OK this is my final "im ready to buy thread" LOL!

[jchamb26]

I've been working with a gentleman over at James Allen but he is taking quite a while to get anything moving and shaking as far as stones go. I also put a call into Mark @ ERD but havent heard back from them either. Ive visited Cumberland Diamond Exchange, Solomon, ect....

I am ready to buy today if I can find the right diamond or willing to wait on the right one if I cant find something fiery.

I am looking for a cushion about .90 ct in weight give or take a few. D-H in color and am willing to go down as far as SI1 in clarity so long as it is eye-clean face up and or is in such a position where it will be covered by a prong of the mounting.

The reason I am turning here is because many of you PS vets can look at pictures online and specs and point out a good performing cushion from a mile away. I on the other hand have gone and seen diamonds in person from solomon that on paper looked good, but not GREAT in person. It is my opinion that FOR ME AT LEAST there is too much variance for me to make a good judgement call. I simply want the diamond to be fiery and not contrasty in the middle. I prefer the larger facets (like a Henri Daussi cut) with broader flashes of light.

Can anyone help me on the hunt, or should I be patient and wait. Budget is around $3500 for the stone, again give or take a few. I would think I should be able to get a decent stone for that.

Thanks in advance to all,
JOsh

 

[JulieN]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.85-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-198499

 

[msop04]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.85-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-198499

Great find, JulieN!

jchamb26, you better snatch this one up!! That's one gorgeous stone!!

 

[jchamb26]

even with its thick to very thick girdle? is this thing going to look tiny? My wife-to-be, Lord willing, has a 4.25 finger and is VERY dainty so it wont take a huge stone, but im still worried about a lot of that .85 being in the girdle.... but I dont know what im talking about most of the time

 

[jchamb26]

also msop, I realize your avatar is a round in a cushion halo, but is there a way to ensure whichever halo setting I go with that it sits down more into the setting rather than the center stone sitting way above the halo... I almost want them to look seemless.

Thanks again in advance guys, I've got that stone on hold for the time being. ANy others from other sites too? I REALLLLLY REALLLLY like that one you picked out Julie...
Josh

 

[JulieN]

It faces up a lot bigger than most cushions. It is really nice, but it is not antique style, which I think you are describing in your OP.

 

[jchamb26]

^so is that one more "ice-chip" looking... I get so confused with that terminology because ive seen pictures of soooo many different looks with that vague description. I do like the broader flashes but at a glance to my newbie eye the VVS1 doesnt look like ice-chips. and yes ive been through the 'stickied' cushion cut diamond thread a million times. LOL.... I want to pull my hair out.

 

[msop04]

also msop, I realize your avatar is a round in a cushion halo, but is there a way to ensure whichever halo setting I go with that it sits down more into the setting rather than the center stone sitting way above the halo... I almost want them to look seemless.

Thanks again in advance guys, I've got that stone on hold for the time being. ANy others from other sites too? I REALLLLLY REALLLLY like that one you picked out Julie...
Josh

SURE!! Most benches will set the stone just as you like. Mine is pretty low, but I love that I don't have to worry about hitting the girdle on everything. You should check out Gabriel and Co. or Ritani for halos on a budget.

 

[msop04]

^so is that one more "ice-chip" looking... I get so confused with that terminology because ive seen pictures of soooo many different looks with that vague description. I do like the broader flashes but at a glance to my newbie eye the VVS1 doesnt look like ice-chips. and yes ive been through the 'stickied' cushion cut diamond thread a million times. LOL.... I want to pull my hair out.

The stone JulieN found isn't "antique faceted" but it's not the "crushed ice" with erratic, splintery faceting that some find undesirable. It has a great faceting pattern, it's GORGEOUS, and I feel it is a great compromise. You will get a lot better performance and larger "flashes" with this stone that with the "crushed ice" look like in the pic below... This is my opinion, of course.

 

[Smith1942]

Hi, you sound a little concerned about the size. I have a 0.70 on size 4-ish finger and it is a little small for a lifetime ring. If you wanted to maximize size and you were willing to consider a J colour (I do realise you said D-H in your post, but I'm thinking of ways to help you out with the carat weight) then here is a 1.07 stone which is VS1 and is also rated as GIA "Excellent" for both symmetry and polish. It's within budget at $3,414 or $3,363 bank wire price. Many people here love their J and below diamonds, and GIA is known for its strict colour rating. If you didn't like it, I've always found Blue Nile's return process to be incredibly quick and easy.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaCU#diamonds_pid=LD03472088

 

[msop04]

also msop, I realize your avatar is a round in a cushion halo, but is there a way to ensure whichever halo setting I go with that it sits down more into the setting rather than the center stone sitting way above the halo... I almost want them to look seemless.

Thanks again in advance guys, I've got that stone on hold for the time being. ANy others from other sites too? I REALLLLLY REALLLLY like that one you picked out Julie...
Josh

Help me remember... was that he VC with two-sided halo??

 

[Mayk]

I'm NOT a cushion expert.. but I saw this one on the DBL website and started thinking of a cool penant..nice face up.. a J but with the SBF it's really white and I love the pattern... and it's close to budget and a 1.01 ct.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-101ct-j-vs2-cushion-cut-gia-strong-blue-fluorescence-r5231

 

[msop04]

Ok, so these aren't VC, but... they are really pretty in their own right and MUCH more affordable. You can have Gabriel & Co. set the stone lower.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6989W44JJ $1915 this is Tacori-esque (beautiful basket)
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7525W44JJ $1840
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8985W44JJ $1940 this is so pretty & very unique (my fave)

 

[melz]

.

 

[msop04]

Then there is always ERD... I've heard they can work wonders on a budget.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.co...-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-bpid-79-15.html "Ada" - the HW One halo replica
http://www.engagementringsdirect.co...cro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-91-15.html "Annette"
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/emily-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-239-15.html "Emily" - closer to the VC Emilya you liked

Hope this helps!!

 

[msop04]

okay, last post with settings, I promise!!

This one is by Ritani and is similar to the VC, but no two-sided halo (still really pretty)
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-ri...-band-engagement-ring-in-18kt-white-gold/4573 $1990

 

[soxfan]

I love that one!

 

[jchamb26]

Hi, you sound a little concerned about the size. I have a 0.70 on size 4-ish finger and it is a little small for a lifetime ring. If you wanted to maximize size and you were willing to consider a J colour (I do realise you said D-H in your post, but I'm thinking of ways to help you out with the carat weight) then here is a 1.07 stone which is VS1 and is also rated as GIA "Excellent" for both symmetry and polish. It's within budget at $3,414 or $3,363 bank wire price. Many people here love their J and below diamonds, and GIA is known for its strict colour rating. If you didn't like it, I've always found Blue Nile's return process to be incredibly quick and easy.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaCU#diamonds_pid=LD03472088

I havent seen a J in person... I saw a few I's and wasnt too displeased with their warmth J is getting a little out of my comfort zone I think though. Would a J still face up rather white as long as it wasnt sitting right next to a D stone?

 

[jchamb26]

msop thanks for all your help digging up all those settings for me, I REALLY like that Ritani one! and maybe im confused but what do you mean double sided halo? I know retail is $1,900 on that one but a jeweler who carries that line should be able to get it a fair amount cheaper right? However it doesnt look like you will be able to shove a matching band right up next to any of those really... they all look like, because of the basket, that you would have to accomodate with some sort of curved one.

 

[jchamb26]

Ok Julie and some other PS vets, please chime in here... Im trying to pick a 3rd stone to order ASET's... Im still thinking pending everything checks out with that first one JulieN picked that will be my stone!!! It faces up larger than a lot of 1ct's I see But which of these two would you all pick as a 3rd? I dont really care for the facet pattern of the .84 and dont really like the large flat table on the .91 but hey...

This one
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.84-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-163038

or this one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-232325

 

[chrono]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.84-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-163038
A surprisingly easily seen and large tilt window on a cushion. Not my top choice.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-232325
Yup, don't like that table and the way it looks under the table.

The cushion JulieN picked out has a lot of potential to be a stunner!

 

[E B]

From their current inventory in your budget, I'd give this a shot as the third for the ASET, personally. I know it's below 80 points but it faces up only a bit smaller than the .85.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.77-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-170278

 

[jchamb26]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.84-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-163038
A surprisingly easily seen and large tilt window on a cushion. Not my top choice.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-232325
Yup, don't like that table and the way it looks under the table.

The cushion JulieN picked out has a lot of potential to be a stunner!

Thanks for verifying and YES im really hoping that one she picked comes back well.

 

[jchamb26]

From their current inventory in your budget, I'd give this a shot as the third for the ASET, personally. I know it's below 80 points but it faces up only a bit smaller than the .85.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.77-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-170278

Is it just me or does that one appear very dark at the center from the face up position?

 

[msop04]

msop thanks for all your help digging up all those settings for me, I REALLY like that Ritani one! and maybe im confused but what do you mean double sided halo? I know retail is $1,900 on that one but a jeweler who carries that line should be able to get it a fair amount cheaper right? However it doesnt look like you will be able to shove a matching band right up next to any of those really... they all look like, because of the basket, that you would have to accomodate with some sort of curved one.

YAY!! I thought you might. The original VC ring had melee on AND around the halo, so there was no metal showing whatsoever. So, the melee is on two angles, not just on top. If you were to look at the "girdle" of the diamond, it would be almost parallel with the 2nd row of melee. ...sorry I'm not really great at explaining the visuals.

I have no idea about the price... it would be worth trying though!

If you wanted "flush fit", then yes, you would have to go with a curved band. However, my ering has a curve and I struggled with that issue. In the end, I went with a straight band, and I am so glad I did! I like how the little "gap" makes the shape of my ering stand out, instead of just looking like one big thick band. I'm not one for matchy-matchy... It's totally up to her though - it's a personal preference... I'd have her try both on after you pop the question! I was He** bent on "no gap", but I really love it!

 

[E B]

From their current inventory in your budget, I'd give this a shot as the third for the ASET, personally. I know it's below 80 points but it faces up only a bit smaller than the .85.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.77-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-170278

Is it just me or does that one appear very dark at the center from the face up position?

Yeah, a little. It isn't ideal, but it looked overall like one of the brighter ones in the current inventory. Sometimes those square 8-mains come out with really nice ASETs. I think the .85 is the best bet, though.