shape
carat
color
clarity

Cushion Help for a Newbie :)

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

chicagolawyer

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Messages
71
Hi All,

I've been lurking for a month and have found some great threads on cushion cuts. Who knew that there were so many variations?

I personally really like a stone (specs below), but from what I've read on here the cut isn't great (depth is too shallow, table is too big). The jeweler says she won't negotiate, but I think at $16,988 this rock is overppriced! (below is a link of the most similar rock I've found online, it's $14,795) Thoughts on the stone or pricing? I'd really, really appreciate any comments!

MY STONE:

Cushion Brilliant
1.85 ct
F color
VS2
Polish Good
Symmetry Good
Fluorescence None
56% table
54.5% depth
faceted girdle thin-very thick
8.49*7.26*3.96

CLOSEST MATCH:

http://www.scheinerdiamonds.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-bet-195.html?E+scstore

Thanks again for all your help! I'm so happy I found Pricescope!
 
Hi Chicagolawyer...welcome.

I''m no expert, and hopefully more knowledgable folks will weigh in, but I do have a couple of thoughts.

I think it''s a given that buying a stone from an BandB will cost you more than finding one online. For many people that''s OK because of added services and the ability to see a candidate IRL before putting out any money.

Your stone being shallow probably faces up bigger than many cushions of similar carat weight.

That you really like this stone is important...especially if you seen it next to some others for comparison. Numbers/stats can be useful, but in the end it really is what pleases the eye that counts.

Just some thoughts...
widget
 
Date: 10/13/2006 10:48:24 AM
Author: widget
Hi Chicagolawyer...welcome.

I''m no expert, and hopefully more knowledgable folks will weigh in, but I do have a couple of thoughts.

I think it''s a given that buying a stone from an BandB will cost you more than finding one online. For many people that''s OK because of added services and the ability to see a candidate IRL before putting out any money.

Your stone being shallow probably faces up bigger than many cushions of similar carat weight.

That you really like this stone is important...especially if you seen it next to some others for comparison. Numbers/stats can be useful, but in the end it really is what pleases the eye that counts.

Just some thoughts...
widget
I second everything widget said... and on the specs, it really is going to depend on what style of cushion you like and how you want it to perform. It is my understanding that the shallower stones may have more brilliance where as the deeper stones may have more fire... but as we''ve learned with rounds, it''s more about how the facets interact with each other and in the shapes that have not been as studied, (and if you accept that there can be many flavors) you''ll find that what is beautiful is scattered across the board and you just have to use your eyes. Especially because the longer ratio stones are going to be a while before they''re "figured out". Square cushions will likely be figured out much sooner but they really haven''t yet. It behooves the vendors to claim to know what constitutes a good cushion but I really don''t think most of them yet have a clue LOL No offence to them, there''s just not been enough demand and there is WOEFULLY low research.

Also, I think the more modern style cushions are shallower with larger tables.... the antique style cushions like OMc are traditionally deeper. The stone you love IS *very* shallow IMO but my opinion doesn''t matter - I can''t see it, I''ve no idea how it looks in person. Unfortunately you don''t find enough cushions, especially larger ones, in person. when looking to compare my stone I compared it to rounds hahaha but I think it acts more like a step cut in many ways.

In conclusion, I have no help to offer, you just have to try to get a few lined up in a row and choose! Good luck!
 
Widget -- this diamond does face up big, you''re right.

Cehrabehra -- It is frustrating that there is so little solid information re: what constitutes a great cushion. Ayayay! This one is really shallow. Even though I love it, I''m wondering if I can find one that has the same look, but better proportions.

You''re both right that me liking the stone is what matters! :) This one looks great (even under natural, non-jeweler''s light). I guess I''m hesitant because making such a big purchase w/ so much uncertainty about cushions in the industry seems a little scary!

Thanks for yours comments, and if anyone else has insight I''d love to hear it!
 
Since this stone really appeals to you, I would do this: get on the phone with Mark Turnowski at engagementringsdirect.com, tell him what you want. When he finds you what HE thinks is the right stone for you, buy it, and bring it with you to compare with the stone at the B&M. You'll get a chance to see it perform next to one selected by what many here think is THE cushion man, and the B&M will see that you are serious about the negotiation and will think twice about stonewalling you...

I haven't used Mark personally but love the stones I see here from him. Same with Jonathan at Good Old Gold.

And you MIGHT just end up with the *perfect* cushion with no sales tax to boot!

ETA: you'd still be in the return period with your internet diamond, so you could take that time to choose.
 
I am assuming you live in Chicago (your name) so I would recommend going to jeweler’s row. Maybe making a ton of appointments and just looking at a ton of cushions. You can visit several stores and compare prices. If you come at them with internet prices then they know you mean business. I know that Chicago Diamonds Inc. has an online store too. Some of their diamonds are on there but I do not think all of them. There are a couple guys on jewelers row that do charge a % fee over the price but you can definitely find some that do not. At least this way you can see a ton of cushions and see what measurements you like. Just a thought.
 
The shallowness of your stone and the fact that it is just a GOOD/GOOD bother me. You need to see more cushions to see if it bothers you! Did you want a rectangular stone?

Cushions are very HARD to pick. I decided that I wanted a rectangular stone by trying on many many stones radiants, EC, rounds, ovals etc at Brick and Mortar stores. Then I decided on my color and clarity ranges, a girdle that wasn't thin or very thin a table smaller than depth and would like flu. I also wanted EX or VG polish and sym. Oh yes I also wanted a certain mm size! It's a wonder I ever found anything.
9.gif
I came up with this tight criteria by reading all of the threads on cushions on PS!!

Then I looked online at as many photos of cushions as I could. That's because B&M stores usually had one or NO cushions for me to look at. GOG has a few. James Allen has many photos of cushions online. I looked at all of them.
23.gif
I realized that I liked certain facet patterns better than others.

Then I went and looked at three cushions that met all my criteria in person. Some people on PS make special trips just to do this. With a fancy cut it really helps to see them in person. The cushions I saw were SO MUCH better than what I had seen in B&M stores and they looked even better in person than they did in their photos.

Many on PS trust the vendors and buy sight unseen. Some make a trip for their first big purchase and then trust the vendor's judgement after than. It's just that there are so many kinds of cushions and while many are lovely I knew I wanted a certain look.

I have enjoyed the process. And highly recommend that you get another quality cushion next to this one you are thinking of, either by buying it and taking it in or having the store call in more cushions.
 
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
Top