Help on antique cushion cut diamond

[slydog895]

Guys I'm back in the business of looking for a diamond for an engagement ring. I have learned so much about cushion cuts but am still a noob compared to many of you! I have been looking at rings with my girlfriend to get a feel for what she likes and so far I have found that she's not great at telling differences in color so I set my lowest color at J and she really could not tell many inclusions so I set that minimum at an SI2/SI1. Following that, I have found that she definitely likes the chunky antique cushions so I have been tracking those through GOG and Victor Canera. I recently, however, came across Jewels by Grace on PS and was wondering if any of you had any experience with them. Specifically this is the diamond that I was interested in due to it meeting my requirements and the great size:

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/2-01-to-3-00/2-48ct-antique-cushi0n-cut-ags-j-si2.html#.VGZMu6Hna0E

It does not, however, include the ASET which I like to see but I guess I can request that. This is defiantly a lower quality diamond than the AVC and CAC that I have been looking at but I doubt my girlfriend will be able to tell the difference as long as the diamond is EYE CLEAN. Any suggestions or remarks would be greatly appreciated!

 

[IE_Princess]

I like Grace, she is great to do business with. We bought my anniversary upgrade from her, and I have purchased a loose stone from her, consigned items with her, sold things to her outright, and have had her bench do some sizing work for me. I will say that she goes above and beyond what it required of her in the antique jewelry business.

This stone costs less because it is a true antique cushion vs. a branded cut meant to replicate this antique look. There are pluses and minuses to each and whether something is a plus or minus depends on the person. The new "antique" cushions usually have better symmetry which may be important to some, while others might prefer the idea of a handcut stone from a century ago. Some might like the cachet of a name brand cut, some might prefer a true antique.

I think the AGS J is good for an antique cushion. As for the SI2, if your girlfriend isn't clarity sensitive then why worry? I think your best bet is to decide if you want to see the stone in person.

 

[Gypsy]

Ok to clarify.
1. the difference isn't "symmetry".
GOG's cushions are AGS0. And have ideal light performance. That's not an accident. They are branded cuts that are cut to strict patterning and performance standards.
Canera are not AGS0 but are cut to similar standards for pattering (faceting) and performance. They do provide an ASET because they need that to show the performance is excellent.

So the difference is precision faceting (this is not synonymous with symmetry) and light performance. And those are very important to some, and certainly more important than 'symmetry'.

2. Grace does not offer ASETs on her stones, though certainly you can request for her to send it to an appraiser at your expense and get an ASET way.

Do not expect a 'real' or 'true' antique stone like this to perform anywhere near either GOG or Canera's standards for light performance. These stones are unique, have individual personalities and are lovely for that reason, and yes, they were hand cut at a time when current cutting methods and standards (including light performance) were nothing but a dream.

3. Regarding this specific stone: I understand that Grace is calling this a cushion. BUT the lab report calls it an old European cut. And in looking at the images I am not sure why anyone would call this a cushion. It's not perfectly round. That is true. But it's not square or rectangular. And if someone asked me if it was a cushion I'd say No. It's an OEC that's out of round. That's about it. I like Grace, but I personally think it is "creative" to call this stone a cushion.

 

[IE_Princess]

Oh gosh, I wasn't saying that symmetry is the only difference! I'm sorry if it came across that way, although I could have done without the smack down. Certainly light performance is huge; I was trying to point out that there are trade offs, however. Not everyone goes for the cookie cutter look of newer cuts.