HELP PSers!! Which Diamond?!?

[angel01x83]

HELLLLPPPPP!!!!!
I have an appointment at James Allen's office in NYC this week. I need to call them back by tomorrow with 3 diamonds for them to bring. Can anyone help me narrow it down and figure out which diamonds to select? My initial search indicates that there are 150 diamonds to choose from. I know that everyones tastes are different, but its hard to tell from the pictures which diamonds will really sparkle. I know I like more of a chunky "antique" cushion look more so than the "crushed ice look". Can anyone help??

Here is my criteria:

Shape: Cushion
Carat: 1
Color: G and Above
Clarity: VS2 and Above (possibly SI1 if it is really eye clean)
Cut: Ideal (maybe premium)
Budget: $4,000-$5,500
Ratio: No preference

 

[stone-cold11]

Now then you tell us?

When is this week?

 

[farmer gal]

These look on the chunkier side

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1094030.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1317707.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1303996.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1353675.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1333704.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1316688.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1356494.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1373742.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1303618.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1303617.asp

Sorry for the cushion overload they have a lot of nice ones right now, hope this helps!

 

[tyty333]

I did a quick look with your specs and really didnt see much in the way of antique chunky stones. You would be better off going
with a different vendor (IMO).

What about something like this (a little over budget).
http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/inv_details.php?ID=1262&SHAPE=C&PAGE=5

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7138/


Besides GOG, you could also talk to ERD. They are pretty good at finding old cut stones.

 

[E B]

This is the chunkiest I was able to find, but it's an H. It might be worth a look to see if it's pretty in person if you like it:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-859005.asp

 

[angel01x83]

Wow! Thanks for everyones help!

StoneCold - We will be in NYC this friday.

Farmergal - Awesome links. Those are some great picts, especially the last 2 you listed. Do pricescopers get a discount at james allen? From the links you posted the prices are discounted?!? How is that possible?

TyTy333 - Thanks for the advice. I looked at GOG and ERD, both seem to have beautiful stones. GOG seems to be out of my price range though. As for ERD, their "cut beyond" stones look nice. There was one I liked, but it was under 1ct and about $1k more than my budget. Is the price that high because of the quality cut? here is the link (hope this works)
[urlhttp://www.engagementringsdirect.com/DiamondCushionDetails.aspx?Item=63][/url]

 

[farmer gal]

Yes, you do get a pricescope discount at JA so make sure you get it! Now the cushions I listed are not antique like GOG offers, but I don't think any of them will have the crushed ice appearance that you were concerned about. I think a cushion cut in general has that old world feel even the modern cuts.

 

[angel01x83]

I agree Farmergal.

How important is depth? I've narrowed it down to a few stones I think, but they all seem to have large depth percentages. Is that ok?

 

[Christina...]

I agree Farmergal.

How important is depth? I've narrowed it down to a few stones I think, but they all seem to have large depth percentages. Is that ok?

Its important. If the stone is cut too deep it will face up small for the ct weight. It can also have an effect on the performance of the stone. have you seen this link yet?

https://www.pricescope.com/GA_NAJA_Cut_Class_Grader

 

[Christina...]

you should also request that JA have the ASET images available for the stones that you select.

 

[slg47]

I don't see any antique/chunky cushions at JA in your specs except for the one EB posted (and I just looked at 35 pages!) they seem to have some nice modern cushions though. if you want an antique/vintage style cushion I would look at ERD or GOG

 

[angel01x83]

I think with my price range I am going to have to stick with a more modern cushion cut. What do you guys think about these diamonds:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1349915.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1372395.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1303617.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1375744.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1363640.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1383674.asp


Any thoughts???

 

[slg47]

what about this one?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7138/

or this?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7742/

 

[bridecat]

A way to also narrow it down is Excellent cut and GIA certificate. I wouldn't buy a diamond these days that wasn't graded by GIA.

 

[slg47]

A way to also narrow it down is Excellent cut and GIA certificate. I wouldn't buy a diamond these days that wasn't graded by GIA.

GIA does not grade the cut of cushion cut diamonds.

 

[AussieUser]

Sorry but all Bride does is say GIA GIA GIA lol quite annoying
didnt mean to hijack