Confused and overwhelmed about cushions!

[mmi]

There is a setting on BlueNile that BF and I love. Problem is, you must buy a diamond with the setting. BlueNile, while I am a huge fan, does not have pics of their diamonds. Is there any way to evaluate a cushion from its stats alone? I am not a fan of the crushed ice look. I found this on BN:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02134487

My heart is not completely set on the Bluenile setting. Are there excellent sites to buy cushions out there that you don't have to be a gemologist to know you're getting a good one? I love the chunky facets of GOG AVCs but I'm looking for other sites too. GOG has the best quality pictures I've seen. Most sites have none at all.
I would appreciate ANY help whatsoever!
mmi

 

[slg47]

no, you cannot evaluate a cushion from the numbers alone...you really need images. you could try James Allen or Engagement Rings direct in addition to GOG.

 

[farmer gal]

which setting is it from BN

 

[TheGreatTwizz]

As one who has been cushion shopping for nearly two months now, you absolutely cannot evaluate on stats. James Allen will, however, send you ASET images for up to three stones, as well as have their in-house gemologist give you an opinion on them. ASET and actual photos are really the only way to evaluate online, but NOTHING compares to in person. I spent upwards of 5 hours in Philadelphia's Jeweler's Row last week and looked at 30+ stones. You'd be surprised by the amount of garbage out there when it comes to cushions. I eventually found one with pretty good light performance that meets all sorts of my criteria and is under budget, but has a smaller spread than I'd like. Seeing them in person tells you tons, and depending on the size and your budget, it may be worth spending the $100 or so on a kit with the light tray and ASET scope. I found this to be an invaluable tool as I was shopping, as well as garnered some interesting looks from the stores.

 

[mmi]

Not sure how many cushions I will be able to see in South Carolina. Kays/Zales dominate around here. I see that you can request images and videos from ERD, neat! They seem to have a nice selection. Do you know how many times BF and I can request images?

How standardized are cushion cuts? Do they have a very wide variability?

 

[slg47]

Not sure how many cushions I will be able to see in South Carolina. Kays/Zales dominate around here. I see that you can request images and videos from ERD, neat! They seem to have a nice selection. Do you know how many times BF and I can request images?

How standardized are cushion cuts? Do they have a very wide variability?

yes, the variability is HUGE. I would watch this video and narrow down whether you want square/rectangular, modern/vintage, and then once you know a bit more about what you want, contact some vendors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7H8E_MYRM

If you do a search on James Allen you can see that there are a TON of different appearances...their searches bring up pics of the diamonds and you can see how different they are!

 

[Enerchi]

Thanks Sig47 for posting that video - I've been hooked on Jonathon's you tube video's all morning! What a wealth of info in that ... and his others. Thanks again.

mmi- hope you are learning as much as I am!

 

[mmi]

Yes, thank you sIg47!