Advice about this cushion cut diamond

[SPP8107]

I''ve been lurking on this site for a while now and it''s been very educational and helpful with my search. After much searching, I believe I''ve found the cushion cut my gf would like, but I wanted to get another opinion. The stats are as follows:

Weight 2.02 CT
Shape CUSHION MODIFIED BRILLIANT41
Color H
Clarity VS2
Measurements 8.07 x 6.52 x 4.81 mm
Depth 73.8%
Table 59%
Crown 16%
Pavilion 43.1%
Crown Angle 37°
Pavilion Angle 40.7°
Girdle THIN TO THICK FACETED
Polish GOOD
Symmetry VERY GOOD
Fluorescence N/A
Culet N/A
Cut Grade N/A
Comments
UGS Appraisal Value $26360.00

The dealer is quoting me $10,700 for the stone, but I''m a little nervous. The diamond looks brilliant in person, but it may be too deep and I don''t like the EGL certification. Any advice for this newbie from you experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/18/2008 1:56:19 PM
Author:SPP8107
I've been lurking on this site for a while now and it's been very educational and helpful with my search. After much searching, I believe I've found the cushion cut my gf would like, but I wanted to get another opinion. The stats are as follows:

Weight 2.02 CT
Shape CUSHION MODIFIED BRILLIANT41
Color H
Clarity VS2
Measurements 8.07 x 6.52 x 4.81 mm
Depth 73.8%
Table 59%
Crown 16%
Pavilion 43.1%
Crown Angle 37°
Pavilion Angle 40.7°
Girdle THIN TO THICK FACETED
Polish GOOD
Symmetry VERY GOOD
Fluorescence N/A
Culet N/A
Cut Grade N/A
Comments
UGS Appraisal Value $26360.00

The dealer is quoting me $10,700 for the stone, but I'm a little nervous. The diamond looks brilliant in person, but it may be too deep and I don't like the EGL certification. Any advice for this newbie from you experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome!

Well concerning the depth it could still be a lovely diamond, one of our experts has mentioned before not to necessarily pass on a cushion that has some extra depth - but with the whole diamond you can't tell much by numbers as cushions need to be seen to be judged....You say it has been EGL graded, do you know which EGL lab - for example Israel, Antwerp etc? Some say that EGL USA is the strongest of the EGL labs. I would recommend you look at as many cushions as you can to get an idea for the type you like best ( also include GIA graded where possible) and if you end up still liking this one, make the sale final on it checking out to your satisfaction in all aspects. Here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser near you below. Also check the diamond out in as many different lights as possible to make sure it appeals to you in ' everyday' lighting away from the jewellery store.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

Have you considered buying online? You could contact a vendor who has an excellent rep with cushions such as Mark at
www.engagementringsdirect.com to see what he could find for you if you are open to the idea of shopping online?

 

[neatfreak]

First, throw out the appraisal value. Second, get it independently appraised by an appraiser that can give you an ASET image to determine if there is a lot of light leakage. Third, how many cushions have you actually seen in person that you can compare to? Do you know the difference between what a good one vs. a bad one looks like?

 

[chrono]

I am not too happy about the nearly 74% depth but more concerned with the EGL certification. I''d walk away if it is a EGL Israel or Europe cert.

 

[SPP8107]

It is EFL USA (Out of Los Angeles) so I feel a little better about that. I''ve actually looked at several diamonds (I work near the downtown LA jewelry district), but nothing really caught my eye until this one. It''s just hard for me to trust any of the dealers, so I was hoping for some unbiased advice from PS members. What really makes a great cushion cut? Is it the brilliance? Is it the symetry (squarish vs olblong)? Thanks for all the help, as this is very useful to me.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/18/2008 2:27:54 PM
Author: SPP8107
It is EFL USA (Out of Los Angeles) so I feel a little better about that. I've actually looked at several diamonds (I work near the downtown LA jewelry district), but nothing really caught my eye until this one. It's just hard for me to trust any of the dealers, so I was hoping for some unbiased advice from PS members. What really makes a great cushion cut? Is it the brilliance? Is it the symetry (squarish vs olblong)? Thanks for all the help, as this is very useful to me.

What makes a great cushion cut.....Well it is various factors. It depends on how the cushion is proportioned and crafted as to how well it returns light and sparkles. But much of it is down to individual taste, cushions can be unpredictable and show various looks and personalities and shapes - some of which may appeal to some buyers and not others. Very popular are the chunky faceted type cushions for example. Some may prefer an elongated type cushion, others more of a square. So there are various factors to consider when shopping for your ideal cushion. First and foremost the diamond has to appeal to you, and you need to have a good base of comparison in my opinion, so you know what type of cushion you prefer. In order to do this it is essential to be able to view as many cushions as possible. But your best bet in this case is if you really like this diamond, get an independant appraiser to check it out and make the sale final on the report being acceptable to you - also as Neat says an appraiser who as an ASET would be very useful in order to check the light return of this diamond. But to finish as to what makes a great cushion - that is very subjective and the answer could vary between cushion owners and prospective purchasers! Like with art, one painting may be beautiful to one person and not another.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Just based on the stats, I would have passed on this diamond. It is too deep for me (lose too much face up size). I have also yet to see one cushion modified brilliant that I love. I typically like to stay with cushion brillants to avoid the crushed ice look even though I know some cushion modified only have a mild case.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/18/2008 2:27:54 PM
Author: SPP8107
It is EFL USA (Out of Los Angeles) so I feel a little better about that. I''ve actually looked at several diamonds (I work near the downtown LA jewelry district), but nothing really caught my eye until this one. It''s just hard for me to trust any of the dealers, so I was hoping for some unbiased advice from PS members. What really makes a great cushion cut? Is it the brilliance? Is it the symetry (squarish vs olblong)? Thanks for all the help, as this is very useful to me.

It''s brilliance, symmetry, cut, everything that adds up to either a dud or a gorgeous stone. It''s the whole package.

 

[edl]

The price seems too low to be a 2.02 H VS2. I have a feeling it might be a GIA I-J SI1-2.

I would recommend looking at other cushions, particularly cushion brilliants (non-modifieds) before making your decision. Also perform a search here on cushions, there''s lots of great threads.