Antique Cushion - Advise whether to purchase or wait.

[slydog895]

I have done a bunch of research on here about cushion cuts and have decided to either go with an AVC or Canera Diamond. I am leaning towards Canera because of Victor's settings. I have found this diamond in my budget:

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/ha0thr

I have two questions regarding this stone. First it is not an AGS 0 cut stone like most canera and AVCs because it is certified by GIA. I posted this question on another post and someone has advised me that GIA has a stricter grading scheme? The other question I had was regarding the clarity. My girlfriend is not good at determining differences in clarity and I was hoping to save money by getting a VS2/SI1 as long as it was eye clean. Should I wait for another diamond with these specs or would the difference not be that much. Mind you that this diamond also is rectangular which she prefers.

 

[arkieb1]

You are probably already saving a bit because GIA has given it a J not an I. There are high Js (closer to an I) a J and low Js (closer to a K) if you want to nitpick about colour. I owned a K coloured AVC and the cut of these stones masks or hides colour fairly well.

There are several long threads you can read if you google on here GIA versus AGL - people argue they are the same, people argue they get it wrong every now and then about the same amount (they misgrade both lower and higher both ways colour and clarity) and others who believe that GIA is stricter than AGL, particularly with colour grading.

I guess it's up to you an VVS2 is going to be uber clean, that is possibly a good thing, but only you know what your budget is if you cannot find something else email both vendors, Victor and GOG and ask if they are cutting or getting in more stones or if they can specifically cut something for you.

There is a limited number of these stones so sometimes it is just better to take what is available if it is in your price range and you are happy with it, the next stone might not be any better or worse than the first one if that makes sense.

If you want a setting made by Victor he does not take AVCs from GOG. He will also give you a small discount if you buy both setting and stone from him.

 

[slydog895]

Thanks for your response it is very helpful. I am kind of thinking the same thing...these diamonds are rare and I probably won't find exactly what I want. I just thought it would be a shame if I purchased this diamond and then another one came out with similar size color but a lower clarity. I guess the price would not be that much different and you made a good point about GIA giving it a J and not I (how can you tell if its a low J vs high J?). How are the dimensions of this diamonds face? From what I can tell it looks like a good sized face but I don't have another 1.38 ct stone to compare.

 

[arkieb1]

It looks fairly white facing in the video, but when in doubt email and ask about the colour. I'd also email both vendors and ask if they are cutting or getting anything new in, if not then it might be a case of that is the best you will find.

 

[slydog895]

I have reached out to both and Victor has been the only one to respond. He said that he will get new stones in 2-3 weeks but was not sure on the specifications of the stones.

 

[arkieb1]

GOG are not open Sunday or Monday email them again on Tuesday and you might get someone. Perhaps you should see if you can put the existing stone on hold and wait and see if Victor gets anything else that would be suitable.

 

[slydog895]

Another quick question I had was on holiday discounts. I did a quick search on PS and found that last year GOG had discounts on their AVCs. Do you think this will be the case this year? In that case maybe I can look at something like this:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11107/

How does that compare to the canera?

 

[dawnxcui]

they're all good diamonds. ask if the GOG one is eyeclean tho.

 

[slydog895]

Soo I would like to update everyone. I have decided to purchase the canera diamond I first posted and look forward to working with Victor! I went with a double halo setting with single cut melee diamonds! I am really excited and will post pictures when I receive it! Now to ask her parents for permission...

 

[emmebee]

Congrats on the purchase!! That diamond will look stunning

Can't wait to see hand shots, and good luck with asking the parents!!