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Advice needed on a hearts and arrows cushion cut diamond

W

Wieke

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Messages
72
Hi everyone,

I really need your help and advice! I am considering to buy a cushion cut diamond - since buying online, I was adviced to go to Brian Gavin - the information on the diamonds they have being very detailed. And also the consistency and quality of the cut being top. Cushions seem to be very hard to evaluate without a specific standard to compare to.

I do like the H&A signature cushions (and Brellias as well, but the offer is right now very limited), although they are in my opinion not really shaped as cushions, more like a softer radiant cut with H&A pattern. How do you feel about them? When I look for data online, I am surprised how few pictures of them are around. Is there maybe not a proper market for them? Shall I watch out? Maybe go for a "real" soft cushion instead (I know its question of taste, but still)...?

I am considering to buy this particular stone and would love to have your feedback on it: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.408-h-si1-cushion-diamond-ags-104076825004#!prettyPhoto%5Bgallery2%5D/3/

Is the color not too low (I would set it into Platinum). How about the girdle? Thin To Very Thick Faceted??? Any advice is VERY welcome!

Table % 55.3
Depth % 60.4
Crown % 15.7
Crown Angle 34.3
Pav Angle: 40.7
Pavillion % 42.5

Carat 1.408
Clarity SI1
Color H

Measurements 7.47 x 6.53 x 4.51

Lab Cut Grade Ideal
Report AGS - Ideal
Light Performance Ideal
Polish Ideal
Symmetry Ideal

Culet Pointed
Fluorescence Negligible
Girdle Thin To Very Thick Faceted
 
Actually just stumbled upon that stone myself while searching for similar, must be you who has it reserved!

One thing I noticed is that the dimensions are 7.47 x 6.53 x 4.51. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought H&A cushions were square by definition? The image BG has online certainly appears square.

This Good Old Gold video gives a good comparison between H&A and modern cushions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-YYBlnkpcw
 
It has been online for less than 48 hours, I managed to reserve it quite fast.

It is square, they just measure it differenty (there have been some posts about it), The second number is the edge to edge measurement.

I was always hoping for a stone just under 1.5 carat to be able to afford it, this one I could. Also H was as low as I was willing to go, and SI1 if eyeclean does not bother me either. But I have never owned a stone this color in that size - will it be too warm? Also, on the video, you can definitely see some dark spots - not face up, but from the side. It is categorized as eyeclean though. Also the girdle seems to be quite thick, but I have asked - it is still within parameters that get accepted as ideal.

What would be your issues to ask if it was still available?
 
Any other observations? I need to make a move after the weekend, so I would be really really really glad about any input from the PS community that would help me decide. Thanks so much!!!!
 
No replies :(?
I was so hoping to get some feedback.
I am writing replies to get the question one last time to the top of the list... Sigh... :shifty:
 
I don't dabble much in cushion cut diamonds, but it is a Brian Gavin Signature diamond.... you can't really go wrong with it (quality wise). JM2C
 
Thank you! What do you think about this particular stone? Its proportions and inclusions? I am afraid of going too low in color or clarity - since as the video shows, there are some black spots in the stone. I have heard great feedbacks about Brian Gavin, still am a bit worried about choosing a stone, which has issues.
 
In regards to the proportions, its an AGS 0 for cut....not an issue, trust me. Even though cut is king on PS, with fancier stones you can go a lil lower in color and cut and still have an amazing stone.

In regards to the clarity, the diamond definitely has more clouds than crystals (black spots) which is not a bad thing, the image you see is magnified so its a lot easier to see the inclusions, i've seen other members on this site buy emeralds, cushions etc with crystals and could not see it at all with the naked eye. Just to be sure, have someone at BG confirm that it is eye clean and make sure you ask at what distances they checked this at.

But again It's a Brian Gavin Signature rock...it's very nice, he wouldn't stamp his name of approval on it had any major issues.
 
Thank you, that is really reassuring.

How low do you think can I go in color without regretting? I was thinking about going for a slightly larger stone, but right now what I could afford is all "I" color and to pay 4.000$ more to get 0.2-0.3ct plus and a lower color seems to me to be not worth it. Or is it noticable and worth the difference? The stone seems to be at a really great price compared to the ones just a little bigger (passing the 1.5ct mark)

I talked to Jamie and she confirmed it is eye-clean. Its not noted online so I will definitely cross-check once more.
 
Wieke|1424038043|3833111 said:
Thank you, that is really reassuring.

How low do you think can I go in color without regretting? I was thinking about going for a slightly larger stone, but right now what I could afford is all "I" color and to pay 4.000$ more to get 0.2-0.3ct plus and a lower color seems to me to be not worth it. Or is it noticable and worth the difference? The stone seems to be at a really great price compared to the ones just a little bigger (passing the 1.5ct mark)

I talked to Jamie and she confirmed it is eye-clean. Its not noted online so I will definitely cross-check once more.
Click to expand...

If you go down anymore color try to look at stones with medium to strong blue fluorescence blue as it will give it a "whiter" appearance sometimes...not always, but worth to investigate into for a potentially more cost effective stone.
 
Hi Wieke,

I love the BGD Signature Cushion. You can't really go wrong and I strongly considered one before when looking for my own ring. I'm in Houston so I was able to compare a G-color, 2 carat BGD signature cushion to the stone I eventually bought in person. Both stones were lovely but I bought my stone simply because it frankly had better performance (more sparkly) and was much lower in price since it was sourced from outside. (They have access to other diamonds as well and will bring it in for you to compare.) I was able to get a higher E color but color is subjective. You should look at different color cushions in person and determine your own level of tolerance.

After we bought our ring, we went into Tiffany's to compare to an H color stone and I could plainly see the difference in warmth side-to-side but again, it may not matter to you personally. What did matter was that it out-shined the Tiffany Novo diamond we put it next to :) Best of luck and let us know if you have other questions. BGD makes a great product and I'm sure you will be happy.
 
noscrusir|1424041073|3833134 said:
Hi Wieke,

I love the BGD Signature Cushion. You can't really go wrong and I strongly considered one before when looking for my own ring. I'm in Houston so I was able to compare a G-color, 2 carat BGD signature cushion to the stone I eventually bought in person. Both stones were lovely but I bought my stone simply because it frankly had better performance (more sparkly) and was much lower in price since it was sourced from outside. (They have access to other diamonds as well and will bring it in for you to compare.) I was able to get a higher E color but color is subjective. You should look at different color cushions in person and determine your own level of tolerance.

After we bought our ring, we went into Tiffany's to compare to an H color stone and I could plainly see the difference in warmth side-to-side but again, it may not matter to you personally. What did matter was that it out-shined the Tiffany Novo diamond we put it next to :) Best of luck and let us know if you have other questions. BGD makes a great product and I'm sure you will be happy.
Click to expand...

Thank you noscrusir. I really love the cushions too. They have such a modern twist to them. Your stone is beautiful. Love the size and color... but that is completely out of my reach. I am making a compromise regarding color, but "H" is as low as I was willing to go and I decided to stick to that. "I" feels risky and given the selection now also too expensive for the increase in size. Maybe if I was able to see it in person, but I cannot and have to rely on the internet only. I am also using Tiffany's to compare and decide what I want and then get it elsewhere. I got my studs from BGD that way and love them. Tomorrow I want to go and reflect on the setting by trying on some of T&Co. Designs. I did have great experience with BGD so far (has issues but always managed to sort them out), its just the size of the stone and therefore of investment that makes me cautious. Do you have good experience with their settings?
 
Btw I am talking about the H&A signature cushion. Your type BGD seems to not have anymore. Or am I wrong here?
 
Wieke|1424044921|3833147 said:
Btw I am talking about the H&A signature cushion. Your type BGD seems to not have anymore. Or am I wrong here?
Click to expand...

The diamond I bought was sourced elsewhere (not In-House) but BGD was able to bring it in personally for me to compare. Seeing the two diamonds side-by-side made the choice that much easier. I had no problems with the customer service at BGD and recommend that you speak with Brian personally since he's very friendly and a master craftsman. I think the diamond you picked is lovely - it's a good size and the H color is still very nice (I would not go down in color from there either). At that price point, I think it's a great diamond.

As for settings, I went for the BGD Novella since it is based off the Tiffany Novo design. My fiance and I couldn't be happier. They also resized the ring for her for free and quickly too. The quality of their settings is top notch and a search of this forum will show that others agree. Since you're looking at an in-house stone, they will give you a solid return period to inspect and make sure the diamond is all you could hope for. Take it to an independent appraiser right away for insurance and piece of mind. Let me know if you have other questions!
 
Great looking stone. A great price point for BGD!

Are you looking at other cushions or are you set on H&A?
 
Thank you. I sort of got there via Brellia I liked before on GOG and JannPaul but it was expensive and not available in too many sizes. And then since buying online I felt it was a safer choice regarding performance. Plus with the detailed information on the site it feels easier to evaluate several diamonds than to search for other types of cushions and ask each time for images. I like the modern look of it as well. Vintage cushions are not my style, at the same time I did not see many live. Right now I have a small Lucida.

I think if I let this particular one go, it would be pretty hard to find an such excellent performance replacement for the same price.
 
Wieke|1424064065|3833268 said:
Thank you. I sort of got there via Brellia I liked before on GOG and JannPaul but it was expensive and not available in too many sizes. And then since buying online I felt it was a safer choice regarding performance. Plus with the detailed information on the site it feels easier to evaluate several diamonds than to search for other types of cushions and ask each time for images. I like the modern look of it as well. Vintage cushions are not my style, at the same time I did not see many live. Right now I have a small Lucida.

I think if I let this particular one go, it would be pretty hard to find an such excellent performance replacement for the same price.
Click to expand...

I agree, i don't think you'll be able to find a AGS 000 diamond for this price with that size. Just consider the measurements of the stone, it seems to be about a 6.5 mm stone which may face up a little smaller to another cushion in 1.4 ct size(finding other stones in this ct range shows that this stone faces up incredibly well but I'm no expert!). I learned to use the mm measurements rather than the exact ct size with cushions from PS :wavey:
 
I agree, i don't think you'll be able to find a AGS 000 diamond for this price with that size. Just consider the measurements of the stone, it seems to be about a 6.5 mm stone which may face up a little smaller to another cushion in 1.4 ct size. I learned to use the mm measurements rather than the exact ct size with cushions from PS :wavey:[/quote]

I fully agree. But would be spending another 4K (almost 50%+) to gain 0.25-0.3ct and an I color be worth it and make a real difference? And the next F at 1.7ct is already doubble the price and not eyeclean.

The additional 4K, that is already a pair of 0.5 cushions of the same range on top as studs :)
 
Personally i wouldn't do it, but id try to ask Gypsy and others for their opinion :)
 
Thank you so much for advices. Who shall I ask apart from Gypsy and how do I contact her directly? I did not figure yet out how to contact users. I am just sitting here hoping to be discovered :shifty:
 
Seems like a number of the BG H&A cushions have thin to very thick girdles. Is that a concern or just a side effect of his design?
 
I have noticed that it is like this with the new batch. I guess it is not optimal but Brian said that it still was ok in order to grt the ideal rating. Not sure how much impact it has.
 
My time to think the deal over comes to an end - does anyone have some remarks? Also, how can I get certain recommended people to become aware of my post? I got recommended to ask gypsy and diamondseeker etc, to reply, but am not sure how to do that - can anyone tell me please?
 
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