Need help finding ideal cushion diamond (VS2 - VS1, G-E, 1.3-1.5 ct)

[jchau]

I have a month till my planned proposal to my girlfriend and I can''t seem to find this diamond in any of the local stores with the setting I want.

For the diamond I am looking for:
Cushion
Ideal
1.2 - 1.5 ct
VS2 - VVS2
G - E

For the setting I am looking for:
Platinum or white gold
Tension setting (modern, sleek)

I am guessing this will most likely cost me $10 - $15k. I looked on Blue Niles but it doesn''t have any ideal cushion cut. Whiteflash seems to have alot of diamonds in that range but the site doesn''t specify the cut for those (WF rating of 1 star). I love the settings at James Allen but they are soooooo expensive! $5,000 for platinum setting! That''s the cost of a good diamond! Is James Allen just overpriced?? I am looking at this 1.34 ct at JA and the price seems decent. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1135220.asp . Is it safe to buy setting from one vendor and the diamond from another? Any other sites for tension settings? They don''t seem very common.

Sorry for the gazillion questions but the more research I do, the more questions I have

. I want this diamond to be puurrrrfect for my girlfriend (she deserves the best), but at the same time I am a bit of a frugal (not cheap!), value hunter. Thanks in advance for any advice, comments, etc. This forum is great!

 

[Deelight]

Hi there jchau ,
There really is no such thing as an "ideal" cushion as there is no set parameters that will make a beautiful cushion, you really need to see one with your eye''s or have a trusted vendor find one for you. Also do you know what kind of cushion you want, are you one with more of a crushed ice appearance or one with huge chunky facets that is more of an antique style. Most people tend to prefer the chunky cushions but these also can carry a premium as they are hard to find.

If I was looking for a cushion I would contact GOG or Mark at ERD both have been known to source some really beautiful yummy cushions for many people and are considered at the go to people around here .

I would definitely give those two vendors are a call and see what they have in your budget .


Finally has your GF expressed a love of tension settings?

GL

 

[LegacyGirl]

Mark at ERD will find you a good one. I''d call him

 

[pixley]

Ditto what DeeLight and LegacyGirl said - Mark at Engagement Rings Direct and Jon at Good Old Gold are just the best to work with. I just took a gander at Good Old Gold's cushions and Jon has some juicy new ones on his website and can get you more if those aren't your cup of tea. Mark doesn't have photos on his website but he has access to many, many cushions at his fingertips. With ERD you might not get all the goodies that Jon offers: ie Sarin reports, lifelike, clear as a bell photos, videos of the stone in action, etc., but both vendors are absolute gems. GOG has a fantastic lifetime upgrade policy for stones that Jon deems worthy of it.

As for settings, both vendors also have access to a multitude of settings and can do custom work or arrange to have your stone sent to the custom designer of your choice.

ETA: I just had to take a peek at this tension setting again because it's so insanely beautiful (this belongs to MikeRato1:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kretchmer-tension-finally-done.81479/

 

[jchau]

wow! That tension setting is EXACTLY what i want!!!

So the diamond link at James Allen is no good? How are my diamond requirements? Am I on a good start and is my price budget realistic? Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I hate to rain on anybody''s parade, but I just wouldn''t put a cushion into a tension setting. The appeal of a cushion is it''s classic elegance of an antique stone, and tension is ultra modern. Of course, you are totally free to like something different than I do!
But the big question is, has your girlfriend said she wants a tension ring?

I vote for calling Jonathan at Good Old Gold. He is wonderful.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Found a beautiful one for you! 1.64 E VS1 $12,653:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3790/

 

[scarlet16]

Date: 3/31/2008 12:00:18 AM
Author: pixley
Ditto what DeeLight and LegacyGirl said - Mark at Engagement Rings Direct and Jon at Good Old Gold are just the best to work with. I just took a gander at Good Old Gold''s cushions and Jon has some juicy new ones on his website and can get you more if those aren''t your cup of tea. Mark doesn''t have photos on his website but he has access to many, many cushions at his fingertips. With ERD you might not get all the goodies that Jon offers: ie Sarin reports, lifelike, clear as a bell photos, videos of the stone in action, etc., but both vendors are absolute gems. GOG has a fantastic lifetime upgrade policy for stones that Jon deems worthy of it.

As for settings, both vendors also have access to a multitude of settings and can do custom work or arrange to have your stone sent to the custom designer of your choice.

ETA: I just had to take a peek at this tension setting again because it''s so insanely beautiful (this belongs to MikeRato1:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kretchmer-tension-finally-done.81479/

FYI: ERD does have an upgrade policy as well (there are limitations though). And Mark really really gets some fabulous stones!!!

 

[vs]

I would also highly recommend Mark Turnowski at ERD. He is patient, understanding, and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to cushions. I worked with him long-distance (I live in California) and he was always available by phone and e-mail.
He found exactly what I was looking for: an antique-style cushion (2.17 ct/H/VS2). Just give him a call...good luck and let us
know how everything turns out!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 3/31/2008 8:58:14 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I hate to rain on anybody''s parade, but I just wouldn''t put a cushion into a tension setting. The appeal of a cushion is it''s classic elegance of an antique stone, and tension is ultra modern. Of course, you are totally free to like something different than I do!

But the big question is, has your girlfriend said she wants a tension ring?


I vote for calling Jonathan at Good Old Gold. He is wonderful.

ditto DS, unless of course your GF has said that is the setting she wants.

Goodoldgold and Mark T are both great choices for cushion vendors.

 

[jchau]

Date: 4/1/2008 6:43:27 AM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 3/31/2008 8:58:14 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I hate to rain on anybody''s parade, but I just wouldn''t put a cushion into a tension setting. The appeal of a cushion is it''s classic elegance of an antique stone, and tension is ultra modern. Of course, you are totally free to like something different than I do!

But the big question is, has your girlfriend said she wants a tension ring?


I vote for calling Jonathan at Good Old Gold. He is wonderful.

ditto DS, unless of course your GF has said that is the setting she wants.

Goodoldgold and Mark T are both great choices for cushion vendors.

Unfortunately, she did say she want a tension setting or something close to it. I am pretty sure she will settle for a Round instead of Cushion to accomodate the setting. I emailed Sarah at Good Old Gold and hope to hear from her soon. It''s hard for me to do this via phone since I am at work most of the day and with my gf afterward (we live together). Thanks everyone!

 

[pixley]

If she has her heart set on a cushion in a tension, then see if you can photoshop one into the setting that you want to get a sense as to whether it will work. I think the more modern syle 8 pavilion main cushions (like the one diamondseeker suggested from GOG) can definitely handle a tension setting, it'll just be a matter of finding the right shape cushion for the setting. Below is a picture of the cushion facet style that I think will work in a tension setting: