Cushion selection, help requested

[matt44144]

Hi all, new to the forum but am on the hunt for an outstanding quality cut cushion. I'd like opinions on the following stones found on JA... how would you rank these for best value & light performance? Looking for a 1.8-2.1 cushion, ~G, ~VS2/Si1, and budget roughly $14K for the stone itself....

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5709113
5709113-


https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.03-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-6078788
6078788-


https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.81-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6175194
6175194-

 

[tyty333]

No to the 1.81...too much leakage for me.
I guess I like the 2.01 the best. It doesnt blow my socks off though.

 

[elliefire99]

I'm not much of a cushion expert, but looking at the aset images and the videos, I would definitely nix the middle one. It's not ar bright in the center and there is a lot of weird refraction activity happening, which muddies the facets. I have a personal preference for sharp, clean x's like the first and third diamond.

Between those two... I may lean toward the first because I like a fatter X, but that is 100% personal preference. The third diamond definitely has a more splintery flavor.

 

[hobbitfancier55]

I’m not a Cushion expert my any means, but I’m not a fan of any of those simply due to the inclusions/imperfections right on the table. For your budget you can definitely find something where the flaws are more hidden.

These two are within the budget and size and don’t have anything showing on the table. The other members can point you in the right direction as far as cut, leakage, and light return.

1.81-G-VS2
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/1.81-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4561271

2.02-H-VS1
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/2.02-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5932942

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

I like 1 and 3 then 2. But not wow.

 

[Matilda]

Are you open to vendors other than James Allen?

 

[matt44144]

Are you open to vendors other than James Allen?

Yes I am

 

[Matilda]

I quite like this:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/....883-h-vs2-cushion-diamond-ags-c-104103128004

and also

https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/cushion-diamond-2.02-carat-i-vs1-yd4280640

and this is a useful search engine I think:

https://www.rarecarat.com/c/f73543db-e2ec-4033-822c-c6b732ade905

I will take a proper look when I have more time later today

 

[matt44144]

I quite like this:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/....883-h-vs2-cushion-diamond-ags-c-104103128004

and also

https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/cushion-diamond-2.02-carat-i-vs1-yd4280640

and this is a useful search engine I think:

https://www.rarecarat.com/c/f73543db-e2ec-4033-822c-c6b732ade905

I will take a proper look when I have more time later today

Thanks! I like the BG but it's reserved. The Yadav.. I'm just not sure and was hoping to stay at H or better; would they provide an ASET? Thank you again

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I like the Yadav stone which has a taller crown. I would take a well cut I over a not so well cut H. Only you can decide if an I is too low for you. I'm not sure Yadav provides ASETs. They have a live chat option, I'd ask. Good luck.

 

[matt44144]

No to the 1.81...too much leakage for me.
I guess I like the 2.01 the best. It doesnt blow my socks off though.

Thanks for your input. I'll keep looking then..

 

[rockysalamander]

This looks wonderful. @tyty333 or others, quick second opinion? I would put this on hold ASAP if you like it and while others chime in.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.05-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5404901

I like this one above a bit better, but see what others say.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-5184286

 

[Matilda]

@matt44144 the Brian Gavin one was free when I posted haha oh well

I think I slightly prefer the first one of the two @rockysalamander posted

 

[Matilda]

also: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...recarat&utm_medium=cpc#diamond=C201-4756Z8Z76

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...recarat&utm_medium=cpc#diamond=C204-202Z7Z078

do you have a preference on facets style? chunkier symmetrical or more lots of small ones? The two I posted have different facets

 

[matt44144]

I'm not much of a cushion expert, but looking at the aset images and the videos, I would definitely nix the middle one. It's not ar bright in the center and there is a lot of weird refraction activity happening, which muddies the facets. I have a personal preference for sharp, clean x's like the first and third diamond.

Between those two... I may lean toward the first because I like a fatter X, but that is 100% personal preference. The third diamond definitely has a more splintery flavor.

also: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...recarat&utm_medium=cpc#diamond=C201-4756Z8Z76

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...recarat&utm_medium=cpc#diamond=C204-202Z7Z078

do you have a preference on facets style? chunkier symmetrical or more lots of small ones? The two I posted have different facets

thank you! definitely prefer the first one, chunky over crushed ice. i'm surprised the price is so low for the first, 2 cts and looks to have very strong cut with hearts & arrows; the ASET looks good too... what are the downsides, am I missing something? is this retailer reputable?

 

[matt44144]

This looks wonderful. @tyty333 or others, quick second opinion? I would put this on hold ASAP if you like it and while others chime in.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.05-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5404901

I like this one above a bit better, but see what others say.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-5184286

Thank you! wow, unfortunately the 2nd one has been sold in the short time since you posted the link.. they both look outstanding thank you again

 

[rockysalamander]

Thank you! wow, unfortunately the 2nd one has been sold in the short time since you posted the link.. they both look outstanding thank you again

I liked the first one better, my phrasing suffered from "fat finger typing syndrome". I hope you put #1 on hold and ask for an ASET image .

lso: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...recarat&utm_medium=cpc#diamond=C201-4756Z8Z76

This is a third flavor of cushion. I posted crisp facets. This is a hearts and arrows cushion. It has the look of a round with the shape of a cushion. This is a nice example of one, but it may or may not be the look your girl wants.

Another flavor of a cushion is an antique cut. This is over budget, so I'm posting these as examples to show faceting examples of true antiques.
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-67ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-l-vs1
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-03ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-g-si1

Newly cut antique. If you like this faceting, Jonathan can likely get you something in your budget. Stocks can be low during the holidays.
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...si1-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74154847

This is a lovely cushion, in budget, but is LAB GROWN. Same chemical compo as natural, just created in a lab.
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...ct-g-vs1-laboratory-grown-diamond-lg_10537402

What brought you to a cushion shape? Did your girl as for one?

 

[tyty333]

I'm just not sure if that first one is going to be any better aset-wise than the ones he posted already. It is cleaner though so that is a plus.

I think stocks are low. I'm having problems even finding well cut round brilliants in the lower price range with respect to certain specs.

 

[Matilda]

@tyty333 yeah selection is not incredible right now. I guess it could be due to peak season for engagement ring sales, prices may also be higher also as a result. I am just assuming, however.
@matt44144 when is the proposal? How urgent is your purchase ?

 

[matt44144]

@rockysalamander thank you for the links, the newly cut antique looks brilliant but she wants to stay with modern facet chunky style or h&a....the lab grown you linked to is hard to tell which style it is, how well cut and light performance, without 360 images and without ASET/AGS certificate, though the image looks great and I might be interested to dig into this one further.....re: your JA choice, I did put on hold and request the ASET, thank you again. we'll see how it compares to the 3 I originally posted in this thread

@Matilda not super urgent but hoping to wrap this up in the next 1-2 months... have already exhausted my search at local stores including one who claim to never heard of light performance reports, and some having very limited or even zero availability of cushions, before I realized a couple weeks ago that online is the way to go

 

[matt44144]

@rockysalamander @Matilda @tyty333
I received the ASET back from JA on the stone rocky really liked (5404901); it seems to have less red and more black & green versus #1 in my original post.. please see below would love to get your thoughts. thank you and much appreciate your help.

my other top choice is the h&a look that Matilda posted:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...recarat&utm_medium=cpc#diamond=C201-4756Z8Z76

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.05-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5404901

 

[Octo2005]

Of the stones posted, I like your first stone the best. JA 5709113. It has some leakage but is nice and bright across the stone in the video with no large area of mush. However, I would be concerned that the inclusion on the table would be noticeable.

+1 to contact Jonathan. I think the August Vintage cushions are amazing, but I am very partial to the antique type cushions.

Best of luck and congrats on your upcoming diamond purchase!

 

[matt44144]

Of the stones posted, I like your first stone the best. JA 5709113. It has some leakage but is nice and bright across the stone in the video with no large area of mush. However, I would be concerned that the inclusion on the table would be noticeable.

+1 to contact Jonathan. I think the August Vintage cushions are amazing, but I am very partial to the antique type cushions.

Best of luck and congrats on your upcoming diamond purchase!

thanks @Octo2005
..I'm hesitant on that 1st stone because a couple others in this thread weren't impressed....Not partial to antique type, but thanks for the recommendation I appreciate your feedback.

 

[rockysalamander]

I've had your #1 and my suggested one spinning on my screen for a while.

I like your #1 if you want a more classic cushion outline. That soft square outline. It has a crisp pattern and lots of movement in the facets. The crown is higher. The central inclusions could be fine or might drive her batty thinking it looks dirty or smudged ("Out damn spot"). It depends on her visual acuity and how detail-oriented she is.

The one I posted is more square and might not read cushiony enough if that is what your girl is after. The inclusions are less visible, but still on the tabe. For a classic cushion, I'd lean to your #1.

I don't personally care of H&A cushion, but they may be fine for your girl. Stocks are very low right now. If you have time, you could buy your #1 unset and see what pops up during the return period.

Folks will keep looking...

 

[matt44144]

@rockysalamander thank you very much! on my #1 not sure if that central inclusion would be visible to the naked eye up close or not, it is VS2 so I would think not? we do like the H&A cushion but the ASET for this particular one looks to have too many black areas
hopefully more options pop up.

 

[rockysalamander]

@rockysalamander thank you very much! on my #1 not sure if that central inclusion would be visible to the naked eye up close or not, it is VS2 so I would think not? we do like the H&A cushion but the ASET for this particular one looks to have too many black areas
hopefully more options pop up.

You said "we", so is your girl involved? If so, buy your #1 and have her look at it. Meantime, keep looking. You have 30 days with JA. Just ask if you buy it loose and then need to send it back for setting, how is the 30 days counted.

 

[rockysalamander]

Smaller than your goal, but this is another H&A cushion.
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/.../1.648-h-vs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104101952007

 

[matt44144]

thanks @rockysalamander this one does look amazing but maybe a tad smaller than planned like you said...
if my budget increased, I think these would be two great options...
there's a 1.718 cushion BG Black https://black.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-details/bkcags-104102553013https://black.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-details/bkcags-104102553013

also a 2.01 GoG H&A cushion https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamonds/id/3571512

 

[Matilda]

I also quite like this one:

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...recarat&utm_medium=cpc#diamond=C220-102825910

But I would ask for an ASET.

The GOG one is very nice, but not in price
range.
Seeing as you have time before the proposal I would get one and trial it for 30 days. I think perhaps the JA first one posted was in top choices.

 

[Matilda]

Also from what I have understood ASET for cushions will NOT be perfect. You may find this helpful:
https://beyond4cs.com/grading/aset-reference-charts/

(please scroll down to cushion section)

Also a read if you are bored on H and A cushions:

https://niceice.com/blue-nile-signa...-diamonds-cushion-hearts-and-arrows-diamonds/