Help me find an elongated cushion cut diamond!

[MsCocoChanel]

Hi PS'ers,

I'm currently on the hunt for a cushion cut diamond to set into a pave halo-plain shank setting on the James Allen site (SKU:17304W14). Since I'm not trading in my current engagement ring, this will serve as an alternate left hand ring and I'm trying to keep the budget around 4k with 3-3500k dedicated for the loose stone.

Ideally I would like to restrict my search to JA inventory although I realize there are many other great vendors to choose from. Stat wise I'm seeking an elongated cushion modified brilliant, 0.9-1.05 carats, at least G color (I don't want anything warmer since I'm setting it in a halo and don't want to see any color contrast), VS1-VS2 in clarity. I prefer defined "chunky" faceting as opposed to a crushed ice look. I've been searching for a stone with the largest face up dimensions and a more rectangular shape without sacrificing on light performance, etc.

I realize that there is significant variation in cushion cut diamonds and what is considered desirable but does anyone have specific recommendations on stones from the JA site? I have favorited a few but am curious to see what PS'ers would choose and in particular if there are any stones that represent the best value for my budget. Thanks!!!

 

[tyty333]

Is there a reason it has to be JA since your not trading in a stone? I looked and didnt see much.

What is the biggest size you have found so far (that is a nice stone) L x w?

 

[whitewave]

The settings are on sale. Could be the reason and she found one she likes

 

[tyty333]

The settings are on sale. Could be the reason and she found one she likes

I figured that might be a reason but just not seeing any stones that are all that great there. I am finding nice ones on b2cjewels though.

DrCoco...you might see if there are any settings on b2c that you like (that are a decent price).

 

[AV_]

.

You might have seen these already: WWW - they are long cushions & may have siblings.

 

[whitewave]

I figured that might be a reason but just not seeing any stones that are all that great there. I am finding nice ones on b2cjewels though.

DrCoco...you might see if there are any settings on b2c that you like (that are a decent price).

I’ve had lots of good luck with b2C. I love their sale page... it’s fun.

 

[MsCocoChanel]

Thanks everyone! Yes, the JA settings are currently on sale and I particularly like the one setting I found. I will take a look at the other suggested vendors, including b2c.

 

[MonkeysInk]

I know this is outside your color range, but I had to share - I was looking at JA for a friend earlier and this one showed up in the results for ovals (???). It's such a pretty facet pattern:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-sku-3644413

There are several other chunky cushions that show up when I search for ovals on JA, but you have to scroll through to find them.

 

[AV_]

Blue Nile lets you select diamonds by their L/W ratio, so it is easy to list quite a few cushions with L/W over 1.1/1, weight over 1 ct, price less than 4K, colour grade D-G ...

This one caught my eye because of its high crown and relatively stronger contrast - WWW

 

[tyty333]

Thanks everyone! Yes, the JA settings are currently on sale and I particularly like the one setting I found. I will take a look at the other suggested vendors, including b2c.

JA does set outside stones. It does cost an extra fee though ($100 for me). I had my ering set with them. Yes, its more trouble but Id like to see
you find a nice stone. Plus the cost savings you get at B2c may make the extra fee a wash.

 

[AV_]

.
ctd

E - I1 WWW (JA) - the inclusions are there - peppered whisps, nothing glaring except the cut

RE. I1 Tolerance - CC: @mrs-b

 

[MsCocoChanel]

Blue Nile lets you select diamonds by their L/W ratio, so it is easy to list quite a few cushions with L/W over 1.1/1, weight over 1 ct, price less than 4K, colour grade D-G ...

This one caught my eye because of its high crown and relatively stronger contrast - WWW

That's beautiful, may end up on my list of potentials! I didn't realize Blue Nile had a filter for LW ratio! Thanks!

 

[MsCocoChanel]

Any thoughts on this stone? I think the specs look great except for the strong fluorescence ...

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

 

[KKJohnson]

I think that is a lovely stone, here are couple other ones. I would ask if they can get ASET images on any of them since that is a good way to assist how they preform

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

This one I love
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

 

[AV_]

.

I am too much into broad-facet old & step cuts to have much to say about this style of cushion...

'Strong Fluorescence' can be fun in anything.

2p

 

[Girl505]

I’m not an expert here, but at one point I was seriously looking for a cushion cut myself and did a lot of research. It seems that cushion modified brilliants that show this facet structure on their GIA reports are often considered to be more of the “crushed ice” variety though not all crushed ice is bad. Although, typically crushed ice is not seen as favorable in the industry. The shapes that tend to look better to the eye show the center quadrant extending to the edge of the stone and are known as X-factor cushion cuts. I would look into this. For your reference I have included an example of the facet structure of an X-factor cushion.

 

[MsCocoChanel]

I think that is a lovely stone, here are couple other ones. I would ask if they can get ASET images on any of them since that is a good way to assist how they preform

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

This one I love
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

Thanks! I love the first and third that you picked. I may be more partial to the first given the clarity and the dimensions!

 

[MsCocoChanel]

I’m not an expert here, but at one point I was seriously looking for a cushion cut myself and did a lot of research. It seems that cushion modified brilliants that show this facet structure on their GIA reports are often considered to be more of the “crushed ice” variety though not all crushed ice is bad. Although, typically crushed ice is not seen as favorable in the industry. The shapes that tend to look better to the eye show the center quadrant extending to the edge of the stone and are known as X-factor cushion cuts. I would look into this. For your reference I have included an example of the facet structure of an X-factor cushion.

Thanks! For reference would an X-factor cut stone look something like this?

 

[AV_]

Just a hint:

This is a cushion in mybook, and it is listed as an oval - WWW

If the shape amuses you, there must be others around.

 

[Girl505]

Thanks! For reference would an X-factor cut stone look something like this?

Yes, it would be like the one you attached.

 

[Octo2005]

A little bit smaller than you are looking for but a gorgeous stone.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.88-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-5428495

 

[SueAnne]

The more rectangular you choose the worse the edge to edge light performance will be.
Trying to get your spec and budget in an Old Mine Brilliant will be difficult.

You need to look at mm measurements not Carat weight as you already know.

Your only choice of site that I know of is JamesAllen with their videos as you can't choose based on a grading report or one photograph for fancy cuts.

Some well cut stones:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.84-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5946502
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5383871
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4973417
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.94-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-5946105
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5695255
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5107758


You can choose up to 3 at JA and get ASET and gemologist opinion, post the images and gemologsit comments here and others can weigh in on your best choice.

Edit: Bluenile has turning images as well now but its tougher to get a sense of them and I don't beleive they do ASET images.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

 

[SueAnne]

A little bit smaller than you are looking for but a gorgeous stone.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.88-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-5428495

Great price and decent looking diamond, its like an off round like a roval more than a cushion.