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first time - cushion suggestions for engagement ring?

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bw88

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 14, 2012
Messages
10
I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading a TON on here the last few days. I know I want a cushion, but my head is swimming with all the info from the many cushion threads. I was hoping maybe a conversation about my particular situation would help me clarify things.

My budget isn't huge...I can spend around $3500 max for the diamond. I'm setting it in a custom white gold band that will incorporate some small diamonds from my great-grandmother's 1936 e-ring. I don't want to compromise on the quality of the center stone, I know getting a good cut is paramount with cushions, but something around 1 carat would be amazing. Her best friend has a 3/4 and she has hinted she'd be more than happy with that, but I'd really love to blow her away!

I've been on JA and have found a few nice looking cushions by searching 0.9-1.05, SI1-VS1, but at my price they're mostly H-J. Should I go with something closer to 3/4 carat and a better color, or would I be ok in that color range? Am I way off?

Also, how much relevance should I place on an overall rating of "Ideal" or "Very Good" cut? Is it more important to look at the actual Symmetry and Polish ratings?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can give me some advice. I would really appreciate it.
 
bw88|1352945060|3306854 said:
I've been on JA and have found a few nice looking cushions by searching 0.9-1.05, SI1-VS1, but at my price they're mostly H-J. Should I go with something closer to 3/4 carat and a better color, or would I be ok in that color range? Am I way off?

Also, how much relevance should I place on an overall rating of "Ideal" or "Very Good" cut? Is it more important to look at the actual Symmetry and Polish ratings?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can give me some advice. I would really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Hi!
I'm definitely not an expert but I've learned a lot about cushions on here because I would like one for my engagement ring as well :)

As far as color goes, it kind of depends on each individual's taste and sensitivity to color. I don't want to go below an I color because I started to see a tint in J when I looked at diamonds. Not sure how sensitive your girlfriend is but you might want to stay at an I color or better.

For cut, it only matters if it is AGS certified (in which case you would want ideal). GIA doesn't apply the cut gradings to cushions. Also you might want to look at the measurements for cushions rather than the carat weight because that will tell you more about the size of the diamond.

Are you looking for an antique style cushion or a modern one?
 
By measurements, do you mean the length and width, since that's a representation of how large the diamond looks face-up? Or do you also mean the depth/table percentages?

As far as antique vs modern style, all I know is I'm not a huge fan of the "crushed ice", but it's my understanding that it's possible to get a modern cushion brilliant that doesn't look like crushed ice. However, I've also seen a lot of conflicting information about the terminology surrounding antique/brilliant/modified brilliant/etc
 
Yep, the length and width- that will be most helpful to see how big the diamond will be face up. That's really what I've been paying attention to, rather than the carat weight which is what I thought when I first started looking.

Okay I like the antique style cushions as well. There are some good modern ones as well that don't have the crushed ice look but they are harder to come by. But that's why pictures and ASETs are so important for cushions- they really can't be judged by the numbers.

Have you looked at ERD or Good old Gold ?
 
When looking for your cushion on JA's website, open up your search function to include H-J, VS1-SI1 and the cut all the way down to VG. I don't know your tolerance for colour but I own a J diamond close to the size you are looking for and see almost no tint due to the great faceting. It can get a hint of tint at times but stays mostly white and bright outdoors. Is there any chance of your getting out to see some well cut J stones where you are?

I don't know how JA classifies the criteria for what makes a stone Idea or VG. To be sure I don't miss any potential stones, I included both gradings but still looked at the pictures because some Ideal cut didn't look all that fabulous, some VG cuts look a lot nicer than some other VG cuts. In general, when on a budget, I try to go now lower than VG/VG on the Polish and Symmetry but if the stone looks really good, I'll forgive a Good rating if it has no cut issues (thin girdle, wonky facet, etc).

When it comes to cushions, you MUST see the stone or at least a picture of it. Even then, to back up your eyes (because a static picture can only tell you so much), have JA run the stone through the ASET to check for light performance. As a courtesy to their customers, JA will test up to 3 diamonds once only.

I prefer to get a stone that isn't too deep (under 65%) so that it won't be hiding that weight in the pavilion, a small table (just like that look, plus it increases your chances of having a high crown which helps in the sparkle department) and a girdle no thicker than medium (another place where weight can be hidden). Of course, sometimes with the lack of well cut cushions around, one might have to have a bit more leeway on all the above. Still, well cut cushions are easier to find than other fancy shapes so your chances should be good.
 
Thanks for the reply, Chrono. I've seen a couple "I" color stones in person and couldn't distinguish any tint, but to be fair I'm also really new at this. But it's good to hear you like your J!

Your suggested search criteria are pretty much in line with what I've been looking at, minus including Good polish/symmetry. Once I narrow my choices down, would the experts of PS pitch in with helping interpret the ASET images? I think I understand what's going on with those, but there seems to be a lot of info hiding in the details of an ASET.

On the subject of light performance, if in the picture a cushion appears to have larger/chunky facets, but is still listed in the GIA as "modified", will it still give that crushed ice look? Or is this something that will only be fairly assessed once I have the diamond in person?
 
The chunkier facets will give you big blocky bold flashes. The smaller more random looking facet placement will give you the crushed ice look. It is a good idea to select a few potential cushions, then post them on PS to help further narrow down your selection to 3, then come back again for another review once the ASET pictures are taken.
 
Thank you, I will definitely do that.
 
Hi bw 88!

I would suggest you also to think about the type of setting that you are aiming for. I read you intend to use other stones already in your possess. Which color are these stones?
and what type of metal does your girlfriend like? should you go for yellow gold, a bit of warmth in the stone would be a bit less visible.
 
I don't know if you have seen this already, but this video is really informative:
http://vimeo.com/2522834

should you have time, I would also recommend you to see the other videos posted on the same page too.
 
I love those GOG ones. Does she like square or long ones? Also I would recomend seeing what color your grandmas are, usually they say you want to stay within one color grade,depending on size. yellow gold is a good idea, or rose :love:
 
Thanks for your replies.

There are 6 very small diamonds from the old ring (around 10 points I believe) will be set into the band on either side of the main. I just really like the sentimentality of continuing to pass them down in the family, and I think she'll really appreciate it. I'm not sure about their color, but I for sure am going with white gold because she doesn't own any yellow gold jewelry at all. I was informed by her friend that she likes the more oblong shapes (initially she liked oval shape, but then she was introduced to cushion and that's now her favorite).

The 0.86ct J VVS2 AVC on GOG is high on my list right now (don't anybody steal it! haha). I think I prefer the chunkier facets, as long as it doesn't mean I'll take a bit hit in the "sparkle" department. How will the AVC compare to a diamond from JA or ERD? I've watched a few of the GOG videos and it seems like they take a good deal of care in selecting those cushions with the best light performance.
 
if you think you want them email them have them hold it right now!! lurkers will swipe that right out from under you! I dont know there policy but I bet they will hold it for no change, maybe even a vid? i dont know though about that and an AVC is a fantastic stone! Many people would pick them over any other cushion, especially if you like those chunky facets.. they are cut for optimal light performance, so I wouldnt worry about the light return :naughty:
 
nielseel|1353007870|3307360 said:
if you think you want them email them have them hold it right now!! lurkers will swipe that right out from under you! I dont know there policy but I bet they will hold it for no change, maybe even a vid? i dont know though about that and an AVC is a fantastic stone! Many people would pick them over any other cushion, especially if you like those chunky facets.. they are cut for optimal light performance, so I wouldnt worry about the light return :naughty:
Click to expand...

completely agree! it looks like a very nice stone! :twirl:
 
OP.....don't laugh. Stones that someone is considering and gets good feedback on is taken from someone else such as a lurker from under the original poster fairly often. If you are serious about a stone, put it on hold.
 
Orbaya, thanks for the advice. I put it on hold.

I like the 0.92 that kpeasy32 linked from ERD, but is it worth the extra ~$500? Granted it's an H vs the AVC which is J, but it only faces up about 5% bigger. Is the extra cost justified, considering it's a little over my original budget? I don't know as much about the "Cut Beyond" diamonds. Is that a brand like AVC, or simply a designation for diamonds that have been chosen for their great performance?

Edit: Also, does it bother anyone that the AVC diamonds have their serial number engraved on the girdle? I'm not sure how I feel about this.
 
bw88|1353018538|3307488 said:
I like the 0.92 that kpeasy32 linked from ERD, but is it worth the extra ~$500? Granted it's an H vs the AVC which is J, but it only faces up about 5% bigger. Is the extra cost justified, considering it's a little over my original budget? I don't know as much about the "Cut Beyond" diamonds. Is that a brand like AVC, or simply a designation for diamonds that have been chosen for their great performance?
Click to expand...

While I very much like the ERD cushion (the squarer shape and the higher color), honestly if your GF prefers a rectangular shape, the AVC may be the better choice for you.

bw88|1353018538|3307488 said:
Edit: Also, does it bother anyone that the AVC diamonds have their serial number engraved on the girdle? I'm not sure how I feel about this.
Click to expand...

You won't be able to see the number with your eyes - I'm not even sure you can see it with a standard 10x loupe - but having the number engraved gives you another way of identifying your diamond should you change settings or require repairs in the future.
 
I agree, I think more rectangular is probably best. Realistically, unless you compared them loose side-by-side, I would imagine an H color and a J color in a mounting would be fairly indistinguishable.

That makes sense about the serial number. I'm definitely still new at this!
 
Most GIA stones have their number laser inscribed these days. Its for identification purposes, not something you would see. Not branded or something like a big Coach bag with C's all over it, nothing silly like that

Did you contact GOG yet about the stone?
I dont think an J is going to a problem, especially sense i would bet your grandmothers stones probably arent D's or something.

heres a link of J colors so you can see
 
nielseel|1353022155|3307522 said:
Most GIA stones have their number laser inscribed these days. Its for identification purposes, not something you would see. Not branded or something like a big Coach bag with C's all over it, nothing silly like that

Did you contact GOG yet about the stone?
I dont think an J is going to a problem, especially sense i would bet your grandmothers stones probably arent D's or something.

heres a link of J colors so you can see
Click to expand...

Yep, I now realize the image of the serial on the girdle facet is incredibly magnified. I did put the stone on hold at GOG.

You're probably right about the old diamonds not being D, and I'm ok with J for the center stone, although it is the lowest I would go. I feel that an extremely good cut with great light performance will overshadow any slight hint of color you might see from a J.
 
You're probably right about the color. Plus if you look at AVc's on here, a lot of people have much lower color than you and they are just beautiful. They lend themselves to lower colors. I'm so happy you've reserved it I love that stone. I hope you post your finished product.
 
Thank you! I've noticed the same thing with the lower color AVCs that look absolutely beautiful. Will definitely post the finished product. Thanks to everyone on PS who has given me feedback and made me feel so welcome here!
 
To be honest, I'm not sure if ERD's "Cut Beyond" cushions are cut specifically for them or if they are just hand picked stones. I was intrigued by this thread because I literally just went through an almost idential scenario. I was searching for an cushion cut for an e-ring and I found pricescope which turned me onto antique cuts and I began to love the AVCs. Disclaimer, I ended up buying this AVC:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8973/

I ordered the AVC because I needed to see the inclusion in person to determine if it was going to work. Luckily GOG was pretty honest in their assesment and the inclusion is faded white and can barely be seen. I did, however, find this stone from ERD which had almost the exact same sizing specs (only color difference AVC F to Cut Beyond I) and I was torn because the price savings would have been pretty significant with the ERD cushion:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/this-cut-beyond-cushion-brilliant-has-been-reserved.-gid-101879.html

I decided to order the ERD diamond as well so I could compare in person. They were both incredible diamonds. Their performance was very very similar. What I couldn't get past was the color differnce. The F in the AVC to the I in the ERD was just too significant. Cushions don't mask color as well as Rounds do. I'm not writing this to try to sway you one way or the other or to make this more difficult than it needs to be, I'm just giving you my honest opinion becuase I just went through this same thing and I want to let you know that color ended up being the deciding factor to me. Here's a link to my thread from a few weeks ago:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/advice-please-1-14-avc-vs-1-14-erd-cut-beyond-cushion.181032/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/advice-please-1-14-avc-vs-1-14-erd-cut-beyond-cushion.181032/[/URL]

If you are able to, I would recommend ordering them both to compare in person. Both dealers have 30 day no questions asked returns.

Good luck to you! We'll all be interested to know what you decide.
 
Those two colors are far apart yes, but comparing them next to each other like the pp did will emphasize the difference. But if its on its own it won't have show as much just on its own. I would get it home see what you think of it on its own and next to your grandmas stones. I'm glad you got it, there aren't as many rectangular old style cushions out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcmSj8dOLRI&feature=relmfu
I think about 12 minutes in is your color stone.
 
kpeasy32, thanks for your honest feedback. The ERD previously mentioned is a little beyond my price range so I think I'll get the AVC in my hands first and go from there. I love the huge flashes of color from the large facets of the AVC. J color is slightly lower than I initially looked to go, but the VVS2 is a nice bonus with those big facets.

I spoke with GOG a couple hours ago and requested ASET and DiamXray images, and within an hour they had updated the page. Talk about service! Here is the link: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9736/

I'd love to get some more expert feedback on the ASET/DiamXray. Should I make a new thread or just continue this one?

oh, and nielseel, I agree, the more rectangular vintage cuts seem pretty hard to find!
 
bw88, you honestly can't go wrong with an AVC ... you will love it and I think you made a great choice!

Oh, and from what little I know about ASETs ... your diamond looks real nice. A lot of RED is GOOD : )
 
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