2 cushion cut stones...help me choose!!!

[lablover]

I finally figured out what I want and why I am hesitating. Could I be happy with either stone? YES!!! As I have said numerous times they are both very beautiful! What I want is a stone just like stone one, but with a more elongated shape!!!!! I wish stone 1 had more of a 1:1.12 ratio. Sooooo, as many of you have suggested (and I really thank you because you all made me think long and hard about this process and what exactly I want) is I am going to look at some more stones to see if I can find EXACTLY what I want!!!! My husband and I will be spending a lot of money and I shouldn''t settle, right? I am hesitating to pick one of these stones and there has to be a reason for that!!!! I will keep you guys updated!!!! Thank you all again for your input and suggestions. They really have been so very helpful!!!

 

[scarlet16]

Have you told Mark you want a really chunky looking stone?

 

[pixley]

Date: 4/11/2008 1:07:16 PM
Author: lablover
I finally figured out what I want and why I am hesitating. Could I be happy with either stone? YES!!! As I have said numerous times they are both very beautiful! What I want is a stone just like stone one, but with a more elongated shape!!!!! I wish stone 1 had more of a 1:1.12 ratio. Sooooo, as many of you have suggested (and I really thank you because you all made me think long and hard about this process and what exactly I want) is I am going to look at some more stones to see if I can find EXACTLY what I want!!!! My husband and I will be spending a lot of money and I shouldn''t settle, right? I am hesitating to pick one of these stones and there has to be a reason for that!!!! I will keep you guys updated!!!! Thank you all again for your input and suggestions. They really have been so very helpful!!!

Good for you!

You absolutely shouldn''t settle because your stone is out there somewhere, it just may take time to find you! I think what you''re looking for is a rectangular cushion with the facet plot I''ve attached. If you''re working with Mark, send him photos or links to pictures of stones that you like. To see exaples of this type of rectangular cushion, you can search threads for prbaglady, mrssalvo and Neatfreak. Mark found Neatfreak''s and prbaglady''s stones, and mrssalvo''s is a Daniel K. cushion. I think all have EX/EX polish and symmetry. I hope that helps you get closer to your dream stone.

 

[lablover]

Scarlet 16: yup! I spoke with Mark and let him know what I want! He said those kind of cushions are not very common but he is going to look!!!! He''s been great!

Pixley: Thank you so much for all of your help!!! I will check out those stones you mentioned! And the stone from GOG does have the plot you attached! The 2nd cushion had the 4 pointed plot!

Mark released the 2nd stone, but I am still not ready to let go of the 1st stone! I have it on hold for another week or so! I just keep going back to look at the video and picture!!!! I still haven''t ruled out this stone yet....there is just something about it!!!!! The faceting is sooo amazing and eyecatching!!!

Off to check those stones you mentioned pixley...thanks again!

 

[CrookedRock]

Lablover~ I am glad you are not going to settle. I know exactly what you mean by saying that you could be happy with either... I was in a very similar situation with 2 stones at GOG, but something just wasn't clicking for me... But you do have a choice so be patient. If you are into the chunk chunky cushions tell Mark that! I would even go as far as asking him to see if he can find a stone from the same cutter that cut Scarlet and my cushions... that is if that is the look you are going for.

ETA~ I think Scarlet's stone may be exactly what you are looking for! LOL

 

[CrookedRock]

Mark has access to these stones. Maybe it would be worth asking...

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=i&track=btntext_viewselect&elem=img&pid=LD01249361&filter_id=0

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=i&track=btntext_viewselect&elem=img&pid=LD01279016&filter_id=0

Just some thoughts...

 

[pixley]

Linkys for you:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wow-the-new-setting-is-finally-here-naughty.70613/ prbaglady''s

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/back-to-daniel-k-did-i-finally-find-my-upgrade.78310/ mrssalvo''s

 

[scarlet16]

Date: 4/11/2008 4:04:24 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Lablover~ I am glad you are not going to settle. I know exactly what you mean by saying that you could be happy with either... I was in a very similar situation with 2 stones at GOG, but something just wasn''t clicking for me... But you do have a choice so be patient. If you are into the chunk chunky cushions tell Mark that! I would even go as far as asking him to see if he can find a stone from the same cutter that cut Scarlet and my cushions... that is if that is the look you are going for.


ETA~ I think Scarlet''s stone may be exactly what you are looking for! LOL

. The only thing is there''s a difference btwn what Mark got for me (and you CR) and the type of Ex/Ex cushions that GOG has. The ones Mark finds are much more antique-y, and I think the Ex/Ex cushions while somewhat chunky are cut more like round brilliants. I also think you''re more likely to get a slightly longer length w/ the antique-y stones.

I think something like bargaincrazy''s stone is what you''re looking for if you want an ex/ex but in a slightly smaller size (which Mark got actually).

Good eye on those stones CR! Those will def have the chunky facets!

 

[lablover]

Crooked Rock and Pixley: Thank you both so much for spending your time helping me....it is really is appreciated!!! I will check out those links now!!!!

 

[lablover]

Scarlet16: Bargaincrazy''s ring is stunning!!!!! And from my novice ears/eyes (LOL) I do hear/see what you are saying....Jon''s stones have a bit more modern edge to them don''t they...not antiquey (word?) at all!!!!!! Thank you for pointing out bargaincrazy''s ring! Hmmm lots to think about. I think I really need to see what you guys are talking about (antique/chunky) in person and compare it to Jon''s stone!!!! Hopefully Mark will find something for me before the hold on the GOG stone expires.....Thanks again!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I'm with Cravin'. I like more enlongated cushions. Have you asked Jonathan at GOG about his "Cushettes"? They are awesome cushions and I looked at an enlongated one before buying my Jubilee. He can't list them on his site, but he has video on them. You can then request info and pricing. They are beautiful.

 

[diagem]

Date: 4/11/2008 5:24:25 PM
Author: lablover
Scarlet16: Bargaincrazy''s ring is stunning!!!!! And from my novice ears/eyes (LOL) I do hear/see what you are saying....Jon''s stones have a bit more modern edge to them don''t they...not antiquey (word?) at all!!!!!! Thank you for pointing out bargaincrazy''s ring! Hmmm lots to think about. I think I really need to see what you guys are talking about (antique/chunky) in person and compare it to Jon''s stone!!!! Hopefully Mark will find something for me before the hold on the GOG stone expires.....Thanks again!

If you are looking for the Antiquey cushion appearance..., here are a few tips (no straight rules!)

Table small = try less than 55%
High crown height and angles 20%+ CH and above 40 degree CA
Faceting structure should align between 8 crown mains and 8 pavilion mains!!!
Very important (for the chunky feel): culet larger than slightly large!

Good luck!

 

[elmo]

Something I never noticed before but see now with more of this type, what''s the gray ring under the table in the photo of #1?

 

[diagem]

Date: 4/11/2008 8:25:44 PM
Author: elmo
Something I never noticed before but see now with more of this type, what''s the gray ring under the table in the photo of #1?

That effect will get more noticeable when the 8 crown and 8 pavilion mains dont align with each-other!

 

[lablover]

Neverendingupgrade: Thanks on the info about the cushettes...I checked out the video on the GOG website...they are beautiful stones!!!!!

 

[lablover]

Date: 4/12/2008 5:02:28 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 4/11/2008 8:25:44 PM
Author: elmo
Something I never noticed before but see now with more of this type, what''s the gray ring under the table in the photo of #1?

That effect will get more noticeable when the 8 crown and 8 pavilion mains dont align with each-other!

You lost me!!! I do see the grayish ring in the table....is this a bad thing???? And is it very noticable on this stone? The stone has excellent symmetry...would this pertain to what you guys are talking about???? Would this effect get worse with a less symmetrical stone?

Oh and I should have posted this earlier but here is a link to watch a movie clip about my stone....what do you all think???

movie about stone 1

As I think you can tell...I had no trouble letting go of stone 2. The thought of losing stone 1 is troubling me....I can''t stop watching the movie about it and staring at the picture!!!!! There is something about the optics that keeps drawing me in!!!!

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 4/11/2008 4:48:00 PM
Author: scarlet16

Date: 4/11/2008 4:04:24 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Lablover~ I am glad you are not going to settle. I know exactly what you mean by saying that you could be happy with either... I was in a very similar situation with 2 stones at GOG, but something just wasn''t clicking for me... But you do have a choice so be patient. If you are into the chunk chunky cushions tell Mark that! I would even go as far as asking him to see if he can find a stone from the same cutter that cut Scarlet and my cushions... that is if that is the look you are going for.


ETA~ I think Scarlet''s stone may be exactly what you are looking for! LOL

. The only thing is there''s a difference btwn what Mark got for me (and you CR) and the type of Ex/Ex cushions that GOG has. The ones Mark finds are much more antique-y, and I think the Ex/Ex cushions while somewhat chunky are cut more like round brilliants. I also think you''re more likely to get a slightly longer length w/ the antique-y stones.

I think something like bargaincrazy''s stone is what you''re looking for if you want an ex/ex but in a slightly smaller size (which Mark got actually).

Good eye on those stones CR! Those will def have the chunky facets!

I don''t know if you remember or not, but I made that incredible drive from the city out to see Jon for the stone that I thought was "the one"... and sadly it wasn''t. Don''t get me wrong it was beautiful!! Seriously!! BUt it didn''t accomplish the big chunkiness that I was looking for. Jon tends to have an amazing eye for the more modern looking stones like MrsS'' etc... Mark tends to pick the chunkier stones. But I do know that Jon knows where our stones came from and can get them too... I think he just likes to find those EX/EX stones, and Mark is more into looking and deciding which he deems to be great.

I also want to say that I have to disagree with DiaGem about the culet. (Sorry DiaGem) This is totally a personal preference thing!!! And for the record I looked at stones that had culets that were Medium and they were far larger than some of the Large graded culets that I saw. Jon''s stone that I drove out to see had a slightly large culet and I could hardly see it. The culet on my stone is graded as Small but Leon was shocked to hear that nd said he would have called it Medium. He says that he sees a lots of stones and he still can''t figure out how the heck GIA grades the culets. There doesn''t seem to be rhyme or reason...
Just some food for thought!

Scarlet~ That''s why I always go to BlueNile to look for cushions... you can see what the cert says!! Mine was on BN...

 

[diagem]

Date: 4/12/2008 10:20:32 AM
Author: CrookedRock

I also want to say that I have to disagree with DiaGem about the culet. (Sorry DiaGem) This is totally a personal preference thing!!! And for the record I looked at stones that had culets that were Medium and they were far larger than some of the Large graded culets that I saw. Jon''s stone that I drove out to see had a slightly large culet and I could hardly see it. The culet on my stone is graded as Small but Leon was shocked to hear that nd said he would have called it Medium. He says that he sees a lots of stones and he still can''t figure out how the heck GIA grades the culets. There doesn''t seem to be rhyme or reason...
Just some food for thought!

CR..., you got me confused

!


Which part are you disagreeing with me?

 

[pixley]

DG~
I think she meant that the culet didn''t have to be labeled as larger than slightly large to be an antique looking chunky-monkey cushion.

Lablover,
How goes the hunt?

 

[lablover]

Hi Pixley! Haven''t heard back from the 2nd vendor yet!!!! I was hoping to hear something today...but no such luck. He did say it may take some time to find a stone with that chunkier look!!! I hope to hear soon b/c I''m not sure I want to let that first stone go!!!! Hopefully I will hear from him soon and be able to see another stone or two!!!! I will let you know when I hear from him! In the meantime, I have been looking at different settings!!!! My husband is too funny...he really could care less about this whole process (he humors me though

)...but last night I was looking at Bacchus'' (spelling-sorry) Leon M ring and he was very impressed!!!!) It takes a lot to tear his eyes away from the NHL playoffs!!!! I was originally thinking a simple and classic solitare...but now I''m not sure LOL!!! Can I get anymore indecisive???? LOL!!!!

Oh two things I wanted to add.....Crooked Rock, if you are still following this thread...I almost fell off my couch when I saw your stone...Holy crap....it is beautiful!!!! I read your original thread about it!!!! If we could afford something like that I would own it in a heartbeat!!!! And that is coming from a very low key, blue jeans and sneakers kind of gal!!!!! What is it about diamonds that turns us all to mush!!!

And Pixley...if that is your daughter in your avatar...such a cutie!!!!!!

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 4/14/2008 6:06:43 PM
Author: pixley
DG~
I think she meant that the culet didn't have to be labeled as larger than slightly large to be an antique looking chunky-monkey cushion.

Lablover,
How goes the hunt?

You got it pixley...
Like I said, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to how they classify the culet size.

Lablover~ Thanks for the compliment, I couldn't be happier with the stone. Mark really picked me a great one. And trust me, I'm a jeans gal too!! I just know me and know that I'm too sentimental to ever upgrade, so he wanted to go big to begin with and he got no argument from me!! It's funny though bc whenever someone gets an upgrade here I tell him about it and he keeps telling me to stop getting ideas! LOL
Your stone is out there!! Hopefully Mark of Jon can find you the perfect one. Keep us posted!!

 

[pixley]

Date: 4/14/2008 7:53:37 PM
Author: lablover
Hi Pixley! Haven''t heard back from the 2nd vendor yet!!!! I was hoping to hear something today...but no such luck. He did say it may take some time to find a stone with that chunkier look!!! I hope to hear soon b/c I''m not sure I want to let that first stone go!!!! Hopefully I will hear from him soon and be able to see another stone or two!!!! I will let you know when I hear from him! In the meantime, I have been looking at different settings!!!! My husband is too funny...he really could care less about this whole process (he humors me though

)...but last night I was looking at Bacchus'' (spelling-sorry) Leon M ring and he was very impressed!!!!) It takes a lot to tear his eyes away from the NHL playoffs!!!! I was originally thinking a simple and classic solitare...but now I''m not sure LOL!!! Can I get anymore indecisive???? LOL!!!!


Oh two things I wanted to add.....Crooked Rock, if you are still following this thread...I almost fell off my couch when I saw your stone...Holy crap....it is beautiful!!!! I read your original thread about it!!!! If we could afford something like that I would own it in a heartbeat!!!! And that is coming from a very low key, blue jeans and sneakers kind of gal!!!!! What is it about diamonds that turns us all to mush!!!

And Pixley...if that is your daughter in your avatar...such a cutie!!!!!!

Don''t worry, these things take time. If ever there was anyone who could get you what you want it''s Mark T. or Jon. I am in awe of the stones they get their hands on.

It''s so funny to hear that you were actually able to tear your husband away from hockey to look at Leon Mege''s work. Men really seem to get it when they see his exquisite craftsmanship. It''s delicious. I can''t think of any designs that my husband and I both had such strong reactions towards as when we saw Boston_Jeff''s Leon solitaire. What a revelation. Bacchus'' ring is incredible too. There''s just too much beautiful stuff to choose from on his site. WAAAY too much.

Yes, that''s my little girl, Marina, in my avatar. It''s out of frame, but the reason she''s smiling so big is because there''s a HUGE hot fudge sundae in front of her. I thank you for the compliment on her behalf. She is a cutie patootie for sure.

Keep us posted and keep an eye out for stones that may meet your requirements on Blue Nile. Mark is usually within walking distance of most of those listed stones and Jon may know the seller holding the stone to determine whether it''s worth a look.

 

[diagem]

Date: 4/14/2008 8:18:56 PM
Author: CrookedRock

Date: 4/14/2008 6:06:43 PM
Author: pixley
DG~
I think she meant that the culet didn''t have to be labeled as larger than slightly large to be an antique looking chunky-monkey cushion.

Lablover,
How goes the hunt?

You got it pixley...
Like I said, there doesn''t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to how they classify the culet size.

Lablover~ Thanks for the compliment, I couldn''t be happier with the stone. Mark really picked me a great one. And trust me, I''m a jeans gal too!! I just know me and know that I''m too sentimental to ever upgrade, so he wanted to go big to begin with and he got no argument from me!! It''s funny though bc whenever someone gets an upgrade here I tell him about it and he keeps telling me to stop getting ideas! LOL
Your stone is out there!! Hopefully Mark of Jon can find you the perfect one. Keep us posted!!

Exactly...

Thats why I said "larger" than slightly large! As GIA''s slightly large is a "small" joke...

...just like some other perimeters in their Cushion-Cut reports!

 

[CrookedRock]

DiaGem~ Glad that was clarified... But I still think that culet size is a personal preference. If i could have found one without a culet I would have taken it! Just waht I personally prefer though! But I do think the lil slit in my stone gives it character

 

[diagem]

Date: 4/15/2008 8:12:04 AM
Author: CrookedRock
DiaGem~ Glad that was clarified... But I still think that culet size is a personal preference. If i could have found one without a culet I would have taken it! Just waht I personally prefer though! But I do think the lil slit in my stone gives it character

The bottom line is...., Diamonds beauty is all about "personal" preference!!! But a sizeable open culet will show signs of antiquity and definitely add chunk to its appearance! (for those who want chunky.

)

 

[lablover]

Alright guys...I have another stone in the running! I don''t have the exact specs on this one as Mark was going out of the country today...and unfortunately won''t be back for a while! I know it is a 1.5 E VS1. That''s about all I know...although I am not too concerned about the other numbers as Mark''s reputation assures me it is a good stone!

Here is my problem! Mark said he was having a lot of trouble finding a rectangular chunky stone. It seems that the cutters are going for the more square looking chunky stones now!!!! He actually had to get the stone sent from Europe! So as you can see the stone is more square shaped...I think he said 1: 1.5.

I went and looked at stone #1 again to make sure I liked the fluorescence thing...and I can tell you it is very cool looking! It has a faint purple glow (that is the best way I can describe it) in the bright sunlight...not cloudy or oily at all!!!! And I have to tell you it makes my channel set wedding band that has F, VS stones in it look horrible! Sooo, I think I am going to go with the Ritani endless love setting (no halo) and get a new wedding band to match and put my current wedding band on my right hand!!! Yeah...the budget keeps going up and up!!!!

I was all set to confirm the purchase of stone 1...but I wanted to run it by you guys for your opinion!!!!!

The thing is...if I wait to see the new stone...I will most likely lose the 1st one!!! I only have a few more days left on the hold!!! I have been looking for a while now and I have not come close to finding a stone like stone #1. I can tell from the picture of the new stone that the new one is going to be more chunky, right? I just don''t know if I want to risk it!!!! I really love stone 1...I walked out of GOG today 100% sure this was my stone!!!!!

What do you guys think? I know its hard to tell from the picture...but any and all opinions would be appreciated!!! As always...THANK YOU!!!!!!

 

[lablover]

Here is stone one again so you don''t have to scroll back!!!

 

[lablover]

Bump!!!

 

[diagem]

Date: 4/17/2008 7:45:23 PM
Author: lablover
Alright guys...I have another stone in the running! I don''t have the exact specs on this one as Mark was going out of the country today...and unfortunately won''t be back for a while! I know it is a 1.5 E VS1. That''s about all I know...although I am not too concerned about the other numbers as Mark''s reputation assures me it is a good stone!

Here is my problem! Mark said he was having a lot of trouble finding a rectangular chunky stone. It seems that the cutters are going for the more square looking chunky stones now!!!! He actually had to get the stone sent from Europe! So as you can see the stone is more square shaped...I think he said 1: 1.5.

I went and looked at stone #1 again to make sure I liked the fluorescence thing...and I can tell you it is very cool looking! It has a faint purple glow (that is the best way I can describe it) in the bright sunlight...not cloudy or oily at all!!!! And I have to tell you it makes my channel set wedding band that has F, VS stones in it look horrible! Sooo, I think I am going to go with the Ritani endless love setting (no halo) and get a new wedding band to match and put my current wedding band on my right hand!!! Yeah...the budget keeps going up and up!!!!

I was all set to confirm the purchase of stone 1...but I wanted to run it by you guys for your opinion!!!!!

The thing is...if I wait to see the new stone...I will most likely lose the 1st one!!! I only have a few more days left on the hold!!! I have been looking for a while now and I have not come close to finding a stone like stone #1. I can tell from the picture of the new stone that the new one is going to be more chunky, right? I just don''t know if I want to risk it!!!! I really love stone 1...I walked out of GOG today 100% sure this was my stone!!!!!

What do you guys think? I know its hard to tell from the picture...but any and all opinions would be appreciated!!! As always...THANK YOU!!!!!!

I am missing an open culet...., part of the ensemble...

 

[chrono]

It looks like the culet comes to a point; I don''t know your preference for it though. If you want chunky, it looks like Mark''s stone is it. Even without numbers, I prefer Mark''s new cushion over GOG''s. Just wished it has a medium to large culet.