Halo setting with cushion cut diamond

[ashjade]

Does anyone have one? Or have any recommendations for one? I’ve seen a lot of halo settings with round diamonds, but I’m drawn to the cushion cuts, and have to make a decision soon!

 

[tyty333]

Have you looked at this thread. I'm sure you'll find some here.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-collection-of-halos.121549/

 

[ashjade]

I hadn’t, thank you! I’m trying to decide on a halo setting or a pave setting - and I’m completely torn. Not even 100% certain where to have it purchased from, although I’ve been leaning towards James Allen.

 

[absolutme77]

If you look at my avatar, it is a cushion in a halo.

 

[ashjade]

If you look at my avatar, it is a cushion in a halo.

That’s beautiful! Who was it designed by, if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Octo2005]

I have a cushion in a halo - see avatar picture.

Love it my ring was designed and made by Steven Kirsch

 

[Krisking]

Also check out this thread. Lots of beautiful halos!

CUSHION CUTS! A collection... | PriceScope Forum
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-cuts-a-collection.135031/

 

[rockysalamander]

Cushions are tricky to pick. If you want help, post your wants and budget and we can look. Once you settle on a stone, we can point you to settings or custom vendors based on budget. But, you should pick the diamond first.

 

[ashjade]

Alright, so I’m set on a cushion cut diamond. Just don’t have one picked out yet. It’s between these two settings:

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493


https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...ite-pave-engagement-ring-flush-fit-item-56252

Budget wise, I’d prefer not to go over $5,000 for the setting and diamond together.

 

[rockysalamander]

Posting a few types of cushions. Which kind of faceting do you like (or dislike)?

Modern crisp faceting. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.07-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-3623444

Modern crushed ice. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.03-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4367490

Cushion Modified to have Hearts and Arrows (pretty rare on JA). https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.85-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-4389086

Modern cut antique cushion. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-3596311

Edited. To fix calling a cushion a square H&A.

 

[ashjade]

The problem is that I like all of those lol. I had been looking at D-F color, though. But I’m not sure if I’d need to be that picky about it. I know I want it as colorless as possible with the budget I’m at. I do like the crushed look, square hearts and arrows, and I even liked the first one. (Not much help, I know!)

 

[rockysalamander]

The problem is that I like all of those lol. I had been looking at D-F color, though. But I’m not sure if I’d need to be that picky about it. I know I want it as colorless as possible with the budget I’m at. I do like the crushed look, square hearts and arrows, and I even liked the first one. (Not much help, I know!)

I consider that good! It open up possibilities relative to faceting. On color, I'm not sure how color sensitive you are, but down to G is usually safe. Some H's as well. As you look at potential stones, ignore the weight. Look at the size in mm. Cushions vary greatly in their spread. Does the I color stone I posted (#1) look like too much color for you (observe from the side).

Additional settings to consider.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ld-pave-accented-tapered-solitiare-item-59056
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ite-pave-cathedral-engagement-ring-item-49519

Hang tight. I hope some of the great cushion selecting PS member will chime in. JA will let you request up to 3 ASET images (they won't have them for every stone). So, you might get some more options tomorrow.

So, have I summarized this correctly?
$5500 setting + stone (likes two JA settings above, $800-$1550)
Cushion (any faceting, but not antique?)
Colorless as possible (D-G, maybe H?)
Eye-clean
As big as possible

 

[ashjade]

I liked the petite pave cathedral setting, as well. I was really set on a halo, though. The pave that I posted previously made me nervous because when I select it with a cushion diamond, in the picture, it seems like the prongs make the cushion look like a princess. As far as budget, as close to $5,000 as I can get it. I would like to get a good clarity as well, I want eye clean, for sure. Of course as colorless as possible. I have until the beginning of March to decide - my boyfriend has told me to have one picked and ready for him to order by then. (Of course we are allowing up to a month for the the ring to actually be made and sent to us.)

 

[ashjade]

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...t/1.11-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4321739

If it helps any, I had this on my wish list once (it was sold) - but I’m not sure if those are great specs or not?

 

[absolutme77]

That’s beautiful! Who was it designed by, if you don’t mind me asking?

It is a James Allen ring.
This one, in platinum - https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-band-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-item-49498

 

[tyty333]

What shape are you looking for shape-wise? Square, rectangular?

Your budget is $5k total (stone and setting)? Or you have a $5k budget for just the STONE?

 

[ashjade]

Yes 5k total.
The halo I had liked from James Allen was a cushion halo.
I don’t care much for the perfect square - I like the rounded edges of the halo cushion, because I’m not much on just round either, I like that it’s a mix of both.

 

[ashjade]

Also, my ring size is a 4. So I need to keep that in mind with my specs, because I still plan on getting a wedding band. I had liked the ovals, but thought they were too big for my finger

 

[tyty333]

Some stones that are worth taking a look at... JA lets you request 3 ASET images from stones that are located in the NY area. If you see 3 that you like,
post them and get comments first before requesting ASETS. I did not look at numbers besides LxW. These stones are not crushed ice. I'm no good at
picking crushed ice.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3212777 lovely stone
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4239612 nice
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3669815
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3109754
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4313444

Here is the bigger list that I put together. There are a few "I" colored stones which would be a little low
for a halo. I would stick with "H" and above.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...02507,3671607,4313444,3675633,3647512,2799727

 

[absolutme77]

Ashjade, tyty333 helped pick out my stone 2 years ago. She finds great stones. Really like the cut of 3671607 (one of the 1.01 H VS2 on the list).

 

[ashjade]

I Appreciate all of the help, but I’m just so overwhelmed with all of the options at this point. I didn’t even know that the diamonds could sit low in the setting, lol. Honestly at first I had looked at Kay’s, but then went online and done research, because I felt like they were pushing me towards an option I didn’t even like, just to make a sale. The more I read online, the more I leaned towards James Allen, then I found this website and decided to create an account, and now here I am. I’m not sure what the best specs are, and that is part of my issue. Should I not get a cushion diamond and get a round instead inside of the cushion halo setting? Or with my budget is it possible to find a good cushion diamond?

 

[Krisking]

@ashjade, yes it's possible! @tyty333 has found you great cushion options if that's what you love!

If you're not sure whether you prefer a round or cushion, then take a step back and give yourself a little time. It's easy to get overwhelmed with options. It might be worth trying on more rings in stores to get a sense of what you like. You should ask, but I doubt JA will need 4 weeks to set a stone into a stock setting. You probably have a little more time than you think.

If you know exactly what you want, go for it. If not, don't rush the decision.

 

[doberman]

The round in cushion halo setting will be a bit more "sparkly" than a cushion in halo due to the nature of the RB cut. But if you like cushions, get one. You can always have a halo setting made to suit the stone which is what I did.

 

[ashjade]

Out of the options above that @tyty333 posted, which do you all think is the best for the setting:

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493

 

[absolutme77]

Whatever diamond you choose, JA builds the ring to fit the diamond. Are you looking for more of a square (I.e. l*w with be close but will have rounded edges) or elongated (will have longer length than width)? I saw on another thread you don’t want it to look like a princess cut which it won’t. My diamond has a 1.01 ratio (square) and you can definitely tell it’s a cushion and not a round or princess.

 

[ashjade]

To be honest I’m not sure, but I like these:

 

[rockysalamander]

Here's a video showing a round vs. cushion in a halo. You can see that the pair of settings are the same, but you can see how the diamonds look a bit different. With such pretty cushion choice from @tyty333, I'd go cushion -- but, you will wear this and need to love it.

I like #1 and 2 of tyty333's list a lot. As they are at the top of your budget, here's another option to consider. This will be slightly higher square area than the two from @tyty333 and more square than elongate.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3599906 {5.96 mm, inclusions in corner will be covered by a prong and this stone offers a great value at nearly $1k less than other options.}
(5.96*5.86)=34.9256

#2 from @tyty333 - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4239612
(6.14*5.63) = 34.5682

#1 from @tyty333 - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3212777
(6.08*5.61)=34.1088

If you look at rounds, this is a great choice. It gives you great spread at 6.09x6.11x3.73 mm.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947678.htm

 

[ashjade]

Love the video comparison - especially when the two halos are compared, with the cushion diamond.

 

[rockysalamander]

If you stick with cushion...once you narrow your list to your top 3, put them on hold at JA. Re-post your choices here before you request ASET just to get a final scrutiny. Then, you'll request ASET from JA. We'll look at those once you get them to see how they actually performance (=volume and distribution of light return). You'll have your final contenders and make a choice. This will all happen in the next 3 days or so as JA gives you the ASET. If they don't get you them in time for the hold to lapse, ask them to extend the hold for you.

At the end of that process, your BF needs to buy the diamond you like ASAP. These diamonds will not be available in March. They may not be available in 3 days. So, make sure to prep your BF to actually move quickly once you set your heart on a stone.

 

[ashjade]

I’ve read that JA doesn’t put diamonds on hold anymore. Is that true?