help on cushion cut

[newbie1234]

Hi. I posted a question a couple pages back.. I need more info on how to choose cushion cut. Should I care about modified brilliant vs cushion brilliant. Also could someone pls give me more choices (from James Allen) on cushion cut, preferably color grade E or F, size 0.80, price range in the low 3 thousands. Thanks so much!

 

[JulieN]

No, you should not care about modified vs unmodified... though unmodified usually gives you better spread, the good unmodifieds tend to be more expensive.

Rectangular or square?

 

[newbie1234]

closer to square if possible...

 

[JulieN]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/?DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&advancedParameter=pn&showAdvanced=show&ps=15&DiamondID=68906,352932,37067,35867,319981,38262

 

[newbie1234]

thank you so much Julie... I'll check them out..

 

[JoshuaNiamehr]

Isnt it better to fully understand cushion vs cushion modified? They can look completely different... And even then there are different cushion modified, that produce different looks - with so many options out there isnt it better to pick and choose what you like and unlock possible value when searching for a diamond?

 

[Gypsy]

I wouldn't say it's unnecessary.

I do think that there are differences and if you are buying for yourself, it is best to see what you like in terms of faceting before spending thousands. But if you are shopping for someone else, that is a hard thing to find out if you are planning any kind of surprise.

If you are buying for someone else, then I would try to find out if modern or antique faceting is preferred at a minimum and then go for the best performing stone that fits that preference.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/?DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&advancedParameter=pn&showAdvanced=show&ps=15&DiamondID=68906,352932,37067,35867,319981,38262

I don't like 3 of those choices.


Why do you need such high color? G and above should be fine, unless there is a cultural reason for such high color.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6459327-0.91-carat-Cushion-diamond-D-color-VS1-clarity.aspx Might be a good option.

 

[newbie1234]

Gypsy,
the reason for the high color is because it will be set in a halo with F or G color melee, and I know that cushion retains their color stronger than any other shapes, I don't want the main diamond to look too yellow compare to the halo. Pls give me more choices from JA that I can consider.. Thanks.

 

[Gypsy]

A) Well cushions do not show color more readily than other shapes. They are brilliant cuts. I don't know where you got that, but it's not true.
B) Setting it with a G color stone will be fine and you won't be able to tell.
C) I didn't see anything else at JA worth looking at.
D) JA's stock is pretty depleted right now. I'd wait a couple weeks and see what they have at that time.

 

[Gypsy]

Over budget by about 400, but best choice on JA: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-366958

 

[newbie1234]

Thank you Gypsy. I will give them a couple more weeks to replenish their stock. Pls share what I should look for for a good cut cushion?

 

[Gypsy]

Thank you Gypsy. I will give them a couple more weeks to replenish their stock. Pls share what I should look for for a good cut cushion?

Sure. Read these two threads through completely and then STUDY THEM. Click on the links when they are posted.

Start with this one:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/[/URL]
Then move on to this one:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-need-opinions-about-this-cushion-cut-diamond-pics.206771/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-need-opinions-about-this-cushion-cut-diamond-pics.206771/[/URL]

Okay?

 

[newbie1234]

Hi Gypsy,

I will read and study them in the morning. Really quick one though before I go to sleep, what do you think about this round cut? I may change my mind and get a round cut instead..

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-246612

Thanks so much...

 

[newbie1234]

Alright , so this is the conclusion I got from learning about how to choose a cushion:
1. High crown
2. crisp facetings
3. contrast of dark, bright , dark when the diamond spins
Pls correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Gypsy,

I will read and study them in the morning. Really quick one though before I go to sleep, what do you think about this round cut? I may change my mind and get a round cut instead..

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-246612

Thanks so much...

Check HCA score per below. At Si2 inclusions may be an issue but the gemologist would tell you that.

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want? Well first you want to stick to stones that have a crown angle of 34 (33.5 okay for 60/60 style stones) and over, a pavilion angle of 41 and under, and no deeper than 62.5
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[Gypsy]

Alright , so this is the conclusion I got from learning about how to choose a cushion:
1. High crown
2. crisp facetings
3. contrast of dark, bright , dark when the diamond spins
Pls correct me if I'm wrong...

No that's a good summary.

Also you need to learn to read an ASET.

 

[newbie1234]

that round cut has less than 2 on HCA tool. Anyways, based on what I learned about cushion cut, I found these 2 from JA. Could you pls check if they fit the guidelines for good performer stones. SKU # 37115, 37073
Thanks again..

 

[Gypsy]

that round cut has less than 2 on HCA tool. Anyways, based on what I learned about cushion cut, I found these 2 from JA. Could you pls check if they fit the guidelines for good performer stones. SKU # 37115, 37073
Thanks again..

Please link to them directly.

 

[newbie1234]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-37115
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-37073

The only thing I'm not so sure is the crisp facetings, just sure how to judge / tell the difference...

 

[newbie1234]

... and please let me know what you think about these... Any of them you like?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/?CaratFrom=0.75&CaratTo=15.00&Color=F,E&Clarity=VS1,VS2&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=999000&Sort=Carat%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&DiamondID=319981,352932,37115,37073,35745,37070,48587,185241

 

[Gypsy]

... and please let me know what you think about these... Any of them you like?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/?CaratFrom=0.75&CaratTo=15.00&Color=F,E&Clarity=VS1,VS2&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=999000&Sort=Carat%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&DiamondID=319981,352932,37115,37073,35745,37070,48587,185241

Faceting patterns also matter. I'm not a huge fan of how this faceting pattern: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-48587 Looks in person. Under the table facets just aren't attractive. BUT that said, this one I posted here is a nice example of this type, so if you wanted to get an ASET on any of them, this is the one I would chose.

The other two facet plots:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-352932
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.73-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-319981

Are nicer. But I'm not really loving either of those.

I REALLY encourage you not to rush this purchase and to wait to see what happens to the JA stock over the next couple weeks. Okay?

 

[newbie1234]

yes... I'll give them more time to re-stock... Meanwhile I'll keep on learning from you and this site Thanks so much...

 

[JoshuaNiamehr]

I wouldn't say it's unnecessary.

I do think that there are differences and if you are buying for yourself, it is best to see what you like in terms of faceting before spending thousands. But if you are shopping for someone else, that is a hard thing to find out if you are planning any kind of surprise.

If you are buying for someone else, then I would try to find out if modern or antique faceting is preferred at a minimum and then go for the best performing stone that fits that preference.

By saying buying for someone else do you mean a Fiance?

I just err on the side of YOU SHOUlD KNOW EVERYTHING before you spend this kind of money.

I think telling people "not to worry" is just advising someone to hurry up and buy quickly....

In your advice you make no mention of looking at facet arrangements on plot diagrams. Which is one of the many things I look and STRONGLY ADVISE when looking at a Cushion cut (of all types)....

 

[newbie1234]

Agree with you Joshua, that was why I let go of idea of getting cushion cut and went with round brilliant instead. There are so many variables to consider and I don't have the time right now to really study and know what to look for.