Comparing the Aset Tool and the Ideal Scope
Today’s diamond buyers ‘You’ are way more savvy and reluctant to part with your hard earned cash on a whim. Buying a diamond online is no longer a question of what looks nice and requiring a very basic and general understanding of Gemology and Diamond grading terminology, Now it’s all about, “Exactly what am I really buying here?” Take a few minutes and read about the ideal scope vs aset scope.
As technology advances, so does our understanding of what to expect in all aspects of our lives, when we are buying a new TV most of us will do a little research because we all know ‘you can’t believe everything that’s said‘, this also being said when purchasing engagement rings or wedding bands just buying diamonds online. However there are a few new diagnostic tools that assist us even further without any Bias or Reward and even very little training. Those tools are The “Ideal Scope” and the “ASET” tool often refered to as the ASET scope! Keep reading below for a brief introduction on the difference between an ASET Tool and an Ideal Scope! I own them both and they have their place when viewing certain Diamonds.
There are a few online diamond retailers that have embraced this technology and want to be transparent. The top three for buying a white diamond would have to James Allen.com – Brian Gavin.com and Whiteflash.com. All of these retailers supply photos of the actual diamonds using an ASET tool and an Ideal Scope.
Both are based on the refraction of light that occurs within a Cut and Faceted diamond. It isn’t of vital importance to have both images or results from each but having both does support each other’s readings. By now you would have learnt this from my diamond cuts page. Or if not? head over there now and return to this article. Diamond Cuts
Firstly, both these tools are based on evaluating a diamond’s interaction and refraction with light that enters the diamond from the table and crown. Breaking this down for everyone to understand it’s “How Brilliant and Sparkly it looks”. A diamond with “D” Colour and “Internally Flawless” will still look dull and lifeless if the cut isn’t “JustRight”. Some diamond dealers call their diamonds under special names “IDEAL CUT”, “ARROW CUT” or even “CHEAP DIAMONDS” and “STARFIRE” but that certainly doesn’t promise that you will get a perfectly cut diamond.
Aset Tool
Aset Presentation Unit
This unit is what online diamond retailers are using
Handheld Aset Tool
An affordable and useful tool that it can be used by anyone
Yes!, at first glance the handheld version looks like something we played with as a young child that spun or you looked though to make funny pictures, but this useful tool was developed by The American Gem Society (AGS) . It allows even the untrained observer to critically examine a stones refractive optics by 3-dimensionally evaluating light performance in all of the diamonds facets. For those that would like one for home, they are very in-expensive for a basic handheld one starting at $25 – https://www.americangemsociety.org/en/newhandheldaset
What do I look for?
Ideally you want to see more red than green in a stone; with the exception of the reflection area in the very center of the stone, which can be red, green or a combo of both. Blue should be distributed in a balanced and symmetrical manner because it shows us the pattern of light and dark areas that makes a stone visually pleasing. Since black and white represent light leakage, you should really see very little of these colors. In fancy stones, expect to see more green.
This image is from a Super Ideal cut Round Brilliant Cut Diamond
(Image Source: https://www.americangemsociety.org/Content/uploads/154731296495014.pdf
A: These are Actual images you would see when viewed by the naked eye through the ASET device: detailed, three-dimensional
B: This one is Computer generated and enhanced giving you some would say a more detailed look; Simplified, idealized and two-Dimensional.
Pro’s and Cons:
Pro’s:
- Can be also used with alternate ‘Fancy’ shaped diamonds
- It can be used on set diamonds as well as loose
- Assists in identifying incorrect facet cut angles that might not be directly visible under a 10x loupe
- Does not require back-lighting (depending on model)
Cons:
- Not all Jewelers, diamond traders or dealers make use of this tool (they don’t want to or they know it will show too much about the real cut of their diamond)
- Can require a little more learning time to decipher the color meanings with the naked eye
- AGS are the only lab that include the ASET image on their certificate due to a Patent.
- Plus I personally think the best uses are for Round, Princess, Radient, Asscher and Cushion cuts. The scope is round so it really doesnt let light perform as it should with other fancy cuts.
Have a look at my page on Aset Tool Images for Different Diamond Cuts
Obviously ratings were establish by AGS and can be rated according to this scale from 1-10
- 0-2 indicates HIGH PERFORMANCE, with 0 limited to being “AGS Ideal”
- 3-7 indicates MEDIUM PERFORMANCE
- 8-10 indicates LOW PERFORMANCE
For more detailed PDF of how to use an ASET head over to the Official AGS report of “ASET”
https://www.americangemsociety.org/Content/uploads/154731296495014.pdf
My SAY! – Basically the more Green-Red-Blue colors the better, plus symmetry on either side of the stone will give you an immediate indication of how it’s cut. But be cautious also, I’ve seen some photoshopped ASET images. Check all the other images and align the facets.
MARK
Ideal Scope
Handheld Ideal Scope
An affordable and useful tool
In the 1970’s a Japanese inventor Dr Kazumi Okuda developed a device we now know as “IdealScope”. This piece of equipment helps evaluates a diamond’s cut using colored reflectors. This really is essentially a 10x magnifying lens with red-reflecting material within it.
There are quiet a few differing ones on the market some with blue collars instead of red and some with alternate magnifications, ie; 6 x magniifying. Ideal Scopes are also relatively inexpensive if you feel inclined to purchase one, starting from only $25 at http://ideal-scope.com/
What do I look for?
In this instance we are looking for how much red or pink is refracted from the diamond. Other colors that you could see while viewing a diamond through the Ideal Scope are black and white, an indicator of blocked or leaked light.
Image source: http://ideal-scope.com/
Pro’s and Cons:
Firstly please note that not all Ideal Scopes have a red collar which shows the red coloring seen above. I have a blue one myself and have seen some with purple collars. Some even have lower magnification, but they all do the same job though.
Pro’s:
- Easy to use, with very little experience
- It can be used on set diamonds as well as loose
- Assists in identifying incorrect facet cut angles that might not be directly visible under a 10x loupe
- Does not require back-lighting
Cons:
- Cannot be used with alternate ‘Fancy’ shaped diamonds
- Not all Jewelers, diamond traders or dealers make use of this tool – Some will tell you that this tool is not required and they don’t use it.
Lets put them to the test
Now that you are all experts at the “ASET” tool and the” Ideal Scope”! Well as I have said previously you don’t have to be anymore. Take a look at this diamond that was for sale at the time of writing on WhiteFlash.com.
Carat Weight: 0.927 ct
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Triple Ideal = A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal
With the help of just these three images, we can see that both the ASET and Ideal Scope colors are well within the grounds for predicting that this Diamond is extremely well cut. Head over to Whiteflash and have a look yourself www.whiteflash.com
Or please read further on a review of some of the Internet Diamond leaders with all the tools you require to make an informative decision “Research is Everything”. Diamonds For Sale
