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Newbie needs help on cushion cut

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kikidoe

kikidoe

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
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45
First of all, I''d like to thank everyone on this forum. I''ve learned so much about diamonds, rings, etc. here because of everyone''s enthusiasm about jewelry.

I''m currently searching for a cushion cut diamond. But I''ve been told that it''s really difficult to find my ideal stone that meets my criteria (cushion cut, E color, VS2, EX cut, around 2 ct). So far I''ve been shown only 1 stone. It''s a gorgeous stone, but the only thing is that the stone has a large culet which I don''t quite like. I was told that large culet is typical for cushion cut. Is that true? The dealer also mentioned that it''d probably be a few months before he would see another stone like that one because of the small supply. It makes me worried. Shall I wait and hope there''ll be more stones that meet my criteria coming? Or shall I just change to look for a RB which will be so much easier since the supply is tremendous? The setting I loooove is the micropave halo by Leon Mege. I''m not sure if a round stone will look as great as a cushion cut.

Thanks for you help!
 
Why don''t you open up your criteria?

Open culets are more frequent in cushion cuts. As long as it isn''t large, I think they''re pretty cool.
 
Date: 3/8/2010 2:51:25 PM
Author:kikidoe
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone on this forum. I've learned so much about diamonds, rings, etc. here because of everyone's enthusiasm about jewelry.

I'm currently searching for a cushion cut diamond. But I've been told that it's really difficult to find my ideal stone that meets my criteria (cushion cut, E color, VS2, EX cut, around 2 ct). So far I've been shown only 1 stone. It's a gorgeous stone, but the only thing is that the stone has a large culet which I don't quite like. I was told that large culet is typical for cushion cut. Is that true? The dealer also mentioned that it'd probably be a few months before he would see another stone like that one because of the small supply. It makes me worried. Shall I wait and hope there'll be more stones that meet my criteria coming? Or shall I just change to look for a RB which will be so much easier since the supply is tremendous? The setting I loooove is the micropave halo by Leon Mege. I'm not sure if a round stone will look as great as a cushion cut.

Thanks for you help!
Click to expand...
Welcome to Pricecope!

I often hear comments like these from those who will try to sell you what they have rather than what you are specifically looking for.

No such thing as a cut grade for Cushions except for the Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows. But we can however tell you about the light performance of a cushion if you post a photograph and the ASET image.
Who was the dealer who told you its really difficult?

Some preliminary choices that you might be interested in:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6821/ (medium culet should be hardly noticeable in real life)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6993/ (No culet)
 
Also here is a guide I put together which will get you familiar with Cushion Cuts and the different appearances.

ChunkyCushionLover's Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds

Step 1 (Choose The Type of Cut)

Decide the look of cushion you like best. (Watching the videos should help you the most with this.)

A great video illustrating the best in Cushion Brilliant Optics and a comparison between several varieties http://www.vimeo.com/9188543

i) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main like this one http://www.octonus.com/oct/projects/foxymovies/round_cushion2_office_fr.phtml or http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the far left)
b) 8 main modern http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (stone on the left)
c) 8 main old mine cushion http://www.vimeo.com/5310842
d) BGD modern 8 main cushion (the mains intersect at the corners) https://www.pricescope.com/forum/topic12849.html

ii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266-2.mov http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266.mov

iii) Cushette http://www.vimeo.com/3164922

iv) Cushion Modified Brilliant (often referred to negatively as the "crushed ice" variety as many in this category have only small flashes and were cut to save weght not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 Pictures and commentary here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-shocking-final-diamond-choice-i-gave-to-my-fiance-which-one-would-you-pick.121154/


A helpful thread to see the plots and pictures of different types of cushions can be seen here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/ (keep in mind pictures aren't as useful as videos and can only be used reliably to understand facet structure not light performance)

If you want to learn about cushions a great video by Jon at GOG can be watched here http://www.vimeo.com/7579666 and bonus footage here http://www.vimeo.com/7611843.

Step 2 (Choose the 4Cs)

1) Post your budget, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, LW(length to width) Ratio (do you like perfectly Square or Rectangular?) and cut preference. We will help find stones in your price range or tell you if your budget is realistic for the specs you have chosen or if you will have to make some tradeoffs. If you would rather go directly to the vendor at this point I suggest you speak to:

i) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com
ii) Jon at Goodoldgold.com
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com

This list is limited to what I beleive are vendors who specialize in cushion cuts designed for light performance there may be others but I haven't had experiences with them. Some vendors like GOG and BGD have even developed their own cushion signature cut diamonds lines not available for sale by any other vendor. All of these vendors will be able to provide ASET images and pictures of stones to help you decide prior to purchase.

Example:

Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eyeclean from 6 feet away looking faceup)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio = 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cushion Brilliant (Modern) either 4 main or 8 main

Than we can help you narrow things down considerably.

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or see in person)

Ask the vendor for a Video and/or ASET image (http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp) of your possible choices and we can help you narrow down which of your selections we prefer and why.

Step 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraisor for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favourite stones to a PS listed appraisor https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx close to you, where you can view your final choices in person prior to purchase you will just have to pay shipping. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraisor without you having to pay first and the appraisor will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor. For such an expensive purchase $100 in shipping and $100 in appraisor time seems well worth it to make the most informed choice possible.

Happy Hunting,

CCL
 
Thanks ChunkyCushionLover! I don''t have a photograph or the ASET image of the diamond. Is that something the dealer will always have? I do have a copy of the AIG report. Some key grading info as follows:
Cushion Brilliant
7.89x7.44x5.01
Polish: Ex
Symmetry: VG
Fluo: None
Comments: Crown angles are greater than 40 degrees
Table: 57%
Depth: 67.3%
Culet: slightly large

I was dealing with ERD. It seems they have great reputation. That''s why I was quite upset to learn that even they think it''d be difficult to find my ideal stone.
7.gif
 
Date: 3/8/2010 4:04:25 PM
Author: kikidoe
Thanks ChunkyCushionLover! I don''t have a photograph or the ASET image of the diamond. Is that something the dealer will always have? I do have a copy of the AIG report. Some key grading info as follows:
Cushion Brilliant
7.89x7.44x5.01
Polish: Ex
Symmetry: VG
Fluo: None
Comments: Crown angles are greater than 40 degrees
Table: 57%
Depth: 67.3%
Culet: slightly large

I was dealing with ERD. It seems they have great reputation. That''s why I was quite upset to learn that even they think it''d be difficult to find my ideal stone.
7.gif
Click to expand...
Yes he should be able to get you an ASET they just bought a new ASET camera so yes to that. I''m interested to see some of the images taken with it.
I know Mark at ERD well he is a wonderful teacher and vendor, the rings he made for us are here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/better-late-than-never-my-wife-finally-let-me-post-pictures-of-her-rings.137909/ he was so nice he drove to vermont to hand deliver them in person.

However, for a better selection and more stringent criteria on cut performance I''d also look at GOG''s inventory which in general is a little more expensive but of better cut quality especially in their branded lines like the two I posted above.

ERD and GOG are the two vendors I most often reccomend for Cushions I bought from both of them see here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-shocking-final-diamond-choice-i-gave-to-my-fiance-which-one-would-you-pick.121154/.
 
CCL, I just emailed Mark for ASET. I''ll post it here to get your opinion as soon as I receive it. Thanks so much for your advice.

Btw, your rings look gorgeous! And your lady is so lucky to have a man so knowledgeable about cushion cut!
 
I also thought I didn't like a culet but ended up buying a diamond with a slightly large culet. It will grow on you plus when it is set .. it looks a bit different. The chunky cushions do look nice with the culet. I also noticed it is graded by AIG. I am not sure if it is a reputable lab so you have to take those gradings with a grain of salt. If you are seriously considering this stone, make sure you get it appraised.

Another piece of advice - don't settle for a round brillant. If you wanted a cushion halo, get a cushion!
 
Date: 3/8/2010 8:43:59 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
I also thought I didn''t like a culet but ended up buying a diamond with a slightly large culet. It will grow on you plus when it is set .. it looks a bit different. The chunky cushions do look nice with the culet. I also noticed it is graded by AIG. I am not sure if it is a reputable lab so you have to take those gradings with a grain of salt. If you are seriously considering this stone, make sure you get it appraised.

Another piece of advice - don''t settle for a round brillant. If you wanted a cushion halo, get a cushion!
Click to expand...
Yes. If you get something that is not exactly what you want, you ay regret it later. Take your time. You can get engaged without the ring if that is making you feel rushed! You will be happier in the end if you work to find your heart''s desire.
 
BTW what does Mark say is so hard to find about the specs yo uwant? Is it the color or the size? Or the combo? You *can* drop color a little and still have a blaxing white diamond *if* that is part of the problem.
 
High clarity, high color, and in the 2 ct range is rare and difficult to find - add to it a perfect square shape then it is even harder. I was constantly looking at this range and it took me a long long time to find what I was looking for. I eventually settled for the culet and I have no regrets.
 
It''s the combination of color & size that makes it difficult. Even if I drop the color to F, Mark has only 2 more stones to show me. I''m reluctant to drop the color any further since I initially wanted a D color, but think I could deal with E since the two are not much different. However, F does look yellow-ish when compared with D.

I''m just concerned the large culet looks so obvious that it''ll look like having a hole in the middle of the diamond. I do plan to spend some time shopping for the "right" diamond and don''t mind waiting as long as it''s not impossible. I''m also considering buying from HW, but it''ll be definitely smaller than 2 ct.
 
Date: 3/8/2010 10:52:41 PM
Author: kikidoe
It's the combination of color & size that makes it difficult. Even if I drop the color to F, Mark has only 2 more stones to show me. I'm reluctant to drop the color any further since I initially wanted a D color, but think I could deal with E since the two are not much different. However, F does look yellow-ish when compared with D.

I'm just concerned the large culet looks so obvious that it'll look like having a hole in the middle of the diamond. I do plan to spend some time shopping for the 'right' diamond and don't mind waiting as long as it's not impossible. I'm also considering buying from HW, but it'll be definitely smaller than 2 ct.
Click to expand...
While an E or F may appear to have a little more warmth next to a D away from it it will never show much of a tint especially faceup in well cut stones.

If it were me I'd be looking at this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6826/ anything eye clean is the same to me in clarity. An SI1 gets you good value and you can ask the vendor if its eye clean to your standards (ie tell them from the side or faceup from arms length away etc.).

If you like chunky facets large facets the culet is more of an afterthought, you should see it in person but it really enhances the stone they are put there on purpose. If you can't get out to Long Island I'd have Jon shoot a video side by side of a couple of choices or have them sent to an appraisor local to you.

Post the ASETs of the ERD stones when you get them be happy to compare the light performance with those versus the AVCs if that is important to you.

Regards,
CCL
 
Date: 3/8/2010 10:52:41 PM
Author: kikidoe
It''s the combination of color & size that makes it difficult. Even if I drop the color to F, Mark has only 2 more stones to show me. I''m reluctant to drop the color any further since I initially wanted a D color, but think I could deal with E since the two are not much different. However, F does look yellow-ish when compared with D.

I''m just concerned the large culet looks so obvious that it''ll look like having a hole in the middle of the diamond. I do plan to spend some time shopping for the ''right'' diamond and don''t mind waiting as long as it''s not impossible. I''m also considering buying from HW, but it''ll be definitely smaller than 2 ct.
Click to expand...
If you have time it could be well worth waiting for exactly what you want and it sounds to me as if you are one of those that can spot warmth in a diamond easily, so it might be best to give it a bit of time.
 
Lorelei, you are right, I can tell the color difference very easily. I saw another stone today which is F color. I could immediately tell it''s not a D or E color as soon as it was shown to me.

CCL, Mark says the ASET pictures might take a while as he just got the machine and is still learning to use it.
 
Date: 3/9/2010 2:53:50 PM
Author: kikidoe
Lorelei, you are right, I can tell the color difference very easily. I saw another stone today which is F color. I could immediately tell it''s not a D or E color as soon as it was shown to me.

CCL, Mark says the ASET pictures might take a while as he just got the machine and is still learning to use it.
Click to expand...
Definitely wait in that case, it will be worth it when you get the colour you want, from experience I have found it bothers folk immensely if they can spot warmth easily when they don''t want it!
 
Date: 3/9/2010 2:53:50 PM
Author: kikidoe
Lorelei, you are right, I can tell the color difference very easily. I saw another stone today which is F color. I could immediately tell it''s not a D or E color as soon as it was shown to me.

CCL, Mark says the ASET pictures might take a while as he just got the machine and is still learning to use it.
Click to expand...
Much of your choice will come down to your budget.
If you really prefer the icyiest of colors (D/E) you may have to sacrifice size, budget or cut to meet your criteria.

If you can afford a D colored diamond there are some beauties available:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6823/

or

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6381/

Too bad about the delay on ASET images, I noticed in another customers thread today the ASET image didn''t turn out so I understand that they still have to get used to taking images with the camera.

Good-Luck,

CCL
 
Date: 3/9/2010 2:53:50 PM
Author: kikidoe
Lorelei, you are right, I can tell the color difference very easily. I saw another stone today which is F color. I could immediately tell it''s not a D or E color as soon as it was shown to me.

CCL, Mark says the ASET pictures might take a while as he just got the machine and is still learning to use it.
Click to expand...
I also suggest waiting so there are no regrets. I can tell a F from a D too but an F is acceptable to me.
 
Just recd my 2.14ct beauty from Mark at ERD and it has a sl. large culet but invisible to my eye atleast. Mark assured me this would be the case & he was right!!

It''s the same size as yours, F VS2, Polish/Symm = EX and it looks lovely!

For some reason I am unable to upload the pic of the ring but it''s a stunner!

If that''s the only thing worrying you, I''d say go ahead.
 
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