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Diamonds by Lauren (DBL) - Cushion Diamonds, which one?

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Bauer600

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Messages
33
I had David from DBL send me 3 videos on cushion diamonds I have been looking at and I was hoping for your guys expert opinion.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERU1rd_pJiw - .80/G VVS2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEagx0S4c8o - .76/D VS1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpB9lU4WwOY - .74/D VVS2


All 3 are priced from 3000-3,500 with a 7% Discount off the stone.

I wish he did a ASET or Imagescope but I really love the look of the D clarity diamonds even though I'll never be able to tell the difference probably!!

What do you guys think!?

If anybody else has any other opinions on good quality cushion diamonds please feel free to let me know. I am looking at a Cushion halo split shank setting as well.
 
Bauer600|1374551083|3488215 said:
I had David from DBL send me 3 videos on cushion diamonds I have been looking at and I was hoping for your guys expert opinion.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERU1rd_pJiw - .80/G VVS2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEagx0S4c8o - .76/D VS1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpB9lU4WwOY - .74/D VVS2


All 3 are priced from 3000-3,500 with a 7% Discount off the stone.

I wish he did a ASET or Imagescope but I really love the look of the D clarity diamonds even though I'll never be able to tell the difference probably!!

What do you guys think!?

If anybody else has any other opinions on good quality cushion diamonds please feel free to let me know. I am looking at a Cushion halo split shank setting as well.
Click to expand...

I like the 0.76 best - just from the video the "tub of glitter" effect looks most evenly distributed and unpredictable. What does David say? He has an eye for cushions and radiants of this sort - I would recommend following his suggestions ::)

Are you able to see the stones in-person or have them shipped out before setting? I always recommend this - you need to know that YOU love what you see.

I will warn you that this type of cushion is unpopular here on PS - we call it "crushed ice" and, well, few things incite the disdain that "crushed ice" does on here. There are a couple of reasons for that -
1. The term itself is poorly defined. Many people use it as a synonym for "useless icky grey mush" - but not everyone, and you can imagine the confusion that creates! It can be anything but: I got to see a beautiful ORC at DBL a couple of years ago that I still remember vividly - it was like literally looking into a tub of glitter. Very different from anything I'd ever seen and mesmerisingly beautiful! Unfortunately there are a LOT of doozies out there - that's where having a vendor who specializes in these stones comes in.
2. The ASET was designed to reward a very specific type of light return. Stones that are designed to excel at that type of light return can be usefully judged w/ ASETs, stones that aren't can't. IMO this sort of cushion is firmly in the "can't" category because it just wasn't designed to return light that way in the first place. ASET rewards stones that return light incident primarily from face-up, and that will therefore show very bright contrast patterns (patterns of facets clearly turning "on" (lighting up) and "off" (going dark)) - vs. the sort that you're looking at, which has a much softer, glittery, more uniform brightness and lacks that sharp contrast/scintillation. I think you really do have to trust your eyes - which means either looking at lots of examples to train them or trusting someone else and then vetting the final choice(s) in-person.
 
I like the third one the most, the first one next, and I don't like the shape of the middle stone. My qualm would be that you could go a little larger in size if you went down to G VS over these higher color and clarity stones.


(Just saw Yssie's post. Interesting that she chose the one I eliminated! There will be more variance of opinion on these type cushions, though!)
 
Diamondseeker,

I've thought about going a little bigger, however I did like the clarity of the .74 D VVS2. David only has so many diamonds on hand in his database as well so the selection is a bit limited.

Also the setting I was planning on putting it in is this

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/semi-mount-ring-hand-forged-split-double-shank-halo-so4917

and he is really pertinent on only setting diamonds in his own selection with this setting.

Let me know what you guys think.
 
Gosh, I'm with Yssie, if we are going on sparkle and fire factor alone I would go 2, 1 then 3 last. And usually I am a fan of older style chunky cut cushions but some cushions with that "crushed ice" type effect have the most amazing light return. I don't know what it is with 3 but I am not a fan of it at all. Ask the staff they will tell you which one they like the best as well. Having said that with the melee in the halo any will look fine.
 
I've had so many different opinions when I ask. Some like 3, some like 2, I know I would be probably overpaying for the D color if it ended up that way. the .74 and .76 are both equal in price with the G VVS2 $500 cheaper.

Sounds like I have a tough choice on my hands.... If anybody else has any other reccomendation for Cushions let me know. My budget is 5,000-5500 with the setting included and I have about a month to go before I propose.

Thanks for your help everybody
 
Do you like lowered coloured ones? DBL has a killer modern cushion on there but its a J colour. Good Old Gold has a few as well have you checked them out? Engagement rings Direct also have a big inventory of cushions and James Allen have cool pics on their website so that you can view different types of patterns in them.
 
arkieb1|1374554363|3488253 said:
Gosh, I'm with Yssie, if we are going on sparkle and fire factor alone I would go 2, 1 then 3 last. And usually I am a fan of older style chunky cut cushions but some cushions with that "crushed ice" type effect have the most amazing light return. I don't know what it is with 3 but I am not a fan of it at all. Ask the staff they will tell you which one they like the best as well. Having said that with the melee in the halo any will look fine.
Click to expand...

I think (for me) it's the way the faceting changes from "crushed ice" to more splintery in the center - kinda looks like the stone couldn't quite figure out what it wanted to be so it tried to be both and wound up... well, looking like it couldn't quite figure out what it wanted to be...

capture_8.png
 
Yssie|1374555615|3488267 said:
arkieb1|1374554363|3488253 said:
Gosh, I'm with Yssie, if we are going on sparkle and fire factor alone I would go 2, 1 then 3 last. And usually I am a fan of older style chunky cut cushions but some cushions with that "crushed ice" type effect have the most amazing light return. I don't know what it is with 3 but I am not a fan of it at all. Ask the staff they will tell you which one they like the best as well. Having said that with the melee in the halo any will look fine.
Click to expand...

I think (for me) it's the way the faceting changes from "crushed ice" to more splintery in the center - kinda looks like the stone couldn't quite figure out what it wanted to be so it tried to be both and wound up... well, looking like it couldn't quite figure out what it wanted to be...

capture_8.png
Click to expand...

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking!!!! It IS like it can't figure out what it is trying to be and somehow it isn't a good example of either. Some of the new H & A Brian Gavin Cushions and the GOG Brellias are possibly be going to be better choices if light return is what you are mainly after.
 
arkieb1|1374555289|3488263 said:
Do you like lowered coloured ones? DBL has a killer modern cushion on there but its a J colour. Good Old Gold has a few as well have you checked them out? Engagement rings Direct also have a big inventory of cushions and James Allen have cool pics on their website so that you can view different types of patterns in them.
Click to expand...

Arkie,

I've been looking at all around, I've noticed on JA they have cushions of all sizes and shapes, but there prices vary so much. One like a .76 H VVS2 that was only $1900. What would constitute a 50% price difference between that and say a .76 D VS1 from DBL?

Good old Gold had a .85 H VS1 for $3460 as well I was eyeing. I just really loved the setting from DBL and I was having a problem trying to find something similar. I saw a 1.01 CT J on there, the J just kinda of made me go away from it.
 
Bauer600|1374556651|3488278 said:
arkieb1|1374555289|3488263 said:
Do you like lowered coloured ones? DBL has a killer modern cushion on there but its a J colour. Good Old Gold has a few as well have you checked them out? Engagement rings Direct also have a big inventory of cushions and James Allen have cool pics on their website so that you can view different types of patterns in them.
Click to expand...

Arkie,

I've been looking at all around, I've noticed on JA they have cushions of all sizes and shapes, but there prices vary so much. One like a .76 H VVS2 that was only $1900. What would constitute a 50% price difference between that and say a .76 D VS1 from DBL?

Good old Gold had a .85 H VS1 for $3460 as well I was eyeing. I just really loved the setting from DBL and I was having a problem trying to get find something similar. I saw a 1.01 CT J on there, the J just kinda of made me go away from it.
Click to expand...

Only you know what colour you can live with. If you are after white looking stick to H or better if you are after ice white then a D, or an E even an F will give you that look. And F, G, H, and a white facing I will get you better value for money. I think if you asked both Brian Gavin and GOG both could easily make that setting for you, if that is the main issue you have.
 
Ditto Arkie, the setting isn't a problem... but I would not go to GOG/JA/BGD/WF for this type of stone.

If you love this type of patterning (and believe me, after seeing that Original Radiant Cut IRL I "get it"!) you're in good hands with David. I honestly can't think of any vendor whose eyes I'd trust more - and like I said, there's a lot of cr*p to wade through, so you really do want to work with a vendor who knows and appreciates this flavour of beauty...
 
Yssie|1374557131|3488285 said:
Ditto Arkie, the setting isn't a problem... but I would not go to GOG/JA/BGD/WF for this type of stone.

If you love this type of patterning (and believe me, after seeing that Original Radiant Cut IRL I "get it"!) you're in good hands with David. I honestly can't think of any vendor whose eyes I'd trust more - and like I said, there's a lot of cr*p to wade through, so you really do want to work with a vendor who knows and appreciates this flavour of beauty...
Click to expand...

I think it depends what "type of stone" that he is after. If the crushed ice look is what he is going for then, yes I can agree. If he is after a stone that is shaped more like nos 1 and 3 with bolder facets and the distinct 4 sided star pattern we see in modern cushions, but with better light return then one of the other vendors might be a better option unless David has a stash that are not up on his website (ask if in doubt). There are some fabulous stones on his website MUCH better cuts than no.1 and no3, but they are all lowered coloured than he is after....

Bauer, have you actually asked David what else he has and which one he recommends? Do that first, figure out what colour you can in fact live with and go from there.
 
I would just "prefer" to get the setting and the stone from the same vendor. I know some places like WF said it could take 4-6 weeks for them to design a custom ring when I'm right around the 4 week mark.

All in all I've got a tough choice to make within the next couple of days. I'm sure either of those 3 would be beautiful but that D VS 1 has been sticking out at me even though it's a little more pricey. But hey whats $500 over the course of a lifetime that she's gonna wear it for right =) I will call back David tomorrow and speak with him and see what I can do.

This happened to be the Good Old Gold diamond I was looking at :

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond/887af99d5fc63c16486d20626490cd12
 
I actually like the GOG stone better than no.1 and 3 of the DBL ones. No.2 not sure, I have seen an amazing stone that had that crushed ice effect in person as well and it was a fireball so it depends if you like that look or you prefer no crushed ice and more defined facets and bolder flashes of light (as compared to that disco ball effect Yssie is decribing). It might help, if you can to go and look at some stones in person and establish which "type" of look you like.
 
Yeah, okay, I like the GOG better than DBL #3 no contest.
Probably better than DBL #1 too.
But I don't love it - I don't think it's a spectacular specimen of it's type (chunky antique).
And I really, really like DBL #2 - I think it's gorgeous in that video!
But the GOG and the DBL are totally different styles, and ditto arkie again - the best fit for you (stone/setting/vendor) depends on what flavour you're looking for.
 
Yssie|1374558663|3488295 said:
Yeah, okay, I like the GOG better than DBL #3 no contest.
Probably better than DBL #1 too.
But I don't love it - I don't think it's a spectacular specimen of it's type (chunky antique).
And I really, really like DBL #2 - I think it's gorgeous in that video!
But the GOG and the DBL are totally different styles, and ditto arkie again - the best fit for you (stone/setting/vendor) depends on what flavour you're looking for.
Click to expand...

I really liked no.2 in the video actually, I can totally picture what it looks like in real life, all I am saying here is that "crushed ice" look isn't for everyone. Most people either love that style or hate it. I take it on a stone by stone basis. Most cushions with that effect I actually don't like at all, give me an old chunky cut any day of the week, but I have seen a small number of cushions with crushed ice where I have gone, O.k that is pretty cool.

You will probably get few people on here that don't agree with either of us that hate no.2 because of the crushed ice effect as well!!!

Agreed - best idea, view a few stones in person work out what you like and hate about them, (cut, cut style, colour, clarity etc), then make an informed decision. Go and view a few with your own eyes and then come back you will have more of an idea of what you actually want then.
 
OP I think you need to find out what your SO wants. A crushed ice cushions vs antique cushion vs 8 main facet cushion all look very different. For me I wanted an antique cushion and wouldn't accept the other 2. See what your SO wants and then go from there.

Surprized no one has brought it up but for cushions and any type of pave halo I usually recommend ERD. I think they have the largest selection and I love their pave work. I would be interested to see what they could get for you in your pricepoint. Yssie did a great job of explaining the crushed ice look, which is not personally my cup of tea. If you want to stick with DBL I'm not a hug fan of the 3 you posted. Cushions face up small to begin with so while they look larger on youtube I think you would be underwhelmed in RL. I would go back and drop down a bit in color (as you said you would never notice in RL) and get something closer to 6mm if you can swing it.

Finally I think Jbeg got in some antique cushions in high colors recently. If you are curious it might be worth it to contact them too if you are open to non crush ice cushions.
 
I am contacting David tomorrow to get started on the ring. Were gonna go over his recommendations and thoughts and see what will fit best for me.

I know you guys liked #2, and one liked #3. #3 seems to have more open facets to me as opposed to that "crushed ice" look as you guys say.

What do you guys think?
 
:wavey: Bauer - did you end up deciding on one of the DBL stones? Which did you choose? and a halo setting - from the Uber bench? Just curious on the update!
 
2, 3, then 1 (I actually wouldn't buy 1).

Unless you want a more square stone then go with 3.
 
Enerchi|1376249192|3500888 said:
ooops.... sorry.... I see you posted (and I even replied in your 'winning' diamond thread!!) :oops: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dbl-j-colored-diamond-opinion.191769/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dbl-j-colored-diamond-opinion.191769/[/URL]

Ok - how long now? just another week??? Can't wait to see it!
Click to expand...


Enerchi,

Yes! I went ahead with

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-101ct-j-vs2-cushion-cut-gia-strong-blue-fluorescence-r5231

with this setting:

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/semi-mount-ring-hand-forged-split-double-shank-halo-so4917

I hope to have the ring in my hands by sometime the middle of this week!
 
:appl: :appl: :appl: :appl:

YAY!! I'm so excited for you - I've seen that setting IRL when I was in NYC and that is a beauty!! Your (slash --- MY stone I was lusting after! ;)) ) is going to look fabulous in there! I can't wait till you get it and can post a TON of pics!
 
My dad said that the J/VS2 was one of the best cushion cuts he's seen and he was in the diamond business for 30 years
 
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