shape
carat
color
clarity

Looking for feedback on this cushion

thedurch

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
14
I received these from a .77ct cushion cut (G, VS1) and am hoping for some feedback on what the IS and ASET images tell me about light performance. I am a little concerned about the white on the sides - should I be? I am also curious about the black spots at the table. My understanding of IS/ASET is that black isn't necessarily bad, but as this isn't a round I'm not sure whether I should expect more of a "star." Any feedback and thoughts are appreciated.

cushion-front.jpg

cushion-glam.jpg

cushion-aset.jpg

cushion-is.jpg
 
That is an interesting facet pattern, I have never seen a cushion like that before. Hopefully someone more expert in this cut will chime in. I looks pretty. We have seen more "perfect" ASETs, but with fancies I am incluned to think real photos and your own eyes are more important.
 
I dont think its bad looking. It does have some leakage but it makes for some interesting contrast under the table area.
 
So it sounds like you're suggesting my hangups on the ASET/IS images may be unfounded and that it would be very nice in person? It's quite possible I'm over-thinking it. Would love to get some more feedback from folks who know more about this sort of thing than I do!
 
Okay so I'm wondering what people's thoughts are on the diamond pictured above, (details: .77ct, G, VS1 Depth: 66.6%, Table: 58.9%, GIA) for roughly $3K, vs. the one pictured below (.74, G, VS2 D: 67.2%, T: 45.4%, AGS) listed at $3700.

The IS/ASET images for the one below are clearly nicer, but do you think they're $700-nicer? It would by far be the most expensive .75ish G VS1/2 I've seen, but it also seems to be the nicest looking, so there's that.

gog1.jpg

gog_is.jpg

gog_aset.jpg
 
Both are beautiful! I think the modern faceted cushion shows too much light leakage around the edges but it may be a balanced appearance because of the faceting structure in the middle. WF should be able to give you their opinion about it.

I don't think the GOG stone would be classified as modern but as vintage. These two stones are completely different in terms of light performance. The modern cushion from WF will sparkle with smaller "fragmented" brilliance, while the GOG vintage cushion will give off a larger faceting shine or "chunky" brilliance.

So, you have to decide which is more appealing to you. To learn more, check out GOG video on cushions.
http://vimeo.com/7579666
 
Thanks, mandasand, that's exactly the kind of feedback I've been hoping for!

I am definitely more drawn to the "vintage" look, but outside of GOG's August Vintage line I've had trouble determining which category many diamonds I'm looking at online would fall into. It does help to have the pictures basically side by side here, though, where the difference in facets is more obvious.

Any advice on places to look, or characteristics to be looking for, outside GOG's AVC line, to help compare?
 
I personally like the August vintage better than the other stone.
 
tyty333 said:
I personally like the August vintage better than the other stone.

Same- I prefer the look
 
I feel the same way, Amy and tyty - my only hangup is that the AVC is significantly more expensive than any other comparable cushion I've seen. (Comparable in terms of ct, color and clarity - haven't really been able to find ones with comparable look.) $5000/ct compared to an average of closer to $3500/ct elsewhere; translates to $1,000+ more than G VS2 cushions of similar size.
 
thedurch said:
I feel the same way, Amy and tyty - my only hangup is that the AVC is significantly more expensive than any other comparable cushion I've seen. (Comparable in terms of ct, color and clarity - haven't really been able to find ones with comparable look.) $5000/ct compared to an average of closer to $3500/ct elsewhere; translates to $1,000+ more than G VS2 cushions of similar size.

Very true- they carry a premium :(
 
I know $700 seems like a lot, but when that $700 buys you a vintage-style stone (which seems to be what you want) then I think it's worth it.

It's really impossible to compare these two stones because the first is modern and the second is antique-style. I understand they're both classified as cushions, but seriously, that's where the similarities end.

AVCs carry a premium because they are branded and cut to optimize light performance, which is something that is difficult to find in an antique or antique-style cushion.

If you want an antique-style cushion, then I wouldn't even consider the first stone.

However, if you don't really know what you want, I think it's time to do some shopping. Find a local jeweler that carries antique cushions, if you can, and try some on in person. Try on some modern stones, too. See which you prefer. (Post lots of pictures. :cheeky: ) Do you know how you want to set it? Your setting preferences might give you some insight, too--if you want a very modern setting, then perhaps that's the way to go.

As for my opinion, I think the AVC wins, hands-down. But I'm an antique cushion sort of gal.
 
You have to be really smart when shopping for cushions online because a lot of companies don't show the actual picture. This will be very important because you can't determine much from the GIA report. It's helpful but in now way will show the facet structure, since there isn't a standard cut for cushions. I agree that unless you can get ASET pics from GOG or WF, you may need to look at a local jewelery store. James Allen has a HUGE database of cushions AND they include pics and reports.

Antique cut stones are much harder to come by and there are hundreds of varieties of the "cushion brilliant" or "cushion modified brilliant"

I was sold on a round and now I'm changing my mind to a cushion, and since I have no clue about this type of cut, I've been doing lots of research. Also, with cushions, they show warmth more than other cuts (like a round), so if you want a whiter look, you have to stay G/H and below. I looked at a "I" in the store and I immediately said "that's yellow." You can be more lenient with the cut, like an SI1 with a low color - that coupled with the facet structure you like the best.
 
Also, I do not know where they sell antique cushion cuts other than GOG, but I know Jonathan has said they are much more rare than cushion modified brilliant. I think you want to avoid "modified brilliant" and try to find "cushion brilliants" for a more antique cut.
 
One of the problems I've had with local places is them not having cushions in stock, and not really finding what I'm looking for to bring in and look at - maybe I'm just doing a bad job communicating what I want. It does help to flesh it out a bit on the boards. It doesn't help that so many sites use sample images for their diamonds, too, so you can't really see the facet pattern.

I was searching around James Allen, though, and came across a few diamonds with comparable specs to the AVC above, that seem to me to have broader facets that would produce that same vintagey kind of look. Am I on the right track?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1432864.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1432872.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1373918.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1362067.asp
 
Haven|1331062040|3142007 said:
It's true that a good antique cushion is hard to find. It took my jeweler about four years to come across my antique cushion. He had others in the interim, but none that I liked enough to buy.

Four years?! I have a feeling my gf won't take to kindly to waiting around for four years!
 
thedurch|1331062175|3142010 said:
Haven|1331062040|3142007 said:
It's true that a good antique cushion is hard to find. It took my jeweler about four years to come across my antique cushion. He had others in the interim, but none that I liked enough to buy.

Four years?! I have a feeling my gf won't take to kindly to waiting around for four years!
Don't worry--I had a modern cushion on my hand to take away the pain of the wait. :cheeky:
 
I like the first link and last link from JA. You should inquire about those two and let us know what you find out.
 
thedurch|1331061773|3142003 said:
One of the problems I've had with local places is them not having cushions in stock, and not really finding what I'm looking for to bring in and look at - maybe I'm just doing a bad job communicating what I want. It does help to flesh it out a bit on the boards. It doesn't help that so many sites use sample images for their diamonds, too, so you can't really see the facet pattern.

I was searching around James Allen, though, and came across a few diamonds with comparable specs to the AVC above, that seem to me to have broader facets that would produce that same vintagey kind of look. Am I on the right track?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1432864.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1432872.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1373918.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1362067.asp

No, none of these is remotely similar to an AVC or antique cushion.
 
diamondseeker2006|1331083361|3142338 said:
No, none of these is remotely similar to an AVC or antique cushion.


Can you explain? Or maybe provide some advice on what to be looking for? Thanks.
 
AVC - that is a "brand" August Vintage that GOG sells. I am not aware of other retailers that sell August Vintage cuts.

An "Antique cut" cushion would be classified at a "Cushion Brilliant" and a modern cushion is called a "Cushion Modified Brilliant"

BUT, that doesn't mean that a "Cushion brilliant" will have the chunky cutting of an AVC. You'll have to go to GOG for that.

In your links, 1&2 are modified cushions and 3&4 are brilliants. I would get the ASET from diamond #4. I think that will give you the best "vintage" look without the price of an AVC. But, I am seriously not an expert and Diamond Seeker could probably enlighten you much more than me! :loopy:
 
That is my understanding, mandasand. I guess what I'm trying to do is find diamonds similar to GOG's branded AVC cut to compare. The goal is not to get an exact AVC (though I'm not entirely opposed to it), but something in a similar style that will give that broader flash. I am working on getting ASETs for 1, 3 and 4 of the links above from James Allen.

When you put the photos side by side, it looks to me like (as you said) 3 and 4 are relatively close to that chunkier look created by the AVC. 1 maybe not so much, but am getting it for size/shape comparison too as it's got a higher ratio. Since they look not exactly the same as AVC, but the same general approach, I'm hoping Diamond Seeker can help help explain why they said none of them are even remotely similar.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top