Help with picking square cushion

[rcm]

Hi all,

New member here! I've read a number of posts on here since I've started thinking about popping the question a few months ago, but I'm ready to pull the trigger now . This is my first time ever buying a diamond/ring, so I'd really appreciate any help I can get.

My budget for the diamond (square cushion) and setting under 10k. It seems like with that budget I should be able to get something that's around 1-1.3 ct, H+, and eye-clean (VS2+?). My SO has very skinny fingers (size 3.5), so I'm planning on keeping it simple by getting a solitaire setting with a thin band so the ring doesn't look too thick on her finger.

I haven't contacted any vendors directly yet and have mostly been browsing online for now at GOG, ERD/BE, etc. GOG seems to have a smaller selection in its catalog so it was easier to find the ones within budget. ERD on the other hand has a lot of diamonds so it's harder for a newbie like me to figure out what's good.

Here are the ones I picked out so far from GOG... what do you guys think? Will I be able to get a bigger bang for my buck at ERD, JA, etc since it seems like they don't preselect diamonds as much? Thanks in advance for your help and replies!!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1ct-g-vs1-premium-square-cushion.html
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1ct-f-vs2-august-vintage-cushion-diamond.html
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-01ct-g-vs1-signature-modern-cushion-diamond.html



rcm

 

[chrono]

Although all 3 are cushions, that is the only commonality. One is an arrow style (round cut look in a square with smaller but faster scintillation), another is antique (big and bold but slower scintillation) and the third is a modern cushion. All look different in person and will sparkle differently. Which does SHE prefer?

 

[rcm]

Although all 3 are cushions, that is the only commonality. One is an arrow style (round cut look in a square with smaller but faster scintillation), another is antique (big and bold but slower scintillation) and the third is a modern cushion. All look different in person and will sparkle differently. Which does SHE prefer?

Thanks for the reply! To be honest she's not very knowledgeable about diamonds and has only mentioned that she prefers a square-ish shape, such as a square cushion or princess, and that she'd be happy with either shape (I prefer cushions so I ruled the princess out). Other than that, she hasn't really given me much more to go on -- she will be happy letting me pick something out for her.

Having said that, you raise a good point in that the three I picked out are all different flavors of cushions. After thinking about it a little more, I'd like to stay away from the hearts and arrow style since it's very similar to a round cut. Vintage/antique-style cushions are something I didn't really consider before I saw some of GOG's videos of their AVC cut which blew me away. It seems like these have a significant premium to them, so I'm not willing to commit to it yet. Is clarity/color more important in this kind of cushion because of the larger facets (i.e. color and inclusions become more obvious)? Is it worth it getting a vintage cushion in a smaller ~1ct size? I also think modern cushions are definitely still a possibility provided that they don't have too much of a crushed ice look.

What do you think of the AVC I posted earlier? The modern cushion I posted is out of stock already. What about these two?
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/1.04-carat-g-vs2-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-7393.html
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/1.02-carat-g-vs2-excellent-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-127086.html

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Some of the other vendors list a lot of stones they do not actually have that are in the possession of cutters or suppliers. What Good Old Gold shows you is what they have in house, mostly. But they can access all those other virtual stones, as well.

My favorite is the August Vintage Cushion. They are far less common and so beautiful. I do like them in antique style settings best. GOG carries Beverley K, if you think she'd happen to like a setting that was antique style.

 

[FVierra27]

I was just doing this search and found this video from GOG.

https://www.pricescope.com/journal/cushion-cut-diamond-video-guide-good-old-gold

it was quite helpful in making my decision. I had a similar budget and ended up with a mark "t" signature cushion but between that and the AVC it was a toss up. I really like the look of both. So my vote is for the AVC!

 

[rcm]

I was just doing this search and found this video from GOG.

https://www.pricescope.com/journal/cushion-cut-diamond-video-guide-good-old-gold

it was quite helpful in making my decision. I had a similar budget and ended up with a mark "t" signature cushion but between that and the AVC it was a toss up. I really like the look of both. So my vote is for the AVC!

That video was very informative! I've checked out the mark t modern cushions as well, but it seems like they are out of stock on everything in my price range. The only ones I see are the two below -- one is too small (SI2 as well) and the other is too expensive
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/0.87-carat-f-si2-mark-t-modern-cushion-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-23835.html
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/1.00-carat-g-vvs2-mark-t-modern-cushion-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-23868.html

Will they have more to show me if I call/email them?

 

[FVierra27]

That video was very informative! I've checked out the mark t modern cushions as well, but it seems like they are out of stock on everything in my price range. The only ones I see are the two below -- one is too small (SI2 as well) and the other is too expensive
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/0.87-carat-f-si2-mark-t-modern-cushion-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-23835.html
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/1.00-carat-g-vvs2-mark-t-modern-cushion-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-23868.html

Will they have more to show me if I call/email them?

From my understanding with talking with Chris at BE they don't currently have any in production but depending on your timeline they might be able get one made for you. It's definitely worth a shot asking if you like the look.

 

[rcm]

Any thoughts on this 1.2 F VS1 cushion that Mark T had picked for me?



And also the 1 H VS2 August Vintage Star from GOG. The price is similar, the face-up measurements are about the same, but this one has lower color and clarity.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-00ct-h-vs2-august-vintage-star-cushion-diamond.html

 

[FVierra27]

Any thoughts on this 1.2 F VS1 cushion that Mark T had picked for me?



And also the 1 H VS2 August Vintage Star from GOG. The price is similar, the face-up measurements are about the same, but this one has lower color and clarity.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-00ct-h-vs2-august-vintage-star-cushion-diamond.html

I'm sure it's a great stone. Just depends on if you like the look.

Have you went and looked at different colored stones in person? Color is subjective from person to person. G is what I am willing to go to but that's only because I could tell the difference between them at the store, two jewelers told me I must be sensitive to light.

From looks alone (I don't know much about inclusions) I like this one.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-01ct-g-vs2-august-vintage-cushion-diamond.html

 

[solgen]

It also comes down to personal preferences. I feel that with vintage cuts you can go much lower in color as they accentuate the broader flashes of color. I would never consider a J or K in a RBC but with vintage cushion cuts they do look nice.


I think you should first decide on what cut you'd prefer. Or do you have no preference and you're just buying whichever cut gives you the best bang for the buck? Have you decided on a specific setting and is yellow gold, rose gold, plat, etc?

 

[rcm]

Any thoughts on this 1.2 F VS1 cushion that Mark T had picked for me?



And also the 1 H VS2 August Vintage Star from GOG. The price is similar, the face-up measurements are about the same, but this one has lower color and clarity.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-00ct-h-vs2-august-vintage-star-cushion-diamond.html

I'm sure it's a great stone. Just depends on if you like the look.

Have you went and looked at different colored stones in person? Color is subjective from person to person. G is what I am willing to go to but that's only because I could tell the difference between them at the store, two jewelers told me I must be sensitive to light.

From looks alone (I don't know much about inclusions) I like this one.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-01ct-g-vs2-august-vintage-cushion-diamond.html

At this point I think I'm trying to decide between the 1.01 G VS2 August Vintage star you linked (seems like it has a better ASET, and less obvious inclusions compared to the 1 H VS2 I linked earlier) or the 1.2 F VS1 modern cushion. I managed to get an ASET for it as well. Any thoughts on how that compares to the August Vintage star?

 

[rcm]

It also comes down to personal preferences. I feel that with vintage cuts you can go much lower in color as they accentuate the broader flashes of color. I would never consider a J or K in a RBC but with vintage cushion cuts they do look nice.


I think you should first decide on what cut you'd prefer. Or do you have no preference and you're just buying whichever cut gives you the best bang for the buck? Have you decided on a specific setting and is yellow gold, rose gold, plat, etc?

TBH, I like the look of the august vintage cut slightly more... but there's a premium for that and I'm not sure if it's worth it. Clearly, only I can decide that, but I wanted to get some opinions from more educated folks as well. It's interesting that you'd consider a lower color for vintage cuts, because that opens up options like this and this . I would've thought that because of the larger faceting that color is more important in vintage cuts. I'll watch more of GOG's videos (they have a couple with these lower colors) and see how they look. Thanks for the suggestion!

As for the setting, I want a solitaire similar to what this user has, preferably in plat since it's lower maintenance over time.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/good-old-gold-august-vintage-cushion-mark-morrell-modified-petite-torchiere.134997/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/good-old-gold-august-vintage-cushion-mark-morrell-modified-petite-torchiere.134997/[/URL]

 

[FVierra27]

The asset looks good on that cushion. Looks like you have two really great options. Obviously you're going to pay the premium for a stone designed to be an AGS 0 light performer. So is that worth it to you? Will your S/O notice or care? Either way, let us know what you decide!

I like the setting as well. Going to turn out to be a beautiful ring.

 

[marymm]

OP - you said your SO prefers square cushions and princess-cuts -- as vintage/vintage-style cushions have a completely different look to them as compared with the vast majority of cushions and princess-cuts in the retail market and in jewelry advertisements, I really think your SO would be best pleased with a modern cushion or a H&A cushion (as you aren't considering princess-cuts).

And, unless you are certain your SO is okay with a warmer-colored diamond engagement ring, I also recommend going no lower than I color - and even at I color, a tint may be visible from the side depending on vision acuity and setting choice.

 

[rcm]

OP - you said your SO prefers square cushions and princess-cuts -- as vintage/vintage-style cushions have a completely different look to them as compared with the vast majority of cushions and princess-cuts in the retail market and in jewelry advertisements, I really think your SO would be best pleased with a modern cushion or a H&A cushion (as you aren't considering princess-cuts).

And, unless you are certain your SO is okay with a warmer-colored diamond engagement ring, I also recommend going no lower than I color - and even at I color, a tint may be visible from the side depending on vision acuity and setting choice.

That's a great point. One of the things I've been wondering about (and haven't got an answer to yet) is whether the vintage-style cushions have more rounded sides compared to a modern cushion, or whether it just varies from diamond to diamond.