Need help choosing an elongated cushion cut stone

[Sam2323]

Hi,

Full disclosure: I've been a lurker on this forum for some time I finally have an inquiry to post and could use some help/expert opinions on choosing between the two elongated cushion cut stones I'm considering for an engagement ring. I'm also open to looking at other stones that meet the parameters below. Thanks in advance!

Length/Width Ratio: 1.14-1.20
Carat: ~2 (mainly interested in length being ~8mm rather than total carat size)
Color: H or better
Clarity: SI2 or better, as long as it's eye clean
Cut: I'm not too familiar with the ideal table/depth % combinations for cushion cut - there's quite a range from what I've researched, but I've been using 61-67%, as a rough indicator that it should be a well cut stone.
Flourescence: None-Med
GIA/AGS (although I haven't come across any stones that are AGS certified)
Price: up to 13k

I requested aset/idealscope images (not sure if Adiamor provides these) and confirmation on eye cleanliness based on the twining wisps and clouds and am waiting to hear back.

Option 1: main concern is twining wisps affecting clarity
https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/F-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Cushion-Diamond/D34762182

Option 2: main concern is cloud
https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Cushion-Diamond/D34555172

Any guidance would be helpful with respect to which of the options above would be preferable and why, or if there are better stones I should consider.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Octo2005]

I am not an expert, but I love elongated cushions!

I suspect that the ASET's will not be very good on the 2 listed above. They are very mushy and will have that splintered, crushed ice look.

What type of faceting pattern do you prefer?

This stone has potential, but is not as elongated as you wanted. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-265007

Not really finding many that fit the bill. I am sure that the experts will be along soon to help.

Best of luck

 

[Sam2323]

Octo,

Thanks for the response! You got me thinking more about the crushed ice vs. chunky facet look. I'm leaning towards the latter (I think), based on some quick searching on Pinterest:


These two might be more of a crushed ice look, but are still beautiful (although I might be drawn to their size, colorlessness, and sparkle):


The JA stone you found is gorgeous, but unfortunately too square for my liking :/ Even a 1.1 l/w ratio doesn't look as appealing to me.

Here are the ASETs for the two options I mentioned:

Option 1: (also heard back that this isn't eye clean, so I'm going to pass on this one)

Option 2: (confirmed it's eye clean, despite the cloud) - can anyone help me interpret if this is decent/still with considering?

 

[tyty333]

I dont have time to look at the GIA report at the moment but did you see this one? It does look
like it has a cloud so not sure how that is affecting the stone...aset looks good. The aset above
looks OK...but would like to see more red. Do you have a picture of that stone above? The ratio
on this is 1.13.
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C202-146928178?

Edit...just looked at the report...it has a lot going on inside. You would need to ask ED if its
eye-clean and if all the pinpoints/clouds affect the stone in anyway.

 

[Sam2323]

Tyty,

Thanks for your helpful response. I'll definitely follow up with ED on your suggested stone-great find! The ASET looks much better for this one than most others I've found and it's even better priced, which makes it a definite contender

I'm a little concerned about G color with medium fluor, so I might inquire more about that as well.

Here's the pic for the H/VS2 and video:


https://d1s5m21q2l18ke.cloudfront.net/l10ib5pok142.HTML

Really great responses so far - please keep them coming!

 

[Sam2323]

Unfortunately, the G/SI2 that tyty suggested is noted by the supplier as milky.

Good news is that I found two pretty solid options that seem to have better visual performance (although they are graded VG cut-possibly because of the >67% table depth?) Pics, ASETs, and GIA reports are included below. I've asked for videos as well.

Option 3: 2.4 carat/I color/VS2 (multiple clouds with additional clouds not shown-I've asked b2c to describe how this is impacting the stone)/faint fluor/57% table and 67.7% depth/$13k






Option 4: 2.01 carat/I color/VS1/no fluor/65% table and 67.2% depth/$10k




I like the slightly elongated shape of option 3 and the extra spread, but I'm concerned about the clouds and not sure if it's worth $3k more than option 4, which seems to have a better ASET.

Some questions that I would love to hear thoughts on:

1) Is there a way to tell from the pics whether the I colored stones are exhibiting a warm color? I asked b2c to provide a comparison to the H colored stone I had previously mentioned (option 2).

2) Why do you think these stones are both noted as VG cut?

3) Why is there a $3k difference in price??? Is it primarily based on carat size?

4) Which stone would you choose and why?

I'm hoping to make a decision soon, unless there is something is really wrong with either stone that I haven't yet discovered.

Thanks!