Feedback on a Cushion Earring pair?

[TechieTechie]

Hi PSers,

I have been toying with the idea of buying cushion earrings for awhile. I wear earrings most days, rings not so much). I finally decided to start looking. I know 1.5ct each on my big earlobes are the right size and shape. I have CZs in this size, and wear them every day. I much prefer cushions to round or princess, I've had all 3 in CZs and the cushions just look 'right' for me.

I contacted Mark from Brilliantly Engaged and this is the pair he sent.

Pair is approx
6.6 x 6.6 x 4.6mm
Cushion Modified Brilliant
1.56 ct each, J, SI

Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent

1 has a visible inclusion (Mark said close up he can see it)..though I don't think anyone is going to be staring at my earlobes at a 6 inch range. I thought the ASETs looked pretty darn good, but the table/depth ratio seem a bit off from the PS stated preferences.

Approx. $11k for the pair....I have a request in for live pics/videos.

Another option was a pair from JBG, but they are smaller than I'd like
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-25ctw-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-stud-earrings-gia-j-si1-gia-j-si2

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[TechieTechie]

Wow, almost 70 views and no responses? Am I doing something wrong here? (Honestly want to know).

I've uploaded a couple of pics too...all responses welcome.

 

[missy]

Hi @TechieTechie you're not doing anything wrong...the reason I haven't responded as I don't know much about cushion modified brilliants so cannot comment from an experienced place. They look pretty but that is all I can say. Hopefully someone who is more knowledgeable about this cut will chime in...the center inclusion would probably bother me though you are OK with it so that's not an issue.

I prefer the antique pair from Grace but that is because I am an antique lover so that's my preference and not yours...the size of the Mark pair is nice!

 

[KKJohnson]

It appears like the JBG pair is better matched pair than what Mark has given, I also don’t like the inclusion right in the middle of the table on his pair

 

[yssie]

RT is the main forum - lots of viewers who may not be interested in or feel comfortable responding.

1. Re-post those still photos in higher resolution - the thumbnails are uselessly small and grainy.

2. I personally would demand an exact match in faceting pattern, but that may be my personal mind-clean hangup. You'll have to decide how you feel.

3. You can do better than that SI1. Whilst this sort of clarity is IMO forgivable in a "fantastic deal", or "genuine vintage", or "otherwise unique" situation, you're paying full retail for modern diamonds and you have the freedom to select individual stones. Cushion modified brilliants in this size are not hard to find, even when looking for a match (which is obviously a more difficult task).

4. When looking at an ASET, both quantity and distribution of red/green/blue/white matter. Both these stones have lots of light return (red and green), but they also both have a clear pattern of 'indistinct mush' under the table. This indistinct mushy area will show up IRL as a ring of dullness surrounding a bright center spot and surrounded by a bright crown.

 

[tyty333]

I like the JBG pair. I didnt respond because for $11k they're not blowing my socks off but then they are not for me. I also looked around
some but its somewhat difficult to match up cushions in the size you want with good light return in your budget (that was a mouth full).

 

[ringo865]

You said you’ve been wearing CZs on these sizes for a while. I note that your diamonds are both J color. Have you seen JA in person? I love them, but they will be a different (warmer) color than CZ (usually ~D).

I personally (but I’m not you) (or an expert) wouldn’t get a stone with a 6.66 measurement. And, I personally* would go “crazy” if the corners of one earring went off-center asymmetrically from the other. (Rounds stay the same shape)

There are people better at finding and analyzing cushions than I am. For this kind of money, I would take my time and find the best matched pair around.

 

[AV_]

I am spoiled by the ridiculeously precise matching of RBC for earrings around here, & these www ...

I wonder if a pair of rounds of the same 6.5 -ish diameter would be a better buy, if somewhat less interesting.

 

[TechieTechie]

Thank you all...this is my first time buying a diamond ring or earrings..so I do appreciate your candid advice.

@yssie, Thank you for the detailed advice on how to read the ASET. I was just looking for the center pattern and the blue/greeen. Thank you for making me see the 'mushiness'...which may be why the stones didn't sparkle as much as I expected in the video.

@missy, Thank you for the feedback on the responses. I am such a newb as it relates to diamond buying, and there is so much good information on this site, I didn't want to offend the PS gods.

@KKJohnson (and Missy): I wasn't crazy about the center inclusion either, but I thought that might have to be a concession for my desired size and budget.

@tyty333, I agree, I like the sparkle factor on the JBR pair, but the size/price ratio seemed a bit off.

@ringo865, I hadn't thought about the color difference. Dang. I hadn't thought about the 666 guess that is an absolute no (don't need bewitched earrings!).

@av, thank you, but I really don't want rounds. Sorta like how I don't wear gold and prefer not to wear mass made necklaces. I like my jewelry to be a bit distinctive.

And a collective help to everyone who responded helped me to understand that even with my somewhat limited budget (I really don't want to go over $12k all in, including tax and smelling salts) that I could probably find a better pair. I am in no rush to buy...I would much rather wait and find a good value (aka price to perfection ratio). Thank you everyone and happy holidays!

And, if anyone sees a pair they really like (in my desired size and budget), please pass 'em on.

 

[AV_]

I understand only too well...

You must have already noticed that series of similarly cut cushions enter the lists at BN or JA - something to wait & see.

On the other hand, GemConcepts is all about perfectly matched distinctive cuts - better seen on Instagram WWW You may need to ask what is possible, since listings are few & never what one might expect.

2c