Help me with a cushion!

[misspiggy78]

Hi everyone...I''m new to the site but have spent a significant amount of time reading posts from other members.

I need your help. My boyfriend and I are looking at cushion diamonds for my engagement ring. i''m really struggling with my confidence because there don''t seem to be any clear specs on these stones. I know that I want a squarish cushion (1-1.10), definitely want something in the F-G color range, and VS1-VS2 clarity.

We''ve been looking at a stone on James Allen. Here are the specs:
Item Number: 1241327
Shape: Cushion
Carat weight: 1.52
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 69.3%
Table: 65.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: thick to very thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.80*6.52*4.52
Ratio: 1.04

I would greatly appreciate any feedback on this stone. I know that we''re planning to have the diamond examined by one of their gemologists, but to be honest, I don''t even know what questions to ask.

thanks in advance for your time and assistance!
-Molly

 

[stone-cold11]

Request an ASET image from JA. That will be useful in judging the cut quality of the stone.

 

[diagem]

Date: 10/4/2009 4:24:11 PM
Author:misspiggy78
Hi everyone...I''m new to the site but have spent a significant amount of time reading posts from other members.

I need your help. My boyfriend and I are looking at cushion diamonds for my engagement ring. i''m really struggling with my confidence because there don''t seem to be any clear specs on these stones. I know that I want a squarish cushion (1-1.10), definitely want something in the F-G color range, and VS1-VS2 clarity.

We''ve been looking at a stone on James Allen. Here are the specs:
Item Number: 1241327
Shape: Cushion
Carat weight: 1.52
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 69.3%
Table: 65.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: thick to very thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.80*6.52*4.52
Ratio: 1.04

I would greatly appreciate any feedback on this stone. I know that we''re planning to have the diamond examined by one of their gemologists, but to be honest, I don''t even know what questions to ask.

thanks in advance for your time and assistance!
-Molly

Hi Molly....

There is a lot to learn in regards to Cushions....
And you are in the right place..., question is if you are willing and have the time...
Numbers dont say a whole lot..., I have seen plenty great looking Cushions with all the wrong numbers and vice-versa...

My first recommendation is finding out the appearance you are after (eg there are literally loads of appearances out there.)
Believe me after spending some time educating yourself here on the subject..., you will even know what to ask their gemologists...

Good luck and feel free to ask....

 

[misspiggy78]

ok, by appearance, I need you to help me understand what you need to know.

I''ll tell you what I''m after and then maybe you can "coach" me into more specifics. I am looking for a more squarish cushion. I want a near-colorless stone and I want something with a high clarity (VVS2-VS1). to my understanding, the cushion has fewer facets which make it easier to see inclusions and can make the stone less brilliant. My concern is that the stones themselves look so very different...I have seen some that have a "crushed ice" look and others than have very defined facets and look very simple and pretty. I prefer the latter...

The diamond that I posted is on JA...I''ve spoken to several of their reps about this stone and everyone seems to say that it is eye clean, and the G color is good. One rep said that the inclusions are on the facet and therefore not visible without a microscope. However, the girdle is thick to very thick and I"m concerned that this will reduce the brilliance of the stone.

Without being able to travel to see the stone personally, what should I be looking for? What makes a cushion good? Is is acceptable to ask to see additional pictures of the stone? Can I ask to see the stone in the setting that I''ve chosen so that I can better understand what it will look like?

Help! My boyfriend and I are stressing about this purchase...especially since the local jewelers don''t seem to have any cushions in stock.

Thanks to all for your help....

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 10/4/2009 8:06:14 PM
Author: misspiggy78
ok, by appearance, I need you to help me understand what you need to know.

I''ll tell you what I''m after and then maybe you can ''coach'' me into more specifics. I am looking for a more squarish cushion. I want a near-colorless stone and I want something with a high clarity (VVS2-VS1). to my understanding, the cushion has fewer facets which make it easier to see inclusions and can make the stone less brilliant. My concern is that the stones themselves look so very different...I have seen some that have a ''crushed ice'' look and others than have very defined facets and look very simple and pretty. I prefer the latter...

The diamond that I posted is on JA...I''ve spoken to several of their reps about this stone and everyone seems to say that it is eye clean, and the G color is good. One rep said that the inclusions are on the facet and therefore not visible without a microscope. However, the girdle is thick to very thick and I''m concerned that this will reduce the brilliance of the stone.

Without being able to travel to see the stone personally, what should I be looking for? What makes a cushion good? Is is acceptable to ask to see additional pictures of the stone? Can I ask to see the stone in the setting that I''ve chosen so that I can better understand what it will look like?

Help! My boyfriend and I are stressing about this purchase...especially since the local jewelers don''t seem to have any cushions in stock.

Thanks to all for your help....

https://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/dview.asp?postID=2110830&mtype=reply

While the stones I mention in this post might be larger than you are looking for you can get a good idea for the types of cushions by clicking on the links and videos.
Post again when you have a better idea what you are looking for.

While others may not like to judge cushions by the numbers I use the numbers as a first line of rejection criteria and I wouldn''t choose a cushion with 65% table as it will look pretty flat and would likely have a shorter crown height. While it may be true this stone may be a stunner more often than not you can find better cushions with more promising propotions. If you are certain you like this one get an ASET and post it here and I could tell you more about its light performance.

Also you should be aware a Cushion is a Brilliant cut and anything Eye Clean will be sufficient and you will not be able to see the inclusions except under magnification. Everyone''s definition of eye clean is different but if you want to get the most value for your buck a good eye clean SI1 will not show more imperfections than a VVS1 to the naked eye.