Please advise! Need to decide - cushion vs. radiant!

[GossamerAngel]

Hi all!

I''ve been spending a lot of time lurking and learning (a LOT!), and I''m pretty close to making a decision on the stone that will be the center stone in my new engagement ring!!!! *girly squeal* In any event, when I came to this site, I was pretty dead-set on the ring that had always been my dream e-ring, which was a slightly rectangular radiant flanked by a trillion to each side. But then I discovered how lovely cushions are

and now I''m totally torn!

I''ve been stressing myself to pieces, and driving my poor husband out of his mind in the process, while trying to make a decision. SO, I''ve managed to narrow it down to 4 finalist stones, and I think I''m going to put it out to the experts to weigh in and give me a "closing argument" that will help the jury come back with a verdict so I can move on

SIDE NOTE: As you can probably see from the below list, I much prefer a stone with a bit of warmth to it, nothing whiter than an H, ideally an I or J - cut and clarity are definitely most important to me. All the below stones are about the same $$$, so that''s not an issue either. That said, here they are, in no particular order... (and sorry I don''t have pictures!)

Stone #1
Shape Radiant
Cert GIA
Weight 2.02
Color I
Clarity VS1
Polish Very Good
Symmetry Good
Fluorescence Strong
Measurements 7.45 * 7.08 * 4.80
Table 74%
Depth 67.8%

Stone #2
Shape Radiant
Cert GIA
Weight 2.00
Color J
Clarity VS1
Polish Very Good
Symmetry Very Good
Fluorescence None
Measurements 8.32 * 6.58 * 4.35
Table 76%
Depth 66.1%
*I do have to say, I really love this stone, it has a really pretty shape and that sort of "bucket of crushed ice" look that some radiants have

Stone #3
Shape Cushion
Cert GIA
Weight 2.16
Color J
Clarity VS1
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence None
Measurements 8.09 * 7.23 * 4.97
Table 59%
Depth 58.7%
***I will say that of all the stones, I love this one the least - for some reason, it sort of has a slight "fish eye" effect - I don''t know the crown angles (the cert doesn''t have that info), but I have a feeling that maybe the crown angle is a little too shallow?

Stone #4
Shape Cushion
Cert GIA
Weight 2.02
Color I
Clarity SI1
Polish Very Good
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence None
Measurements 87.18 * 6.62 * 4.51
Table 60%
Depth 69.3%

 

[neatfreak]

With fancies we really can't tell you very much without pictures at least. But just go with your eyes, they won't steer you wrong. Based on your post, it sounds like you love #2...so go for that one.

 

[GossamerAngel]

Ugh, I was afraid of that!!!!! I know I should go with my gut, but I have a feeling (from what I *think* I''ve learned here at least!) that the 2.00 J VS1 radiant doesn''t looks so great on paper - is that not all that important in the end? I know that ultimately I''m buying a diamond, not a grading certificate, but I just need to be okay that it is going to be a decent stone since this is such a huge purchase, you know??? UGH!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/4/2009 8:30:37 PM
Author: GossamerAngel
Ugh, I was afraid of that!!!!! I know I should go with my gut, but I have a feeling (from what I *think* I''ve learned here at least!) that the 2.00 J VS1 radiant doesn''t looks so great on paper - is that not all that important in the end? I know that ultimately I''m buying a diamond, not a grading certificate, but I just need to be okay that it is going to be a decent stone since this is such a huge purchase, you know??? UGH!

Radiants are tricky and can''t be judged on numbers, if you like the larger tabled look see if you can compare it with some radiants with a smaller table so you know which type you prefer. The thing is to look at as many as possible so you get a good feel for your preferences.

 

[oldmancoyote]

Date: 1/5/2009 5:02:03 AM
Author: Lorelei

Radiants are tricky and can''t be judged on numbers, if you like the larger tabled look see if you can compare it with some radiants with a smaller table so you know which type you prefer. The thing is to look at as many as possible so you get a good feel for your preferences.

Allow me to disagree slightly. Diamonds are tricky and can''t be judged on numbers.

Rounds and princesses are a bit more predictable, but other cuts have far too many variables to come up with even rules of thumb that work.

Are all the diamonds with the same dealer? Could you ask to have the dealer go through merits/demerits of each stone?
Could you afford having them sent to an indipendent appraiser - not to assess value, but to evaluate pros and cons of each from an impartial expert''s point of view?
Ultimately, you need to decide which one you like most; the fact that all of them fall into a fairly narrow range of colour/clarity/carat weight/cost should be reassuring - none of them is likely to be of much worse "quality" (however you decide to define it) than the others

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/5/2009 5:48:43 AM
Author: oldmancoyote

Date: 1/5/2009 5:02:03 AM
Author: Lorelei

Radiants are tricky and can't be judged on numbers, if you like the larger tabled look see if you can compare it with some radiants with a smaller table so you know which type you prefer. The thing is to look at as many as possible so you get a good feel for your preferences.

Allow me to disagree slightly. Diamonds are tricky and can't be judged on numbers.

Rounds and princesses are a bit more predictable, but other cuts have far too many variables to come up with even rules of thumb that work.

Are all the diamonds with the same dealer? Could you ask to have the dealer go through merits/demerits of each stone?
Could you afford having them sent to an indipendent appraiser - not to assess value, but to evaluate pros and cons of each from an impartial expert's point of view?
Ultimately, you need to decide which one you like most; the fact that all of them fall into a fairly narrow range of colour/clarity/carat weight/cost should be reassuring - none of them is likely to be of much worse 'quality' (however you decide to define it) than the others

Sure, my meaning was as with rounds you can get a fair idea going by the proportions that it will be a good or not so good performer, although I always believe the proof of the pudding comes from Idealscope and other images, plus trusted vendor or appraiser input with round diamonds - with radiants, Princess and other fancy shapes they really have to be seen or at least have images available to make an informed decision whether the diamond appeals to you for shape/ type, faceting etc and is of good cut quality.

OMC - I often wonder, were you in the trade, or are you a collector? I hope you don't think I am prying, but I noticed when you first came to PS that you appeared to have a knowledge of diamonds and gemstones that the average newbie doesn't, so I was just curious - feel free to ignore this question you prefer!

 

[oldmancoyote]

Date: 1/5/2009 6:17:40 AM
Author: Lorelei
[snip]
OMC - I often wonder, were you in the trade, or are you a collector? I hope you don''t think I am prying, but I noticed when you first came to PS that you appeared to have a knowledge of diamonds and gemstones that the average newbie doesn''t, so I was just curious - feel free to ignore this question you prefer!

Hi Lorelei

I''m just a collector - but I''ve been collecting minerals for nearly 40 years, and jewellery for 10. I have a number of friends in the trade, and I try to learn as much as I can... I''m not quite to Karl''s levels of insania, but I guess you could define me as stoned...

 

[GossamerAngel]

Date: 1/4/2009 8:22:37 PM
Author:GossamerAngel


Stone #2

Shape Radiant

Cert GIA

Weight 2.00

Color J

Clarity VS1

Polish Very Good

Symmetry Very Good

Fluorescence None

Measurements 8.32 * 6.58 * 4.35

Table 76%

Depth 66.1%

*I do have to say, I really love this stone, it has a really pretty shape and that sort of ''bucket of crushed ice'' look that some radiants have

We have an update!!! After seeing them all in person and spending what seemed like *hours* just staring at each one from every conceivable angle, I''ve decided to go with this stone. I originally wanted a radiant - I''m talking years ago - then fell hard for cushions, but I guess when push came to shove, I went back to my "roots," LOL

It''s just too perfect, it was like this stone was predestined for me - it is so bright and lively and, well, RADIANT (pardon the pun, I couldn''t help myself!). It looks amazing on my finger, and I know I''m going to die all over again once I see it set with a trillion to each side. Gah!!! The wait is going to be torture, the jeweler said it would only take a few days but STILL!!!!!

Here''s a picture of the stone that the jeweler sent me...

Isn''t it purty?!?!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

That''s beautiful GossamerAngel! How are you setting it?

And is that a Chihuahua in your avatar? He/She is adorable! (I love Chihuahuas!)

 

[Tuckins1]

Wow. Can''t wait to see that thing set and on your finger!!! What setting are you putting it in?

 

[tyty333]

Wow! Very purty

...show us the pics when its done...congratulations for making the big decision...(thats deciding on which stone, not whether to get married

).

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Wow, that radiant is mesmerizing!

 

[GossamerAngel]

BrownEyedGirl - that''s my "son" Jefe in my avatar! I posted a bigger version of that pic of him in the "Adopt a Shelter Pet" thread on the Hangout board

I''m going to set the stone in white gold with a .35ct trillion to each side - there''s of course a whole long story about the setting that I''ll go into when the ring is finished I''m so excited, it''s such a huge weight to be lifted off your shoulders once you''ve decided on the perfect diamond and *know* it''s the perfect diamond to boot

 

[EricaR]

Beautiful stone! I can''t wait to see the finished project...!