How to tell a good cut of a cushion or radiant stone?

[lolblows00]

Hello All, I know many can sue the HCA calculator on this website to help weed out poor stones on rounds, is there such a calculator for cushion or radiant stones?

 

[stone-cold11]

nope, not such thing for radiant or cushion because of the many more ways to cut these fancy cuts.

The closest you have is this. http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgraderules.asp

 

[asforhim]

Absolutely NO RULES whatsoever for radiants and cushions. No depth parameters, no table parameters, nothing. The only way is to lay your eyes on several before choosing.

The most glorious radiant i''ve seen was a harry winston that was cut in the low 50% depth and mid 60% table. Most people would scoff at such numbers, but in fancy shapes really anything goes. It''s just how the angles fall in to place.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/19/2010 9:07:16 AM
Author:lolblows00
Hello All, I know many can sue the HCA calculator on this website to help weed out poor stones on rounds, is there such a calculator for cushion or radiant stones?

Hi lolblows

The HCA is used for round diamonds only but no such calculator for fancy shapes at this time. There are various cut grade charts from AGA which you can find under AGA cut class charts under sub topics of the Pricescope Tutorial or on the AGA site itself, these are very useful as a first round screening tool.

But apart from that, the best way is to judge each fancy shape is with ASET images, detailed photographs and a Sarin report to get the crown height if available.

 

[lolblows00]

thank you all for all your replies. My gf seems to really like this shape now over the round because its so different heh. Looks like its time to do more homework on this type of stone .

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/19/2010 9:44:28 AM
Author: lolblows00
thank you all for all your replies. My gf seems to really like this shape now over the round because its so different heh. Looks like its time to do more homework on this type of stone .

If you go to www.goodoldgold.com Jon has lots of very useful videos on cushion cuts and that would be a great place to start, especially with this video - The Consumers Guide to Purchasing a Cushion Cut Diamond.

[/url]

Radiants - we can still help but there isn't the amount of videos and other info available so much on this shape, but I would suggest whichever shape you choose, work with a vendor who can supply images to help you choose a well cut stone as you can't judge any fancy shape by the numbers.

 

[lolblows00]

thank you so much! I will watch those later today - so basically this one really comes down to what the eye sees?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/19/2010 11:22:39 AM
Author: lolblows00
thank you so much! I will watch those later today - so basically this one really comes down to what the eye sees?

For the most part, yes. With fancy shapes it can be more of a challenge to find a well cut diamond than with rounds for example, but it can be done.

Best way is to decide which shape you want out of cushion or radiant and try to view some in person if you can. Then once you have narrowed down which you prefer, the shape of your cushion or radiant itself - be it square or more rectangular etc. Then decide on the type, in the case of cushions the two main types are the vintage chunky faceted cushion and the modern. Some of the vendors offer both types and the video I posted earlier will help you determine which you prefer. Then it is down to budget, colour and clarity preferences according to what is available in the type you want. A note with radiants, they can show more colour than other shapes so I would make GIA H colour your initial cutoff unless you have seen some radiants of lower colour in person and like them. As with cushions, some radiants can show a crushed ice effect which some buyers like and others do not. There is a branded radiant available, The Original Radiant Cut, Stand Grossbard of this company used to post here but hasn't for some time.

Here is the company - http://www.radiantcut.com/OriginalRadiant.aspx

These vendors have an excellent rep with cushions;

www.goodoldgold.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

www.engagementringsdirect.com

And they could also help you with radiants depending on what you decide, as can some of the other vendors.