how about this cushion?

[extra potatoes]

Hey everyone,

I''m relatively new to the forums, but the amount I''ve learned here in the past few months has been incredible. Like so many others here, I''m in search of an antique cushion, and taking your advice I talked to Mark T here in NY. He showed me a few really nice stones, but I''m most interested in this one. What does everyone think?

I''m still not sure how I feel about dark band in the center, but Mark assured me this is pretty common for the antique cushion style. Thanks in advance for all your help.

(also...the pics aren''t so hot)

2.19 H/VS1 8.56x7.43x4.67 (ratio = 1.15)
Pol/Sym: VG/G
62.9% depth
57% table

 

[extra potatoes]

Well since no one has replied yet..I''m assuming you''re all holding out for an even worse picture. So let me open the flood gates with this beauty:

Sorry to be annoying and bump this, but I don''t have a whole lot of time left to make a decision on this particular stone. What does anyone think? Is this a keeper, or should I move along? I''d love to hear from other cushion owners, particularly Pixley, who once gave a great explanation of the difference between a bowtie effect and bowtie facets.

And I think I forgot to mention this before, but this stone is a Cushion Brilliant.

thanks

 

[extra potatoes]

forgot to hit upload. behold!

 

[JulieN]

try it again...? check the size limit and the name.

 

[extra potatoes]

Hmm..it''s only a 65k jpg. Let''s see if this one works.

 

[pixley]

Clearly, I'm not bothered by a little bowtie action (see avatar)

. Cehrabehra discussed her cushion bow-tie in one of her posts and I never see mine as a dead zone even though it goes dark with head obstruction. At all other times, it's bright in that area.

I have such a hard time with Mark's photos, but I do trust his taste in cushions since he's handpicked SOOOO many delicious cushions for Pricescopers. I love the look of the cushion, but will wait for more pics to load. I would almost say give it a chance no matter what. Mark is so great with cushions.

 

[purrfectpear]

Maybe modern cushions have that? I don''t see it in pics of antique cushions. Personally it would bother me if it looked like that to the eye (and not just in Mark''s notoriously bad photos).

 

[Lorelei]

Its very chunky which is a positive in my eyes, but it does look a bit dark in the photos, I would ask Mark to send you some more pics if possible, it could be the lighting which isn't displaying this diamond to its best advantage but I would get more info.

 

[extra potatoes]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I''ve actually seen the stone in person a few times and it is a very light and brilliant stone. The only thing really holding me back is the dark area in the center.

I''ve got to make a decision on this one by today, but if I get any other pictures I''ll definitely post them.

thanks again for all of your helpful input

 

[pixley]

A symmetrical, face up picture of the stone with the lens parallel to the table would be great.

 

[DaCounselor]

To me it looks like the bowtie extends beyond the table and on either side of it there is an additional dark area between the table and the girdle - so there appears to be 4 areas in a row cutting throught the middle of the stone. I have seen a GOG cushion that has this same look. In any event, if this effect is noticeable and you are not sure if you like it, maybe it is a pass. The only other option is to buy it, look at for awhile, and then return or exhange it if you cannot get on board with the look.

 

[neatfreak]

I think it looks really nice. I had a few pictures of my cushion like that from Mark and it was just his lighting, in person my stone is gorgeous.

 

[extra potatoes]

So here''s the latest picture. It''s still not the best, and the lighting is still off, but it does show the bowtie/cumberbund area with some light coming through.

I went again to check out the stone yesterday and it''s really grown on me. I love the huge facets and the overall shape. And the more I look at the picture, it reminds me of something Scrooge McDuck would quest after on an episode of DuckTales. Which I''m pretty sure is what my girlfriend would want in a diamond.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts -- they are super helpful.

 

[Lorelei]

It looks good in this pic, I like it!

 

[pixley]

Yummzies! Much better shot. I'd rock that rock, no question. Lovely shape too!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/28/2009 3:56:19 PM
Author: pixley
Yummzies! Much better shot. I''d rock that rock, no question. Lovely shape too!

LOL @ yummzies!! I will have to borrow that Pix!

 

[kcoursolle]

I like it a great deal!

 

[pixley]

Date: 2/28/2009 4:36:14 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/28/2009 3:56:19 PM

Author: pixley

Yummzies! Much better shot. I''d rock that rock, no question. Lovely shape too!

LOL @ yummzies!! I will have to borrow that Pix!

Hee-heee! Be my guest

!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/1/2009 12:06:36 AM
Author: pixley

Date: 2/28/2009 4:36:14 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/28/2009 3:56:19 PM

Author: pixley

Yummzies! Much better shot. I''d rock that rock, no question. Lovely shape too!

LOL @ yummzies!! I will have to borrow that Pix!

Hee-heee! Be my guest

!

Thankees Pixers!!!

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 2/28/2009 2:29:36 PM
Author: extra potatoes
So here''s the latest picture. It''s still not the best, and the lighting is still off, but it does show the bowtie/cumberbund area with some light coming through.

I went again to check out the stone yesterday and it''s really grown on me. I love the huge facets and the overall shape. And the more I look at the picture, it reminds me of something Scrooge McDuck would quest after on an episode of DuckTales. Which I''m pretty sure is what my girlfriend would want in a diamond.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts -- they are super helpful.

LOVE this description! Be sure to tell the girlfriend this at some point in the whole proposal, engagement story etc. She''ll LOVE it!

Love the stone too! Crushing on the cushion........

- Jodie -