Help! Thoughts on this Cushion?

[RedShamrock7]

I've been working with a diamond salesperson who was recommended by a friend. I met him once and he's a nice guy but he didn't have anything I wanted. I sent him an email stating the parameters of my search (below) and stated I'd like an ASET before purchasing anything.

Cushion (H&A would be ideal)
Carat Weight: 1.5 – 2.0ct
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: Excellent/Ideal
Color: E – G
Clarity: VVS1 – VS2
Budget: $17k-$19k

Here's a diamond he found. This is all the info I have. Any thoughts/feedback? Many thanks!

1.5ct, G, VS1. GIA rated Excellent Polish, Very Good Symmetry, Faint Fluorescence. 6.72 x 6.55.

Picture

ASET

 

[Gypsy]

Beautiful. Great choice.

 

[RedShamrock7]

Thanks, Gypsy. I really appreciate your feedback. Based on the parameters I provided, can you recommend something? I know your feedback is highly valued on PS and would welcome your recommendations. Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

You have a fantastic budget. I can look for you.

You say that Hearts and Arrow is perferred... is that your choice or the wearers?

 

[Gypsy]

At GOG:
Ask for images and ASETs of these:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/CU799G/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/CU774G/ If eyeclean


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12412/ There is this one as well.

 

[Gypsy]

Okay so. Again, you have a fantastic budget. Unfortunately the selection just isn't out there at this time.

I personally would call Brilliantly Engaged and tell them you want an amazing performer. Give them your specs and your budget and have to source some cushions for you.

If I were in your place, that's what I'd do.


Also, while you are doing that. Put this one on hold and ask for an ASET image:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.71-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-317768

You get three ASETs per purchase at JA but there weren't three stones worth "spending" your ASETs on in stock and in your spec range. (Don't listen if the Sales Associate has other ideas). Just put the one on hold and get the ASET. Then post here.

 

[Gypsy]

Oops. I forgot you wanted to consider H&A cushions too. Here are a few that will work. Personally I like the BN ones. They have been ASETing out excellently and consistently (you have to do it privately, BN doesn't do that, but there is a G-Cal report).

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04332025
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04492165

If you are okay expanding to H color the 1.72 above is what I'd buy personally. I prefer the cushion shape of the BN hearts and arrows cushions.


Brian Gavin's selection:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.715-g-vs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104066516011
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.530-f-si1-cushion-diamond-ags-104066516014 eyeclean
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.526-g-vvs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104068042003

 

[RedShamrock7]

Many thanks again, Gypsy. H&A is more my personal preference. I will definitely take a closer look at your recommendations. What are your thoughts on BGD? They have H&A

 

[Gypsy]

I would NOT get an Hearts and Arrows cushion unless she asked for it.

It's NOT a facet pattern that would make a woman who wants a 'true' or more 'traditional' cushion happy. It looks like a round and performs like a round. It just happens to be cushion shaped.

I am a fancy girl and adore cushions... I would NOT be happy with a Hearts and Arrows cushion.


Please do not get her one without doing some snooping to find out if she would be happy with one.
It's very risky.

Also, did she say she wanted a modern cushion or did she want an antique cushion.
These lines have incredible performance and are antique cushions:
http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/6pjy6h
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11505/

If your lady wants an antique cushion neither a modern cushion OR a hearts and arrows cushion are going to make her happy.



As for BGD, they are a great company. I have worked with them several times with excellent results.

 

[RedShamrock7]

Gypsy - Those are all great options. Do you know if depth % or table % matter for a cushion? I've read yes, but there are some of your recommendations that fall outside of the 'optimal' depth and table %.

I'm going to have to do some more digging into what type of cushion she wants. Stay tuned. Thanks!!!

 

[Gypsy]

No. Not really.

Cushions have dozens of faceting patterns. Each facet pattern has individual requirements for angles and percentages that will make that plot look best. Cushions are not round brilliants where you an say: 62.4 is as deep as you want to go. All rounds have ONE basic facet pattern. Cushions do not. One cushion facet pattern make be perfectly fine with 65 depth. Another might need 71. Another might be fine with 60 table, but yet another might need a 50% table. Any site that tells you there are stats that matter for 'cushions' as in all cushion plots is oversimplifying things so much that they are well, giving your bad information.

So to answer your question: no. In terms of performance there is no range of numbers that will be helpful, let alone "optimal" across all cushion types. At all.

In order to get the best spread possible (dimensions) you want to TRY to stay below 70 depth. But there are stunning stones with depths over 70 that I wouldn't kick out of the running. So I really wouldn't even advise to do that.

Okay?

 

[RedShamrock7]

Yes, that makes sense. That makes items such as an ASET that much more valuable. Thank you!

Based on what a friend had been able to gather for me, seems as though she wants the 'typical' cushion which would lead me to believe a modified brilliant or something similar.

I'll need to come up with a plan to get more details. H&A look very nice and the antique stone reco was beautiful. But it'll be up to what she wants. Thanks and stay tuned!

 

[Gypsy]

Yes, you should stick to what she wants. And what we refer to as a 'generic modern cushion' is probably going to be the safest.

 

[RedShamrock7]

Re: Help! Thoughts on this Cushion which as become an Assche

Gypsy - Spent some time with the lady this past weekend and found out she actually prefers the Asscher vs the cushion cut diamond. Glad I asked....She liked the fact it was more subdued.

The initial thought is an Asscher solitaire with a 3/4 eternity ring (not sure if there's a term for that) as a wedding band.

We looked at 'generic' Asschers not RA or Octavia. Do you have any ideas on where I can brush up my education on Asschers or have any recommendations? Starting to get into a time crunch b/c I was hoping to pop the question in 1 month and not sure it that's still possible. Thanks to you or anyone else for help!

Carat Weight: 1.5 – 2.0ct
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: Excellent/Ideal
Color: E – G
Clarity: VVS1 – VS1
Budget: $15k-$17k

 

[Gypsy]

WHOA. That's a big shift. I am so glad you asked her.

There are many old asscher threads. But you would have to search for them my bookmarks are all a mess.

I can hunt for some asschers for you.

 

[Gypsy]

Put these on hold and ask for an ASET.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.80-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-179132
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.58-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-36783
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.59-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-184584

You can also ask GOG to source one for you.

I'll look at one more vendor to if I see anything nice.

 

[RedShamrock7]

Thanks, Gypsy. Looking forward to the recos!

I'll run through the Forums to see what I can learn. Any idea how long it generally takes to customize a setting? I'm hopin g it won't be too long since it'll be a solitaire.

 

[Gypsy]

Nothing.

I'd have GOG source for you while you wait for the JA ASETs.

GOG is our best Asscher vendor.


What type of solitaire do you want again?

You said the wedding band would be 3/4 eternity pave.

The setting will be plain metal?

 

[RedShamrock7]

The ring setting would look something like this with an a 3/4 eternity pave on the wedding band. Not sure if I can speak to it with the proper technical terms so the pic may help. I'm leaning platinum but can be talked into white gold.

I reached out to GOG so I hope they can help. I've already requested ASETs from JA in the past so I'll take a closer look before requesting the final round of ASETs from them. Invaluable help! Thank you. I may stop in a store to see what they may have.

 

[Gypsy]

So you want a knife edge four prong setting that allows for a flush fit band.

Don't buy the wedding band now. Let her pick her own.

I'm going to suggest you go with a stock setting that can be ordered for your stones measurements.

GOG is a Vatche dealer and they have a lot of very nice settings. I would recommend you find a nice setting from Vatche and GOG can order it for your stone for you.


http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,15

And I would absolutely get platinum.

 

[RedShamrock7]

Took a closer look at the JA recos. The last one is unavailable so perhaps someone has it on hold. GOG is pulling some Asschers and will get back to me

Any thoughts on this one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.73-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-226231

I also see that Blue Nile has several Asschers that may be appealing. Any thoughts on Blue Nile Asschers?

I took a look at Dvatche and nothing really jumped out to me. The solitaires all had than neck that leads from the prongs to the ring. I'd like to find one where the neck is less pronounced.

 

[RedShamrock7]

I've been looking at ring settings online. I found a 4-prong, knife edge solitaire that should work well with the 3/4 eternity wedding band. I have a few questions though.

Can anyone help me understand the difference between a knife edge vs comfort fit ring? Would a wedding band fit flush with a comfort fit engagement ring?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different widths of the wedding band? I see 1.5mm, 2mm, and 2.5mm

Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

2mm is as thin as you want to go. Thinner will bend. You want platinum.

Comfort fit means it is more comfortable to wear, created to be comfortable to wear. Usually means rounded. Knife edge has a sharp ridge at the top of the shank. Some are more comfortable than others.

Quality matters, that's why I recommended Vatche.

That asscher is a poor choice. Go back and look at the stones I picked for you. You want ones that look like that, not the one you picked.

 

[RedShamrock7]

1) Can you help me understand the difference in the JA diamonds you recommended vs the one I recommended? I'll likely continue to search online and in-person, and I'd like to learn a bit more to help me eliminate unattractive options.

2) I've read that knife edge rings can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. The lady is an active person who is on the road regularly and is concerned about getting the ring tangled in her clothing/hair while still allowing for the 3/4 wedding band to be flush (or close to it). Based on this criteria, do you have a recommendation (4 prong, solitaire)? Would the Vatche 1532 or U-114 fit this criteria?

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1606.htm
http://www.barclaysjewelry.com/vatche-four-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-v-u114

What do you think of this option?
http://www.dimendscaasi.com/setting...-Solitaire-set-diamond-engagement-rings-leila

 

[Gypsy]

1) Can you help me understand the difference in the JA diamonds you recommended vs the one I recommended? I'll likely continue to search online and in-person, and I'd like to learn a bit more to help me eliminate unattractive options.

2) I've read that knife edge rings can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. The lady is an active person who is on the road regularly and is concerned about getting the ring tangled in her clothing/hair while still allowing for the 3/4 wedding band to be flush (or close to it). Based on this criteria, do you have a recommendation (4 prong, solitaire)? Would the Vatche 1532 or U-114 fit this criteria?

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1606.htm
http://www.barclaysjewelry.com/vatche-four-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-v-u114

What do you think of this option?
http://www.dimendscaasi.com/setting...-Solitaire-set-diamond-engagement-rings-leila

It would be more helpful for you to look at the ones I suggested and then list the differences YOU see between them and the one you picked. This is about training your eye not mine. After you've done that I will help you by telling you if you missed anything.

Also, please look at my comments in this thread and read the information I posted: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asschers-does-size-matter.207961/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asschers-does-size-matter.207961/[/URL]

Regarding settings I love the first one, and GOG can get that one for you as well (they carry Vatche) as I think it will give a nice flush fit look. I think the second one would overpower an asscher with the big prongs. I also like the 3rd one, but I am not sure it will allow a flush fit so you would have to ask.

 

[RedShamrock7]

Really helpful link! This search has been a bit overwhelming, but I really appreciate every bit of help. My thoughts below:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.80-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-179132: I believe this will be the best performing stone. I'm most excited to get the results on this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.58-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-36783: When I look at the 40x pic, I'm turned off by clarity so I didn't want to proceed with further analysis. Of the three you posted from JA, I think this may perform the worst.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.59-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-184584: This is a nice stone, but I wonder if there's a bit of leakage on this diamond (perhaps it was just the photo). The girdle is very thick all the way around so the stone may look smaller than others of similar weight.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.73-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-226231: It's more clear now that this diamond has a P3 angle issue b/c of light leakage near the center of the stone.

Let me know if you have any feedback. In addition, what do you think of the setting below? Thanks again!

https://www.wherethediamondsare.com...0,11,7,2,4,8,12,9,5&filter=platinum,solitaire

 

[Gypsy]

1.58 and the 1.59 have the same spread. Actually the 1.58 might be the best performer of the bunch. As for clarity, it will be eyeclean. Keep in mind you are looking at huge pictures of something that is the size of a pencil eraser.

The reason the 1.73 is a problematic stone is that black step. It doesn't flash much, it's pretty much a big old hole where light disappears all around that stone.

 

[Gypsy]

Hi. I just ran across this asscher and thought of you. https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/viewAsscher/GIA-Certified-2,02-Carat-F-Color-VVS1-Clarity-Diamond-D5V2LZ This website provides ASET images for their cushions. Ask if they can get you one for this asscher. It's got a lot of potential. And a lot of spread

It might be a great option for you.

 

[emmebee]

Stone that Gypsy posted is gone already! Did you snap it up?

 

[RedShamrock7]

No, I haven't. I'm waiting for the results to come back from JA. Interesting...We'll see what the results are. I should get them back any day and I'm sure they'll let me know if one has been purchased.