In the Market for a Specific Cushion Engagement Ring

[md9nyc]

Hello all,

I'm fairly new to the boards, but after searching the web, this seems to be the best place for diamond related information.

I was told in my other post ( [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-aqua-halo.188293/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-aqua-halo.188293/[/URL] ) that I would be better suited posting in rocky talk for an overall discussion of what to look before making a purchase, so here I am!

I'm looking for or looking to have built a cushion (brilliant, not modified brilliant) cut diamond center stone (1 - 1.2ct.) surrounded by a halo of a light blue stones (leaning towards sapphires) in a platinum setting. The picture of exactly what I'm looking for is located below (although I'm looking for blue sapphires and a much smaller center stone).

My questions are:

1) Do the experts here think this is feasible for a budget of $10k? I'm willing to go higher if I can get the perfect ring.

2) Based on my research, I've concluded that its important I see stone in person as opposed to ordering from a Blue Nile, Joseph's, Gemvara, etc., as cushions really vary. Luckily, I work almost across the street from engagement rings direct and live only about 45 minutes from Good Old Gold. As I'm in the midst of scheduling appointments with both of them, what are key things to look for when selecting a stone? I don't mean the 4c's, I'm more interested in more technicals such as the ASET. Let me know what I should research and I'll dive in!

Thanks in advance for all of your assistance.

Michael

 

[Niel]

Oh yay! I was waiting for this post to come Im so excited to see road to this beautiful ring. I think the first thing is to see what price the setting will be from ERD. Then we know what your budget is left for the stone.

I think a rolling halo would be a great idea. It would bring out the blue, verses just one row.
Like this
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/tina-cathedral-double-row-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-210-15.html


Now being that it's going to be a blue halo. I'd imagine you'd want to keep the center stone g or above, so the blue doesn't clash with a warmer hue.

I do think you'll be able to get a nice 1 ct plus stone with that budget.

Do you know what kind of cushion you like? Vintage verses modern?

 

[diamondloveaffair]

for a budget of 10k, it is more than sufficient to get an awesome cushion cut with the kind of ring setting you are looking for.

 

[pandabee]

I don't think you necessarily need to stick with G or higher...H and I are plenty white that you wouldn't have any sort of contrast between the colorless and light blue color. Even if you did, I don't think it would be that obvious. As far as education on cushions and ASETs and all that jazz, have you read through this thread yet? [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]

 

[Niel]

I don't think you necessarily need to stick with G or higher...H and I are plenty white that you wouldn't have any sort of contrast between the colorless and light blue color. Even if you did, I don't think it would be that obvious. As far as education on cushions and ASETs and all that jazz, have you read through this thread yet? [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]

I love a warm colored stone as much as the next girl but I do think if you want the blue to pop it would be most flattering to pair it with a really white stone.

Plus, depending on the type of cushion desired (ie pinpoint flashes) an H will begin to hold tint.

Plus with that budget you could certainly get an eye clean 1.1+ G

 

[Mrs.W 514]

If you can you should look into yogo sapphires. They have great cornflower blue color and sparkle more than some other kinds.

 

[OMG_AMG]

ERD is a great place to look for cushion brilliants...

You should also check out Leon Mege as they also have a good selection of cushion brilliants:

1) 1.09 H VS1 for $5,806: http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=38836217

2) 1.05 F VS1 for $5,765 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=33169716

3) 1.04 I VS1 for $4,988 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=38449020

4) 1.01 G VS1 for $6,959 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=34264287

5) 1.01 D VVS1 for $9,957 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=32247684

6) 1.01 H IF for $4,256 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=29652148

I stayed away from Old Mine Brilliants as I wasn't sure if you liked those are not...they usually have large culets...

 

[md9nyc]

I don't think you necessarily need to stick with G or higher...H and I are plenty white that you wouldn't have any sort of contrast between the colorless and light blue color. Even if you did, I don't think it would be that obvious. As far as education on cushions and ASETs and all that jazz, have you read through this thread yet? [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I knew I had come to the right place. Thanks you Pandabee

 

[md9nyc]

If you can you should look into yogo sapphires. They have great cornflower blue color and sparkle more than some other kinds.

These are beautiful and the exact share of blue I was looking for. I'll have to do some research on them. Are yogo sapphires fairly common and readily available?

 

[chrono]

I've set a GIA J coloured cushion with side blue sapphires and found that they helped enhance the whiteness of the diamond to a certain extent.

ETA
Yogo sapphires are named as such because they are mined from the Yogo area. Just like all sapphires, they do come in varying blue hues and quality. Because it comes only from Yogo, it might be more difficult to source if you are particular about specific colour, size, matched pairs, shape, etc. I've often read Yogo sapphires described as a rich cornflower blue but even the finest Yoho has a distinctive steely or slightly grayish colour. The plus is that they are unheated. Due to the shape of the rough, most stones are well under 1 carat. Most are melee sized.

 

[md9nyc]

ERD is a great place to look for cushion brilliants...

You should also check out Leon Mege as they also have a good selection of cushion brilliants:

1) 1.09 H VS1 for $5,806: http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=38836217

2) 1.05 F VS1 for $5,765 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=33169716

3) 1.04 I VS1 for $4,988 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=38449020

4) 1.01 G VS1 for $6,959 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=34264287

5) 1.01 D VVS1 for $9,957 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=32247684

6) 1.01 H IF for $4,256 http://leonmege.com/diamonds/cert_viewer.php?lot_number=29652148

I stayed away from Old Mine Brilliants as I wasn't sure if you liked those are not...they usually have large culets...

AMG, thanks for the tip, I'll check out Leon Mege as well since I can see his building from my office. As for the old brilliant's, that was the first cut that I decided against. The large cutlets are not to my taste.

 

[md9nyc]

So late last night I found out that the pink halo ring in my OP is a Victor Canera. I reached out to him and he got back to me very quickly, something that goes a long way in my book. He said that he can make the same ring in a platinum halo (the pictured ring has a rose gold halo) with pave set blue sapphires instead of pink. My dilemma is that I would really prefer to see the stone I'm buying next to others for sale. Based on reviews, I would trust Canera diamonds, but still would like to see it in person and he's located in California.

Being that he was the creator of what I'm looking for, I am inclined to go with him. If I were, how would one go about getting the ring complete if I was to order the setting from someone like Victor Canera and purchase the stone in NY. Would I have to buy the stone first and send VC the dimensions? Regarding setting the stone, would I take it to the place where I purchased the center stone originally?

I'm not settled on VC just yet and will still meet with GOG, EGD and Leon for their thoughts (and the stone purchase).

Also, being that this is going to be a fairly sizable purchase, are there benefits in paying with cash, like a small discount or no tax? Are diamond prices negotiable? If the stone I want is $8,554, would it be insulting it I offered $8,000 cash? If there is no real benefit, I'll just put it on my card and get the miles!

Again, thank you all for your help!

PS: my apologies if I don't respond quickly, but I'm in the middle of a few big things...working full time, grad school applications, purchasing a house and planning a vacation to drive down the California coast in July, when which I plan on proposing. Sometime in between I also have to fly to Tennessee and ask her father's/parent's blessing. Thanks again!

Michael

 

[md9nyc]

Oh yay! I was waiting for this post to come Im so excited to see road to this beautiful ring. I think the first thing is to see what price the setting will be from ERD. Then we know what your budget is left for the stone.

I think a rolling halo would be a great idea. It would bring out the blue, verses just one row.
Like this
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/tina-cathedral-double-row-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-210-15.html


Now being that it's going to be a blue halo. I'd imagine you'd want to keep the center stone g or above, so the blue doesn't clash with a warmer hue.

I do think you'll be able to get a nice 1 ct plus stone with that budget.

Do you know what kind of cushion you like? Vintage verses modern?

That cathedral double row is beautiful. That's going on the list... Thanks Niel

 

[md9nyc]

So after a few more days of research, I've concluded that sapphires may be too dark based on the size needed for the pave. While looking at examples of sapphire & diamond collaborations, I have grown somewhat indifferent on my feelings when comparing the look to a diamond halo; boy do they shine! I'm in the process of setting up a meeting with Leon to discuss all of my options. The more I look at the pink halo ring, the more I love it. I may end getting one of those made (pink diamonds set in a rose gold halo). We'll see how the appointment goes.

As for stones, I solely met with Chris of ERD this past Friday. I cannot be thankful enough to him for the service and knowledge that I received. After viewing some different size diamonds, I've decided that a 1.25-1.35 will be the optimal center size. I fell in love with a 1.5c that Chris showed me, but I know my gf wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it.

Thus far, this is the center stone in the running. Any feedback would be most appreciated!

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.25-carat-e-vs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-109499.html

 

[ariel144]

Educate yourself on the GOG videos on cushion cuts and you will know exactly what you are looking for. Look at the ASET images on ERD and GOG...another way to educate yourself.

Your ring will be awesome if you find your stone with either of these vendors. Also check with Victor Canera...he's cutting his own antique cushions too and some are probably cushion brilliants.

 

[Niel]

The reason I like pink instead of blue is because you can put metal underneath that will match; pink on pink gold vs blue on white gold. But pink diamonds will be expensive. Have you considered maybe yellow?

 

[ariel144]

So after a few more days of research, I've concluded that sapphires may be too dark based on the size needed for the pave. While looking at examples of sapphire & diamond collaborations, I have grown somewhat indifferent on my feelings when comparing the look to a diamond halo; boy do they shine! I'm in the process of setting up a meeting with Leon to discuss all of my options. The more I look at the pink halo ring, the more I love it. I may end getting one of those made (pink diamonds set in a rose gold halo). We'll see how the appointment goes.

As for stones, I solely met with Chris of ERD this past Friday. I cannot be thankful enough to him for the service and knowledge that I received. After viewing some different size diamonds, I've decided that a 1.25-1.35 will be the optimal center size. I fell in love with a 1.5c that Chris showed me, but I know my gf wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it.

Thus far, this is the center stone in the running. Any feedback would be most appreciated!

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.25-carat-e-vs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-109499.html

Beautiful stone from ERD, but some "mush" under the table. Here is a perfect ASET from GOG and slightly larger for the same price which would be my choice. People don't realize that on stones this small the inclusions just are rarely seen with the naked eye.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10326/

another generic and way under budget but smaller:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10579/

Cushion brilliant on VC with a better ASET as well:

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/2lbzfg

This one might be worth getting the ASET.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.19-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-199201

Hope this helps.

 

[md9nyc]

Educate yourself on the GOG videos on cushion cuts and you will know exactly what you are looking for. Look at the ASET images on ERD and GOG...another way to educate yourself.

Your ring will be awesome if you find your stone with either of these vendors. Also check with Victor Canera...he's cutting his own antique cushions too and some are probably cushion brilliants.

Thank you Ariel. I have been exchanging emails with VC for about a week now. My only issue with buying from VC is that I cannot see what I'm purchasing in person. That said, his reputation speaks for himself, thus I would completely trust him. He recently sent me videos that I still need to watch in HD when I have a moment. He has been extremely helpful and is very quick to respond to inquiries.

 

[Niel]

I love that VC one. And it would be nice, get your stone and setting all from one place. Right under the stone (for me anyways) says" pairs well with " and shows a lovely pink halo. I understand the want to see it in person but I truely don't think you would be disappointed!

 

[md9nyc]

The reason I like pink instead of blue is because you can put metal underneath that will match; pink on pink gold vs blue on white gold. But pink diamonds will be expensive. Have you considered maybe yellow?

After viewing some in person, I completely agree with you Niel. Depending on the shade of blue, if would either be too light and not provide enough contrast, or too dark and provide more of a contrast than I'm looking for (not to mention the pave not looking as elegant due too the prongs). Its nice working a stone's throw from the diamond district....I can find almost anything I'm looking for in person.

I have yet to get a quote on the pink diamonds, but will definitely keep yellow in mind as well.

 

[md9nyc]

Okay so after countless discussions, emails and meetings with various jewelers, I'm 99% certain that I'm going to have VC build the ring for me.

My only dilemma is choosing a stone from him or one from another company. The sole reason that I am not set on his, is because I'm not able to see the stone in person. That said, I fully trust VC based on his reputation.

This stone would be set in a pink diamond with a rose gold halo (very similar to acebruin's).

If I were to source my own stone, I would have to go to purchase the stone, have it shipped to VC in California and get it insured for the entire process. If I purchase it from VC, everything is included....

I'm leaning towards VC and about to pull the trigger...what are everyone's thoughts?

 

[Niel]

Feel confident that that g vs2 is going to be a stunning stone. The color and clarity are great, and we know she doesnt need a larger stone, sense you said if it was too big she would feel uncomfortable. Go with that stone. Its so much easier to get the stone and setting from the same place. Also, maybe ask for a video of the stone or something to put your mind at ease.

 

[md9nyc]

Thank you Niel. He sent me a video, but I feel that it doesn't do it justice. I'm going to give him the go ahead to start creating this piece. Thank you all for your assistance. I'll be sure to post pictures of the completed project!

 

[Laila619]

I would definitely get it all with one vendor. The Canera cushion looks nice!

 

[Niel]

Thank you Niel. He sent me a video, but I feel that it doesn't do it justice. I'm going to give him the go ahead to start creating this piece. Thank you all for your assistance. I'll be sure to post pictures of the completed project!

Oh yay this is going to be stunning. You'll be so happy you went this route!

 

[md9nyc]

Three more weeks! The suspense is killing me!

 

[md9nyc]

My project is finally complete; here she is!!

 

[md9nyc]

A couple more...

 

[Niel]

oh my gosh that is amazingly stunning!

Do you love it??

 

[Niel]

Bump bump


Post a show me the belong thread. People need to see this stunner.