Cushion Cut Help!

[etldiamond]

Hello, first time posting on these boards and newbie to understanding diamonds.

Interested in buying a cushion cut diamond for engagement ring.

These were recommended by James Allen:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.08-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-327632
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.04-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-37631
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-99985
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-303689

This diamond was recommended by good old gold:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12737/

These are the settings we are interested in:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/14k-white-gold-tapered-baguette-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7101
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/14k-white-gold-pear-and-pave-accents-engagement-ring-item-16751

Would any of the experts pick one of these options or have any feedback? Wanting to be a carat or over, budget of about $5K for diamond; prefer square cushion and do not like crushed ice look cushions.

Thanks for your time and feedback!

 

[canvasback]

None of those JA cusions are very square.... The second one is a round and is mislabeled....not sure why these were recommended by JA.

I'm not loving the ASET from the GOG stone. But, at least we have one! I'll look and see if i can find anything... BRB

 

[etldiamond]

whoops that round diamond was my mistake in posting the link, here is the correct one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.04-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-376314

Thank you for your feedback!

 

[canvasback]

What are your parameters on color?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.020-k-vs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104069728008#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/3/ (not square, though :/)

 

[etldiamond]

I am hoping to be in G-H range for color; I think we could do rectangle as long as it is not too elongated.

 

[JulieN]

I don't like the 1.00 H VS1. The rest are acceptable.

 

[Gypsy]

NONE of the JA ones are any good. JA sales associates have no idea what they are doing with fancies. Do not buy or put on hold to ASET any of them. They are all duds.

GOG diamond is much better than any of them. And if it's in budget, just buy that.
GOG can get you a gorgeous baguette setting for the stone.

Or if you want to work with JA I can look for better stones for you later, if they have them.

 

[etldiamond]

Hi Gypsy if you wouldn't mind checking JA for a couple of stones you would recommend that would be great, we did like their settings, but we will also check GOG for their setting options as well, did you think that was a diamond you would recommend? Or do you think they might have better options as well? They only sent me that one suggestion.
Thank you for your help!

 

[Gypsy]

Its a pretty great stone. Seriously.

And GOG has a lot of settings not listed on their site.

They are Beverly K and Gabriel and Co dealers.

I'll see what I can find on JA.

 

[Gypsy]

Put these on hold ASAP. And ask for an ASET of each.

This is my favorite: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-294031

Pick 2 of these for the other 2 ASETs:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-366958 if eyeclean
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-305746
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.05-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-304389
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/1.00-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-366957

Make sure you compare spread (dimensions) not carat weight in making your choices.

 

[etldiamond]

Thanks so much for your comments! Do you mind if i asked a couple other questions? Any guidelines on why the recomndations where bad vs these options? For education purposes? If we go with a d-f color stone any issue with the settings being g-h color? Where there any other GOG stones that you think we should consider? Should I be searching another vendor besides these two? Thank you!

 

[etldiamond]

I also ask about color as I think we would be happy with a g-h in color if we could get a larger looking stone for out budget. Unless you think the lower color makes a bigger difference in the cushion cut? Since we are looking at pretty simple settings, but wanting as much finger coverage as possible, but do not like halo styles. Finger size is 5.75 if that matters.

 

[etldiamond]

Does anyone have any thoughts about these additional options?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-303944
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-351395
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-347265
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-379953

Thank you!

 

[Gypsy]

Does anyone have any thoughts about these additional options?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-303944
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-351395
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-347265
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-379953

Thank you!

They are all pretty terrible except the first one.

'And the first one still isn't as nice as those I picked for you.

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks so much for your comments! Do you mind if i asked a couple other questions? Any guidelines on why the recomndations where bad vs these options? For education purposes? If we go with a d-f color stone any issue with the settings being g-h color? Where there any other GOG stones that you think we should consider? Should I be searching another vendor besides these two? Thank you!

Color and clarity have very little to do with how lovely a diamond is going to be.

Cut is what matters. With cushions cut is a matter of faceting and light return. The stones I picked for you will have the best light return and the nicest faceting. The entire point of faceting a diamond is to return light.

Please read these two threads and study them. Okay? This will explain cushion cut to you and why your choices and the JA sales people's choices were all pretty much duds.
[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]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-need-opinions-about-this-cushion-cut-diamond-pics.206771/#post-3763444#p3763444']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-need-opinions-about-this-cushion-cut-diamond-pics.206771/#post-3763444#p3763444[/URL]

As for the sidestones. If you go with the D stone, I would upgrade the diamonds in the setting to higher color and JA can do that for you. F will be fine though with the standard sidestones.

 

[etldiamond]

Thanks so much Gypsy! These are the 3 I have asked for an aset image on (the first is being held for me which is why it is showing unavailable) and second 2 are your recommendations. I would love if you could take a look at the aset's, I will post when I get them!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-288154
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.05-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-304389
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-348862

Good Old Gold also recommended this additional stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12736/

Should I be concerned with the I color? It is lower than what I have been looking at.

They also sent me this video of their original recommendation, which looks beautiful, it is slightly over our budget, but if it is definitely the best option after getting the aset on the others, we may still consider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ-mYHLu1qs&feature=youtu.be

We will review the links you posted as well. Appreciate your time and expertise!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The GOG diamond in the video is an example of a great modern cushion. I'd choose that hands down because they are not easy to find.

 

[Gypsy]

I really wish you had picked that D I posted for you. It's an uncommonly nice stone.

I love the GOG H VVS in the video. It's a lovely stone.

No I wouldn't go to I unless you have to. Your budget is good enough to afford higher color.

 

[etldiamond]

I really wish you had picked that D I posted for you. It's an uncommonly nice stone.

I love the GOG H VVS in the video. It's a lovely stone.

No I wouldn't go to I unless you have to. Your budget is good enough to afford higher color.

Thanks Gypsy! I got them to switch out and give me the aset for the D stone instead of the H VS2, I will post them when I get them.

I agree on the I, I prefer not to go that low on color. I also love the original H stone from the video from GOG, but it is a little over budget, the Advantage price of the James Allen D vs2 is $4660, so the GOG is $600 more and the couple of settings I have found on GOG are also a little pricier than what I have found on James Allen. Do you think GOG would work with us on that price at all? We are trying to stay around $6,000-$6500 total for diamond and setting.

Look forward to your comments once I have the aset images to post.

Thank you again!

 

[Gypsy]

I don't know if GOG will work with you on price, unfortunately. But I can tell you that it never hurts to ask.

 

[etldiamond]

Hello again...I'm continuing in my research and I have kind of fell in love with the cut of the August Vintage Line.

I really no nothing about these, I see that so many of them are the warmer colors which makes me nervous about buying without seeing in person.

Does anyone have any thoughts about these:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12663/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10010/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10734/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10729/

Where would you draw the line on color vs size/spread? Would like to keep budget $6k or under. I am still considering the modern cut options but just thought I would ask thoughts about this.

Thank you in advance for any advice!

 

[Gypsy]

I think that for 6k you should be able to get a carat with a cushion.'

If you want an AVC that may not happen as there is nothing in the I-J range with Vs2 in the 1 carat range for the AVC.

Hmm. This one is the one I'd buy: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12663/ Why? Because you want sidestones and I think a J will not show that much tint that you couldn't get a nice diamond sidestone setting. And VS2 and eyeclean is all you need. So if you are going with an under a carat stone-- then I think the price on that one is right.

Can you ask them if they are planning on getting any larger I-J VS stones in that are larger? I would ask.

That said, I would make sure you have the stone sent to you (if you are in the US) before setting to make sure you love it before setting. Then send it back for a setting.

 

[etldiamond]

Hello,

We got the ASET and evaluations from the James Allen stones we were considering.

Diamond 288154 has outstanding overall brilliance and light return. It has a great balance with excellent fire and scintillation throughout. Its shape is also very attractive and the diamond is eye clean.

Diamond 294031 also has excellent brilliance and fire with light distributed throughout. It faces up white and bright and is eye clean.

Diamond 304389 has very good light return. It has the most warmth of the diamonds and it slightly less bright than the other two. This diamond also has brilliance and fire throughout.

We are leaning strongly towards 294031 with 288154 being our second choice.

Would love any comments from the experts here; price wise they are all within about $500, 304389 least expensive and 294031 most expensive.

 

[etldiamond]

Links to the diamonds; in order of the photos:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-294031
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-288154
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.05-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-304389

thank you!

 

[Travelgal]

I vote for the D. It's beautiful. Maybe it's just me, but the G seems to have too much contrast (or camera reflection) when I look at the pictures and video. It is pretty, but doesn't seem quite as bright as the D.

 

[noscrusir]

That D VS1 is very pretty (nice pick Gypsy!). However, the AVC's are a completely different animal. Neither is better than the other, it's all personal preference on which faceting you like better. Review each carefully and find out which look you (or your fiance) prefer and then pick your favorite.

 

[Diamondbug]

I vote for the D. It's beautiful. Maybe it's just me, but the G seems to have too much contrast (or camera reflection) when I look at the pictures and video. It is pretty, but doesn't seem quite as bright as the D.

+1 What she said!!

 

[Gypsy]

Well that's three very nice choices.

I can't help you on the issue of AVC or not. That's up to you.

I do think that either the D or the G.

I think the G has better performance. But the G has a nicer outline and shape.


Here's the good news: NO bad choices. Whether you go for an AVC or the D or the G... any of them would be a fantastic buy.

So it all comes down to personal preferences. And that... is all up to you my friend. We can tell you what we'd prefer. But that's largely irrelevant.

Is this for you BTW or for your lady?