Cehrabehra, Pixley and cushion experts...

[Gayletmom]

I seem to remember that there was a thread a while back, in which you two participated, about the various facet patterns for cushions. I recall reading it and thinking it was very useful but I had trouble relating the drawings to actual stones (I haven''t seen that many cushions in real life, mostly in PS photos). I was just looking at the thread in SMTB with the collection of cushion cuts link and trying to figure out which stone had which facet pattern.

Do any of you have any pictures of actual stones that sort of show the facet patterns, i.e. "this is BostonJeff''s stone and it is an x main cushion"? I am educating myself about the antique cushions and know that there are a few different syles-I just can''t identify them yet!

<BR
Thanks in advance for your continued efforts to help us all learn more!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/31/2010 3:40:26 PM
Author:Gayletmom
I seem to remember that there was a thread a while back, in which you two participated, about the various facet patterns for cushions. I recall reading it and thinking it was very useful but I had trouble relating the drawings to actual stones (I haven't seen that many cushions in real life, mostly in PS photos). I was just looking at the thread in SMTB with the collection of cushion cuts link and trying to figure out which stone had which facet pattern.

Do any of you have any pictures of actual stones that sort of show the facet patterns, i.e. 'this is BostonJeff's stone and it is an x main cushion'? I am educating myself about the antique cushions and know that there are a few different syles-I just can't identify them yet!

Thanks in advance for your continued efforts to help us all learn more!

Hi Gayle

I think [/url] is the thread you want?

Also this is a very useful thread from the FAQ section - https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/ Also a great way to learn is to go to GOG, Jon has a veritable treasure trove of cushion videos available on all aspects of cushions, types, faceting, amount of pavilion mains, performance etc etc.

Some of these videos are below,

http://www.vimeo.com/10265431

http://www.vimeo.com/9188543

http://www.vimeo.com/9188543

 

[CharmyPoo]

BostonJeff''s cushion is an Old Mine Cushion (OMC) which has 8 mains. There has been advancements since those older threads.

You should look at Good Old Gold''s August Vintage Cushion if you want a beautifully cut cushion in the antique style.

 

[pixley]

Ditto Lorelei and Charmy''s advice and links. Good Old Gold has a wealth of information in their video section (thank you, Jon!)

BostonJeff''s Old Mine Brilliant cushion has the same facet plot as Good Old Gold''s August Vintage Cushions. Someone also recently posted a beautiful cushion that Leon Mege''s cutter is creating. It was a lovely stone - different from the August Vintages, but had that vintage-y cushion look. I''ll see if I can find another link for you that has clearer photos. I may have one at home that shows stones and plots...

 

[Gayletmom]

Thanks, Lorelei, for all of the links, and Charmy and Pixley for the additional info.

I''m looking forward to watching the GOG Vimeos. I''ve drooled over some of the "showing off the new AV stones" videos but have not seen the educational ones. I''m sure they will be quite helpful.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Please be advised that GIA inclusion plot diagrams are meant to see inclusions not accurately represent the facet structure, they are often wrong particularly in the facet structure of the pavilion.

Also Old Mine Cut or Old Mine Cushion really is not a proper term for modern cut stones. GIA reports will have Cushion Brilliant or Old Mine Brilliant, to describe the 8 main facet structure found in the August Vintage Cushions.

I hope my little guide can be of some help to you.


ChunkyCushionLover's Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds

Step 1 (Choose The Type of Cut)

Decide the look of cushion you like best. (Watching the videos should help you the most with this.)
A great video illustrating the best in Cushion Brilliant Optics and a comparison between several varieties http://www.vimeo.com/9188543
i) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main like this one http://www.octonus.com/oct/projects/foxymovies/round_cushion2_office_fr.phtml or http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the far left)
b) 8 main modern http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (stone on the left)
c) 8 main vintage chunky faceted http://www.vimeo.com/5310842
d) BGD modern 8 main cushion (the mains intersect at the corners) https://www.pricescope.com/forum/topic12849.html

ii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266-2.mov http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266.mov

iii) Cushette http://www.vimeo.com/3164922
iv) Cushion Modified Brilliant (often referred to negatively as the "crushed ice" variety as many in this category have only small flashes and were cut to save weght not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 pictures and commentary here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-shocking-final-diamond-choice-i-gave-to-my-fiance-which-one-would-you-pick.121154/
c) Square Brilliant (rare seen more in Belgium)

A helpful thread to see the plots and pictures of different types of cushions can be seen here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/ (keep in mind pictures aren't as useful as videos and can only be used reliably to understand facet structure not light performance)
If you want to learn about cushions a great video by Jon at GOG can be watched here http://www.vimeo.com/7579666 and bonus footage here http://www.vimeo.com/7611843.

Step 2 (Choose the 4Cs)

1) Post your budget, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, LW(length to width) Ratio (do you like perfectly Square or Rectangular?) and cut preference. We will help find stones in your price range or tell you if your budget is realistic for the specs you have chosen or if you will have to make some tradeoffs. If you would rather go directly to the vendor at this point I suggest you speak to:

i) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com
ii) Jon at Goodoldgold.com
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com

This list is limited to what I beleive are vendors who specialize in cushion cuts designed for light performance there may be others but I haven't had experiences with them. Some vendors like GOG and BGD have even developed their own cushion signature cut diamonds lines not available for sale by any other vendor. All of these vendors will be able to provide ASET images and pictures of stones to help you decide prior to purchase.

Example:
Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eyeclean from 6 feet away looking faceup)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio = 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cushion Brilliant (Modern) either 4 main or 8 mai

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or see in person)

Ask the vendor for a Video and/or ASET image (http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp) of your possible choices and we can help you narrow down which of your selections we prefer and why.

Step 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraisor for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favourite stones to a PS listed appraisor https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx close to you, where you can view your final choices in person prior to purchase you will just have to pay shipping. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraisor without you having to pay first and the appraisor will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor.
For such an expensive purchase approximately $100 in shipping and insurance (both ways) and $100 in appraisor time seems well worth it to make the most informed choice possible.
Happy Hunting,
CCL

 

[Cehrabehra]

Hi I''m sorry I missed this earlier... There have been several attempts to line up NAMES with PLOTS and actual PHOTOS of diamonds, but to date I have not yet seen one (including my own) that I would consider very accurate. There is a lot of inconsistency in the cushion realm and that inconsistency was both boon and bane for me 3 years ago. I jumped in with both feet! There is a lot more information out there, but even with sarins, depending on the angles involved you can achieve such different results.

The thing is, no matter how much you nail one look down (like August Vintage) there are such a huge number of other ways to do it with the uberbroad cushion designation. With princess and asscher cuts you can get big differences but even then you''re staying within some fairly tight parameters relative to the wide variety of cutting styles in the cushion family. Even two stones with the same basic cutting pattern and ratio can have more square or more oval appearances.

In some ways technology locking down certain light characteristics is a great thing - on the other hand, those of us who bought our cushions before this was available have to console ourselves with being trendsetters haha

My stone and boston jeff''s stone are fairly similar except that his is quite a bit more square (but not square) than mine. Mine is kind of straight on the ends and more round on the sides. The AV stones tend to have squarer corners, but not super square.

Cushions have such a wild mystique... I remember once someone warning me about unlocking too many of the secrets... but it has so many to share, why not keep trying? The earliest diamond cuts and some of the most cutting edge trends all fall within this designation. I find that really interesting!

I doubt I answered your question - but I did want to make sure to respond

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 4/5/2010 7:56:24 AM
Author: Cehrabehra
Hi I''m sorry I missed this earlier... There have been several attempts to line up NAMES with PLOTS and actual PHOTOS of diamonds, but to date I have not yet seen one (including my own) that I would consider very accurate. There is a lot of inconsistency in the cushion realm and that inconsistency was both boon and bane for me 3 years ago. I jumped in with both feet! There is a lot more information out there, but even with sarins, depending on the angles involved you can achieve such different results.

The thing is, no matter how much you nail one look down (like August Vintage) there are such a huge number of other ways to do it with the uberbroad cushion designation. With princess and asscher cuts you can get big differences but even then you''re staying within some fairly tight parameters relative to the wide variety of cutting styles in the cushion family. Even two stones with the same basic cutting pattern and ratio can have more square or more oval appearances.

In some ways technology locking down certain light characteristics is a great thing - on the other hand, those of us who bought our cushions before this was available have to console ourselves with being trendsetters haha

My stone and boston jeff''s stone are fairly similar except that his is quite a bit more square (but not square) than mine. Mine is kind of straight on the ends and more round on the sides. The AV stones tend to have squarer corners, but not super square.

Cushions have such a wild mystique... I remember once someone warning me about unlocking too many of the secrets... but it has so many to share, why not keep trying? The earliest diamond cuts and some of the most cutting edge trends all fall within this designation. I find that really interesting!

I doubt I answered your question - but I did want to make sure to respond

Cehrah,

Did you ever do any of the DiamCalc work trying to get that cushion you plotted with the evenly sized mains you were discussing with Diagem?
I was curious if the crown facet orientation made a big difference in the virtual facets.

Regards,
CCL

 

[Gayletmom]

Thanks CCL and Sara, for the info-very useful and educational.

Sara, I agree with you on the mystique of cushions. I have been thinking about it for months and I still can''t decide whether I prefer the old world charm and pedigree of an antique or the optimized performance of an AVC. Wish I could have one of each!

 

[missydebby]

I totally want to see the photo of the LM diamond!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 4/5/2010 11:58:33 AM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 4/5/2010 7:56:24 AM

Author: Cehrabehra

Hi I''m sorry I missed this earlier... There have been several attempts to line up NAMES with PLOTS and actual PHOTOS of diamonds, but to date I have not yet seen one (including my own) that I would consider very accurate. There is a lot of inconsistency in the cushion realm and that inconsistency was both boon and bane for me 3 years ago. I jumped in with both feet! There is a lot more information out there, but even with sarins, depending on the angles involved you can achieve such different results.


The thing is, no matter how much you nail one look down (like August Vintage) there are such a huge number of other ways to do it with the uberbroad cushion designation. With princess and asscher cuts you can get big differences but even then you''re staying within some fairly tight parameters relative to the wide variety of cutting styles in the cushion family. Even two stones with the same basic cutting pattern and ratio can have more square or more oval appearances.


In some ways technology locking down certain light characteristics is a great thing - on the other hand, those of us who bought our cushions before this was available have to console ourselves with being trendsetters haha


My stone and boston jeff''s stone are fairly similar except that his is quite a bit more square (but not square) than mine. Mine is kind of straight on the ends and more round on the sides. The AV stones tend to have squarer corners, but not super square.


Cushions have such a wild mystique... I remember once someone warning me about unlocking too many of the secrets... but it has so many to share, why not keep trying? The earliest diamond cuts and some of the most cutting edge trends all fall within this designation. I find that really interesting!


I doubt I answered your question - but I did want to make sure to respond

Cehrah,


Did you ever do any of the DiamCalc work trying to get that cushion you plotted with the evenly sized mains you were discussing with Diagem?

I was curious if the crown facet orientation made a big difference in the virtual facets.


Regards,

CCL

No, I have been really short on time with moving to China but in another month or so I think I''ll have time to take on a project like that. Not sure if they''ll still have me or how I''d get the fob to China, but first things first - I MUST get this house settled. The 5 of us finally just moved out of a little 2 bedroom apartment. The house we moved into is seriously huge but has hardly any storage space. Go figure!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 4/5/2010 11:07:59 PM
Author: Gayletmom
Thanks CCL and Sara, for the info-very useful and educational.


Sara, I agree with you on the mystique of cushions. I have been thinking about it for months and I still can''t decide whether I prefer the old world charm and pedigree of an antique or the optimized performance of an AVC. Wish I could have one of each!

I''m weird - I want one of each too lol Right now I''m toying with an eternity ring idea that would have different cuts of stone in one ring - I think I''m eclectic enough to pull it off too lol My cushion is in a safety box so I''m really dying to get something made I can wear here. I only brought one ring with me here (a silver band I got in Ireland) and it was stolen so my finger is sporting the big nada

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 4/6/2010 9:31:14 AM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 4/5/2010 11:58:33 AM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 4/5/2010 7:56:24 AM

Author: Cehrabehra

Hi I''m sorry I missed this earlier... There have been several attempts to line up NAMES with PLOTS and actual PHOTOS of diamonds, but to date I have not yet seen one (including my own) that I would consider very accurate. There is a lot of inconsistency in the cushion realm and that inconsistency was both boon and bane for me 3 years ago. I jumped in with both feet! There is a lot more information out there, but even with sarins, depending on the angles involved you can achieve such different results.


The thing is, no matter how much you nail one look down (like August Vintage) there are such a huge number of other ways to do it with the uberbroad cushion designation. With princess and asscher cuts you can get big differences but even then you''re staying within some fairly tight parameters relative to the wide variety of cutting styles in the cushion family. Even two stones with the same basic cutting pattern and ratio can have more square or more oval appearances.


In some ways technology locking down certain light characteristics is a great thing - on the other hand, those of us who bought our cushions before this was available have to console ourselves with being trendsetters haha


My stone and boston jeff''s stone are fairly similar except that his is quite a bit more square (but not square) than mine. Mine is kind of straight on the ends and more round on the sides. The AV stones tend to have squarer corners, but not super square.


Cushions have such a wild mystique... I remember once someone warning me about unlocking too many of the secrets... but it has so many to share, why not keep trying? The earliest diamond cuts and some of the most cutting edge trends all fall within this designation. I find that really interesting!


I doubt I answered your question - but I did want to make sure to respond

Cehrah,


Did you ever do any of the DiamCalc work trying to get that cushion you plotted with the evenly sized mains you were discussing with Diagem?

I was curious if the crown facet orientation made a big difference in the virtual facets.


Regards,

CCL

No, I have been really short on time with moving to China but in another month or so I think I''ll have time to take on a project like that. Not sure if they''ll still have me or how I''d get the fob to China, but first things first - I MUST get this house settled. The 5 of us finally just moved out of a little 2 bedroom apartment. The house we moved into is seriously huge but has hardly any storage space. Go figure!

Well good-luck adjusting to your new residence. I would be happy to collaborate with you in future as that case is interesting to me.

Regards,
CCL

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

Date: 4/5/2010 11:46:29 PM
Author: missydebby
I totally want to see the photo of the LM diamond!

It was a recent thread in show me the bling I believe?

Here it is: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-leon-mege-3-carat-cushion-halo.139071/