Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want onlin

[gwhizz]

hi all. i'm totally a newb to diamonds. but it is that time So hopefully I can get ahead of the game.

SO, here is the goal:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/165402707/marcelle-14kt-white-gold-cushion-fb?ref=market
(I understand that this is not a diamond, but aesthetically this is the look that I am going for).

Though I've learned a ton about diamonds recently, I will say trying to find a square cushion cut that looks like this has been extremely hard. I've tried price scope tools, but it seems like the vast majority of the diamonds have the "crushed ice look' (hopefully, i'm using this term correctly.)

Anyway, I watched the educational video on GOG. I believe what i want is the modern cut. The Hearts and Arrows cut I believe is the one I want... but I'm wondering if there are other modern cuts that have the same/similar type of facet pattern (Something more splintery rather than broad.), or am I limited to diamonds that actually have the Hearts and Arrows name.

Specs wise I was hoping for something 1.50ct - 1.65 ct. Something VS2, H and up.

I hope i phrased my questions right. In summary, I'm wondering if I need to buy the proprietary Hearts and Arrows cut, or are there other cuts where i can find similar facet patterns? Secondly, how would I go about searching for the different cuts. Are there any way to filter through the cushion diamonds to find something similar to the link above, or do I just need to click through everyone.

Thanks for all the help; much apologize if I'm asking a stupid question.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Here are some solid options that meet the specs you've mentioned -

Hearts & Arrows
1.570ct, F, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.570-f-vs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104066516012

1.526ct, G, VVS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.526-g-vvs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104068042003

Modern Cushions
1.7ct, H, VVS2 (ask GOG about other options, as they don't have images uploaded for this stone or some others that are worth looking into)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/CU884G/

1.7ct, G, VS1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12412/


Most cost-effective option, if you're working on a tighter budget:
1.5ct, I, VS1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12467/

 

[Travelgal]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

What is your budget? The picture you posted is a reproduction of the tiffany novo (see link). Others can help you get close to this look but they will need to have an idea of your budget to point you in the right direction.

http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/Item.aspx?GroupSKU=GRP10015

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Wow, you guys were able to find a lot of good stuff quick. Ideally, my max would be 11.5k for the diamond. So it sadly looks like the Hearts and Arrow ones are out of my range.

Are these "Hearts and Arrow" diamond cuts exclusive only to Tiffanys, GOG, and Brian Gavin Diamonds? Is there anyone else who also does those cuts?

These Modern cushions are really beautiful as well. i'll definitely be enquiring into the price on these.

 

[tyty333]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Unfortunately, there is no way to do a search on the different types of cushions on most/any diamond sites...we just go through
them buy hand and the more people you have looking for you the better your chances of finding the faceting pattern you like
in your budget.

I'll take a look on James Allen for you.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Ideally, my max would be 11.5k for the diamond. So it sadly looks like the Hearts and Arrow ones are out of my range.

It's tough to hunt for a specific type of cushion, but here's a way to do that:

The 1.5ct, I-colored stone I posted above is under your budget.

If I were you, I would follow these steps:
1. Call Good Old Gold
2. Let them know you're interested in this stone, and if they can please pull two other stones in the same price range that meet your preferences (describe the type of cushion you're after)
3. Ask them to make a video of these stones together
4. Make a decision with your eyes, in addition to the light performance assessment / paperwork, and GOG's expert opinion.

Best of luck!

 

[tyty333]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

I didnt find one that stood out as a the definite winner. Here are some that I thought were worth a further look. I've posted
my favorites below. You can request up to 3 aset images to check on light return if you are interested in any of them. Ask for
other opinions before you request asets.

Edit - I went down to I/SI1.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/p2/?CaratFrom=1.48&CaratTo=15.00&Color=I&Clarity=VVS1,SI2,VVS2,VS1,VS2,SI1&PriceFrom=7230&PriceTo=11500&Sort=Price%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&DiamondID=361363,283051,264861,261649,358965,293854,68646,288643,358314,132036,299445


These are my favorite ones out of the above list...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.71-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-132036
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.84-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-299445
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.70-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-261649
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.54-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-358965 probably not eye-clean

This looks more like the faceting you are looking for but this one only looks so-so to me. Would have to ask if eye-clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.61-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-283051

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut.

There really is no other way to determine if you have a good cushions is to see images of the stones, and then you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.

That's what an ASET image does. http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance Please read.
And ASET shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return That is why you won't see us recommending vendors like Blue Nile, as they do not provide images or ASET images for their diamonds. James Allen and Good Old Gold do this. So do Brian Gavin and Whiteflash and High Performance Diamonds.

Or you can get an AGS0 cushions, but those are rare, and usually branded. . GIA does not grade their princesses for performance. Only AGS does. And any lab other than GIA or AGS is not worth considering at all.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

lease read my posts in this thread (pay special attention to the longer posts, and anything in red): [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/[/URL]

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Thanks for responding and being willing the to spend the time to teach! my wallet definitely appreciates it.

------
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut.
------

This does make sense to me. I definitely want an extremely bright stone. However isn't there some aesthetic design to the facets of the diamond?
Maybe I am mixing terms (very very possible), but I really like the H+A diamonds from GOG (unfortunately, I can not afford them.) And I was thinking this was the cause because of the facets (the 8 main pavilions at the bottom)., that give it that really clean non crushed look. I also like that they so similarly resemble round diamonds.

I'm wondering if my take away from what you are saying should be not to look exclusively Cushion Brilliant diamonds, or even care about the facets or pavilions pattern at all, but rather just look at the ASET and DiamXray to see how it is reflecting light?

Sorry, I'm a bit dense. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Thanks for responding and being willing the to spend the time to teach! my wallet definitely appreciates it.

------
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut.
------

This does make sense to me. I definitely want an extremely bright stone. However isn't there some aesthetic design to the facets of the diamond?
Maybe I am mixing terms (very very possible), but I really like the H+A diamonds from GOG (unfortunately, I can not afford them.) And I was thinking this was the cause because of the facets (the 8 main pavilions at the bottom)., that give it that really clean non crushed look. I also like that they so similarly resemble round diamonds.

I'm wondering if my take away from what you are saying should be not to look exclusively Cushion Brilliant diamonds, or even care about the facets or pavilions pattern at all, but rather just look at the ASET and DiamXray to see how it is reflecting light?

Sorry, I'm a bit dense. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Thanks Rocky. Sadly it looks like all the H+A are out of my price range. (Looking at about $11,500.)

I do really like your budget option.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12467/

Though I posted the range of 1.5ct to 1.65, I was hoping to find something a bit bigger 1.55ct to 1.65ct. But I'll definitely keep this on my list of ones to keep an eye on!!

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Thanks, I'll definitely give James Allen a look. I was hoping there was a more efficient way to enter criteria to find the style of modern cushion I would like, but it looks like I'll have to look at them one by one.

There are some good looking diamonds here, but I worry they are too big (my girlfriend is tiny!)

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Thanks Rocky. Sadly it looks like all the H+A are out of my price range. (Looking at about $11,500.)

I do really like your budget option.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12467/

Though I posted the range of 1.5ct to 1.65, I was hoping to find something a bit bigger 1.55ct to 1.65ct. But I'll definitely keep this on my list of ones to keep an eye on!!

When looking at size of cushions, look at the dimensions, not the carat weight.

A 1.65ct stone could have a smaller face-up appearance than a 1.5ct stone.

Just something to keep in mind as you're comparing!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Blue Nile's Hearts and Arrows Cushions have excellent light return and are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than GOG or BGD.

I highly suggest you look there. It is their signature line. And the people that have bought them and had ASETs of them done have shown fantastic light return.

So if that's the facet structure you like, then look there. All BN Signatures are guaranteed eyelean. So you can safely go down to SI1 clarity. And the G-Cal report has a picture of it.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

OK none in your budget/spec range at BN now. So call Blue Nile and find out when they are getting more H&A stones in. They might be getting them in your budget soon, so... I would wait.

8 mains or 4 mains doesn't equal crushed ice or lack there of.

You can get lovely modern cushions without crushed ice looks and without the H&A faceting.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Here's an interesting 8 main: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-369837 I don't think it will ASET out fantastically though.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.57-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-299904 this one is going to have leakage under the table but it depends on how much. The very center and the outer edges are going to ASET out well.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6327678-1.52-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-SI1-clarity.aspx If eyeclean could be lovely.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5138307-1.51-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx This one has great performance. Might not be eyeclean.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5307475-1.53-carat-Cushion-diamond-E-color-SI1-clarity.aspx


These aren't crushed ice.

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

hey gypsy,

you are right. i guess i do really like the 8 pavilion pattern. what makes you think the ASET will not be so good?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-369837

do you know if the pavilion pattern affects the price at all? hah i wish this diamond was .05 carats bigger, color H, VS2, but it does catch my eye!

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

I do like the first one.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6327678-1.52-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-SI1-clarity.aspx

but i do wish it was square and VS2 for peace of mind.

hey gypsy, do you have any thoughts on the diamond Rocky posted? I do find my self giving it second looks

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12467/

 

[Rockdiamond]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Sounds like what might please you the most is what's known as a "crushed ice" cushion diamond. Be aware that some of the vendors do not like this type of diamond and that is reflected in their literature. Many other people do love this type of diamond. It will have a lot of green in the ASET.
This type of stone will show a distinct lack of patterning. It will have a great scintillation from edge to edge and less large reflections. There will be many tiny reflections. This is a very popular look in some of the most prestigious stores.
Remember, taste plays a big part in the type of cushion that each of us lpves.

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

Hi RockDiamond,

thanks for the input. for some reason I was under the impression that I did NOT like the crushed ice look, but was leaning towards the the H + A, 8 pavilion look.

was it one of the diamonds above that i mentioned that i liked that made you feel like I liked the crushed ice look?

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

"We are not anticipating replenishment of Signature-Ideal Cushion Diamonds within the price range of $11,500.00. The price for the two diamonds we have in stock within that grading criteria is $14,214 - $14,524. The new diamonds within the same grading will be priced very similarly. "

It looks like Blue Nile will not have anything in my price range unfortunately.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

hey gypsy, do you have any thoughts on the diamond Rocky posted? I do find my self giving it second looks

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12467/

GORGEOUS.

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

I really do like this alot alot. but I wish it was ever so slightly bigger, and color H, VS2. oh if only it was so easy to find the perfect diamond

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

hi rocky (and all you other knowledgable folk)

any thoughts on this diamond?

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/Diamonds-1/GIA-Graded-Cushion-Modified-Diamond-1-52-Carat-G-Color-VS1-Clarity-479483.html

i do notice it says it is "thick to very thick"

which worries me a bit...

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

whooops!!

sorry i posted the wrong link above. i was actually speaking about this diamond...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-369837

also anyone have any experience with james allen?

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

whooops!!

sorry i posted the wrong link above. i was actually speaking about this diamond...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-369837

also anyone have any experience with james allen?

That one is an odd duck. It has a facet plot with 8 mains in a very 'standard' arrangment. But when I look at the video it looks very different from other stones I have seen with that facet plot. And while I can predict how it may perform from the video, since it is an odd duck I may be wrong and pleasantly surprised.

I would definitely get an ASET of it. But I wouldn't pin my hopes on it being a great performer. Like I said, it's an odd duck.

 

[gwhizz]

Re: Cushion cut: How to best search for the look you want o

I'll definitely ask for a ASET on that diamond!

i have a couple more that I'm eyeing...

1. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.57-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-299904
I like it a good amount, thought it is not perfect because of the facet pattern

2. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-38844
this may have been posted by someone earlier also not perfect because of the facet pattern, and i worry that the carat weight is wasted because of how thick it is.

3. http://www.b2cjewels.com//dd-4689493-1.65-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS1-clarity.aspx
this would be one of my top guys if only it wasn't so rectangle!!!

also i had an additional question.

So i actually already purchased the rose gold setting. I was wondering if that means i can be more liberal with the diamond color, if it means I should get a diamond more whiter for contrast.

Any thoughts