Cushion vs. RB- best online vendor?

[CaliBling]

So, while I am still a LIW and have some time to really research, I thought I would ask you your opinion- since its always so good...

I have heard from many on this board that Mark at ERD is the "man" to go to for a cushion, but what about a Round Brilliant? I am really torn between these two stones, I love the unique look of a Cushion, and love the way the RB sparkles (plus the BF is a bit more partial towards the RB)...Any info and experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all!!

 

[mrssalvo]

true that mark is known as the cushion guy. a great choice if you are looking of a loose cushion. he has also gotten some folks beautiful rounds so I wouldn''t limit him to only cushions.

any of the popular vendors specialize in ideal cut rounds. some have more info on their sites than others about their in-house stone...whiteflash and goodoldgold come to mind first. Wink Jones of Winfields, james allen and pearlmans are also popular here and can help you out.

congrats on your future engagement.

 

[CrookedRock]

I would agree with what has already been said. Mark is great! But I would not discount GOG for cushions as well. I think in the end either would be an excellent choice. Just don''t send them on an impossible search like I did! LOL

 

[CaliBling]

Thanks all! I figured I couldn''t go wrong with any of the popular vendors on this board, GOG, Whiteflash, ERD, etc...I just wanted to make sure that I wasn''t missing out on some "round guy" that I had never heard about

Also, I would like my setting to be made by Leon Mege, and I have heard that Leon and Mark at ERD have a pretty good working relationship- which would be important since most of the communication would occur via email and phone.

 

[pixley]

I''d say for cushions: GOG or Mark T. For rounds, Whiteflash, GOG, Mark or James Allen, but GOG would be my preference if you''re undecided between the two because Jon''s videos and photos completely rock and he just loves stones that perform like crazy. If you don''t need the visuals, Mark is fantastic and is right in the heart of the diamond district with tons of great suppliers within reach.

 

[CaliBling]

Thanks, Pix! Appreciate your input...I went onto GOG website to check out their Cushion diamond selection...seemed really scarce and much pricier than ERD, am I missing something?? Looked for diamonds with very similar specs and found a big difference in price?? hmmm...

 

[pixley]

I ended up getting my cushion through Diamondexchange.ca in a long and convoluted route but I did work with Mark and Jon during my cushion search and they are both wonderful. GOG doesn't keep many cushions in stock, and only has cushions that Jonathan has hand-picked on their website, but he was able to call in a stone that I found on Blue Nile and offer it to me at the same price as BN with the added benefit of a photo and a video comparison. He probably has access to all the stones that Mark can get. I've read that Mark, on the other hand, sometimes can get things for less than BN, perhaps due to some longstanding relationships with the vendors in NYC, don't know for sure. I don't think Mark owns all the stones listed in his database, so he would have to call them in and see if they met your criteria and his standards as well. Being in NY gives both of them the homecourt advantage, I just think that for long distance transactions, Jon's videos really get the job done. If you're more zen than myself and can give over the aspect to someone else, Mark is awesome as well, but his pictures don't always do the stones justice. That said, his customers always seem delighted with their stones once they arrive. I think either one would be fantastic and could get you whichever shape you desire.

 

[vintagelover229]

I used Jonathan from GOG and he gave me a great price. I have a totally eye clean SI1 .85 cushette (sparkles like a round brillant and a cushion put together but has the shape of a cushion cut diamond) I color and we got if for like 2435.00 is give or take 20.00. AND jonathan sent me video comparisons and didn''t complain when I wanted tonz of information and he was very very helpful. Go with goodoldgold.com and call him and ask for jonathan, i''m sure you''ll be pleased. I have a link comparing a round to a cushion/cushette cut he did for me, here it is
www.goodoldgold.com/videos/HAvsCUSHETTE.wmv

I hope this helps! The round is a round hearts and arrows, something else to consider, they have a link comparing the cushette to a square hearts and arrows heres that link!
http://www.goodoldgold.com/
When you get to the site click on the word cushette at the top of the page! It has tonz of diamond info and lots of interesting comparsions!
Enjoy!

 

[CaliBling]

redrose...thanks for the info! I LOVE the cushette diamond and had never even heard of it until I went into GOG website this am! They seem to have a lot of very unique shapes...

I am in the market for a 2-2.5 carat cushion or rb, haven''t really decided- and which ever shape I decide on will have a totally different setting! If its a Cushion I am leading towards a Halo, if an RB, probably something much more simple...I wish I was deadset on something- I was, I thought, till I found this website!!