Cushion Cut

[atl3131]

Hey all. I am looking to being my search for an engagement ring, a cushion cut at that. I have been reading through these forums and figure it would be a great place to get some advice (hence why this is my very first post). So far I have just been researching, reading up on cushion cuts but this has lead me to feel very, very intimidated. I essentially just want a 1ct. that has no visible inclusions, appears colorless to the eye, and has good sparkle of course.

Does anyone have any good tips or things I should be looking for in a cushion cut? All this info on minimum clarity, color, special cuts like hearts and arrows, culet size, depth and table percentage, has left my head spinning. I sincerely appreciate any advice or assistance anyone can provide.

 

[slg47]

Hi and welcome! Cushions are tricky because they can have a variety of appearances. Here is a guide from CCL that can help you narrow down the type of cushion you want. Or, if you have some pictures, if you could post them we can try to help you find something similar. "good sparkle" etc is subjective, some people like a more chunky appearance to a cushion, some like more modern, some like 'crushed ice' or 'pinflash' so this guide should help you narrow down what characteristics you like. As far as colorless, you may want to see some diamonds in person, as that is the best way to judge what your preferences for color are.

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ChunkyCushionLover's Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds (2.0)

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

Types of Cushions:

i) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the left)
b) 8 main thin (modern style) http://www.vimeo.com/9188543 (1st stone on the left)
c) 8 main thick (vintage style) http://www.vimeo.com/9188543 (3rd stone from the left)
d) BGD modern 8 main cushion (the mains intersect at the corners) https://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view..... ... icID=12849

ii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows
http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/image ... 7266-2.mov http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/image ... XF7266.mov also second stone from the left in http://www.vimeo.com/9188543

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 weight not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 both the left and the right stones have the same facet structure. Most in this cutting style would look similar to the one on the left.

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 unrealistic 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 (The most selective and expert vendor for the best light return in cushions especially branded lines like Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows, August Vintage Cushion (8 main vintage) and 4 main cushion brilliants.
ii) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com (Excellent prices, specializes in 8 main vintage stones and can find 8 main thin modern ones as well)
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com (Has been known to source decent 4 main cushion brilliants)
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com (Designed the BGD 8 main modified cushion brilliant above but mostly specializes in hearts and arrows rounds)

Once you know what kind of cut you are looking for we can be most helpful if you post your preferences in your thread.
Example:
Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eye clean from 6 feet away looking face up)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio: 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cut: Cushion Brilliant (Modern) 8 main

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or view 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.

If you want to learn about cushions cut for light performance 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 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraiser for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favorite 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. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraiser without you having to pay first and the appraiser will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor. You may incur small shipping and appraisor fees to view potential choices in person which for many is well worth it to be sure about their purchases.

Happy Hunting,
CCL

 

[atl3131]

Thanks for the help. As far as my "specs"....

Budget: $6,000 but could do $7,000 if necessary.
Carat: 1
Color: Would prefer F and above but not sure if that is possible.
Clairty: VS2 and above, eye clean
Shape: As close to square as possible.

So if I am understanding right, the best way to decide on a cushion is to simply make a visual comparison? Also, how do I find a pricescope vendor? Does anyone have any vendor recommendations?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Cabochon1]

Hi,

look again at SLGs answer. Possible vendors are listed in the post.

I've copied the relevant part again here

i) Jon at Goodoldgold.com (The most selective and expert vendor for the best light return in cushions especially branded lines like Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows, August Vintage Cushion (8 main vintage) and 4 main cushion brilliants.
ii) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com (Excellent prices, specializes in 8 main vintage stones and can find 8 main thin modern ones as well)
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com (Has been known to source decent 4 main cushion brilliants)
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com (Designed the BGD 8 main modified cushion brilliant above but mostly specializes in hearts and arrows rounds)



Good luck with your hunt