10-12K Budget for Cushion Please Help

[icehitter]

New poster here, frequent lurker. Looking to buy a cushion cut for wife. She currently wears just a diamond band and I want to get something nice for Christmas close to her dream ring. I know she loves the Verragio Insignia setting so looking for a center stone now. My budget for the diamond only is 10-12K and will have it put in the Verragio setting. I know her dream is to have a 2 carat cushion cut so I want to get as close to that as possible. Her criteria and I quote, were, "Big, sparkly and eye clean". Can anyone here help me find the best/largest diamond for money? I don't really know which areas are best to sacrifice on in order to get the biggest stone that is still going to sparkle. Thanks.

 

[Gypsy]

Does she have color preferences? I will probably be looking at an I and above color to get to the widest possible pool of possibilities and still get a lot of size. Eyeclean, just means eyeclean so I'll look at Si1 and better.

Here are a couple options at B2C:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6330452-1.74-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS2-clarity.aspx Best performer despite slight mush under table
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6330451-1.71-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-VS2-clarity.aspx Highest color
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4773479-1.76-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-IF-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6257388-2.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS2-clarity.aspx Largest but has some compromises to performance.


I'll look some more at other sites.

 

[Gypsy]

At JA you would put this one hold and ask for an ASET. And then post it here:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.70-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-366945 Likely to be a very strong performer

 

[Gypsy]

It's really a balancing act at this point.

Here are two threads you should read (in order). Please read my posts about how to pick cushions cuts:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newbie-looking-for-cushion-cut-engagement-ring-10k.205619/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newbie-looking-for-cushion-cut-engagement-ring-10k.205619/[/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]

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6177205-2.00-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-clarity.aspx This one has a lot of potential. Get an ASET please to check. But it could be 'the one'.

 

[icehitter]

Thanks for all the suggestions and information to go through. I am definitely still learning and picking out a loose stone is not nearly as easy as I thought. I looked at the 2 carat I-VS1 from B2C late last night. I am going to take the wife this weekend to look at more stones in person although I have done a few online searches of their inventory and I'm not getting close to the budget and options as I am by searching through pricescope. Is there anything in particular I need to have her look at her for preference aside from color? Neither of us are very knowledgeable about diamonds and I don't think either of us would notice some of the subtle intricacies that many of you seasoned PCers would but at the same time, we are spending a lot of money so want the absolute best value for our money.

One other thing I thought of...here is a link to the setting she loves. Are there any qualities in the diamond that I need to be aware of that will either highlight or diminish the performance of the stone once set in this particular setting?

http://www.since1910.com/verragio-ins7068cu-split-shank-diamond-engagement-ring

I found a local jeweler who carries this style so I am going to have her look at it in person to make sure that's what she wants but that's where I am now.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[icehitter]

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6177205-2.00-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-clarity.aspx This one has a lot of potential. Get an ASET please to check. But it could be 'the one'.

Just requested one and they are going to get it to me Monday. They said their partner is closed for the Jewish Holiday. I will report back as soon as I receive it.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here are some more options worth considering:

1.7ct, I, VS1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12500/

1.65ct, L, VS1 - August Vintage Cushion (make sure recipient is okay with this color)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11125/

1.4ct, G, SI1
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-140ct-g-si1-cushion-cut-gia-exceptional-stone-r5846

 

[lesliek]

That Verragio setting actually has a round brilliant diamond featured in a cushion halo. It's a popular pick right now... you get the brilliance of the round diamond and the look of a cushion. Wasn't sure if you noticed that

 

[Gypsy]

Setting is a prong set halo. I would personally get the stone and take it into a verragio dealer that has rings in stock (samples) and set the place the stone into or onto the settings just to make sure the color of the stone works for her.

I personally might err toward higher color for a halo than an I--H maybe. But if size is really important to her, she might be fine with an I. It's a personal preference.