Help! Cushion hal o question / size

[iluvdiamonds2]

Well my weddg set is on order - i spoke with the jeweler today and she said that they ordered the ring to be made to fit a one carat. cushion. The halo ring N to S is 11mm wide. I would imagine that the halo would be made smaller, as to not see any space between the halo and the diamond (she knew this was a concern of mine) so she told them to make it for a 1 carat cushion.

My question / concerns are:
Will it look small? Does anyone have a 1 carat in a cushion halo?? Do u think they will change the setting mm's nor th to south??
I asked her if it would look small and she said no - it won't - it will look beautiful. she seems very knowledgable/trustworthy....

What do u think?

 

[Gypsy]

My diamond is 6x6 about the size of a one carat cushion (usually about 5.8 square). WITH my halo set flush to my stoen, all the metal, etc. It's 8mm TOTAL for the head. That is a huge halo!!

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Thanks GYpsy! I can always count on u for a quick response! What do you think if it has Prongs, it's not a bezel set.
I forgot to add that fact to my post.......

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks GYpsy! I can always count on u for a quick response! What do you think if it has Prongs, it's not a bezel set.
I forgot to add that fact to my post.......

Mine is prong set. Both my 1 point halo (8.5mm) and my 1/2 point halo (7.9mm) were prong set.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Wow, so u think it wont look smallish from the side?? Do you have pics to help me visualize??
See I am assuming the 11mm N to S halo will stay 11mm wide?? Do u think they would make it smaller to fit the 1 carat so there is no space?

 

[Gypsy]

Wow, so u think it wont look smallish from the side?? Do you have pics to help me visualize??
See I am assuming the 11mm N to S halo will stay 11mm wide?? Do u think they would make it smaller to fit the 1 carat so there is no space?

I do not know what you mean by that.

The halo is whatever the length of your stone is plus halo length on the N/S side (looking down at it), and then the other side is whatever your stone width is plus the halo width on the other. It's tailored for your stone.

Pictures of mine are here. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-steven-kirsch-halo-re-set-is-here.158813/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-steven-kirsch-halo-re-set-is-here.158813/[/URL]

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Your ring is gorgeous Gypsy! I think that's great finger coverage. MY finger size is like 6.5 or 6.75. Do u think they are shrinking the N to S measurements to like 9mm or 10mm to accomodate the 1 carat cushion (so no visual space between halo and diamond) ???
I'm like nervous

 

[Mayk]

I'm confused... did you order a setting before finding the stone...?

I think you best option for getting a great fit is to do this in the reverse order.. diamond first then the setting at least with something like a halo where the fit is so important... I'm no expert... so if I'm way off base I will apologize ahead of time...

 

[armywife13]

I'm confused... did you order a setting before finding the stone...?

I think you best option for getting a great fit is to do this in the reverse order.. diamond first then the setting at least with something like a halo where the fit is so important... I'm no expert... so if I'm way off base I will apologize ahead of time...

I agree with Mayk. Especially with cushions since their dimensions vary, even within the same carat weight.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

ee gad - yeah I ordered it without a stone. only bec it said it could fit .90 to 1.20 so i had a range andthen i was going to go to get the diamond in a few mths. but tonite the jeweler told me she ordered the set to fit a 1 carat cushion because in her opinion (she has ring there) the 1 carat visually filled up the space (between the halo and diamond) - there are prongs - it's not a bezel set halo...

do u guys think the 11mm halo wilth the 1 cart cushion will still be good finger coverage for a size 6.75 finger?? do u think they'll make the N to S mm's shrink to 9 or 10mm??

 

[Gypsy]

I'm confused... did you order a setting before finding the stone...?

I think you best option for getting a great fit is to do this in the reverse order.. diamond first then the setting at least with something like a halo where the fit is so important... I'm no expert... so if I'm way off base I will apologize ahead of time...

I'm confused too. Is this a display setting? Are you buying a setting that's already made (not custom made or stock but made to order)? You really should get a made or order stock if you are trying to balance quality and budget. Or full custom if that's an option in terms of budget.

And even if it is a display setting:
Why are they giving you the outside measurements of the ring? What matters is the measurements of space for the center stone. For the rest just ask them to take a picture of it next to a dime (for scale). What size center will it accept?

 

[Gypsy]

ee gad - yeah I ordered it without a stone. only bec it said it could fit .90 to 1.20 so i had a range andthen i was going to go to get the diamond in a few mths. but tonite the jeweler told me she ordered the set to fit a 1 carat cushion because in her opinion (she has ring there) the 1 carat visually filled up the space (between the halo and diamond) - there are prongs - it's not a bezel set halo...

do u guys think the 11mm halo wilth the 1 cart cushion will still be good finger coverage for a size 6.75 finger?? do u think they'll make the N to S mm's shrink to 9 or 10mm??

No, no, no NO! You don't do this sweetie. Cushions are NOT like rounds. A one carat cushion could be 5.5mm square or it could be 6mm and a setting that fits one won't fit the other. Or it could be slightly out of square and be 5.8 by 5.3 or 5.0 x 6.0 or 5.4 x 5.9. And since you can't just get an 'ideal cut cushion', at least not one that isn't an AVC, then you HAVE to buy by performance FIRST, then color and clarity then measurements last. Your jeweler is well... an idiot and taking advantage of you if they didn't explain this. Plus you don't normally WANT stones right at the one carat mark with ANY fancy. They are usually cut to hit a certain carat weight and are lousy performers so you normally end up with a 1.05 or a 1.03 and that little bit can make a difference depending on the depth of the stone (which could be anywhere from high 50's to low 70's) and the facet pattern!

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

I asked them the mm's N to S (11mm) and they said it fits (stock) .90 to 1.20, but they like to order new rings and not sell the stock if possible so she said she is having them make it to fit a 1 carat cushion so i won't have an issue finding a diamond...........

 

[Gypsy]

I asked them the mm's N to S (11mm) and they said it fits (stock) .90 to 1.20, but they like to order new rings and not sell the stock if possible so she said she is having them make it to fit a 1 carat cushion so i won't have an issue finding a diamond...........

NO. You are going to have HUGE issues finding a stone. Cushions are NOTHING like rounds. "one carat" is not standard size at all. It does mean: 6.5 give or take .2mm like it does for rounds. There are really square cushions, really rectangular ones, slightly oval ones, almost square ones. There are deep ones that face up small and shallow ones that are spready as heck.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

ohhhhhh..... i just figured i would go to the jewelry store and like sit there and find one that fits ........??????

 

[armywife13]

I asked them the mm's N to S (11mm) and they said it fits (stock) .90 to 1.20, but they like to order new rings and not sell the stock if possible so she said she is having them make it to fit a 1 carat cushion so i won't have an issue finding a diamond...........

But not all 1 ct cushions will have the same dimension, some may be deeper or shallower, oblong or square, and so on. As gypsy said, when picking cushions you need to choose first based on performance, then color/clarity, then carat weight. The way you are choosing to go about it, ct weight/dimensions will have to be your first priority. I am sure you will be able to find one that fits your setting, but going about the ring process this way will make it a more difficult to find a top performing cushion that works because you will be restricted with regards to dimensions.

 

[Gypsy]

Let me show you.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jamesallen.com%2Fdiamonds%2FK-SI2-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1497915.asp&h=0AQGTegiFAQFdbx_Sd4HmdyhtZ96gIBuX0lX5ib7o62R4mw&s=1 2.03 carat cushion. 7.88*7.52*4.69 depth 62.4% kinda ovalish outline.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1466651.asp 2.02 carat cushion. 7.44*7.19*4.87 depth 67.7% very square outline

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1503541.asp 2.02 carat cushion 7.67*6.83*4.77 depth 69.8%.

A "two carat cushion" STANDARD (there is no such thing) setting is NOT going to fit all of those-- OR ANY OF THOSE because it won't be MADE FOR THE STONE'S MEASUREMENTS. And of those, ONLY the first one I posted is worth pursuing. The others have issues with performance.

How much are you spending on this setting and WHY ON EARTH are you buying the setting first?

 

[Gypsy]

ohhhhhh..... i just figured i would go to the jewelry store and like sit there and find one that fits ........??????

The one that 'fits' could end up looking like one of these dogs:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1165382.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1520572.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1457348.asp

And you are going to be stuck with it because it fits the setting (but is dead and sparkles like a bar of soap) OR you are going to be searching FOREVER for a stone that performs well AND fits the setting. OR you will have that gap you don't want. Because well... the stone won't fit the setting.

The jeweler can't PROMISE you "no gap" unless she HAS THE STONE IN HAND. That's the ONLY way there will be "no gap".

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

yeesh......well u know, this all started with my OEC, i wanted to change the setting but i feel bad doing that so i figured, start with a whole new ring. i found the setting and liked it so much and i figured well, it has a carat range, .90 to 1.20 so i could pick a diamond that looks good with it.

do u think i should tell her to hold it and cancel the order? I could. I definitely didn't want to buy a stone first unless i had the setting because i would get a much larger stone than what would look right for the halo. i could tell her to give me a range again , like 1 carat to like 1.2?? what do u think?

 

[Mayk]

Find a stone you love, then find a setting that compliments your diamond. Don't put yourself in the position of only being able to buy a diamond of "this" measurement You are limiting yourself. The setting choices are endless...once your have your diamond.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

I would end up with a 2.3 - 2.5+ cushion then!!! That's my 5 yr plan!

 

[Laila619]

I'm so confused. How can a halo for a "one carat" be 11mm? That's huge!

Also, like Gypsy said, there is a lot of variation among cushion cuts. You could have 10 one carat cushions, and they could all be a different size. I think this jeweler is telling you the wrong information.

Stone first, *then* setting.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

ithink i'm gonna tell her to hold the order and i'll look at diamonds first and then call in a few weeks........

 

[Gypsy]

First question:
do u think i should tell her to hold it and cancel the order?
Second question:
i could tell her to give me a range again , like 1 carat to like 1.2?? what do u think?

First question. Absolutely yes.

Second question. You cannot buy a cushion OR a setting for a cushion BY CARAT WEIGHT. Carat weight is meaningless with cushions. Because it does NOT correlate with dimensions. If you want THAT SETTING, you need to find out what DIMENSIONS the stone needs to be to suit that setting. So you need MEASUREMENTS, not carat weight.

So she needs to tell you if you need a 6mm x 6mm cushion. Or a 5.5mm x 5.5mm cushion. Or 6.5mm x 6.5 mm. Or 5mm x 6 mm. Or 5mm x 7mm.

OKAY? And she can give you ranges like: It can take between a 5.5-5.7 mm WIDTH and a 6.0 to 6.2mm LENGTH.

But if you are buying for a SETTING for a CUSHION you shop by MEASUREMENTS not carat weight.

Okay?

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Thanks so much Gypsy!!! You're really there for me - I appreciate it!
I will call tomorrow morning. I think I'll sit on this and maybe look at some stones and see if anything stands out to me and then I could always order it later on.

I'll check back in tomorrow nite probably! Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Yuppers213]

I second that you need to wait to find a setting until you find a stone. My halo setting had to be custom made to fit tightly around my antique cushion cut. There's no such thing as a standard anything in cushion cuts - mine is 1.14 c and a 1.08 ratio so it's slightly rectangular. That's the beauty of them though - they are unique!

 

[distracts]

Wow, so u think it wont look smallish from the side?? Do you have pics to help me visualize??
See I am assuming the 11mm N to S halo will stay 11mm wide?? Do u think they would make it smaller to fit the 1 carat so there is no space?

No. I don't believe the halo will stay 11mm if the example ring was for a larger stone size. In order to keep the halo at that size, there would either be a gap (unattractive), or they'd use larger melee (more expensive and changes the look). If she's saying she'd have to order it for a one carat cushion so that there wouldn't be a gap, I think you can bet that the entire halo will be shrunk down to fit snugly around the center stone.

And a carat range does you no good for the setting - IF you are getting a range, you need a mm size range for the stone, including max depth.

 

[webdiva]

OMG - cancel your order. You order the setting AFTER you get the stone. You really need to do more reading on here and understand why cut is so important and that measurements are more important than carat weight. Go up to the knowledge tab at the top and start reading from the top down. THIS way you'll get the sparkliest, most perfect diamond for you. Sparkly is the point of diamond, no?

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

thanks u guys! well i cancelled the order.. phew!

anyway, i saw a cushion that was like a 1 carat online and it was SOOOO small for me. I would need at least 8.5mm MIN. coverage, and have no idea of what setting i'd want. anyway, that wwill cost around $25k i'm guesstimating (d color, exc cut)? either cushion brilliant or antique cushion (new ).

I never knew about the knowledge tab - thanks!

what do u guys think of just changing my setting??? did u see my link in the post above?? did u vote? which one? why ??

Thanks! My current diamond is really pretty but setting is low and not thick on my finger......

 

[Mayk]

Just a suggestion.... I looked back at a number of your posts and for over a year you've been struggling with your setting... Instead of trying to find a premade setting to "work" your diamond into (which is a lovely diamond BTW)....save the money and start haunting the sites like Steve Kirsh, Leon, Victor...ERD just to name a few and have a high quality setting created to your specifications. Yes, a halo would provide better coverage, of course it does and if coverage is your number two priority behind height I would move to a higher set halo setting from one of the "know" PS custom jewelers... Buying a premade setting for a diamond s crazy if your want the custom fit, no gaps, no overlap look we see here so often on the beautiful custom pieces. Just my two (maybe unwanted) cents.