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Help me choose a Vintage Cushion!!

Manlye

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Dec 6, 2016
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After some great help from the people on this forum I am much more educated on cushions, thank you all! Well me and my SO went shopping this weekend for rings and mounts and after looking at countless diamonds etc I flashed a pic of a vintage cut cushion and explained how they were a little more special than the ones we were looking at. (I don't believe there are any dealers with vintage cushions in stock in Colorado) she fell in love with it. I like the look myself as well.

My budget is 30K, I could go up a few thousand if there was a real compelling need but would rather stay at or below. Here are a couple I have found and have been suggested.

The diamonds we were looking at were 3CT which I know I'm not going to get an AVC in my price range, but like most woman she likes big, so my main concern is how big will these "face up" on a single halo type setting.

Here is what I have found:

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/t8dhpc-2.218-i-vs2-ideal-antique-cushion

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/devplt-2.190-e-si1-ideal-antique-cushion

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/2.19-august_vintage_cushion-I-AGS-G-VS2-diamond-stock-14164-cert-104052687001

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/2.11-august_vintage_cushion-I-AGS-I-VVS2-diamond-stock-15158-cert-104090321001


And this one is obviously pretty yellow but I'm wondering how it would look in a filigree mount. Prob not the right color but I'll throw it out there.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/3.00-august_vintage_cushion-I-AGS-N-VS2-diamond-stock-12242a-cert-104071307002


If there are any other vintage cushions I'm missing maybe not from a "designer cut" please throw them out there.

Thank you for all of your help in my search for her special ring.
 

PintoBean

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I would recommend reaching out to ID Jewelry. I recently inquired with them about smaller versions of these diamonds (linked below), and they are familiar with the vendor that holds them in NY and can call in the diamonds to examine in person and take pics and images for analysis. The prices should be more competitive than VC and GOG because VC and GOG will include a markup associated with the branding.

I can't vouch if these are the best of what the vendor has but these were the first ones I pulled up doing a quick search on JA so that you can let us know if you like the look of this kind of chunky cushion. Also, fRom my experience, JA reps don't have access to who the vendor is and can't personally call in the diamonds from that vendor which is why I am not recommending JA for this particular search.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.50-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-145410

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.59-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2238761
 

Manlye

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I definitely like the chunky look, the more the better. Thanks for the help.
 

Victor Canera

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Good luck on your search Manlye.

PintoBean, I know you have the best intentions but I just wanted to clarify that our diamonds are not marked up because of branding. Clients are paying for the actual product when purchasing our signature cut diamonds. We don’t have a multi million dollar marketing budget that needs to be supported by the pricing of our diamonds.

Any cost premiums are due to lower yield from rough. To explain: when you start with an inflexible design of a diamond, that has strict parameters that it has to meet like angles, degrees etc. etc. and you additionally have goals such as AGS Ideal Light Performance and aim for Ideal Polish and Symmetry grades, you lose more weight from a rough diamond than those without those guidelines. The rough diamond has to be ground down until the exact parameters are met. Without these parameters, we could achieve a higher yield from rough where a 1.7ct stone might actually be able to make it to 2ct. You're starting from a point of inflexibility to achieve the desired polished diamond.

If one didn’t have these specific specifications, they have much much more flexibility and are able to maximize the final polished weight of the diamond. In this case it’s sufficient for the diamond to just look like an antique cushion. These diamonds aren’t manufactured or sold based on any performance benchmarks though. These types of stones are what we call generic antique cushions. Here you're starting from a point of flexibility to achieve the desired polished diamond.

The same is true with hearts and arrows RBC as compared to regular round brilliants that don’t have the same level of optical symmetry. The yield from rough is lower with an H&A hence the slight price premium. Going in another extreme, princess cut diamonds have the highest yield from rough (sometimes 75%) and are usually cheaper than any other fancy shaped diamond because they almost completely follow the outline of a rough diamond crystal.

All the Best,
 

tyty333

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Manlye...do you know who you want to do your setting?
 

Sagefemme

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Manlye, ask GOG to make you a video of the N cushion. Tell them you want to see how the color strikes you in different lighting situations. I have a GOG AVR that is an M and is not the slightest bit yellow the way I have it set (18 K yellow gold, bezeled in a three stone with two smaller "low" color AVRs). No one ever believes me when I say it's an M.

The problem is your girl "likes big," as you say, and yet you are shopping for cushions, which face up so much smaller than rounds. I love the look of a chunky cushion but it would KILL me to be paying for a 2-3 carat stone that still is only in the 7 and 8 mm range for spread. So maybe consider how you could set a lower color but bigger cushion to keep it looking white, or would she consider a "chunky" Old European Cut round? Or the branded versions in the style of old round cuts (GOG, VC, etc)? That's the way to get big........
 

Manlye

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Dec 6, 2016
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Thank you for all of the comments. I don't have a specific mount picked out I'm thinking of going to "generic" route apposed to a custom mount.
 

pinn

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You can't go wrong with an AVC, they really are something special when you see them in in real life. I'm not sure about Victor Canera or other branded antique cushions but AVCs have slightly better spread than most cushions, so it might be more helpful to think about surface diameter than carat weight.

That said, you have to either up your budget or decrease in size or color in order to get an AVC compared to other cushions. The warmer tones almost always look whiter than you expect and since they are just as beautiful and also match the antique style of cut, I get the impression this is the compromise most people make in order to get one. I think this thread accurately depicts the warm tone of an N
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-my-new-2-8-n-avc-set-in-my-greenlake-custom-settin.208797/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-my-new-2-8-n-avc-set-in-my-greenlake-custom-settin.208797/[/URL]

I went through every photo in this thread as well as individual posts for all warm toned AVCs to decide what my color tolerance was
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-avc-avoec-diamonds.123446/page-8']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-avc-avoec-diamonds.123446/page-8[/URL]

On an unrelated note, did anyone else notice the 4.20 N AVC got a 'good' cut grade, rather than ideal and doesn't come with the 30 day return period OR the lifetime buyback/trade-in option?? I kind of assumed those were guarantees that came with the brand..
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/4.20-august_vintage_cushion-G-AGS-N-VS2-diamond-stock-14912-cert-
 

Texas Leaguer

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Reading VC's post above reminded me of this venn diagram which I think captures the essence of his remarks. Aiming for that small triangle in the middle and actually hitting it is not easy, and it costs more.
venn.jpg

The price of such goods is often less about "brand" value and more about practical value.
 

Rockdiamond

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pinn|1481563210|4106630 said:
You can't go wrong with an AVC, they really are something special when you see them in in real life. I'm not sure about Victor Canera or other branded antique cushions but AVCs have slightly better spread than most cushions, so it might be more helpful to think about surface diameter than carat weight.

That said, you have to either up your budget or decrease in size or color in order to get an AVC compared to other cushions. The warmer tones almost always look whiter than you expect and since they are just as beautiful and also match the antique style of cut, I get the impression this is the compromise most people make in order to get one. I think this thread accurately depicts the warm tone of an N
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-my-new-2-8-n-avc-set-in-my-greenlake-custom-settin.208797/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-my-new-2-8-n-avc-set-in-my-greenlake-custom-settin.208797/[/URL]

I went through every photo in this thread as well as individual posts for all warm toned AVCs to decide what my color tolerance was
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-avc-avoec-diamonds.123446/page-8']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-avc-avoec-diamonds.123446/page-8[/URL]

On an unrelated note, did anyone else notice the 4.20 N AVC got a 'good' cut grade, rather than ideal and doesn't come with the 30 day return period OR the lifetime buyback/trade-in option?? I kind of assumed those were guarantees that came with the brand..
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/4.20-august_vintage_cushion-G-AGS-N-VS2-diamond-stock-14912-cert-

HI Pinn,
Welcome to PS!
You're making some assumptions that are not fact based.
For example, spread: It's certainly possible that a given stone of the brand you like has greater spread than another example of a different brand, or generic.
But there's going to be cases that go the other way as well.
For that reason, using the logic that a given brand has greater spread is not accurate in all, or even most cases.
You do suggest looking at surface area ( LxW) and I agree- that is the best way to gauge visual size, or spread.

I also agree with Bryan and Victor. Trying to cut to specific goals- be they size, color, clarity or a specific cut style costs a LOT more than simply buying rough and accepting the results.
We see the see thing with our custom cut stones- it's far more difficult ( read expensive) trying to get the right rough to cut an Octavia, for example as simply buying a piece of rough to cut into a generic Asscher cut. So it's not a branding fee, but the reality of custom cutting.
 

PintoBean

Ideal_Rock
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Wow - I've gotten used to carrying on monologues on PS a lot - often times replying to myself because I feel like it :loopy: , but wow :o a long response, let alone from a trade member who's designs I truly admire :love: ! Bless your heart, Victor, for taking the time to clarify things from your standpoint.

Also, OP, those JA type stones are virtual, so if you opt to have a Victor Canera setting made, he also has access to virtual stones too as someone in the trade.
 

pinn

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2016
Messages
23
Rockdiamond|1481569363|4106650 said:
pinn|1481563210|4106630 said:
You can't go wrong with an AVC, they really are something special when you see them in in real life. I'm not sure about Victor Canera or other branded antique cushions but AVCs have slightly better spread than most cushions, so it might be more helpful to think about surface diameter than carat weight.

That said, you have to either up your budget or decrease in size or color in order to get an AVC compared to other cushions. The warmer tones almost always look whiter than you expect and since they are just as beautiful and also match the antique style of cut, I get the impression this is the compromise most people make in order to get one. I think this thread accurately depicts the warm tone of an N
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-my-new-2-8-n-avc-set-in-my-greenlake-custom-settin.208797/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-my-new-2-8-n-avc-set-in-my-greenlake-custom-settin.208797/[/URL]

I went through every photo in this thread as well as individual posts for all warm toned AVCs to decide what my color tolerance was
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-avc-avoec-diamonds.123446/page-8']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-avc-avoec-diamonds.123446/page-8[/URL]

On an unrelated note, did anyone else notice the 4.20 N AVC got a 'good' cut grade, rather than ideal and doesn't come with the 30 day return period OR the lifetime buyback/trade-in option?? I kind of assumed those were guarantees that came with the brand..
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/4.20-august_vintage_cushion-G-AGS-N-VS2-diamond-stock-14912-cert-

HI Pinn,
Welcome to PS!
You're making some assumptions that are not fact based.
For example, spread: It's certainly possible that a given stone of the brand you like has greater spread than another example of a different brand, or generic.
But there's going to be cases that go the other way as well.
For that reason, using the logic that a given brand has greater spread is not accurate in all, or even most cases.
You do suggest looking at surface area ( LxW) and I agree- that is the best way to gauge visual size, or spread.

I also agree with Bryan and Victor. Trying to cut to specific goals- be they size, color, clarity or a specific cut style costs a LOT more than simply buying rough and accepting the results.
We see the see thing with our custom cut stones- it's far more difficult ( read expensive) trying to get the right rough to cut an Octavia, for example as simply buying a piece of rough to cut into a generic Asscher cut. So it's not a branding fee, but the reality of custom cutting.






There certainly is a lot of variability within cushion cuts including spread vs carat weight, but generally cushions are cut deep and face up small. Maximizing spread compared to other unbranded antique cushions on the market was one of the Good Old Gold's stated goals when creating the AVC so I think it's appropriate to point out. http://www.goodoldgold.com/shape-tutorials
 

Rockdiamond

Ideal_Rock
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Hi Pinn,
Part of the value of this site is cutting through advertising claims that are put forth as facts.
A statement like "generally cushions are cut deep and face up small." when used in advertising are intended to have the reader make assumptions. But taken out of context, such a statement is misleading.
Many cutters will put spread as a priority.

Also- no jewelers that sell diamonds and post here cut their own stones- they are contracted to cutters, who do the actual technical design work. We had a lot of input when Yoram designed stones for us- but the real work is in his hands.
 

Manlye

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 6, 2016
Messages
14
Thank you for all of the replies.

During my search I came across this stone, which I think looks ok, but how does this stack up to one of the specially cut stones? Sorry for all the questions this is a big purchase for me and I want to get it right.

The size is great and it have the chunky look, compared to other I/VS2 on James Allen it's quite expensive but the cut looks good?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/3.02-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1038471

I'm not trying to offend any of the the great professionals who responded to my thread, I am just trying understand the differences. I have no problem paying for quality.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Messages
27,198
Manlye|1481579455|4106690 said:
Thank you for all of the replies.

During my search I came across this stone, which I think looks ok, but how does this stack up to one of the specially cut stones? Sorry for all the questions this is a big purchase for me and I want to get it right.

The size is great and it have the chunky look, compared to other I/VS2 on James Allen it's quite expensive but the cut looks good?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/3.02-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1038471

I'm not trying to offend any of the the great professionals who responded to my thread, I am just trying understand the differences. I have no problem paying for quality.


You know the trade folks cant comment on particular stones right? They can comment on subjects in general.

So that is an 8 main which is usually hard to find. It probably will not stack up to a specially cut stone. You can request and aset
image and see how well it returns light. Post the image here if you are able to get one. It certainly is facing up big.

On the lower color subject...lots of people/PSers have choosen to go lower color (l/M/N) for themselves but I dont really recommend it
if your GF has not asked for lower color or does not know what a lower color stone looks like. It is true that the branded stones usually
do face up much whiter then what you would expect for a lower color but I dont think I would surprise someone with one.

Are you planning on putting this in a halo or is it going to be in more of a solitaire setting?

Edit...you might take a look at this thread. It gives a nice run down on the different type of cushion cuts that are available.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]
 

pinn

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You should consider putting it on hold right away, I think people sometimes have a problem with lurkers buying diamonds that are posted.
 

dollyanjuli

Brilliant_Rock
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on the 8 main James Allen cushion, its lovely ! In terms of being "precision cut" it won't look the same as the chunkier ones, this is true. However it is like comparing an apple to a pear- totally different flavors. If she is in love with an antique style cushion this one is not. If she likes a well cut modern, this could be a winner. Make sense?

Agree with pinn you should put it on hold, although at your price range it's not as likely a lurker will snap it up- most consumers aren't working with a budget as robust as yours ;-)
 

Rockdiamond

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pinn|1481583350|4106703 said:
You should consider putting it on hold right away, I think people sometimes have a problem with lurkers buying diamonds that are posted.
HI Pinn,
I've heard this sentiment here many times.
As a seller, I can tell you it truly seems to me like a pressure tactic.
It's not that we've never had two people wanting to buy the same diamond at the same time...but rather that I think that in general, putting pressure on buyers is not helpful.....JMHO

Especially if the suggestion is for a stone which is not even the type they are looking for...in general, not speaking of any specific diamonds or buyers.
 

PintoBean

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dollyanjuli|1481583410|4106704 said:
on the 8 main James Allen cushion, its lovely ! In terms of being "precision cut" it won't look the same as the chunkier ones, this is true. However it is like comparing an apple to a pear- totally different flavors. If she is in love with an antique style cushion this one is not. If she likes a well cut modern, this could be a winner. Make sense?

Agree with pinn you should put it on hold, although at your price range it's not as likely a lurker will snap it up- most consumers aren't working with a budget as robust as yours ;-)
Yes - everything that dollyanjuli said. This is a different flavor of cushion. All fruit, but one's an apple while the other's an orange.

Just putting it out there - but check out Diamonds by Lauren's site too because you will see different shape and color combos of diamonds that are different from what you will see on JA, GOG, IDJ and VC's sites. You never know where inspiration will come from! It costs nothing to look. :)
 

totallyfree

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I got mine from Adam at Old World Diamonds. He was super easy to work with and others have commented here that he is happy to recommend stones on currently listed in his online inventory.

Good luck!
 

pinn

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Messages
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Have you decided whether you want an antique faceted or modern faceted cut?

Gypsy seems to be the resident cushion expert and is reat at finding and evaluating diamonds, particularly JA stones. Hopefully she will chime in once you've picked a style
 

Manlye

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I'm leaning toward the vintage cushion, but if a nice 8 main like about is out there I'm not apposed, but ideally the vintage cushion looks really flashy. SO doesn't really care and wants me to pick.
 

pinn

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Tough choice. The vintage faceted diamonds are more unique and they certainly are flashy, but then again so are larger diamonds. And you can probably get a larger diamond if you go for the modern faceted cut for the same price. But who knows shop around and put anything you like on hold if the vendor allows it.

Another thing to consider is the return/upgrade/buyback policy of whoever you buy from. Maybe you'all never use it (3ct is already a pretty good size) but if you think you might or you think you might want to change the style then be sure to check out that policy before you buy.
 

diamondseeker2006

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I am glad to see that you showed her antique cushions!!! I think that will be far more unique than a typical modern cushion.

I think the shape on that last modern cushion you posted is just too elongated. I much prefer a lower length to width ratio than that stone has.

What I will tell you is that if I were to buy an antique style cushion, it would definitely be an AVC from Good Old Gold or a CAC from Victor Canera. You can't compare the cut quality of those to others. Someone has already mentioned this, but it is more important with cushions to look at diameter measurements over carat weight. Each stone is different and two 2.5 ct stones can face up at different sizes visually.

I would not go lower than J color in an antique style cushion as an engagement ring especially in a halo setting. You will need to have the setting custom made, and that is not a big deal. It will turn out MUCH better as it will be made to exactly fit the stone.

What is your timeline for a ring to be ready? I am assuming it is not by Christmas because that isn't likely to happen. GOG especially has been custom cutting several AVCs lately, and that can actually work out in your favor. You could say 2.5-2.7 cts I-J color and VS clarity and show him the shape of a stone you like. If it turns out to be graded higher than what you requested, you do not have to pay extra! If it turns out lower, he reduces the price.

I need to look back at their inventories but you will have a better chance to get a stone in the mid to high 2 ct range by having it custom cut since I think most of the currently available stones are in the lower 2 ct range.
 

diamondseeker2006

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diamondseeker2006

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Here's a very good reason to look at diameter:

2.5 ct generic cushion posted above at 7.85 x 7.65mm

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.50-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-145410

2.19 ct ideal cut antique cushion from GOG at 7.75 x 7.75!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/2.19-august_vintage_cushion-I-AGS-G-VS2-diamond-stock-14164-cert-104052687001

These two stones face up exactly the same size (top surface area) and one is 2.19 and one is 2.5 cts! So do not go by weight!
 

dollyanjuli

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this is the pro and the con to cushions- there is so much variety that you will get tons of different viewpoints and it can make things even MORE confusing. For example, until you showed her the AVC i am sure she would have been all over a well cut modern. But now, maybe not.

Re: Diamondseekers recommendations, they are 7.65 and 7.75. Its not about the carat weight its about the Dims; that said these are significantly smaller than the modern you posted (9.24 x 8.14- BIG!) . I personally love elongated cushions and find that they are extremely flattering on the finger- my all time most favorite PS ring (EVER EVER) is an elongated modern cushion in the most beautiful halo

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-cushion-halo.186709/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-cushion-halo.186709/[/URL]

But again- that is MY taste. I am very glad you took your SO and showed her some options, but what I am deducing from your posts is that she is of the "bigger is better" camp- and I hate to say it, you just aren't going to get a stone as big as that 8 main you posted in an AVC or Canera antique. You just aren't, not for anywhere close to 30K (edit to add: you could in a much lower color. But again, thats a personal decision on if you are good with an M-N stone)

So you need to step back and find out what it is that is really important to her. The bigger? The more reflective? The whitest? The squarest? A fancy setting? (which FYI as I mentioned in one of your last posts could cost you upwards of 5K as well so keep that in mind). I prefer well cut modern to the new antiques. I prefer true antiques to well cut moderns. I could go on and on about what I like but who the bloody hell cares- what do think she will like??
 

m-2-b

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I prefer the patterning and light performance of the newly cut vintage cushions such as the CAC's/AVC's. I think you can get more noticeable finger coverage with a nice micropave halo setting around it. Here's mine for reference:

img_14001.jpg
 

Manlye

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Messages
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WOW that is beautiful!!! What size is that monster?
 
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