Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Cushion Help — G vs I/K Color

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
M

mbr

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
2
I am currently looking for an approx 2ct cushion cut. My initial research led me to believe that I shouldn''t get a diamond less than G color or VS2 clarity. This criteria along with looking at the "very good" cuts on sites like Blue Nile or Union Diamonds, led me to believe that I would be spending approx $20k to get something nice. On Good As Gold, however, I watched a few videos of 2ct cushions that were considerably below my price range, but also out of my color range. Here are two in particular:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5615/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5711/

Both of these look very good on video (the second one especially), and are $8-$10k less than what I thought I needed to spend, but I feel like getting a I or K colored diamond is a bad move.

Questions:

1) Am I an idiot?

2) Does anyone know if Good As Gold prices are reasonable (relative to a Blue Nile, say)?

3) I am also considering sticking to my original budget and getting this:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5420/

Any comments would be appreciated

Thanks!

Max
 
My personal favorite would be number 2 followed by number 3 then number 1 last. Love number 2.
 
I''d be careful about giving her a K especially in that cut. I own a K set in a pendant (round that shows less color) and it bugs me. One day I''ll upgrade.

The I that you posted is my favorite (number 2) it''s just a beautiful stone. Will it show a tint? To some it may. She may or may not see it or even if she does, she may not care. The 3rd link, the G is a great choice for color but I''m not loving the facet structure.

As far as prices being reasonable? I think so. I''ve purchased from them before and while they may seem a little bit over what other vendors charge, they also provide alot more services than your average companies like blue nile.
 
Unless your GF is extremely color sensative, I''d get the I from GOG.

Congratulations on your upcoming engagement, too:-)
 
I agree with the above! The 2nd stone is my favorite, followed by the 3rd, then the first.
 
It''s a personal preference.

Do you like warmer colors? If yes, you will like the L, M & N''s that GOG has to offer. If you like his custom cut, then you will like them. In fact, you will love them.

IMHO If you want traditional and the whiter sparkle of a G, H, or I and at some time think you will sell your diamond, then get a traditional cut. Again, IHMO I think that on trade in and/or resale you will not get as much with a custom cut compared to a traditional cut.
 
Also, one other.

I have told Jonathan that we will come out to this location and buy some items from him for all the help he gave us (plus the info from the video''s) in making my decision on my wife''s cushion a lot easier.
 
I think the 2nd stone you listed from GOG looks like a strong contender. I have an H colored cushion and it is extremely white IMO. I am not sure if I would have gone with an I but I am sure you can speak with GOG about your comfort level with color/tint.

Like previous posters a K color might be a risk if you are unsure how color sensitive she is or perhaps how savvy her circle of friends might be.

I also like the spread of the 2nd cushion, it is very close dimension wise to the stone I just got for my e-ring. (photos of my ring are on a thread in Show Me the Ring if you want to get a sense of the shape)

Good luck with your search.
 
Date: 1/8/2010 2:42:38 PM
Author:mbr
I am currently looking for an approx 2ct cushion cut. My initial research led me to believe that I shouldn't get a diamond less than G color or VS2 clarity. This criteria along with looking at the 'very good' cuts on sites like Blue Nile or Union Diamonds, led me to believe that I would be spending approx $20k to get something nice. On Good As Gold, however, I watched a few videos of 2ct cushions that were considerably below my price range, but also out of my color range. Here are two in particular:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5615/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5711/

Both of these look very good on video (the second one especially), and are $8-$10k less than what I thought I needed to spend, but I feel like getting a I or K colored diamond is a bad move.

Questions:

1) Am I an idiot?

2) Does anyone know if Good As Gold prices are reasonable (relative to a Blue Nile, say)?

3) I am also considering sticking to my original budget and getting this:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5420/

Any comments would be appreciated

Thanks!

Max
Click to expand...

Max,

1) Absolutely not your questions are similar to what most people ask when they diamond shop.
2) GOG has great policies and offers the most stringent criteria for evaluating the performance of stones. They actively search out the best stones in each cutting style and that is most of what they sell.
If a stone has a 30 day guarantee than it hasn't passed Jon's criteria for light performance, the one with lifetime policies are the best he has to offer and in that cutting style and are offered with his lifetime tradeup and buyback policies.

3) As for color many here feel if you want more bang for your buck you can get as low as an H or I color and put the money towards size. For others they want Icy white at all times and for them G and higher is the only way to go this is a matter of personal preference, the only way to answer this is to look at different colorsside by side to judge how color sensitive you or she is. I'd caution going lower than an I unless you know she likes warmer diamonds, a K will show a yellow tint in many lighting conditions and definitely from the side.

4) As for cuts the 1 and 3 are modern 4 main cushions and both are cut very well for this cutting style. If I didn't mind the warmth of a K color either one would be an excellent choice. But keep in mind these are modern faceted cushions with smaller flash than the vintage 8 main style.

Cushion #2 is an 8 main and while well above average did not receive Jon's nod for a top performing stone. This is likely due to the big bowtie exhibited across two of the pavillion mains (the area shown as blue in the ASET) and darker area from top to bottom of the stone.

If I were you I'd ask Jon how much and how long it would take to cut a 2 Carat H SI1 or H VS2 August Vintage Cushion like this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6826/ as it is head and shoulders well above stone #2 if you like this style.

I would expect a 2 Carat H SI1 or H VS2 to come in well below in the 13 -15k range or thereabouts.

Regards,
CCL
________________________________________________________________
Please find below a some videos of the different types of cushions cuts which will help you decide which one you like best.

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/community/threads/bgd-cushion-let-me-know-what-you-think.128493/


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)




 
Most people won''t see a lot of color in an I diamond, unless you''re very color-sensitive. You will be likely to notice color in a K, though. I and K are not in the same category. Some people prefer a bit of warmth in their diamonds and would choose the K over the I, but it sounds like you''re looking for something whiter. An I would be a good compromise between color and budget. I have an I color princess and am very happy with it.
 
Date: 1/8/2010 3:31:02 PM
Author: elle_chris
I''d be careful about giving her a K especially in that cut. I own a K set in a pendant (round that shows less color) and it bugs me. One day I''ll upgrade.

The I that you posted is my favorite (number 2) it''s just a beautiful stone. Will it show a tint? To some it may. She may or may not see it or even if she does, she may not care. The 3rd link, the G is a great choice for color but I''m not loving the facet structure.

As far as prices being reasonable? I think so. I''ve purchased from them before and while they may seem a little bit over what other vendors charge, they also provide alot more services than your average companies like blue nile.
Click to expand...
Ditto all of this. If you want a colorless diamond then a K is not for you. I owned a K and ended up trading it in for a G recently and am *very* happy with that choice.

However, a really well cut I color cushion could be ver ynice. Some may see a tint so you need to know how color sensitive you and your gf are.
 
Thanks to everyone for this great advice.

One more candidate:

http://www.whiteflash.com/premium_select_cushion/Premium-Select-Cushion-cut-diamond-2160874.htm

To my untrained eye, this looks like a nice step up from the $12k GOG vintage cushion. The optics seem pretty good. Any thoughts?

Thanks again,

Max
 
I like the second stone best.
 
I would go with the I color.
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top