New Member Hunting for Cushion Modified Brilliant

[Broken-Shard]

Hello All! First time poster, long time forum lurker.

I've done some research to get this far but I'd like to lean on the expertise I've seen here on the forums. Currently I'm looking at two diamonds at James Allen but am open to any online vendor. If these seem like potential winners then I'll ask for the ASET images. I have a budget of $5000 for the diamond and am looking for a square cushion modified brilliant from 1-1.2 carats in size. I have some play with my budget if it achieves a significant difference in quality or size.

I should mention that the cushion I am looking for is more of the "broken glass" variety rather than the antique look but I want to avoid diamonds that consists of watery pinpoint flashes; I'm looking for a diamond with definable gorgeous flashes. The guidelines I've used and my two current picks are detailed below. I'd appreciate any assistance! Thanks!

Cut: Ideal (GIA Excellent)
Color: G-I (G-H preferable)
Clarity: VS1-SI2 (as long as eye clean from 3 inches or so)
Ratio: Under 1.06

The Links:
(A) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1373692.asp
(B) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1483016.asp

 

[Broken-Shard]

Bumpity bump. Any thoughts on if these two are worth asking for an ASET image? I'm not familiar enough with diamonds to know better. I would appreciate any advice at all! Thanks!

 

[farmer gal]

If it was me I would snatch this stone up from ERD

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.02-carat-i-vs2-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-84219.html

 

[ariel144]

The 2nd stone from JA looks like it has the crushed ice under the table which might turn out to be leakage. The first one looks promising although the table is too large 65% for my liking.

Have you watched the videos on GOG on cushion cut so that you can narrow your search on cushions by determining exactly the look you like? This is extremely helpful when looking for a cushion cut diamond.

That ERD stone looks very nice.

Here are some more that have been chosen for their light performance on GOG. the one on Leon mege is probably a cushion brilliant.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8992/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9317/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9318/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9024/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9330/

http://www.micropave.com/index.php/loose-diamonds/1-03-j-si-2-cushion-diamond.html

 

[Broken-Shard]

Thank you for the advice! I've requested ASET of the first diamond as well as two other potentials. I dropped the second one from my list. Hopefully the "X" factor diamond at ERD doesn't disappear! I'd like to compare them and see the differences. Any other comments or recommendations are welcome. More to come...

 

[Broken-Shard]

These two images are of the below diamond.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1465375.asp

Any thoughts? The ASET looks alright to me, but I think I may be able to find a better quality stone and will likely continue looking.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would have to say that I favor the modern cushions from Good Old Gold and ERD because they are experienced in picking excellent cushions, both modern and antique and we have seen beautiful stones come from both.

 

[Broken-Shard]

Would any apects of the below "a cut beyond" diamonds from ERD make one stand out above the other? I'm having difficulty deciding which of the two would stand out above the other. Any advice would be appreciated!

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.93-carat-g-vvs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-15231.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.02-carat-i-vs2-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-84219.html

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.93-carat-g-vvs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-15231.html

Please please please buy this stone. It's been driving me crazy because it's the most beautiful cushion available now (and just the most beautiful cushion period in my opinion) and I can't really afford it and I shouldn't have no idea what I would do with it, but I'm crazy in love with it. Seriously. You won't find a nicer stone anywhere. Edge to edge brightness lots of light under the table, gorgeous faceting, lovely contrast pattern and great color and clarity. Perfect compromise between antique and modern faceting. This stone literally has it all.

And if you do buy it please post lots of pics here for me. Please.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi Broken-Shard
Considering the type of look we're talking about, that's a great name!!

Here's my experience over the years here on PS:
The type of cut you're referring to can not be evaluated like most of the diamond cuts generally preferred by many vocal posters here.

ASET images, for example- need to be evaluated in a totally different manner if one wants that "bottomless pit" of sparkle effect.
Green is good- and patterns that are not symmetrical might also produce counter intuitive results.

When looking at a video, notice how the diamond is shot. The type of cuts we're talking about will not look good in a tray. if we compare them with a more traditionally "brilliant" stone, like a H&A for example, in the tray, we can see a huge difference. In a ring, where the pavilion is not totally blocked, it will look a lot different.

The reason for all this is that the type of H&A stones that perform well on the reflector tests are more brilliant- in those circumstances. Like sitting in a tray.
But there's plenty of other lighting environments where the most brilliant stone might not be the "flashiest" or most pretty.

Always the right advice- look at stones in person if possible- and get a money back guarantee no matter what.

And only trust GIA or AGSL grading.

 

[AFGreen]

Would any apects of the below "a cut beyond" diamonds from ERD make one stand out above the other? I'm having difficulty deciding which of the two would stand out above the other. Any advice would be appreciated!

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.93-carat-g-vvs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-15231.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.02-carat-i-vs2-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-84219.html

I know it's not really answering your question, but I was at ERD the other day and checked out the I-VS2 you're looking at. I was between that one and one of their a cut beyond cushions. I just happened to go with the other one because it's more my style, but that stone is beautiful. Good luck!

 

[Broken-Shard]

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.93-carat-g-vvs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-15231.html

Please please please buy this stone. It's been driving me crazy because it's the most beautiful cushion available now (and just the most beautiful cushion period in my opinion) and I can't really afford it and I shouldn't have no idea what I would do with it, but I'm crazy in love with it. Seriously. You won't find a nicer stone anywhere. Edge to edge brightness lots of light under the table, gorgeous faceting, lovely contrast pattern and great color and clarity. Perfect compromise between antique and modern faceting. This stone literally has it all.

And if you do buy it please post lots of pics here for me. Please.

That diamond seems very beautiful from their video and I've placed it on hold until I can see it in person. From my limited experience though, roughly $6000 seems expensive for an 0.93 carat, G, VVS2 diamond with a slightly large culet and is AGS Very Good cut. Is the reason this diamond not an ideal cut because of the culet? My research into the AGS grading scale seems to indicate so, but I am unsure.

Is there something I'm missing that makes this diamond cost so much? What qualities of this diamond would help me quantify the price tag? Any insight would be appreciated.

Also, can anyone point me to an AGS Ideal light performance modern cushion if such a thing exists? I'm curious what one might look like and have had no luck on google. Thanks!

 

[Broken-Shard]

Could anyone please offer their insight? I'm unsure what may be causing the price jump for the carat weight of this diamond. Thank you!

 

[Broken-Shard]

Any input would be appreciated. Out of my depth here and looking for some insight into the price of this diamond.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.93-carat-g-vvs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-15231.html

Please please please buy this stone. It's been driving me crazy because it's the most beautiful cushion available now (and just the most beautiful cushion period in my opinion) and I can't really afford it and I shouldn't have no idea what I would do with it, but I'm crazy in love with it. Seriously. You won't find a nicer stone anywhere. Edge to edge brightness lots of light under the table, gorgeous faceting, lovely contrast pattern and great color and clarity. Perfect compromise between antique and modern faceting. This stone literally has it all.

And if you do buy it please post lots of pics here for me. Please.

That diamond seems very beautiful from their video and I've placed it on hold until I can see it in person. From my limited experience though, roughly $6000 seems expensive for an 0.93 carat, G, VVS2 diamond with a slightly large culet and is AGS Very Good cut. Is the reason this diamond not an ideal cut because of the culet? My research into the AGS grading scale seems to indicate so, but I am unsure.

Is there something I'm missing that makes this diamond cost so much? What qualities of this diamond would help me quantify the price tag? Any insight would be appreciated.

Also, can anyone point me to an AGS Ideal light performance modern cushion if such a thing exists? I'm curious what one might look like and have had no luck on google. Thanks!

It's a bit pricey but not overly so, and the clarity is raising the price on it. I think that you should compare the spread of fancy diamonds instead of their carat weight. Which means look at the measurements and see what you are getting in real visual size instead of the weight. What else can you get, for what price, at the same measurements. And then go from there.

About the Very Good from AGS, I'd call ERD and ask them why it got that grading and ask them to explain AGS grading, hopefully they will be able to do so for you.