Need Help Choosing a Cushion Cut from Ritani (<10k)

[babyblue121389]

Hi,

I have been trying to read up on selecting a Cushion cut on Ritani on old threads, but I couldn't tell if it was "mush" in the middle, like some of the threads had mentioned, or the proper L/W ratio. I would really appreciate help on whether any of these three are preferable and how to tell if they are a good deal for the price. I want something that looks bigger, but I know the depth could be more important than carat size. I was hoping for around 1.5 carats and the budget is max 10,000 total (I want the French halo setting which is about $2,000). I'm not sure if the 1.3 to 1.5 makes a big difference for cushion cuts, or if it is based more on the shape? Thank you so much for your help.

Here is the first one I was looking at:
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-1-51-Carat-H-color-GIA-certified/D-MRJ0FW

1.51 carats and It is a "very good cut, H color, VS2 clarity, and not fluorescent." It costs $8,526.

The second one:
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-1-30-Carat-I-color-GIA-certified/D-MR79V9

It is 1.30 carats, I color, very good cut, VS2, not fluorescent. It costs $5,907.

The third one:
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-1-53-Carat-I-color-GIA-certified/D-ZP0WHN

1.53 carats, I color, very good cut, VVS2, not fluorescent. It costs $8,192.

Fourth One:
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-1-30-Carat-G-color-GIA-certified/D-MQS306

It is 1.30 carats, very good cut, G color, VVS2, very good symmetry, not fluorescent. It costs $7,524.

 

[CymoneD]

I hope this helps you determine size, they make the shapes life size so it'll help you get a good idea of what you're looking at while shopping. I know that cushions are small expecially if you compared carat weights of the other shapes you will see a difference.

http://www.ajediam.com/Cushion_diamond_sizes.html

This diamond here is according to the DiamXray doesn't have too much light loss which is good and the price is less than $6,500

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11925/ (1.30ctw 6.30mm+)

Just a suggestion but Ritani doesn't actually allow you to see a picture of the actual diamond which can make it very hard to determine the diamonds fire or anything really. So maybe searching Good Old Gold or James Allen (both show pictures of actual stone, but GOG has more information like the DiamXray and ASET tests) for your diamond?

 

[CymoneD]

Here are some lovely diamonds from James Allen if you're interested

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-290611

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-290611 (small inclusion right under the table )

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-290588

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-148265 (gorgeous cut )

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.59-carat-i-color-if-clarity-sku-252572

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.55-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-171864

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.54-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-132047


I hope you like!

 

[Gypsy]

Those are all stock images. You can't shop my numbers you need images and an ASET, which Ritani doesn't not provide. Also, they only offer videos of like a 1/4 of their stock and from what I've looked at, those are all dogs. You would be much better off buying a stone from someone else that offers GOOD videos and images and ASET images and then sending it to Ritani for setting.

I would not buy a cushion from Ritani. You are wasting your time.

 

[geoffreysnow]

You can request pics with the video for all those diamonds. Just email them and ask and the pics are usually up in about a day. I've ordered from James Allen, good old gold, ritani, and union diamond and all 4 are very nice. You'll find the forum regulars like James Allen and there's no problem with that. Regarding ASET, yes it's important, but ritanis rerun policy is where they pay shipping both ways. So you can check out diamonds with no liability if you don't like them. I don't know of anyone else that does that.

 

[Gypsy]

You can request pics with the video for all those diamonds. Just email them and ask and the pics are usually up in about a day. I've ordered from James Allen, good old gold, ritani, and union diamond and all 4 are very nice. You'll find the forum regulars like James Allen and there's no problem with that. Regarding ASET, yes it's important, but ritanis rerun policy is where they pay shipping both ways. So you can check out diamonds with no liability if you don't like them. I don't know of anyone else that does that.

Do you know how many bad cushions you have to weed through to find a couple good ones? Dozens! Requesting a photo of each is ridiculous. And then getting them in person instead of just getting an ASET from the vendor?

They are a poor vendor choice for fancies. Shop somewhere else.

 

[Gypsy]

Diamonds worth your time:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigCU#diamonds_pid=LD04149913 These have impressive light performance and the image is on the GCAL.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.31-carat-j-vs1-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-151994.html

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.25-carat-h-si1-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-142781.html

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.20-carat-g-vs1-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-172878.html

Pickings are slim at JA but you can put these three on hold and if they are eyeclean, if they are you can ask for ASETs ( none of them are great but they are still better than dealing with the Ritani issue) :

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-293501
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-293745
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.41-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-167667

And ask GOG to load the pictures and ASETs for these:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11925/

And, though you didn't ask, this one would be my choice. It's a GORGEOUS cushion: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11989/ and this one would be my second choice: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9911/


ALSO PLEASE NOTE: WHEN COMPARING CUSHIONS YOU COMPARE SPREAD (dimensions) NOT WEIGHT. A 1.2 cushion could EASILY face up the same as a 1.3 or a 1.4 or even a deep 1.5 carat.

Also the more edge to edge light return the larger the stone will look. And both those stones from Good Old Gold are going to be fire crackers.

 

[CymoneD]

Gypsy I'm thinking Babyblue is going to have plenty to think about lol I love pricescope

 

[Gypsy]

Gypsy I'm thinking Babyblue is going to have plenty to think about lol I love pricescope

Glad to help! I hate dull diamonds. My own aunt wears one that makes me twitch to snatch it off her hand and send to Brian Gavin for a recut every time I see it.

 

[smit1299]

Diamonds worth your time:

ALSO PLEASE NOTE: WHEN COMPARING CUSHIONS YOU COMPARE SPREAD (dimensions) NOT WEIGHT. A 1.2 cushion could EASILY face up the same as a 1.3 or a 1.4 or even a deep 1.5 carat.

Also the more edge to edge light return the larger the stone will look. And both those stones from Good Old Gold are going to be fire crackers.

Gypsy, could you explain how to compare the spreads? VERY new to the diamond search and a bit lost with cushions...

 

[teobdl]

Diamonds worth your time:

ALSO PLEASE NOTE: WHEN COMPARING CUSHIONS YOU COMPARE SPREAD (dimensions) NOT WEIGHT. A 1.2 cushion could EASILY face up the same as a 1.3 or a 1.4 or even a deep 1.5 carat.

Also the more edge to edge light return the larger the stone will look. And both those stones from Good Old Gold are going to be fire crackers.

Gypsy, could you explain how to compare the spreads? VERY new to the diamond search and a bit lost with cushions...

Not Gypsy but...

Carat is a measure of mass--how heavy something is.

"spread" is a term for how big it looks for the same weight. For example, something that is 1 carat but taller than it is wide will be spread out less than something that is 1 carat, but wider than it is tall.

Depth % is a surrogate for spread. Something 60% deep will be spread out more than something that is 70% deep.

Cushions are even more difficult to measure because the sides aren't all the same length. Because of this, the only objective thing you can use to see how big a diamond looks is by comparing length and width of one diamond vs another diamond's length x width.

 

[Gypsy]

spread= length and width measurements. Compare the measurements not the carat weight with fancies (anything not a modern round brilliant).

Don't start restricting depth on your diamonds though, thinking you can get a larger stone by going shallow. YOU CAN, but some cushion facet plots (there are MANY) need higher depths for performance. By from performance, faceting and spread.