What reasons should I not go below SI clarity with a cushion cut?

[DonaBella]

I am in search of an amazing cushion cut center stone and I want a stone that is a minimum of 1.55 carats in size. My budget is no more than $12 to $14K with trade in of current stones. I have been reading here on PS that it is unwise to go below VS2. Why? Why not?

I realize alot probably has been asked on this and I have tried to research the answer, so forgive me if I sound as naive as I truly am. I need and appreciate your insight and help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scintillating]

Cushions are a pretty open cut and it''s easy to see inclusions.
Ec''s and Asschers are even more open and you can easily spot inclusions.
Rbs hide inclusions better.

Scintillating...

 

[diamondsbylauren]

ALtough it''s not what you''d think possible, I''ve seen really well cut VS2 round diamonds which had imperfections visible without a loupe-
I''ve also seen SI2 emerald cuts which were perfectly eye clean.

There are many eye clean SI2 cushiions
In some senses, SI2 diamonds which are eye clean, present great value- but they are more difficult to find.
Cushions are are to find anyway- I''d include SI2 in the search- but make sure the seller can eyeball the diamond and assure you it''s eye clean.

 

[WinkHPD]

Dare I say it?

Even some I1''s can be eye clean! Gasp.

As stated above, some VS2''s may have eye visible inclusions. Sometimes you should take one look at a stone and buy it, others you must look a little harder to see if the inclusions can threaten the structural integrity of the stone.

If you are buying paper, then you will want to stick with a higher clarity, if you are buying beauty, then you look at each stone to see which ones speak to your heart.

Wink

 

[dib]

i have a nice size cushion (3.02 F SI1) and you can''t see any inclusions at all with your naked eye. I knew if i wanted a certain size and color and i needed to sacrifice something.

 

[moremoremore]

I would say that it really depends on the stone and your eye sight! And I also want to add that not all cushions are ''open'' cuts...check out some of the more modern cuts scintillating, they have the same brilliance as a round dare I say!

 

[Giangi]

Once again, there''s not any hard fast rule. We can guess that usually a VS2 has more chances of being eyeclean than an SI2, but only your eyes will tell. Not many SI2s are 100% eye-clean in fancy shapes, but there are always exceptions. If you find an SI cushion, with great specs, don''t be afraid to investigat further only because it''s an SI.

 

[DonaBella]

I appreciate what all of you have shared with me. I feel that I just need to go and do some serious and careful studying of cushion cut stones. Due to my budget limitations, I will need to be extra mindful of each individual stone and just see which one or ones "talk" to me. I will say that I am seeking after a slightly bigger size stone but I do not want to give up too much so I still get a stone that shows white face up or at least as white as possible. I noticed that some stones face up more white depending on what setting they are in, the lighting, and what colors are around them at the time as well.

As I said b4, I am new to most of this so i plan to take my time over the next month or so and carefully study each stone.

Thanks for your input...