Cushion Cut Diamond

[hotskate]

Once again I want to thank you in advanced for all of your time and help.

Please tell me your thoughts and concerns.


Can you guys please give me your opinion on these specs

Weight: 2.09 Ct
Color: G
Clarity: VS1

Measurements: 7.85 - 7.11 X 4.85
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Total Depth: 68.2%
Table Width: 60%
Crown Height: 15%
Pavillion Depth: 50%
Girdle Thickness: Slightly Thich, Polished

 

[Haven]

Everyone is going to tell you that we need good shots of the actual diamond to give you any feedback.

 

[hotskate]

I had a feeling that would happen. This is the only picture I have but i have seen it and it looks great but have not looked at in with an idealscope etc.

 

[Haven]

Can you go back and take some closer shots with the micro setting on your camera? This picture doesn't really show us much. Sorry!

 

[hotskate]

I can try tomorrow yea. any thoughts though?

 

[Haven]

No thoughts from me without a picture first. Cushions are impossible to judge by the numbers. Sorry!

 

[Gypsy]

Walk around and evaluate it in all light. Get an idealscope if you can (I have one now and ADORE IT!).

How much time have you spent with it? How many different lighting conditions (walk around with it in daylight, in the shade, in the shade). Put lotion on your hands before you go and after you take us some decent macro shots, rub your fingers on it to smudge it up. Diamonds are rarely ever clean when you wear them, so you should see how it performs when it's got some oil and dirt on it.

 

[hotskate]

Walk around and evaluate it in all light. Get an idealscope if you can (I have one now and ADORE IT!).

How much time have you spent with it? How many different lighting conditions (walk around with it in daylight, in the shade, in the shade). Put lotion on your hands before you go and after you take us some decent macro shots, rub your fingers on it to smudge it up. Diamonds are rarely ever clean when you wear them, so you should see how it performs when it's got some oil and dirt on it.

You make a very valid point regarding the lotion and not viewing it without smudges.

I have looked at it in the store outside and in the "shade/non direct lighting" and it looks great. It is just a little hard to tell without seeing it actually set and on a finger. i have rested it in between two fingers in the forceps if thats what you call them.

 

[hotskate]

What exactly can I ask or any other information you can reccomend?


My plan and please tell me if I am crazy but if I do purchse this stone I do plan on sending it to GIA to really see the difference in the results. I am hoping it is at most no more then 2 grades less, I completely understand the difference in GIA/EGL standards and expect there to be a loss of color/clarity with GIA.

 

[Christina...]

What exactly can I ask or any other information you can reccomend?


My plan and please tell me if I am crazy but if I do purchse this stone I do plan on sending it to GIA to really see the difference in the results. I am hoping it is at most no more then 2 grades less, I completely understand the difference in GIA/EGL standards and expect there to be a loss of color/clarity with GIA.

It's impossible to guess. I've posted this example a couple of times lately. It's grades as an EGL H VS2, but the colorimeter on it is P. So, it's really really difficult to answer your question. Evaluate it in many many different lighting environments and against other GIA stones to see if you can get a sense of what you are seeing and how you feel about it.



http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.517-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104059065031

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

an ASET scope costs $25 more than ideal-scope and is harder to use but the info is more valuable. You can take photo's through both, even with an iphone.
When you take photo's like that there is pink coming from your hands - try to keep them out of the environmnet
If you have other diamonds with known cut quality then compare them in different types of lighting - especially under a table or some where very dim.

 

[Haven]

Can your jeweler send the stone to GIA for you? It's a lot easier to pay the jeweler his costs and have him do the sending than to arrange the shipment and everything yourself. It's worth it to ask if he will.

Do you have any more pictures to share? I'm excited to see this stone up-close. I love cushions!

 

[hotskate]

I didn't even ask but the biggest cost would be the insurance sending it and sending it back.


I actually acquired the stone and to be honest with you LOVE it.

My only "doubt" is the color. I know EGL is loose with its grading so I am not overly concerned what the Cert says VS what the color actually it.

I brought the diamond to a random jeweler just to get an opinion not an appraisal or anything. I have two appointments with independent appraisers recommend by PSers.

The gentleman actually graded the diamond 1 clarity higher but 4 yes 4 color grades lower which seems OFF THE WALL to me.

I expected 2 color grades or a combination of 1 color and 1 clarity etc.

FYI everything is beyond my expectations besides when i had this third party tell me about the color


I read a similar post on here
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-an-f-colored-diamond-have-a-brown-tint.170931/#post-3109066#p3109066']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-an-f-colored-diamond-have-a-brown-tint.170931/#post-3109066#p3109066[/URL]

and i really feel the same way

 

[Dreamer_D]

EGL is inconsistent and as a rule of thumb you should assume you are paying more for the diamond with an EGL report than you would for the same diamond with a GIA report -- in other words, assume EGL is not good value, period. Four color grades is not unheard of, there is no rule of thumb to translate from EGL to GIA, that is part of how EGL works -- uncertainty. The only situation where I personally am ok with EGL is when a) the diamond I am looking for is very unusual or rare and I will take what I can get wrt reports; b) it is an old cut where EGL is the standard.

 

[hotskate]

EGL is inconsistent and as a rule of thumb you should assume you are paying more for the diamond with an EGL report than you would for the same diamond with a GIA report -- in other words, assume EGL is not good value, period. Four color grades is not unheard of, there is no rule of thumb to translate from EGL to GIA, that is part of how EGL works -- uncertainty. The only situation where I personally am ok with EGL is when a) the diamond I am looking for is very unusual or rare and I will take what I can get wrt reports; b) it is an old cut where EGL is the standard.

Thank you for your input. I will see what the two appraisers come up with to determine what I will do.

 

[hotskate]

I took a bunch of pictures but they all have not came out clear at all I am hoping to get pictures when i get it appraised

 

[Haven]

Aw, don't let the color grading get to you. You bought the stone, now all that matters is that you love it. And you do. If you get the appraisals done within the refund period for the stone, the only thing I'd recommend is to make sure you got a fair price based on the color that the appraisers both believe the stone to be. At this point, that's the most compelling information I'd want to get from those appraisals.

Even if everyone agrees that the stone is a K, as long as you paid a fair price for a K VS1, and you still love the stone, that's all that matters.

Well, that and sharing LOTS and LOTS of pictures with us. We need pictures.

 

[Haven]

I took a bunch of pictures but they all have not came out clear at all I am hoping to get pictures when i get it appraised

Set your camera to macro mode. That should do it. Sometimes I have to play around with distance before I get it right.

 

[hotskate]

Aw, don't let the color grading get to you. You bought the stone, now all that matters is that you love it. And you do. If you get the appraisals done within the refund period for the stone, the only thing I'd recommend is to make sure you got a fair price based on the color that the appraisers both believe the stone to be. At this point, that's the most compelling information I'd want to get from those appraisals.

Even if everyone agrees that the stone is a K, as long as you paid a fair price for a K VS1, and you still love the stone, that's all that matters.

Well, that and sharing LOTS and LOTS of pictures with us. We need pictures.

Thank you for making me feel better

I personally do not feel it is a K... I am thinking at worst a it is an I color. I think the guy that i went to just is biased as he sells diamonds him self. I don't know.

I literally compared it side by side to other stones and it did not look much different to GIA/EGL/AGS stones of the G,H and I color..

Wish some of you fantastic PSers were local to see it with me. its hard when my friends etc don't have an eye for this stuff etc.

 

[Dreamer_D]

If you have seen it and love it then the "absolute value" of the color is irrelevant. You love it, whatever an appraiser says of the color. All that matters is that you paid a fair price for what it is. Problem is, all appraisers are *not* created equal, and opinions from appraisers on color and value can vary hugely. IMO if they tell you the diamond is worth more than you paid -- and you bought it from a retail establishment -- then that is useless information. Focus their efforts on providing a color and clarity estimae based on GIA standards. Then use PS search or other tools available to find comparable prices yourself. That will be safest.

 

[hotskate]

If you have seen it and love it then the "absolute value" of the color is irrelevant. You love it, whatever an appraiser says of the color. All that matters is that you paid a fair price for what it is. Problem is, all appraisers are *not* created equal, and opinions from appraisers on color and value can vary hugely. IMO if they tell you the diamond is worth more than you paid -- and you bought it from a retail establishment -- then that is useless information. Focus their efforts on providing a color and clarity estimae based on GIA standards. Then use PS search or other tools available to find comparable prices yourself. That will be safest.

Thank you for making me feel better I have an appointment at 12 today and 5:30 on Monday

 

[hotskate]

Well another learning experience. let's start off by saying I will now only be looking at GIA only. The diamond that was spoken about previously was really gorgeous it was a great size, great symmetry, and a true GIA VS1, the only problem was the color came in at 5 yes 5 grades lower the appraiser graded it at an L. The diamond had a brownish tint. I got my money back and back to the drawing board. The gemologist appraiser was great she showed me a lot of things and if I was able
to get 5k back from the seller I would have kept it lol but that didn't happen.

 

[Haven]

Okay, so this is a great learning experience, for you and for other potential buyers.

So, are you in the market for a cushion now? If you want to start a new thread and share your budget and preferences, we can help you find a great stone.

 

[hotskate]

Okay, so this is a great learning experience, for you and for other potential buyers.

So, are you in the market for a cushion now? If you want to start a new thread and share your budget and preferences, we can help you find a great stone.

Yes, two of many learning experiences lol this really is not an easy process :/ I can only imagine how many people out there get screwed.

After this experience I am looking for 1.75-2.1 carats cushion H,I color and ideally a vs2 but
Very good cut, great optics etc.

I would like to be under 12k

 

[Haven]

I know how you feel! I've bought two cushions myself.

I think you should start a new thread here in Rocky Talk. Title it something like, "Please help me find a cushion" and give us the deets you just shared, as well as the following information:
- Modern cushion cut or antique/antique style cushion cut?
- Square or elongated?

I bet you'll get more traffic that way.

 

[ariel144]

Here are two beautifully faceted cushions on JA. The 1.66 is a high K color and faces up exceptionally bright according to the gemologist. The ASET and gemologist's comments are posted on another thread... and is about the same measurements as your other stone. it is a cushion brilliant and very very nice. Both stones are a little over $8,000.

Here is the ASET and the thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3[/URL]

Here is what the gemologist said

"I'm happy to tell you that this diamond is exceptionally bright and has great fire, brilliance, and scintillation. It has a rather round outline and a higher "K" color. This is a gorgeous cushion cut that will give you a fantastic sparkle and look beautiful mounted in any setting. I recommend it highly for your purchase and believe you'll be very happy with it when you see it for yourself. "


The EGL report on your first stone was from Europe and not surprising as they are usually 4 grades off in color. EGL USA labs are more in line with GIA and AGS ...but still usually 1-2 color grades off.

Most new posters on PS don't realize how the "lower" colors actually can face up quite white on a well cut stone and can be more beautiful than the higher colors which are not cut as well.

I suggest you go to GOG and watch his videos on cushion cut diamonds so you will know exactly which look in a cushion cut you like best and then do your search. He also has educational videos on color and clarity. www.goodoldgold.com
They have custom antique cut cushions (AVC's) and also will find you a modified cushion brilliant if that is the cut you prefer.

Also www.engagementringsdirect.com and Leon Mege www.artofplatinum.com specialize in antique cut cushions.

Good luck on your seach...cushions present a whole variety of patterns in their faceting to choose from.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-IF-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1471593.asp

Shape: Cushion
Carat weight: 1.66
Cut: Excellent
Color: K
Clarity: IF
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 66.2%
Table: 58.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to very thick
Culet: Small
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.26*7.05*4.67
Ratio: 1.03

This one is a modified cushion and faces up nice and large for a 2 carat stone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1493306.asp

 

[hotskate]

Here are two beautifully faceted cushions on JA. The 1.66 is a high K color and faces up exceptionally bright according to the gemologist. The ASET and gemologist's comments are posted on another thread... and is about the same measurements as your other stone. it is a cushion brilliant and very very nice. Both stones are a little over $8,000.

Here is the ASET and the thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3[/URL]

Here is what the gemologist said

"I'm happy to tell you that this diamond is exceptionally bright and has great fire, brilliance, and scintillation. It has a rather round outline and a higher "K" color. This is a gorgeous cushion cut that will give you a fantastic sparkle and look beautiful mounted in any setting. I recommend it highly for your purchase and believe you'll be very happy with it when you see it for yourself. "


The EGL report on your first stone was from Europe and not surprising as they are usually 4 grades off in color. EGL USA labs are more in line with GIA and AGS ...but still usually 1-2 color grades off.

Most new posters on PS don't realize how the "lower" colors actually can face up quite white on a well cut stone and can be more beautiful than the higher colors which are not cut as well.

I suggest you go to GOG and watch his videos on cushion cut diamonds so you will know exactly which look in a cushion cut you like best and then do your search. He also has educational videos on color and clarity. www.goodoldgold.com
They have custom antique cut cushions (AVC's) and also will find you a modified cushion brilliant if that is the cut you prefer.

Also www.engagementringsdirect.com and Leon Mege www.artofplatinum.com specialize in antique cut cushions.

Good luck on your seach...cushions present a whole variety of patterns in their faceting to choose from.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-IF-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1471593.asp

Shape: Cushion
Carat weight: 1.66
Cut: Excellent
Color: K
Clarity: IF
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 66.2%
Table: 58.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to very thick
Culet: Small
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.26*7.05*4.67
Ratio: 1.03

This one is a modified cushion and faces up nice and large for a 2 carat stone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1493306.asp

Thank you.

K seems just so low on the color scale and I feel it will look brownish or yellow kind of like what that one stone was that I bought.

I have spoken to Jonathan at GOG and have had a great experience and have watched a lot of his videos.

 

[ariel144]

Here are two beautifully faceted cushions on JA. The 1.66 is a high K color and faces up exceptionally bright according to the gemologist. The ASET and gemologist's comments are posted on another thread... and is about the same measurements as your other stone. it is a cushion brilliant and very very nice. Both stones are a little over $8,000.

Here is the ASET and the thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3[/URL]

Here is what the gemologist said

"I'm happy to tell you that this diamond is exceptionally bright and has great fire, brilliance, and scintillation. It has a rather round outline and a higher "K" color. This is a gorgeous cushion cut that will give you a fantastic sparkle and look beautiful mounted in any setting. I recommend it highly for your purchase and believe you'll be very happy with it when you see it for yourself. "


The EGL report on your first stone was from Europe and not surprising as they are usually 4 grades off in color. EGL USA labs are more in line with GIA and AGS ...but still usually 1-2 color grades off.

Most new posters on PS don't realize how the "lower" colors actually can face up quite white on a well cut stone and can be more beautiful than the higher colors which are not cut as well.

I suggest you go to GOG and watch his videos on cushion cut diamonds so you will know exactly which look in a cushion cut you like best and then do your search. He also has educational videos on color and clarity. www.goodoldgold.com
They have custom antique cut cushions (AVC's) and also will find you a modified cushion brilliant if that is the cut you prefer.

Also www.engagementringsdirect.com and Leon Mege www.artofplatinum.com specialize in antique cut cushions.

Good luck on your seach...cushions present a whole variety of patterns in their faceting to choose from.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-IF-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1471593.asp

Shape: Cushion
Carat weight: 1.66
Cut: Excellent
Color: K
Clarity: IF
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 66.2%
Table: 58.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to very thick
Culet: Small
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.26*7.05*4.67
Ratio: 1.03

This one is a modified cushion and faces up nice and large for a 2 carat stone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1493306.asp

Thank you.

K seems just so low on the color scale and I feel it will look brownish or yellow kind of like what that one stone was that I bought.

I have spoken to Jonathan at GOG and have had a great experience and have watched a lot of his videos.

Jonathan will find you a great performing cushion I am sure. With him you are in the best of hands...cushions seem to be his favorite cut.
But as you will see on the videos, WELL CUT K's and L's can face up surprisingly white...that was my point. Remember you "loved" the L before you knew it was an L. The brownish tint in stones is preferred to the yellow tint by most people and is not "bad". H,I, J,K's are all slightly tinted either yellow, gray, brown, or greenish gray and can be referred to as hue or tone of the diamond. But in well cut stones they can be even more beautiful than a higher colored stone that isn't cut so well.

Quite an eye opener watching all those videos on GOG! You are on your way to finding a great cushion. Can't wait to see your choice.

 

[hotskate]

Talk to me more about this stone.

2.01 Carat K-SI1 Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond
I like that it is obviously 2 carats and has similar ratios to the stone i had which was 1.107ish and the table seems bigger which means it probably looks larger then a 2.01? I also like that it has Excellent cut.

concerns K color and SI1


and
1.66 Carat K-IF Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond

Love the idea of an Internally FLAWLESS stone. the 1.66 carats is a worry and K color. seems more round then that cushion look, wouldn't i be better off with just a round stone?


I know Grayish looking stones is worse then brown and yellow.

I think its better to be Brown then yellow then gray?

 

[ariel144]

Talk to me more about this stone.

2.01 Carat K-SI1 Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond
I like that it is obviously 2 carats and has similar ratios to the stone i had which was 1.107ish and the table seems bigger which means it probably looks larger then a 2.01? I also like that it has Excellent cut.

concerns K color and SI1


and
1.66 Carat K-IF Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond

Love the idea of an Internally FLAWLESS stone. the 1.66 carats is a worry and K color. seems more round then that cushion look, wouldn't i be better off with just a round stone?


I know Grayish looking stones is worse then brown and yellow.

I think its better to be Brown then yellow then gray?

The 1.66 has roundish corners but is still close to square at 7 x 7 mm...the setting you choose can make it look very square as well so I would not worry about it being rounded on the corners.

Ask for the ASET on the 2carat SI1. I like the facet pattern but the ASET will tell you more about the light return and the gemologist can give you their opinion of the brightness and if it is eye clean, etc. It will be rectangular instead of square but very large face up. Nice price for a 2 c stone. Love the rectangular stones set E/W. The table is larger than I like (64%) mid 50% or less ...usually the smaller the table the higher the crown which is quite lovely in a cushion cut stone.

Yes, brown tone preferred to yellow, but personally would prefer gray to yellow, but everyone has their own preferences.

Post the ASET when you get it...the gemologist will tell you which stone they like the best between the 1.66 and the 2c.