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Cushion Cut - want your advice...

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keithkeith

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My girlfriend and I went ring shopping, and she fell in love with one of the rings she tried on - cushion cut in a halo setting surrounded by round pave diamonds. I have looked at the GIA certificate for the diamond -

Cushion Modified Brilliant
1.19 carat
D
VS1
Polish - VG
Symmetry - VG
Flourescence - None
Table - 66%
Depth - 48%

It seems great - however I''ve been doing some searching, and after a little looking I see that typically the depth is more around 65-70%... would love to hear thoughts on the diamond in general, and then any additional thoughts on the depth.
 
Are you sure you don''t have the table and depth reversed? If that is the depth, the diamond will look like a pancake. I can''t imagine a cushion looking good when it is that shallow. I am also not a fan of cushion modified brillants - I find that they usually look like crushed ice.
 
Date: 4/2/2010 7:18:52 PM
Author:keithkeith
My girlfriend and I went ring shopping, and she fell in love with one of the rings she tried on - cushion cut in a halo setting surrounded by round pave diamonds. I have looked at the GIA certificate for the diamond -

Cushion Modified Brilliant
1.19 carat
D
VS1
Polish - VG
Symmetry - VG
Flourescence - None
Table - 66%
Depth - 48%

It seems great - however I''ve been doing some searching, and after a little looking I see that typically the depth is more around 65-70%... would love to hear thoughts on the diamond in general, and then any additional thoughts on the depth.
Click to expand...
While I agree something is very off with that diamond, either you miscopied the stats or otherwise, we cannot tell you very much about a diamond from those numbers you will need an ASET image, and a photograph or video would be helpful as well.

In addition its best you learn which type of cushion cut you like best before choosing individual stones.
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ChunkyCushionLover''s Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds


Step 1 (Choose The Type of Cut)


Decide the look of cushion you like best. (Watching the videos should help you the most with this.)
A great video illustrating the best in Cushion Brilliant Optics and a comparison between several varieties http://www.vimeo.com/9188543
i) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main like this one http://www.octonus.com/oct/projects/foxymovies/round_cushion2_office_fr.phtml or http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the far left)
b) 8 main modern http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (stone on the left)
c) 8 main old mine cushion http://www.vimeo.com/5310842
d) BGD modern 8 main cushion (the mains intersect at the corners) https://www.pricescope.com/forum/topic12849.html

ii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266-2.mov http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266.mov

iii) Cushette http://www.vimeo.com/3164922
iv) Cushion Modified Brilliant (often referred to negatively as the "crushed ice" variety as many in this category have only small flashes and were cut to save weght not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 pictures and commentary here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-shocking-final-diamond-choice-i-gave-to-my-fiance-which-one-would-you-pick.121154/
c) Square Brilliant (rare seen more in Belgium)

A helpful thread to see the plots and pictures of different types of cushions can be seen here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/ (keep in mind pictures aren''t as useful as videos and can only be used reliably to understand facet structure not light performance)
If you want to learn about cushions a great video by Jon at GOG can be watched here http://www.vimeo.com/7579666 and bonus footage here http://www.vimeo.com/7611843.

Step 2 (Choose the 4Cs)

1) Post your budget, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, LW(length to width) Ratio (do you like perfectly Square or Rectangular?) and cut preference. We will help find stones in your price range or tell you if your budget is realistic for the specs you have chosen or if you will have to make some tradeoffs. If you would rather go directly to the vendor at this point I suggest you speak to:

i) Jon at Goodoldgold.com
ii) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com

This list is limited to what I beleive are vendors who specialize in cushion cuts designed for light performance there may be others but I haven''t had experiences with them. Some vendors like GOG and BGD have even developed their own cushion signature cut diamonds lines not available for sale by any other vendor. All of these vendors will be able to provide ASET images and pictures of stones to help you decide prior to purchase.

Example:
Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eyeclean from 6 feet away looking faceup)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio = 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cushion Brilliant (Modern) either 4 main or 8 mai

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or see in person)

Ask the vendor for a Video and/or ASET image (http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp) of your possible choices and we can help you narrow down which of your selections we prefer and why.

Step 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraisor for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favourite stones to a PS listed appraisor https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx close to you, where you can view your final choices in person prior to purchase, you will just have to pay shipping. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraisor without you having to pay first and the appraisor will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor. For such an expensive purchase approximately $100 in shipping and insurance (both ways) and $100 in appraisor time seems well worth it to make the most informed choice possible.
Happy Hunting,
CCL
 
Date: 4/2/2010 7:18:52 PM
Author:keithkeith
My girlfriend and I went ring shopping, and she fell in love with one of the rings she tried on - cushion cut in a halo setting surrounded by round pave diamonds. I have looked at the GIA certificate for the diamond -

Cushion Modified Brilliant
1.19 carat
D
VS1
Polish - VG
Symmetry - VG
Flourescence - None
Table - 66%
Depth - 48%

It seems great - however I've been doing some searching, and after a little looking I see that typically the depth is more around 65-70%... would love to hear thoughts on the diamond in general, and then any additional thoughts on the depth.
Click to expand...
Hi Keith and welcome!

If that depth value is correct, it is very shallow and not as likely to be a well cut diamond, what is the diameter in MM for this diamond please? Have you seen many cushions in person?
 
Wow - thank you for the quick responses!

The GIA # is 16756984

Measurements: 6.95 x 6.46 x 3.10 mm
Depth: 48.0%
Table: 66%
Girdle: Slightly Thick to Very Thick, Faceted
Culet: Medium
 
Date: 4/3/2010 11:41:52 AM
Author: keithkeith
Wow - thank you for the quick responses!

The GIA # is 16756984

Measurements: 6.95 x 6.46 x 3.10 mm
Depth: 48.0%
Table: 66%
Girdle: Slightly Thick to Very Thick, Faceted
Culet: Medium
Click to expand...
Thanks Keith.

The depth is very shallow with a large table, if these measurements were in fact reversed it could be preferable! What is your priority here, do you want to find the best cut cushion you can get or are you happy to see a stone and buy it? This cushion does not appear to be well cut, are you open to buying online?

I would definitely suggest watching the video below which was made by an expert for new cushion buyers, although not the same as viewing diamonds in person it is very helpful to show you the difference cut quality makes to the beauty of these diamonds.

http://www.vimeo.com/7579666

http://www.vimeo.com/7611843 bonus footage
 
Couple stones for your consideration:

From Good Old Gold ...
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6360/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6463/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6001/

These stones are modern 8 main pavillon - looks like the Tiffany Novo. They can be called in by other vendors such as ERD. I don't know this company but would recommend you ask Mark or someone call them in. The pictures aren't of the actual diamonds.
http://www.excellentdiamondcutters.com/diamonds/pc/1-04-G-VS2-Cushion-Loose-Diamond-p26200.htm
http://www.excellentdiamondcutters.com/diamonds/pc/1-04-G-VS2-Cushion-Loose-Diamond-p26117.htm

Based on what you were looking at, I am guessing your budget is around $5000 for the stone. The setting would be another $2000 to $4000 depending on what you go with.
 
Thank you for the comments to date! One more question - sparked by the "shallowness" of the diamond. It is in a slightly raised halo setting - as a result, does this mean more light can enter the diamond, thus creating more of the fire and brilliance one wants to see? A picture of the ring is attached...

diamondlkjhlkjhlkjh.jpg
 
Date: 4/4/2010 10:22:42 AM
Author: keithkeith
Thank you for the comments to date! One more question - sparked by the ''shallowness'' of the diamond. It is in a slightly raised halo setting - as a result, does this mean more light can enter the diamond, thus creating more of the fire and brilliance one wants to see? A picture of the ring is attached...
Click to expand...
The setting really won''t make any appreciable difference, it is the overall cut of the diamond which is responsible for the fire and brilliance.
 
Date: 4/4/2010 10:22:42 AM
Author: keithkeith
Thank you for the comments to date! One more question - sparked by the ''shallowness'' of the diamond. It is in a slightly raised halo setting - as a result, does this mean more light can enter the diamond, thus creating more of the fire and brilliance one wants to see? A picture of the ring is attached...
Click to expand...
No nothing well help a 48% depth diamond from having obvious areas under the table that don''t strongly reflect light. If that is okay with you and the wearer is happy with its appearance in various lighting like low lighting conditions than it may be okay.

I would never buy such a stone but to each their own taste and opinion.
 
Is that photo of the diamond too?

Is it a Daussi cushion by chance? Those are cut shallow on prupose. Some like the look some do not.

I prefer the cushions that Charmy linked.
 
Based on the information you all have provided, I don''t think the current diamond in the setting is right for us. As I become a little better versed in some of the more important aspects of diamond purchasing, I am somewhat frustrated by the jeweler I have been talking with - he is in charge of diamond purchasing for a prominent jeweler in a large city.

Chunky''s and Charmy''s posts above are great - on the education and on a couple of diamonds. In the comment above re: budget for diamond being around 5000 - I am actually comfortable with ~9,500, followed by the setting. Given the jeweler, I know I am dealing with a good markup on the base product. I will do some searching on suggested sites.

I do wonder if I would be able to purchase just the setting from the jeweler. We tried on a good number before my girlfriend chose that one as her favorite. Alternatively, can anyone point me in the direction of where I might find:

Platinum ring
Micro pave round cut diamonds, weighing around .22 carats
Halo design

Once again, THANK YOU!
 
Date: 4/5/2010 8:46:01 AM
Author: keithkeith

Chunky''s and Charmy''s posts above are great - on the education and on a couple of diamonds. In the comment above re: budget for diamond being around 5000 - I am actually comfortable with ~9,500, followed by the setting. Given the jeweler, I know I am dealing with a good markup on the base product. I will do some searching on suggested sites.
Click to expand...
Woo hoo ... that gives us more room to play with. Good Old Gold is getting a few new AVCs in the next few weeks in the range of 1.2 to 1.4 ct. I think there will be something in there for you if you can wait.
 
tyty333 - thank you! And that post also answers the question above re: whether it is a daussi diamond or not.
 
I have been reading up on Daussi cushions - they certainly are different than other cushions. I am trying to find a video of one of these cuts, comparing it to other cushions. I did speak with one of the individuals that works with engagement rings at the jewelers, and he did acknowledge that they are shallow, however that is done on purpose and in combination with the cut style.

hmmmm decisions.
 
I don''t want to offend any Daussi cushion owners but I personally don''t like them. I cannot recommend them to anyone.
 
Date: 4/5/2010 1:08:32 PM
Author: keithkeith
I have been reading up on Daussi cushions - they certainly are different than other cushions. I am trying to find a video of one of these cuts, comparing it to other cushions. I did speak with one of the individuals that works with engagement rings at the jewelers, and he did acknowledge that they are shallow, however that is done on purpose and in combination with the cut style.

hmmmm decisions.
Click to expand...
It may be done on purpose but you better see what those big non light returning windows under the table look like in person before deciding on a Daussi. Lots of videos on youtube if you type in daussi cushion.

As for Daussi setting it looks like a nicely made setting but that same style with 0.5 pointers (same size as in your picture) can be done custom to fit precisely the centre of any cushion you choose for the same price or likely cheaper. You also can decide if you want an airline(space between stone and halo) or not.
There are a bunch of quality CAD/CAM ring designers who advertise here like ERD and WF and either could do a setting similar to that one.
 
I think you will be more happy with the optics of an August Vintage cushion, unless there is something specific abotu the Daussie style that you like.
 
Date: 4/5/2010 1:08:32 PM
Author: keithkeith
I have been reading up on Daussi cushions - they certainly are different than other cushions. I am trying to find a video of one of these cuts, comparing it to other cushions. I did speak with one of the individuals that works with engagement rings at the jewelers, and he did acknowledge that they are shallow, however that is done on purpose and in combination with the cut style.


hmmmm decisions.
Click to expand...

I think well cut Daussi cushions are extremely elegant and beautiful! To me, they''re lovely, and the Grace Kelly of cushions. But of course, I love the personality of a well-cut 4-main cushion as well, and those are not very fashionable right now.
2.gif
Different cuts for different tastes....
 
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