Finalized 1.87 ct cushion cut engagement ring in TO

[Gordonas]

Morning all,

I've lurked this site a fair bit over the past two months as I've researched diamonds for my upcoming engagement. I wanted to provide some details on what I've purchased, with the hopes of getting some feedback from all of you experts.

The guidelines provided by my girlfriend were pretty straightforward. Get the biggest, most sparkly cushion cut diamond in my budget (which was $15,000). I worked with a custom jeweler here in Toronto, but was sure to compare prices both online and through others in the city. This is what I ended up with:

1.87 carat cushion modified brilliant, GIA certified
Excellent cut, polish and symmetry
G color
VS2 clarity

Modified Tiffany novo setting in platinum with split-shank diamonds on the band going halfway down on either side of the ring. The jeweler is going to make sure that the claws are as inconspicuous as possible - want to minimize the amount of platinum shown!

After a fair bit of negotiation, we settled on $15,200, slightly above my budget. What do you all think?

Link to GIA report is below:

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?reportno=2156026956&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&pagename=GIA%2FDispatcher&c=Page&cid=1355954554547

 

[chrono]

Unfortunately, there is no way anyone can tell you whether the cushion you purchased is the sparkliest diamond you can get for your budget because the numbers tell very little about the cut. I don't know where you are getting the info that the diamond you are considering is an excellent cut since there is no standarized or universally acknowledged cut grade on cushions. Do you have at least a picture of the diamond since it sounds as though you've seen it personally?

 

[SB621]

Cushions face up small so a 1.87ct cushion is going to face up closer to a 1ct RB. If her priority was size I would have kept looking for something larger.

As Chrono stated you really need to look at pictures of cushions to truly evaluate them. There are too many facet patterns to compare them.

 

[Gordonas]

It is the stone on the right in both pictures - my jeweler stated that GIA had graded the diamond excellent. Maybe that's not the case?

 

[chrono]

I think I have bad eyes today since I cannot make out a thing in the middle of all the cushions. I'll look at it again in a few minutes. Yes, GIA does NOT give cut grades to cushions. If you look at the GIA memo, it doesn't state the cut as excellent anywhere other than the polish and symmetry which doesn't have much bearing on how well cut it is.

 

[Gordonas]

Understood - ok, well I appreciate the help!

Wish I had a better picture for you, working with what was sent to me originally, before I saw them all in person. It really is a gorgeous stone. I hear you on the sizing difference between cushions and RB's, but she wanted a cushion and she's the one that has to say yes!

 

[04diamond<3]

It looks beautiful!!!

 

[SB621]

It is the stone on the right in both pictures - my jeweler stated that GIA had graded the diamond excellent. Maybe that's not the case?

I think from the picture you posted you have a "crushed ice" cushion since I don't really see a disticnt facet pattern. I could be totally wrong as it is always hard to tell with one picture. Did you get to see an ASET on this? I'm just curious as how it would have looked. Regardless my preference is for a much crisper facet pattern but cushions are fickle and everyone likes different things. As long as you love it and you think your GF will then you did well.

 

[msop04]

I think I have bad eyes today since I cannot make out a thing in the middle of all the cushions. I'll look at it again in a few minutes. Yes, GIA does NOT give cut grades to cushions. If you look at the GIA memo, it doesn't state the cut as excellent anywhere other than the polish and symmetry which doesn't have much bearing on how well cut it is.

+1

 

[GoSounders]

Cushions face up small so a 1.87ct cushion is going to face up closer to a 1ct RB. If her priority was size I would have kept looking for something larger.

As Chrono stated you really need to look at pictures of cushions to truly evaluate them. There are too many facet patterns to compare them.

Cushions face up smaller, but how do you compare a 1.87ct cushion to a 1ct round? A 6.5mm round will fit inside that cushion with space to spare.

OP's cushion measures about 6.8mm square. To get equal spread in a round, you'll need about 7mm, or 1.33ct.

 

[chrono]

My 1.64 ct squarish OMC (old cut cushion) measures 6.84 x 6.97 mm so I don't think the size is too far off; just a touch small for a modern cushion.

SB,
I am starting to wonder if these are all "crushed ice" patterns too since I still cannot make out the facet pattern. If so, the nicest one I would pick out of the 4 choices is definitely the one on the far right.

 

[SB621]

Cushions face up small so a 1.87ct cushion is going to face up closer to a 1ct RB. If her priority was size I would have kept looking for something larger.

As Chrono stated you really need to look at pictures of cushions to truly evaluate them. There are too many facet patterns to compare them.

Cushions face up smaller, but how do you compare a 1.87ct cushion to a 1ct round? A 6.5mm round will fit inside that cushion with space to spare.

OP's cushion measures about 6.8mm square. To get equal spread in a round, you'll need about 7mm, or 1.33ct.

Chrono already explained it much nicer then I would have

 

[SB621]

SB,
I am starting to wonder if these are all "crushed ice" patterns too since I still cannot make out the facet pattern. If so, the nicest one I would pick out of the 4 choices is definitely the one on the far right.

Yes I think they are. Once again always hard to tell from 1 picture but since it is head on to me they all look like crushed ice. Very glittery with splinter like facets.

OP what setting are you going to set the cushion in? I like diamonds but settings are my passion

 

[Gordonas]

Thanks for all the feedback, both positive and constructive!

As far as the setting, i've attached a sample of the setting. We are making the following changes though - making the claws less pronounced, setting the diamond as low as possible while still being able to have the wedding band sit flush and the band will be similar to the picture on the bottom.

 

[SB621]

Very classic look- love it

 

[Gordonas]

Thank you - really appreciate the kind words, this whole process can be a little unnerving!

Visually, do you think the size of the center stone will stand out on her finger? She's a size 6. It's tough to get perspective looking at the diamond on its own!