H+A Cushion Vs. Other Modern Cushions

[Alias]

Been talking with Jonathan at GOG about getting a Brellia in a specific color and clarity range. He was generous enough to reach out to the cutters, however, they stated that it would take at min. 3 months to get the rough etc... I really do not want to wait three months to propose.

My options are as follows and I am hoping you could provide your opinion:

1. Purchase Brellia - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10047/
2. Purchase BGD HA - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.962-g-vs1-0-diamond-active-104066027027 (this was recently returned) Not sure if I am HUGE fan due to the rigid sides.
3. Get a few options sourced and pick from those (criteria preference: 0.95-1.09, VS2+, D-G (prefer D-F), ratio max at 1.03, E/VG polish/symmetry, and nothing with a crushed ice look)

The setting will be a double halo similar to this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c8aRnEsrZI&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLCD6E535847A7693A

Any opinions on how the Brellia would look in this setting? DS provided this example: http://www.since1910.com/snt245-double-row-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring of how it may look.

I think the Brellia has more of a cushion shape then the BGD so it may look better once in the setting. What keeps me away from the Brellia above is the H color...perhaps I am being overly critical when it comes to color.

Other options suggested:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-273667
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10911/
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/this-1.01ct-f-vs1-x-factor-cushion-has-been-reserved.-gid-157126.html

Thanks in advance for all those joining me on this roller coaster!

 

[JulieN]

That specific Brellia is fractionally more pillowy than that BGD one.

 

[04diamond<3]

Normally I like pillow cushions better, but the BGD one will face up bigger (at least longer). I'd probably choose that one since you're putting in a double halo which will give it the pillow effect you'll just have better finger coverage.

 

[Alias]

Normally I like pillow cushions better, but the BGD one will face up bigger (at least longer). I'd probably choose that one since you're putting in a double halo which will give it the pillow effect you'll just have better finger coverage.

Thanks for the input - any thoughts on the other 3..specifically JA. I don't have an ASET but I think it looks pretty nice.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The first thing I'd do is ask GOG to do a short video of that modern cushion next to the Brellia. It faces up larger and has a perfect cushion shape. I'd just need to see how it reflects light compared to the Brellia. I like the Brellia but it is about the smallest of the diamonds and I probably would hesitate because of that. But it greatly helps to compare size and performance when you can see two side by side. After I see that, I think I can narrow it down better. (Or you could ask GOG to call in a couple more while you're comparing.)

 

[Alias]

The first thing I'd do is ask GOG to do a short video of that modern cushion next to the Brellia. It faces up larger and has a perfect cushion shape. I'd just need to see how it reflects light compared to the Brellia. I like the Brellia but it is about the smallest of the diamonds and I probably would hesitate because of that. But it greatly helps to compare size and performance when you can see two side by side. After I see that, I think I can narrow it down better. (Or you could ask GOG to call in a couple more while you're comparing.)

Here you go! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-YYBlnkpcw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA

I guess my trouble is deciding between an HA and a modern cushion. I LOVE the sparkle of the HA and the concept of it scintillating like a round, but the straighter edges (and the H color on the GOG) scare me a little. I want it to look like the Soleste and not sure if it will with straighter edges.

If I pick HA it's between GOG and BGD. If I go modern then I can pick between the aforementioned three or have more sourced in with my criteria. I just can't decide and frankly getting tired of my indecisiveness.

Thanks for the help DS!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Both diamonds are beautiful but surprisingly (even to myself) .. I favor the BGD one.

Have you seen cushions in real life yet? Cushions really need to be seen in real life so you can begin to learn the differences. Videos can only do so much.

You also have to ask yourself if you want size (i.e. generic cushion) or perfect H&A.

 

[Alias]

Both diamonds are beautiful but surprisingly (even to myself) .. I favor the BGD one.

Have you seen cushions in real life yet? Cushions really need to be seen in real life so you can begin to learn the differences. Videos can only do so much.

You also have to ask yourself if you want size (i.e. generic cushion) or perfect H&A.

Thanks Charmy for the input!

When you say both diamonds, do you mean in the video?

I have seen some cushions in real life but mostly variations of the Soleste which all have same or similar looks. I want the diamond that will sparkle the most but also look beautiful in the setting (i.e., overall look). I think the HA will sparkle the most but not sure if it'll look as good as a generic in the setting. Is it possible to get a generic that will sparkle as much as the HA?

 

[04diamond<3]

Normally I like pillow cushions better, but the BGD one will face up bigger (at least longer). I'd probably choose that one since you're putting in a double halo which will give it the pillow effect you'll just have better finger coverage.

Thanks for the input - any thoughts on the other 3..specifically JA. I don't have an ASET but I think it looks pretty nice.

The JA one looks like it could be nice but we'd need to see an aset to tell you for sure. It's a bit smaller than the BGD one...which is still my favorite.

 

[Alias]

Thanks for the reply!

I didn't want to ask for an ASET until I decided between an H&A or a generic cushion - still undecided.

The other option for an H&A is the one of the new ones BN came out with, for example, http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigCU#diamonds_pid=LD03884495 They sides are pillow, but the diamond as about 77 facets...which departs from the GOG and BGD. Would the implication of about 20 more facets mean more sparkle or would it look unnatural?

Thanks,

Alias

 

[Alias]

The GOG has the following measurements:

Width: 5.60mm
Length: 5.60mm
Depth: 4.00mm
Table Percentage: 56.30%
Depth Percentage: 71.50%

The BGD has the following:

Longest tip to tip: 6.61mm
Shortest edge to edge: 5.51mm
Top of the table facet, down to the culet: 4.05mm
Table Percentage: 55.7%
Depth Percentage: 61.3%%

I know AGS shows the measurements of the BGD differently than the GOG. However, from my understanding, the Length and Width of the BGD is 5.51mm which is marginally (probably not very noticeable) to the GOG of 5.60mm.

The longest tip to tip measurement on the BGD is 6.61mm...not sure what to compare this to on the GOG.

Am I even able to compare the table and depth percentages?

Thanks!

 

[JulieN]

Why would you want to compare the depth and table? The fact is you cannot buy diamonds, especially fancies, by the numbers. Photos and ASETs only tell part of the story. There is no substitute for getting one in your hands and checking it out.

 

[Alias]

Thanks JulieN!

Which would you pick and if I may be so bold to ask and why?

ERD said they could make either into a nice double halo similar to the Soleste. BGD said the same but price is a lot more.

 

[JulieN]

I got tired of your indecisiveness weeks ago. You should have had a ring by now and posted pics in SMTB!

I would have 3 of the top contenders shipped to me at the same time so I could pick one.

 

[Alias]

I got tired of your indecisiveness weeks ago. You should have had a ring by now and posted pics in SMTB!

I would have 3 of the top contenders shipped to me at the same time so I could pick one.

Oh, trust me..I am too! More than you could imagine!

I am inCanada so if I ship diamonds here I will incur extra shipping costs and insurance + taxes. If I brought in the GOG and BGD I would have to pay tax to the shipping company and if I returned it I would have to figure out how to get the tax back...not sure how but I imagine it would be a headache. On top of all that I would likely lose more money on exchange if I used a credit card.

 

[JulieN]

Ah, ok. i did not know you were in canada.

 

[Alias]

So any suggestion between the two? haha