Antique Cushion Thoughts: Is this 4+ carat the one?

[WhoaNelly]

I've been on the hunt for a few months for an antique cushion e-ring. Adam at OWD sent this one to me. It's uncerted so I had Neil take a look. What are your thoughts: should I pull the trigger?

Carat Weight: 4.48 Carats
Clarity: SI1
Color: O-P
Dimensions: 9.54 x 9.68 x 6.88mm.
Table: 48%
Depth: 72.1%
Crown: 23.1% Pavilion: 44%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good

I haven't uploaded files before so bear with me if I messed it up.

Neil and Adam have been fantastic to work with. It's a big purchase so they are going through my OCD, anxiety vortex

Thanks in advance: along with a huge debt of gratitude to all of you who have gotten me to this point. Before I found PS, I had no idea that antique cushions existed nor how stunning they are---even at the lower colors.

 

[WhoaNelly]

Adding pics from my iPhone ---gak, added then lost post so here goes again

 

[WhoaNelly]

And one more

 

[SB621]

Is there a new video to go with it? How do you feel about it? The 2 things I learned most during my antique cushion hunt is: 1- assets really don't matter (in my opinion others will say differently) and 2- no two ppl look for the same things with antique stones.

I'm on the fense about this one. But it is hard with just a few pictures. In some of the photos I'm still missing the crisp facet pattern I like to see right off the bat. However that could just be your photos. My AC doesn't photograph well mixed with my horrible photography skills makes everything worst.

The maltese cross looks good, especially in the last picture you see all the windmills lit up. I also really love the tiny table. AC's with a table of 47-49% are my absolute favorite. I would keep it for a few days and "experience" the AC. Check it out in different lighting. Compare it to metals that you might have it set in. See how you feel about the color, hue etc. After 3 days if you love it and the idea of sending it back to Adam gives you pain then I think you found a wonderful diamond. If you have reservations on anything I would continue the hunt for something you absolutely love.

 

[Laila619]

Looks just beautiful to me!

Are you okay with the O/P color though? I'm assuming yes but just want to make sure.

 

[justginger]

Just from the photos here, if they are representative of the stone, it's not one I would purchase. Like SB said, the facets look undefined - I love seeing crisp joins. But for all I know. the stone looks completely different in person. With antique cuts you really have to buy what you love. I think people get very caught up in only wanting to purchase a stone that 100% of PSers say is the most beautiful ever, and don't account for their own feelings. None of us will be wearing it - if it makes your heart sing after test driving it around for a few days, then there's no question that you should keep it.

 

[WhoaNelly]

Thanks for the advice SB21. It is so darn difficult to accurately photograph a diamond! And I almost didn't post the ASET because I agree with you that they aren't that useful for these types of cuts. No video since the recut.

The stone has been growing on me. I'm trying not to get too emotionally wound up---so to some extent, I am on the fence. But when I put it in the tension set and wear it around, I do find myself ogling it and falling into the facets.

Laila: my biggest reservation was the color---you totally called it. What I have found is that it changes so very much in different light conditions---bright white face up at times to an old lace in others. Body color is always visible from the side. I like that chameleon quality. I'm hesitant about the body color. Wondering if the setting would help?

EDIT: Justginger---thank you so much for chiming in. I've admired your Poppy---it was one of the first antique cushions I came across on PS and I still go back and drool over it. I think you are right---as I said above, my heart is beginning to sing. Gonna give myself the weekend.

I'd like to do a "Boston Jeff" in platinum. SB21 & Justginger: how'd that affect your stones in terms of color?

Thanks again.

 

[WhoaNelly]

Neil did say that he thought the cut was great and that it has the classic blocky facets and good even light coverage.

I think it is a little wonky. Am I crazy?

 

[justginger]

It looks a bit wonky to me too, but again, it's hard to tell from photos alone. What sort of symmetry did Neil/his Sarin give it? It's completely normal for there to be some wonk to these old stones - mine is certainly not perfectly even, despite having 'excellent' symmetry.

The body color is something it sounds like will be a deal breaker for you. I'm not sure you should keep a stone that you immediately notice the color of, and are anticipating how setting will potentially change it. It just seems like it will only bother you more and more and more through the years. Although that being said, I never saw my stone loose before it was set - maybe if I had, i would have been concerned as well? I feel very fortunate to have gotten the stone I did, in terms of color. Despite Neil's O-P grading, I never look at it and see yellow. I see less tint, top down, in it than I have in many, many certified stones of higher colors.

In terms of color, you can always put it in a setting that covers the majority of the side view, if that's the only thing that bothers you (if it looks good, top down). I didn't do it intentionally, but the setting Poppy is in has a very wide 'brace' in the basket, which does shield a lot of the side view. I'm guessing that platinum coloration only serves to further 'lift' the color of the stone, so yours may indeed look whiter once set.

 

[WhoaNelly]

JG: That's right: you didn't see your stone in person before it was set! I'm still in awe Neil's Sarin said symmetry was VG; before Sarin, when he looked at it, he said it was excellent. It does face up bright and white top down---no where close to the side view in terms of color---it's a couple of colors higher to my eye---maybe even K or L depending on the lighting.

The wonk adds some character to me. I just wanted to verify I wasn't crazy in seeing it.

I'll see how I feel in another day or two. Just a few hours ago, I found that by wrapping the back of the tension thingie with a tissue, I can get it to fit like a regular ring. I think my ring size is between 3.25 or 3.5 so it helps to have it held in place to view it from multiple angles. I'm having a hard time imagining the look when it's set.

Maybe I should ask Adam what is exchange policy is?? Get it set and live with it and if I don't like it, have him hunt for another. Or, since I'm not in a hurry, maybe just return this one and keep hunting. AARRGH! I'm driving myself crazy with my indecision. Ok, deep breath in---see how I feel in another few days---deep breath out. And repeat.

Thank you for your time and patience in answering my concerns and questions.

 

[Laila619]

Neil did say that he thought the cut was great and that it has the classic blocky facets and good even light coverage.

I think it is a little wonky. Am I crazy?

There you go! Neil is one of the best; he wouldn't steer you wrong. It really looks lovely to my eye.

 

[WhoaNelly]

Laila: thank you!!! Sometimes I wish this were a black and white decision v. so highly subjective. So much easier if I could just go through some analytics and hey, presto---come out with a clear answer. Sigh.

 

[justginger]

I think Adam's exchange policy is pretty good, from all I've heard. You'd really just be out the cost of the setting, and even that you could either recycle, sell, or scrap to get something back out of it.

Your plan sounds solid. Wear it for a couple of days and go with your gut. My DH thought I was nuts when I bought my ring from Adam, and now all he says is that it's the best money I've ever spent!

 

[Acinom]

The stone looks really lovely to me. A bit wonky indeed, but not in a disturbing way, but it rather adds to the quirkyness of an antique stone. On the photo's the crown looks nice and high and the stone matches very well with your hand.

I love the warm color and chameleon quality but I am totally biased because of my 5+ ct, U-V stone. If it bothers you however, you could better look for a whiter stone. Old cuts can face up really white, but it depends on the light.

Enjoy making your decision. Great fun to buy such a huge stone.

 

[WhoaNelly]

Hello Acinom: I'm a fan of your beautiful ring! Thank you for your thoughts. As I've lived with it and taken in for a 'test drive' I have fallen in love with its chameleon quality. At times it is quite blindingly bright and other times, like old lace---and so much more inbetween. It's a beautiful cut and facet pattern---pics don't do it justice, especially my craptastic ones.

Geez, as I read what I've written I realize I think I've made my decision Now I want to see if I can haggle on price with OWD

Wish me luck!

 

[SparklyOEC]

Oh good luck. I think it's a beautiful cushion.

 

[AnnaH]

Wow, looks really big and sparkly to me and somewhat white. That said, my knowledge is very limited. Please keep us posted.

 

[SB621]

oops sorry i never saw your follow up question.

I set my AC in a rosebud inspired setting and I hated it!!! The color contrast against the stark PLAT made it look yellow and it was just to 'plain' for my taste. I ended up haloing the diamond with single cuts in the G/H color realm and I have loved the diamond since then!

Please excuse the picures. It wasn't until very recently I finally figured out how to photograph my AC!

Halo reset thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/my-dream-ring-is-here-venice-in-vc-halo-t188043.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/my-dream-ring-is-here-venice-in-vc-halo-t188043.html[/URL]

Orginal solitare:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/5-06ct-antique-cushion-venice-t184421.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/5-06ct-antique-cushion-venice-t184421.html[/URL]