Please help me find a great 4+ ct cushion!

[brandonroach]

After being sent halfway across the world for the last couple of years, I finally have the chance to propose to the love of my life! I've been saving diligently for this engagement ring, and I want it to be as perfect as possible. The problem is that I know very little about diamonds ... but I am repeatedly awed by how much collective wisdom and knowledge there is in these forums. So please help me if you can!

I'm trying to find the best cushion cut diamond I can. I think I would like to keep it at G or whiter, and SI1 or cleaner, but I am open to your advice. I don't like the crushed-ice look, I think. Oh and my budget is $90,000.

If you know anything about cushion cuts and can tell whether something is good or not online, please help me! I (and hopefully my future fiancee) would appreciate it from the depths of our hearts. Thank you!!!

 

[SB621]

Re: Please help me find a great 4.5+ ct cushion!

For cushion cuts in large sizes I would stick with those who are known for it and can pick out the crushed ice versions.

Engagment Rings Direct
Perry at Leon Mege
Old World Diamonds (antique so not fantastic optics but an option)
Good Old Gold has their AVC line which might interest you
Victor Canera also has a line of branded cushions called VCA's but he has a limited number in stock and I'm not sure of anything in that size range.

All 5 options you can find doing a google search. Just email them with your specs and budget and see what they can find for you.

For what's it's worth I was looking for a 4ct plus antique cushion all last year. I went through most of the vendors listed above plus 8-10 actual stores. I found several wonderful options but I found the more I looked at plots, patterns and color the more picky I became with what I really wanted so don't jump at the first great one. Take your time and really examine cushions as truly I think they are the hardest shape to buy. Go by what you like vs. what is on paper.

Goodluck!

 

[arkieb1]

Email Jon from Good Old Gold and tell him what you are after and see if he can find a couple of stones that might suit that you could go and look at.

If you are after a genuine antique cushion then email Old World Diamonds, Singlestone and Jewels By Erica Grace and see if any of them have something or could find you something.

It might be a case of them finding something for you rather than having it already in their inventory.

 

[brandonroach]

Thank you for your responses and your advice!

What do you make of modern cushions? Do you think I can find a good sparkly cushion using pricescope's search function, or looking on jamesallen or blue nile?

Are there any rough metrics to look for? (in terms of depth%, table%, etc?)

 

[Gypsy]

Finding a nice 4 carat stone is going to mean working with a single full service vendor with a knack for finding well performing generic cushions.

You best bet is either ERD or GOG.

I would call whichever you prefer to work with and get them to start looking for a nice cushion with great light return. Modern or chunky. Have them call in a few for you. Then they will provide you with the information you need.


Here's what's out there now that is worth your time:

93k: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10616/ GREAT performance and a nice size at 9x9. See if there is a discount for wire payment. Put on hold and ask them to find others for you to evaluate it against.
80K: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10842/ Not as great, but also much cheaper.


As for your question about blue nile--- no you can't buy without images and at 90k buying without an ASET and pictures and sight unseen is just stupid. About JA, nothing on there worth a look at over 4 carats and under 95k, I already checked. 4 carats are slim pickings anywhere.
Measurement> No. Depth and Table are meaningless. There are too many cushion plots out there. Some cut shallow some cut deep. I have a strong preference for "8 main" cushion plots, modern or chunky. But that's like taking a difficult task and making it nearly impossible, so I wouldn't limit your vendors with that.

 

[Gypsy]

If you were willing to consider smaller stones... this one is gorgeous: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/3.26-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-165665 8 main, amazing faceting.

I get wanting to hit a 'magic' mark. But with any fancy you should be shopping for spread not weight. That stone faces up at: 9.22*8.26*5.89

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/magnificent-cushion-cut-diamond-engagement-ring-gia-cert/id-j_84039/ Just saw this and thought of you.

 

[Gypsy]

I would suggest ASET images of this stone:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Images//Certificate//3679688.pdf
The specs are very good (excellent cut, very good symmetry, high clarity, and good color). And the price is decent. Worth a phone call for an almost 4 1/2, H VS-2/.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3679688-4.48-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

Those are both "Crushed Ice" faceting plots. The OP has said they do not want crushed ice faceting.

Second. Never of those has excellent cut. You know why? GIA doesn't grade cushions for cut. At all. So you are just providing bad information there, and confusing a newbie.

Also, even if he was looking for a crushed ice stone-- there is not enough information on either of those to say whether they are good or bad diamonds. Recommending an ASET image (which BC2 does not provide, to my knowledge) is jumping the gun. A close up "mig shot" of the stone-- just a picture is what is needed.

 

[brandonroach]

Thank you all for your advice and your help! Those cushions look nice, I will see if I can get a look at them (although ideally I would love something a little larger). One question -- I watched Jonathan (GOG)'s video arguing that not all cushion modified brilliants are bad and that the faceting plot doesn't actually tell you anything about the sparkle and light performance of the diamond. Do you find that not to be true?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thank you all for your advice and your help! Those cushions look nice, I will see if I can get a look at them (although ideally I would love something a little larger). One question -- I watched Jonathan (GOG)'s video arguing that not all cushion modified brilliants are bad and that the faceting plot doesn't actually tell you anything about the sparkle and light performance of the diamond. Do you find that not to be true?

You can never, ever choose a cushion by the paper. You have to see it. Wintotty, a member here, just got a 4+ ct AVC at Good Old Gold. I think you can go lower than G color in an antique cushion.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/4-27avc-meets-steven-kirsch.191951/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/4-27avc-meets-steven-kirsch.191951/[/URL]

But Jonathan at GOG would be who I would use for this project whether you choose one of his AVC's or have him select some modern cushions for you. You'll be assured of getting one of the better cushions in a sea of bad ones because he does analyze the light performance for you.

This one would be very nice!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

 

[brandonroach]

Thank you for your thoughts -- I will definitely contact Jonathan.

I am curious what you think of this one though:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/5.05-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-26186

Do you think those inclusions will be visible without magnification? Is the table too large? Thank you!!

 

[maxs.memo]

PLEASE consider the august vintage cushion made by GOG or victor Canera... I think they look spectacular and plan to buy my fiancé to be earrings in the not too distant future with that cut.... Very optically pleasing!

 

[SB621]

Thank you for your thoughts -- I will definitely contact Jonathan.

I am curious what you think of this one though:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/5.05-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-26186

Do you think those inclusions will be visible without magnification? Is the table too large? Thank you!!

No I would pass, it has a huge table, cut deep and faces up small for a 5ct stone. My 5.06ct is 11.15x10.6mm so big difference.

Have you contacted ERD I actually perfer them over GOG for cushions. I think they have a much wider selection at better price points. And of course if you want antique cuts then I would do OWD.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thank you for your thoughts -- I will definitely contact Jonathan.

I am curious what you think of this one though:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/5.05-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-26186

Do you think those inclusions will be visible without magnification? Is the table too large? Thank you!!

Very deep which makes a stone not face up as big as it should and the dark inclusion right in the center rules it out for me. Look how much bigger the diameter is on an ideal cut cushion:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

 

[bgray]

I cant add too much to the excellent advice you have already received but I will reinforce the (already stated) suggestion that you do not get stuck to a carat weight in your head. A poorly cut 4 carat is not visually or financially worth buying over for example, a well cut 3.5. I have an emerald cut that is 4.89. I decided I wanted 5 carats --I am tall and have long fingers and a larger elongated stone looked best on me. However, I was dedicated to finding the best cut. I looked at stone after stone that were extremely deep or didnt have the cut parameters I wanted. I found the stone I have after being wowed by its cut on paper, seeing it in person and saving a lot of money as it was below 5 carats. The irony--it faces up bigger than every 5 and 5 plus carat stone I had looked at. Fancy cut stones are ALL extremely unique. A well cut round is a well cut round....more or less. Its easier to buy rounds off paper. Not so with a cushion or other Fancy cut..

 

[SB621]

I cant add too much to the excellent advice you have already received but I will reinforce the (already stated) suggestion that you do not get stuck to a carat weight in your head. A poorly cut 4 carat is not visually or financially worth buying over for example, a well cut 3.5. I have an emerald cut that is 4.89. I decided I wanted 5 carats --I am tall and have long fingers and a larger elongated stone looked best on me. However, I was dedicated to finding the best cut. I looked at stone after stone that were extremely deep or didnt have the cut parameters I wanted. I found the stone I have after being wowed by its cut on paper, seeing it in person and saving a lot of money as it was below 5 carats. The irony--it faces up bigger than every 5 and 5 plus carat stone I had looked at. Fancy cut stones are ALL extremely unique. A well cut round is a well cut round....more or less. Its easier to buy rounds off paper. Not so with a cushion or other Fancy cut..

4.89ct EC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be still my heart!! Tell me you have a thread on that beauty!! Off to run a search!!!! Sorry to thread jack OP!

 

[vintagelover229]

Sooooo I know that you have a few boxes that you want to check off but I would consider a smaller stone in a higher color or a larger stone in a J color.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9647/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9600/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6381/

 

[maxs.memo]

My recommendation:

First choice:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6381/

Second choice:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

Those are in the colorless or near colorless range in your price range. They also have K-O diamonds that might look nice given the cut. My personal opinion is that cushions are boring, but these AVCs are gorgeous and more optically pleasing.

 

[04diamond<3]

Look how much bigger the diameter is on an ideal cut cushion:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

LOVE THIS STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least for what you're looking for OP. A J in an AVC cut will look whiter so absolutely no need to pay for a "D" colored stone. This one will look plenty white and it's HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, you could get the stone, put it in a solitaire and then have her pick out the setting. Or keep it in a solitaire which would be just as amazing!

 

[msop04]

Look how much bigger the diameter is on an ideal cut cushion:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

LOVE THIS STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least for what you're looking for OP. A J in an AVC cut will look whiter so absolutely no need to pay for a "D" colored stone. This one will look plenty white and it's HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, you could get the stone, put it in a solitaire and then have her pick out the setting. Or keep it in a solitaire which would be just as amazing!

OH. MY. GOD. <pulls jaw up from floor>



OH, PLEASE BUY THIS STONE, OP!!!

 

[Niel]

Look how much bigger the diameter is on an ideal cut cushion:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

LOVE THIS STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least for what you're looking for OP. A J in an AVC cut will look whiter so absolutely no need to pay for a "D" colored stone. This one will look plenty white and it's HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, you could get the stone, put it in a solitaire and then have her pick out the setting. Or keep it in a solitaire which would be just as amazing!

OH. MY. GOD. <pulls jaw up from floor>



OH, PLEASE BUY THIS STONE, OP!!!

Agreed this is hands down my first choice. Someone who bought a d AVC (I think it might actually be the 3ct one posted above). Returned it as they didn't like the stark whiteness of it.

This stone is by far the prettiest one I've seen in this thread. Or in general!

 

[yennyfire]

Um yeah...pretty much the Holy Grail of antique style cushions!! I really hope that you at least take a look at this one!

 

[SB621]

My recommendation:

First choice:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6381/

Second choice:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7515/

Those are in the colorless or near colorless range in your price range. They also have K-O diamonds that might look nice given the cut. My personal opinion is that cushions are boring, but these AVCs are gorgeous and more optically pleasing.

You have to be careful about those. A D with strong flur can look milky. You woudl need to ask Jonathan how this compares. I'm guessing it is fine because he has a good eye but I would still pass. I'm not a fan of strong flur in colorless stones.

Second one has already mentioned below is a much better choice.

 

[ecf8503]

You have to be careful about those. A D with strong flur can look milky. You woudl need to ask Jonathan how this compares. I'm guessing it is fine because he has a good eye but I would still pass. I'm not a fan of strong flur in colorless stones.

Second one has already mentioned below is a much better choice.

Mmmmmm... I don't think just because it is a D that it's more likely to be milky, hazy, or oily. I have a D w/ SBF.

And that D was wintotty's stone, and she never mentioned any haziness to it at all.

Love that J though!

I tell ya, I am a D-G color gal, but I recently got a J colored emerald cut, and I actually really like it a lot. That AVC is stunning, and you really should highly consider it.

 

[Gypsy]

Forgive me, Gypsy, but on what planet is an H-VS2 "bad?"

What does color or clarity have to do with what I said above?

This is what I said:

I would suggest ASET images of this stone:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Images//Certificate//3679688.pdf
The specs are very good (excellent cut, very good symmetry, high clarity, and good color). And the price is decent. Worth a phone call for an almost 4 1/2, H VS-2/.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3679688-4.48-carat-Cushion-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

Those are both "Crushed Ice" faceting plots. The OP has said they do not want crushed ice faceting.

Second. Never of those has excellent cut. You know why? GIA doesn't grade cushions for cut. At all. So you are just providing bad information there, and confusing a newbie.

Also, even if he was looking for a crushed ice stone-- there is not enough information on either of those to say whether they are good or bad diamonds. Recommending an ASET image (which BC2 does not provide, to my knowledge) is jumping the gun. A close up "mig shot" of the stone-- just a picture is what is needed.

Looking at color and clarity only with a diamond is like going car shopping and saying you want a "RED SUV". Bare minimum. I was looking deeper at the stones you picked, and pointing out why they were not good recommendations given the OP's facet preferences.

I also said that the information provided by BC2 does not give you sufficient cause to declare the cushions good or bad. Why? Because color clarity and lab report are not enough.

I did not say the diamond was bad. Just that the recommendation of that diamond, for this OP was not a good one, both because of the faceting issue and because there was insufficient information with which to recommend a stone provided by the vendor.

If you do not understand my comments I am happy to explain them to you in detail.

 

[isaku5]

Gypsy, I bow to you!! Every time someone needs help in selecting a diamond or setting, you seem to pick great contenders out of the sky and explain in detail what's right or wrong with them in a heartbeat.

You have also honed your communication skills and patience so as not to ruffle any feathers! Da*n, you're good!!!!

Please say 'hi' to your wonderful husband John (I still hold him in great esteem) and your lucky menagerie of furry lovebugs.

 

[brandonroach]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts! I think that GOG cushion also looks amazing, but I would like to stay on the white end and not on the champagne end ...

Do you all have any thoughts on this idealscope / ASET?

Thank you!

 

[Gypsy]

It's okay.

Green is reflected light. Red is direct. For me, the edges have too much green, that means it is going to be less bright and look less large. I'd keep looking for a stone with more red for edge to edge brilliance.
What is the carat weight and spread on it?

Here are two cushions with similar faceting (this is just to show you what I mean about the ASET, neither of these meets your criteria) with better performance:
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.70-carat-h-vs2-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-139730.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/2.01-carat-g-vs1-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-124994.html


I still think this one is right in your wheel house, is there some reason you haven't looked closer at this one:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10616/

 

[UberClaire]

I think it depends more on what the two of you like better. Do you like the modern faceting like the ASET you just posted, or do you like the chunky, vintage-style faceting of the AVC posted above. I personally wouldn't put a J color stone on the "champagne" end of color, and a well-cut stone will always face up whiter than a more poorly-cut stone.

 

[brandonroach]

It's about 4.01 cts and 9x9.9mm. Regarding the GOG G/VS2, at the risk of sounding kind of dumb, I wanted something with a slightly larger spread at that price point. Is that reasonable?