I went ring shopping with my future fiance last weekend and she really liked the cushion cut diamonds that we saw. Now that I have an idea of what kind of diamond I'm looking for I need some help deciding on one. My budget is right around $30k+/- all-in, so i'd ideally like to find a diamond that's less than $27k knowing the setting and band will cost ~$4-5k in addition to the diamond. I've done some research on the different cushion cuts, cushion brilliant vs modified brilliant, and know about the different facet configurations and the looks they create (crushed ice vs. X factor).
Here are some of the options I've seen so far. I'd be appreciative if anyone has any guidance on cut, color, and clarity, and any recommendations in addition to the diamonds below that I'm currently looking at. Obviously I'd like to stay as close to 3 carats as possible, but would consider looking at diamonds down to 2.5 carats if they were better options within my budget.
We saw this diamond in-store at Soloman Brothers. 2.9 carat (F/SI2, modified brilliant, X-factor), ~$24k. This issue with this I'm having is the clarity and table %. http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=IC171003&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope
Solomon Brothers is bringing in this diamond on Friday for us to compare, 3.02 carat (F/SI1, modified brilliant, crushed ice), ~27k. This is more rectangular, so I have to see if my girlfriend likes that look vs. the more square shape. Obviously less inclusions on this than the one above and seems to be a better cut, but we'd like to see the difference in facet configuration (x-factor vs crushed ice) in person. http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=7759Y646&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope
Here are some of the options I've seen so far. I'd be appreciative if anyone has any guidance on cut, color, and clarity, and any recommendations in addition to the diamonds below that I'm currently looking at. Obviously I'd like to stay as close to 3 carats as possible, but would consider looking at diamonds down to 2.5 carats if they were better options within my budget.
We saw this diamond in-store at Soloman Brothers. 2.9 carat (F/SI2, modified brilliant, X-factor), ~$24k. This issue with this I'm having is the clarity and table %. http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=IC171003&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope
Solomon Brothers is bringing in this diamond on Friday for us to compare, 3.02 carat (F/SI1, modified brilliant, crushed ice), ~27k. This is more rectangular, so I have to see if my girlfriend likes that look vs. the more square shape. Obviously less inclusions on this than the one above and seems to be a better cut, but we'd like to see the difference in facet configuration (x-factor vs crushed ice) in person. http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=7759Y646&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope