Newbie who needs cushion advice

[principeazul]

Hi PSers!

My BF and I have been on the search for E Ring and lurking on PS for approx 2 mos. I’ve been trying to soak in the advice you give others and I think I am ready to ask for some advice myself.

So, I think we’ve decided to go with a custom jeweler recommended by one of my friends. I got to see the work that he did for my friend’s wife and it’s almost exactly what I’m looking for -- a Legacy repro (yes, I know, not another one)… but I’ve looked and looked and I keep coming back to that design, so I cannot help myself. Anyway, he has been showing me some diamonds in the 1- 1.5 range and right now I’m considering this following one:

Shape: Cushion
Carat: 1.51
Color: I
Clarity: VVS2
Depth: 63
Table: 72
Girdle Depth: 39
Girdle: Thin to thick
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Culet: None
Grain: Nil
Fluorescence: Distinct Blue
Measurements: 6.77 X 6.59 X 4.15
Report: EGL

Note: It is super sparkley! But next to some E’s and F’s that we saw it was definitely warmer. I just don’t know that if in a Legacy-like setting if it will be that noticeable. What we also liked about it was the price for the weight. We both really liked the look of the bigger diamond, plus it sparkled more than others we have been shown. My second choice was a 1.04 F VS1 GIA Cert: $6200.

Also we originally had a $7500 budget for everything, but now that’s just for the diamond. The jeweler said he can do the setting for $2000-2500. $1000 extra for platinum. Anyone in the LA area that has had success in getting a Legacy repro? I would be interested in checking out some other jeweler’s work.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Again, my biggest concern is that I’ll look down on the diamond and wish it were whiter. But no matter what I do, I’m sure I’ll run into the “grass is greener” syndrome.

PA''s Girlfriend

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to PS

I will try to start you off, but I am no expert on cushions, they are tricky! One of our posters is good with them, but I haven't seen her here for a day or 2. The first thing with fancy cuts is to remember that the numbers don't tell you as much as for a round, so use your eyes to decide what looks good to you.

Secondly colour. An I is considered in the trade to be where a lay person might detect a hint of warmth, with fancies they can show slight tint more than rounds. This leads me to certificate. Sometimes EGL's grading is considered to be less strict than GIA, so the clarity and colour might be a grade or 2 lower, but not in every case. EGL certed diamonds often have a lower pricetag, so this could be a consideration. With any diamond you buy, it is good to get an independant appraisal to make sure the diamond checks out. Unset diamonds tend to show more colour than set, but you need to think if the colour might bother you in the long run.

Clarity - you could drop the clarity to a VS easily or even an SI1 if eyeclean or a lucky SI2 - this is known as not paying for what the eye can't see. The fluorescence could be an advantage in helping the diamond to face up whiter in some lights, many of us here are fans.

I am not well up on settings, so can't really help you there. A bit of buyer's remorse is normal with many of us, there often seems to be a better deal once you have pulled the trigger, but you need to be as sure as you can be that the diamond you buy is the one that makes you happy. Nothing is ever perfect but you want to get as close to it as possible with a major purchase. I am not surprised that in comparing to a D or E this diamond looks warmer, but just think carefully...if it bothers you now, it might always....plenty of diamonds out there, cushions can take some more work to find but don't rush into anything. If you go back to look at this diamond again, look at it in as many different lights as possible to see how it looks to you. Maybe you need to go higher in colour for your diamond to be " mind clean" to you! In which case maybe look at a middle ground such as F or G, this might work for you. You say this diamond sparkled more than others to you, it might be worth further consideration, just watch that colour!

I hope this helps a bit!

 

[diagem]

Date: 5/11/2006 4:04:29 AM
Author:principeazul

Hi PSers!

My BF and I have been on the search for E Ring and lurking on PS for approx 2 mos. I’ve been trying to soak in the advice you give others and I think I am ready to ask for some advice myself.

So, I think we’ve decided to go with a custom jeweler recommended by one of my friends. I got to see the work that he did for my friend’s wife and it’s almost exactly what I’m looking for -- a Legacy repro (yes, I know, not another one)… but I’ve looked and looked and I keep coming back to that design, so I cannot help myself. Anyway, he has been showing me some diamonds in the 1- 1.5 range and right now I’m considering this following one:

Shape: Cushion
Carat: 1.51
Color: I
Clarity: VVS2
Depth: 63
Table: 72
Girdle Depth: 39
Girdle: Thin to thick
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Culet: None
Grain: Nil
Fluorescence: Distinct Blue
Measurements: 6.77 X 6.59 X 4.15
Report: EGL

Note: It is super sparkley! But next to some E’s and F’s that we saw it was definitely warmer. I just don’t know that if in a Legacy-like setting if it will be that noticeable. What we also liked about it was the price for the weight. We both really liked the look of the bigger diamond, plus it sparkled more than others we have been shown. My second choice was a 1.04 F VS1 GIA Cert: $6200.

Also we originally had a $7500 budget for everything, but now that’s just for the diamond. The jeweler said he can do the setting for $2000-2500. $1000 extra for platinum. Anyone in the LA area that has had success in getting a Legacy repro? I would be interested in checking out some other jeweler’s work.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Again, my biggest concern is that I’ll look down on the diamond and wish it were whiter. But no matter what I do, I’m sure I’ll run into the “grass is greener” syndrome.

PA''s Girlfriend

Welcome,

1st. of all the thing that jumps to my eyes is the table %!!! 72% is to large a table for a Cushion Shape... (in my humble opinion)
2nd. If you like the "Legacy", you should know that you can maybe copy the setting, but the appearance of the diamond will be nothing close to the Legacy. the Legacy is a Patented Cushion shape exclusively to Tiffany & Co., and so=far i did not see any attempts to copy the cut...

As far as the setting is concerned, you should have no problem coming fairly close to the Legacy setting, its very popular and i am certain that a lot of jewelers have had plenty of practice on imitating it.

Good Luck,

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 5/11/2006 4:04:29 AM
Author:principeazul


Hi PSers!

My BF and I have been on the search for E Ring and lurking on PS for approx 2 mos. I’ve been trying to soak in the advice you give others and I think I am ready to ask for some advice myself.

So, I think we’ve decided to go with a custom jeweler recommended by one of my friends. I got to see the work that he did for my friend’s wife and it’s almost exactly what I’m looking for -- a Legacy repro (yes, I know, not another one)… but I’ve looked and looked and I keep coming back to that design, so I cannot help myself. Anyway, he has been showing me some diamonds in the 1- 1.5 range and right now I’m considering this following one:

Shape: Cushion
Carat: 1.51
Color: I
Clarity: VVS2
Depth: 63
Table: 72
Girdle Depth: 39
Girdle: Thin to thick
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Culet: None
Grain: Nil
Fluorescence: Distinct Blue
Measurements: 6.77 X 6.59 X 4.15
Report: EGL

Note: It is super sparkley! But next to some E’s and F’s that we saw it was definitely warmer. I just don’t know that if in a Legacy-like setting if it will be that noticeable. What we also liked about it was the price for the weight. We both really liked the look of the bigger diamond, plus it sparkled more than others we have been shown. My second choice was a 1.04 F VS1 GIA Cert: $6200.

Also we originally had a $7500 budget for everything, but now that’s just for the diamond. The jeweler said he can do the setting for $2000-2500. $1000 extra for platinum. Anyone in the LA area that has had success in getting a Legacy repro? I would be interested in checking out some other jeweler’s work.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Again, my biggest concern is that I’ll look down on the diamond and wish it were whiter. But no matter what I do, I’m sure I’ll run into the “grass is greener” syndrome.

PA's Girlfriend

hello and welcome:
personally that is not a very promising stone on paper. it has a huge table which is so large that i would say its never really desirable to have one that large. especially on a cushion. while the depth is appealing, as most cushions are substantially deeper, that coupled with the extra large table really makes me question the light and brilliance performance. have you done a pricescope search for something comparable on price? while you may find the actual price of this to be quite reasonable, you need to take cut quality into account (with which I feel this is lacking). additionally, what is the jewelers trade in or up policy? have you considered an INDEPENDANT appraisal? the fluoresence isnt necessarily a bad thing with an I color but I would confirm its lack of effect on the stones clarity of crystal ................ I agree with DiaGem: your stone will look far from the T & co ring with this stone.

 

[Rod]

Hi and welcome. Others have already commented, but that table is just too large. Not that I'm opposed to large tabled diamonds as my round is slightly larger, but that large table is likely hurting that stone's performance. The other thing I would be a little concerned with is EGL. As Lorelei commented, EGL is known for grading a little on the soft side, so that I colored diamond could be lower. If you are serious about this stone, you should have it independently appraised before you put your hard earned money down.

Good luck and don't feel you have to buy the first sparkly stone you see. This is an important purchase, so take your time. Learn as much as you can too, to avoid making a costly mistake.

 

[TravelingGal]

I agree re: table. I know some here have found tables here in the 60s on cushions and like them. It''s been recommended to me to find a cushion with a table in the 50s (I was looking for a squarish cushion).

Cushions take patience and are hard to find. I haven''t found one since I found ours that has the specs I''ve wanted!

 

[principeazul]

I''m so excited that I got responses! Thank you. Thank you. I will take you advice and take my time. I''m not married to this ring and the jeweler will be bring in some more for us to see. I do like that he also stresses that I take my time to find the diamond that is right for me. So, if I understand correctly the large table would affect light and brilliance performance, right? Hmmm, like I said it was quite nice. Nonetheless, I have asked the jeweler to show us some more at around a G color and he agreed that we could go less than a VVS2. Most of the rings he has shown us have been GIA. If this diamond stays in contention, I do think an independent appraisal would be a good idea. How much does that usually cost? I don''t know the trade in and trade up policy of this jeweler, I''ll ask. BTY, I realize I cannot copy the legacy diamond cut, it is the setting that I would like, sorry I didn''t make that clear.

My new concern: I just saw the jeweler''s repro of the Legacy setting in his store and I''m not as convinced at the workmanship as when I first saw it on my friend''s ring. I went back on PS and found that Icestore.com has a very nice copy of the Legacy and HW halo setting (I could go either way). I am concerned that since it doesn''t have a store front, I will not be able to check out the workmanship until it is actually complete. Any others with opions on Icestore? I think I would have to go back down to a 1.0 carat range to afford their settings as it is about twice as much what the local jeweler would make it for. Any thoughts?

 

[JulieN]

Wink Jones makes a very nice Legacy copy: http://com.pricescope.com/photos/wink_jones/picture884.aspx

http://www.winkjones.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16376&cat=262&page=1