Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cushion?

[skipandjump]

Hello PriceScope!

New member here, but have been lurking for quite a while. First, I'd like to thank this community for being an invaluable resource for any rookie diamond buyer. Thanks to you guys, I have been able to make informed decisions and narrow down my options.

Now it comes to this, I am having difficulty deciding whether this modern cushion is the stone I want, or whether I should spring for the hearts and arrows cushion. The hearts and arrow is consistently beautiful, and as I am buying remotely, it's tough to make a call on a cushion diamond from a video and ASET images.

Here is a video comparing the two stones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FaZMGO93g&list=UUe_V0Cpb5TXhi2j80WFLuLA

and here is a link to the modern cut (the one on the left):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11262/

My main concern is the amount of blue in the ASET. I know that blue is not necessarily a bad thing, but there seems to be a lot of it. In the video, however, the stone looks fantastic.

Curious to hear all of your opinions on the matter!

Thanks!

 

[thediamondshopper]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

Having a video is much more insightful than the ASET as you are able to see how it performs rather than make assumptions which an ASET allows. In all honesty they are both amazing looking cushions and the decision between the two is going to be one of personal taste and budget. I noticed that one is an H VS and the other a J SI, assuming the SI is eye clean, are you ok with a bit of color in the J. The H VS appears to be larger facing. I know that Hearts and Arrows cushions come at a premium, partly because there is alot more waste when they are cut from rough. Is this premium worth it, all depends on how much value you put in that look which is shown fairly clearly in the video comparison.

 

[hmhmhm]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

The modern cushion looks beautiful! Personally, I would go the modern cushion instead of the Brellia. I've never seen the Brellia in real life, but in photos and videos in the web, for some reason the sides of the Brellia seem to look concave, which isn't that attractive to me. I prefer the sides of cushion cut stones to look a bit more rounded.

I think your modern cushion looks great. I was looking for a modern cushion at around the 1.5 carat mark myself a little while ago and had GOG bring a few stones in. Unfortunately, they were all v disappointing (as evidenced by GOG not backing any of them with lifetime policy). If one of the stones had looked as good as yours, I would've gone with GOG (instead I gave up and went with a round from another vendor).

I would've asked to see the stones in daylight as well, just to have as much info as possible given that you are buying remotely.

 

[msop04]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

Hi skipandjump

I normally don't care for modern cushions, but this one looks very nice, it's noticeable larger, and less expensive. That's a WIN-WIN-WIN in my book! I also like that it's not so square. It really depends on which one you like though...

My vote goes to the modern cushion, hands down.

 

[msop04]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

Having a video is much more insightful than the ASET as you are able to see how it performs rather than make assumptions which an ASET allows...

I agree with this -- AND the modern cushion will be whiter... make that WIN x4!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

Both are beautiful, but the modern cushion would win for me because of the size and color. You need the extra size in this size range. It is one of the best modern cushions I have ever seen, actually!

 

[skipandjump]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

Thank you for all your replies! Additional responses are welcome, but I will most likely be going through with the purchase of the modern cushion!

The way I see it, the hearts and arrows is gorgeous but predictable. Chances are I can find another one with similar looks in the future. The modern cushion is beautiful, and a little more unique. It helps that it is also bigger and whiter

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

I think you are making a wise decision! How will you set it?

 

[skipandjump]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

I know she is enamored with the harry winston micro pave halo, so I will be setting it in something similar to that.

WDYTIS4's ring (https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-avc-in-victor-canera-emilya-halo.175419/) looks fantastic, so I am leaning towards having Victor Canera set the ring.

Aside from VC, do you have any recommendations for other jewelers that are known for their cushion halo settings?

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

I wrote this about cushion diamonds and the Harry Winston halo ..
[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]

If you want to use Victor, I don't think he works with stones from GOG.

I am actually not a huge fan of that modern cushion. The table is larger than I normally like although it is not huge.

Two Antique Options
(mushy not the best) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-246289
(beautiful but might not be eyeclean - cheaper at ERD)
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.59-carat-g-si1-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-111099.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.59-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-184945

Unfortunately, no luck finding any nice modern ones right now.

 

[Tekate]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

The diamond on the left has more sparkle and I like the sides much better. I am a RB woman with a desire for a perfect 2carat emerald cut someday.. ! I think truly both diamonds are lovely, but as I said. the one on the left is prettier to me.

 

[skipandjump]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

I wrote this about cushion diamonds and the Harry Winston halo ..
[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]

If you want to use Victor, I don't think he works with stones from GOG.

I am actually not a huge fan of that modern cushion. The table is larger than I normally like although it is not huge.

Two Antique Options
(mushy not the best) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-246289
(beautiful but might not be eyeclean - cheaper at ERD)
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.59-carat-g-si1-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-111099.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.59-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-184945

Unfortunately, no luck finding any nice modern ones right now.

Thanks for your input and for the link to your thread. I read that thread a while back and it was extremely helpful when I was starting my search. Your ring is truly amazing!

In your thread, you mention that Victor won't work with GOG's AVC. Will he also not work with their modern cushions?

 

[msop04]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

In your thread, you mention that Victor won't work with GOG's AVC. Will he also not work with their modern cushions?

I know this may be "frowned upon," but if I found an amazing deal at GOG, I would have them put it in a temporary setting or the absolute least expensive setting possible, and have it sent to my home address... then I'd just send to VC to be reset. I mean, it is in fact a reset and not a loose stone.

Also, how would he know how you acquired it? It could have been on LT or DB secondhand, KWIM? I would imagine he would work with modern cushions, as there is not patenting on the cut.

 

[skipandjump]

Re: Help me choose: modern cushion or hearts and arrows cush

Just an update in case anyone is interested: Victor Canera, at least when I asked, was willing to work with the Modern Cushions from Good Old Gold.