Got back ASETs for 3 cushions. Looking for opinions

[chong]

Hi all,

I requested some ASETs for 3 cushions from James Allen and they've come back. I really like the 2nd one but I'm quite new to understanding and reading them and would love peoples opinions on them. Thanks!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-87331


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-185105


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-275452

 

[Gypsy]

I wouldn't have picked A and B for an ASET. That facet pattern never produces good light return. B is the best of the three and it's a nice stone, so it is a good option. But there are some other choices out there you can consider too:

What do you think of one of these: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bluenile-cushion-h-a-what-do-you-think.200374/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bluenile-cushion-h-a-what-do-you-think.200374/[/URL]

Because this one would be a lovely choice for you : http://www.bluenile.com/cushion-cut-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD03808091 All blue nile signature line are guaranteed eyeclean. So.... personally this is what I'd recommend for you. 6.6 square G color and a good price too, plus light performance out the wazoo. Can't beat that, if you like the hearts and arrows look.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.47-carat-h-vs2-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-173268.html
and
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.50-carat-h-vs2-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-156245.html

 

[chong]

Thanks a lot for the info! I actually currently have a Blue Nile H&A cushion. 1.07 carat, F VS2. However, in the setting the I was looking to put it in, I was hoping to see if I could get one at a bigger size. Thus my hunting around for more. Do you think I'd notice the step down in color and clarity?

Also, there's this one at almost the same price. Is there much difference?
http://www.bluenile.com/cushion-cut-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD04246154

 

[Gypsy]

t is important to remember is that color is graded FACE DOWN. Where there is NO light return. Not face up where there is light return and refraction. You wear diamonds set. FACE UP.

Within one color grade, even the labs can't agree on the color grades of stones and something could be a "high" H or a "low" E. So... no. Not really. Within 2 color grades it is hard. Not impossible. But very hard. And it gets harder once set. If you are talking ideal rounds, or any stone with ideal light return and no sharp corners it gets harder still because the ideal light return masks body color.

Generally we say to be conservative stay above H.

This is how I think of it.

Ever gotten one of those HUGE paint fan decks? Where there are literally 100s of colors of whites? And when they are RIGHT next to each other you can TOTALLY tell that one is bluer/colder and one is a bit warmer and which one is one is TOTALLY warmer. One there's one that's slightly greener. One that's slightly pinker? But really. They are all white?

Then you pick one after agonizing over this white or that white and when it's on the walls and people are like: Oh. You painted again. And it's STILL white. Great.

And you're all... BUT it's BLUE white. Or it's a WARM white now. It used to be ____ white. It's TOTALLY different.

It's like that. You are talking about shades of white. D is colder... J is warmer. But it's all white.

YES. If you have an accurately graded F and an H THAT HAVE THE SAME PERFORMANCE right next to each other you are going to be able to tell them apart when you compare them. Just like you would be able to tell if you painted your walls a warm white, but painted the crown molding a cold/straight white. But both are STILL white, the shade difference is apparent because of the proximity.

 

[chong]

That's good to know. I do think I'll be switching out for this one. Last question I swear, the 2 feathers in the one you posted are right next to each other and go around the girdle. Should I be concerned about that? I'm not concerned about the visibility of it, but the structural part of it.

 

[Gypsy]

I picked the one I did over the one you posted because the one you posted had a very thin girdle in spots and that's a danger. The inclusions should be safe on that one, you can ask their gemologist to confirm that for you (they will do that) though, just to be sure-- and you can ask him to compare it to the one with the very thin girdle. If the very thin is only in one spot and it is safe, that may be a good choice. But their gemologist is going to be the best resource because he can pull the stones and see them and examine them in person.

 

[chong]

I will definitely go do that. Thanks! Hopefully it's all clear and I can grab it.