help with Cushion Cut diamond selection

[stechan]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading PS for the past few months and learning a great deal -- what an informative and helpful resource!

I have my own question now: selecting a cushion cut diamond for an engagement ring. The specs:
- cushion cut
- around 1.5 carats
- preferably closer to square shape
- color G or better
- prefer chunky appearance over crushed ice, but not a deal-breaker
- will be going in a white gold engagement ring, four prongs with double claw prongs, with pave
- budget = $12K or less

Like everyone else, I'd love something that scintillates and sparkles. From PS research, people highly recommend ERD and GOG. I've found the following and would love people's opinions on these:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/index.php?file=diamond_details&gems_item_id=81977&first_step=diamond
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8296/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8973/

Or if you have other suggestions, I'm all ears. Thank you!

Steve

 

[cushionlover0509]

I am really just learning too, but I am hoping for a cushion cut as well.

Just some info- from what I've read and researched, you should pay more attention to spread rather than carat weight for cushions. The spread will tell you how many millimeters the diamond is, or essentially how big it is (rather than the carat weight). Someone correct me if I am wrong!

As far as the diamonds you picked, I think the ERD one you posted doesn't have a great ASET image - too much green/light leakage. Also, the "X-Factor" diamonds are supposed to be like the more modern faceted cushions if I remember correctly - which means not as chunky.

The third one you posted, the AVC, is an I1 which a lot of pricescopers don't really recommend for an e-ring.

That's about as much as I know. I'm sure someone else will chime in! Good luck

 

[Eskiez]

Also check with Perry Chen at Art of Platinum. He sources beautiful cushion stones at very reasonable prices. Their site isn't a great resource for searching inventory, but Perry himself is fantastic.

 

[stechan]

@sarahaustin: thanks for the great advice. You're right, spread is an important factor -- and something I should keep in mind.

@eskiez: thank you for the additional resource. I hadn't heard of "art of platinum" before, but I will check it out.

Also, I've corresponded with Mike at truthaboutdiamonds.com, and he very astutely said that I may need to rethink my parameters -- "an eye-clean F color 1.50ct cushion costs more than $13,000." that's true, and the diamonds I posted above are more in the 1.1carat range. perhaps this is the size I need to investigate more, rather than 1.5 carats. Also, as sarahaustin said, perhaps exploring "spread" more than size.

 

[stechan]

@sarahaustin: thanks for the great advice. You're right, spread is an important factor -- and something I should keep in mind.

@eskiez: thank you for the additional resource. I hadn't heard of "art of platinum" before, but I will check it out.

Also, I've corresponded with Mike at truthaboutdiamonds.com, and he very astutely said that I may need to rethink my parameters -- "an eye-clean F color 1.50ct cushion costs more than $13,000." that's true, and the diamonds I posted above are more in the 1.1carat range. perhaps this is the size I need to investigate more, rather than 1.5 carats. Also, as sarahaustin said, perhaps exploring "spread" more than size.

 

[E B]

Are you still looking?

 

[stechan]

Hi EB,

Yes, still looking! Cushion cuts are sucking up my free time!

Steve

 

[ariel144]

This ASET is really nice (better than the one on ERD) and in your budget.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9296/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9282/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8890/

If you would watch the educational videos on GOG you will find that high color and clarity do NOT make a better diamond.
CUT IS KING! A well cut stone that is an I, J, k color can face up nice and white, and you can get a larger face up stone that
will be awesome if it is cut really well and can actually be a better performing stone that out sparkles a mediocre cut higher color stone. Also from the videos you will get a better idea of the faceting structure that you prefer,
small splintery facets or the larger more antique looking faceting structure of a cushion brilliant instead of a modified cushion brilliant.

Here is a very large cushion brilliant at a great price. the gemologist says it is a great performing stone and faces up "very white" and is a high K color. Even though it is a 1.66c It faces up like a 2 carat cushion and is $7300. Size does matter to most people and it is the face up size mm measurement that you want to look for. A mid 60% depth will give you a larger face up stone in a cushion cut.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-IF-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1471593.asp

I prefer the larger faceting structure but everyone has their own personal preference.

Hope this helps. I strongly suggest that you watch the videos and you will be better prepared to choose the best stone in your budget.

Here is a thread that demonstrates this point ... a 5c J antique cushion cut set in a halo...note she could have purchased a higher color stone but she can't tell much difference in her 5c. J and her engagement ring E.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/[/URL]


Post by Thouarella » 14 Apr 2010 12:54
Thanks for all the lovely comments everyone!

It''s our 5th wedding anniversary, hence the 5 carat stone Image

Laila - thanks for adding it to the cushion thread.

jgny:
The dimensions are 9.95 x 9.61 x 6.71mm And I believe the OMC style stones face up smaller as well given their high crowns (someone correct me if I''m wrong on this). But I looked at a bunch and I vastly preferred the OMCs to the modern brilliants, plus I think this way the 5 carat isn''t too enormous (vs say a 5 carat RB).

We bought this stone from Leon just before he launched his diamond concierge service, so I don''t know if they will provide additional details now, but basically he sent me photos of the stone from all angles, set and unset and on a black and white background. No ASETs. It was rather a leap of faith to buy it without looking at it in person and without ASETs etc but at the end of the day we decided to trust his eye and we had just fallen in love with the faceting of the stone.

Before we decided on this one, we''d taken a look at stones at our local B&Ms, one who specialises in OMCs and another who flew in 5 stones from their sightholders in Israel. I''d also contacted all of the cushion specialists mentioned on this forum and gotten a stone flown out to me, though ultimately we decided not to go with that one. It is REALLY difficult to find a stone with the requirements we had (>5 carats, OMC or 8 pavillion mains, large culet, near 1:1 aspect ratio, eyeclean) and there were very few responses to our request both online and at the B&Ms. It was basically between this stone and the one that was flown out to us. Jon at GoodOldGood had offered to get an AVC cut but the prices of rough had gone up so much at the end of last year/beginning of this one, plus we didn''t want to have to wait!

So at the end of the day and after months of searching we decided to go ahead with Leon''s stone and I just love it. The J doesn''t bother me at all and mostly it looks icy white and I only notice a tiny bit of warmth very occasionally from certain angles (my e-ring is an E and there is a very slight difference but really not very much).

Leon did mention that now he''s set up this diamond concierge service that he''d rather find a good stone for his clients. He''ll still set stones from other dealers but I get the feeling that he preferred for us to buy a stone from him. Good thing we liked his stone best anyway.

gemgirl - I''m getting him a phenomenal watch. It isn''t our anniversary for a little while yet so he still has time to decide on his "dream" watch! I have a shortlist!

 

[two_little_birds]

Here is a very large cushion brilliant at a great price. the gemologist says it is a great performing stone and faces up "very white" and is a high K color. Even though it is a 1.66c It faces up like a 2 carat cushion and is $7300. Size does matter to most people and it is the face up size mm measurement that you want to look for. A mid 60% depth will give you a larger face up stone in a cushion cut.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-IF-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1471593.asp

Great find, and would suit the budget here well.

 

[Skippy123]

I just noticed a cushion listed in the preloved section [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-25-ct-f-si1-august-vintage-cushion-t179894.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-25-ct-f-si1-august-vintage-cushion-t179894.html[/URL]

 

[stechan]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the help and insight -- I really appreciate it.

I've been working with Jonathan from GoG -- really helpful, great input. He's recommended this diamond:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9815/

Fits my criteria of ~1.5carat cushion cut, modified cut, nice color and clarity, etc. I'm interested in other people's thoughts about it, too. Thanks!

Steve

 

[Gypsy]

Bright, big, white, and square with a small table. It's not my favorite I've ever seen but it's quite nice.

 

[stechan]

Update -- I ended up purchasing a cushion cut diamond -- and I just wanted to praise the folks at Good Old Gold -- Jonathan ("Rhino"), Sarah, Darren, Vicki and the entire crew for making my diamond selection and purchase very easy and trouble free. Of course, these compliments just corroborate what everyone else on pricescope says about their great service, too!

I posted a this review on Yelp, but it unfortunately is a victim of their filters....grr....

"I was in the market for a cushion cut diamond for an engagement ring. After reading tutorials and forums on pricescope and other websites, I repeatedly came across positive reviews for GoG, their service, their diamonds. As you can discern from their website -- Jonathan is very knowledgeable about cushion cut diamonds (and other shapes, too). I watched many of his educational videos, read his tutorials -- and learned a lot. I gleaned a sense of what my girlfriend was interested in, and one day called the GoG store. To my pleasant surprise, I was connected directly with Jonathan, and we discussed the specs for a desired diamond. A few days later, he had a few lined up for me, all within my price range and meeting my guidelines.

A great aspect of service is that he videotapes the diamonds, so you can assess their appearance, sparkle, fire, etc under various types of lighting and in different situations. I was interested in a particular diamond, and we e-mailed back and forth -- Jonathan consistently was quick and informative with his responses. He also provides more information and data than other stores/websites (including actual pictures, ASET images, DiamXray, etc). I ended up selecting a diamond, it was shipped to me, and I'm very happy with it!

Two very important things to me are peace of mind and trust. I had both of those while working with Jonathan. With his experience and knowledge, and all his other positive reviews, I knew that I would not get taken advantage of; and that I could trust his assessment of the various diamonds.

The diamond is beautiful. Thanks, guys!"