shape
carat
color
clarity

Please help find an Cushion cut E-ring diamond

FUEL

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
7
I have been trolling for months (military deployed with some free time) and cannot thank everyone enough for the amazing amount of knowledge and time you put into PS. I think I understand the cushion info to a modest level, so I sent my future fiancé (hopefully!) and her friend to a couple stores that reviewed well in the Orlando area just to get an idea of what she wanted. I brain dumped all I learned here with the friend and the main store they went to offered her a Christmas job, hah! I'm still trying to get the exact ring style down (explained below), but I do know she would like a Cushion solitaire with a 4 prong petite cathedral setting... So first things first, I would be so greatly for some help on finding the diamond.

Diamond:

I'm gathering I can afford around 1.5-1.8 ct (spread most importatnt) eye clean:

Diamond Budget ~7K

Weight/Spread
I've seen 1.5 ct with almost 7x7 Spread
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.52-Cushion--GIA-I-SI1-diamond-stock-CB22446-cert-1218017961
But more typically need around 1.7ct+

Clarity: VS21 - SI2 (anything eye clean)

Color: H-I

Cut
Min: Very Good, as long as there is actual real life brilliance/patterned flashes for a fancy
I don't understand the 4,6,8 facet patterns well, but I can see crushed ice.
No crushed iced, but I also don't need super chunky like GOG's August Vintage style either.

Florescence is fine (preferred for price) as long as not hazy in fluorescent light?

Ring: 14kt white gold, 4 prong petite cathedral, with stones on the top of the band (all but the underside and not the sides of the band). I thought this was a type of pavé style but the jeweler said no it was semi-mounts (can't find this described anywhere). I'm still figuring out exactly what mounting style she saw, I do know it was 1.6mm diamonds on a 2.2mm band, with strong "edges" on the band. She says she likes channel too (which makes since on the strong edges and her active lifestyle), but I really would like to get her more flash with edges. Possibly go to Steven Kirsch, or is it not worth it for a more simple design like this?
_______
I've used the great diamond search function here and found some B2C stones as well as others, but the best I'm going to get is pictures from these virtual inventories. Unlike if I go through GOG or James Allen. Am I crazy to buy a cushion on pictures alone, no ASET to try and save $1k?

Thank you so much!!!
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
You need to request an ASET on that GOG stone. It looks nice though.

A semi-mount is just a ring setting that is ready to take a center stone. Sounds like you want a shank (the part that goes around her
finger) with pave (small diamonds). If she wants sharper sides then you might want to go with bead-set pave or bright cut (same thing).

What is your budget for the setting? SK or Victor Canera would be great but plan on about $4k( maybe $3.5k?).

Different types of pave...I think you want bead set/bright-cut or channel set. I prefer bead-set myself.


Cathedral refers to part of the shank coming up to either met the sides of the basket or the sides of the stone.


So if you were looking at Steven Kirsch this could be an option except for a cushion (but he can make it with the options you want)
http://stevenkirsch.com/gallery/adore-r-0121/

different_pave_types_1.jpg

different_mount_types.png
 

FUEL

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
7
Tyty333 thanks so much for the reply. I've looked everywhere for a picture that describes shank options. James Allen does decent actual ring pictures of all their options which is somewhat helpful too.

As far as the actual diamond, your ASET request from GOG means I need to stop looking at online stores that are only going to give me pictures or possibly video? I've tried searching GIA numbers to find pics/vids from other sites with no luck, like these two. Where whiteflash is $500 more to bring it in, which seems well worth it. But will WF's in house "light performance images and analysis" be enough for me? I thought it was great she likes a fancy cut, but so much work!

http://m.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-3708736.htm
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8594830-1.71-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS2-clarity.aspx


I'm think now just ignore the search engine here that produces the virtual inventories (like B2C) for the fancy cuts and look to GOG, WF, James Allen directly? Especially since the AGS results of similar size are pushing $15k. Thanks again for all the help!!!



http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8531650-1.72-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8531650&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8818716-1.81-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8818716&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
Looking at virtual stones is really useless (IMO). You have no idea what the faceting pattern looks like or if it has decent light
return. I'm going to post some from enchanted diamonds for you to take a look at.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/#diamond=C161-5Z2430Z73
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/#diamond=C160-8Z527Z868

They have others that may be worth a look so I'll give you the big link...
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/search?carat_max=10.0&carat_min=1.51&clarity=VVS1,VVS2,VS1,VS2,SI1&color=D,E,F,G,H,I&grading_lab=GIA,AGS&has_image=true&make=Excellent,Ideal&our_price_max=7079.46&our_price_min=1000&shape=Cushion&vp=0&wire_price_max=9300

I'm curious about this one...the aset wont be as good as the ones above (I think it will have some leakage around the edge of the table)
but looks pretty nice for the price.
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/#diamond=C152-507285237
 

FUEL

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
7
Thanks to both of you for all the help. I was able to have them add an ASET to
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/#diamond=C152-507285237

I'm not an expert, and it seems pretty good. I didn't think there could be a spread that large for a 1.5ct. It's larger than all the 1.7ct. What is your opinion on it considering the ASET?
image_1185.jpg
 

FUEL

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
7
Also, dropping to a J opens this up. However it does seem more yellow and has no florescence to help in that arena. Is that just the pictures, or should I not even consider. 1.88ct (7.39×6.89×4.75)

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C188-013132173

Here's the leading contender pending your ASET comments: 1.52ct (7.16×6.68×4.17)

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-1-52-Carat-I-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-507285237

Lastly, I'm asking about below, though it's picture seems very asymmetric in light return (ASET on request): 1.7ct (7.41×6.64×4.47)
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C170-583131318

Thanks again everyone!
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
Pretty darned decent that I cushion.
Ask them to have a gemologist examine the stone and make sure it's not oily or milky from the Strong Blue Fluorescence or see if you can buy it through IDJ.
 

FUEL

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
7
Not to get too distracted, but I did find it on IDJ as well for a few hundred less. Complete newb question I'm sure, but how did you know?
 

ringo865

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 14, 2014
Messages
2,897
Gypsy is my hero! Oh, and she can read a cushion like I can read … the alphabet. And being a stone in virtual inventory, many vendors have access to them. Call IDJ, they are awesome (testimonials galore on here)!!
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
FUEL|1477465022|4090621 said:
Thanks to both of you for all the help. I was able to have them add an ASET to
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/#diamond=C152-507285237

I'm not an expert, and it seems pretty good. I didn't think there could be a spread that large for a 1.5ct. It's larger than all the 1.7ct. What is your opinion on it considering the ASET?
image_1185.jpg


Well, very pleasantly surprised! I was afraid it might show leakeage around the edge of the table but...what is there is very minimal and
acceptable in my book. The price on that stone is really good. Please put it on hold before it gets taken by a lurker. That will give
you 24-48 hours (not sure how much time ED gives you) to look around some more without it being sold.

You can ask ED if they will price match IDJs price. Not sure if they can but wont hurt to ask.

Also, dropping to a J opens this up. However it does seem more yellow and has no florescence to help in that arena. Is that just the pictures, or should I not even consider. 1.88ct (7.39×6.89×4.75)

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C188-013132173
J is getting on the low side for a cushion cut...however that 1.88 is riddled with feathers around the girdle. I would not go there.
Look at the GIA report. We can look for other bigger Js if you want to go that low.


Here's the leading contender pending your ASET comments: 1.52ct (7.16×6.68×4.17)

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-1-52-Carat-I-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-507285237
This stone/aset looks very nice. The price is also really nice.

Lastly, I'm asking about below, though it's picture seems very asymmetric in light return (ASET on request): 1.7ct (7.41×6.64×4.47)
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C170-583131318
No, this one is just not good. The faceting pattern looks* erratic, there is a lot (too much for me) contrast (darkness) under the
table and the top half and bottom half of the stone dont look symmetric (top is darker, bottom lighter) as you pointed out. Now
this could all be the photography but personally I would not give this one a second look. There are plenty of other good
looking cushions out there.
 

3blindmice

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 30, 2016
Messages
21
Thats strange I checked the IDJ website and found nothing thats exactly the same. Anyone have a link?
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
FUEL|1477472182|4090639 said:
Not to get too distracted, but I did find it on IDJ as well for a few hundred less. Complete newb question I'm sure, but how did you know?


How did you know what? That its the same stone on 2 different sites? That its the right stone for you? Can you give more detail?
 

FUEL

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
7
I was asking how she knew IDJ would have it in their inventory too. And I did put it on hold with enchanted diamonds with a price match. Thanks for all the help! Any last minute diamond advice?

I got clarification on the shank. She wants a bead and bright cut, she like how it looked a little antique with the petite cathedral. Forged or CAD...? And whether or not to go with a VC or SK level bench are my next decision so I know where to send it. Her ring size is 4, if that matters at all.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
FUEL|1477502846|4090766 said:
I was asking how she knew IDJ would have it in their inventory too. And I did put it on hold with enchanted diamonds with a price match. Thanks for all the help! Any last minute diamond advice?
She either looked and saw it or she wanted you to give IDJ the GIA number and see if they could get it.

I got clarification on the shank. She wants a bead and bright cut, she like how it looked a little antique with the petite cathedral. Forged or CAD...? And whether or not to go with a VC or SK level bench are my next decision so I know where to send it. Her ring size is 4, if that matters at all.

VC or SK would be amazing and since you got a stone at a great price I would go with hand forged if budget allows. Call and
get quotes.

This one by SK would be lovely...bead set with cathedral. This is an asscher but I'm sure can be done with a cushion.

http://stevenkirsch.com/gallery/adore-asscher/

Here is a thread with VC settings
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/post-your-victor-canera-beauties-here.175281/page-7']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/post-your-victor-canera-beauties-here.175281/page-7[/URL]

I dont know if we have an SK thread but here is Charmypoos beautiful SK ring. I believe this is bead set although it is a different
style then you are after. You can see the quality of his work...gorgeous!
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-final-reveal-my-steven-kirsch-pave-masterpiece.196728/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-final-reveal-my-steven-kirsch-pave-masterpiece.196728/[/URL]
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
FUEL|1477502846|4090766 said:
I was asking how she knew IDJ would have it in their inventory too. And I did put it on hold with enchanted diamonds with a price match. Thanks for all the help! Any last minute diamond advice?

I got clarification on the shank. She wants a bead and bright cut, she like how it looked a little antique with the petite cathedral. Forged or CAD...? And whether or not to go with a VC or SK level bench are my next decision so I know where to send it. Her ring size is 4, if that matters at all.


VC or SK will cost 4k. That is why I recommended you get it through IDJ they have a handforge bench and it is very affordable.
 

3blindmice

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 30, 2016
Messages
21
Gypsy|1477515657|4090874 said:
FUEL|1477502846|4090766 said:
I was asking how she knew IDJ would have it in their inventory too. And I did put it on hold with enchanted diamonds with a price match. Thanks for all the help! Any last minute diamond advice?

I got clarification on the shank. She wants a bead and bright cut, she like how it looked a little antique with the petite cathedral. Forged or CAD...? And whether or not to go with a VC or SK level bench are my next decision so I know where to send it. Her ring size is 4, if that matters at all.


VC or SK will cost 4k. That is why I recommended you get it through IDJ they have a handforge bench and it is very affordable.

Gypsy, have you had a hand forged ring made through IDJ? How do I find out more info? And how does the quality compare to VC or SK? Why would IDJ do it for less?

It sounds like you have purchased a diamond ring from everyone! Not to pry but how many diamonds and diamond rings do you own!

Is there a thread out there with all the bling you have collected?! I would love to see all your pieces!!

I still need help with my cushion cut search :) don't forget about me :halo:
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
You are making a lot of assumptions. :lol:

I do not own a lot of jewelry at all. In fact I probably have one of the smallest personal collections on PS, especially right now.

PS is a small community and I've been blessed enough to be a member of that community for over 10 years. We have regular get togethers, including a national one ever year in Las Vegas. 80% of my closest friends are now former or present members of PS all of whom have beautiful jewelry. In addition Nor Cal has a huge PS membership with lovely collections (look up Art Nouveau) and a LOT of stores with amazing selection, which, because of my own love and jewelry and the fact that I help PSers here locally in person, I am frequently in and out of. We get together share our pieces and pass them around, we loupe them and spend time examining in detail the workmanship

As for working with vendors, it's not all my own personal experience. I personally have worked several times with BGD on custom projects, happily. That includes a recut of an old cut and a custom blingtastic diamond ring (which my close friend Clairetek now owns). I have worked with Wink at HPD on a few projects. And Steven Kirsch. I have worked on projects (not all my own) with IDJ including a purchase of diamond earrings for my MIL. And I have happily bought several pieces from Pearlmans jewelers.

As I said, PS is a very small community. And it's not all on this board. We have a huge Facebook community. We share stories and projects. We help each other. And we live vicariously through each other. So while I have not personally worked with many of the vendors on here I have been apart of many of their projects, witnessed their communication (cut and pasting emails and screen shots happen when things go wrong), witnessed how they handle problems and praise, and seen their work in my own hands. And PS vendors are often quite active.

And I am not the pickiest of the PSers when it comes to workmanship. So I have people who are even pickier than I am who are giving their input. People who need their pieces to be loupe clean.

And as a result of being a small community for 10 years, I have learned how pieces have worn over time. Something that is not something most people can say. But I have seen not just a ring when it just produced. I have seen it after years of wear. Seen how it has held up, or hasn't as the case may be.

And, while we do get people reporting problems on PS, not everyone is comfortable doing that. And that's where emails and FB come in. I help people a surprising amount of times off the boards as well. I talk to vendors as an intermediary, fix CADs, examine their stones in person (some vendors send stones out on Memo) and generally help out when people ask me to and I have the time.

So, while I wish I could say it is all personal knowledge, what you are seeing and hearing is the collective PS knowledge, filtered through my posts.

As for IDJ I have not personally examined a piece of theirs from their handforged bench against SK (my own ring) or VC (a number of friends pieces) so I cannot speak to that. But I do know several PSers who have gotten their settings from them (usually for colored stones projects) and they have been very happy.

Actually, if I asked Yekutiel, I am sure he would send me samples so I can see it. That's a good idea. I'll ask Andrey (PS owner) if that would be okay with him. JA once sent me diamonds, with Andrey's approval, so I could have real life experience examining ovals and cushions with their video set up and compare their ASET with my own personal ASET. I also was able to take the stones and see them side by side with other stones at a great local jeweler so I could see how the stones stacked up with others (and I was able to use my ASET there too).
 

FUEL

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
7
I was able to find them by just narrowing the search criteria on IDJ. GIA number searches didn't work. But actually both the 1.52 and the 1.88 were listed. I asked ED to get the ASET and they offered a price match with rear communication the whole time, so I thought it was only fair I buy from them.

SK quoted me 3.4k, and I've always admired the work...I guess I should still call IDJ to figure out just how much I'd actually be saving...

I can express all the gratitude to PS. What an amazingly knowledgable and friendly resource!
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
Fuel, I love my SK halo. It is great quality.

If you love SK's work, and your lady will will love it too then go that route. I just believe in giving people options!
 
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