Gypsy, Niel, other helpful experts ... need your help !

[professorpuppies]

Sorry had to add the 5th image in another post ...

 

[tyty333]

Well, I thought the first and second stone had more red outside of the table than the J so I was thinking I liked them a little better
(not taking size into account).

However, I wouldnt want an inclusion that hits the surface of the stone and the gemologist thinks the J looks the best so if you
are ok with a J color then that looks like a winner. I thought the asets on all of them were pretty decent actually.

Are you ok with the J color?

 

[Niel]

Well, I thought the first and second stone had more red outside of the table than the J so I was thinking I liked them a little better
(not taking size into account).

However, I wouldnt want an inclusion that hits the surface of the stone and the gemologist thinks the J looks the best so if you
are ok with a J color then that looks like a winner. I thought the asets on all of them were pretty decent actually.

Are you ok with the J color?

That's my reservation. It's a j and its in platinum.... I feel like threll be a color contrast.

If you're at least fairly confident you could get it set with a ring in hand an really look at it.. If it doesn't fit your needs return it.

 

[professorpuppies]

I am really up in the air about the J color. I threw that stone in mainly because it was recommended to me here and I liked the idea that it's big (1.51 ct ). I have read in so many different threads that color is so dependent on cut but when I hear the gemologist call it a "true J" color I am thinking that it will definitely not be a bright white. What do you think about it from the JA videos? I think because of the gemologist says "diamond 217270 is not recommended because one of its cavities breaks the outline of the diamond" that diamond is no longer in the running.

 

[Niel]

It's not going to be yellow.
It will however, in certain lightings, mostly likely give off a soft bone/dishwater color. Not the end of the world, but will be more pronounced juxtaposed next to white platinum and high color melee

 

[ariel144]

I think this thread would be very helpful to make your decision:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/[/URL]

and here:
https://www.pricescope.com/blog/jewel-week-5-carat-cushion-cut-diamond-ring

Leon Mege antique cushion J color 5c in platinum halo.

If the stone is the best performing stone (which the 1.5c stone is) I would have no qualms about buying a J color and setting it in platinum. Remember J is still in the near colorless range and if an excellent cut it can face up more white and bright than an higher color.

When you can spend 6 figures on a diamond alone and you choose a J color...well.......!!!

Read pg 3 where she compares it to her E color engagement ring and how long and hard they searched for her perfect stone:

Post by Thouarella » 14 Apr 2010 12:54
Thanks for all the lovely comments everyone!

It''s our 5th wedding anniversary, hence the 5 carat stone Image

Laila - thanks for adding it to the cushion thread.

jgny:
The dimensions are 9.95 x 9.61 x 6.71mm And I believe the OMC style stones face up smaller as well given their high crowns (someone correct me if I''m wrong on this). But I looked at a bunch and I vastly preferred the OMCs to the modern brilliants, plus I think this way the 5 carat isn''t too enormous (vs say a 5 carat RB).

We bought this stone from Leon just before he launched his diamond concierge service, so I don''t know if they will provide additional details now, but basically he sent me photos of the stone from all angles, set and unset and on a black and white background. No ASETs. It was rather a leap of faith to buy it without looking at it in person and without ASETs etc but at the end of the day we decided to trust his eye and we had just fallen in love with the faceting of the stone.

Before we decided on this one, we''d taken a look at stones at our local B&Ms, one who specialises in OMCs and another who flew in 5 stones from their sightholders in Israel. I''d also contacted all of the cushion specialists mentioned on this forum and gotten a stone flown out to me, though ultimately we decided not to go with that one. It is REALLY difficult to find a stone with the requirements we had (>5 carats, OMC or 8 pavillion mains, large culet, near 1:1 aspect ratio, eyeclean) and there were very few responses to our request both online and at the B&Ms. It was basically between this stone and the one that was flown out to us. Jon at GoodOldGood had offered to get an AVC cut but the prices of rough had gone up so much at the end of last year/beginning of this one, plus we didn''t want to have to wait!

So at the end of the day and after months of searching we decided to go ahead with Leon''s stone and I just love it. The J doesn''t bother me at all and mostly it looks icy white and I only notice a tiny bit of warmth very occasionally from certain angles (my e-ring is an E and there is a very slight difference but really not very much).

Leon did mention that now he''s set up this diamond concierge service that he''d rather find a good stone for his clients. He''ll still set stones from other dealers but I get the feeling that he preferred for us to buy a stone from him. Good thing we liked his stone best anyway.

gemgirl - I''m getting him a phenomenal watch. It isn''t our anniversary for a little while yet so he still has time to decide on his "dream" watch! I have a shortlist!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I hope Thourella's decision and experience with a well cut J color helps. The ASET is extremely nice. Are you going to set it in a halo?

Love this one on G&C ....they can make the change for the halo to fit a cushion with their customization feature.
They have less expensive ones but love the antique look on this one for the price.

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER11341R6W83JJ/amavida

good luck with your decision. The other ASETs look very good too...I liked the first one the best..the one the gemologist didn't recommend because of the cavity, but personally I would go with the one the gemologist favors. Hope this helps.

 

[ariel144]

A picture is worth a thousand words...here is an antique cushion cut GIA J in platinum...click on the link for pictures and videos:

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/vintage-antique/1-30ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-ring-gia-j-si1#.VbG0cypViko

 

[professorpuppies]

I contacted JA again and said "I'm worried the J won't face up as bright white as I would like. Can you confirm?"

The response I received was:

"Hi,

XXXXX is out of the office at this time, but I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

I definitely agree that 565879 is the best choice of these, and the J color will not be noticeably warm, so no worries on that. An H colored diamond that does not perform as well will not look whiter than a well performing J."

In light of this and all other posts here it sounds like I must pick the J. I cannot see these diamonds so I think going with the gemologist opinion is the safe bet. I just am hung up on that one comment the gemologist made … "confirmed that it has a true “J” color". He never mentions bright white like he did for the other two. Oh well, I am probably reading to much into it.

 

[tyty333]

Nevermind...I boo booed!

 

[professorpuppies]

I think this thread would be very helpful to make your decision:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/[/URL]

and here:
https://www.pricescope.com/blog/jewel-week-5-carat-cushion-cut-diamond-ring

Leon Mege antique cushion J color 5c in platinum halo.

If the stone is the best performing stone (which the 1.5c stone is) I would have no qualms about buying a J color and setting it in platinum. Remember J is still in the near colorless range and if an excellent cut it can face up more white and bright than an higher color.

When you can spend 6 figures on a diamond alone and you choose a J color...well.......!!!

Read pg 3 where she compares it to her E color engagement ring and how long and hard they searched for her perfect stone:

Post by Thouarella » 14 Apr 2010 12:54
Thanks for all the lovely comments everyone!

It''s our 5th wedding anniversary, hence the 5 carat stone Image

Laila - thanks for adding it to the cushion thread.

jgny:
The dimensions are 9.95 x 9.61 x 6.71mm And I believe the OMC style stones face up smaller as well given their high crowns (someone correct me if I''m wrong on this). But I looked at a bunch and I vastly preferred the OMCs to the modern brilliants, plus I think this way the 5 carat isn''t too enormous (vs say a 5 carat RB).

We bought this stone from Leon just before he launched his diamond concierge service, so I don''t know if they will provide additional details now, but basically he sent me photos of the stone from all angles, set and unset and on a black and white background. No ASETs. It was rather a leap of faith to buy it without looking at it in person and without ASETs etc but at the end of the day we decided to trust his eye and we had just fallen in love with the faceting of the stone.

Before we decided on this one, we''d taken a look at stones at our local B&Ms, one who specialises in OMCs and another who flew in 5 stones from their sightholders in Israel. I''d also contacted all of the cushion specialists mentioned on this forum and gotten a stone flown out to me, though ultimately we decided not to go with that one. It is REALLY difficult to find a stone with the requirements we had (>5 carats, OMC or 8 pavillion mains, large culet, near 1:1 aspect ratio, eyeclean) and there were very few responses to our request both online and at the B&Ms. It was basically between this stone and the one that was flown out to us. Jon at GoodOldGood had offered to get an AVC cut but the prices of rough had gone up so much at the end of last year/beginning of this one, plus we didn''t want to have to wait!

So at the end of the day and after months of searching we decided to go ahead with Leon''s stone and I just love it. The J doesn''t bother me at all and mostly it looks icy white and I only notice a tiny bit of warmth very occasionally from certain angles (my e-ring is an E and there is a very slight difference but really not very much).

Leon did mention that now he''s set up this diamond concierge service that he''d rather find a good stone for his clients. He''ll still set stones from other dealers but I get the feeling that he preferred for us to buy a stone from him. Good thing we liked his stone best anyway.

gemgirl - I''m getting him a phenomenal watch. It isn''t our anniversary for a little while yet so he still has time to decide on his "dream" watch! I have a shortlist!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I hope Thourella's decision and experience with a well cut J color helps. The ASET is extremely nice. Are you going to set it in a halo?

Love this one on G&C ....they can make the change for the halo to fit a cushion with their customization feature.
They have less expensive ones but love the antique look on this one for the price.

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER11341R6W83JJ/amavida

good luck with your decision. The other ASETs look very good too...I liked the first one the best..the one the gemologist didn't recommend because of the cavity, but personally I would go with the one the gemologist favors. Hope this helps.

Up until now I was going with this setting (in Platinum):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-tailored-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41042

This is all going to be a big surprise for her so she has had zero input in that selection. I have been reading around this site and am now thinking maybe I should just go for a temporary setting? Then she could pick out whatever she likes. What do you guys think?

 

[professorpuppies]

Any chance of having it sent to you before it's set for you to have a look?

Unfortunately really no chance of getting it sent to me before it's set because I am now in a time crunch and I am set having JA do the setting. Whether that be temporary or the one I chose because from what I understand they will do upgrades so it's no money lost.

If you guys who have read this thread don't mind please reply with which stone you would pick after knowing everything we know now ... if you were in my shoes and had to pick your diamond today which would you select. At this point I am just inclined to let the PS majority vote make the choice and not look back.

Thank you to all for helping me.

 

[tyty333]

Professor,
You'll have to excuse me (and ignore my last couple of post). I got your thread confused with someone looking for an
Emerald (hence all the emerald videos/links). So sorry.

tyty

So which stone would I pick? If it were for me, I would pick the J because I know what to expect from the J but for someone
else I would go with the other one (without the cavity).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-288380

 

[apacherose]

[


Up until now I was going with this setting (in Platinum):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-tailored-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41042

This is all going to be a big surprise for her so she has had zero input in that selection. I have been reading around this site and am now thinking maybe I should just go for a temporary setting? Then she could pick out whatever she likes. What do you guys think?

Well, I personally would choose the 1.2 H, as I adore that facet pattern. I also prefer the square cushiony shape with the setting you chose, vs. the elongated J. I also think H is a 'safer' color, a more classic choice for you selecting the ring.

Either way you go, you have found two beautiful diamonds, so try to relax. This is very exciting. Good luck.

 

[Niel]

[


Up until now I was going with this setting (in Platinum):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-tailored-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41042

This is all going to be a big surprise for her so she has had zero input in that selection. I have been reading around this site and am now thinking maybe I should just go for a temporary setting? Then she could pick out whatever she likes. What do you guys think?

Well, I personally would choose the 1.2 H, as I adore that facet pattern. I also prefer the square cushiony shape with the setting you chose, vs. the elongated J. I also think H is a 'safer' color, a more classic choice for you selecting the ring.

Either way you go, you have found two beautiful diamonds, so try to relax. This is very exciting. Good luck.

I'm inclined to agree. If someone was shopping for themselves I'd say go for it but this is a gift,I think you want to be safe in knowing she'll love it.

Also, consider this. Size is a comparative thing. But color is always present. In other words, a 1ct is smaller when compared to a 1.5, larger when compared to a .5 cts .... She won't always be comparing g the size of her ring to other things. She will always be looking at it,and the color will always be there.

 

[professorpuppies]

Another email from JA ... seems odd. Are they trying to push this diamond on me? Or is this guy just responding now because someone else responded for him yesterday? Lots of reassurance from JA that the color will be no issue. I personally don't know anything about diamonds and haven't ever seen any of this stuff in person. I probably would never notice the color difference at all, but would she? I don't want her to think I got her a crappy diamond.


Hi,

When the gemologist said that it has a true "J" color, they were saying that its color is spot-on. GIA is consistent in their grading, so we never expect surprises, but the gemologist always confirms the color. If there were a concern for the diamond's color, such as it's warmth veering towards brown instead of yellow, they would have shared that finding and gave us a different kind of feedback.

Color is a completely subjective trait simply because everyone has their own preference and sensitivity to color. If you've seen a brilliant faceted GIA-graded "J" colored diamond in person at a local store, you've see this diamond's "J" color. It's white in color, but with a faint warmth. A presence of faint yellow usually isn't apparent until you get to the "K" color. That's why "J" falls under GIA's category of near colorless. Unless you are incredibly color sensitive and personally don't like the "J" color, I feel that you wouldn't notice its slight warmth unless you were holding it next to a diamond that is graded a little higher on the color scale.

If you were looking at these three diamonds in person, you would notice that diamond 565879 is larger than the other two before you'd notice a color difference. There's actually a good chance you'd never even notice a color difference.

I hope this feedback is helpful. We'll have your request active through 6pm EST today, so please don't hesitate to contact us for assistance or to finalize your purchase. We hope to hear from you!

All The Best,

 

[apacherose]

I think everything they are saying makes a lot of sense.

If you haven't already, you NEED to take their advice, and go run to a store and look at some J's! and H's! Try to take them near some natural lighting (window?) and be the judge.

 

[professorpuppies]

I am just such a wreck because this whole thing has played out so differently than what I had expected.

The order I had these stones in before the JA inspection came in was

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-217270
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-288380
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-565879

(565879 because of J color only)

and now they come back as
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-565879
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-288380
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-217270

I think 288380 is a pretty safe bet but it's corners are not nearly as rounded as the other. That's my only drawback but JA says to not go with 217270 because of " diamond 217270 is not recommended because one of its cavities breaks the outline of the diamond. The gemologist is curious if it could be a durability concerned if the diamond was struck with just the right amount of pressure."

Do diamonds get struck with a lot of pressure often?

 

[tyty333]

Do diamonds get struck with a lot of pressure often?

More than you would expect. But to be honest, after 6 years on this site the only crack stones I can remember have been
princess cuts and thats due to their weak corners.

 

[ariel144]

Dear OP, I feel your pain and indecision...maybe these videos comparing a J color to I/H/G colors side by side will help. Personally the larger J that out performs the other 2 stones would be my choice. Just like they stated a well performing J will be brighter than a lesser performing H. I do not think they are trying to push the 1.5 J stone on you, they are simply attempting to educate you on color and performance.

Do you know how small a 6mm stone is in real life? Like they stated, side by side with the H stone you would not notice the color diff. but the size diff. first...and you might not even be able to notice any color diff. unless you are very color sensitive. When your fiance receives this ring if you pick the J she will see a bright white diamond with a nice size on her finger. She will not be comparing this J side by side with another slightly higher colored stone....and even if she does she might not see any color diff. at all. All that matters is the real life experience on her finger. I've watched many videos on GOG and Jon states many times the women will choose the larger diamond if it is a great performing stone.

If you set the 1.5 E/W she will have more finger coverage and to me it makes the stone appear more square because the longer face is going across the width of the finger.

In the GIA grading scale J color is still in the "near colorless" range. Hope these videos help seeing these colors side by side.

J AVC in halo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwsMqUcz9S8

comparing J color to I/H/G colors side by side
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vI3Tkd3VQU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21v3jBtTEmM

 

[solgen]

Opinion's are going to vary due to individual tolerances and perceptions. H vs J will be very noticeable in a side by side comparison IMO. The size difference is also appreciable. If you were to wear the 1.51 on one day and either of the 1.20 then next you'd likely notice the difference in finger coverage. Would you notice the color change though? Possibly but perhaps not.

I also wouldn't compare vintage cut cushions in lower colors to modern cut cushions. The vintage or antique cuts support lower colors much better IMO. Broader color flashes support warmer tones IMO. To me they seem to reflect longer wavelengths better so you get more reds, yellows and oranges which can compliment yellower stones. Again just my opinion though.

You need to consider the setting though as that can help minimize or accentuate the color. Looks like JA uses G-H stones and that will make the color of the J stand out more. You can look see from the examples of round cuts that the Js do stand out more when viewing the pavilion.

 

[ariel144]

another comparison I to J when the J is the larger stone by .3mm. You can see it makes a big diff. in the appearance in size. Just like your 2 cushions...1.2 vs 1.5 although the face up 7mm of the 1.5 vs the 6mm of the 1.2 will be a very big diff. in my opinion in 2 cushions. A round 1c vs a 1.3c the mm diff. is approx. .5mm. You can see in this video that even a .5mm diff makes a pretty big diff. in size face up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzBGhkF5C4o

If the 1.5 were an I color would you choose it over the 1.2 H?

The diff. in I and J is such a minimal diff. and really not notice face up when comparing the two side by side in real life and natural lighting.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Such a minimal diff. in color is raraely noticeable to most ppl.

I will just say many long time PSr's who want a larger diamond will look for well cut J's as they are a great value and still white face up.

I don't care which one you pick. I"m just trying to give you the knowledge you need to make a decision you are comfortable with.