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Is this a good cushion???

DonnaH

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
90
I just got back from my local B & M jeweler (smallindependent in business 25 years). I chose the Kirk Kara setting and they are one of only 3 jewelers in Illinois that carry the brand. My total budget is 9000. After tax and the stone it is 10,300. My husband says to just buy the damn thing but I need to feel as if I am getting a good stone for a good price. Anyhoo, he got some stones in for me but I think he is overpriced. The stone in question is LOVELY and I would snatch it up if it were $300-$500 less. SHould I just call and offer that?

The stone he has is as follows:
Cushion Brilliant
GIA
6.21 x 6.0 x 3.94
Carat 1.01
Color G
Clarity SI1
Polish EX
Symm: good
Fluor: none
Price $5350

on James Allen
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1281222.asp
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
Do you have any close-up shots of his cushion? The JA stone is a lot smaller face-up than the one you are considering, so it is not a good comparison really (plus it is VS2 which costs more than SI1). It is super hard to get a good cushion. If you really love the stone and think it is beautiful, then maybe you can negotiate the price. But if you don't feel you love it, then I'd wait and look further. I think Good Old Gold's August Vintage (antique style) cushions would be fabulous in a Kirak Kara setting, but they are going to run higher because they are cut to have excellent light perfomance. I'll see if I can find any stones to help guide you on pricing.
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
Okay, here are some 1 ct. G SI1 fairly well cut cushions:

$3670 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280981.asp

$3670 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1372173.asp

$3700 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1298884.asp

As you can see, if these stones are similar in appearance to the one you are looking at, the prices are MUCH lower. I'd expect to pay a few hundred more at a local jeweler, but $5350 compared with $3700 is a significant amount of difference to me.

Just to show you an example of my favorite cushions, this is a 1.11 I VS1 ideal cut August Vintage Cushion ($6394):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7958/

One like this is worth more to me.
 

DonnaH

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
90
Holy Cow. The GOG diamond is amazing. Out of my budget though. Can GOG do a custom ring???? Maybe I shoulkd find the stone, then the setting. i have the setting chosen and am looking for a stone. I am super frustrated.
 

Haven

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Feb 15, 2007
Messages
13,166
Donna--I think you're new plan to find the stone first and then the setting is right on. It's really difficult to find a good cushion, so it's best to have a lot of options for finding your stone rather than pinning your hopes on on B&M jeweler. (Not that I'm anti-B&Ms, I buy all of my jewelry from a B&M.)

If you like the GOG stone, I'd give them a call and tell them what you're looking for in your stone and setting and see if they can help you. Their AVCs are gorgeous, and you can be sure that you're getting a well-cut cushion if you go with one of them.

P.S. I'm in Illinois, too! :wavey:
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
I definitely wouldn't order a setting until you have the stone because the head of the ring will usually need to be made to fit the diamond. It is hard to choose a cushion after seeing the ones at Good Old Gold, that is for sure! There are makers of antique settings that may be less than Kirk Kara depending on the style. Can you show us a picture of the one you like? We might can suggest someone who makes a similar style of ring. Then maybe you could reallocate more money to the diamond!

Besides Good Old Gold, you can find some antique cushions at Engagement Rings Direct. They may vary more in quality than the ones at Good Old Gold, but they do have some beautiful ones:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/searchCushion.aspx
 

DonnaH

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
90
You ladies are lifesaveers. Her eis a pic of the setting...I could do without the hearts on the side. I have talked to whiteflash about custom but they do not have cushions in house, they would have to get them in (which means I pony up the cash) before they can supply me with an ASET or video.

What I like about the setting is the antique look of it. I was planning one getting 2 tiny sapphires in the setting for my kids birthd=stones...been married a hwile and wanted a new ring for about three years.

kirkkaracarmella.jpg
 

DonnaH

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
90
andy by the way...thanks for all your help! I am usually a very quick to make decisions...I jsut cannot seem to pull the trigger...I guess I should go with my instincts!
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
Donna, that is a gorgeous ring!!! We can make some suggestions of custom ring makers, but I would focus on the diamond first. That picture does have a round stone in the cushion shaped setting. You sure you don't want it like the picture?
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
Beverley K is another designer that makes antique style settings. These aren't the greatest photos, but you can get a better idea when you enlarge them:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/

Also, there is a wonderful jeweler in CA that specializes in antique jewelry, but they also make new settings in antique styles. In fact, my favorite halo setting is there:

http://singlestone.com/index.php?page=collections&catID=3

In addition, another source of antique stones is Jewels by Erica Grace. They also make some settings (but they are pretty pricey):

http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/

Maytal Hannah or Victor Canerra might be able to do something similar as well.

After you spend some time looking, you may come back to the Kirk Kara setting, and that is fine because it is beautiful! But a setting like that really needs the right diamond, so do take your time!

(Incidentally, I came on here after being married many years to find a new diamond and rings, and I just stuck around! :bigsmile: )
 
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