help me narrow down cushion cuts

[thedurch]

I've been looking for a cushion cut diamond that will give off a broad flash, as opposed to the crushed ice look. I've already arranged to bring in this diamond so I can see it in person. My contact at WF assures that it achieves the desired look, and I wanted to see it for myself:



I wanted to be able to have two to choose from in person, so I'm trying to narrow it down from the three below. The first two are comparable in price to the one above (though slightly larger in terms of ct weight). The third is a smidge smaller and slightly lower in price, although all are within my budget. I'm more concerned with getting the one that will look nicest.

For what it's worth, the folks at James Allen said the second diamond listed below (JA067) stands out to them as the brightest option. Would you all agree that it's the best of the three?







Thoughts? And of whichever you think is best of the three, is it objectively good outside of the comparison?

Once one is selected (soon) I'll order it and take it to a local appraiser (where the first diamond above is being sent) for their input. Any advice on things to make sure to ask would be much appreciated.

 

[slg47]

2 looks like it might be promising and I would go with that one since JA recommended it (and they can actually look at the diamonds!)

 

[yssie]

You want Broad flash? What does broad flash mean to you, exactly?
You don't want crushed ice? What does crushed ice mean to you, exactly?

I ask because we can tell you what we'd prefer, but that doesn't help you figure out what you'd prefer! For example - unless they're all 3,4ct+ they'll all fail my personal "broad flash" test. And 'crushed ice' is a term that's tossed around loosely on here - means different things to different people, and I saw a gorgeous example (by my definition) last year.

If you can elaborate on what you're looking for - photos, videos, descriptions - we can help you better

 

[thedurch]

If you can elaborate on what you're looking for - photos, videos, descriptions - we can help you better

Thanks Yssie.

I don't want to get too caught up in the Good Old Gold videos selling their August Vintage-branded cushions, in part because they tend to make crushed ice sound bad, and I don't think it's bad - just not my (or more importantly my girlfriend's) preference! That said, GOG's videos were the first place I really was made aware of the difference.

The best description I've come across is that "older cushions return light in blocky patterns while newly cut stones return light in needlelike patterns." While I'm not necessarily looking for something exactly like a GOG AVC, I'm looking for something more in the "blocky patterns" range than the "needlelike" range of light return.

This post shows one with a "crushed ice" look (http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-70ct-cushion-cut-fvs1-gia-lovely-crushed-ice-look-r3934) ... where it has smaller facets and a bunch of tiny sparkle spots. I don't see those tiny sparkle spots in the pictures of the ones I'm considering, but I wanted to get input on them from others who might be able to recognize characteristics that would indicate they'll produce a more needlelike light return when viewed in person maybe under different light.

Does that make sense?

 

[yssie]

Okay, that is a good example of my definition of "crushed ice". I wanted to clarify because there are some who might call the WF "crushed ice" - by a different definition, obviously!

What I saw IRL was a bucket of glitter - the result of random faceting pulling in light from a variety of directions (*not* red in ASET) to yield a uniformly bright, glittery, twinkly effect, as opposed to say a princess that's cut to draw and return light from the top (red in ASET) that specializes in small but powerful splinters, and whose faceting changes from bright/dark with the smallest movements...

I think the WF is kinda the definition of needle-like splintery light return, unless it's a very large stone (larger stone = larger facets = "bolder" flashes). That doesn't make it unattractive, just that it doesn't sound like what you're looking for to me. I don't like the third JA at all - I think that ring under the table (groups of tiny facets that are poorly configured to accept and return light face-up) will be obvious, esp in contrast to the bright center. The other two have different faceting from AVC-style antiques - you can do a PS search for chunky cushion to read more, and these are good threads -
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-quest-for-chunky-cushions.135179/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-quest-for-chunky-cushions.135179/[/URL]
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/cushion-cut-diamond/
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-cuts-a-collection.135031/?hilit=main']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-cuts-a-collection.135031/?hilit=main[/URL]

If you want an "antique style" specifically in addition to 'bold flash' you could contact ERD as well. Otherwise, if you like the style of those two JAs, go with whichever they recommend

 

[Amys Bling]

2 looks like it might be promising and I would go with that one since JA recommended it (and they can actually look at the diamonds!)

agreed! Is def go with a vendor that can inspect the stone in person...

 

[Clairitek]

Looking at the faceting patterns of those options I like #1 the best.

I have an 8 main pavilion cushion in that same shape (square) and the faceting is very very close to that. It does not have the crushed ice look but it does have bold flashes of fire. It isn't as scintillating as a modern RB but the chunky table facets on mine remind me a little of an antique diamond.

It does at some angles get a little dark in the center but I love gazing into it. So out of the ones you posted, that would be my choice based solely off of faceting pattern and the ASET.

 

[Christina...]

I agree with the others, I think the second JA would be my first choice followed by the first JA.

 

[Clairitek]

Hunted down a clear shot of the faceting of my stone. It really *is* quite similar to that WF option. This is the first time I've seen one this close on PS.

I had a black camera and pink shirt, in case you couldn't tell.

 

[Rhino]

Hi durch,

Glad the vids have been of help. In my earlier videos most of the crushed ice diamonds we'd see were of the watery variety and granted, even today they are seemingly in abundance. There are some very beautiful diamonds that have what folks also refer to as crushed ice like Yssie and I've even shot a clip comparing what I'd consider "watery crushed ice" with "bright crushed ice". So yep ... not all of them are bad.

All the best,
Jon