I have been trolling for months (military deployed with some free time) and cannot thank everyone enough for the amazing amount of knowledge and time you put into PS. I think I understand the cushion info to a modest level, so I sent my future fiancé (hopefully!) and her friend to a couple stores that reviewed well in the Orlando area just to get an idea of what she wanted. I brain dumped all I learned here with the friend and the main store they went to offered her a Christmas job, hah! I'm still trying to get the exact ring style down (explained below), but I do know she would like a Cushion solitaire with a 4 prong petite cathedral setting... So first things first, I would be so greatly for some help on finding the diamond.
Diamond:
I'm gathering I can afford around 1.5-1.8 ct (spread most importatnt) eye clean:
Diamond Budget ~7K
Weight/Spread
I've seen 1.5 ct with almost 7x7 Spread
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.52-Cushion--GIA-I-SI1-diamond-stock-CB22446-cert-1218017961
But more typically need around 1.7ct+
Clarity: VS21 - SI2 (anything eye clean)
Color: H-I
Cut
Min: Very Good, as long as there is actual real life brilliance/patterned flashes for a fancy
I don't understand the 4,6,8 facet patterns well, but I can see crushed ice.
No crushed iced, but I also don't need super chunky like GOG's August Vintage style either.
Florescence is fine (preferred for price) as long as not hazy in fluorescent light?
Ring: 14kt white gold, 4 prong petite cathedral, with stones on the top of the band (all but the underside and not the sides of the band). I thought this was a type of pavé style but the jeweler said no it was semi-mounts (can't find this described anywhere). I'm still figuring out exactly what mounting style she saw, I do know it was 1.6mm diamonds on a 2.2mm band, with strong "edges" on the band. She says she likes channel too (which makes since on the strong edges and her active lifestyle), but I really would like to get her more flash with edges. Possibly go to Steven Kirsch, or is it not worth it for a more simple design like this?
_______
I've used the great diamond search function here and found some B2C stones as well as others, but the best I'm going to get is pictures from these virtual inventories. Unlike if I go through GOG or James Allen. Am I crazy to buy a cushion on pictures alone, no ASET to try and save $1k?
Thank you so much!!!
Diamond:
I'm gathering I can afford around 1.5-1.8 ct (spread most importatnt) eye clean:
Diamond Budget ~7K
Weight/Spread
I've seen 1.5 ct with almost 7x7 Spread
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.52-Cushion--GIA-I-SI1-diamond-stock-CB22446-cert-1218017961
But more typically need around 1.7ct+
Clarity: VS21 - SI2 (anything eye clean)
Color: H-I
Cut
Min: Very Good, as long as there is actual real life brilliance/patterned flashes for a fancy
I don't understand the 4,6,8 facet patterns well, but I can see crushed ice.
No crushed iced, but I also don't need super chunky like GOG's August Vintage style either.
Florescence is fine (preferred for price) as long as not hazy in fluorescent light?
Ring: 14kt white gold, 4 prong petite cathedral, with stones on the top of the band (all but the underside and not the sides of the band). I thought this was a type of pavé style but the jeweler said no it was semi-mounts (can't find this described anywhere). I'm still figuring out exactly what mounting style she saw, I do know it was 1.6mm diamonds on a 2.2mm band, with strong "edges" on the band. She says she likes channel too (which makes since on the strong edges and her active lifestyle), but I really would like to get her more flash with edges. Possibly go to Steven Kirsch, or is it not worth it for a more simple design like this?
_______
I've used the great diamond search function here and found some B2C stones as well as others, but the best I'm going to get is pictures from these virtual inventories. Unlike if I go through GOG or James Allen. Am I crazy to buy a cushion on pictures alone, no ASET to try and save $1k?
Thank you so much!!!