Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

CUSHION ADVICE PLEASE!!!!!

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
Aida1010

Aida1010

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
114
Hey guys, I just posted a thread about not knowing what to do in regards to letting a jeweler find me a diamond, or to purchase one on my own from an online vendor. I decided to put this diamond on hold. When I asked my jeweler what he thought he told me that he thinks it would be too shallow and lack brilliance and fire as the dimensions are too large for its carat weight. I know a lot of people know more about depths and percentages than I do, so any advice would be truly appreciated!!

Here it is:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?find=1&cid=130&item=1133685
 
The depth does seem rather low, but it would be best to request an IdealScope image from James Allen (they provide them upon request).
 
I think the depth is fine (not too shallow) which will give you a larger face up appearance. At first glance, the facet pattern looks pretty. I''d request an Idealscope picture from JA too.
 
Date: 6/24/2009 7:15:42 PM
Author:Aida1010
Hey guys, I just posted a thread about not knowing what to do in regards to letting a jeweler find me a diamond, or to purchase one on my own from an online vendor. I decided to put this diamond on hold. When I asked my jeweler what he thought he told me that he thinks it would be too shallow and lack brilliance and fire as the dimensions are too large for its carat weight. I know a lot of people know more about depths and percentages than I do, so any advice would be truly appreciated!!

Here it is:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?find=1&cid=130&item=1133685
Click to expand...
The picture of the stone has a bunch of black spots on it in highly visible places. This could be carbon inclusions which would bother me quite a bit or just a dirty camera or diamond.
Get the GIA certificate and post here or just make sure you look at it carefully to see where the inclusions are and if they are in the same spot as those black spots I''d pass on it.

You will have a nice sized stone for its Carat Weight based on that depth and just because it is more shallow does not mean it can''t have great optics.
I would also get an ASET image which will tell you how good the light performance in this diamond is.
You want to see a dark red colour under the table and uniform around the edges of the stone. Post the ASET here for opinions if you want us to take a look at it.
 
Date: 6/25/2009 1:46:01 AM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 6/24/2009 7:15:42 PM
Author:Aida1010
Hey guys, I just posted a thread about not knowing what to do in regards to letting a jeweler find me a diamond, or to purchase one on my own from an online vendor. I decided to put this diamond on hold. When I asked my jeweler what he thought he told me that he thinks it would be too shallow and lack brilliance and fire as the dimensions are too large for its carat weight. I know a lot of people know more about depths and percentages than I do, so any advice would be truly appreciated!!

Here it is:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?find=1&cid=130&item=1133685
Click to expand...
The picture of the stone has a bunch of black spots on it in highly visible places. This could be carbon inclusions which would bother me quite a bit or just a dirty camera or diamond.
Get the GIA certificate and post here or just make sure you look at it carefully to see where the inclusions are and if they are in the same spot as those black spots I''d pass on it.

You will have a nice sized stone for its Carat Weight based on that depth and just because it is more shallow does not mean it can''t have great optics.
I would also get an ASET image which will tell you how good the light performance in this diamond is.
You want to see a dark red colour under the table and uniform around the edges of the stone. Post the ASET here for opinions if you want us to take a look at it.
Click to expand...
Sorry I missed ther certificate but have seen it now and it has crystal inclusions right where i see the spots. The picture has to be rotated though to match up with the facet plot on the certificate.
Maybe my eyes are very sensitive but I cannot stand seeing SI1 or VS2 dark carbon spots on any diamond I buy. I can usually see these without magnification especially if I know where to look.
I would pass on this stone if you are going to get a VS2 or SI1 get something where the inclusions aren''t dark black prefer white, clear or on the edges not near the table where you can''t see them.
I don''t care about the rest of the specs on a diamond "eye clean" is a must.

I had one wholesaler give me a speech about how the carbon spots were "the oldest part of the diamond" before it was formed into a diamond. Well I don''t care I don''t want to see black specs in a diamond!
 
Its hard to say from the photo....The depth is actually fine, what I would do is ask JA for an Idealscope image and ask if they can get the crown height, that will be useful and give some idea concerning fire.
 
I pretty much agree with what everyone has said. I also see the spots (obviously) on the diamond and see that they match up with the cert. It says they are clouds and crystals though, which means they wouldn''t be carbon spots, right? Also it is a VS2, so technically I shouldn''t be able to see any of those inclusions when i''m looking at the real deal.

I did request an idealscope of it, but have not received it yet. I will post when I do get it.

I know that parts of it look dark, which could indicate light leakage, but I also remember the picture that Boston Jeff posted of his cushion magnified, and it showed similar dark facets, that did not look like that when you saw the actual diamond, so i''m hoping that this may be the case with this one. I would think it''s really hard to tell much other than the faceting pattern and location of inclusions when looking at a magnified photo of a diamond like this.
 
Since I put the diamond on hold yesterday at 4 pm I have til today to make my decision. I have decided to go through James Allen for the setting as well. I''m going to go with the french cut pave and have it set east-west. This is really my best option as i only have a $5,000. budget. I think though if I do decide to purchase it, I will have them send the diamond first, so that I can look at it in person and make sure it''s ok, before having it set. It kind of takes away the surprise of seeing it when he gives it to me, but the inclusions do concern me. Can they inspect it and tell me if the inclusions are visible before I purchase it?

I really appreciate everyone''s advice :)
 
I noticed the spots too last night but I find it difficult to believe that it will be visible in person because GIA rated it as a VS2. If it is indeed visible, it should have been rated an SI1. Remember that the picture has been magnified 10 times. If you are concerned (and I would be too), I'd have the stone sent to me for inspection prior to setting.
 
Date: 6/25/2009 9:29:28 AM
Author: Aida1010
Since I put the diamond on hold yesterday at 4 pm I have til today to make my decision. I have decided to go through James Allen for the setting as well. I'm going to go with the french cut pave and have it set east-west. This is really my best option as i only have a $5,000. budget. I think though if I do decide to purchase it, I will have them send the diamond first, so that I can look at it in person and make sure it's ok, before having it set. It kind of takes away the surprise of seeing it when he gives it to me, but the inclusions do concern me. Can they inspect it and tell me if the inclusions are visible before I purchase it?

I really appreciate everyone's advice :)
Click to expand...
Since you requested an IS, they will hold the stone until they have the chance to take the images and e-mail them to you. After they send the images, they will hold the diamond for an additional 24hrs to give you a chance to evaluate (Plenty of time to post the IS on PS
2.gif
) You can also ask for their gemologist, Julianna, to evaluate the stone and give you her opinion on the inclusions and overall look and performance. You could also choose to have them send the stone out for evaluation by an independent appraiser. In that case, they will charge for the extra shipping costs.

Best of luck.
 
I am not a fan of the dark spots too and it''s a VS2!!!! Have you considered going to Mark or Jon for a cushion? I had a great experience with Jon since I liked how he shot me a video of the diamonds I was looking at so I can see how it looks like as I’m so far away!
 
yeah, i agree with the spots, but i don''t have a huge budget like a lot of people do. if you look at the cert it says they are clouds and crystals, so i''m not going to freak out about the dark spots that are magnified by 9 or 10 times and then made even bigger on the computer screen until i hear back from the gemologist who''s going to inspect it for me.

i am waiting to get the idealscope and hear back from the gemologist. i have high hopes for the diamond as much as i''d love someone to find me a great cushion, i don''t have the funds to pay anything extra, and this diamond has pretty nice measurements considering it''s price, carat weight, and depth and table percentages. I''ve been on the look for a diamond since February, and not many come my way that are in my price range and have the look i want.

I''m crossing my fingers!!!
 

Actually I got the same budget as you (read your other thread) but I went with a really nice and sparkly modern facet cushion from Jon. I got a 0.71 carat G VS2 instead though as I wanted the best I could for my tight budget and I can go smaller in size as to me 0.71 vs 1 carat wasn’t that much different when I tried out rounds at the mall stores. But I am not one to really really desire the 1 carat diamond too. Plus Jon gives ~3% discount for bank wire where JA’s bank wire discount is pitiful (I’m from Canada so bank wires internationally cost more and their discount wasn’t even enough to offset the wire fee!!!). I will admit JA’s price scope discount is really really attractive and hard to say no too!!! Oh Jon didn’t charge me anything extra for the video’s, the two diamonds he called in for me too. I read on the board that Jon will call in 2 for free and if you want more you’ll have to pay but I picked two cushions, got Jon to look at the specs (as a double check) and he shot the video for me when the diamonds came in. It honestly was a very painless process, a lot better than the grief I am going through with the setting!


I asked this in your other thread, but where did you find a setting from an online vendor that is similar to the custom setting you’re looking to get? Can you post the link as I’m trying to find something similar to my JA setting I bought and not happy about.
 
i am planning on going with the james allen platinum french cut pave setting. for $850, it''s a great value and very similar to what i wanted anyway. i don''t see the point of spending $1700 on a very simple custom setting alone, when it would put me over budget to get a wedding band made as well, and i can get a similar quality setting through the same vendor i''m going to get my diamond through.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-1936.asp

it may not be as unique, but i can always reset the diamond down the road when i can afford it.

here''s a link to real pics of another pricescopers james allen french cut setting and band.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-wedding-rings-and-e-ring.96807/
 
Hey guys, here''s the Ideal Scope for the cushion. I see some light leakage, but I don''t think anything that looks alarming. I really like the look of this diamond a lot.

idealscope-1.jpg
 
Date: 6/30/2009 11:13:56 AM
Author: Aida1010
Hey guys, here''s the Ideal Scope for the cushion. I see some light leakage, but I don''t think anything that looks alarming. I really like the look of this diamond a lot.
Click to expand...
Its not a bad image, looks like distinct contrast zones which resemble a bow tie. Have you looked at many others Aida? Not saying this one isn''t a possibility because it is but just to make sure you have looked and compared some others so you know what you are looking for in a cushion.

Have you viewed any of the new chunky cushions from www.goodoldgold.com ? Just to give you a comparison.
 
thanks for your imput lorelei :) i have looked a lot. i''ve looked at about everything out there and have compared so many different cushions. i think the biggest thing that it comes down to is what i''m going to be able to afford. I rather have a rounded shaped culet with more of a squarish shape, this one is 1.2. The thing is for a 1.04 that measures 6.8 by 5.7, it''s going to look visibly larger than most onen carats, and it''s depth and table percentages are where they need to be.

One of the things that made me like this diamond even more was seeing scarlet16''s diamond. I was amazed at how similar they looked in the way they are both cut. while hers is a good sized larger, the faceting pattern is almost identical. It''s probably the most similar looking diamond, I''ve been able to find to compare it to. here''s a link to photos of hers. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/chunky-chunky.81292/

as for good old gold''s cushions, they are amazingly beautiful, however they are a bit above my price range. i could get one of the old mine cushion styles that they have for the same price and size, however the color would be an L, and this one is a G. Without being able to compare both in person, I have a hard time wanting to pick an L colored stone over a G.
 
Date: 6/30/2009 11:45:21 AM
Author: Aida1010
thanks for your imput lorelei :) i have looked a lot. i''ve looked at about everything out there and have compared so many different cushions. i think the biggest thing that it comes down to is what i''m going to be able to afford. I rather have a rounded shaped culet with more of a squarish shape, this one is 1.2. The thing is for a 1.04 that measures 6.8 by 5.7, it''s going to look visibly larger than most onen carats, and it''s depth and table percentages are where they need to be.

One of the things that made me like this diamond even more was seeing scarlet16''s diamond. I was amazed at how similar they looked in the way they are both cut. while hers is a good sized larger, the faceting pattern is almost identical. It''s probably the most similar looking diamond, I''ve been able to find to compare it to. here''s a link to photos of hers. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/chunky-chunky.81292/

as for good old gold''s cushions, they are amazingly beautiful, however they are a bit above my price range. i could get one of the old mine cushion styles that they have for the same price and size, however the color would be an L, and this one is a G. Without being able to compare both in person, I have a hard time wanting to pick an L colored stone over a G.
Click to expand...
You are most welcome! Well it sounds like you have really done your homework, if this one might fit the bill then fine, you could take a look in person as the vendor has a return policy in case it wasn''t the right one for you.
 
Sorry If one line in my first paragraph was difficult to understand. What I meant to say was that I would prefer a more squarish shaped cushion with a rounded culet, instead of elongated, but I have not found one that has that while meeting all my other specifications. As long as I can have my diamond set east-west I don''t think the slight bow-tie look, or the 1.2 l/w will really bother me. I really like the faceting on this stone.
 
Date: 6/30/2009 11:51:52 AM
Author: Aida1010
Sorry If one line in my first paragraph was difficult to understand. What I meant to say was that I would prefer a more squarish shaped cushion with a rounded culet, instead of elongated, but I have not found one that has that while meeting all my other specifications. As long as I can have my diamond set east-west I don''t think the slight bow-tie look, or the 1.2 l/w will really bother me. I really like the faceting on this stone.
Click to expand...
Oh thats fine, no worries. I had a look at Scarlets to refresh my memory, this one does look like hers.
 
So that''s the other thing that I''ve been debating. I''m afraid that if i have the stone sent unset that I will absolutely love it and then wish I had not seen it before having it set. haha. But then if I have it set, and there''s something about it that I don''t like, then it will be disappointing and will be a bigger mess to deal with in regards to having it sent back and what not. I think I have just had too much time to over think and over analyze everything. This is going to be my engagement ring. My boyfriend is letting me pick out everything, so while I''m ecstatic I am getting to chose everything, it makes it so that it''s not as much of a surprise. I''m just not sure what I should do.
 
It''s funny how we look at diamonds blown up on a computer screen and try to imagine them as they really will look. It''s hard to get past inclusions and other imperfections, but when it all comes down to it, this stone is measured in millimeters! it''s so hard to translate in my mind, a big magnified image or ideal scope image, to how this little one carat diamond is going to actually look set and sitting on my finger. lol. So back to the question at hand, should I buy the diamond alone first, or should I just go ahead and have it set. I can''t make up my mind!!!! (I don''t expect anyone to make this decision for me, I''m just venting about my indecisiveness!!!)
 
Date: 6/30/2009 12:10:13 PM
Author: Aida1010
It''s funny how we look at diamonds blown up on a computer screen and try to imagine them as they really will look. It''s hard to get past inclusions and other imperfections, but when it all comes down to it, this stone is measured in millimeters! it''s so hard to translate in my mind, a big magnified image or ideal scope image, to how this little one carat diamond is going to actually look set and sitting on my finger. lol. So back to the question at hand, should I buy the diamond alone first, or should I just go ahead and have it set. I can''t make up my mind!!!! (I don''t expect anyone to make this decision for me, I''m just venting about my indecisiveness!!!)
Click to expand...
I understand! It should look similar set, so I wouldn''t worry about that. I think the return policy still applies to set diamonds, check to be sure but there shouldn''t be a problem.
 
The IS looks fine. Not too much leakage although an ASET would be far more useful. I''m glad you are having the stone sent to your first. Best to pass your inspection instead of receiving the ring months down the road past the return date to discover you don''t like it at all.
 
Date: 6/30/2009 12:01:43 PM
Author: Aida1010
So that''s the other thing that I''ve been debating. I''m afraid that if i have the stone sent unset that I will absolutely love it and then wish I had not seen it before having it set. haha. But then if I have it set, and there''s something about it that I don''t like, then it will be disappointing and will be a bigger mess to deal with in regards to having it sent back and what not. I think I have just had too much time to over think and over analyze everything. This is going to be my engagement ring. My boyfriend is letting me pick out everything, so while I''m ecstatic I am getting to chose everything, it makes it so that it''s not as much of a surprise. I''m just not sure what I should do.
Click to expand...
Aida,

Getting your education from PS is both a blessing and a curse as it changes your perception of Jewelry and dramatically increases your selectiveness and attention to fine details.
If after reading here your selectiveness has risen to the point where any slight visual flaw in a diamond is going to bother you no matter how slight than do yourself a favour pay the approximately $100 shipping and insurance both ways and look at the diamond before having it set. In fact if you are really paranoid than have it sent to a local appraiser first and view it with them. In the end you may be looking for the "mind clean" diamond and this extra inspection will just give you piece of mind. For $350 ($100 shipping both way and $250 for an appraiser just rough estimates) I would say this is money well spent on a lifelong important piece.

If this extra expense is really an issue than speak to JamesAllen on the most cost effective way to do this but you seem very concerned about this important choice so I''d spend the extra money.
 
Date: 6/30/2009 11:13:56 AM
Author: Aida1010
Hey guys, here''s the Ideal Scope for the cushion. I see some light leakage, but I don''t think anything that looks alarming. I really like the look of this diamond a lot.
Click to expand...
I like it too. I like the rounded look it has and it''s culet. The culet will be much smaller in person tho. Hope you get it!
 
Date: 6/30/2009 11:45:21 AM
Author: Aida1010
thanks for your imput lorelei :) i have looked a lot. i've looked at about everything out there and have compared so many different cushions. i think the biggest thing that it comes down to is what i'm going to be able to afford. I rather have a rounded shaped culet with more of a squarish shape, this one is 1.2. The thing is for a 1.04 that measures 6.8 by 5.7, it's going to look visibly larger than most onen carats, and it's depth and table percentages are where they need to be.

One of the things that made me like this diamond even more was seeing scarlet16's diamond. I was amazed at how similar they looked in the way they are both cut. while hers is a good sized larger, the faceting pattern is almost identical. It's probably the most similar looking diamond, I've been able to find to compare it to. here's a link to photos of hers. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/chunky-chunky.81292/

as for good old gold's cushions, they are amazingly beautiful, however they are a bit above my price range. i could get one of the old mine cushion styles that they have for the same price and size, however the color would be an L, and this one is a G. Without being able to compare both in person, I have a hard time wanting to pick an L colored stone over a G.
Click to expand...
The facet pattern in a chunky cushion lends itself to large facets and big bright areas, however the tradeoff is these chunks also come with larger darker areas which some here call a "bowtie".
At certain light and angles while some areas are bright others are very dark and when you change the angle of the stone slightly the opposite will happen. If you want to minimize these dark areas you would have to get a stone optimized for light performance like a GOG cushion which minimizes these dark areas. The stone you have selected has a nice appearance on IS and will likely be a nice bright stone so I'd say go for it and if anything bothers you return it. You might want to give Mark at ERD or Jon at GOG a call, give them your budget and see what they can come up with otherwise I think you may have already found your stone.

As for L/W ratios you should view the outline of some of these stones in a B&M store and decide if square or rectangular looks bigger to you. I have heard opposite opinions on both of these statements although more people feel the rectangular ones look bigger faceup for the same carat weight.

Good-Luck,
CCL
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top