The hunt continues... Modern Cushion Cut

[gwhizz]

Hi all,

I know this is not my first post, but I figured since I first request help from the forum, I've learned a lot more about what I am looking for. I really would appreciate any help, as I think I may have run into a wall, and will just have to shell out a bit more money to get what I want.

From a spec's perspective here is what I am looking for:

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Carat: 1.5-1.65

Color: G - I (I actually already purchased a beautiful rose gold setting, so based upon what helpful members such as Gypsy has said, I am willing to go up to an I.)

Clarity: VS1 - VS2

Polish/Symmetry : Excellent to Very Good (if possible, I'd be flexible to go to good if it had a good ASET/Diamxray)

Budget : $9,000 - $11,500

This might be the hardest part. I believe I am looking for a "Cushion Brilliant", (I think?) From what I've seen on the websites, I am looking for the following patterns:

- Hearts & Arrows, something that is square and resembles a round cut pattern (Like GOG/ Tiffany Novo)
- This 8 Main pavilion (Pattern #3)

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/files/img/cushionbrillantplots.JPG']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/files/img/cushionbrillantplots.JPG[/URL]

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Unfortunately, its been extremely hard to find a diamond. Hearts & Arrows seem like will be too expensive for the specs that I would like, and its been almost impossible to find the facet pattern that I've been looking for.

I had an online jeweler that was able to find a bunch of Cushion Brilliants with the pattern I liked, with great specs, but when the ASET came around there was little to no red.

Anyway, I would really appreciate any help. Feel free to be blunt (i.e. Your filter is too narrow; Your budget is too low for the specs you want). I'd much rather have a real understanding of what I can afford with my budget than hunting for something that is out of my reach.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Have you reached out to Good Old Gold?

It might be a good place to start - if you give them your budget, they can show you some stones that fall into that criteria.

Assuming they find something you like, they would be able to make a video, as well.

They have access to a lot of modern cushions, so they should be able to get you all set.

Best of luck!

 

[JulieN]

If you want a modern brilliant cushion, you should go H&A. The non-H&A ones usually have serious defects that would never pass muster if we were talking about rounds. You've already experienced this, little red under the ASET with leakage or seriously weak light return.The cheapest H&A ones are either the Blue Nile Signatures or if you happen to be able to find one randomly.

 

[Gypsy]

You already bought the setting? What size stone does the setting take?

 

[Gypsy]

Budget could be higher. Let me see.

Why do you have to have 8 mains again???

 

[Gypsy]

Call Mark at Brilliantly engaged (formerly ERD). He can usually hunt up 8 mains.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-369837 8 main in budget. Not sure it will ASET out that great. But worth putting on hold and asking for an ASET.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-319826 8 main. If eyeclean, worth an ASET as well.

 

[Gypsy]

Got some mush, so it's not as strong as the last one. But it is 8 main and in budget. Ask if eyeclean: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.61-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-283051

 

[Gypsy]

When you call Brilliantly Engaged don't say G-I. Say I color or better. You don't want to rule out colorless stones.

Then say eyeclean for clarity. If you want a square say 1.0-1.05 for ratio. And for carat weight say 1.5 and above.

Your budget is fine. FYI.

 

[gwhizz]

guys. these are all amazing tips.




- i definitely will reach out to GOG again. I was hesitant before because of the $200 non refundable deposit, but it seems like everybody keeps mentioning them

- the setting can fit from 1.5ct to 1.65 ct diamonds.

- so i found a setting i liked. basically long story short, I got a great deal on it from a friend who has a friend that is a jeweler in Hong kong. (hah I know, long story...) I would have the jeweler in Hong Kong hunt for a cushion diamond for me, but he says they are much rarer in Hong Kong, therefore alot more expensive.

- gypsy, thanks for all the james allen pics. I will definitely ask for the ASET's and to see if they are eye clean

- Brilliantly Engaged. I never heard of them now, but I definitely will give them a call. thanks for all the protips guys.

If you have any more suggestions, I will definitely check them out!

 

[gwhizz]

- also the reason I was looking for the 8 main pavilion is because it looks most like a round (without being a round hah). and i fell in love with the particular look that it seems like only the 8 pavilion facet pattern or the H&A pattern can suffice.

 

[JulieN]

You need to know the measurements that the setting can hold... often brilliants have more spread than modifieds.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah, we definitely need to know what size that setting holds.

Brilliantly Engaged is ERD's new name. Engagement Rings Direct. That's my recommendation.

 

[gwhizz]

Thanks guys! I'm going to bring it in to a jeweler today to see what size diamond my setting can hold. I will update you guys soon!

 

[gwhizz]

oh man, you guys nearly saved me.

apparently my setting is all wrong... it is only big enough to hold 6mm diamonds.... so basically i'm going to return the setting I had.

So basically anything to 1.5ct to 1.65 ct at any LxW is good for me.

Also, I spent more time looking at diamonds... I've stared so much at magnified images that I was so biased towarsd 8 main pavilion diamonds. i still like Hearts and Arrows, and 8 main pavilion diamonds the best. But I did see a 4 pavilion Cushion modified that I did like. I guess the fact that my scope is widening is good for my pocket book.

I will be giving both GOG and BRD a call

 

[gwhizz]

3 more ASET's

any thoughts

 

[Gypsy]

Can you post corresponding videos to those stones?

 

[gwhizz]

Sure, from top to bottom in the order I uploaded the photos.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-255394

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-358969

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-361985

As far as the shape of the diamond, I was most interested in the first one. But it did not ASET so well.

 

[JulieN]

#2 or #1, don't like #3 as much.

 

[ariel144]

Did you see these?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/?CaratFrom=1.38&CaratTo=2.35&PriceFrom=6370&PriceTo=15200&Sort=Price%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&advancedParameter=pn&showAdvanced=show&ps=15&DiamondID=106165,252572,358965,261254,226572&Polish=&Symmetry=&Lab=&Flour=&DepthFrom=45.0&DepthTo=70.5&TableFrom=50.0&TableTo=60.2

A well cut J will face up nice and white and will look great in red gold setting.... don't rule out an eye clean SI1 either:

My 2 fav's are the 2.01 J SI1 and the F SI1 although a smidge over your budget. The pickings on nice cushions are very slim on JA now IMO (most are terribly mushy under the tables). Best spec's for a cushion brilliant are depth mid 60's and table mid 50's or smaller. the smaller the table the higher the crown and the more "pillowy" the cushion will be..thus "cushion cut". The antique cut cushions have those lovely high crowns. Most of them are cushion brilliants as well.


Best bet for the absolute great performing cushion is GOG or engagementringsdirect.com

See what they can come up with. If you post a picture of the setting you picked many on PS specialize on finding a setting that is similar.

This thread might interest you and show you how white a nice J cushion can face up ...even in a halo. What a honker at 5c! Page 3 has her testimony on how white it looks next to her E color engagement ring.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/[/URL]

A lovely on Ebay:
YUM! Set East to West. The vendor is in the UK but she always has really nice stuff. The culet is large but not that noticeable in real life. I know you were looking for something square but these nice white antiques are rare. Best offer could fit your budget and you could get the setting of your dreams later.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121449425723?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Watch the videos on GOG on cushions, cut, color, etc...it will help to educate you. Also you can get an old cut round stone and set it in a cushion (square) setting. Square cushions were my fav as well until I saw the OEC's and GOG's AVR. Now the old cut rounds are my fav.and cushions 2nd.

Hope this helps. You have a nice budget and should be able to find a really well cut stone that faces up close to a 2c size.

Good luck on your search....you've come to the right place for help in finding the best stone in your budget.

 

[ariel144]

Here is a nice ASET on a modern cushion:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12275/

check out that MegaScope!

 

[Gypsy]

Of those, none of them toot my whistle. They are all above average though. I think 2 might be the one I'd pick if I had to go with one of those.

Can you ask for Pics and an ASET for these:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/CU773G/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/CU808G/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/CU870G/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/CU809G/

 

[ariel144]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12500/

another modern cushion

 

[ariel144]

If you really like the faceting on a MRB H&A you can set one of those in a cushion shaped setting see thread "oec or tiffany".

Here is a link showing both....a MRB in a cushion halo....and a K color antique OEC set in a delicate sub halo cushion shaped.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-oec-or-tiffany-co.193113/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-oec-or-tiffany-co.193113/page-3[/URL]

Are you looking for a stone that faces up large for it's weight? If so the rounds face up larger than most cushions.

Here is an interesting thread...a MRB cut into an OEC and set in a cushion shaped setting from Single Stone (not a halo) which makes it look like a square cushion cut diamond IMO.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/reveal-single-stone-reset-lots-of-pics.179152/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/reveal-single-stone-reset-lots-of-pics.179152/[/URL]

These AVR's are disco balls...even an L color will be very bright and white. This faces up large and would make a gorgeous ring set in a cushion shaped setting:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12464/

So before you "think" you would never buy an L color stone watch this:
AVR L color vs I color h/a round...which do you prefer? Interesting, huh?

http://vimeo.com/9868723

"N color nervous": (This thread from several years ago was a real eye opener for me and so interesting.) In this thread she took her N color AVR to work and it was so much brighter and sparkly than her friend's H color H & A it hurt the girl's feelings. There was another testimonial on an N color AVR/AVC...a girl was in a GIA gemology class and no one could guess the color of her stone because the performance was so outstanding. Learning this over the years certainly changed my way of thinking when it comes to buying a diamond.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/august-vintage-round-oec-n-color-nervous.174356/page-2']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/august-vintage-round-oec-n-color-nervous.174356/page-2[/URL]

I know this is a lot of info for a newbie but we all start out thinking that we need to find the highest color with the highest clarity and largest stone and we will have the "best" diamond for our budget. That thinking is just so far from the truth.

Quality Cut is the most important in buying a diamond but there are so many poorly cut stones out there that the retailers are pushing on the public and the public just doesn't know what they don't know about diamonds and most jewelry sales people don't know either.

Good thing we have great PS vendors out there who specialize in well cut diamonds:

Leon Mege
Victor Canera
Good Old Gold
Brilliantly Engaged (formerly engagmentrings direct)
and Jewels by Erica Grace...now they have 2 different sites and show their stones separately) they specialize in nice antique stones and rings, and estate pieces.

I didn't mean to write a book ...but there are so many great options out there for you that you might not have considered.

hope this helps and not hinders your hunt for your cushion cut diamond.

 

[ariel144]

Two modern cushion cuts:

http://vimeo.com/103549082

Sure helps to watch these videos on the different cuts and facet patterns.
A wealth of info. here that you can't get anywhere else.

 

[gwhizz]

hey guys. thanks for the great responses. i'm still reviewing them all as you sent me alot of great info.

just to update, ive contacted GOG and ERD. they are both helping me diamond hunt.

Here is a diamond i received an ASET recently for, let me know your thoughts. (Looks like alot of leakage to me...) I'll get back to you all about the videos shortly!! thanks so much guys.

 

[Gypsy]

There is some leakage. Is the diamond tilted though? I'm getting a sense of vertigo looking at that ASET.

 

[gwhizz]

I can definitely ask, do you think there is too much leakage?

 

[gwhizz]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12500/


thanks ariel - this one is a nice looking one and in my price range!! anyone else have thoughtso n this guy?