G vs. H for cushion cut diamond?

[reena]

I am considering an approximately 2 carat cushion or similar cut diamond. I would rather take a somewhat lower color grade and get a larger stone--but how low should I go? I wouldn''t want to be able to see any yellow tinge with the naked eye. Is there really going to be a significant difference between, say, a G and an H?

 

[eyesoftexas]

Everyone'e eys are different but when I was looking at very large stones (>2ct) that were mounted in Platinum I could not tell the difference between even an F and H (from the top). When I tried looking through the side of the stone with a white card I did notice a slight difference but it was so slight that I could not see paying extra at that point.

 

[reena]

That's sort of what I figured. Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[ep6585]

I just bought an H color Jubilee with MB flour. I couldn't see any difference between it and the G color Jubilee it was next to.

 

[moremoremore]

you don't want me to answer b/c I'll make you spend more money...hehehehehe

I am definitely in the minority...but then again, I don't look at a lot of rounds, just princess stones which tend to hold more color...I do imagine the cushion would be more like a princess and radiant re: showing color than a round? Dunno. I vote G. I can see color and even the SLIGHTEST tint through the pavillion drives me crazy....Every person is different!

 

[reena]

Okay, so it seems like the best thing to do is for me to look at some stones in person and see if I can tell a difference between a G and an H. But just generally, a G or H color seems to be pretty standard, right? I assume it isn't going to be noticeably "yellow".

What about clarity? My feeling right now sort of is, if I can't see it, I don't care that much. I realize everyone is different on this, but I think for me, I'd rather have a bigger, better cut VS1 or 2 diamond than pay a huge premuim for a clarity difference that can only be seen under magnification. Am I off base here?

 

[canuk-gal]

Hi:

I recently saw a 3.04 cushion, G color and it was very beautiful, not a hint of "color". To be fair, however, this was set in a antique bezel setting--where I could not see the stone from side angles. But it was a beauty nonetheless.

slb

 

[Hest88]

An H is still going face up pretty white, assuming it's properly graded. I wouldn't worry.

 

[reena]

Great. Also, it's funny that you say that--I am looking to set it in an antique bezel setting.

 

[moremoremore]

especially if you're going bezel...go for the H!!!! You can get a bigger stone....and in any event, an H would never appear yellow...!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Yes, the platinum setting was very beautiful--with 1.5 CTW diamonds microset in the bezel and band--to die for really. Very popular setting these days--combines old world charm with the updated microsetting. I wanted it!!!!!

slb

 

[reena]

this is becoming rather eerie, but that sounds exactly like what i want. was this a custom setting? if not, would you mind telling me where you saw it?

thanks!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Yes, this was a custom setting. The ring is at Brinkhaus Jewellers in Calgary, AB, Canada--the city where I live. They have a website, but I doubt it that ring is shown there, but if you were to email them I think they could download some pics.
However this style can be seen in many magazines--Tacori and Micheal B come to mind. If you do a search on this site, you may be able to find some recent pics posted by Valeria101 (Ana) showcasing colored stones. Some antique looking mounts were present.

Happy searching.

Sharon

 

[reena]

thanks!

 

[valeria101]

the must be very few mortals judging that "G" color grade as tinted from any possible angles. And in a bezel, it would really only count what the stone looks like face up. I really think you cannot go wrong down to I color.

Clarity is harder to judge from words (such as names of the grades) alone - even if the size of inclusions is determined for each clarity grade, every stone is a case apart. I would look down to SI2 with no hesitation, but "look" is the key word - these stones have to be seen to judge whether the clarity is ok with you or not. While VS2 is safer, it would be a shame, I think, to overlook a beautifully cut diamond because the clarity grade sounds less attractive on paper alone. SI1 is definitely a good "place" to look, I would think.

Now... down THIS LINK reside a few very nice cushion cuts graded from J/VS to D/I1 and inbetween. It is not feasible to tell faint color shades that well from pictures, but side-by-side ones would help. Also, the range of shapes amkes a good example for the variety that gets the "cushion" name ( I just hope DAvid will not hate this post!) Worth taking a look, just for info

 

[reena]

Thanks--that sounds like good advice.

I'm wondering whether there are other factors that people consider when deciding whether to purchase a lower vs. a higher clarity stone that might not be readily apparent to me? That is, if it's eyeclean, why wouldn't everyone purchase an SI2? There must be something I'm not considering.