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After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion Cut

simon.phinox

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
11
ALCON,

Good morning and thank you for your time and any possible insight you might have to my situation.

I have been deployed over 2 years to western Africa (Liberia, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, DROC, ect...) with the Department of State/Department of Defense doing "fun things". Upon my arrival in the US I am planning on asking my girlfriend (who has stuck it out with me all through they years) to marry me. With that being said I have saved up a good chunk of cash (hard currency) >$50,000 and have started the hunt for the perfect diamond.

This is what i have found...

1) Stone 1 - I did a trip last week to Antwerp and was at DimondLand for over 3 hours.
3.01ct Cushion Cut, E, SI1, 60% Depth, 57% Table, BUT slight Blue Fluorescence. $39,190

2) Stone 2 - US Government personnel traveling overseas are allowed diamonds through a regulated tax free process
3.02Ct, Cushion Cut, D, SI1, 64.6 Depth, 74 Table, No Fluorescence $31,222.83 (table concerns me)

3) Stone 3 - US Government personnel traveling overseas are allowed diamonds through a regulated tax free process
3.01Ct, Cushion Cut, D, SI1, 63.6 Depth, 68 Table, Fluorescence Very Slight Blue, $31,661.66

4) Stone 4 - US Government personnel traveling overseas are allowed diamonds through a regulated tax free process
3.02ct, Cushion Cut, E, VS2, 67.4 Depth, 59 Table No Fluorescence, $ 43.221.44

4) Stone 5 - Best "deal" i could find in diamond district inNew York
3.02ct. Cushion Cut, D, SI1, 68.3 Depth, 63 Table, Faint Fluorescence $44,289


What do you all powerful, all knowing experts say? I really am leaning more on the 3ct range with a D/E stone. I really need/want that good cut and dont know if i have hit anything yet that is good enough....

Please be gentile with me... I am still jet lagged and having to get used to on florida roads with miami drivers...

thanks

SP
 

CherryBlossom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
311
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

First of all, congrats on heading back home safely from all the "fun" that you've had overseas. Many blessings to you for getting ready to pop the question to your lady. You have a very healthy budget so you'll have a lot options. The first question that everyone will end up asking you is if you have any pictures of the stones. That will help us to better assess the rocks. The thing is that cushions are very unique cuts, so numbers are simply not enough to help figure out how it will perform.

BTW, what type of cushions are they? modified? brilliant? large facet antique cuts? there's a big difference between a cushion brilliant and a cushion modified brilliant.

GUIDE TO CUSHION CUTS

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/cushion-cut-diamond

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-cushion-plots-demystified-somewhat-with-pics.63323/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-cushion-plots-demystified-somewhat-with-pics.63323/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-question-for-cehrabehra-and-others.58597/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-question-for-cehrabehra-and-others.58597/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-cushion-cut-need-to-make-decision-soon-thanks-millions.154837/#post-2817825#p2817825']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-cushion-cut-need-to-make-decision-soon-thanks-millions.154837/#post-2817825#p2817825[/URL]
 

kelpie

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jan 8, 2008
Messages
2,362
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Must feel good to be home. I am a few months in to a tour in Tanzania and I'm desperately homesick.

There is not a lot we can tell about cut from the info provided. If you've seen any in person that really wowed you that would be the best way to judge.

You have to sort through a hundred cushions to find a handful of beautifully cut ones. A stone that looks like a lump of coal and the prettiest one you've ever seen can have the same depth and table depending on the angles and facet pattern. Most you'll find are "cushion modified brilliants" which too often look like crushed ice and many people don't care for that look. Some examples will be beautiful too. A few cushions will be "cushion brilliants". These are usually what I like the look of but it is all a matter of preference. I'm going to try to find you examples of each type of cushion. Everyone here is obsessed with getting ASET images for cushions to judge light performance but I'm no expert so I'm not going to advise on that either way. The best way to get a nice cushion may be to find a vendor that specializes in them and tell them what you are looking for. Maybe since you don't have to pay VAT you can get a decent price but I think diamonds are much cheaper in the US than Europe.

Also...please don't consider florescence a detraction. Maybe only .003% of stones have the milky affect in sun from it. Most people enjoy the impact of flor, if it's noticeable at all.

Three cushion brilliants with two different pavillon plots:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1337000.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1284234.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1304425.asp

The "chunky" cushion brilliant:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1257419.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1278344.asp

The "chunky" cushion modified brilliant:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1264555.asp

The old mine cut:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1334114.asp
http://www.micropave.com/index.php/diamonds/104046249006.html
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8156/

Not sure how to describe these but I like them and they make me think of the Tiffany Novo:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1375766.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1289751.asp

The "crushed ice":
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1178328.asp
 

CherryBlossom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
311
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Also please take the time to read this before making your huge purchase, because you'll be able to get something amazing

ChunkyCushionLover's Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds (2.0)

Step 1 (Choose The Type of Cut)

Decide the look of cushion you like best. (Watching the videos should help you the most with this.)
A great video illustrating the best in Cushion Brilliant Optics and a comparison between several varieties http://www.vimeo.com/9188543

Types of Cushions:

i) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the left)
b) 8 main thin (modern style) http://www.vimeo.com/9188543 (1st stone on the left)
c) 8 main thick (vintage style) http://www.vimeo.com/9188543 (3rd stone from the left)
d) BGD modern 8 main cushion (the mains intersect at the corners) https://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view... ... icID=12849

ii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows
http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/image ... 7266-2.mov http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/image ... XF7266.mov also second stone from the left in http://www.vimeo.com/9188543

iii) Cushette
http://www.vimeo.com/3164922

iv) Cushion Modified Brilliant
(often referred to negatively as the "crushed ice" variety as many in this category have only small flashes and were cut to save weight not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 both the left and the right stones have the same facet structure. Most in this cutting style would look similar to the one on the left.

Step 2 (Choose the 4Cs)

1) Post your budget, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, LW(length to width) Ratio (do you like perfectly Square or Rectangular?) and cut preference. We will help find stones in your price range or tell you if your budget is unrealistic for the specs you have chosen or if you will have to make some tradeoffs. If you would rather go directly to the vendor at this point I suggest you speak to:

i) Jon at Goodoldgold.com (The most selective and expert vendor for the best light return in cushions especially branded lines like Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows, August Vintage Cushion (8 main vintage) and 4 main cushion brilliants.
ii) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com (Excellent prices, specializes in 8 main vintage stones and can find 8 main thin modern ones as well)
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com (Has been known to source decent 4 main cushion brilliants)
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com (Designed the BGD 8 main modified cushion brilliant above but mostly specializes in hearts and arrows rounds)

Once you know what kind of cut you are looking for we can be most helpful if you post your preferences in your thread.
Example:
Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eye clean from 6 feet away looking face up)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio: 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cut: Cushion Brilliant (Modern) 8 main

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or view in person)

Ask the vendor for a Video and/or ASET image (http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp) of your possible choices and we can help you narrow down which of your selections we prefer and why.

If you want to learn about cushions cut for light performance a great video by Jon at GOG can be watched here http://www.vimeo.com/7579666 and bonus footage here http://www.vimeo.com/7611843...

Step 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraiser for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favorite stones to a PS listed appraisor https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx close to you, where you can view your final choices in person prior to purchase. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraiser without you having to pay first and the appraiser will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor. You may incur small shipping and appraisor fees to view potential choices in person which for many is well worth it to be sure about their purchases.

Happy Hunting,
CCL
 

CherryBlossom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
311
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

And here are quick image reference of what we're talking about when we say different cushion cuts. This is a pretty important aspect when it comes to the look of the stone and the performance of the stone.

Cushion%20Modified%20Brilliant%20plots.jpg
one%20more%20cushion%20brilliant.jpg Cushion%20Brilliants.jpg
14835372.jpg
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Welcome home!!!

You've been given a huge amount of information to help educate yourself on cushions! I am going to express my preference here, and that is that if I were looking at 3 ct. cushions, it would absolutely be the antique style ones.

There are two proven sources for these stones. The first is Jonathan Weingarten at Good Old Gold in Long Island, who has cushions cut in antique style for excellent light performance. Right now, they only have a J VS1 in the 3 ct. size. But many do enjoy slight warmth in the antique style stones. Here is is just so you can see the cutting.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7451/

Next is Mark Turnkowski at Engagement Rings Direct in NYC. He has specialized in cushions for many years and can find you a nice one in any of the styles, although he's have to see what was available in the style you choose. But to give you an example, someone on here was looking at cushions yesterday and posted these 4 options that Mark found for him to choose from. Incidentally, both Good Old Gold and Mark can supply you with video for stones you are considering. I am posting the links of the videos of the 4 two carat stones the person is considering buying so you can see a sample of Mark's choices. We can also suggest some of the outstanding settings for these stones once you get to that point.

a. 2.17ct G-SI 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cAjrJlTXM

b. 2.25ct G-SI 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVoZDTCdjI0

c. 2.46ct H-SI 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhXAdAPFSkM

d. 2.07ct G-VS2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgQTgJ7Qtx4

Best of luck to you!
 

simon.phinox

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
11
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Thanks for all the quick responses... I have spent the morning going through your information and here is what I am thinking...

Budget: Below $45,000
Color: F and above (really prefer D or E)
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eye clean from 6 feet away looking face up)
Carat Weight: 2.5+
Lw Ratio: 1 - 1.06 (I want square)
Cut: Brilliant Cushion 8 main thick (vintage style)

Does that get me going in a better direction
 

Sheherizaad

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
244
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Since you're getting a 3 carat plus ring I'd be very wary of getting an SI1. It has to be EXCEPTIONALLY eye clean, meaning I can't see anything with my eyes at even 2 inches away! While technically speaking you may not get an eye clean VS2, statistically you're safer in the VS2 clarity range. So yes, keep your options open to the SI1 stones but you're likely to end up with a VS2.

Can we ask why you're keen on the D or E color range (as opposed to let's say an F)?
 

Sheherizaad

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
244
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

simon said:
Thanks for all the quick responses... I have spent the morning going through your information and here is what I am thinking...

Budget: Below $45,000
Color: F and above (really prefer D or E)
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eye clean from 6 feet away looking face up)Carat Weight: 2.5+
Lw Ratio: 1 - 1.06 (I want square)
Cut: Brilliant Cushion 8 main thick (vintage style)

Does that get me going in a better direction


6 feet away? :shock: Did you mean 6 inches away face up? And even if you do mean 6 inches, my only question to you would be, after spending almost $48k on a stone, do you really want to see any inclusions, even from 1 inch? Maybe it's just me, but after laying down that cash, and especially because the stone is VERY LARGE, I would not want to see anything- as in ever. I want it to be PRISTINE (visibly anyway). I have a 2.34 center stone and I'll be honest and say that one of the main reasons I love it is yes, it's a great size, but more than anything it's because the cut is awesome and the stone is VERY VERY clean...

Sorry if my two cents seems like preaching... :oops:
 

kelpie

Ideal_Rock
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Messages
2,362
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

I know you want your lady to have the best but I think F is blindingly white...You'd do better to go up in clarity to VS2. I would call the following people and see what they can come up with. All are known for finding beautiful cushions.

Mr. Perry Chen (aka The Antique Cushion Person) at 212-768-3868
Jonathan at Good Old Gold
Mark at Engagement Rings Direct
 

CherryBlossom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
311
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

kelpie|1305732939|2924820 said:
I know you want your lady to have the best but I think F is blindingly white...You'd do better to go up in clarity to VS2. I would call the following people and see what they can come up with. All are known for finding beautiful cushions.

Mr. Perry Chen (aka The Antique Cushion Person) at 212-768-3868
Jonathan at Good Old Gold
Mark at Engagement Rings Direct

I second this! everyone is different about color and although I am pretty color sensitive I think D/E/F is sooo white and if I personally had to pick I would be perfectly fine w/ a G. I would also pick clarity over color and would have a difficult time going under VS2 clarity... especially when it comes to a 3ct+ stone... because the inclusions will be more noticeable.

good choice on picking the Brilliant Cushion 8 main thick (vintage style) It's my favorite too!

I also second contacting Good Old Gold. I love the service that they offer and I trust them w/ having the best eye for this gorgeous cut. The fact that they are able to provide so much information about the stone that you'll be purchasing is pretty rare and assuring. They also specialize in the AVC cut, so you'll have many options. Would you like for us to show you some of our favorites? I had a hard time finding AVCs over 3ct but now that you mentioned 2.5 can go back and dig around. Also contact Mark at ERD (contact info is in my previous comment) he has also been able to find some gorgeous stones for PSers.

What I love the most about the Brilliant Cushion 8 main thick (AVC) is the maltese cross. it's to die for and your girl will hopefully love looking down and seeing it

maltese.jpg

After you pick out your stone feel free to come back so that we an help you find a gorgeous setting. Happy hunting!
 

Haven

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
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Messages
13,166
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Welcome home! You've gotten wonderful information already.

I just want to respond to CherryBlossom's last point about the Maltese Cross--I love antique cushions and have one myself, but I personally do not like the Maltese Cross in the AVCs, so I'm not sure it's safe to say that anyone would love it. I dislike the way it breaks up the diamond into two distinct areas, and I much prefer a stone that has a uniform appearance all over to the two distinct regions in the AVC. (That's not to say that I don't think AVCs are gorgeous--they are--I just wouldn't want one as my engagement ring, myself.)

That being said, I strongly encourage you to look up GOG's videos to see if the cross appeals to you or not. My husband had the same reaction to the Maltese Cross, and we may be weirdos all on our own where this point is concerned, but both of us independently decided that we don't prefer the look. GOG has other cushions as well, and the light return on those AVCs is amazing, so I hate to give a dissenting opinion about those amazing stones. (And Jonathan W. of GOG is an amazing contributor to PS and provides so much information and help to consumers so I hate to say anything against his stones, but this is just a personal preference.) Take a look at the videos and see which cushions speak most to you.
 

yennyfire

Ideal_Rock
Trade
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Messages
6,872
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Welcome home and thank you for your service to our country!

So you've seen at least few of these stones in person? If so, it's really what appeals to your eye the most. I would second the idea about going up to a VS2 in clairty and maybe going to an "F" color. The lighting in jewelry stores is often so good that it masks inclusions (as I learned the hard way). At the very least, before you chose a stone, ask to take it outside. Look at it from all angles to make sure that it's eye clean to your standards. The other thing I might mention is to take into consideration what type of setting you plan to set the stone in. Personally, I don't care for icy white stones in vintage style settings, though I love super white stones in more modern/classic settings. So that may play a role in the stone you select....

The bottom line is that if you (and future FI) like the stone, that's all that matters!
 

SB621

Ideal_Rock
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Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7,864
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Welcome home...though I wasn't aware that when you work for the government it was called a deployment. I could be wrong though.

Anyhow I would agree with previous posters. I would go lower in color and up the clarity instead. Personally for me with cushions I love the look of a lower color stone. No one is ever going to ask you what color range that dimaond is but it will be noticeable if it has inclusions.
 

backwardsandinheels

Brilliant_Rock
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Apr 6, 2011
Messages
680
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Thank you for your service! My husband flew BUFFS and we're at our 20th-I'm getting ready to upgrade. We sure didn't start out at a huge cushion--more like an .84 point pear ;-)

I would check out JewelsbyEricaGrace.com, Saturnjewels.com and McClelland and McTeigue for settings. I checked out USAA for diamonds, I was surprised their prices weren't great. Wish you could buy some diamonds on our behalf for all of us! ;-)

I think F or G for color will save you some money in order to up the clarity. Not sure of the thread, but there is a great color thread on pricescope where the diamonds are literally lined up D to Z and it's really around H where you start to pick up on warmth.There is also a lot of talk about the flaw being in the right spot. It could be hidden by a prong or bezel in the setting and not affect sparkle factor. I'd go for VS1 or VS2. I think you can swing it in your price range. Love those square cushions! And Asschers...Good luck!!
 

marcy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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Messages
26,275
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Welcome home! You've been given a lot of great information already but I too would suggest going with a F and VS2 stone - you'll get colorless and have a very eye clean stone. Cushion cut diamond are gorgeous. I can't wait to see what you get :appl:
 

CherryBlossom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
311
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Haven|1305736848|2924859 said:
Welcome home! You've gotten wonderful information already.

I just want to respond to CherryBlossom's last point about the Maltese Cross--I love antique cushions and have one myself, but I personally do not like the Maltese Cross in the AVCs, so I'm not sure it's safe to say that anyone would love it. I dislike the way it breaks up the diamond into two distinct areas, and I much prefer a stone that has a uniform appearance all over to the two distinct regions in the AVC. (That's not to say that I don't think AVCs are gorgeous--they are--I just wouldn't want one as my engagement ring, myself.)

That being said, I strongly encourage you to look up GOG's videos to see if the cross appeals to you or not. My husband had the same reaction to the Maltese Cross, and we may be weirdos all on our own where this point is concerned, but both of us independently decided that we don't prefer the look. GOG has other cushions as well, and the light return on those AVCs is amazing, so I hate to give a dissenting opinion about those amazing stones. (And Jonathan W. of GOG is an amazing contributor to PS and provides so much information and help to consumers so I hate to say anything against his stones, but this is just a personal preference.) Take a look at the videos and see which cushions speak most to you.

great points! that's why I said "hopefully" ;-)
 

Haven

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

I know, CherryBlossom. ::) I just wanted to add the "other" perspective because I think it's important for anyone looking into buying a particular branded cut. That being said, you can't really go wrong with an AVC because it's going to be a fireball, and I think I am in a very small minority of people who don't like that pronounced Maltese Cross.
 

kelpie

Ideal_Rock
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Messages
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Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Haven|1305772210|2925387 said:
I know, CherryBlossom. ::) I just wanted to add the "other" perspective because I think it's important for anyone looking into buying a particular branded cut. That being said, you can't really go wrong with an AVC because it's going to be a fireball, and I think I am in a very small minority of people who don't like that pronounced Maltese Cross.

I don't know if it's the maltese cross but the august vintage lines underwhelm me. Beautiful for sure but I actually think their perfect optical symmetry detracts from their charm. They look so predictable.
 

simon.phinox

Rough_Rock
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Messages
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Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

SaraBear - All my trips when I am charged by the US Government go by the nomenclature of a "deployment" dont know what you are getting at but...

Well… A lot of things in my mind have been turned over with all this discussions of Clarity…

What are you thoughts over all if I dropped to a F-G and when to a VS1 or VVS2? What size am I looking at if I concede those components? Still over 2.0? 2.5?
 

slg47

Ideal_Rock
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Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

simon said:
SaraBear - All my trips when I am charged by the US Government go by the nomenclature of a "deployment" dont know what you are getting at but...

Well… A lot of things in my mind have been turned over with all this discussions of Clarity…

What are you thoughts over all if I dropped to a F-G and when to a VS1 or VVS2? What size am I looking at if I concede those components? Still over 2.0? 2.5?

It really depends on what type of cushion you want. Did you watch the video?
 

backwardsandinheels

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Messages
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Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

You initially listed 5 stones from various sources and now we've all told you about a few more. No matter where you choose a stone from, you could always send your cushions to be evaluated by one of "our guys" to be evaluated.

Your budget/wants should still be intact even with our recommendations. I like the same sort of vintage square cushions you do. There is so much variation with cushion stats that it'll blow your mind. GIA keeps moving the fence posts with regard to all cuts as technology advances (I'm thinking of appraisals here) and new cuts are invented. Kelpie is absolutely right, sometimes perfect mathematical symmetry sucks the heart and soul out of a stone. Go with one that speaks to you. I love broad flashes that jump all over.
I was a Gulf War girlfriend/long distance for 2 years. She is going to be beside herself no matter what you do :twirl:
 

simon.phinox

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
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Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Found something really nice. 3.02' D, vs2, no flor, cut what I think to be modified brilliant table 59, depth 67' EGL cert # 2852214832

43K

what do you think? High?
 

nfowife

Brilliant_Rock
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Messages
544
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

You won't get any EGL recs here.... They are known for soft grading so a d/vs2 could be a gia f/si2 or worse. Stick with gia.
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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58,547
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

EGL is not a reliable lab and most good stones are going to be sent to GIA or AGS. Now there are some antique stones that may be EGL graded. But I would do what the others have suggested and start with Good Old Gold and Engagement Rings Direct and see what they can find for you. They know cushions and are trustworthy. There's no way you can choose one by a lab report alone. It is impossible. There are a lot of ugly cushions out there and pictures/video are necessary.

I wouldn't consider under VS2 but would not go above VS1. You basically can't see VS1 inclusions with a 10x loupe, so there's no reason to go above that. They are totally eyeclean. With VS2, they are normally eyeclean, but you may be able to spot an inclusion from the side.

Good Old Gold's AVC's are perfection as far as I am concerned, but they'd be unlikely to have anything in the D-G, VS, 3 ct. range, I am afraid. These cushions face up pretty white, and since they have an antique look, I would even go down to H color. My round is H and it is certainly white.

We will have setting recommendations for you after you select a stone, but I strongly advise you to call Jonathan at Good Old Gold and Mark and Engagement Rings Direct because they have the track record of choosing beautiful antique style cushions.

(I'd buy this J color in a second if I was shopping for a 3 ct. stone: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7451/)
 

backwardsandinheels

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
680
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

Just for fun, look up blue nile and check out the recently purchased rings link. Sort by most expensive and you will see some large stones with visible inclusions...
 

yennyfire

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Messages
6,872
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

I think it's gorgeous, though I know nothing about that particular cut. A trip to GOG would definitely help you make a decision...
 

Treenbean

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
798
Re: After being deployed for 2 years.. To Buy 2-3Ct Cushion

You cannot go wrong with good old gold. Jon is the best. I love my AVC.
 
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