Please help me choose a 2 Carat Cushion!

[dave999]

Hi everyone!

First time diamond buyer and thank you for any help you can give me! I'm looking for a 2 carat cushion cut diamond for under $15K and am just overwhelmed with information.

I've mainly searched on JA because of their spinning pictures and from what I've read, I should use the pictures to weed out the bad ones and then select 3 to request an ASET for.
Just a few things that I think I've noticed:
- I don't really care too much for the "crushed ice" look.
- I've been searching from colors I-G and clarities of SI1-VS1. The setting is going to be a white gold, cathedral pave, so I'm a little concerned with having the color be "I" because of how it might look with potentially whiter pave stones, but there aren't that many options at "H".

I would really appreciate any opinions on some of these cushions that I've been looking at:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-363232
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.04-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-352930 (is this too dark?)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.11-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-275453 (VTK girdle a concern?)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-102805
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-146043 (VTK girdle a concern?)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.03-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-358268

Thank you!

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-363232 Not a cushion. This is a radiant. Mis-categorized.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.11-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-275453 Best of those you chose.

Forget about the rest. I only found one other at JA in your spec range that might be nice: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.04-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-323261 You'd have to ask if it is eyeclean.

I'll look for some options for you at different vendors.

 

[Gypsy]

You can ask for an ASET of this one: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6177205-2.00-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-clarity.aspx

This one might be an option: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6257388-2.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

 

[dave999]

Thank you Gypsy for your time! I have requested ASETs for both of the JA and the 2.00 b2c stones. I will post when I get a response.

 

[dave999]

B2C responded for the 2.01 I-VS1 that "Diamond stock number 6177205 is available and is a gorgeous diamond with a lot of fire and brilliance. Unfortunately our diamond partner does not have the apparatus to click ASET images." Does no ASET rule it out?

I am still waiting for the two JA ASETs.

Searching today on B2C, what do you think about these? (all I know is that a lot of white on ASETs are bad)

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6276160-2.00-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5173894-2.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-IF-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6233853-2.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5156447-2.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-D-color-SI1-clarity.aspx

Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

THey aren't bad, above average, but they all have some flaws. The first and third are probably the strongest.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

THey aren't bad, above average, but they all have some flaws. The first and third are probably the strongest.

+1 Keep looking. I honestly think you need to adjust your size expectation or increase your budget. Better cushions are out there, but they are going to cost more. Case in point:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12572/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12324/ ($20,055)

 

[dave999]

Thanks gypsy and diamondseeker for your feedback so far!

JA responded with the ASET images:
"You'll be happy to know that diamond 323261 has an attractive faceting pattern and shape.  It has great fire, brilliance, and scintillation, which balances nicely throughout the diamond.  Additionally , it has a true "I" color and you'll view it as eye clean.  The gemologist said they could pick up on the feather, but stressed that it will take a skilled eye to do so.  They elaborated, saying that the diamond would need to be examined closely, at the right angle, and in the right lighting for a skilled eye to see it.  Unless you have the skilled eye of a gemologist, there won't be a concern.
 
"Diamond 275453 also has a very attractive cut and has great light performance.  It has a true "I" color and will likely be viewed as eye clean.  Like diamond 323261, it will take a skilled/keen eye to find its inclusion.
 
"Diamonds 323261 and 275453 are both very beautiful with eye catching light performance.  I know that clarity is important to you, which is why I feel diamond 323261 is the best option for you.  It's the gemologist's favorite of the three, so I'm confident you'll be very pleased when you see it in person."

Do you have any thoughts? Do you think I should still continue searching? Thank you!

 

[dave999]

 

[dave999]

The first image is the 275453 and the second is the 323261

 

[Madison2]

Dave999, I like the first aset.
Good luck!

 

[Gypsy]

I prefer the second in this case. It's brighter under the table. But it is eyeclean?

The first one is very strong as well, and beats out the other on outside facets (not under the table). Which did the gemologist pick?

 

[dave999]

The gemologist said:

"You'll be happy to know that diamond 323261 has an attractive faceting pattern and shape.  It has great fire, brilliance, and scintillation, which balances nicely throughout the diamond.  Additionally , it has a true "I" color and you'll view it as eye clean.  The gemologist said they could pick up on the feather, but stressed that it will take a skilled eye to do so.  They elaborated, saying that the diamond would need to be examined closely, at the right angle, and in the right lighting for a skilled eye to see it.  Unless you have the skilled eye of a gemologist, there won't be a concern.
 
"Diamond 275453 also has a very attractive cut and has great light performance.  It has a true "I" color and will likely be viewed as eye clean.  Like diamond 323261, it will take a skilled/keen eye to find its inclusion.
 
"Diamonds 323261 and 275453 are both very beautiful with eye catching light performance.  I know that clarity is important to you, which is why I feel diamond 323261 is the best option for you.  It's the gemologist's favorite, so I'm confident you'll be very pleased when you see it in person."