ERD cushion with pear sidestones, a la Leon Mege

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Hi everyone!

You may remember me from about a month back, when I was looking to have a 2.55 ct cushion set with tapered bullets. Because that stone had strong blue fluorescence, it turned out that it was not a good pick for a three stone ring, according to Leon Mege. I was working with Mark T at ERD, and he truly went above and beyond to find me a perfect center stone. Without going into too much detail, let''s just say that Mark was, as always, fabulous to work with, and really inconvenienced himself for my benefit. I''m grateful to him for all his effort and patience, and would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a beautiful stone! Thank you *so much* once again, Mark!

Here are the stats on my new stone:

GIA cert
2.01 E VVS2
8.08 x 7.41 x 4.70 mm
Length to width ratio 1.09:1
Table 49% (yup it''s tiny!)
Depth 63.4%
Large culet
No fluorescence

Mark says that small tables like this used to be found in ''older'' antique cushions, and allow for more fire. It''s a real beauty, and I can''t wait for it to be set! I''m going with my original inclination towards pear sidestones. I had wanted this from the very beginning, and was lucky to find a slightly rounded cushion that will work well with the combination.

So without further adieu, here''s my stone with three different sets of pears, per Leon Mege. I need to decide on a set sometime soon, so any input would be much appreciated! TIA!

 

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0.80 ctw pears

 

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0.96 ctw pears

 

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1.02 ctw pears

 

[jarbatz]

WOW! That cushion is stunning. There is something about the .96 pears that I am drawn to but really any of those sidestone will look fantastic! Can''t wait to see the finished product!

 

[kcoursolle]

I like the first two the best, and probably the first one the most. I like center stones to *pop* in three stone rings though. If you are going for something blingier I think the 2nd one is a great balance and lovely. The stones just look too big in my opoinion in the third one.

It''s going to be an incredible ring by the way!!! Your center stone is amazing!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/26/2008 7:46:26 PM
Author: jarbatz
WOW! That cushion is stunning. There is something about the .96 pears that I am drawn to but really any of those sidestone will look fantastic! Can''t wait to see the finished product!

Ditto, I like the .96 combo the best! Can''t WAIT to see the finished product!

 

[joflier]

I too, like the .96''ers. And you cushion looks fab!

 

[*sparkle*]

Thanks for your reply, jarbatz! I agree, I''m drawn to the 0.96 ct combo the most too, but I can''t tell if I''m just being swayed by the lighting in the picture. It''s hard to focus on the proportions alone, you know?!? I wonder if the 0.80 ct combo might be a more delicate look...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Beautiful, period!

It is difficult to choose from the pictures b/c they all appear differently--e.g. the center stone looks different to me in all three photos and I know it is the same stone, so it is hard to comapre the sides.....KWIM? BUT based on the photo the 96''s appeal to me most (but I think it is b/c the photo is the "brightest")....

cheers--Sharon

 

[*sparkle*]

Thanks so much for your votes, kcourselle, dreamer dachsie, and joflier! I guess so far everyone''s on the same page with the 0.96ers!

 

[*sparkle*]

Thanks a lot, canuk-gal! I''ve always admired your stunning ER! I totally know what you mean about the brightness factor. I''m trying to ignore it--I even tried to adjust the brightness of the other two photos on photoshop, to no avail!

 

[kittybean]

I like the .80 pears best, but I always like smaller side stones. Do you have small hands? Larger side stones could be overwhelming if you do. Whatever you choose, it is going to be a beautiful ring.

 

[jarbatz]

I think it could be the lighting but in looking again I think it is also the shape of those pears! But really, I don''t think you could go wrong with any of them. The center stone could make anything look beautiful!

I also got a cushion from Mark at ERD and am now waiting for BF to propose. Seeing yours only makes me more excited to finally get it!!!

 

[Deelight]

Date: 6/26/2008 7:48:49 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 6/26/2008 7:46:26 PM

Author: jarbatz

WOW! That cushion is stunning. There is something about the .96 pears that I am drawn to but really any of those sidestone will look fantastic! Can't wait to see the finished product!

Ditto, I like the .96 combo the best! Can't WAIT to see the finished product!

Double Ditto, the faceting to me seems more alike then the other two

ETA: That is one OMG yummy cushion

 

[*sparkle*]

Gee thanks, kittybean! I guess I do have smallish hands--ring size 3.75. So maybe that is something to consider as well! The length of the 0.80ers is 5.9 mm each, whereas the length of the 0.96ers is 6.10 mm each. I wish I could see these things in person, on my hand!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d go with the smallest ones with a center stone that size. I think Kaleigh''s pears are a little less than those and her center is something like 2.3 cts.

That cushion is gorgeous!!!!!!

 

[*sparkle*]

jarbatz, ohmigosh how exciting!!! I''m sure that your cushion is going to be another ERD special, just stunning! Can''t wait to see pics once your BF proposes!

 

[LGK]

I thought the faceting looked the best match with the .96''s, even before I read the thread.

But sizewise, I like the .80 best. I''d pick the .96''s though, because the size difference isn''t that much.

 

[*sparkle*]

Gee thanks, Deelight!! One thing that I forgot to mention is that Leon recommended re-cutting the pears for a more chunky faceted antique look. I''ve never seen such pears before, but I completely trust Leon''s artistic sense so that''s probably what I''ll be doing.

 

[*sparkle*]

Thanks for that comparison, diamondseeker2006! That''s good to know. I seriously could go either way right now, with the 0.80s or the 0.96s! Oh dear, how am I going to decide?!? I emailed Leon for his input, but haven''t gotten an answer just yet.

 

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Thanks so much for your reply, LittleGreyKitten! I don''t know if you saw my post above to Deelight, but whichever pears I choose will most likely be re-cut to have chunkier facets. So I''m trying to ignore the brightness factor, as well as the faceting pattern in these pictures! It''s not so easy to do!

 

[MonkeyPie]

.96! I love fat pears.

 

[Kaleigh]

First let me say that is one gorgeous cushion!!! So congrats. I am leaning towards the .96, but would see what Leon says. He choose my half moons for a RHR, and think he did a great job in picking the side stones. I can''t wait to see this once it''s finished, it''s going to be such a stunning ring!!!

 

[*sparkle*]

Thanks for your vote, MonkeyPie! I love fat juicy pears too!

 

[*sparkle*]

Kaleigh, thank you so much for your kind words! I absolutely adore your gorgeous rings! I''ll be on cloud nine if this project turns out half as well as your stunning oval three stone! And I appreciate your suggestion--I should definitely just wait until Leon weighs in on this, huh?

 

[emilina22]

those are stunning stones!!! i cant even begin to imagine the possibilities for the settings

 

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Here are three ~2 ct cushions that I looked at while visiting ERD (love that place!). Mine is the one in the center.

 

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Here''s another view of the stone on my hand for scaling purposes...

 

[mooscushion]

sparkle,
That is one of the most beautiful cushions I have ever seen! I personally like the smallest pears. I think it will really make your cushion stand out. I am currently looking for a cushion also. Could you please tell me whether the plot on your GIA cert is a 4 pavilion or an 8 pavilion shape? And no matter which size pears you choose, you are going to have one stunning ring!