Cushion Cut - 1.5 to 2.0 carat - Need Advice

[Leviathan]

Hello All -

I am shopping for a cushion cut engagement ring in the 1.5 - 2.0 carat range. My budget for the loose stone is between $9,500 and $10,500 with some flexibility, but I do not want to go above $11,000. I found the following stones, and was wondering if any of you think that these are a good value, or if there is something else that I should take a look at?

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.62-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-29873
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-202512
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.73-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-198457
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.01-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-199331

I am primarily interested in sticking with GIA certified diamonds, and was mainly looking at the big online retailers (e.g., Blue Nile and James Allen), but I am open to smaller retailers with a good reputation.

Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am going to have to say that most of those look pretty bad to me. I would use either Good Old Gold or Engagement Rings Direct to call in some good cushions for you. It is impossible to find one on a site like BN who provides no pictures. I am not seeing any within your budget and size at ERD at the moment.

Here is an an example of some better modern cushions (they provide more information as to light performance):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10382/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10321/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10404/

 

[04diamond<3]

Hello All -

I am shopping for a cushion cut engagement ring in the 1.5 - 2.0 carat range. My budget for the loose stone is between $9,500 and $10,500 with some flexibility, but I do not want to go above $11,000. I found the following stones, and was wondering if any of you think that these are a good value, or if there is something else that I should take a look at?

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.62-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-29873
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-202512
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.73-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-198457
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.01-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-199331

I am primarily interested in sticking with GIA certified diamonds, and was mainly looking at the big online retailers (e.g., Blue Nile and James Allen), but I am open to smaller retailers with a good reputation.

Thanks!

I love the G SI1 and the I VS1! If you put those on hold, JA will give you aset images on both to show you how the stone performs. They also offer PS members discounts on their diamonds not to mention the *free* videos on all their stones. Here's one more if you like it:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-181921

 

[Leviathan]

Thank you both for the quick response. diamondseeker2006, for my own education, can you please tell me what it was about the diamonds that I listed that didn't look so good? Besides the basics (e.g., G - I color; VS1 - SI1 clarity), I generally look at the table and depth percentages (61 - 67 range), and a medium to slightly thick girdle for cushion cuts. I also like to take a look at where the inclusions are in the diamond, rather than just on the report, which is why I was mainly using James Allen. Should I be looking at something different?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

When you look in the center of those stones, they are simply not well cut. They are not symmetrical, and there are just much better cut stones. I would not go beyond slightly thick for the girdle. Stick with thin to slightly thick.

This stone is way above your budget, but it is another example of a beautifully cut stone:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.60-carat-e-vs1-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-115475.html

This one has amazing light performance for a cushion and is a very pretty shape as well:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10382/

 

[JulieN]

FWIW, I think the Is you posted originally are better than the Gs.

These are about the same level of cut quality as the GOG ones that were posted above.
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-...612,169058,137280,158905,37189,174997,120262|