fun happening on the side:
1. Neon Afghan tourmaline is being cut
2. Checking out a pair of sapphire blue spinels (these are dead ringers for sapphires)!
3. Cutter is checking out a cobalt spinel

 

[Kelli]

I''d go with the smaller. For me 8mm would be pretty large anyway. It''s all about what looks good to you

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Go with the smaller - like Kelli says, 8 mm seems like a good spread, and it might be worth it to get the better color. Can''t wait to see it!

 

[chrono]

Still no news so I sent another email requesting a picture or two.