Cushions - would you choose an I VVS2 over a D SI2?

[glitterbug]

If you were to choose between a 1.33 ct I VVS2 cushion, and a 1.50 ct D SI2 cushion (with a slightly smaller spread), which would you choose and why? Let''s assume the cut quality is excellent for the I and *slightly* less so for the D, and the price difference is negligible (the D being $300 more than the I). They are both GIA graded and rectangular (L/W/ ratios of over 1.2).

Here''s some backstory - I was considering a beautiful F SI2 stone that was graded by EGL USA, but I could see the inclusion pretty easily from the side, so I decided against it. At first I thought the inclusion wouldn''t bother me, but increasingly it did (I couldn''t stop thinking about it a few days after seeing the stone). So clearly, clarity is important to me. But that was also an F - I''m concerned about an I colored cushion, though I''ve seen plenty of pretty ones on here.

I''m going to see the I in person tomorrow. The D is through an online vendor, so I don''t have access to it in perrson. I am told it performs well and is eye clean, but so was that F SI2.

I''m curious to know - what would be the order of importance for you if you were buying a cushion?

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Various things would influence my decision, once I had got the groundwork out of the way such as checking carefully that the SI2 was eyeclean to my preferred standards etc. As cushions can vary so much, and well cut ones can take a while to source it seems, it would depend for me, how each cushion performed and presented itself, faceting pattern, shape, spread, as well as how I liked the I colour in that particular stone, as cushions may show a little more warmth than a round for example. Cushions can be so unpredictable, and you can't tell much from the report numbers and details, that personally I think I would have to reserve judgement until I had put both through their paces so to speak, to get a feel for the performance and personality of each.

I would also perhaps see if I could look at some cushions which were perhaps more in the middle range for colour and clarity, for example, F G and H colour, SI1 and VS clarity. But you may well know when you see the diamonds which one is for you, or not as the case may be!

Remember cushions can't really be judged by numbers, so don't be afraid to really use your eyes!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I would probaly go with the one that has the better cut quality. I have seen a lot of I colored diamonds on Pricescope, and I myself have an H, which I love. I also hate paying for VVS quality and D color since I think it is unncessary (please don''t anybody kill me). That being said, it sounds like the I/VVS2 is a better choice for the following reasons: it has a better cut and it has a good clarity. I would think that you would still be less than happy with another SI2. Keep in mind that you will see color in the I when you turn the diamond over, or maybe from the side, but looking through the table of a well-cut diamond, it will appear whiter.

 

[chrono]

I haven''t seen 2 identical cushions yet so I''d have to see both to decide. Unlike rounds, cushions come in many flavours even though the cert plot shows the same facet structure. I definitely would want to see pictures of both.

 

[icekid]

If I liked the cut equally between the two stones, I''d definitely go for the D/SI2 (of course, I own an E/SI2 hehe). Pictures? Any chance you''ll be able to see both of them in person? That would be the true deciding factor for me.