Cushion Search

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Hello Forum,

I am searching for a cushion cut diamond to propose to my girlfriend with.

This will be the first time I have ever purchased a diamond and like first timers, I am clueless!

I've done research and know about the basics (the 4 c's, etc.) but I am having difficulty pinpointing a diamond that I am 100% comfortable moving forward with.

One of my biggest concerns is that the cushion cut doesn't include a cut grade. It makes me uneasy not being able to see this.

I have pretty much made up my mind that I will be ordering online (James Allen - I appreciate that they show you the actual stone).

My total budget (diamond and setting) is about $3500 CAD (this is slightly flexible).

I want to be able to get the nicest, biggest, stone that I can for my money (said everyone).

Are there any experts out there that can help me out?

 

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Sorry, I should have added that the style of setting she likes (pave) seems to cost me anywhere from $750-$1100 on JA.

So I guess ideally my ballpark price for the diamond itself is around $2500.

Thanks!

 

[telephone89]

Oh boy. You are buying at a terrible time with the exchange rate. $3500 CAD right now is about $2700 USD. So that lowers your diamond budget to $1700-$2000 USD.

Lets take a look.

 

[telephone89]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.73-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-572523 I think this one looks nice.

Also another great vendor
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.698-f-si1-cushion-diamond-ags-bl-104079637016
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.631-f-vs2-cushion-diamond-ags-104079637019
These are similar to a round in the faceting, but will be very pretty as well.

They have nice pave too
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/the-valentine-micro-pave-1-18k-white-gold-5688w18
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/u-prong-solitaire-pave-18k-white-gold-5699w18

Keep in mind, the cushions will face up smaller than a round. So, you could get a round for the same price that will look larger.

 

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Thanks for your help! Greatly appreciate it!

Tell me about it with the exchange rate...to make matters worse I am planning on proposing when we are in San Francisco on vacation in early September...let's keep those costs coming...


Funny enough, the first one you linked I actually had bookmarked. I would have preferred going with a round but she has her heart set on a cushion.

What should be the cut off when it comes to colour for a cushion? I could get a significantly bigger one if I go with a lower colour but I am anxious about doing that since I want to maintain look/quality.

Can I get your opinion on these few as well?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-sku-580819

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.72-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-579955

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-543430

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-585962

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.70-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-574507

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-543446

I few of these would push me over my budget slightly, but I am willing to do so if I got a much better deal out of it. Consider a max budget of $3800. Canadian rate on any of the above doesn't exceed $3000CAD

I wasn't able to get the other site you linked to work for me...for a young guy, I'm pretty much technologically illiterate

 

[telephone89]

Colour is a preference. I don't mind lower colours (J, K), but for an E-ring, if you don't know what she likes you can stay I or above.

For the BG diamonds - google brian gavin diamonds, click on cushions, and put in your max budget. They are very nice, heart and arrow look cushions.

The only ones I like from your list are the first and last. The first is a more rectangular shape, and the last is a more rounded, but a perfect square. For both, you would need to check if it is eye clean with JA. The first will also face up small for the size, though at the price its still not bad.

 

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Would something like this be worth the slight downgrade in carat size for the better colour? The depth is less so it should show a similar size to the first one I suggested?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.86-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-530667


(This would be about the absolute top of my budget stone wise. I may need to select a lesser setting with this stone)

 

[tyty333]

Would something like this be worth the slight downgrade in carat size for the better colour? The depth is less so it should show a similar size to the first one I suggested?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.86-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-530667


(This would be about the absolute top of my budget stone wise. I may need to select a lesser setting with this stone)

This is not a good stone.

 

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Can I get opinions on this one?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-552066

From what I can see this is a very solid stone...the colour is the only thing that kind of annoys me, but I think it would still be good.

Thank you everybody for your help.

 

[ariel144]

I would definitely look at some options on ebay with your budget.

Here is a lovely GIA old cut cushion 1.04 J VS2 THhis faces up very nicely at 6mm x 6mm. You could have it set locally.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/181782077161?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


Here is a respected vendor on ebay and has wonderful antique diamonds and great settings. Their store is in Chicago. Someone posted on PS that if you go to their store website you can negotiate a lower price with them.

Antique rings...OEC's in cushion settings:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1ct-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-DIAMOND-G-SI-EGL-USA-CERT-VINTAGE-ENGAGEMENT-FILIGREE-RING-/400958387902?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d5afb76be

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1937-VINTAGE-1-5c-OLD-EURO-CUT-DIAMOND-ENGAGEMENT-RING-WEDDING-BAND-SET-PLATINUM-/151747890083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2354e10ba3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1930-VINTAGE-1ct-OLD-EURO-VG-CUT-DIAMOND-EGL-USA-CERT-ENGAGEMENT-RING-ENGRAVED-/171858061218?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item280389e7a2

They can set a stone like this in a cushion shaped setting...and make any setting you like.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-E-COLOR-SI1-0-78ct-OLD-EURO-CUT-DIAMOND-EGL-USA-CERT-VINTAGE-LOOSE-ROUND-/400957333077?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d5aeb5e55

Just some alternatives for your consideration. Good luck with your search.

 

[ariel144]

Would something like this be worth the slight downgrade in carat size for the better colour? The depth is less so it should show a similar size to the first one I suggested?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.86-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-530667


(This would be about the absolute top of my budget stone wise. I may need to select a lesser setting with this stone)

This is not a good stone.

See all that gray mush under the table? That is leakage. Seems all the stones on JA in your budget have that gray mush going on under the table and they will not be good performing cushions.

This is the only one i can find on JA that is half way decent but I can't even find 3 stones in your budget that I would ask for an ASET...a lot of really bad cushions on JA right now IMO:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-576710

BUT I would buy the 1.04c J VS2 on ebay before any of those on JA or go with MyDiamondZone.

Now I see the seller of the 1.04c J VS2 does not offer returns. Oops sorry...I would not buy without a generous 14 day return policy. But that really is a lovely cushion at a very nice price. You could negotiate a 14 day return with that vendor on this stone. Doesn't hurt to ask.

I will check with other vendors.

 

[ariel144]

Here is a great educational thread on cushion cuts.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-cuts-under-aset-scope-is-it-me-or-the-diamonds.170098/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-cuts-under-aset-scope-is-it-me-or-the-diamonds.170098/[/URL]

Small but awesome!
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-7ct-k-vs1-premium-vintage-cushion-diamond.html

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/10425.html

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-73ct-g-vs2-signature-modern-cushion-diamond.html

Both of these are outstanding cushions and in your budget. You can't go wrong with a GOG cushion.
The first one is a premium vintage and the second one their August Vintage custom cut line.

Check out their videos on cushion cuts on youtube...great education.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7H8E_MYRM

They will put it in a setting within you budget too.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/14kt-white-6mm-cushion-halo-styled-engagement-ring-mounting.html

GOG is your best source for an awesome performing cushion that you will ever find.

Or get one of these disco balls and put it in a cushion shaped setting
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-83ct-i-si2-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

 

[ariel144]

round in cushion halo...$640
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER10986W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER7818W44JJ


https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER001A2ADW44JJ

I would request double claw prongs if possible to do in your budget

With the awesome performing stones on GOG I would definitely NOT buy a cushion
on JA. See how great the ASET images are on the stones I posted on GOG? They
are proven performing stones and your fiances diamond will out perform any of her
friends diamonds. On your budget you have some really nice options on GOG.

My favorite cut used to be cushions until I saw their AVR's with that chunky faceting.
They are lovely...so my fav. of all 4 is the .83 AVR I SI2.

It faces up the largest and will make the biggest statement in a cushion halo setting.

Hope this helps.

 

[MollyMalone]

I've seen photos here on PS of some of Blue Nile's Signature Ideal Cushions that I thought were lovely, looked to be fine performers. Don't know if there would be a net, fiscal advantage if you were to use Blue Nile Canada's web site (hopefully, some Canadian PSers with recent experience will chime in on that), but maybe take a spin through there?

ETA: I would be leery of purchasing an August Vintage Round or August Vintage Cushion ring if your SO has not at least seen pics of them & expressed enthusiasm. They are a different "flavor" and not everyone is a fan of them. My niece, for one, has no desire for either an AVR or AVC, doesn't like open culets (thinks they look like weird holes) or the AVC's "Maltese Cross". GOG will issue a full refund for an AV diamond returned within 30 days, but their stated policy is no refunds or returns on settings.

 

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Thank you all for your help. It's sincerely appreciated.

I am apprehensive to use ebay, GOG, or another site where you can't see the diamond magnified like you can on JA. I'm not opposed to going elsewhere, just call me old fashioned I guess but with the cost of soemthing like this I am gun shy about laying down those kinds of dollars without seeing the stone as best as possible.

I am willing to be flexible with my budget a bit if I need to, and from what I have seen, I think I need to be for what I am looking for.

I have found a setting that I think she would be thrilled with but with any diamond below a .8 or .9, I don't think it shows as well as it can (I've seen it with a .5, .7, and 1 carat...the 1 is stunning) so I am trying to get close to that as I can.

This diamond was linked above (thank you for linking it):

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-576710

but how does it compare to:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-552066

To me, based on everything I have read...the second stone would be the better performing one. If not, could somebody explain to me why?

 

[chrono]

GOG provides far more information that JA does.

 

[ariel144]

Thank you all for your help. It's sincerely appreciated.

I am apprehensive to use ebay, GOG, or another site where you can't see the diamond magnified like you can on JA. I'm not opposed to going elsewhere, just call me old fashioned I guess but with the cost of soemthing like this I am gun shy about laying down those kinds of dollars without seeing the stone as best as possible.

I am willing to be flexible with my budget a bit if I need to, and from what I have seen, I think I need to be for what I am looking for.

I have found a setting that I think she would be thrilled with but with any diamond below a .8 or .9, I don't think it shows as well as it can (I've seen it with a .5, .7, and 1 carat...the 1 is stunning) so I am trying to get close to that as I can.

This diamond was linked above (thank you for linking it):

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-576710

but how does it compare to:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-552066

To me, based on everything I have read...the second stone would be the better performing one. If not, could somebody explain to me why?

Seeing a video of a diamond on JA tells you absolutely NOTHING about the performance of a stone....how it reflects light, fire and brilliance back into the eye of the beholder. I already posted that the J VS2 stone is a horrible cushion...it is all mushy gray under the table and will be dead. The VS1 that I posted has better faceting under the table and some gray mush around the perimeter of the table which will show up white or green on the ASET which means leakage...not the best.

The person that posted about her daughter that doesnt' like AVR's and AVC's because they have culets probably has not seen them in person. Most say that in person you never notice the culet when looking at the diamond in person. The stones I posted from GOG are PROVEN PERFORMERS and if you buy a lesser brilliant stone on JA you are making a big mistake. GOG will do a video of 3 stones and compare them side by side so you can compare performance, color, brilliance, and size. James Allen does not do this. And like I already posted, I could not find any well faceted cushions on JA in your budget. I didn't look at the smaller ones because you have 4 EXCELLENT choices on GOG in your budget.

Good luck if you choose JA...they will do ASETS on 3 stones of your choice to compare but like I said, I could only find one half way decently faceted stone on JA. The modern cushion on GOG will be a much better choice. If you get the ASET from the one on JA you can compare it to the ASETs already posted on GOG.

I also checked BrilliantlyEngaged but they had no stones in your budget.

Those who have small budgets can overcome that by getting the best performing stone on the market. You admit you are a novice at this so you can spend the tme educating yourself or buy based on false info. Also buying a poorly performing stone that is a J color is not a good idea as it will show more color. An excellent performing J will still come in the near colorless range, but only if it has an excellent cut. The K I posted on GOG will face up whiter than that J from JA because it has an excellent cut. The ASET image on that K stone is phenomenal and cheaper than the J on JA.

 

[Wmiod]

Out of curiosity what setting have you picked out? Personlly I would put my money in the diamond and compromise on setting which can be changed later. And there are some pretty popular settings at JA for less than what you budgeted.

 

[Wmiod]

If your heart is set on JA (sounds like it is) I would get the ASET on the G VS2 mentioned above (looks like light leakage tho). I like the pave cathedral claw prong ring SKU 17848W14 which is dainty and will help the diamond pop. I looked for cushions on JA to meet your price range and the ones with the best proportions have issues.

Best of luck!

 

[ariel144]

another option:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD05700018&compare=true
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.631-f-vs2-cushion-diamond-ags-104079637019?utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=Remarketing

The only beautiful cushion on JA I could find but over budget....BUT simply compare the suscinct facet pattern to the other cushions...no gray mush under the table. would love to see an ASET on this beauty.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-sku-363617

I agree...best to get the finest diamond and skimp on the setting....you can upgrade the setting later.

 

[telephone89]

another option:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD05700018&compare=true
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.631-f-vs2-cushion-diamond-ags-104079637019?utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=Remarketing

The only beautiful cushion on JA I could find but over budget....BUT simply compare the suscinct facet pattern to the other cushions...no gray mush under the table. would love to see an ASET on this beauty.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-sku-363617

I agree...best to get the finest diamond and skimp on the setting....you can upgrade the setting later.

 

[ariel144]

Here is a well established (with 99.9% feedback) Canadian Ebay store and a nice .89c 6mm OEC K SI1 for $950.00

He guarantees the grading is at least K SI1...so if it doesn't grade this when taken to the appraiser you can return or
get your money back from Ebay.

You should ask the vendor some questions and to post more pictures.
Ask: 1. Does it have nail head? (that is where the center under the table stays dark)
2. Is the tint yellow, brown, gray?
3. Please post more pictures especially face up and also from the side view
4. Please comment on the performance of this diamond
5. What are the inclusions? Is it eye clean?
6. can you post a video on youtube?


You choose old cuts by seeing them...the facet pattern. You want that flower pattern under the table which this stone has.
Old stones cut like this are very rare.

Notice the AVR's on GOG have these depths and tables and are cut for performance.
66.7% depth and 50% table. Faceting looks promising too. Set in a really nice cushion shaped halo you would spend under $2k total.
(4mm divided by 6mm to get the depth)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/89-carat-Diamond-old-European-cut-colour-K-Grade-SI1-Guaranteed-grade-/381323113116?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item58c8a0f29c

Since you are in Canada I thought it would be worth posting especially as the price is really great and the stone looks like it has great potential. I know Canada is huge but if this vendor is close you might be able to go see it in person. (just a thought)

You could even afford a setting like this.
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER11341R6W83JJ/amavida

 

[ariel144]

Ok, heard back from the Canadian seller on Ebay and he says the stone has "slight nailhead" so not the stone you want.

 

[MollyMalone]

Would you consider engaging your girlfriend in the engagement ring selection process, so that you would know, e.g., whether going down to a well cut J or K would be fine with her in lieu of a smaller, G-H stone, if she'd be happy with a simple solitaire mounting as a trade-off for a more expensive stone than is possible with a total of $2900 USD (think that's your revised budget for the complete ring) were the stone to be mounted in a pave setting? Or is the element of total surprise something that really matters to her?

ETA an fyi: The first, and longest, mm measurement you see in Brian Gavin's Signature Cushion listings is a diagonal, corner to corner one. So it's not easy to compare the face-up size of a BG signature cushion with others where the description uses the more conventional measurements.

p.s. for ariel:

The person that posted about her daughter that doesnt' like AVR's and AVC's because they have culets probably has not seen them in person.

Actually, my niece & her SO paid a visit to Good Old Gold at my suggestion. So yes, her dislike of the culets (and the Maltese cross under the tables of August Vintage Cushions) was based on her in-person viewings, not magnified pics.

Your enthusiasm for AV cuts is infectious, ariel, but not everyone shares the same tastes -- that's why we aren't all driving the same car & why there are umpteen flavors of ice cream on the market

 

[apacherose]

Can I get opinions on this one?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-552066

From what I can see this is a very solid stone...the colour is the only thing that kind of annoys me, but I think it would still be good.

Thank you everybody for your help.

This stone is, as others said, probably not a top performer, but compared to some of the others I can see why it appeals- the perfectly square cushiony shape is nice, and, the faceting, while 'mushy' is better than some, for sure!

I think you can do better for your money two I am linking- they are smaller carat weight, but very comparable face up size, and they will twinkle and dazzle. The GOG stone has been linked in this thread, a coupla times, but I took the time compare your J with these in one place. Do check out the blue nile signature cushions, I know that they can be a good place to buy for Canadians, and we have folks here with them and they are gorgeous- marymm's comes to mind

Honestly, if modern cushion faceting is your gf's favorite, and you can swing the extra dough, I'd no-brainer choose the GOG stone- nice color, performance, comparable size to the 'J'- a nice diamond.

GOG- .73 G VS2 $2636 bank wire
Measurement 5.42 x 5.18 x 3.57
G VS2

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-73ct-g-vs2-signature-modern-cushion-diamond.html



James Allen J VS2 $2190- http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-552066
L/W/D (MM): 5.39*5.37*3.68
L/W RATIO: 1.00


Blue Nile signature ideal cushion $2339 .74 I VS2 $2375 5.29 x 5.28 x 3.70 mm
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD03808067

 

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Thank you all for your help. I apologize for not being as active on here as I would like.

For those asking, the surprise factor here is a big deal to her. She has no idea this is coming.

I've been looking in stores a bit, not so much to purchase but rather to get an idea of what things look like in person and am considering raising my budget a bit if it would get me a better stone/deal.

If I went up to $4000-$4200 CAD are there recommendations that could be made in that price range?

I would really like to get her something as close to 1 carat as I can...it looks fantastic in the setting I know she likes.

 

[MollyMalone]

Just to clarify: is the revised budget of $4000 - 4200 CAD -- which is about $3062 - 3215 USD (yikes, that's quite a hit) -- for the diamond alone or for a complete ring with pave setting (and does the setting she like include a halo around the center stone)?

 

[weddingthrowaway1517]

Just to clarify: is the revised budget of $4000 - 4200 CAD -- which is about $3062 - 3215 USD (yikes, that's quite a hit) -- for the diamond alone or for a complete ring with pave setting (and does the setting she like include a halo around the center stone)?

Ideally with the setting. No halo.

The dollar is killing me...it's painful! Wish I could go back 2 years when we were at par!