2 ct. Cushion Aset help!

[iota15]

I've been searching on my own for a long time - mostly because I wanted a radiant and then realized that I wanted a rectangularish cushion for its broader flashes. I also wanted a large face up size. I finally contacted WF because they had something promising (it wasn't). These two stones have been sent for me to look at instead.

Neither Aset is thrilling me, although the first is definitely better than the second. I like the squared/rectangularish nature of the second one more, as I'm still in love with radiants - just not their generally watery, pinfire flashes. Both have nice shapes though.

What do you think? (pictures below)

 

[iota15]

Stone 1
65 depth
63 table
12.2 crown (for you Lorelei)

 

[iota15]

Stone 1 pic

 

[iota15]

They have great face up sizes - 57 sq. mm (8* x 7*) but I have to find something else, right?

 

[iota15]

Stone 2
66 depth
71 table - (too large, eh?)
10.2 crown

 

[iota15]

Stone 2-

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/19/2010 10:00:00 PM
Author:iota15
I've been searching on my own for a long time - mostly because I wanted a radiant and then realized that I wanted a rectangularish cushion for its broader flashes. I also wanted a large face up size. I finally contacted WF because they had something promising (it wasn't). These two stones have been sent for me to look at instead.

Neither Aset is thrilling me, although the first is definitely better than the second. I like the squared/rectangularish nature of the second one more, as I'm still in love with radiants - just not their generally watery, pinfire flashes. Both have nice shapes though.

What do you think? (pictures below)

It would be best to decide what type of cushion cut you like first. The largest virtual facets and flashes in cushion cuts can be found in vintage style 8 main cushion brilliants the trick will be to find stones with very square outlines similar to your preference in the second picture. By sticking to stones with very square outlines ie (LW ~ 1 - 1.05) you will like see less rounding of the corners and a more square outline which seems to be your preference.

The two cushions you have attached in this thread are both 4 main cushion brilliants with shallow crowns and steep pavillions and are not what I would reccomend for someone looking for broader flash. If you post your budget and ideal specs myself or another poster can help you find potential candidates.
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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 cushion brilliant 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

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/19/2010 10:14:17 PM
Author: iota15
Stone 1
65 depth
63 table
12.2 crown (for you Lorelei)

LOL! Thats incredibly thoughtful of you iota!

Have you been reading up and looking around and know what type of cushion you want? Are you absolutely sure you wouldn't still prefer a radiant?

 

[Dreamer_D]

I much prefer the first for shape/facet pattern, and ASET.

 

[iota15]

I think a four-main might be okay, CCL. I saw Jon at GOG''s video comparing 4 and 8 mains and I''m not sure, after that video, that I can generalize 4 or 8 mains. I think either would work for me.

I''m hoping to find the following:

1.1 to 1.8 ratio
H eyeclean
Face-up - around 8 mm x 7 mm.
Below $13,000
Broader flashes (but I feel the AVC''s four fat mains under the table are a little too fat for me, if that makes any sense).

 

[Gypsy]

Can I say that neither is doing much for me? I would look through SMRT and see who''s cushion you like best, then email the pics to your vendor and tell them you want one with a similar look and see what they say.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 3/21/2010 3:09:55 AM
Author: iota15
I think a four-main might be okay, CCL. I saw Jon at GOG''s video comparing 4 and 8 mains and I''m not sure, after that video, that I can generalize 4 or 8 mains. I think either would work for me.

While Jon''s videos are excellent, I personally have a strong preference towards the 8 mains. I didn''t feel the video and lighting conditions illustrated the true beauty of the 8 mains which does extremly well in office settings. I had to see it for myself in real life before I knew.

Good luck with your search.

 

[iota15]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies. Am I correct in thinking that neither cushion above is "good enough"?

 

[iota15]

Lorelei, I had looked at quite a few radiants in person. I love the shape and angular-ness of it. When I went to New York last year for a very brief trip, I realized that as much as I liked radiants in large blown up images, the larger flashes from cushions really drew my eye.

I'm looking to do a tapered baguette setting with whatever main stone I find. This Harry Winston beauty was what drew me to this setting: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-engaged-and-heres-my-gorgeous-e-ring.121006/ My gawd, it is gorgeous! But in person, I prefer broader flashes to the pinfire flashes.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1279848.asp Is this close (except for size) to what you want?

These are I colored cushions, but they look promising.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280508.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1114534.asp

I went to JA cause they have photos, which makes it easier to chose more ''radiant-like'' cushions.

 

[iota15]

While in New York, I saw this Radiant that I thought was beautiful in person. The only problem was that it was an "I" color. When I saw a tint (next to an open window inside an office), I backed away from it. Do you think I''ll see the "I" color once set? What do you guys think of the Aset? Will I even care about the color when I''m looking at it everyday?

 

[iota15]

Aset

 

[Gypsy]

Radiants trap color. That''s what the cut does. They look yellower if there is a tint. I don''t know if a cushion with more spintered facetting would have the same effect, but on the plus side JA has a NY office if you can back there any time soon. It is by appointment only though.

 

[iota15]

Unfortunately, I crossed a border and about four time zones to get to New York. I can't be back anytime soon.

Gypsy, those last two cushions you referred me to look promising. They're "I's too though. Do you think I should look at them or have JA send me their Aset images?

When I went to Tiffany's - granted I was randomly browsing at rounds, but I didn't notice color with their "I's. But this was also inside the store with their lights and again, it's a round - so I doubt that they're any comparator for me at all.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/21/2010 3:31:51 AM
Author: iota15
While in New York, I saw this Radiant that I thought was beautiful in person. The only problem was that it was an ''I'' color. When I saw a tint (next to an open window inside an office), I backed away from it. Do you think I''ll see the ''I'' color once set? What do you guys think of the Aset? Will I even care about the color when I''m looking at it everyday?

Hi Iota

I did answer your other thread concerning this radiant but I wanted to address the point above, as you have seen the stone and it does show more warmth than you prefer ( as Gypsy states, radiants can show more colour), then it is possible mounting the diamond won''t improve matters that much.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/21/2010 3:49:44 AM
Author: iota15
Unfortunately, I crossed a border and about four time zones to get to New York. I can''t be back anytime soon.

Gypsy, those last two cushions you referred me to look promising. They''re ''I''s too though. Do you think I should look at them or have JA send me their Aset images?

When I went to Tiffany''s - granted I was randomly browsing at rounds, but I didn''t notice color with their ''I''s. But this was also inside the store with their lights and again, it''s a round - so I doubt that they''re any comparator for me at all.

It sounds like you prefer the appearance of modern faceted cushions as you prefer a very flat outline and medium sized virtual facets, not the large ones and more rounded outline found in a vintage 8 main.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280508.asp (this one shows the most promise in terms of light performance). I would request an ASET for this diamond if you would like us to comment its potential light return and size of the flash.

You will notice color the most in lower lighting conditions(by the window, under a table etc.) and viewing the diamond from the side away from the bright jewelry store lighting. It would be a valid test to look at a round in an I color to generalize your color preference as there shouldn''t be an enormous difference between the color perceived from side between two GIA graded I color brilliant cut diamonds with different shape outlines.

Wf didn''t have anything suitable in their premium selections, the GOG website is down but once up I''ll give a quick look for other modern 4 main or 8 main cushions or cushette diamonds close to your preferences.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I like the diamond #1280508 both Gypsy and CCL posted. I will be honest with you - I have always noticed a "tint" or warmth in I colored stones. You might not see it in Tiffany store lighting but I could see it in other settings. I am also very color sensitive.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/21/2010 3:09:55 AM
Author: iota15
I think a four-main might be okay, CCL. I saw Jon at GOG's video comparing 4 and 8 mains and I'm not sure, after that video, that I can generalize 4 or 8 mains. I think either would work for me.

I'm hoping to find the following:

1.1 to 1.8 ratio
H eyeclean
Face-up - around 8 mm x 7 mm.
Below $13,000
Broader flashes (but I feel the AVC's four fat mains under the table are a little too fat for me, if that makes any sense).

I'm not finding much with great light return and chunky flash in 4 main cushions, you will find several stones with medicore light performance but nothing great.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7027/ (over your budget and more squareish though)

I'd ask Jon at GOG what he can show you in a cushette or a 4 main cushion with your specs.

Good-Luck,

CCL