Need help choosing a cushion diamond

[wcombat1911]

I will be purchasing an engagement ring sometime around the end of January when James Allen usually runs an e ring sale on settings. I am looking to spend around 4K total.

She likes the cushion halo setting so I have decided on this one in platinum.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49998
The January sale usually is 20-25% off the settings so that will price it at about $1500.

That leaves about $2500 for the diamond but I am struggling to pick what would be considered a nice diamond.
I would like the diamond to be cushion shaped. I would also like it to have have nice symmetry.

Any recommendations for search parameters for the diamond would be greatly appreciated. Would a diamond that is .7 to .8 carats look to small on this setting? Would selecting a 'true hearts' diamond simplify the process? Also if anyone would like to provide links to suggestions that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Octo2005]

Does your intended want a cushion shaped stone for this setting, or does she prefer a round stone in the cushion shaped setting? The stone in the link is a round in a cushion setting.

Congratulations on you upcoming engagement!

 

[tyty333]

You can use the pull down menu where it says "View with" and look at that setting with a .7 and a .8 cushion. I dont think it will look too small.
Does she have to have plat? Usually people tend to spend more on the stone compared to the setting but if she likes that setting and is ok with
a .8ish then...

Stones in your price range that are worth a look...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2313767
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.86-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-3709049
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3866600
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2314071
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3589731
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4044618
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3704548

Anyway, quite a few in your size/price range (look at LxW to see what is actually larger). Pick your top 3 stones
and if they are in the NY area JA can get you an aset image (post images here).

You pretty much use your eyes for the initial pick.

 

[ac117]

Here are a few suggestions....there are doing different flavors of cushions-do you know what type she prefers? It's also important to look at dimensions, not carat weight.
Tyty posted some nice options but here are a few more that are slightly more expensive but you could ask for a PS or advantage discount to get them closer to budget.
A stunning newly cut vintage stone: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-3596311
Beautiful: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3735177
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-3034821
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-3412645
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-3581900

 

[doberman]

At least one of those stones is 25% off its setting. This goes for all Canadamark diamonds. But it ends tonight.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4044618

 

[sln]

As someone who just went through this exact search, my experience with IDJ far exceeded my expectations. As the wearer, I had all the involvement due to my OCD. That setting is what I showed them, and he sourced a 1 CT cushion for us. Our price range was the same. Here is one of the pics our photographer send us.

 

[wcombat1911]

Does your intended want a cushion shaped stone for this setting, or does she prefer a round stone in the cushion shaped setting? The stone in the link is a round in a cushion setting.

Congratulations on you upcoming engagement!

Thank you! She prefers the cushion shape over a round stone.

 

[wcombat1911]

You can use the pull down menu where it says "View with" and look at that setting with a .7 and a .8 cushion. I dont think it will look too small.
Does she have to have plat? Usually people tend to spend more on the stone compared to the setting but if she likes that setting and is ok with
a .8ish then...

Stones in your price range that are worth a look...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2313767
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.86-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-3709049
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3866600
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2314071
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3589731
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4044618
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3704548

Anyway, quite a few in your size/price range (look at LxW to see what is actually larger). Pick your top 3 stones
and if they are in the NY area JA can get you an aset image (post images here).

You pretty much use your eyes for the initial pick.

Wow thank you for your help! Those are some great selections. I particularly like the look of the second one. I will pick 3 and request the aset images and report back.

Regarding the platinum, I honestly don't think she has a preference of platinum to white gold. I just figured it to be the better metal and decided on that one. She has seen this setting and does like it very much.

 

[wcombat1911]

So I picked out 3 diamonds that caught my eye. I called to request the ASET as you guys recommended but was told it is not available on the 3 diamonds I selected bc they are located overseas.

Should I look for 3 different diamonds that are avail for ASET request? How important is the ASET in determining the quality of a cushion?

 

[ac117]

So I picked out 3 diamonds that caught my eye. I called to request the ASET as you guys recommended but was told it is not available on the 3 diamonds I selected bc they are located overseas.

Should I look for 3 different diamonds that are avail for ASET request? How important is the ASET in determining the quality of a cushion?

Which 3?

 

[wcombat1911]

Which 3?

I found these 3:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.86-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-3709049
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2198382
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3644928

However once the rep mentioned being unable to get the ASET for those I started searching for diamonds in the US that I can request ASET for...so far I found this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-if-clarity-sku-3887653

I initially was leaning toward getting a 1:1 LW ratio but that last one is a little greater than that and I really think she would like that one too.

Overall, what do you think about these diamonds that I am picking. Do they appear to be of good quality? I seem to like the ones that are very clear and don't have that crushed ice appearance. I don't like the ones that have blemishes on the zoomed in view. I don't know if that matters in the grand scheme of things.