Cushion Cut - buyers Help

[pfrank]

I'm new to the site 1st post so if i'm doing something wrong feel free to fill me in. I am really looking for some help on a cushion cut diamond, It feels like everytime I think i have done enough research something different comes up. I am currently looking for a Cushion Cut with the specs below

Budget $4,500-$5,000 (center only...going to purchase a halo setting separate)
1ct
H or above
VVS2-VS1
Modern Brilliant

I am set on purchasing online and have been really looking on JA and came across the below diamond:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-305621

I'm open to suggestions/opinions and would like to not waste an ASET if anyone is seeing something I am not. Really looking for some suggestions if my specs don't align with prices etc. I have been through a lot of posts on here and I know a lot of posters eyes can catch some things mine wont.

Thanks in advance

 

[Gypsy]

You don't need VS1. You an unnecessarily restricting the pool of diamonds to chose from. SI1 or better and eyeclean is all you need. You can't tell an eyeclean SI1 from a IF diamond with the naked eye.

That stone is OK. But there are better.

 

[Gypsy]

Ok. FIRST: COMPARE SPREAD (dimensions) with fancies NOT WEIGHT.

Here's my suggestion for stones at JA.

These have the same facet pattern. And they tend to ASET out well (please ask if you do not know what this means). One is an H the other a G. They are both nice. You only get THREE ASETs per purchase so I would just pick ONE of these.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-305423
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-303910

Then I'd pick one of these:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-313251
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.05-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-262378

And this one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-304888


Nice stones at other vendors: (GOG had nothing)
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5307480-1.00-carat-Cushion-diamond-E-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx Also lovely. And an E VVS to boot.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4579484-1.00-carat-Cushion-diamond-D-color-VS1-clarity.aspx Great ASET and a D VS1! Check to make sure it's not overblue.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5138266-1.01-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx 6.3 x5.5 F VVS

Largest stone in budget: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6219031-1.20-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx 6.5x 5.8 and a great ASET. Definitely a contender. Will look noticeably larger than the others I've posted for you. Also has medium fluorescence to help with the H.

 

[Gypsy]

Cushion Spiel:
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. And with ovals the numbers on a lab report are meaningless.

Outside of a AGS0 light performance graded cushion really is no other way to determine if you have a good cushion cut is to see images of the stones, and then you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.

That's what an ASET image does. http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance Please read.
And ASET shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return That is why you won't see us recommending vendors like Blue Nile (except for their Signature Ideal line), as they do not provide images or ASET images for their diamonds. James Allen and Good Old Gold do this. So do Brian Gavin, B2C and Whiteflash and High Performance Diamonds. ERD does too, for stones they source for you.

 

[Gypsy]

Also since you are going for a halo, please read these two threads:
On pave: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-online-retailer-for-a-custom-setting.203660/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-online-retailer-for-a-custom-setting.203660/[/URL]
On custom work: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-jewelry-work-cad-and-cast-psa.175834/#post-3202426#p3202426']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-jewelry-work-cad-and-cast-psa.175834/#post-3202426#p3202426[/URL]



Ok. You should be all set. Any of the B2C stones you can buy after talking to them about any issues I pointed out (anything with fluorescence needs to be vetted to make sure it is not overblue, and if it's not, it's good to go). If you want to shop at James Allen instead, then just post the ASETs once you have them and we can help you.

 

[pfrank]

Hi Gypsy & other viewers,

I received two ASET images from the recommendations went with the first two (the other recommendation you had was unavailiable) and I wanted to save the third in case I needed another option. I'm looking for ome feedback on the images and here is the Gemologist comments below:

They both possess and excellent amout of brilliance (white light return); with a high amount of fire (dispersion of color) and sparkle that is well balanced and symmetrical. They are both "eye clean" from all angles also. His personal favorite of the two was the 1.01 carat-G-VS2 (diamond 303910; $4,820) because it is the whiter of the two. THat being said; the 1.02 carat-H-VVS1 (diamond 305423; $4,030) is also a nice white color.

Thanks

 

[Gypsy]

Performance wise they are both lovely stones and it's a tie. I'd pick the one that fits your budget best as there is an 800 difference in price. The only differences are price and color. You would have to decide if the color is worth 800 bucks to you.

 

[pfrank]

I have read that there is not too much difference between a g or and h and I do like that diamond so I wouldnt mind using the $800 to budget for something else if there isnt too much difference in the performance.

 

[Gypsy]

There isn't. Use the 800 toward a nicer setting. What kind of setting are you getting, a halo right? Where are you planning on getting it and what is your budget?

 

[pfrank]

Definitely going halo and with this diamond I think can budget 1000-1500

 

[Gypsy]

THat's very low for a halo. Can you stretch to 1750? JA's nicest halo (the one you want) is that price.

 

[pfrank]

I can definitely budget the extra for that setting. When I had requested the ASETS the rep had asked what setting I was looking for and had put the $810 below on hold. In looking at the two I halo settings I didnt think there was much difference. I asked to get some side by side pictures but since the settings are put together after the purchase he said he didnt have any but explained the details behind the two. The $1750 is more detailed and will take an extra week compared to the lower priced one (which I have no problem waiting for).

After doing some additional research and comparing as close as I could it definitely looks like the $1750 halo has less spacing and more detail but I can't really tell what the difference would be with my center stone. I was trying to find pictures on here of anyone that had either setting but to no luck. Both settings are below I guess I'm just looking for some help from experience as to if its worth the extra which I am leaning towards.


http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-set-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-31888

 

[Gypsy]

Yes, the second one is MUCH higher quality than the first. And with pave quality REALLY matters. I would only advocating spending the money if it is worth it, and in this case it is. Get the second setting. It is a much better choice.

And please post pictures of your ring when it is complete. I'd love to see it.

 

[pfrank]

SO good and bad news....I dropped a hint that I was getting a cushion halo cut and apparently there was a change of heart. Turns out her heart is now set on a princess cut no halo setting. I guess the good news is I didnt have to return the ring as I did this before I purchased but bad news is I wasted mine and a few others time. I'm currently looking at some princess cuts through JA so I will post some links soon. Gypsy thank you for the help it was a huge benefit so if you or anyone has some ideas on the princess cuts it would be very helpful. Still in the same range 5-6k for both center and setting