Cushion Cut - 2 Stones from PS Vendors. Which One?

[Chatterbox_101]

After much research on PS, I have narrowed my choices down to the following which is also from two very reputable PS vendors.
Ideally, I'm looking for a cushion cut at 1.5ct. However, the vendors dont seem to have that size. I have seen choice #1 and the stone seems to "talk" to me. It's amazing. I haven't seen choice #2 yet. My ideal setting is like the Harry Winston.

My questions:
Which of the two choices are better?
Is it worth an extra $4,000 to increase the size by 0.12?
Is there a visible difference between 1.3ct and 1.5ct? The price seems to jump signifcantly.
How important is the Aset and DiamXray?
If anyone has a 1.3 ct ring, can you please post a picture of it on your finger? I can't imagine how it would look like on me. I'm a size 4.75.


Choice #1
Cushion Cut - Old Mine Brillant
1.3 Ct, F Color, VS1
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Table: 54%
Depth: 65%
Cutlet: Small
Graded by GIA
Price is $9,000
Aset & DiamXray NOT Available - vendor implied he doesn't believe in those devices. He/she works visually.
I have seen this stone.

Choice #2
Cushion Cut (August Vintage) - Old Mine Brillant
1.42 Ct, D Color, VS1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
Fluorescence: Faint
Crown angles are greater than 40 degrees
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Table: 50%
Depth: 68.4%
Cutlet: slightly large
Graded by AGS
Price is $13,000
Aset & DiamXray Available
Have not seen this stone.

Thank you. I look forward to all of your responses.

 

[stone-cold11]

What is the dimensions as stated on the grading report, that will tell you if the difference in carat weight will result in visible dimension difference.

Can you buy the GOG and use the 30days return period to take it down to the other jeweler to compare side by side with that stone under as many lighting conditions as possible and see which one prefer. If it is not the GOG stone, then just return it to GOG for a refund?

 

[hellokitty6782]

Hi, I was considering that same D VS 2 AVC a couple of days ago- at least I think it's the same. I'm now deciding between two other stones. Hopefully more people will come along and comment on both our threads.

 

[janlwf]

After much research on PS, I have narrowed my choices down to the following which is also from two very reputable PS vendors.
Ideally, I'm looking for a cushion cut at 1.5ct. However, the vendors dont seem to have that size. I have seen choice #1 and the stone seems to "talk" to me. It's amazing. I haven't seen choice #2 yet. My ideal setting is like the Harry Winston.

My questions:
Which of the two choices are better?
Is it worth an extra $4,000 to increase the size by 0.12?
Is there a visible difference between 1.3ct and 1.5ct? The price seems to jump signifcantly.
How important is the Aset and DiamXray?
If anyone has a 1.3 ct ring, can you please post a picture of it on your finger? I can't imagine how it would look like on me. I'm a size 4.75.


Choice #1
Cushion Cut - Old Mine Brillant
1.3 Ct, F Color, VS1
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Table: 54%
Depth: 65%
Cutlet: Small
Graded by GIA
Price is $9,000
Aset & DiamXray NOT Available - vendor implied he doesn't believe in those devices. He/she works visually.
I have seen this stone.

Choice #2
Cushion Cut (August Vintage) - Old Mine Brillant
1.42 Ct, D Color, VS1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
Fluorescence: Faint
Crown angles are greater than 40 degrees
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Table: 50%
Depth: 68.4%
Cutlet: slightly large
Graded by AGS
Price is $13,000
Aset & DiamXray Available
Have not seen this stone.

Thank you. I look forward to all of your responses.

Ordinarily I wouldn't think $4,000 more for so little in size would be worth it to me but you are also moving up to D colour and the videos of August Vintage stones are amazing...

Plus GOG is a vendor that has a great upgrade policy, provides all the pictures, aset, videos, etc to evaluate the stone. Because, I haven't seen the first stone, I would consider purchasing the larger, better colour, great upgrade policy diamond if it was in my price range. If its not in your price range, perhaps moving down a little in colour and clarity but staying in an august vintage and similar size from GOG.

 

[Chatterbox_101]

Stone-Cold: That is a good suggestion but i rather not go through the whole buy and return. Other vendor might be offended, no?
Hello Kitty: I've been doing thing for 2-3 weeks and already want this to be done. I can't imagine what you're going through. Did your appraiser charge you an arm and a leg? Where is he located?

Does anyone know which vendor has better stones? ERD or GOG?

This is choice#2 with specs listed above. There's some blue in the Aset. Anyone know what that means?
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7356

 

[yssie]

This is choice#2 with specs listed above. There's some blue in the Aset. Anyone know what that means?
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7356

means that at that stone angle relative to the aset scope direct light is blocked, creating a temporary dark area of 'obstruction'. Tilt the stone slightly and that area will cease to be blue, and another facet or group of facets will show obstruction.

A pattern of some obstruction provides contrast, the 'flashing' that occurs when facets alternately return light and obstruct as the stone is tilted through normal viewing angles provides depth and interest.

 

[Chatterbox_101]

Janlwf: I am leaning towards your suggestion. Do you know if they are good in settings and craftsmanship? Everyone seems to get the stone and set it elswhere.

Yssie: Sorry, I'm kinda dense about Aset. So is the blue good or bad? Sounds like it's bad because it obstructs light but good because it adds interest. Are there any stones that dont show any blue?

 

[yssie]

Janlwf: I am leaning towards your suggestion. Do you know if they are good in settings and craftsmanship? Everyone seems to get the stone and set it elswhere.

Yssie: Sorry, I'm kinda dense about Aset. So is the blue good or bad? Sounds like it's bad because it obstructs light but good because it adds interest. Are there any stones that dont show any blue?

probably. you wouldn't want them.

 

[hellokitty6782]

Chatterbox, I am a nervous wreck. I want to make sure the one I get is perfect, I want no nagging doubts in my head that I made the wrong choice. I feel I am so close and just want it to be over so I can be happy about what's coming.

The best of luck and happiness to you!

 

[hellokitty6782]

Oh I forgot to tell you about the appraiser! David Wolf in Manhattan, and yes, expensive. It was $300, but I wouldn't buy a stone without doing it.

 

[Rhino]

Just a point of note. Some blue in the ASET's in these particular cushions does not result in any earth shattering difference particularly when the blues are not saturated under the table.

 

[iota15]

So when you saw the ERD stone, what did you think? Did you like it? love it? What are it's measurements?

There's a chance the ERD 1.3 stone is the same face-up size, or be just a bit smaller than the 1.42 AVC; however, it's unlikely the ERD stone has the performance of the AVC. The 1.3 is somewhat shallower, and the AVC's, I find, are generally a touch smaller, likely due to their higher crown.

$4000 is a lot more for the 0.12 but of course, there are reasons for that: 1) it's a D color; 2) it's an AVC and the Aset, light performance of them are great.

If you're looking for a larger stone from one of the reputable vendors, you can probably lower the clarity and increase the size by quite a bit. VS1 clarity generally screams overkill to me. I can't see any imperfections in most Si1 stones (under 2 carats), and certainly in no VS2 stones I've touched. It seems like you want to get this over with, but this might be something to consider.

 

[antelope1]

ERD does have an ASET scope. I've seen it. Dunno why they won't send you an ASET. Surely, someone there knows how to use the device.

But, if you are concerned about leakage, tell them to put it on the window sill under a piece of colored paper (table facing the sun/window) and lower the shade to about 1 inch above the diamond. Then tell them you want a photo of the pavilion and the paper behind the pavilion. Then post that pix here. Not perfect, but should provide some information.

Also, have you seen AVCs in person (since you saw the ERD cushion in person)? And both GOG and ERD will let you put a deposit on the diamond and send it to an independent appraiser -- near you (if you'd like to see them side-by-side yourself), or to an appraiser with an ASET (but then you'd just get images, and not be able to see the diamond). I'd personally go for my eyeballs if I had the option.