Cushion Confusion! Need BostonJeff and other Cushion lovers!

[CrookedRock]

WOW… Honestly, days of reading and rereading have my head spinning.

I really appreciate all the effort that went into the cushion threads! I just need some help to really clarify what I should be on the hunt for.

My Basics:

-NO Bowtie. I understand they are sought after, but it’s not for me. (No offense to those who love it!)

-NO Culet, or I think that’s the proper term. I am not big on the look of the hole in the stone, but when I spoke to Leon he said to try to find a stone without too much bulge on the bottom. Would that mean that he was referring to the culet?

-I like the chunky facets, not the total “crushed ice” look. Although I fell like some of the stones we saw had those great chunky facets with a little crushed ice here and there. Is that even possible?

I love a stone that faces up larger than its weight. Which would mean that we should find a larger table? But I remember Jeff posting that the smaller table of his stone is what made it so great… (Hello. My name is CrookedRock and I am a shameless size girl!)

Anything that says “modified” on the cert is not what I want…? Should I be looking at Cushion Brilliants? What will meet my picky specs? Please feel free to dumb down your responses! One of these days I''ll catch on... hopefully!

I apologize in advance for repeating any questions that have been asked! I just don’t feel like I am quite wrapping my head around all this…

 

[JulieN]

bulge on the bottom means a lot of weight on the pavilion. high crowns are very pretty! that has nothing to do with the culet.

 

[IAmFeralCat]

Jeff''s was BEAUTIFUL. High crown + smaller table = more fiery. Unfortunetly, you won''t get a "spready" stone that way. I would not get too caught up in having the stone face up big, that is either done my shallower angles and bigger tables which can make the stone look "flat" and not "fiery".

 

[CrookedRock]

So, with this bowtie issue... Does 4 pavillions mean that there will be no bowtie, and 8 means there will be a bowtie?

Julie thanks for clarifying the Leon comment.

 

[boston_jeff]

Date: 1/30/2008 8:13:19 AM
Author: CrookedRock
So, with this bowtie issue... Does 4 pavillions mean that there will be no bowtie, and 8 means there will be a bowtie?

Julie thanks for clarifying the Leon comment.

Hi crooked... there is a lot I could write, and I will write more if I have the time, but I want to make sure you don''t confuse two issues.

Bowtie = always bad, IMO

"Bowtie facets", which cehra made up to describe the large facets that make a cross-like shape in old-style 8-pavillion cushions = maybe good-- it is just something that comes with that facet plot, and I''m sure some like it more than others.

From what I''m hearing from you, my recommendation would be to call up Mark and ask him if he has any modern EX/EX cushions in the size you are looking for. As I recall, you are looking for a big stone, and I think that the facets in such a large stone will look pretty big even in a modern 8-pav cushion.

The moderns that Mark carries avoid many of the problems you are concerned about (no crushed ice, very bright, no or small culet), and they typically have a better spread then the old-style stones, which are cut deeper.

Hope this helps.
Jeff

 

[mrssalvo]

I agree that I think you should call Mark. also, daniel K cushions (same supplier who cuts and supplies the DK cushions) are all cut ex/ex moderns and might be just what you're after. Mark can get those in and they are priced like other ex/ex cushions out there. Pearlmans can get the DK cushions in as well if you want to comparison shop.

 

[chrono]

You absolutely do not want bowties in any diamonds but you may get a maltese cross look in old styled cushions which some here dub affectionately as a bowtie or cummerband.

It seems like you want a pointed culet. In this case, you should stick to modern cut cushions.

The bulge on the bottom Leon is referring to is the pavilion. He means that you should look for a stone that isn''t too deep (hence not too much buldge). The deeper the stone is, the smaller it will look face up. Staying with a depth around the mid-60s should be fine.

Cushions comes in many different looks from modern to antique to crushed ice. Just stick with modern cushions and you''ll be fine.

You don''t want a stone with a large table - too much table glare and there''ll be little fire. The stone will also look flat. To get the stone to face up larger, get one with a shallower depth (60s range). To get a fiery stone, aim for a very small table (50s to low 60s) and decent depth (mid 60s).

 

[mrssalvo]

not the greatest pics but here are the daniel k cushions...

 

[Addlepated]

CrookedRock - I just bought a stone from Mark that''s a modern cushion. Although the culet is "medium" on the GIA report, in real life it''s nearly impossible to see.

This doesn''t have the chunkiest of facets but it has a TON of life and fire. It favors very comparably to my H&A square and, I daresay, easily matches performance in many everyday lighting conditions.

(My camera is pink, so all the pink areas you see = light being reflected back.)
There''s no crushed ice appearance in this stone, which is the modern 8-pav cushion that Jeff talks about. It''s 6.66x7.44mm and 1.63 carats, so it faces up pretty nicely, too.

In short, I think Mark could set you up with exactly what you''re looking for, either in a modern cut like mine, or if you''re willing to wait, a more antique cut.

 

[CrookedRock]

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I think I have it now! BUY A MODERN STONE! (for me at least!)

Boston Jeff~ You should get a PS award for all the cushion education you do around here! The bowtie issue makes sense now. NO crosses or bowties for me. I saw a stone the other day that had that cross in the center and it was so big that I just felt it took the life out of the stone. (and that was a challenge bc it was an 8ct! *just looking for fun & to learn*

)

We have looked into Mark and he def knows what he''s doing as far as cushions. You are all proof! He will certainly be our next step if we don''t find what we exactly want with our guy. I should be getting a long list of stones on Tuesday or Wednesday. I will firstly narrow them down by ratio (I wan a more rectangular stone. Love that 1:20 range.) Then from there by depth and table. So I am sure I will be coming back here to get a final opinion before I have him fly them to us.

Now I am started to get excited! It''s more fun when you understand what you are doing! Thanks again!

 

[jaybny]

Hi there,

I''ve been following the Cushion Cut threads.. and thanks to Jeff and Crooked, now think I need to talk to Mark. Who is this Mark guy and how can I find him?

I''m looking for an "Antique Looking" Square Cushion Brilliant.. Should have chunky facets, 2ct, F, VS2.. is Mark the man? Can someone hook me up?

Thanks

Jay B NY

p.s. Im in NYC so if anyone can recommend where I can find my stone.. please do.

 

[college1]

Jaybny

Mark is Mark Turnowski at Engagement Rings Direct one of the vendors on this site. They are great to work with. Click on resources on the top of the page, then vendors and you will find Engagement Rings Direct. Call and ask for Mark, tell him what you are looking for, he will let you know when he finds stones that meet your requirements. Then you can go to his office on 47th street, view the stones, get a quick cushion education and decide which one suits you best. Mark can also arrange to have your stone set either with name settings or custom made ones. Check out his site to see some of the settings he has designed. You can''t go wrong with Mark.

 

[pauly1]

Date: 1/29/2008 11:23:53 PM
Author:CrookedRock

WOW… Honestly, days of reading and rereading have my head spinning.

I really appreciate all the effort that went into the cushion threads! I just need some help to really clarify what I should be on the hunt for.

My Basics:

-NO Bowtie. I understand they are sought after, but it’s not for me. (No offense to those who love it!)

-NO Culet, or I think that’s the proper term. I am not big on the look of the hole in the stone, but when I spoke to Leon he said to try to find a stone without too much bulge on the bottom. Would that mean that he was referring to the culet?

-I like the chunky facets, not the total “crushed ice” look. Although I fell like some of the stones we saw had those great chunky facets with a little crushed ice here and there. Is that even possible?

I love a stone that faces up larger than its weight. Which would mean that we should find a larger table? But I remember Jeff posting that the smaller table of his stone is what made it so great… (Hello. My name is CrookedRock and I am a shameless size girl!)

Anything that says “modified” on the cert is not what I want…? Should I be looking at Cushion Brilliants? What will meet my picky specs? Please feel free to dumb down your responses! One of these days I''ll catch on... hopefully!

I apologize in advance for repeating any questions that have been asked! I just don’t feel like I am quite wrapping my head around all this…

You got some great advice and it sounds like you''re covered. Just call Mark and you''re set, he''s a pleasure to work with.

 

[CrookedRock]

Thanks Pauly! You are absolutely right. I received great advice from our resident trail blazer Jeff. He has been extremely helpful, and hopefully he and everyone else will be as soon as I have some stats to share, which should be in the next couple days. If I don''t find anything from our guy, then we have already decided to contact Mark and Rhino and see who comes up with what we want first. To be honest, I am ready to get on with the show!!!

I''ve gotta get the stone to Leon so it can be made before Xmas!!! LOL! I will keep you all posted. Maybe the BF will even come home with a list of stones tonight! *finger crossed*