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Could cushion experts please help me out? :)

M

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
Hi lovely Pricescopers,

I am helping another friend with a search for a beautiful ring and I'm no good with cushion cuts so was hoping to get some help.
It's a surprise so he has decided to go with the cheapest, simple solitaire setting for now and can reset it later if she likes: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...nife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7115

The budget is around $3600USD for the diamond (could stretch it to max 4000 for a stunning stone) for 1+ carat, G+ and eyeclean cushion cut. :mrgreen2:

Open to other vendors too - but I thought JA was good with shipping to Australia and have relatively reasonable prices.

Thanks in advance!:dance:
 
:wavey:Not an expert!!!! However I do love cushions and love window shopping.

You would need to request an ASET on any potential stones, JA will only provide 3 so I would make sure that you have narrowed down your list to your favorites with the highest potential before requesting the ASET. They will place a stone on hold for you, I am not sure for how long. Given the price range that you are looking I would definitely recommend requesting a hold if you see something that you like because a good stone will likely not last long.

Does your friend have a shape preference, square or elongated?
Do they prefer am antique faceting pattern or modern?

My favorite, if you like an antique type faceting:love:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3320560
The 12 area in the video looks dark, mine does this also. In my stone it doesn't appear as a bow tie, it's just the large facet reflecting the camera/background. I don't see at all IRL. You would need an ASET to confirm performance, but boy is it a beauty

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.03-carat-e-color-si2-clarity-sku-3227149
Not sure this would be eye-clean, there is a little bit of mushiness at under the table, but I think it has potential.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3112086
Potential, possibly eye-clean.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. The antique faceted one is such a beauty!! But just finished work and looks like it's being snagged by someone else. :( I would prob like to stay at vs2 or above for her unless it's a very clean si1 for culture reasons. In terms of cushion shape he's not too fussy but I guess not too elongated.

Hi Flying pig - always loved your posts. I haven't been on PS for a while. Is there a way I can contact you directly about something?
 
Octo2005 said:
:wavey:Not an expert!!!! However I do love cushions and love window shopping.

You would need to request an ASET on any potential stones, JA will only provide 3 so I would make sure that you have narrowed down your list to your favorites with the highest potential before requesting the ASET. They will place a stone on hold for you, I am not sure for how long. Given the price range that you are looking I would definitely recommend requesting a hold if you see something that you like because a good stone will likely not last long.

Does your friend have a shape preference, square or elongated?
Do they prefer am antique faceting pattern or modern?

My favorite, if you like an antique type faceting:love:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3320560
The 12 area in the video looks dark, mine does this also. In my stone it doesn't appear as a bow tie, it's just the large facet reflecting the camera/background. I don't see at all IRL. You would need an ASET to confirm performance, but boy is it a beauty

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.03-carat-e-color-si2-clarity-sku-3227149
Not sure this would be eye-clean, there is a little bit of mushiness at under the table, but I think it has potential.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3112086
Potential, possibly eye-clean.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much Octo- no need to be an expert! You guys all have more insight than me. The first one definitely a standout but has been sold.

Matthews1127 said:
Not an expert, but I'm happy to help...

https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD09001622

https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD08185092

Do either of these strike your fancy?
Click to expand...
Thanks - not sure if it's just my eyes or the super bright videos but is there a bit of mushiness?
flyingpig said:
Hi istase :wavey:

Haven't seen you for awhile.
I looked and did not find anything good enough for you and your friend. Will keep looking.
So far, i Like this one too that octo suggested.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3320560
It does appear a bit windowy and leaky under the table. I hope you reserved it and asked for the IS.
Click to expand...
Thanks for searching for me! Missed PS a lot!

What do you guys think of this one? Does it have potential?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-2707962
 
istase2000 said:
Thanks so much Octo- no need to be an expert! You guys all have more insight than me. The first one definitely a standout but has been sold.


Thanks - not sure if it's just my eyes or the super bright videos but is there a bit of mushiness?
Thanks for searching for me! Missed PS a lot!

What do you guys think of this one? Does it have potential?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-2707962
Click to expand...

I believe this one could have potential. Are you interested in the more elongated Cushion, or are you open to square, as well...?
Edit: are you looking for broad facets, or are you interested in Cushions that have both broad & crushed ice faceting?
 
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^ thanks Matthews. I asked them for an ASET but they don't have it :rolleyes2:
Yes open to more square cushions too!
 
istase2000 said:
^ thanks Matthews. I asked them for an ASET but they don't have it :roll2:
Yes open to more square cushions too!
Click to expand...
Thank you! I will continue to search with that in mind. I* am a more broad facet lover, but I know others like crushed ice for more pinfire sparkle, so I had to clarify. The most recent Cushion you posted had a lot of broad facets...and it looks very well cut. It's a shame you can't get an ASET...I'm curious to see if the symmetry is what I'd* expect it to be. :(2
I'm assuming you didn't see anything at JBG that interested you; SO many ACC's with broad facets on her site for such reasonable prices!! *Drool*. I have a wishlist longer than my arm...lol!!
Please continue to share anything you may find. I will do the same. Somewhere, we are bound to find something that speaks to you... ;)2
 
Matthews1127 said:
Thank you! I will continue to search with that in mind. I* am a more broad facet lover, but I know others like crushed ice for more pinfire sparkle, so I had to clarify. The most recent Cushion you posted had a lot of broad facets...and it looks very well cut. It's a shame you can't get an ASET...I'm curious to see if the symmetry is what I'd* expect it to be. :(2
I'm assuming you didn't see anything at JBG that interested you; SO many ACC's with broad facets on her site for such reasonable prices!! *Drool*. I have a wishlist longer than my arm...lol!!
Please continue to share anything you may find. I will do the same. Somewhere, we are bound to find something that speaks to you... ;)2
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for helping
I love searching for other people hehe.
I do like the broad facets - definitely not a fan of the crushed ice look :)

Do you guys think that stone I posted would be worth purchasing without an ASET?
 
istase2000 said:
Thanks so much for helping
I love searching for other people hehe.
I do like the broad facets - definitely not a fan of the crushed ice look :)

Do you guys think that stone I posted would be worth purchasing without an ASET?
Click to expand...
I'm* hesitant to push you to jump without SOME way of examining the stone "up close"; my fear is that the open areas will appear more dark, in certain lighting environments. It is VERY tempting to jump, though. I can see why you like it so much!
Is there any way JA can send you a better video, or can you place it on hold & ask them to send it to you so you can play with it to be certain you want to keep it?
 
Totally understand what you mean about the risk - especially since I'm helping someone else buy. We are in Australia, so no way of returning without paying 10% Tax on it. JA can't get the vendor to take anymore photos right? Cushions are so much more challenging that shopping for rounds! :lol:

In regards to JBG - I couldn't see anything of a higher colour in the price range
And AVCs are so gorgeous - but they do have a bit of a premium and I think my friend doesn't have the budget.
 
istase2000 said:
Totally understand what you mean about the risk - especially since I'm helping someone else buy. We are in Australia, so no way of returning without paying 10% Tax on it. JA can't get the vendor to take anymore photos right? Cushions are so much more challenging that shopping for rounds! :lol:

In regards to JBG - I couldn't see anything of a higher colour in the price range
And AVCs are so gorgeous - but they do have a bit of a premium and I think my friend doesn't have the budget.
Click to expand...
Did you check out GOG or AV?
 
istase2000 said:
Thanks so much Octo- no need to be an expert! You guys all have more insight than me. The first one definitely a standout but has been sold.


Thanks - not sure if it's just my eyes or the super bright videos but is there a bit of mushiness?
Thanks for searching for me! Missed PS a lot!

What do you guys think of this one? Does it have potential?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-2707962
Click to expand...
I saw this one, too. I think it is solid. There is a bit of mushiness here and there under the table. I don't know what your and your friend's expectation is in regards to cut quality.
 
^ I'll check out GOG
flyingpig- I think it doesn't need to be perfect cut but above average and no obvious light leakage or mushiness to the eye would be good. Please let me know if you guys find anything else good ;)
 
I'd check out GOG. They should be able to supply you with full gemological analysis of the stone (including ASETs) which JA won't do unless they get the stone in-house if it is from overseas (but even then I don't think they provide ASET's but only IS' for rounds).
 
Thanks flyingpig
Ill run them past my friend. He's a bit slow with his decision!
 
flyingpig said:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...om=true&order_by=wire_price+asc&shape=Cushion

forgot to mention
Click to expand...
Thanks flyingpig
I like this one from enchanted and it has ASET & idealscope.
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C100-2760Z30Z6?

Do you think it's worth paying that extra, because we still like this one as well and it fits the bill/budget as well. Without an aset, I guess it's hard to compare. But would the below diamond still be a great cushion?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-2707962
 
I think they are about the same in term of light return. Both have a bit of leakage under the table here and there. It is upto how eye clean the SI1 is. Ask the JA gemologist.
For a US shopper, I say go for the SI1. But for an international shopper, it is a bit risky.
 
The G VS2 is rather unusual. Normally you expect more reds at 12/3/6/9 under the table. Green is still light return. A bit of leakage, but I don't think it is detrimental or mushy. At the same time, the edge to edge brightness is also unusual. You expect more greens and light leakage at 12/3/6/9 on the crown. The optimal symmetry is a strong point. Such distinct arrow patterns are rare, and leakage, brightness and contrast patterns are symmetrical as well.

The H VVS1 is also strong, especially under the table with almost no mushness at all.

I think all these stones (H SI1/VS2/VVS2, and G VS2) are great in terms of light performance. Tough decision.
 
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