Budget Cushion ASET

[imjoe]

I'm very new to world of diamonds and on a much smaller budget than many of the other posts of cushion ASETs that I've seen. I've tried to do as much research as possible and PS has been an incredibly valuable resource. I'm hoping I can get a little assistance with my search

Here is what I'm looking for:
Shape - Cushion
Size - 1/2 carat
Color - I or better
Clarity - SI1 or better (eye clean)
Best light performance I can get for about $1000

I was sent this ASET image today and I was wondering if I could get some opinions

.5 I SI1


Thanks in advance

 

[starrylight]

My favorites from James Allen (you can ask for 3 ASETS for free, so choose wisely)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.42-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-sku-149388
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.43-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-125592
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.54-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-35877
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.51-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-319959

 

[marymm]

OP - the Aset you posted is underwhelming. The whole table area is just not what we'd want to see in a high-performing diamond - the center has too much blue and the outer edge of the table looks to be mushy (see the faded green/blurry areas?).


Basically, an Aset shows where a diamond gathers its light:

Blue is blocked by the observer (some blue adds contrast)
Red is best: most light comes from above –from the ceiling
Green is OK; it is reflected and from windows, but red is better
White shows how much leakage is present (bad, especially when the leakage is adjacent to blue; when you will see a large dead dark zone in normal lighting)


With an I-or-higher preference, is $1,000 your hard-and-fast budget or can you go up to $1,200? Or, are you open to J-color?

 

[Gypsy]

My favorites from James Allen (you can ask for 3 ASETS for free, so choose wisely)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.42-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-sku-149388
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.43-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-125592
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.54-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-35877
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.51-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-319959

The first three are not good choices, unfortunately. The last one has nice faceting, but I don't think the light performance is going to be there.

I'll take a look.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.41-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-264055
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.50-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-258459
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.44-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-120134

 

[imjoe]

OP - the Aset you posted is underwhelming. The whole table area is just not what we'd want to see in a high-performing diamond - the center has too much blue and the outer edge of the table looks to be mushy (see the faded green/blurry areas?).


Basically, an Aset shows where a diamond gathers its light:

Blue is blocked by the observer (some blue adds contrast)
Red is best: most light comes from above –from the ceiling
Green is OK; it is reflected and from windows, but red is better
White shows how much leakage is present (bad, especially when the leakage is adjacent to blue; when you will see a large dead dark zone in normal lighting)


With an I-or-higher preference, is $1,000 your hard-and-fast budget or can you go up to $1,200? Or, are you open to J-color?

I understand it isn't amazing by any means but my budget is $1000 with very minimal wiggle room so I was figuring that I'm not going to see anything very spectacular. I'm just trying to the best I can with the limits I have set. I'd also prefer to stay at I or above.

Thanks for the input so far.

 

[imjoe]

The first three are not good choices, unfortunately. The last one has nice faceting, but I don't think the light performance is going to be there.

I'll take a look.

What didn't you like about the 3rd one?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.41-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-264055
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.50-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-258459
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.44-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-120134

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Gypsy]

The first three are not good choices, unfortunately. The last one has nice faceting, but I don't think the light performance is going to be there.

I'll take a look.

What didn't you like about the 3rd one?

Oh I like it. Its actually my favorite in terms of faceting. But the ASET might be underwhelming. Still, you get three, so add it to your ASET list.

 

[Gypsy]

This might be a winner for you:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6532381-0.50-carat-Cushion-diamond-E-color-SI1-clarity.aspx Lovely ASET. In budget. E color. Eyeclean, looks like. And 1/2 a carat.

I don't know if any of the others I picked will be able to beat this one!

 

[Gypsy]

And here's another: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6522648-0.51-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-VS1-clarity.aspx


I'd personally go with one of these two. And of the two, this one here has better performance.


Forget the JA stones. I think this one is your winner.

 

[imjoe]

Beautiful! Thanks I'll check it out.