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Losing sleep over pillows . . . confused about cushions!

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BWoo

Rough_Rock
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Mar 23, 2017
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I'd really appreciate thoughts on options for a 3/4 ct (more or less) cushion diamond. Don't think I want to spring for something like a BG Signature cushion (though I appreciate the precise cut), but still want great quality and decent value. Some examples I found below to compare. Would these stones look much different from each other if I was lucky enough to be in a room with all 3?

Blue Nile Signature Cushion
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04149896?track=Detlink1

James Allen True Hearts Cushion
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.76-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3182679

Brian Gavin Select Cushion
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...s/0.700-f-vvs2-cushion-diamond-gia-6211469783
 
Hurry! Put the James Allen diamond on hold!

I prefer the non-hearts and arrow cushions personally, so that rules out the BN one. Note the difference in dimensions. The BN and JA are ~5.1 and the Brian Gavin is 5.4x5.26 which makes it slightly larger, but more rectangular.
 
OP - note that there is no true image of the BGD cushion so no idea what it looks like.

FWIW, I *do* very much like the BN H&A cushions - I've purchased several, and still own a pair (4.6mm each), and I find them to have incredible performances.

Personally I prefer the BN cushion over the JA cushion.

Likely if you had the BN and the JA cushions on your hand right next to each other, due to the BN cushion's distinctive H&A patterning and its 55% table, you wouldn't mistake one for the other ...

That said, if your budget can stretch to slightly over $3K USD, this JA 1.02ct H-SI2 cushion to my eyes is a beauty ... its face-up size (6.5x5.6mm) would be appreciably larger than the 3 stones you linked to, and its main inclusion (crystal) is pretty subtle-ly placed ... Just wanted to put the option out there. Because of the SI2 clarity, I'd recommend having it shipped loose to you first for your close inspection, so if shipping/returns is a problem, though, better to go with one of your initial choices. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3272595
 
starrylight - thank you! why do you prefer non H&A cushions? BG also has this stone, which is more square than the one I originally linked to:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...s/0.710-h-vvs1-cushion-diamond-gia-6211617384

marymm - good point on the lack of a photo for the BG Select -- I can request, unless you both think the JA and BN are more worthwhile anyway. why do you prefer the BN H&A? is a 55% table smaller than average, and is that something you like in terms of performance and/or appearance?
 
I really like the cushion @marymm post. Really pretty and nice spread.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3272595 {6.50*5.69mm}

I also like this one, although it is a lot less spready than marymm's...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3177929 {5.81*5.81mm}

Have you looked at old cushions? Have a look at the videos link, they really show their beauty when in motion.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/97ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-i-sl2 {6.33x5.56x3.67}

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-03ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-m-si1 {6.55x5.35x3.73}
 
@ecf8503 OP was linking some of BGD's "select" cushions, which are GIA graded, so the are measured the standard L/W way. Also, all of them have real diamond videos.

Now, I have owned a BGD cushion and if they had a larger one when I wanted to upgrade, I would have probably not gone to a round. That cushion was the sparklest, 'most amazing cushion ever, I would have kept it, if I could have afforded all:) OP, here is one of BGD signature cushions that fits your budget: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d.../0.701-i-vs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104092120003
If you want optimal performance, I would absolutely consider it. I personally loved the arrows of the round diamonds, but wanted a cushion shape outline and I really appreciated BGDs signature cushions, I think that they perform better compared to the BN's signature line and I preferred the orientation of setting the arrows as they will never be hidden by prongs.

That said, the 1.02 H SI2 JA cushion that @marymm linked seems like a great find as well and it has a great size.

Have you also considered chunky cushions? Here is an awesome AVC from GOG that is also within budget: https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...S-G-SI2-diamond-stock-10425-cert-104063820001

These cushions all have very different looks. I think that you will need to decide which one of them really speaks to you.
 
SimoneDi said:
@ecf8503 OP was linking some of BGD's "select" cushions, which are GIA graded, so the are measured the standard L/W way. Also, all of them have real diamond videos.
Click to expand...

Thx - I missed that.
 
These cushions all have very different looks. I think that you will need to decide which one of them really speaks to you.

I agree with @SimoneDi. More so than rounds, I think you really need to look at a lot of cushions and see what 'flavor' you like. I'm pretty much opposite to @SimoneDi on cushions. I really prefer non H&A. I love chunky flashes, so that facet pattern on the AVC from GOG is awesome (but, I am sadly highly aware of inclusions...so that one would not work for me).
 
Thank you all! On figuring out the look that speaks to me, do I really need to see in person or do you think videos suffice? I have a newborn & a toddler so getting to the diamond district is unfortunately a bit difficult!

My grand plan is to make cushion stud earrings so probably need to stay around 0.7-0.9 carat for each stud due to price and being able to wear them on a regular basis . . . I think!

With respect to H&A vs a 4 main or X (like marymm's 1.02 from JA -- I think?!), is the look very different? Thinking both can have great sparkle & brilliance, but wondering if someone who's not so familiar with facet patterns (like me!) could tell the difference when a 5mm-ish stone is set in an earring?
 
For those that prefer the non H&A cushions, is it because of their "personality" whereas a H&A cushion can look a lot like a round?? Or more about the way they sparkle?
 
BWoo said:
For those that prefer the non H&A cushions, is it because of their "personality" whereas a H&A cushion can look a lot like a round?? Or more about the way they sparkle?
Click to expand...
I personally think video is fine. What you will see a 5 mm in earrings is how they sparkle. So, big flashes (chunky old cuts) or lots of fire & scintillation (H&A). But, for earrings, you will be looking for two matched diamonds...which is a whole new kettle of fish. I would find a style or two you like and then enlist help from a good vendor to find a matched pair.

If you like chunky...how about these? I'm sure LAD will send you a video! Maybe a bit smaller than you mentioned. {she is having a sale and her stock is getting pretty low}
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-38ctw-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-earrings/
 
Antique and cushion brilliants are my favorite! :love: It's all a matter of personal preference as was stated above. When I went on my quest for a new center cushion, I found this guide from a PSer to be very helpful:

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...rience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/

Only after viewing a variety of cuts did I finally discover which spoke to me and made my heart sing. Definintely explore as many options as you can... videos are good to start, but don't be afraid to order from vendors who have good return policies to confirm it's "the one" in person.
 
You are buying two cushions for studs? If so, I absolutely would not buy one at a time. You need to find two that match and buy both at the same time. For the ears, I would want the more rounded cushions rather than square. The downside of cushions for studs is that they face up smaller than rounds, and really, a matched pair is going to be harder to find.

I like the shape of the BN cushion much more than the JA cushion for earrings, but only if they have match for it. I wouldn't attempt matching generic modern cushions for studs because it will be hard to do, plus they will not have the light return of hearts and arrows style cushions like the BN one.
 
Agree with Diamondseeker...if your ultimate goal is to make a pair of earrings then you need to either buy them both at the same time
OR
stick with branded stones (BGD, GOG or BN H&A cushion) to be able to buy a similar stone down the road.
 
Thank you all for your thoughtful responses!

Diamondseeker - when you say "more rounded cushions rather than square" do you mean L/W ratios close to 1 (maybe up to 1.03?), or am I misunderstanding?
 
Probably means more rounded corners rather than right angled sharpish corners going towards those on princess cut type of corners..
 
cushion1.jpg cushion2.jpg
 
Two different shapes squarer and rounded cushion shapes above.

I don't agree to stay with more rounded as I think this is just personal preference and depends on what YOU would want to wear and have it look like. Squarer is more modern.
 
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thank you pyramid! appreciate the explanation & the photos make the point crystal clear :)
 
BWoo said:
Thank you all for your thoughtful responses!

Diamondseeker - when you say "more rounded cushions rather than square" do you mean L/W ratios close to 1 (maybe up to 1.03?), or am I misunderstanding?
Click to expand...

I meant rounded sides rather than more straight sides. But the major consideration is that light return is incredibly important for studs so they can be seen well from a distance. The Blue Nile style, in general, are going to have much better light return than the vast majority of generic modern cushions. Yes, shape is personal preference, although I'd have to look in a mirror occasionally to make sure square stones were in the same orientation. That's not an issue with more rounded side cushions or round diamonds. I'd definitely want close to 1.0 L/W ratios.

But bottom line, light return is key, and I think the BN cuts will be easier to match a pair and have better light return than most JA modern cushions.
 
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