Cushion Briliant Cut Advice

[mrv]

Hi

I am searching on Blue Nile for a Cushion cut diamond around 1 Carat for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I have read here that the cushion cut can some times look a bit like "ice" so it is important to get a well cut stone.

Most of the rocks on Blue Nile appear to be Cushion Modified Brilliant with only a few Cushion Brilliant stones available.

I spoke with the people at BN and they advised that a well cut Cushion Modified Brilliant will look as good as a Cushion Brilliant. They have recommended the following two stones to me.

The first is a Cushion Modified Brilliant:
http://www.bluenile.com/cushion-cut-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-g-color-vvs2-clarity_LD02303102

The second is a Cushion Brilliant.
http://www.bluenile.com/cushion-cut-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-f-color-si1-clarity_LD01226672

I would greatly appreciate your feedback on these two stones or any other suggestion you can make about my selection.

FYI I am pairing it with a Nouveau Diamond Engagement Ring.

Thanks

 

[E B]

Hi mrv,

Cushions vary so in their cut that numbers alone can't give you a good enough picture. Ideally, you'd want an actual picture, and as far as I know, Blue Nile does not provide them.

What is your budget? Maybe we can help you find something great.

 

[mrv]

Thanks E B

My budget is around $8k but I would be happy to stretch it a bit for the right ring.

The no images on BN does make it hard to know what you are getting for sure.

Thanks

 

[E B]

We're happy to help! $8k is a great budget and should get you just what you're looking for.

Here's a modern cushion that looks like it may be promising.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9317/

These aren't modern cushions, but it is a stunning cut. I can tell you from experience. They're both a little under a carat, but face up the same size-wise (or larger) to the modern cushion above (check out the measurements) and the first one you selected from Blue Nile:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9493/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9412/

If you really like the look of any of these, Jon (or someone else) at GOG may be able to shoot you a comparison video. It's worth an ask.

This one you chose from Blue Nile may actually be worth taking a further look at, but I'd see if one of the vendors who provides more info (GOG, if you like the three above) could call it in if it's a virtual stone. I wouldn't buy unseen, though.

http://www.bluenile.com/cushion-cut-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-f-color-si1-clarity_LD01226672

 

[E B]

This one's a modified, but looks like it could be bright from the photo. James Allen allows requests for up to three ASET images, so maybe someone else will chime in with some more they think might be nice.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1360488.asp