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Antique(style?) Cushion Search

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ac987

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 6, 2013
Messages
4
Hello All,

Long time lurker here. I have gathered a lot of information from previous posts regarding the great light performance of the newly cut antique style cushions. What I was wondering is, if it is possible to find a true antique cut cushion, with similar light performance.

I think my interests in order are:
Light performance/Size
Facet pattern (antique style, with the maltese cross)
White facing stone (I've seen a great looking J in person)
SI1 or better (eye clean)

Looking at the newly cut stones, it seems like there is a large premium compared to some of the antique cut stones.

I'm looking for a 2-3.5 carat old mine brilliant (antique style cushion).

Light performance is most important, but I also was hoping to maximize my ring budget with the stone.

I'm looking to spend no more than $19k for the stone and about $20k for the ring total.

What do you guys think? I've talked with some of the major players, and was not in love with anything in my price range yet.

I would also prefer to be able to see the stone in person (live in Los Angeles).

What do you think about the following antique stones?
2.56 I, SI1
3.41 J, SI1 (the largest, it's next to a D color for comparison)

I have seen the 3.41 in person, but I'm not positive on light performance. I bought an ASET hand scope to bring with me next time I go check out stones. Of these, is the large culet going to negatively affect overhead light return too much? (PS this stone looked impressive in person!)

I'm also really liking a Victor Canera antique cushion. 1.5 ct, I, IF. I'm going to check this out in person on Wednesday.

I really like the size of the other two, and am wondering how small it would look, even if the light performance is perfect, I was still hoping for something breaking the 2 ct mark. (for instance the VC is about 56% of the face up size of the 3.41)

Looking forward to chatting with you all :)
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Gosh perhaps I'm far from the right person to answer this question but I think if you like antique stones it is because you love the facet pattern and general appearance of them. Unless there was something glaring wrong such as mushy spots or a very dark maltrese cross I could really care less about light performance. I think if that is your #1 concern you should stick with branded cut diamonds that look like antiques though personally I think they look imitation to me and loses all appeal.

Finding a high colored AC will be very difficult just because so many were recut into MRB’s. You might want to check with Jbeg as they just got in many higher colored old cuts.

Do you have better pictures? the photo on the right is really dark and you can't make much out.
 
Well if light performance is your number one, I think you need to stick with the newly cut ones. I do not think that first one looks all that great and it may not be eyeclean. I can't tell anything about the second picture.

Here is a 1.75 I VVS1 a little over your budget

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10808/

If size is more important, then you'll probably need to go with an antique cushion, but I think you need to look at a lot more.
 
SB621 - Thanks for the information! The issue is I love the facet pattern of the old style stones, but I'm nervous that the light performance won't be good. I posted some more pictures (maybe next time I'll bring a better quality camera, I only took these with my cellphone!)

GoSounders - I have been considering the AVC, and actually that one in particular, I just don't know, at 18,500 (bankwire) it seems like it should be bigger, better color? I don't know, I love the look of the Good old gold stones, and the light performance is great, it's just tough when you could get a similar spec'd stone (antique cut) that is more than 1ct larger. Especially comparing the average price per carat of $5610 for similarly spec'd stone.

Diamondseeker2006 - I would prefer a stone at about the 2 ct range. I'd have a hard time plopping down greater than my budget on a stone less than 2 ct.

I have been looking for months and have seen some great looking antique stones, but none of them have been in diffuse light, most of them have been under standard flourescent lighting. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with how well the antiques perform compared to the newly cut. I've seen the image posted by Victor Canera showing a real antique stone and was wondering if this is typical.


https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/222618_483307075062782_1328430510_n.jpg

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Does your SO have an opinion on this? I ask because I find that many ppl have a line drawn in the sand with antique diamonds vs. branded. You either like one or the other. Not many seem to really care for both styles. Here on PS I feel like a lot of emphasis is put on cut and light performance which just doesn't always apply to antiques. I think for you to make this decision you to need to see and compare the different cuts. You might see an antique and just not care if the light performance is excellent/ great/ good etc. Or it might really bother you what is written on the report and not be "mind clean." Regardless I think you will need to see both and then once you have I think the answer will be clear.

And just my extra .02 cents if you are looking at antique diamonds ask for a video. I think you can tell much more about the light performance and affects on the MC in the video then by camera shots.
 
Victor's Cushions are stunning. I think you will love them, what you end up with probably depends on if you do want a top performing stone or you do decided to get a genuine antique. Antique stones generally are never perfect, they have their own quirky personalities which is what makes them unique.
 
I LOVE the big one! But I am a newbie and don't know much about the dimensions and cut. I am just a size whore. :lol:
 
In addtion to JbEG I would contact:

Adam at OWD- call or email.
Perry at Leon Mege (last time I checked he had a few H/I/J cushions though I think they were above your budget but also closer to 3.5-4cts. See if he has something smaller.
Victor Canera as honestly I like his branded diamonds they best from the ones I have seen. I think they resemble AC's the most, but I also think they have the highest preimum.

Hope that helps a bit.
 
SB621 - I am carrying out all the research on this. We watched one video of the AVCs compared to a modern cushion, and the choice was easy. She liked the AVC hands down. I don't think she necessarily has an opinion one way or the other. I saw the 3.41 in person, and it's quite stunning. It's above my price range slightly, but I feel I might be able to talk it down a bit :). I totally am feeling what you're saying "mind clean" I think that is my main reservation with an antique stone. I haven't yet seen a newly cut stone like the Victor's (which I will be seeing on Wednesday) so I can't tell if I would love it compared to the 3.41 or not.

arkieb1 - I love the ASET on his cushions...so good looking. I'm quite partial to this stone: http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/g5ainl Not sure if it has too much green in the ASET though. As far as determining whether or not I want a top performer or an antique, I really can't decide. I think if I found a 2.5 ct top performer that was newly cut, I'd just stop looking now :). Antique stones are fun, and have a really cool background. I really like the idea that these stones were cut about 100 years (or more) ago!

soxfan - I also really like the 3.41, very pretty in person!

SB621(2) - I have contacted most of these folks :).
I have not contacted Adam yet, so I should probably extend a line to him.
Perry has a 2 ct H, SI1 which looked great, at just below 18k...but still, I guess I am having trouble since I can't see it in person and since I assumed I'd be able to get more stone for 18k. Maybe seeing the ASET would help, I should ask.
I have an appointment with Victor on Wed. to check out his 1.5 ct cushion, so that will help me understand what a newly cut stone looks like in person. I just would have trouble since it's not above that 2 ct mark...
 
I think you will be blown away by Victor's cushions. If you are not in a hurry, tell him what you want the size, colour price, he is cutting more all the time so he might be able to have something cut specifically for you. If you decided on a genuine antique instead, viewing them will at least show you what a top performing stone should look like in comparison.
 
I would LOVE to see Victor's cushions in person. When I read that you were in LA, I was jealous! :lol: PLEASE post pictures of them! :appl:
 
Arkieb1 - I look forward to checking out Victor's cushions, they have a fantastic aesthetic. I will let you all know after I head there. I did ask him if he had anything in the pipeline for 2 ct, but it sounds like that would end up getting out of my price range unfortunately. I'll re ask on Wed! Any suggestions on photos to take to help me mentally compare?

Soxfan - I'd be happy to take some photos! I'll post back as soon as I get back.

Also, another question. Do you guys find any benefit to mentioning to jewelers/stone sales staff that you're a PS user?
 
Hi yes always mention it some vendors give discounts some don't, but they do generally tend to give better service overall.
 
ac987|1375143006|3492773 said:
Arkieb1 - I look forward to checking out Victor's cushions, they have a fantastic aesthetic. I will let you all know after I head there. I did ask him if he had anything in the pipeline for 2 ct, but it sounds like that would end up getting out of my price range unfortunately. I'll re ask on Wed! Any suggestions on photos to take to help me mentally compare?

Soxfan - I'd be happy to take some photos! I'll post back as soon as I get back.

Also, another question. Do you guys find any benefit to mentioning to jewelers/stone sales staff that you're a PS user?
Click to expand...

I believe most of the dealers mentioned here give a discount. However, when I told MY jeweler that I'd been snooping around on here, he said "You've been on pricescope? Now you have just enough information to make you dangerous." :lol: :lol: :lol:

He was right, I decided to go with victor canera on my new wedding set. :twisted:
 
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