Opinions on this antique cushion?

[Redwoods-hiker-girl]

I'm thinking up upgrading a .55 unset cushion (K, VVS1, no fluor) from James Allen to this stone, which I have on hold. I have the GIA certificate, and it shows a sprinkling of twinning wisps and a small indented natural (which I can see in the image, right along the girdle). What do you all think?

1.16 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 1.16 carat K color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[elizat]

Personally, I do not love it. I see some dead areas around 6 o clock too.

Do you want an antique stone or a modern cushion with well defined facets?

 

[OcnGypZ]

I'm not a fan. Go take a look at the August Vintage Cushions - beautiful optics and they are on sale!

 

[Redwoods-hiker-girl]

Thank you for your responses, @elizat and @OcnGypZ! Much appreciated. Your opinions confirmed what I was worried about. I don't trust my own judgment when it comes to cushions that I can't see in person (unless, of course, they're from August Vintage).

I want an antique stone, ideally -- and one day I would dearly love to have an AV Cushion. In fact, I'll take a look at those now and keep my fingers crossed....

 

[elizat]

Do you have to stay with James Allen? Do you have a budget?

 

[Redwoods-hiker-girl]

Do you have to stay with James Allen? Do you have a budget?

Oh, I don't have to stay with JA at all; I was just poking around the site and happened to come across that cushion, which looked promising. I have two smaller diamonds from JA that I could use toward an upgrade; that's the main factor that led me down the JA path.

My budget is slim by PS standards, but I'd be comfortable with around $3500. I love warmer stones, and I'm a huge fan of blue fluorescence. Both of those work in my favor in terms of the smaller budget.

 

[flyingpig]

I personally like it.
It is unfair to compare this stone to AVC, which often has L/W ratio of 1.0~1.1. This particular stone has L/W ratio of 1.14.
You cannot really make a fair comparison between an oval brilliant and a modern round brilliant. Similarly, an elongated cushion is very different from a squarish cushion.

I like the facet patterns, high and big crown, and large facets. Yes, there are leakages, but that's expected from an elongated cushion.

 

[Redwoods-hiker-girl]

I personally like it.
It is unfair to compare this stone to AVC, which often has L/W ratio of 1.0~1.1. This particular stone has L/W ratio of 1.14.
You cannot really make a fair comparison between an oval brilliant and a modern round brilliant. Similarly, an elongated cushion is very different from a squarish cushion.

I like the facet patterns, high and big crown, and large facets. Yes, there are leakages, but that's expected from an elongated cushion.

I like the crown and the facets, too, @flyingpig.

 

[elizat]

This could be interesting - or really bad. I can't tell. There is one bad photo.

1 CARAT GIA CERTIFIED K VS2 CUSHION BRILLIANT CUT DIAMOND ELONGATED VINTAGE MINE

This gorgeous 1.01ct GIA certified cushion cut diamond is strikingly brilliant, exceptionally clean with VS2 clarity, and beautifully cut with a flattering, elongated shape! Very well cut, the diamond’s sparkle is bright and well defined rather than the crushed ice look commonly found in modern...

ivyandrose.com

I kind of like this one, but would want more photos. It's smaller facing up though.

Old World Diamonds » Diamond

The World's Largest Collection of Antique Diamonds

oldworlddiamonds.com

 

[DorotheaBrooke]

If I were you, I'd be all over one of these: 1 ct K VS1 AVC for or 1.2 ct M VVS1. Both in budget.

Now I wish I were in the market.

 

[Redwoods-hiker-girl]

If I were you, I'd be all over one of these: 1 ct K VS1 AVC for or 1.2 ct M VVS1. Both in budget.

Now I wish I were in the market.

Good lord. They are both lovely. Thanks, @DorotheaBrooke.

 

[Redwoods-hiker-girl]

This could be interesting - or really bad. I can't tell. There is one bad photo.

1 CARAT GIA CERTIFIED K VS2 CUSHION BRILLIANT CUT DIAMOND ELONGATED VINTAGE MINE

This gorgeous 1.01ct GIA certified cushion cut diamond is strikingly brilliant, exceptionally clean with VS2 clarity, and beautifully cut with a flattering, elongated shape! Very well cut, the diamond’s sparkle is bright and well defined rather than the crushed ice look commonly found in modern...

ivyandrose.com

I kind of like this one, but would want more photos. It's smaller facing up though.

Old World Diamonds » Diamond

The World's Largest Collection of Antique Diamonds

oldworlddiamonds.com

Yeah, that photo of the first one isn't great, is it? Worth checking into, though. And the second one has great potential, but, yes, I want more photos! Thanks, @elizat.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I don't think you should dismiss the first JA stone. That kind of imagery is not very helpful for assessing this kind of diamond. I bet a lot of the most beloved antique cushions on PS would look crappy at that angle and in that lighting! Antique cushions are among the rarest of old cuts. So they are very hard to find. I think the JA stone is worth seeing in person. They have free returns I believe.

 

[Redwoods-hiker-girl]

I don't think you should dismiss the first JA stone. That kind of imagery is not very helpful for assessing this kind of diamond. I bet a lot of the most beloved antique cushions on PS would look crappy at that angle and in that lighting! Antique cushions are among the rarest of old cuts. So they are very hard to find. I think the JA stone is worth seeing in person. They have free returns I believe.

Thanks, @dreamer_dachsie -- and, yes, I'll see what JA says. They do have free returns; I'm not sure how that would work with the trade-in diamond, but I won't lose a thing by asking.