lookin for cushion

[ShannonM]

Hi all. Sorry in advance for the long post. I''ve been lurking around here for a while and now IT''s TIME! My engagement ring has sort of become my project, which I love. The BF and I have been looking around for a while and settled on a couple of things, the most important of which is we want to find a Cushion. I''m glad I found this forum because otherwise I probably would have given up the search and settled. The jewelers in my area have been completely uneducated when it comes to cushions and they don''t seem to care very much for the cut. I even had one lady in a "very nice" store tell me that the cushion and radiant cuts were the same, but that cushions were more square and radiants were rectangular

. We''ve decided to go the route of working with a PS diamond guy to find what we want. I was playing some of the GOG videos for my BF and he said "finally someone who knows what he''s talking about". My question is this. I''ve been lurking around here long enough to know that Mark T has found some AMAZING stones for many of you. We also love Jonathan''s technology and full information style. I wouldn''t want to offend either one. Would asking both of them at the same time be considered taboo or would that be ok? Should we start with one and see what he can find first? Also how would you go about getting in touch with them. Do you call and ask for them or do you start with another jeweler there and they jump in if they think they need help? Oh and BTW we''re looking for a F-G, VS2-SI1, 1.6-2.? carat, 1:1.1ish stone in a modified brilliant cushion style, and we''ve got a fairly flexible budget of 8-15k (I know that''s sort of a huge range). Think we''ll find what we''re looking for?

 

[Skippy123]

I thought this might be an interesting read for you on the differences between the vendors. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/review-of-online-diamond-buying-experience-%E2%80%93-winfield%E2%80%99s-gog-wf-erd.43308/
I would give one a chance but I guess you could ask both and see what they come up with.

 

[Dodgers!]

Hi Shannon,

I Ended up buying a cushion from Mark @ ERD, who was great to work with (should have my ring soon), but I think that if you are honest with GoG or Mark, and even whiteflash, that you are looking for a cushion and have contacted separate vendors, they would all be happy to work with you. I think that they are used to people "casting a wide net" when it comes to searching for an ideal cushion. Many PS''ers have worked with all three and I have seen posts here detailing meetings with all three (notably by CrookedRock who always gives great descriptions of her meetings and feedback on vendors, and has been helpful to many Cushion lookers). I did contact a couple of vendors but really liked a rock that Mark found. (1.65 E IF Cushion Brilliant)
Also if you are looking for a Cushion Modified Brilliant, i think your not competing with
as many buyers (a good thing with such a rare stone) as most on here seem to like the Chunky facets of the Cushion Brilliant over the crushed ice type look modified cushion brilliants usually have...I would also take a look at Boston_Jeff''s posts as he has educated himself amazingly well on cushions, and his posts have been unbelievably helpful.

 

[ShannonM]

Skippy 123 that is exactly the kind of post I''d been searching for. Great information. I can''t get over how helpful everyone is around here.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/30/2008 12:08:47 PM
Author: ShannonM
Skippy 123 that is exactly the kind of post I''d been searching for. Great information. I can''t get over how helpful everyone is around here.

Oh good; I think that link helps to know what each vendor can offer as far as technology, etc. Each consumer is different so I am glad TGal wrote that review up on the different vendors in regards to the cushion cut. Shannon Welcome to Pricescope by the way; I agree everyone is very helpful that is why I love it that I found my ring here

 

[ShannonM]

Dodgers! Thanks for the advice. I think I''m having a little trouble describing the style I''m looking for. Think chunky fascets but on the smaller side. Yes I realize that''s a bit of an oxymoron but I''m an accountant not an engish major

. I definitely don''t like the crushed ice look. I guess I''m looking for a more modern take on the antique cuts. Is there a better name for the type of stone I''m looking for?

 

[chrono]

I would also base my vendor preference on who has what at the time I''m ready to buy.

For example, I purchased mine from GOG because they have exactly what I''m looking for. My avatar shows a modern cut square cushion with chunkier than usual faceting (but not as large as an antique cushion) and a medium culet reminiscent of antique cushions.

 

[excitedmid40sgirl]

Hi, Shannon. Hope you find what you are looking for...the cushion is my absolute favorite. Good luck!

 

[ShannonM]

Chrono, your stone sounds a lot like what I''m looking for, and it''s beautiful. Has anyone worked with Gary at ERD? I called at lunch to see if I could get the ball rolling and ended up speaking with him. He seemed very nice but I''m just wondering if anyone had experiences they could share.

 

[CrookedRock]

Hey Shannon!

Isn't it fun to do all the research and learn all about this stuff!! From what You've said about not wanting the crushed ice look you should be looking for a Cushion Brilliant. The Modified's are the ones with the icy look...
I recently bought a cushion from Mark at ERD but I also worked with Jon at GOG. I first called Mark and after he only had found me one thing I was wanting more options so that's when we contacted Jon. Both were great to work with and I highly reccomend either.
I'm not sure where you are located, but if you can get to NY to see them that is always best, but really no biggie if not bc you can always return it if you receive it and are not satsified. I would go ahead and contact one of them first and see what they come up with. Keep in mind that GOG uses a lot of awesome technology including those videos. Mark on the other hand will send you a pic but it will not ever do the stone justice. When we first saw the pic that Mark sent us, we automaticaly discounted it bc it looked terrible. But when we saw it in person, our hearts skipped a beat bc it was so beautiful! I totally trust Mark's eye, but Jon's videos are a huge help too...

Here's one to look at that looks good... and I know Mark has access to these, Jon may too.
2.01 F SI1

Also check out Scarlet's new Cushion from Mark at ERD, it's being set right now at Leon's but the look may be what you like!

Good luck and please feel free to ask away with any questions you have, I know how confusing it can all get!
ETA~ I met Gary when I was there and he was great!

 

[CDNinNYC]

Date: 4/30/2008 12:15:24 PM
Author: ShannonM
Dodgers! Thanks for the advice. I think I'm having a little trouble describing the style I'm looking for. Think chunky fascets but on the smaller side. Yes I realize that's a bit of an oxymoron but I'm an accountant not an engish major

. I definitely don't like the crushed ice look. I guess I'm looking for a more modern take on the antique cuts. Is there a better name for the type of stone I'm looking for?

Hey Shannon,

I could be wrong but what you might be looking for is a Cushion Brilliant (not Modified) with 4 main Pavilion (not . I believe the 4 main pavilions will give you a chunky look but on a smaller scale....

ETA: We got our cushion from ERD as well and had a great experience.

 

[ShannonM]

I''ve learned that I am definitely looking for a cushion brilliant. Probably more a Modern (not modified

) one. I''m finally starting to sort out some of this terminology. That''s very interesting about the four main pavilion. I''ll have to look closer at some of the pictures provided in the links. Do you happen to know if anyone''s cushion on here is four instead of 8?

 

[CDNinNYC]

Date: 5/1/2008 11:21:06 AM
Author: ShannonM
I've learned that I am definitely looking for a cushion brilliant. Probably more a Modern (not modified

) one. I'm finally starting to sort out some of this terminology. That's very interesting about the four main pavilion. I'll have to look closer at some of the pictures provided in the links. Do you happen to know if anyone's cushion on here is four instead of 8?

Hi Shannon,

I started a thread not too long ago asking to see photos of cushions with 4 main pavilions. Cushionlove posted a great photo and Pixley provided some links of some other PSers with 4 main as well. Here's the link.

Hope this helps!

 

[ShannonM]

Thanks. I''ve been trying to sort through all of the cushion links on here but boy is that A LOT of information. It''s a little overwhelming at times.

 

[CDNinNYC]

I know there''s tonnes of info out there and it can be somewhat confusing, especially when it comes to cushions. Let us know if you have any questions or want some help. I''m sure there''s many PSers who would be willing to give a helping hand.

 

[ShannonM]

So I talked to Gary on Wed early afternoon and got an email back saying hi and confirming he'd start the search almost immediately. I haven't heard from him since although I did shoot him another email with pictures of some of the stones on here that I like. (I'm in love with neat freaks stone

). For anybody else who's worked with ERD how long did it take for you to start getting some feedback? I'm sure they are crazy busy and I don't want to bother anybody so if you guys could share some timeline info that would be awesome.

Also all of you out there with those wonderful Leon settings ... how do I go about convincing the bf that it's worth the money? I've never been a designer crazy person but I'm in love with how delicate some of his work is.

 

[ShannonM]

Sorry I got my pictures confused. It was MMM''s cushion that I really think is what I''m looking for. I wouldn''t correct myself except when I see that I don''t want to confuse anyone any more than I already have about the style I''m looking for. (and I can''t figure out how to edit)

 

[Skippy123]

I love Neatfreaks stone too; can''t wait to see what ERD comes up with!!!

 

[cincin090]

Date: 5/1/2008 11:21:06 AM
Author: ShannonM
I''ve learned that I am definitely looking for a cushion brilliant. Probably more a Modern (not modified

) one. I''m finally starting to sort out some of this terminology. That''s very interesting about the four main pavilion. I''ll have to look closer at some of the pictures provided in the links. Do you happen to know if anyone''s cushion on here is four instead of 8?

I have a 4 pavilion cushion and I got it from Mark at ERD. It''s my avatar!

As for the timeline for ERD. I contacted them a Wednesday and heard back from Mark on Friday. He gave me a call and seemed really busy and didn''t have much time to talk. But he just wanted to let me know that he was going to get the ball rolling.

Called back on Monday to let me know what he had found, but pretty much told me that what I wanted for my budget wouldn''t be really possible since the stones he found for me weren''t that great. So I downgraded in size and he went from there. Then he found me a diamond on Friday, and while I was debating about it over the weekend, I finally called him back and told him I wanted that diamond but he said it had been sold!

But he had another stone to show me as backup and I ended up liking the second stone much better so I guess it worked out in my favor. All in all it took about two weeks to find the diamond and then another 2 weeks to have it set in the setting I wanted.

I wouldn''t say this was the greatest experience, but then again I''ve never shopped for diamonds before so I don''t know what I should have expected. He was always professional, but he seemed really busy and so didn''t always have much time to talk, and he''s not going to be the type to hold your hand through the whole process. I really liked him...but I don''t know if I would have felt more taken cared of if I had gone with another vendor. Plus, he went on vacation, and has yet to contact me to ask me if everything with the ring is okay...o wells.

He did find me the best diamond though

It is so gorgeous and I''m just in love with my ring!

Now, that''s my time line with mark...sorry I don''t know anything about Gary. I think other people on this forum has had very good experiences with him though.