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Larger girdle okay for Cushion in Halo? Suggested rings?

C

CapNB

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 6, 2012
Messages
24
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hey all,

I'm wondering if a larger girdle is okay for a cushion cut in a halo setting because the halo kind of wraps around the diamond. Or are there any other attributes that can be foregone for larger size because its in a halo setting?

I know some things like cut/color can make a smaller diamond look larger- my concern is there are all these people with huge crappy diamonds and my g/f doesn't know that much about diamonds and prob doesn't care that much about all the clarity/color details so..you see the dilemna. She does have small fingers so that prob. helps. She wants cushion in halo setting, platinum or white gold. Looking for at least 1ct, preferably 1.1ct+

Anyway, so far I'm looking at:
#1: Very good-cut, G, VVS2, Cushion, 1.10ct in platinum halo (link below), thin-thick girdle, $8,993 (slightly over budget), excellent polish, very good symmetry, no fluorescence, depth 67.3% , table 62%, 5.89 x 5.84 x 3.93mm, l/w ratio 1.01", no culet
#2: Same diamond in 14k white halo (link below), $8,543
#3: Very good-cut, H, VS1, Cushion, 1.20ct in platinum halo (link below), medium-thick girdle, $8,211, excellent polish, very good symmetry, faint fluorescence, depth 68.1%, table 62%, 6.39 x 5.72 x 3.89mm, l/w ratio 1.12, no culet; (OR $7,666 in 14k white)

Budget range = $7,400 - $8,600 (I can afford this without going into debt- I could prob. go higher but I'm a law student and this already seems high for me). I know blue nile has criticism but I haven't found any other sites with halo settings I like and I'd rather it just comes set already. And blue nile selection/prices don't seem to be matched elsewhere. I'm open for any site though.

Sorry, didn't know how to get the shorter link:
#1: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?builder=BYOR&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP&pid=LD02740326#DIAMONDS_STEP|LD02740326
#2: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?click_id=623337037&forceStep=BASKET_STEP&offer_id=20836&override=1&pid=LD02740326&ring_size=&style=20836&tempcurr=USD
#3: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?click_id=720565481&forceStep=BASKET_STEP&offer_id=20824&override=1&pid=LD02784043&ring_size=&style=20824&tempcurr=USD
 
It is impossible to buy a cushion cut without a picture and ASET image to get a really nicely cut stone.

these vendors specialize in really nice performing cushion cuts and the chunkier faceting which a lot of people prefer these days.
I suggest you go to www.goodoldgold.com and watch his educational videos on cushion cuts.
You don't want to end up with an ugly stone. To give you an idea of how low a color you can get and halo it here is an interesting
thread with a 5c. J color in a halo from Leon Mege. on page 3 she states it looks "icy white".

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-antique-cushion.140739/[/URL]

But with all the nice stones on ERD and LM in higher colors don't think you would want a J color. Here are some suggestions in your budget. Hope this helps. The 1.32c H VS1 is my fav but don't if you can go that high for your stone. If not, for the price the 1.14 I SI1 for $4,370 looks very nice.

antique (chunky) cushion cuts
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.32-carat-h-vs1-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-98718.html $7,670)

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.16-carat-g-vvs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-98721.html ($7,100)

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.14-carat-i-si1-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-101879.html ($4,370)


http://www.micropave.com/index.php/loose-diamonds/1-13-carat-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-h-si1-color-7-clarity-by-leon-mege.html ($5,900)

http://www.micropave.com/index.php/loose-diamonds/1-24-i-vs2-antique-cushion-cut-diamond.html ($6,500)

http://www.micropave.com/index.php/loose-diamonds/megesaurus-solitaire.html (stone in LM setting $6500)

http://www.micropave.com/index.php/loose-diamonds/1-06-carat-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-f-vs2-color-clarity.html

Modern cushion cut
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9544/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9330/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9290/
 
If you want a cushion, you absolutely have to buy from a vendor who has pictures. There are plenty of bad cushions out there, and the lab report is not all that helpful with what you actually see. Good Old Gold and James Allen are two vendors that have cushions with pictures. Engagement Rings Direct may have some on their site as well. GOG and ERD both have modern and antique style cushions.

Take a look at those and then come back with some selections and we can give you pros and cons. It is very important that you look at diameter measurements on cushions because if they are too deep or have a thick girdle, the result may be that the stone faces up like a smaller weight stone.

(I clicked "send" and see that Ariel beat me to it! So ditto what she said!)
 
Thanks so much. I'll look over the sites/links and follow up. Thanks!
 
Ariel144, thanks for all the info. and suggestions!
 
Diamondseeker2006, thanks will do!
 
GirlyGirl, I saw people saying that on a few sites but was being stubborn. I'm glad I didn't buy one their. Thanks!
 
It is possible to buy a decent round without pictures, but that isn't 100% ironclad, either. But fancy shapes vary SO much and you just can't tell much from the numbers. Sending diamonds back and forth is a pain, so that is why we recommend pictures for cushions and other fancy shapes, especially.
 
I watched the video and looked through the links- very helpful.

From the links above, I like the 1.32, H, VS1, 6.28 x 6.25 x 4.24, $7,785/$7,669 (bank wire) antique cushion:
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.32-carat-h-vs1-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-98718.html

$7,669 is still conceivably within my range for the diamond.

Also, the 1.22, F, SI1, 5.93 x 6.22 x 4.12, $7,581/$7,325 (bank wire) modern cushion:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9290/

I'd like at minimum H color and SI2. $6,000 - $7,700 range (for the diamond itself) and a halo setting between $1,000-$2,000.
I like the cushions with the larger facets- there seem to be both modern and antique with larger facets.

Not to fall for the marketing, but are the hearts and arrows worth the premium? such as:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8296/
1.1, E, SI1, 5.82 x 5.82 x 4.21, $8,384/$8,101 (bank wire)
This one doesn't come with a GIA cert?

Thanks again for the help. I'll search for more at the sites everyone suggested tomorrow. Thanks!
 
I usually don't like modern cushions (own two antique cut cushions myself), but that one you've posted from GOG looks nice. The ERD antique cushion doesn't wow me, it looks too sharp or something (maybe it's because it is nearly perfectly square, with just rounded corners). For the first time ever, I'd pick the modern cut over the antique cut. :tongue:

If you dropped your color requirement, there would be quite a few more options. Have you seen accurately graded cushions in a variety of colors to know that H is your cut off?
 
No, I just figure its hard to tell over the internet, and I don't want an obvious yellow tint but I could go a little lower.
 
justginger|1349608735|3280905 said:
I usually don't like modern cushions (own two antique cut cushions myself), but that one you've posted from GOG looks nice. The ERD antique cushion doesn't wow me, it looks too sharp or something (maybe it's because it is nearly perfectly square, with just rounded corners). For the first time ever, I'd pick the modern cut over the antique cut. :tongue:

If you dropped your color requirement, there would be quite a few more options. Have you seen accurately graded cushions in a variety of colors to know that H is your cut off?
Click to expand...

The E SI 1 is ALSO "square with rounded corners" so I don't get the logic of your post Ginger. Two totally different facet patterns between the 1.34 H VS1 and the Brellia on GOG, especially since you yourself own 2 antique cushion cut diamonds with the chunky facet pattern of the 1.34 H on ERD, you might be confusing the poster like you have confused me.

Personally the 1.34 H VS1 is beautiful and faces up the largest and will make a great statement on his fiance's finger with a halo. She will most likely never want a larger diamond in her lifetime. I think if the poster prefers the antique faceting then that 1.34 H VS1 ticks all his specifications and is a very lovely stone as seen in the video. Nice high crown and is gorgeous. I would put that stone on hold while he is trying to decide.

The square cushion cut stones are the preferred look by many cushion lovers, including me, and they seem to sell the fastest. But that is my general impression from watching ALL the GOG videos and watching closely their inventory. To get that 1.34 from GOG would cost a lot more $$. I think it is an excellent price too for an antique cushion cut that are so hard to find.

The only two on JA that are cushion brilliants (not modified) are K colors:....the 1.66 faces up nice and white because it is cut so well, according to the gemologist, but has a rounder look. both face up nice and large because they have a mid 60% depth. The ASET and the gemologists raving review of the 1.66 K IF is posted somewhere on PS but I can't find it. It is a lovely stone that faces up nice and white with the measurements that are as large as a 2 carat cushion...I would highly recommend the 1.66 to anyone who wanted a larger face up stone for their $$. This J VVS is really nice too; faces up very large and has unique faceting but also has the small crown which makes for a well performing cushion...very nice! Would love to see the ASET on the 1.52 J VVS2 which also faces up like a 2 carat (7mmx 7mm) Some more stones to consider on JA:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS2-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1490756.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-IF-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1471593.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI2-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1497915.asp

But as we all know, it all depends on which facet pattern is the most pleasing to the one who is purchasing.
 
Yeah, that antique 1.34 looks perfect. I might get that one but I'll keep looking and follow up soon- law school' just dominating my time at the moment but thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!
 
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