Pls help to decide on JA cushion w/ ASET

[vkm0929]

So I thought after all my research online, and reading prisescope treads, I would be totally prepared to make a purchase when the ASET images came in from JA...boy was I wrong! Please help in deciding which stone to go with, if either of them are with the $, and make suggestions on different stones if they are duds.

Preference on stone: .80 and above, cushion or round only, D-H color, SI1 (as long as it's eye clean)-VS2, and ideal cut. I will sacrifice on color and clarity (as long as its eye clean) to get the best cut stone in budget. I have a total max budget (including solitaire setting) of 5k, but I can't wrap my head around spending more then 4k on a diamond.

Stone 1 $3,300 after Advantage Pricing
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.97-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-356906


Stone 2 $3,700 after Advantage Pricing
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-308714




I was really excited to get the ASET, and I anticipated 308714 to have the best images off of the video...wrong (says JA). According to their gemologist, 308714 is the worst of the stones and 356906 was the best, but recommended 308714 because of the fire. I asked if they could please explain the reasoning behind that, considering the ASET for 356906 was the best one and should have the better fire (according to the minimal novice ASET research I did online).

Clearly the faceting pattern and dimensions are different between the 2 stones, but I don't understand why:

356906 is .06 bigger, better clarity, better ASET (according to JA), $400 less
308714 is .06 smaller, worse clarity, worse ASET (according to JA), $400 more

and they are recommending 308714 because of fire.....? I asked why the one stone is more expensive with everything listed above and I was told a.) ASET doesn't have a determination on pricing and b.) the stones are from 2 different "holders" which could affect the pricing


Please help because I am clearly lost...

 

[Gypsy]

You picked these by yourself, right? Didn't ask us for help?

I do wish you had done that. Both of them are duds. I wouldn't buy either.

 

[vkm0929]

Bummer...

Correct, I didn't ask for help before making these selections. Now that JA is insistent that 356906 is "an amazing stone" and I see a just a OK stone I would love, appreciate, and clearly need help to find one.

I prefer to stay around 3.5-4k max, but please make recommendations slightly above if you find a stunner.

I'm also on the fence about setting [url]http://www.jamesallen.com/enga...vintage-fluted-pear-engagement-ring-item-9216[/url]. I'm fearful that the way the pear shaped side stones are set, they will just be a dirt collector - thoughts? I was always set on a simple solitaire tiffany type setting, but this one stood out and was different in my opinion.

Thank you soooo much for your help!

 

[E B]

Is this for you, or your girlfriend?

Here are a few good modern cushion options. I didn't see anything as good over at James Allen, but we can find something better than in the original post if you're set on that pear setting.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10886/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12298/
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/0...rn-cushion-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-23835.html

 

[vkm0929]

Truth be told, it's for me AND i'm the girlfriend. My other half is amazing (or maybe he just did want to have to do the shopping part of this process lol) but said he just wants to make sure I love the ring/diamond. He gave me a MAX of 5k and told me to let him know when I found specifically what it is I want, and the rest will be the surprise.

So I was on here for weeks reading about the imaging and the recommended online retailers and thought it best to find a few selections, request the ASET, and throw them out for final thoughts. WRONG haha! I wish I would have asked for recommendations from day 1.

That JA setting is not a must, just thought it was unique. Although I did read if you do not purchase a stone from them, they will not sell you JUST the setting - so unless there's something on JA that's worth the $, I have no problem going back to my original solitaire idea.

Thank you for your stone selections, and I will definitely take them into consideration!!

 

[E B]

Hey, nothing wrong with that! Best to pick out exactly what you want.

This is my favorite round at JA I found in budget (well with the pear setting it's $20 over budget). It is, apparently, a branded Eightstar (http://www.eightstar.com/home.html). Branded cuts make their way through JA on occasion, and it's fun discovering them. Color is good to put next to sidestones.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-351760

You've got a good budget and will be able to pick something great within it.

By the way, if you see anything you really like, put it on hold. Lurkers snatch things up all the time.

 

[Gypsy]

Did JA do three or two for you?

Ask them if they will please allow you 2 or 3 more and explain that you want the PSers to help you chose this time.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-348862
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-307063
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-305297

Stones worth your time are above.

I will look at B2C for you as well.

 

[Gypsy]

This is a nice stone. Please remember to compare spread not carat weight with cushions.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4578628-0.91-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS1-clarity.aspx

 

[tyty333]

Love the .92 E stone that Gypsy picked out.

 

[JulieN]

Love the .92 E stone that Gypsy picked out.

yes, it looks like a beauty.

 

[Gypsy]

Love the .92 E stone that Gypsy picked out.

yes, it looks like a beauty.

My favorite as well.

 

[E B]

Love the .92 E stone that Gypsy picked out.

yes, it looks like a beauty.

My favorite as well.

Agreed. I completely missed it!

I would personally go with a round in the setting with the pears, but that .92 E cushion (if the ASET checks out) would make a beautiful solitaire.

 

[sunkissedx3]

I really like the 0.91ct H B2C stone and the price seems really good. My cushion is from B2C and I am very happy with it and with their service as well.

 

[sunkissedx3]

Out of the three stones from JA that Gypsy posted, I like the 1ct HVS2 the best, the other two seem to have more leakage at the outer edge of the table which would be seen as a slight "ring" looking from top down.

 

[sunkissedx3]

Check these out too:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6207361-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5154156-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5177281-1.02-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

there should be an additional "Pricescope discount" off of those listed prices

 

[Gypsy]

Check these out too:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6207361-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5154156-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5177281-1.02-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5154156-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx

there should be an additional "Pricescope discount" off of those listed prices

Ask for ASETs.

 

[vkm0929]

Thank you so much for all the recommendations, I truly appreciate it!!!

So I believe I am 95% decided on http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4578628-0.91-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS1-clarity.aspx (thank you gypsy!) for 2 reasons:
1. to say on the modest side of the budget
2.Id prefer to purchase anywhere other then JA, considering a rep emailed me back with the answer to my ASET questions of leakage by saying "unless you plan to carry your ASET in your purse I wouldn't worry about it"

Final question, thoughts on this stone? Another dud??
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4578345-1.00-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

 

[JulieN]

#1 Too dark. #2 has a little leakage, not egregious.