Newbie diamond shopper first time posting! I'm in the market for a cushion cut diamond engagement ring set in a halo band. I've been lurking on the forums for a few days and have read up on how to read ASET images, the different kinds of cushion cuts, and some more of the basics. I think that now I'm at the point where I can use some custom advise based on my size range and budget. I appreciate SO much in advance any help provided.
I would like to keep the ring+diamond around 10-12k. I believe that should be able to get me a quality ring in the +/- 1.25 carat range with a nice halo setting. I'd like something more square than rectangular. I'm willing to sacrifice on color and clarity - maybe down to a G/H, and maybe down to VS2 (but no lower). The most important thing to me is that it is cut well and produces the brilliance and fire that a diamond is meant to produce.
James Allen seems to be well respected so I'll link a few stones that seem like good candidates to my untrained eye. Feel free to tell me I'm way off! I'll request the ASETs on good candidates when it comes to that.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-116848
This one is a bit rectangular (6.17x5.77) but seems lively to me. My girlfriend liked this one the most based on the JA pictures, if that is a useful data point.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.21-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-116837
This one seems nice up front to me but becomes "cloudy" from the sides. Is that normal/acceptable? 6.38x5.71.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.30-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-22311
Another option. To me this one has a lot of life when viewed head on. 6.13x6.88, so it has a larger face than the prior two.
Thanks again everyone!
I would like to keep the ring+diamond around 10-12k. I believe that should be able to get me a quality ring in the +/- 1.25 carat range with a nice halo setting. I'd like something more square than rectangular. I'm willing to sacrifice on color and clarity - maybe down to a G/H, and maybe down to VS2 (but no lower). The most important thing to me is that it is cut well and produces the brilliance and fire that a diamond is meant to produce.
James Allen seems to be well respected so I'll link a few stones that seem like good candidates to my untrained eye. Feel free to tell me I'm way off! I'll request the ASETs on good candidates when it comes to that.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-116848
This one is a bit rectangular (6.17x5.77) but seems lively to me. My girlfriend liked this one the most based on the JA pictures, if that is a useful data point.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.21-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-116837
This one seems nice up front to me but becomes "cloudy" from the sides. Is that normal/acceptable? 6.38x5.71.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.30-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-22311
Another option. To me this one has a lot of life when viewed head on. 6.13x6.88, so it has a larger face than the prior two.
Thanks again everyone!