Education on Cushion Cut Wanted

[Uberoval7784]

Hi everyone, does anything have any helpful tid bits as to what to look for when it comes to cushions? Pavillion depth, table wideth...cut? My husband is looking for a more cushion shape (not rectangle) that sparkles something firece for earrings, but he''s needing more info.

Thanks All!

(sorry about the spelling mistakes)

 

[pixley]

Here's a great thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-cushion-plots-demystified-somewhat-with-pics.63323/ with oodles of cushion styles on it. If you can pinpoint the style of cushion cut that you like, post the link or photo for me and I can get you to some links that show examples of the cushion that appeals to you.

In general, most people on Pricescope search for tables somewhere in the mid 50s to low 60s, and total depth in the 60s, but there are cushions that fall outside those numbers that can be really beautiful, so don't just go by the numbers. Call a trusted vendor like Mark Turnowski at Engagement Rings Direct or Jon at Good Old Gold. Mark finds the lion's share of cushions on Pricescope, so he is affectionately crowned, "The Cushion Man", but Jon is fantastic as well and has lots of information on cushions. Here's a link to a video: http://www.goodoldgold.com/video/ (view the one near the bottom called "1/4 million worth of Cushions in 5 diamonds. Which one would you buy? ") and that'll give you a sense of what they look like in action.

1. Old Mine Brilliant (like Boston_Jeff's or Cehrabehra's cushions)
2. Modified Cushion Brilliant with 4 pavilion mains (this one has a “crushed ice” appearance)
3. Modified Cushion Brilliant with 4 pavilion mains (also a “crushed ice” style cut)
4. Cushion Brilliant with 4 pavilion mains (like Soprano87’s or AngelainJapan’s Harry Winston Micropave cushion)
5. Cushion Brilliant with 8 pavilion mains (like Addlepated’s, MrsSalvo’s, Neatfreak’s, Bargaincrazy’s or moremoremore's cushions)

 

[glloyd77]

I highly recommend the videos. They helped a ton and are very informative!!!

Cushions are fantastic but beware it takes time to really understand them. Looking at certs and general info about the diamond doesn''t always tell you everything about how they are going to look. I would first decide what type of cushion look you want... crushed ice vs. chunky... squarish or rectangular...

 

[pixley]

Date: 3/27/2008 10:36:01 PM
Author: glloyd77
I highly recommend the videos. They helped a ton and are very informative!!!

Cushions are fantastic but beware it takes time to really understand them. Looking at certs and general info about the diamond doesn''t always tell you everything about how they are going to look. I would first decide what type of cushion look you want... crushed ice vs. chunky... squarish or rectangular...

Right. I forgot to address the OP''s preference for a squarish cushion. If that''s what you''re after, then you want to specify a length to width ratio somewhere in the 1:1 (a perfect square) to about 1.06:1.00 (just slightly rectangular, but still will read fairly square). To get the L to W ratio, divide the stone''s length by its width and voila, there you have it. You may even be able to go up to a 1.09 and still get the square effect.

glloyd77 - you have to keep us posted on that scrumptious antique style cushion of yours!!! It''s such a beauty!

 

[LegacyGirl]

I love the videos! They do help a lot.

 

[mrssalvo]

wow pixley, nice little mini tutorial and i can''t believe you remember everone''s cushions like that...very impressive

 

[pauly1]

Yeah Pixley, nice job. We should sticky that somewhere.

 

[CrookedRock]

Kudos to pixley!

We should dub her The Cushion Woman! This lil tutorial is great! Thanks for always being such a big help in this front Pixley!

 

[mrssalvo]

do you know what size/weight earrings he''s wanting and what the budget is?

pearlmans has 2 pairs of daniel K cushion earrings in their closeout section. I just purchased my daniel k cushion ring from them. if i had any budget left i''d snag a pair of the earrings too.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/earrings/135CO2/0/

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/earrings/140CO2/0/

 

[pixley]

I'm blushing! Seriously though, you have no idea how much sleep I lost during the course of my cushion search. I read SO MANY threads, I caught pneumonia even, because I was obsessed and wasn't sleeping at all! In the end, it was one, tiny little thread grenade at the end of an obscure thread that finally led me to the place that had my cushion and it was like a big ol' ray of sunlight coming through the clouds!
Anything I can do to make it easier on cushion searchers, I am happy to do!

ps - Those earrings MrsS linked to: ARE YUMMY!

 

[Uberoval7784]

Hi Everyone, wow thank you very much for the wonderful response! Wow I feel that I won''t lose that much sleep now!

To answer the questions I really like the following shape of Oval that I''ve tried to attach, alot, so does the DH. I hope you guys can see it, this would be only my second time posting a pic!

As with size he would like 1.50 each, J, VS1 with a SBF. We are right now in touch with Whiteflash about a price on fancy yellow.....but nothing yet. So many questions so little time my B-Day is fast approaching! But, I do realize that I am already very spoiled.....So no pressure on the DH!!!!!!!!

 

[Uberoval7784]

oopsy, I forgot to clarify that it is the second picture of the Oval that we adore. Not the TOP one, though I would be lying if I said I didn''t want that cut too........so very bad of me. But the DH does prefer the second shape.

 

[Uberoval7784]

Oh no, I just read a post in the other forum saying that Cushions do face up a bit smaller.....? Is this very true? UM, not trying to be too spoiled but I am used to my 1.50 Pear + 3 x .30 Rounds, and my 3.01 Oval and then my 1.00 tcw EC IF D Earrings........

I have experienced my EC earrings facing up smaller to a round of same size, but then they have other characteristics that make them very special.

But the DH has always been a "size" man.

Though I do think that when one falls in love with a certain shape, size does tend to be a second priority right?

 

[CrookedRock]

I have read that but I really don''t know bc I didn''t do a lot of side by side comparisons with other cuts.
This link might help you figure it all out.

 

[pixley]

Ok, so the bottom cushion in that photo is a 4 pavilion main cushion like Soprano87's : https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thanks-pricescope-markt-cushion-leon-setting-quest-band.71222/ . You may want to have a look through the cushions on the James Allen website. When I was doing my search, they seemed to have a lot of those listed on their site and they also have GIA certs and magnified images of the actual stones (BONUS!). They have a fantastic search engine so you can easily hone in on your stones and go through the photos. You can do a loose stone search for cushions, plug in the size, clarity and color range you're interested in and for the table size, you can go from mid 50s into the mid 60s and for depth you can go from about 59 to high 60s (just know that you'll be losing spread as you approach the high 60s - which it doesn't sound like you want to lose spread - who does?). If you can, broaden your search to include higher colors, because just limiting it to J's may not bring up as many cushions.

Or, you can take a total shortcut and place a call to Mark Turnowski at ERD and let him work his magic. He found Soprano87's stone for her and about 50 or so other faboo cushions for other Pricescopers (CrookedRock, Scarlet16, Neatfreak, PRBaglady, Boston_Jeff, winnie, etc. all have Mark T. specials!)... If you send him links and photos of the cushions you like, he will make it happen for you and can probably even get you something in time for your B-day.

Best o' luck!

pixley

 

[CDNinNYC]

Date: 3/28/2008 12:23:58 PM
Author: CrookedRock
I have read that but I really don''t know bc I didn''t do a lot of side by side comparisons with other cuts.
This link might help you figure it all out.

Hey CrookedRock,

thanks for that link! It''s the first time I''ve seen it and it looks quite helpful!

 

[pixley]

Another little trick I learned from my local jeweler is to go with a rectangular shaped stone that achieves the desired spread in the length of the stone. You still have to pay attention to the length to width ratio (lest you end up with something resembling a long grain of rice). That trick, and sticking to a stone that''s not overly deep or has a super thick girdle will help you acheive the visual impact/spread you want. I always calculated the surface area of stones to see where I was at in terms of spread. Nerdy, huh?

 

[Uberoval7784]

I am in love with Dogers cushion! It is my perfect dream for earrings! I wonder if I ask if he can tell me what style his cut of cushion is???? If I ask politley? Cross fingers!

 

[pixley]

I'm guessing it's one with this style faceting pattern (see below)...

ETA: If that's the case, call Mark T. at ERD or Jon at GOG, they have a great track record at finding these EX/EX (polish/symmetry) cushions. Pearlman's (see Mrssalvo's recommendation) also carries Daniel K. cushions which are cut to those high standards (here's the link to her new cushion: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/back-to-daniel-k-did-i-finally-find-my-upgrade.78310/ - it is sooooo incredible - I just sigh and swoon every time I see it!)