~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchase!

[stizzi]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking here for a while, doing research and was hoping you could help me with my purchase.

I'm looking to purchase the following:

Shape: Square cushion cut
Solitaire
2.0ct
Color: H-J
Cut: Excellent
Clarity: VS1 or VS2
Cert: GIA
Budget ~$20k


It'll be on a white gold tiffany setting or cartier 1895 custom ring. Thoughts? I'm also leaning towards a J because it seems like you can't really tell the color difference to the naked eye and if I could save some coin there, that works for me.

I've started speaking with GoG since I live in NY and they are just an hour away. Are there other reputable sellers in the NY area that are also preferred vendors of users on this forum?

I don't know much about the depth, crown, etc. How important is all of that for the type of diamond I am looking for?

 

[cjhom]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

I just finished my ring with Yekutiel at IDJ. Highly recommend, he is honest and fair, will not push you to buy.

 

[tyty333]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

While I like Tiffany for rounds I much prefer the 1895 for a cushion.

I would stick with "I" color or higher but really it all depends on the stone. What type of cushion are you looking for?
You can look at this thread to see some of the different cushion cuts.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]

Edit - BTW, you cant buy fancy cut stones (cushions) by the numbers. You have to use pictures, aset and idealscope images
so it would be good if you could work with vendors that provide those. GOG does...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

Good Old Gold is an excellent source for cushions. You have no reason to go down to J color (which I would not recommend in a modern cushion) because your budget will allow for higher color. No, numbers are not as important as the image of the stone and light return images. GOG will do all that for you.

Examples:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/2.06-Cushion--GIA-H-VS2-diamond-stock-CU11996-cert-6191875488

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/2.01-Cushion--GIA-H-VS2-diamond-stock-CU22692-cert-1213180834

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

I didn't see any antique cushions at GOG that fell into your budget, but Victor Canera has several and I do not mind I-J color in antique cushions. Victor is a well known custom ring maker, so there are lots of options there. He does happen to make the Trueste solitaire that is similar to the 1895.

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds?shape=antique-cushion&minCarat=1.99&maxCarat=2.28&color=i,j&clarity=vvs2,vs1,vs2

https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-trueste-solitaire

https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-trueste-with-pave

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

Let's start at the beginning.

Is this for you or for someone else? If it is for someone else, what are their SPECIFIC preferences? And how did you discover them?

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

Thanks everyone for your help so far, I'll look into VC for my search as well.

Let's start at the beginning.

Is this for you or for someone else? If it is for someone else, what are their SPECIFIC preferences? And how did you discover them?

It's for my gf. I know she wants a square cushion because we dropped by a jewelry store while I pretended to purchase a watch and casually asked her whether she likes round vs princess cut diamonds. She said round is definitely not what she likes, and that princess cut is too sharp, she ended up pointing to one that was the same as a princess cut but had round edges. The jeweler said it was a cushion cut.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

First and foremost....




GREAT job sleuthing and listening. I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to hear you say that.

Since you are 6 months out its too early for us to post stones for you.

But it's a good time to do some research.

First and foremost you need to decide on faceting. Modern faceting or antique faceting are very different.

Here are some threads to get you started. Please study them and follow the links. If you have questions ask us here and we'll help you best we can.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-on-ja-cushion-cut.207957/#post-3783194#p3783194']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-on-ja-cushion-cut.207957/#post-3783194#p3783194[/URL]
And this:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/[/URL]
Then this:
[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]
Then this:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/e-ring-search-30k.218669/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/e-ring-search-30k.218669/[/URL]
And this:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]

And here's some basic information to start you off:
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. There's nothing on a GIA lab report that can help you pick a well cut cushion-- table, depth.... it's all information, but it's not enough information to select a high performing stone with cushions. You can, to some extent eliminate cushions from a GIA lab report, but select, no. There really is no other way to determine if you have a good cushions is to see images of the stones, and then you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut.

That's what an ASET image does. http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance Please read.
And ASET shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return That is why you won't see us recommending vendors like Blue Nile, as they do not provide images or ASET images for their diamonds. James Allen (with some stones) and Good Old Gold do this. So do Brian Gavin and Whiteflash . There are other vendors like B2C and Enchanted Diamonds do too for some of their stones.

Or you can get an AGS0 cushions, but those are rare, and usually branded. GIA does not grade their cushions for performance. Only AGS does. And any lab other than GIA or AGS is not worth considering at all. Vendor cut scores on websites (especially B2C and Enchanted Diamonds) are generally not reliable although the top cushion lines (Signature lines) at BGD (hearts and arrows), BE and GOG are usually excellent performers. Hearts and arrow cushions might be appealing to some buyers because of the performance. But in person some of them can look just like a round in a four prongs setting and may not be a good choice for someone who really wants something that is NOT a round.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

On color:

It is important to remember is that color is graded FACE DOWN. Where there is NO light return. Not face up where there is light return and refraction. You wear diamonds set. FACE UP.



Within one color grade, even the labs can't agree on the color grades of stones and something could be a "high" H or a "low" E. Within 2 color grades it is hard. Not impossible. But very hard. And it gets harder once set. If you are talking ideal rounds, or any stone with ideal light return and no sharp corners it gets harder still because the ideal light return masks body color.

Generally we say to be conservative stay above H if you DO NOT KNOW YOUR LADY'S COLOR PREFERENCES. We do not recommend I or J in fancies for a gift for people, unless there is no other choice in order to meet size and budget requirements.

If you are talking fancy shapes without ideal light return (because there is no 'ideal' for EC's Radiant, etc) it's a bit different as the lack of ideal light return or faceting in some shapes may require you to stick to G or better if you want a truly white stone. Cushions you can usually go to H safely though as long as the performance is there .

This is how I think of it.

Ever gotten one of those HUGE paint fan decks? Where there are literally 100s of colors of whites? And when they are RIGHT next to each other you can TOTALLY tell that one is bluer/colder and one is a bit warmer and which one is one is TOTALLY warmer. One there's one that's slightly greener. One that's slightly pinker? But really. They are all white?

Then you pick one after agonizing over this white or that white and when it's on the walls and people are like: Oh. You painted again. And it's STILL white. Great.

And you're all... BUT it's BLUE white. Or it's a WARM white now. It used to be ____ white. It's TOTALLY different.

It's like that. You are talking about shades of white. D is colder... J is warmer. But it's all white.

YES. If you have an accurately graded F and an H THAT HAVE THE SAME PERFORMANCE you are going to be able to tell them apart when you compare them side by side. Just like you would be able to tell if you painted your walls a warm white, but painted the crown molding a cold/straight white. But both are STILL white, you only see the contrast because of the proximity. But it's very slight, you could set an F center with G sides and never tell the difference. And even H sides depending on the setting and the size of the sidestones... especially with round brilliants.


I want you notice all the qualifiers thought. I'm talking about stones with the SAME performance. An ideal H will out white an F that has compromised light performance from a poor cut.

NOTHING impacts the appearance of a diamond as much as cut. CUT is king.

You want the shiniest whitest and brightest diamond out there: Cut is King. No other factor, not color or clarity or anything else impacts how white bright an shiny a stone is.

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

First and foremost....




GREAT job sleuthing and listening. I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to hear you say that.

Since you are 6 months out its too early for us to post stones for you.

Firstly, thank you for all the helpful information you've pointed me to. I'll have to get through all next weekend.

Also, her ring size is 4.75. I'm considering dropping the size from a 2.0ct to a 1.8ct based on some feedback I got from her girlfriends about how large it will look on her finger and that it'll stick out everyday at work (she works in finance). Thoughts?

I'm also proposing in 6 months, so I'm ready to buy the stone asap if I find the right now, so please do share stones.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

Why are you proposing 6 months from now?

1800 maximum for a platinum setting.

Regarding size: Cushions face up much smaller than rounds. So you are just fine in a 2 carat cushion. Trust me.

I feel very comfortable telling you to buy this one right now: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-02-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-1JPUU4

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

I agree with Gypsy that 2 cts in a cushion is a very good idea! And I also think to myself, if you are ready to buy the ring, why wait 6 months? She'd probably be much happier not waiting another 6 months!

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

I wanted to do it when we went to Greece later this year in October or so, hence the ~6 months.

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

Why are you proposing 6 months from now?

1800 maximum for a platinum setting.

Regarding size: Cushions face up much smaller than rounds. So you are just fine in a 2 carat cushion. Trust me.

I feel very comfortable telling you to buy this one right now: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-02-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-1JPUU4

That looks stunning, and they're located in NY so I can drop by to see it in person. I'll send an email to them to see if I can book a viewing. Are they a vendor on these forums? It's my first time hearing about them.

I feel like the price difference between a 1.7ct and 2.0 ct is drastic. Is it that noticeable? Also, had no idea platinum settings were that cheap, I thought a platinum tiffany setting replica would set me back way more.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

You can get a very high quality platinum solitiare for that price. EASILY.

You just want an all metal solitaire right?

A lot of ED's stones are overseas. So you may have to order it. They have a great return policy. If you had read the links I had posted for you, you would see another fabulous cushion-- also 2 carats-- I found for another buyer on Enchanted Diamonds. They ordered it and we met in person (they are located near me) and we evaluated the stone together. He also sent it to a couple appraisers just for his piece of mine. Nicest modern cushion I've ever seen in person.

That G VS stone is a winner. No mistake.

His was an F VS2. And the faceting is the same in yours.

I've had another buyer I was helping (also close to me) order several 3 carat ovals from them. Ultimately, they came to the conclusion that while they love ovals on the internet they prefer other shapes in person (happens sometimes) so they returned them all.

Yes, ED is relatively new. In the last 6 months I've had several people referred to them for fancies and they've always been very happy with the resulting stone.

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

You can get a very high quality platinum solitiare for that price. EASILY.

You just want an all metal solitaire right?

A lot of ED's stones are overseas. So you may have to order it. They have a great return policy. If you had read the links I had posted for you, you would see another fabulous cushion-- also 2 carats-- I found for another buyer on Enchanted Diamonds. They ordered it and we met in person (they are located near me) and we evaluated the stone together. He also sent it to a couple appraisers just for his piece of mine. Nicest modern cushion I've ever seen in person.

That G VS stone is a winner. No mistake.

His was an F VS2. And the faceting is the same in yours.

I've had another buyer I was helping (also close to me) order several 3 carat ovals from them. Ultimately, they came to the conclusion that while they love ovals on the internet they prefer other shapes in person (happens sometimes) so they returned them all.

Yes, ED is relatively new. In the last 6 months I've had several people referred to them for fancies and they've always been very happy with the resulting stone.

Yes, just an all metal solitaire (Cartier 1895 or Tiffany classic setting replica setting).

I've made an appointment to check out the ring at ED on July 21 (will be purchasing it before hand since it's not on-site). They said it's likely that it may be sold by then. I see a few others on ED's site that are in the showroom in the 1.7-2.0 range.

What do you think of these?
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-02-Carat-J-Color-VS1-Clarity-Diamond-MDQBT6
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-02-Carat-I-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-UE7NHE
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-1-8-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-B46WZJ
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-01-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-1YHT8H

I'm considering dropping my budget down to $15k after seeing some of the prices on ED's website. I can either drop on the cts from 2.0 to 1.7ish, or drop the color since I don't think she will mind a J. Since her ring size is 4.75, GoG mentioned that a 1.7 will be pretty impressive already.

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

I wanted to do it when we went to Greece later this year in October or so, hence the ~6 months.

Awesome - and romantic!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

The last three diamonds you picked have horrible performance. I would not buy a J for an engagement ring for someone else. Not in a cushion.

You get to do this once. Do it right. You have not read anything I've posted for you.

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

The last three diamonds you picked have horrible performance. I would not buy a J for an engagement ring for someone else. Not in a cushion.

You get to do this once. Do it right. You have not read anything I've posted for you.

Understood. I haven't read any of the material you sent like I mentioned previously, I plan on sitting down and going through it all this weekend. I'll post questions after getting through those next week
Thanks again for your help!!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

Why are you proposing 6 months from now?

1800 maximum for a platinum setting.

Regarding size: Cushions face up much smaller than rounds. So you are just fine in a 2 carat cushion. Trust me.

I feel very comfortable telling you to buy this one right now: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-02-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-1JPUU4

I'm speaking to ED but they said this is highly rectangular. The gf was explicit in saying she wanted a square shaped cushion, not rectangular.

They recommended these, what do you think:

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/search?carat_max=2.0&carat_min=1.7&clarity=VS2,VS1,FL,IF,VVS1,VVS2&color=D,E,F,G,H&heirloom=true&shape=Cushion&wire_price_max=15140.0#diamond=C170-389Z241Z8

 

[Marquise_Madness]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

You can get a very high quality platinum solitiare for that price. EASILY.

You just want an all metal solitaire right?

A lot of ED's stones are overseas. So you may have to order it. They have a great return policy. If you had read the links I had posted for you, you would see another fabulous cushion-- also 2 carats-- I found for another buyer on Enchanted Diamonds. They ordered it and we met in person (they are located near me) and we evaluated the stone together. He also sent it to a couple appraisers just for his piece of mine. Nicest modern cushion I've ever seen in person.

That G VS stone is a winner. No mistake.

His was an F VS2. And the faceting is the same in yours.

I've had another buyer I was helping (also close to me) order several 3 carat ovals from them. Ultimately, they came to the conclusion that while they love ovals on the internet they prefer other shapes in person (happens sometimes) so they returned them all.

Yes, ED is relatively new. In the last 6 months I've had several people referred to them for fancies and they've always been very happy with the resulting stone.

Yes, just an all metal solitaire (Cartier 1895 or Tiffany classic setting replica setting).

I've made an appointment to check out the ring at ED on July 21 (will be purchasing it before hand since it's not on-site). They said it's likely that it may be sold by then. I see a few others on ED's site that are in the showroom in the 1.7-2.0 range.

What do you think of these?
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-02-Carat-J-Color-VS1-Clarity-Diamond-MDQBT6
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-02-Carat-I-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-UE7NHE
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-1-8-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-B46WZJ
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-2-01-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-1YHT8H

I'm considering dropping my budget down to $15k after seeing some of the prices on ED's website. I can either drop on the cts from 2.0 to 1.7ish, or drop the color since I don't think she will mind a J. Since her ring size is 4.75, GoG mentioned that a 1.7 will be pretty impressive already.

Yeah- and then maybe give her a nice budget for a band. There are some beautiful bands that add up pretty quickly, especially if she wants diamonds on or in the band. Or you could get a really nice ring box too such as the Mrs. Box or I think there are some that are flat.

By the way, rings set off metal detectors in pockets. My fiancé had the box in his pocket and we were in a theater and the security wand went in his pocket and thankfully I didn't see!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C175-10805Z318
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C170-389Z241Z8


Those are the two worth buying in that lot. I really think you are making a mistake going under 2 carats. Cushions face up small.
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C202-59142Z76Z if eyeclean

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

I totally agree with Gypsy. You need 2 cts in a cushion to be similar to a 1.8 ct in a round.

This is the only kind of cushion I would do in J color, and I'd set it in the Cartier style setting which Victor happens to make:

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/fyx2v9-2.158-j-vvs2-ideal-antique-cushion

https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-trueste-solitaire

Very few people have seen or can access excellent cut antique style cushions, but honestly, they are so beautiful. It's worth considering.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

that is a pretty antique cushion!

No matter what cushion you go for, I agree with DS on the setting vendor, Victor Canera.

I personally though, would go for one of these settings instead of the one above though. I think the first one is closer the the Cartier setting you wanted, as it has a more delicate shank.
https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/classic-solitaire-with-cathedral-band
And this is the one I recommend, as it will allow a flush fit band:
https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/solitaire-with-flush-stems

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

Ah yes, I do like that newer first setting better! I didn't realize that had the basket head. I like the tiny gap between rings and prefer this one over the second one.

Of course, I love a halo with a cushion the most, but if she wants a solitaire, I like the top on that Gypsy posted the most! It will be adapted to a cushion shape.

Oh, and definitely platinum.

This is gorgeous if you are open to other ideas:

https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-collette-split-shank-solitaire

 

[stizzi]

Re: ~6 months away from proposing, help with diamond purchas

I really like the solitaire with flush stems. I think I'm leaning more towards the Tiffany classic setting type so I'll see if VC has any designs like that.

I'm headed to ED now to see these two:

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C202-842845Z10

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C171-349101839



They also have these 6 in the NYC show room that I'll check out:


https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/search?carat_max=2.01&carat_min=1.8&clarity=VVS2,VS1,VS2,SI1,SI2,VVS1&color=G,H,I&heirloom=true&shape=Cushion&showroom=true


I'm heading to GoG on Sunday to also see this AVC:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.69-august_vintage_cushion-I-AGS-I-SI2-diamond-stock-14359-cert-104065029005

Budget is now $12-15k range for the loose diamond. This is my first time actually stepping into a jewelry store to see diamonds so hopefully it'll narrow my search down. I'll keep you posted on what I think.