AVCs vs non branded chunky cushions... thoughts?

[LALove]

I *think* I may have (FINALLY) decided on which stone (or cut rather) I'd like to get for my upgrade. I'm not 100% positive yet and if I do go this route, it will definitely be a ways off as the size I want is out of budget at the moment.

Ever since I discovered PS I have become totally and completely smitten with antique cuts- especially chunky cushions with visible cutlets. I recently came to the conclusion that I prefer them in the color range of J-N. For rounds I prefer colorless but for some reason the warmth on older cuts just seems so romantic and makes me smile.

Last year I had a vendor search high and low for a cushion but he couldn't find one that fit my criteria (budget, size, chunk factor, L/W ratio etc). He didn't want to go lower than J color or VS2 clarity and I didn't push it because at the time I thought that's what I wanted. (I've since seen some awesome cushions in the lower color/clarity ranges..)

Since my perfect cushion didn't seem to exist (at least for the amount I felt OK with spending) I've been going back and forth on my other options- Ideal colorless round, Ideal round in Y-Z color range, upgrade my eternity to GIA ex/AGS 0 50 pointers...?? I almost pulled the trigger several times but just couldn't come to spend that much money on something I wasn't all the way sure about. As this will most likely be my very last large diamond purchase I want to make sure I don't rush into anything- I've rushed into so many purchases (both diamonds and otherwise) over the years and then afterwards realized I didn't really love or even like the thing- what a waste.

During these last few months while researching rounds, I kept totally melting any time I'd see a chunky cushion on here.

Over the past few days I spent way too many hours watching videos of GOG's AVCs. One video I found particularly mesmerizing was where a HUGE chunky cushion (non August Vintage) was compared to a HUGE 4 carat AVC. While the chunky cushion was totally gorgeous- it didn't pull at my heart like the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G AVC did. Seriously? How can a diamond make me feel all dreamy? How corny is that?? LOL

So, I'm 90-99% sure I want an AVC.

I'd like to get some opinions from those who own AVCs or who have seen them in person. (I've only seen pictures and videos.) What do/did you think of them in person? For those who also own or have seen in person non branded chunky cushions- how do you think AVCs compare? Do you think they are worth the premium? Why/why not?

Thanks so much in advance and Happy Holidays!!!!!

 

[Stephan]

I would love to own a 3ct+ AVC, if I had the money I would not even look to other cushions.

 

[chamois]

I own an AVC and the light return, large facets and yummy small table are fantastic compared to a lot of other chunky cushions out there IMO.

 

[LALove]

Thanks QueenM- I'm thinking I'd love to own one too

chamois - would you say that the light return is better than non branded chunky cushions? ...

 

[chamois]

YES. They're cut specifically for light return. Like QM, I'd like to own a 3ct + AVC, perhaps an upgrade for a special anniversary.

 

[LALove]

YES. They're cut specifically for light return. Like QM, I'd like to own a 3ct + AVC, perhaps an upgrade for a special anniversary.

Oh I didn't know that... I thought only the square h&a were cut
For light performance. I'm kind of thinking the premium is worth
It due to that factor and that I'm almost assured to get a great performer- buying site unseen (or even finding) a chunk cushion that's a great performer seems not so easy a task..

Also the upgrade policy is pretty awesome though I may just hold off til the "perfect" one pops up.

Anyone have any idea how often they get new inventory? Also are these cut specifically and only for GOG?

 

[athenaworth]

Ohhh i know the 4ct AVC you're talking about. It's my dream stone. Why someone hasn't snatched that up, I don't know. It's just so dreamy!

 

[chamois]

I think I remember someone on here saying they are going to be getting some more AVC's in the New Year. It's my understanding that GOG are the only company that have AVC's cut.

 

[LALove]

Ok so I'm kind of confused.. I'm still doing research on AVCs, trying to learn as much as I can, and came across this post from katealt and a reply from Garry H...

-----
Written by katealt:
Holy Smokes! That is a huge difference in color, isn't it? So are you saying it is the cut that effects the color so much because of the way the light is returned through the diamond? So how would I be able to judge the color with GIA certs- there is no way, is there? Most vendors just don't have photos and then there is the trouble with photos being true to life (I just posted a thread asking which vendors had photos and sparked a discussion on that point). So what info do you need to run these pictures? What tool is that - the diamond calculator up in the tools drop down menu that I looked at and wished I had but didn't even 'get it', I imagine...?

Is it possible to get an ASET for diamonds from PS vendors (the ones that are in the PS loose diamond search)?
-----
By George, you've got it
From the ASET's we can predict the effect on color.
One way for photo's to work is ask that a colorless diamond is sitting beside the colored one.
Its a problem!
-----
(Here's the post: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-1-51ct-i-si2-cushion-a-great-cut-or-not.151315/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-1-51ct-i-si2-cushion-a-great-cut-or-not.151315/[/URL])

I noticed that the 4ct N color AVC on GOGs site (I love the color on this particular stone!) has much less tint/color and faces up way less "yellow" than a smaller K and L color AVC on his site... I prefer the creamy beige-ish color over the more yellow hue... So if AVCs are all cut very well and cut for optimum light performance then how does the N have less color than the K and L?? Is the N better cut? I know that an Ideal cut RB will show less color than a "good" cut RB of the same color grade but I thought all AVCs were, well excellently cut- is this a wrong assumption? Is it just the photography (they appear to all be photographed under the same conditions)? Can someone explain this please?

creamy beige N: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7145/
soft yellow K: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7800/
yellow beige L: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7802/

 

[LALove]

Ohhh i know the 4ct AVC you're talking about. It's my dream stone. Why someone hasn't snatched that up, I don't know. It's just so dreamy!

Mine too! Mine too!!!! Isn't it perfect?!? I swear it is perfection to me!! Sadly, it's about 8k over budget for me at this time.. Hopefully no one will notice it til I'm able to bulk up my budget

 

[LALove]

I think I remember someone on here saying they are going to be getting some more AVC's in the New Year. It's my understanding that GOG are the only company that have AVC's cut.

Thanks chamois!! I'm sure I won't miss anything new- I'm kind of a GOG AVC stalker now... hehehe

 

[chamois]

You're very welcome. I used to stalk GOG's website for any new AVC's too until I got my last upgrade. I know they haven't had any new ones in a while, but I'm sure my interest will be peaked again when they get a new batch of AVC's.

 

[chamois]

I'm not sure why the appparent differences in colour between the three. I think we need an expert to chime in here......anyone ?
I do think though that the 'N' was photographed a while ago, and the other two were photographed more recently (newer stones), that shouldn't make a difference, unless something has changed in the photography procedure.

 

[jgny]

I think the strong fluorescence of the N may be making it appear whiter...

 

[LALove]

I think the strong fluorescence of the N may be making it appear whiter...

Well.. I'm noticing it in others as well with no fluorescence...

This K seems much whiter/less tinted: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7543/

Thank this K: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7804/

And especially this K: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7800/

This has me a bit perplexed... If the quality of the cut is the main factor in same color grade appearing different in different stones (ie: less well cut stones showing more color).. well that doesn't jive with my idea that all AVCs are cut the same- ie: extremely well... ??? I was banking on that factor to make my choice that much easier.

Or is it that there are shades of grades- that is, there may be different shades of color that all fall in "K" or "J" for example? I think I've heard that but can't find any info on it.

Any more ideas on the very noticeable color difference in the stones above? My main concern is that they aren't all cut extremely well..

 

[MyDiamondSparkles]

I love the AVC's! I swear if I can't find an OEC soon I am going to go the AVC route.

Just so you know I am not a professional or exepert in any way, but I tend to like the lower color diamonds just as well as the higher color diamonds, maybe even more. Since I've looked at so many, it seems to me the way the diamonds look face up has to do with both cut and clarity and where the inclusions are located. Plus there seems to be slight color varations of yellow, brown, a champagne color, etc in the very low colors like K-P. I might like one P and not like another one at all.

Today I looked at an absolutley beautiful OEC 2.8 carat (I can't remember the exact size) in an O-P color--it was beautiful. I only noticed the yellow when it was face down, although the lighting in the store is not all that great (actually they are kind of yellow)....so viewing it in differnt lighting could have produced different results.

Anyway I decided to pass on it because I want a larger diamond and I'm on the fence about an O-P color--but only becase this diamond was a loose stone. I love the lower color diamonds in the illusion settings where a bit of platinum brightness is surrounding them to bring more of the yellow into view. If that makes sense.

MyDiamondSparkles

 

[LALove]

I love the AVC's! I swear if I can't find an OEC soon I am going to go the AVC route.

Just so you know I am not a professional or exepert in any way, but I tend to like the lower color diamonds just as well as the higher color diamonds, maybe even more. Since I've looked at so many, it seems to me the way the diamonds look face up has to do with both cut and clarity and where the inclusions are located. Plus there seems to be slight color varations of yellow, brown, a champagne color, etc in the very low colors like K-P. I might like one P and not like another one at all.

Today I looked at an absolutley beautiful OEC 2.8 carat (I can't remember the exact size) in an O-P color--it was beautiful. I only noticed the yellow when it was face down, although the lighting in the store is not all that great (actually they are kind of yellow)....so viewing it in differnt lighting could have produced different results.

Anyway I decided to pass on it because I want a larger diamond and I'm on the fence about an O-P color--but only becase this diamond was a loose stone. I love the lower color diamonds in the illusion settings where a bit of platinum brightness is surrounding them to bring more of the yellow into view. If that makes sense.

MyDiamondSparkles

That makes sense Thanks for your reply!

I don't think a trade member can chime in now though because I listed specific stones from GOG. Maybe I'll make a new general thread about color..

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I've seen my friend's 2.3 H AVC in person and I have to say, it's far more spectacular in person (and it's already amazing in photos!)

I'm another AVC lover here

ETA: Have you seen this yet?

 

[LALove]

I've seen my friend's 2.3 H AVC in person and I have to say, it's far more spectacular in person (and it's already amazing in photos!)

I'm another AVC lover here

ETA: Have you seen this yet?

Thanks BEG! I'd love to see one in person!!! I'm sure if I end up purchasing a 3-4 carat, my DH and I will fly out and check them out in person.

I have seen that thread- about a million times now! LOL (Thank you for starting that thread!) I just love them.

 

[LALove]

WOOOOHOOOOO!!!! I'll be checking (obsessively probably til they're all up hehe)