Anxiety about new e-ring. Help!

[redroze]

For those who have been following my posts know that I'm selling my 70 point engagement ring and upgrading to a bigger diamond and new setting. My husbands been helping me along the way to nail down what I want. We ruled out EC deciding we'd need to go bigger than we could afford to counteract the lack of sparkle. We honed in on a round brilliant because they look the biggest and a 1.2 would give a nice classic look, visibly bigger, and work within our roughly 11k US budget - 9 for the diamond and 2 for the setting, give or take.

I'm in love with this design. No enamoured. Chris from ERD said he can do something similar close to my budget. Details to be discussed still. But now im wondering if this setting will even look good with a round and whether I should just go with a square cushion like the photo! The preciosa design by SK has a round and I don't like it as much as this one. I think this setting just fits better with a cushion. It's a vintage feel that I love and it feels more special that the RB. Id love to pass this down as an heirloom piece.
http://www.stevenkirsch.com/engagement/solitaire/r0206.html

Here's where I'm struggling:
- I know ERD sourced other cushions fabulously. I however have never seen one in person and wouldn't know what to look for. I'll read Charmy's cushion post now but this gives me some anxiety as rounds are more straightforward.
- can I even get a cushion in my specs (H or I, VS2, xxx, no flour) within 9k? I'll obviously have to go bigger as cushions face up smaller. So I'd have to go approximately 1.5.
- Will that be big enough? Ring finger is 4 1/4.
- are cushions as classic as a round? This is my forever ring. Sounds crazy but this is it. Any future Jewellery purchases will not be erings or ering diamonds!

Help I feel I'm going crazy and I really want to enjoy this!

 

[Gypsy]

I don't recommend getting a diamond cut you haven't seen in person.

Do you have a Tiffany near you? They have cushions. Not antique cushions. But you didn't say you wanted an antique.

And yes, cushions face up smaller than rounds, in general. But they cost less per carat so it all balances out.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.50-carat-h-vs2-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-155243.html,,,
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-288119

SO yes. I think an eyeclean H or I SI1 is doable.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think antique cushions or oec's (newly cut or antique) are great paired with antique style settings. But antique cushions are a totally different look than a round brilliant. The AVC's that I have seen were very beautiful and I hope someday I can have one. But you have to love them! Do I think an cushion with almost equal length sides would look great in that setting? Definitely! I would personally want AVR's or AVC's in antique style settings, and certainly you can explore other types as well. I think you are very wise to think this through before buying.

(Now that I see Gypsy's post, I realized I assumed Redroze meant antique cushions since that is what is set in the SK ring. I hope so because I don't see an advantage of a modern cushion over a round brilliant, personally.)

 

[redroze]

Ok I think you've hit the nail on the head for me. I love antique styling. It's why I chose my bright cut pave milgrain wedding band and matching original ering. I also love square shapes - our furst ever diamond purchase was a princess which we exchanged for a round as the princess looked smaller. It's why I love emerald cuts. The cushion is the best of both world - square shape and sparkle.

Ok I read Charmypoo's post and her Harry Winston ring is a modern brilliant. Would that look good in this setting? I'd love that or the ERD cushion that mixes the modern and vintage shape. Maybe that's the cushion shape I can go for. I'll visit Tiffany's this week but I am pretty certain I prefer a modern brilliant over a true vintage cushion.

 

[CharmyPoo]

That setting looks best with a cushion. I tried both a cushion and a round and came to the conclusion. Go look at cushions at Tiffany and Birks. Neither have antique cuts but you can see a range of modern cushions.

We have some pretty big antique dealers in Toronto too if you want to go see them.

 

[artdecolover71]

HI RR! I would definitely go try some cushions on...it seems like you still might not be positive and I know you want to be sure!

 

[redroze]

I looked and looked through old threads and I'll visit Tiffs and Birks tomorrow but I think I'm finally nearing closure as a cushion is it for me!!! I'm 99% certain!

Chris has been very responsive and nice. I'm going to ask him to source the diamond and do the setting. It won't have the under halo like the SK as I don't really see a need but will have a side halo and pave along the prongs and basket and top of shank. Looking to source an x cushion. Also the pave will be bright cut edged in milgrain.

Here's the example Chris sent me which has different pave and a round but gives a general idea.


I'll also do split claw prings for a more vintage feel. This is one of ERD's halos and I like the prongs.
!

I'll post when I need help again.

Thanks so much ..this forum is sooooo wonderful!