How are these 3 carat cushions?

[diamondband]

Okay, seeing some beautiful cushion settings on this message board, I found myself thinking about replacing a round with a cushion! I would really love to get some thoughts on these antique cut cushion brilliants!! The price difference is a couple thousand between 1 and 2.

I haven''t seen either of these in person yet, but would be very grateful for any feedback! Thanks SO much for all of your help!

1) 3.00 F VS2
8.98 X 7.73 X 5.39
Depth: 69.7%; Table: 54%
Symmetry: G; Polish: VG; Girdle: Thin to Extremely Thick; Fluorescence: N


2) 3.02 H VS2
9.42 x 7.88 x 5.32
Depth: 67.5%; Table: 57%
Symmetry: VG; Polish: VG; Girdle: MedETkF; Fluorescence: N

 

[Dreamer_D]

Generally speaking, we can''t really judge the cut quality of fancy shapes, including cushions, without pictures and ASET images of the stones. Can you get these?

 

[diamondband]

Ohh, makes sense, apologies in advance for my ignorance of the cushion selection process! I will work on getting some pictures and will post them.

Any thoughts on the dimensions for the cushions, are they too "long" (not sure what the right term is?) or is this a good look with a halo?

Thanks!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

The shape you like in a cushion is a matter of personal preference. Will you see these in person before you buy?

It''s not 3cts, but have you seen Good Old Gold''s August Vintage cushions? AMAZING optics: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6823/

 

[CharmyPoo]

In addition to the ASET, a plot and a real photo would be really helpful.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 1/18/2010 8:41:21 PM
Author:diamondband
Okay, seeing some beautiful cushion settings on this message board, I found myself thinking about replacing a round with a cushion! I would really love to get some thoughts on these antique cut cushion brilliants!! The price difference is a couple thousand between 1 and 2.

I haven''t seen either of these in person yet, but would be very grateful for any feedback! Thanks SO much for all of your help!

1) 3.00 F VS2
8.98 X 7.73 X 5.39
Depth: 69.7%; Table: 54%
Symmetry: G; Polish: VG; Girdle: Thin to Extremely Thick; Fluorescence: N


2) 3.02 H VS2
9.42 x 7.88 x 5.32
Depth: 67.5%; Table: 57%
Symmetry: VG; Polish: VG; Girdle: MedETkF; Fluorescence: N

Can''t tell too much from the numbers we would need, a photograph and aset image will help. Are you sure you want something as rectangular as these LW Ratio = 1.16 in the first and 1.19 in the second? These are quite rectangular stones, and generally its much harder to get good optics in a rectangular antique cushion as you often see an obstruction or dark area bowtie and it is more pronounced the more rectangular the stone is. Below is a guide I put together hopefully for such an expensive purchase you will want to learn a little about cushions and which cut you like best.
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ChunkyCushionLover''s Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds

Step 1 (Choose The Type of Cut)

Decide the look of cushion you like best. (Watching the videos should help you the most with this.)

i) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main like this one http://www.octonus.com/oct/projects/foxymovies/round_cushion2_office_fr.phtml or http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the far left)
b) 8 main modern http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (stone on the left)
c) 8 main old mine cushion http://www.vimeo.com/5310842
d) BGD modern 8 main cushion (the mains intersect at the corners) https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bgd-cushion-let-me-know-what-you-think.128493/

ii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266-2.mov http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266.mov

iii) Cushette http://www.vimeo.com/3164922

iv) Cushion Modified Brilliant (often referred to negatively as the "crushed ice" variety as many in this category have only small flashes and were cut to save weght not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 Pictures and commentary here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-shocking-final-diamond-choice-i-gave-to-my-fiance-which-one-would-you-pick.121154/
c) Square Brilliant (rare seen more in Belgium)

A helpful thread to see the plots and pictures of different types of cushions can be seen here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/ (keep in mind pictures aren''t as useful as videos and can only be used reliably to understand facet structure not light performance)

If you want to learn about cushions a great video by Jon at GOG can be watched here http://www.vimeo.com/7579666 and bonus footage here http://www.vimeo.com/7611843.

Step 2 (Choose the 4Cs)

1) Post your budget, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, LW(length to width) Ratio (do you like perfectly Square or Rectangular?) and cut preference. We will help find stones in your price range or tell you if your budget is realistic for the specs you have chosen or if you will have to make some tradeoffs. If you would rather go directly to the vendor at this point I suggest you speak to:

i) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com
ii) Jon at Goodoldgold.com
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com

This list is limited to what I beleive are vendors who specialize in cushion cuts designed for light performance there may be others but I haven''t had experiences with them. Some vendors like GOG and BGD have even developed their own cushion signature cut diamonds lines not available for sale by any other vendor. All of these vendors will be able to provide ASET images and pictures of stones to help you decide prior to purchase.

Example:

Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eyeclean from 6 feet away looking faceup)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio = 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cushion Brilliant (Modern) either 4 main or 8 main

Than we can help you narrow things down considerably.

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or see in person)

Ask the vendor for a Video and/or ASET image (http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp) of your possible choices and we can help you narrow down which of your selections we prefer and why.

Step 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraisor for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favourite stones to a PS listed appraisor https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx close to you, where you can view your final choices in person prior to purchase you will just have to pay shipping. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraisor without you having to pay first and the appraisor will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor.
For such an expensive purchase $100 in shipping and $100 in appraisor time seems well worth it to make the most informed choice possible.

Happy Hunting,

CCL

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2010 8:41:21 PM
Author:diamondband
Okay, seeing some beautiful cushion settings on this message board, I found myself thinking about replacing a round with a cushion! I would really love to get some thoughts on these antique cut cushion brilliants!! The price difference is a couple thousand between 1 and 2.

I haven't seen either of these in person yet, but would be very grateful for any feedback! Thanks SO much for all of your help!

1) 3.00 F VS2
8.98 X 7.73 X 5.39
Depth: 69.7%; Table: 54%
Symmetry: G; Polish: VG; Girdle: Thin to Extremely Thick; Fluorescence: N


2) 3.02 H VS2
9.42 x 7.88 x 5.32
Depth: 67.5%; Table: 57%
Symmetry: VG; Polish: VG; Girdle: MedETkF; Fluorescence: N

Hi diamondband,

Are these for sale online or from a brick and mortar store? If online, images such as clear and detailed photos would be very helpful plus an ASET image if you can get it, also if the vendor can obtain the crown height by getting a Sarin scan, that would also be useful.

Also if you haven't seen it, this video will be very helpful Consumers Guide to Purchasing a Cushion Cut Diamond.