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Am I asking for too much? Search for my cushion.

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CharmyPoo

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I recently found out that my boyfriend has started looking for a diamond. He doesn''t want me in the process and won''t tell me who he is working with. I have been a lurker on pricescope for a long time so I have been feeding him bits and pieces here and there. I am sure he would has selected a highly recommended pricescope vendor and I trust him completely.

Anyways, it seems that he is unable to find a diamond that meets my "requirements" (I will be happy with whatever he picks). I have also searched on many diamond websites for a few weeks with no luck. The specs are below - am I asking for too much? What should I scarfice on - I feel like my range is pretty big already? How long do you usually have to wait before that perfect diamond pops up for you? Help!

Shape: Cushion
Cut: Cushion Brillant
Carat: 1.3 to 1.6 (probably 1.35 to 1.45 is more realistic - I am a size 3)
Color: D to F
Clarity: Lowest is VS1 but I wouldn''t mind a VS2
Polish-Symmetry: Lowest is VG-VG but would love EX
Ratio: Highest is 1.04 but would like 1.01 to 1.02
Cut: Premium or Very Good
Cutlet: None
Gridle: Small Range. Medium is best.
Flourensce: None
Depth: 65 - 70%
Table: 60 - 65%
 
I don''t know anything about cushions. I do know though that if your boyfriend is using one of the recommended vendors, everything will probably be just fine. If your boyfriend has already let you know he wants to make this purchase for you without you being involved in the process, you might have to just trust that it will all work out ok. It sounds like you have already had quite a bit of input and thankfully he is doing good research if he is looking around this forum and using one of the trusted vendors. Some of the vendors have trade up policies so that if something isn''t to your liking you could trade it down the road if you needed to. I think they all have an inspection period as well, so if he plans to propose as soon as the ring arrives, you will have a window of time to send it back if something isn''t right. I hope your ring is stunning and will be anxious to hear how your story unfolds!
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I wonder if the toughest part is finding such a high color cushion that''s basically square? Most cushions that I find are more rectangular.
 
Hi Charmy!

The best way to approach this might be to see if your BF can contact Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com tell him your specs and budget, and let him find you a cushion! He is known as The Cushion King for good reason, he has a superb eye for these shapes, you will be in good hands with him - IF your BF is open to suggestions!
 
Date: 6/5/2008 4:32:26 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Charmy!


The best way to approach this might be to see if your BF can contact Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com tell him your specs and budget, and let him find you a cushion! He is known as The Cushion King for good reason, he has a superb eye for these shapes, you will be in good hands with him - IF your BF is open to suggestions!

I totally agree with Lorelei. Mark is fantastic. It sounds like you're looking for a more modern cushion (because of the Ex for polish and symmetry). Take a look at bargaincrazy's stone. That's an Ex/Ex cushion Mark sourced (a little larger than what you're looking for though. If that is what you want, I'd make sure to tell Mark that as well.

Another recommendation would be to contact Jon at Good Old Gold. I'm thinking maybe a square hearts & arrow or a princess of hearts would fit the bill since you want an almost perfectly square stone.
 
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. My guess is that my boyfriend is already working with Mark since I noticed his website up a few times at home (and it wasn''t me). I will just have to leave it in their trusty hands and let my obessive and controlling tendenancies go! I am sure some of you know the feeling - I want it now and can''t wait. LOL.

Gotta keep telling myself .. let it go .. stop searching.
 
Date: 6/5/2008 10:21:08 AM
Author: CharmyPoo
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. My guess is that my boyfriend is already working with Mark since I noticed his website up a few times at home (and it wasn''t me). I will just have to leave it in their trusty hands and let my obessive and controlling tendenancies go! I am sure some of you know the feeling - I want it now and can''t wait. LOL.

Gotta keep telling myself .. let it go .. stop searching.
Hehe! I wouldn''t worry too much then!
 
Hi CharmyPoo,
I love cushions too, and feel your pain regarding the wait. I think it took me about 5 months of searching to find my stone, and I think other cushion lovers may have had a similar experience.

Mark T. and Jon both have access to great cushions, so between those two vendors, one of them should be able to find you what you want, it's just a question of when. Depending on what kind of cushion you are interested in, you may be able to open up the table range to go below 60 (especially if you are considering a stone like bargaincrazy's square ex/ex cushion from Mark T which has a table in the 50s.) https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-2-48-cushion-w-pave-setting-by-mark-t-erd.55339/
If you like a 4 pavilion main cushion like Soprano87's
they seem to pop up with tables in the 60's (hers is 66%). So if you prefer one cut style, I would just make sure your BF shows Mark or Jon links to the stones you like so they know what to look for. After that, it becomes a matter of trusting ones eyes over the numbers. Neither Jon nor Mark would sell you a yucky cushion.
 
Just some suggestions, since you asked. Unless you''re highly color sensitive, I would open it up to G, and SI1 clarity IF totally eyeclean. Also up to Med. fluorescence is not going to have any impact visually on the stone. I''d also let the table be smaller, if it''s in proportion with everything else. (smaller tables make for more fire)
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I also wouldn''t rule out Good on Polish, and possibly Symmetry, if Mark felt it was a good stone. We''ve seen some dazzlers with such specs. Nothing wrong with Slightly thick girdle either.
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Date: 6/5/2008 10:50:54 AM
Author: pixley
After that, it becomes a matter of trusting ones eyes over the numbers. Neither Jon nor Mark would sell you a yucky cushion.

ditto this. there is nothing wrong with using numbers on cushions for a guide but they are one shape that just needs to be seen. the numbers aren't going to tell you the whole story and you might find a stone that meets your criteria but can be outperformed by one who's numbers don't. I'd give a general guideline to your BF to give Mark or Jon and trust them to find the perfect stone. they really have a huge success rate of finding gorgeous cushions and like Pixley said, they are not going to sell you a yucky one..

oh and I have a G SI2 cushion that is white and very clean so you might consider dropping the color and clarity a bit to broaden your search. I personally wouldn't go below an H in a cushion based on the one's i've seen but a G should be plenty white.
 
As already pointed out, I would suggest opening your search for clarity a little more. I know it''s a little scary, but if he''s working with Mark you''re in good hands. When I was first searching for my Fiancés'' cushion on paper I wouldn''t look at anything in the SI range, after seeing it I ended up with a SI2 and have absolutely no regrets. There are a lot of bad SIs out there and there are also some amazing ones that offer great value. It all depends on how much time and patience he wants to put into this.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions. I will definetly take them into consideration. I am also some what comforted to know that others had to wait a long time before the right diamond came along. I am thinking back to our house search and we looked for over a year but the right house did magically appear!

I have always been able to see and notice symmetry even around the house and it bothers the heck out of me - my boyfriend said in something this small, I am not going to notice and that G may be good enough since the ratings are so subjective. I am also sensitive to colour so I am a little nervous going to G but I am sure I will be fine as long as it is a border line F/G.

Thank you again everyone - Pricescope is wonderful!
 
Another question - would a gridle of Very thin to slightly thick be undesirable?
 
Date: 6/5/2008 12:47:17 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
Another question - would a gridle of Very thin to slightly thick be undesirable?
A very thin girdle would be more prone to chipping, but if you set in a bezel or halo where the stone would be more ''protected'', as opposed to a solitaire where it will be subject to more abuse, it shouldn''t be a huge problem. Especially since the thickness will vary to slightly thick. Seriously though, Mark will not steer you wrong.
 
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