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Need Your Help Choosing A Cushion!

G

greeneggsandsam

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 7, 2014
Messages
17
Hi, I'm new to the forum and very new to buying diamonds. I was wondering if y'all could help me choose between 4 cushion cuts that I found on the web. My knowledge of diamonds is limited to what I've read on the forum and videos I watched from Rhino's School of Rock. I appreciate the help and if you have any suggestions, please let me know! I really appreciate it guys! :wavey:

From smallest to largest (ct.):

1. 1.22 F-SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12205/

2. 1.31 H-SI1
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.31-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-249409

3. 1.50 I-SI1
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-271740

4. 1.51 I-SI1
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-315225

Note: I requested the Aset images from James Allen and should be getting them in the next 3-4 days, which I will also add to the post.
 
First JA stone is blergh. Second and 3rd JA stone look bright under the crown facets but weak under the table.
 
^ I appreciate the response, Julie! :) How did you know the first JA was not a good one? I'm not questioning your opinion - I just want to understand how people determine which diamonds are good vs. bad (i.e., what do people look for). Specifically, it's difficult for me to tell which diamonds aren't "bright" and where light is leaked. Thanks!
 
That grey color at the perimeter of the table means leakage.

Most cushions have it, you just try to minimize it.
 
I'm not fond of any of them.

I'll check JA to see what else they have. Can you cancel the asets?
 
What a nice gesture, Tyty333. I really appreciate the willingness of this forum to help each other out! I will send the SA an email to cancel the Aset requests.
 
greeneggsandsam|1399505848|3668146 said:
Any thoughts on the GOG diamond? Also, taking into consideration what Julie has told me, I found this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-298350

Let me know what y'all think!
Click to expand...


My Dad's an Aggie...and I spent 3 years there in High School...I have to look out for my Aggie friends!

That stone has some leakage under the table right around the edge of the table. It may not be that visible in real life.
It does have an inclusion right under the table so I would ask the gemologist how eye-clean it is before ordering an
aset on it.
 
Haha thanks a gig'em! :D

Beautiful choices, Tyty333. I don't think I ever could have picked those out haha. I really like the 1.51 I-VS2 and also like your pick of the 1.33 I-VS1; however, my girlfriend really likes the "square" diamond look. I will go with the 1.51 I-VS2 and the 1.31 I-VS2. I also found this 1.31 J-VS1 Royal Chandelier and was wondering if it is has better optics than the JA diamonds...
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.31-carat-j-vs1-royal-chandelier-cushion-brilliant-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-151994.html

Also (sorry if this opens a whole new can of worms), is there going to be a noticeable difference between 1.5 ct and 1.3 ct? Note: My girlfriend's fingers are pretty skinny (sz 4.5) and I'm going to do a halo setting.

Thanks for helping me out. You've been a tremendous help, Tyty333 and Julie.
 
Love the J antique one from ERD.

You have to look at dimensions.
 
The "J antique" you're referring to is the one that I sent you, correct? If you are referring to the one that I posted, the table does look small and the depth long...is that less desirable and hence the cheaper price compared to other royal chandeliers?
 
It is probably cheaper because it is a J. Ask about what kind of J it is. there are yellow Js, brown Js, grey Js, greenish Js...
 
None of the stones originally posted are good. That includes the GOG. The ones at GOG worth your time are all called Signature Modern Cushion. Not just "Modern Cushion".

I will look for you as well.
 
 
Gypsy, I can't thank you enough. I have taken your advice and put the JA on hold.

As for the ERD, the depth % worries me (70%) and color (J), but should I be? I've read on various websites and on here (e.g., CharmyPoo's Cushion 101 post) that the "preferred" Depth is 63% to 67% and Table is 46% to 59%; which the ERD falls out of that range for table and depth. I'm going to take Julie's advice and give ERD a call to ask about the J color, but assuming that they tell me it's not a big deal, would the dimensions make the ERD not worth getting over the JA?
 
That cushion is an antique style cushion, the numbers don't apply, and the optics seem to be very good.
 
Charmy's thread is a good one. But I disagree with her about the stats.

You can't buy a cushion from the numbers. And I wouldn't throw out any of the stones listed because of their numbers. There are several dozen cushion plots. Some need more or less depth than others because of their performance requirements.

Antique cushions like the ERD one are very different than most others. With most cushions, but in particular that stone all that matters is the spread, ASET and images.


:wavey:

Up to 71 depth is not unusual with cushions.
 
JulieN|1399521845|3668292 said:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5044347-1.40-carat-Cushion-diamond-G-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
Click to expand...


OH! I like this one. DEFINITE contender.
 
I honestly can't thank you guys enough :appl: ...y'all definitely made it a hard decision for me to pick between such beautiful diamonds. In the end, I decided to purchase the ERD J-antique based on Gypsy's and Julie's reaction to the diamond lol (hopefully it was the best looking out of the bunch based on price per carat).

I called ERD about the color, which was the reason why the diamond was selling at a cheaper price, and he told me that you wouldn't be able to tell much color "face-up" because of the way antiques are cut and the scintillation the diamond has, but of course it isn't going to be like an D haha. Anyways, just wanted to thank y'all again, because I could have never picked out a diamond like that without your help! :D
 
Congrats, what setting is it going in?
 
That was actually my next dilemma (does it ever stop?? :confused: )...I'm debating whether I should have ERD do the custom ring or have a local jeweler do it (BTW, I live in Houston if anybody knows a good jeweler). My girlfriend likes an antique-looking setting with a halo. Here are some examples of what she likes...

http://www.nagis.net/store/bridal/bridal/2500-5000-bridal/products/scott-kay-luminaire-round-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-halo

http://www.sylviecollection.com/vintage-halo-round-brilliant-diamond-engagement-ring-s1003.html

She likes the taper shank, but she also likes a thin band with diamonds on the sides. I've seen some really beautiful pictures of antique cushion cuts with the halo, and the thin band definitely looks very "natural" with the antique cushion like it was made for that type of setting haha.
 
ERD is excellent. Locally, check out Brian Gavin Diamonds, also excellent.

I personally prefer the taper shank with milgrain, that one is more antique style.
 
 
Brian Gavin is right in Houston. They do lovely work.

I would advise you make an appointment and go in to see them. You'll be pleased you did. :wavey:

They can make you that style halo with NO issue at all.

And by the way I ADORE that stone you picked. And ERD makes AMAZING settings as well. So you REALLY can't go wrong. :wavey:
 
This is the picture what you want to give either ERD or BGD as a guide to the setting you want. Antique style but not overpowering, and will make the best of your gorgeous stone! Shank should go from 2.2-2.3 at the top to 1.8 at the bottom. The halo should be thin and the milgrain should be SUPER FINE.

This will make that stone POP and look huge:

_17878.jpg
 
Thanks for looking out, lovemybling! Gypsy, that is THE exact ring that my girlfriend wants..perfect. I especially like the super fine milgraining that you pointed out. Do you mind showing me where you found that ring? I'd like to see more pictures.

BTW, I attached the AGS cert. for those curious. Should I be concerned that there's some light leakage on the table? I'm sure it's not a big deal, but just thought I'd ask. Thanks again, everybody!

sam_kuo.png
 
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