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Help on a cushion (or princess or round??)

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Storms8

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
16
Hello everyone!

I am so grateful that I stumbled across the PS community--I've learned so much from these forums!!

I was hoping to apply my research and see if I learned to look at the right things in a square (L/W <1.04) cushion. :read: I think these are the best diamonds that I could find for under $11k--what do you guys think?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12467/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12667/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11125/
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.70-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-280712 (this is the cheapest one, so I'd be super happy if this guy sparkles like crazy)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.56-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-361362
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.15-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-sku-385536
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-361985
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-380015
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.54-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-361367
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-38844 (not really square... 1.07)

I'm "helping" my hopefully soon-to-be fiance look for something I'd like, but unfortunately, I have stubby, non-glamorous fingers, so I feel that a larger diamond is more important than color. However, I'm trying not to compromise on a well cut, brilliant, eye-clean stone.

In that vein, I don't know if AVC, or regular cushions (or princess or round brilliants) are the right choice for me. I'm really all over the map, which is why he's asking me for help. But now I'm asking you guys for help. :think: :shifty:

Thanks in advance for your time... sorry I listed so many. I'm not even sure I'm looking at the right things, so I'll be happy if at least one of them turns out to be a winner.

Best,
Elle
 
Okay you are getting all confused and frustrated. And there's a very simple reason for that.

You are putting the carat before the horse. You are not ready to pick anything yet.

Here's what you need to do:
Call your local Tiffany and tell them you'd like an appointment and that you are shopping for an engagement ring.
Do the same with your local Hearts on Fire dealer.

Go to both appointments.
At Hearts on Fire make sure you look at at least one J. Make sure you try on both rounds and the Dream Cut by them.
At Tiffany, try on Emerald cuts, Cushions--especially the Novo, princesses and a Lucida.
If you can find a nice oval, try that on too.

Decide what your eyes like best. Decide what dimensions (not carat weight-- make sure you right down the DIMENSIONS of the stones you like best) you think look best on your hand.

Try on halos. Try on solitaires. OH, and exaggerate your budget by 5k when you are there to compensate for their mark ups.

THEN... go get a pedicure, relax and post on here and tell us what 1) Colors you prefer in diamonds. 2) What shape you prefer. 3) what dimensions you prefer. 4) what settings you prefer.

THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO is buy something or decide on something on a computer screen without trying EVERYTHING on in person first and seeing it what it looks like.

You need to do a lot of research IN PERSON first.

Leave your wallet at home. We will help you find the best value after you've done some research.

ALSO please keep in mind it's not what WE like best. Or what looks best on OUR hands. It's want your eyes like best and what looks the best to your eyes.

And the only way to get that information is to go in person and look at best cut stones (Hearts on Fire) and look at the best selection of shapes and sizes (Tiffany) and decide what you like for yourself .
 
Wow, the idea of going into Tiffany's makes me really unreasonably nervous--not sure why. I know going into stores is what I need to do, so thank you, Gypsy. Point taken and I will report back.

Honestly, I'd be happy if he proposed to me with a ring made of paperclips. I just don't want him to spend money on a bad deal for an ugly diamond. But I see that in order for him to get there, I need to make sure I give him guidelines. He's more clueless than I am because I'm all over the place. He walked up to my computer about 10 minutes ago and said "Oh look--look at that ring that's a different shape AND a different setting than the ones you said you liked" :tongue: I didn't know how to respond other than start laughing at his (my) predicament.

As a child/teen, my parents worked at a store and I would look at and try on diamonds all day long--but I never looked at them with clear cut/grade/color correlations. It's a little unfortunate (but ultimately fortunate for me considering the situation :dance:) that I need to remember all those things. :)

Hope to respond soon (maybe Wednesday?) Unless I die from petrification...
Elle
 
If, after you do your research , these might be a good option for you (you need ASET images of them all, and these vendors provide them upfront or upon request). Please keep in mind that with fancy shaped diamonds (not round) what matters is NOT carat weight but dimensions. Diamonds of the same or similar carat weight, even of the same shape, are going to have VERY different dimensions:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.41-carat-g-color-vs1clarity-sku-368835 Similar to the Dream Cut.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-289864 Ovals face up huge for their carat weight. This one is: 9.52*6.13*4.02 If your goal is SIZE for the budget I highly suggest you consider ovals seriously. :love:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6248872-1.40-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6464442-1.50-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx :love:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6275676-1.72-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5174304-1.51-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-VS2-clarity.aspx Rectangles can be much for flattering and can look bigger than squares.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5096974-1.70-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6464686-1.40-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6464418-1.70-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS1-clarity.aspx :love: :love:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6219007-1.70-carat-Cushion-diamond-F-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6464440-1.70-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-VS1-clarity.aspx
 
Storms8|1416812653|3789398 said:
Wow, the idea of going into Tiffany's makes me really unreasonably nervous--not sure why. I
know going into stores is what I need to do, so thank you, Gypsy. Point taken and I will report back.
Click to expand...

I understand the feeling. First few times I went to Tiffany I was really nervous. I even dressed up once.
Now and days, I go in with Uggs and a hoodie. You get over it. Just don't take any gruff, and if one sales person isn't helping you, just ask for another.

Storms8|1416812653|3789398 said:
Honestly, I'd be happy if he proposed to me with a ring made of paperclips. I just don't want him to spend money on a bad deal for an ugly diamond. But I see that in order for him to get there, I need to make sure I give him guidelines. He's more clueless than I am because I'm all over the place.
Click to expand...


We'll hold your hand and help you. You guys aren't alone. :wavey:
 
Boy do I owe you one, Gypsy!

Turns out that after going to both a HOF dealer and to Tiffanys that I don't like round brilliants or radiants (or ovals or emerald cuts). I am pretty sure it's the face ting pattern that turns me away. I didn't make an appointment with Tiffanys, so the sales lady was slightly rushed. And the HOF dealer was a distributor of multiple jewelry types and brands. And... Also spoke no English. :shifty:

I tried the Lucida (no thanks), the Novo (nope either), an oval, a bunch of rounds (I can see why the HOF rounds are so expensive--they're really sparkly!) and two princess cuts. The princesses were what looked the most beautiful.

At Tiffanys, again because I assume the lady was rushed and there were a lot of people, I didn't get to try on a cushion--they were all set in heavy halos, though. When I asked her about cushions, she said "you probably won't like them because it's not something that you picked out to try".

Also, I went to an antiques dealer in Santa Barbara called Bella Rosa Galleries and saw this beautiful OEC. That type of round was so different from the round brilliants that I see everywhere--and it also sparkled like crazy.

So, I guess in summary: I like princess cuts (not sure on how many chevrons I like--couldn't count--Is there a standard for Tiffany? I loved the 1.7 ct although the 1.09 ct solitare looked beautiful on my hand too. It was a huge difference but I felt that the sparkle made up for the size somehow. It didn't seem small.), I like well cut OECs (1.8 ct with a huge setting), I don't like things that have the same faceting pattern of round brilliants or "hearts and arrows", and I'm STILL not sure about cushions.

Going to do more recon this weekend. :) yay!
 
See. Fantastic update.

I'm so happy to read your report.

If you didn't like the Novo though, not sure cushions are for you. Look at a few more (wish you lived in Nor Cal or NY/NJ you could go see antique cushions, I think you'll like them).

Once you have your preferences figured out, we'll go from there.
 
Oo!! I have family in nor cal and I might be making a trip there for the holidays. Where would you recommend I go to in order to see antique cushions?

Otherwise, do you know of any places in Los Angeles?
 
Storms8|1417656720|3794834 said:
Oo!! I have family in nor cal and I might be making a trip there for the holidays. Where would you recommend I go to in order to see antique cushions?

Otherwise, do you know of any places in Los Angeles?
Click to expand...


SO Happy you asked. YES! YES! YES! LA is the perfect area. Better than NOR CAL even (though if you are in the Campbell/South Bay area go to Joe Escobar. If you are in SF proper go to Langs if you have time during the holidays).

I do know of FABULOUS jewelers you MUST MUST MUST go see in the LA area .
IN LA:
GO to Singlestone. ABSOLUTELY (try not to pass out from the prices, just browse and bask). I'm jealous you get to go to Singlestone!

Go to 23st Street Jewelers: http://www.23rdstreetjewelers.com/

AND ABSOLUTELY make an appointment with Victor Canera to specifically see his Canera cushions and the Vintage Rounds http://www.victorcanera.com/ AND (so exciting) he has new modern cushions too so you can decide for SURE if you like ANY kind of cushions at all there!

Oh I am so excited for you! You have so much FABULOUS bling to browse in the LA area.

Make sure you report back!! But go see all three of them. Okay?
 
Yay!! Thank you for the heads up. I'm totally going to these three stores this weekend. :)

I'm so excited, too!!!!! You've swept me up in your exuberant reply. Haha!
 
I did it. :)

I love the settings at 23rd st jewelers and the whole feel of the place. However, they don't have a stock of stones due to their security policies, so I didn't get to see any antique cut cushions or OECs. Singlestone was very cool to visit! It was packed to the gills, so I was only able to observe the outside showcases. I really like the stone and the way they were cut, but I had gone there after I went to victors, so nothing was as spectacular.

Victor's cushion was soooo amazing. I just couldn't stop looking at it. It was so beautifully cut. The price was a little higher than I hoped, and he doesn't have anything in a lower color/clarity. The size was good, but it was probably the smallest that I would like. But it was just beautiful. Anyway, the diamond is below with the aset report.
https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/qyj0eh

Lastly, we happened into Eli's jewelry across from single stone. Eli showed me a beautiful modern cushion, and I think that it was probably comparable to the Novo, but maybe the fact that it was a loose stone made me like this modern cushion. I was thinking that a simple tapered double prong platinum ring would really make that stone beautiful. The size was also a little small. The stone is below--no aset.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5187331-1.55-carat-Cushion-diamond-D-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

I honestly think I prefer the antique cushion with great light performance. It might just be too much money though, so I think as long as the modern cushion is set in the right setting to make it look different from a regular round brilliant, I would like a sparkler of a modern cushion, too.

Whew. Very stressful! But thanks so much for the leads! Now to find a stone :)
 
If you like antique cushions, you have more options. GOG has both the August Vintage and the new August Vintage Star cushions you might want to take a look at and perhaps consider. :D The August Vintage Cushion has more stock to choose from than the AVC Star. They come in all kinds of colours/clarity and there are quite a few options for warmer colour tones, as well. Hope that helps! :)
 
Can't wait to see what you end up with. Fun to read all the great advice given by Gypsy!
 
Well.

I have great news for you.

1. If you like Victor's cushions (I was hoping you would) they are nearly identical to GOG's AVC line. And while Victor stocks largely higher color and clarity stones due to his clientele, GOG stocks lots of different colors and clarities.

Here's a lovely K: http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-53ct-k-si1-august-vintage-cushion-diamond.html :love:

The AV lines at GOG are all AGS0 ideal light performance rated.

2. GOG also has the AVStar Line now. Also chunky, but with a slightly different facet arrangement under the table that I personally find to be fantastic.

Here's one of those in I color in budget: http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-33ct-i-vvs2-august-vintage-star-cushion-diamond.html :love:

3. Brilliantly Engaged (formerly ERD) carries their Royal Chandelier line, some are AGS ideals and others are GIA (GIA doesn't grade cushions for performance or cut) with excellent ASET light performances.

This one is a little over budget, but is a 1.5 carat G: http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/1.50-carat-g-vs2-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-59513.html :love:

The BE antique stones are not custom cut for BE, BE sources them from different cutters, so they get a better price point (since its not a custom stone) and that means you can afford a high color/clarity/size stone at BE. They also have 2 H VS2's at 1.5 carats that are IN budget, but neither of them have the performance I would want so I didn't recommend them to you.

You can ask them if they will give you a discount if you buy both the stone and the setting from them.

4. There are 'generic' antique cushions at JA. And while some are duds. Sometimes I find stunning ones on there. Unfortunately, I just went though 440 stones for you, and none of them had that faceting right NOW. But they do come up.

What I DID find for you were some very nice generic modern cushions that you might want to consider:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-365945 This is an 8 main.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-388771 This is a 4 main.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.40-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-388039 Another 4 main.

You get 3 ASETS per purchase at JA, and they are no cost and no obligation, so I would advise you to do that with these three.
 
Storms8|1417913305|3796685 said:
I did it. :)


Victor's cushion was soooo amazing. I just couldn't stop looking at it. It was so beautifully cut. The price was a little higher than I hoped, and he doesn't have anything in a lower color/clarity. The size was good, but it was probably the smallest that I would like. But it was just beautiful. Anyway, the diamond is below with the aset report.
https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/qyj0eh

I think this is a fantastic stone and a great buy. Stones look A LOT larger when set. So I personally think you should go for this. I didn't realize your budget is up to 13k. So... look on GOG and Brilliantly Engaged to see what they have. Personally I'd want a J-K VS2 if you can find it

Lastly, we happened into Eli's jewelry across from single stone. Eli showed me a beautiful modern cushion, and I think that it was probably comparable to the Novo, but maybe the fact that it was a loose stone made me like this modern cushion. I was thinking that a simple tapered double prong platinum ring would really make that stone beautiful. The size was also a little small. The stone is below--no aset.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5187331-1.55-carat-Cushion-diamond-D-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

That's a sample image so I can't see what it looks like unfortunately and the lab report is no longer posted

I honestly think I prefer the antique cushion with great light performance. It might just be too much money though, so I think as long as the modern cushion is set in the right setting to make it look different from a regular round brilliant, I would like a sparkler of a modern cushion, too.

Whew. Very stressful! But thanks so much for the leads! Now to find a stone :)
Click to expand...
 
Thank you so much--I've been looking at all the suggestions since last night. I'm trying to digest and assess everything. I wanted to make sure you knew I didn't fall off the face of the planet, and that I really appreciate all the options. I will return shortly after I (we) make a decision/have more questions. :think:
 
Hi everyone!

Here's the scoop--I've relayed everything to my boyfriend (thank you so very much for alllllll of the advice and patience). He's put a deposit on one of the ones you recommended, but he hasn't told me which. :dance: eeeeeeee!!! I'm so excited!!!

I told him that my goal is to marry him, and obviously he wanted to get me something that I'd love (and thanks to your recommendations, gypsy, I was able to figure out what my "style" is :love: ). But I also didn't want him to be ripped off--so thank you very much for all your help in that vein. PSers are awesome!

He's stressing out about a setting now--esp regarding how to set a stone in a ring from two different non-local vendors, but he said that he knows what I want and that I don't need to provide guidance anymore. Honestly, it makes me so happy that he's doing so much research. I find it so endearing--and the effort really speaks volumes. I know I'll love whatever he gives me.

I'll definitely share more when I have more to share. :dance:

Thanks again everyone--most especially Gypsy!!!!!

Elle
 
OK hon, PLEASE post your ring, and in this thread too, when you have it.
 
Hi everyone!

I'm engaged!!! Because of you guys (and my awesome, wonderfully amazing fiancé) I got the best present of my whole life. :dance:

He went with the Victor Canera and he had Victor do a cathedral setting for him, too. My ring is everything I wanted and is better than what I could have imagined!! It's sooooo sparkly. I couldn't stop looking at it :D

Here are a few pictures. I'm certainly not a photographer, so if you have suggestions on how to photo these better, let me know. :angel:

_27183.jpg

_27184.jpg

_27185.jpg

_27186.jpg
 
Congrats--it's beautiful! :appl:
 
Gorgeous ring! Congratulations :appl: I love vintage cushions in a solitaire :love:
 
Gorgeous!
 
Awww! Thanks ladies! It's been a week and I still love it so very much. Maybe even more. We just had dinner where there were spotlights (first time that I saw my ring in that type of lighting!!) and my mom and cousin kept commenting on how sparkly it is. It really is a beautiful cut. Now I know why you can rely on AGS triple ideal for light reflection! :)

I was wondering--my AGS certificate references a Gia certificate number, which is inscribed on the stone. Is this common to cross reference? Also, we only received the AGS cert and not the Gia cert from Victor. I have absolutely no doubt about the authenticity of the stone, but I am unfamiliar with how the two labs play together.

Thanks again for letting me lean on your knowledge.
 
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