Cushion Experts and Owners Chime IN!!

[jtrejoloans]

First Time posting here!!
Mark from ERD has emailed me images of these three cushion diamonds according to my budget and requested sizes.

The First: 2.50 ct G VS2, measurements are 8.67x7.24x4.92 polish is VG, symmetry is good and fluorescence is Medium Blue: Table is 62% and Depth is 66%
The Second: 2.63ct H VS1, mesurements are 8.77x 7.95x 4.92 polish is very good, symmetry is good and no fluorescence: Table is 51% and Depth is 61.9%
THe Thrid: 3.04ct I SI1, mesurements are 9.00x 7.56x 5.22 polish is very good, symmetry is very good and fuorescence is Faint: Table is 59% and Depth is 69%

All of these are within a couple hundred dollar difference in prices. Mark said that the first one is "washed out" and chose the other two for their brilliance and cut. The last two look pretty close in size, is there any advice you guys can give me, or questions to ask. I have been cruising the forum for the past month or so doing my homework but still when it comes to an investment like this you want to make sure you cross all your T''s and dot all your I''s. Thanks Much!!!

 

[Ellen]

I'm far from a cushion expert, but I'll give you a bump.

And, I wonder if he could give a couple more close up, different angled (one head on) pics of the 2nd and 3rd? The 3rd seems liveliest (and more square) from this one pic...

 

[ericad]

Just from this pic, I like the 3rd one best because I prefer the square-ish cushions over the rectangular. And it seems to have a lot of life to it, though getting 3 stones to face the same way at the same time can be quite tricky!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 9/21/2007 3:35:06 PM
Author: ericad
Just from this pic, I like the 3rd one best because I prefer the square-ish cushions over the rectangular. And it seems to have a lot of life to it, though getting 3 stones to face the same way at the same time can be quite tricky!

If I''m reading correctly, the third stone should have a longer look than the second. The ratios are in order 1:1.2, 1:1.1, 1:1.19.

That said, I am not sure the info and the stones are in the same order..... may want to double check that

 

[elmo]

If the tables in the first post are correct, is looks like 62, 59, and 51 left to right. Edit, I like the one on the right so far

.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Definitely need more pictures. I''d want some directly facing the top of the stone to see the facet patterns.

 

[chrono]

It would be very helpful to get more pictures:
1. All the from the top to see the faceting
2. All from the side to see the crown height

 

[jtrejoloans]

Thanks everyone for the input and insight. i looked over the certs and the table from left to right are as follows; 62%-51%-59% . I double checked twice. however if you look at width in measurements it goes from left to right; 7.24, 7.95, 7.56. Am I missing something here. The 3 ct. does not appear that much larger than the 2.63 wouldnt you agree? I am leaning more towards stone 3 but afraid that it may show too much color in comparison to pave stones that my be on the actual setting, but for an I grade it doesnt seem that bad. For the same price I could prob get a 1.75 D VVS2, what would you guys do or want? My sooon to be is easy to please and would be happy with just about anything I give her at this point. i figured if we have waited this long and two kids later then I might as well get the best and the most I can at this time.

I asked Mark to take a few more pictures maybe with a temp setting aswell. Too bad I wont get any till Monday.

As soon as I get pics, i''ll post them. Thanks again!!!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: a smaller D VVS. I PERSONNALY would prefer a lower color larger stone, all other things being equal. Would I go as low as *I* with a 3 carat cushion though? It really depends. Cushions are fancy's so it's really dependant on what I think of the stone as a whole. But if you were to isolate two IDENTICALLY cut and performing cushions and one was higher color and slilghtly smaller (not 3 carat versus 1.75) say 3 carat versus 2.5 carat... I'd take the higher color. But see, it's not possible to say that with non branded cushions, because they aren't going to be cut the same. They are individuals with their own pesonalities and need to be looked at that way, in my opinion.

If you asked me if I would buy an I cushion if I loved everything else about it? Absolutely. If it were the best stone overall, the color wouldn't stop me from buying it. But if I were torn between two stones I liked equally and one had higher color... I'd take the higher colored stone as the tie breaker.

Hope my rambling made some sense. Monday isn't too far away... no problem.

Oh and clarity? Not a consideration for me as long as it's eyeclean. If I can't see it and it doesn't break the surface, I'm fine with it.

 

[jtrejoloans]

Thats what is hard about dealing with someone on the east coast when Im here in CA. Its hard to just tell through pictures. We actually went to the district in Downtown LA and found it hard to find someone knowledgeable about cushions, let alone have some that we could take a look at. I think the biggest cushion we saw was actually a 1.5. Although they said that they can get some bigger ones in to look at, I didnt want to waste their time if I wasnt going to buy from them. In regards to color, I know that reflections from peoples clothing and what not inside a store can give a deception on actual color.
I kind of took a leap of faith in dealing with Mark from ERD because I wasnt sure how it would work via email and photos. Thanks Gypsy for your insight.

 

[Gypsy]

I'll tell you the truth. It I ever have the money to be able to buy a 2-3 carat cushion. I would call Mark, tell him what TYPE (facetting) I wanted (send him picks), tell him they type of spread I wanted and tell him to call in the ones he thought, in his search, had the most promise, and pick the one he liked best. That's it. I trust his eye that much. Now. I KNOW my color tolerance. So it's easier for me to say what I would be okay with.

My advice? You are in LOS ANGELES! Go to as many stores that carry high end designer stuff as possible. Post and ask for store reccomendations for places that carry royal asscher, and Daniel K Cushions , and so forth. And bug them, tell them you like lower colored stones. Tell them to pull out 3 carat H's I's and J's.

See what you think.

That is in effect how I figured mine out. The royal asschers and step cuts helped the most. If I was fine with a 4 carat J asscher... I know I would be fine with a 4 carat I cushion. Asschers and step cuts show more color than cushions. The larger the stone, the more noticable the 'tint'. So... go out there browse. This weekend. I picked Royal asschers and Daniel K stones because I know they are well cut, so that what I'm evaluating color, and I didn't want bad cut to influence me.

 

[Gypsy]

Here for example is a 3 carat cushion I color that was just posted. The diamond is stunning (ignore the first pic of the diamond head on... scroll down) https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-leon-mege-cushion-arrived-today.69413/ .

The setting is stunning too. Although I ''personally'' am into three stone setting for large cushions. Hallf Moon or trap sides by Leon Mage.

 

[diagem]

Date: 9/21/2007 11:45:15 PM
Author: jtrejoloans
Thanks everyone for the input and insight. i looked over the certs and the table from left to right are as follows; 62%-51%-59% . I double checked twice. however if you look at width in measurements it goes from left to right; 7.24, 7.95, 7.56. Am I missing something here. The 3 ct. does not appear that much larger than the 2.63 wouldnt you agree? I am leaning more towards stone 3 but afraid that it may show too much color in comparison to pave stones that my be on the actual setting, but for an I grade it doesnt seem that bad. For the same price I could prob get a 1.75 D VVS2, what would you guys do or want? My sooon to be is easy to please and would be happy with just about anything I give her at this point. i figured if we have waited this long and two kids later then I might as well get the best and the most I can at this time.

I asked Mark to take a few more pictures maybe with a temp setting aswell. Too bad I wont get any till Monday.

As soon as I get pics, i''ll post them. Thanks again!!!

Agreed..., the TD % of the 2.63 is 61.9 %
3.04 is 69%

Big difference...., but it doesnt mean its less beautiful.

You definitely need more images....

 

[jtrejoloans]

Mark, just emailed me a pic with a temp setting. The stones look nothing like the first pic, anyhow are the stones cloudy or is just the picture? thanks guys This one is 3.0

 

[jtrejoloans]

This one is the 2.63

 

[chrono]

The 3 carat the the 2.6 carat stones are very similiar in physical dimensions because the 3 carat cushion is deeper (more weight in the pavilion) than the 2.6 carat cushion.

As for the cloudy looking stone in the picture, I''m guessing it''s oils from fingers (smudges from handling the stone) when Mark tried to put it in the holder and "playing" with it to get a good picture. Nothing to be too worried about.

 

[jtrejoloans]

Based of this picture, what would you guys go for? The 3.04 really shows a lot of color from what I see. Not sure if this is just because of the picture. The 2.63 is just as big in comparison to the 3.0. thanks

 

[Gypsy]

WELL. I personally, with the larger spread and the higher color would go with the 2.63 IF and only IF Mark thought it was the better performer of the two, or if the performance was tied. Performance trumps for me.

 

[chrono]

I really can''t tell by these pictures. What does Mark say? If the two are comparable in terms of optical "wow", I''d take the 2.63 ct because it is less deep (thus looks bigger) and better colour. In any case, I''d always take the one that looks best to the eye (but I don''t know because the pictures Mark provided really don''t tell me much).

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/24/2007 6:47:39 PM
Author: Gypsy
WELL. I personally, with the larger spread and the higher color would go with the 2.63 IF and only IF Mark thought it was the better performer of the two, or if the performance was tied. Performance trumps for me.

I would let Mark guide you as Gypsy says, his expertise combined with the fact that he actually has the diamonds means he is the best person to help you choose.

 

[jtrejoloans]

Mark told me that I should go with this 2.63 H, Said that this diamond is laid out better than the 3.0 ct. and is slightly larger looking for a 2.63. This is a cushion brilliant diamond not a modified one. I never really paid attention to the style''s and now questioning if i want a modified. What do you guys think? Also, I was thinking if i go down to a 2.6 I might aswell find something close to 2.5 and get a higher color... Feel free to chime in... Thanks

 

[Gypsy]

I think that it''s lovely, and it''s Mark''s pick, and I''d get it. You''ve got great spread, very good color, and great clarity. Plus a really pretty stone. He does have a return policy, I would buy it, and see it in person, personally.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/27/2007 10:42:14 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think that it''s lovely, and it''s Mark''s pick, and I''d get it. You''ve got great spread, very good color, and great clarity. Plus a really pretty stone. He does have a return policy, I would buy it, and see it in person, personally.

Ditto Gyp, it looks superb!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/28/2007 4:12:11 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 9/27/2007 10:42:14 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think that it''s lovely, and it''s Mark''s pick, and I''d get it. You''ve got great spread, very good color, and great clarity. Plus a really pretty stone. He does have a return policy, I would buy it, and see it in person, personally.

Ditto Gyp, it looks superb!

Thritto!

Purty.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 9/27/2007 10:19:48 PM
Author: jtrejoloans
Mark told me that I should go with this 2.63 H, Said that this diamond is laid out better than the 3.0 ct. and is slightly larger looking for a 2.63. This is a cushion brilliant diamond not a modified one. I never really paid attention to the style''s and now questioning if i want a modified. What do you guys think? Also, I was thinking if i go down to a 2.6 I might aswell find something close to 2.5 and get a higher color... Feel free to chime in... Thanks

If it is possible to have a couple stones sent out to an appraiser in california (that he approves) so you can see them for yourself, that would be ideal. If you are concerned about color especially. It''s so hard to form an opinion on the stones based on mark''s pictures because... well.... IMO he doesn''t take very good pictures LOL But he does produce wonderful results.