best type of cushion diamond for these settings

[gemnewbie]

I''m still confused about the various types of cushion diamonds. Can someone please identify the exact type of cushion diamonds in these "Art of Platinum" settings, which I love. Does anyone have experience with Art of Platinum? Thanks again for all the help on here.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=493

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=42

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 11/2/2009 11:24:05 PM
Author:gemnewbie
I''m still confused about the various types of cushion diamonds. Can someone please identify the exact type of cushion diamonds in these ''Art of Platinum'' settings, which I love. Does anyone have experience with Art of Platinum? Thanks again for all the help on here.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=493

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=42

Its difficult to tell what type of cushions are being shown. Leon is not known for his knowledge or ability to source top cutdiamonds and so I wouldn''t use his site as a guide for find good centre stones.

The first link the outline looks very straight on the edges and has a big table which would be indicative of more modern cut stone. If you want to duplicate that look I''d try Cushion Brilliant modern b)8 main or c)4 main.
However antique cushions also look great in Leon Mege settings and that is more common with his settings Cushion Brilliant c) or d)
Please find below a guide with videos of each type of look to help you understand the differences.

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ChunkyCushionLover''s Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds

Step 1 (Choose The Type of Cut)

Decide the look of cushion you like best. (Watching the videos should help you the most with this.)

i) Cushion Modified Brilliant (often referred to negatively as the "crushed ice" variety as many in this category have only small flashes and were cut to save weght not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 Pictures and commentary here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-shocking-final-diamond-choice-i-gave-to-my-fiance-which-one-would-you-pick.121154/
c) Square Brilliant (rare seen more in Belgium)
ii) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main like this one http://www.octonus.com/oct/projects/foxymovies/round_cushion2_office_fr.phtml or http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the far left)
b) 8 main modern http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (stone on the left)
c) 8 main antique cushion brilliant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g708wEVYmJ4
d) 8 main old mine cushion http://www.vimeo.com/5310842
iii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows http://www.vimeo.com/2120109
iv) Cushette http://www.vimeo.com/3164922

A helpful thread to see the plots and pictures of different types of cushions can be seen here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/ (keep in mind pictures aren''t as useful as videos and can only be used reliably to understand facet structure not light performance)

Step 2 (Choose the 4Cs)

1) Post your budget, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, LW(length to width) Ratio (do you like perfectly Square or Rectangular?) and cut preference. We will help find stones in your price range or tell you if your budget is realistic for the specs you have chosen or if you will have to make some tradeoffs. If you would rather go directly to the vendor at this point I suggest you speak to:

i) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com
ii) Jon at Goodoldgold.com
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com

This list is limited to what I beleive are vendors who specialize in cushion cuts designed for light performance there may be others but I haven''t had experiences with them. Some vendors like GOG and BGD have even developed their own cushion signature cut diamonds lines not available for sale by any other vendor. All of these vendors will be able to provide ASET images and pictures of stones to help you decide prior to purchase.

Example:

Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eyeclean from 6 feet away looking faceup)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio = 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cushion Brilliant (Modern) either 4 main or 8 main

Than we can help you narrow things down considerably.

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or see in person)

Ask the vendor for a Video and/or ASET image (http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp) of your possible choices and we can help you narrow down which of your selections we prefer and why.

Step 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraisor for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favourite stones to a PS listed appraisor https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx close to you, where you can view your final choices in person prior to purchase you will just have to pay shipping. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraisor without you having to pay first and the appraisor will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor.
For such an expensive purchase $100 in shipping and $100 in appraisor time seems well worth it to make the most informed choice possible.

Happy Hunting,

CCL

 

[ndpwood]

Beautiful settings! We''re in search of the same look, apparently! I just bought an antique cushion and took my jeweler some pix from Leon Mege''s website for them to craft the setting. I can''t wait to see what you end up with! Happy hunting!

 

[freefly]

Who knows, but that second setting is gorgeous! I would be scared to work with LM though, after hearing all the stories.... Too bad, because his settings are to die for!