Princess - Asscher - Cushion?? How do I choose?

[Angel7]

Happy New Year Everyone!

As I continue my search for a diamond, I realize that there are a lot more "square" shaped stones the just a princess. I always envisioned myself with a princess but now I see myself swaying other ways.

Are there pros and cons to some of the stones I posted? (Thanks GOG)
Are Asschers and Cushions more expensive? Does one return better light than another? I
s it just based on personal taste/style?
I guess I never realized that I could have more options!

For example, A Square H & A? Is it jsut a round H & A cut into a square shape?
A Jubillee...never even heard of until PS! What''s a cut corner square brilliant?

Ahh so many options, how does one choose?

Any advice? Thanks all!!

 

[Angel7]

Oops sorry, here''s my little self made chart!

 

[chrono]

All these stones have very different looks. Jubilees aren't in production right now, so if GOG has any listed, they are traded in stones. I'd also suggest taking a look at their Princess of Hearts stones.

The Square H&A and PoH have the optics (light performance and sparkle) and H&A of round stones; same for the Jubilee. The primary difference between the two is that the Square H&A has rounded corners and the PoH and Jube have clipped corners.

The Princess stone has pointy edges which must be well protected and has smaller pin point sparkles.
The Cushion has chunkier larger flashes.
Asschers are step cuts. The steps will flash and light up alternatively in bold chunks too, but will be less busier than all the other cuts.

If you go to GOG's video section of their webpage, you can see how the different shapes perform. If you check out the video made for Chrono, there's a RB next to a PoH and a cushion. He has more too on princess and asschers.

There's also a whole host of other things to consider. With the square H&A, PoH and Jube, you can go as far as J SI2 to get them still looking white and eye clean due to the nature of their cuts. However, the Square H&A and PoH are very deep so the stones are small for their carat weight. A 1.5 ct will only measure 6.5 mm. The Jubes aren't cut as deep so it will look larger.

Princesses, cushions and asschers are fancies so they tend to show more body colour. You'll probably have to stick with G/H and SI1. For asschers, I'd recommend nothing lower than VS2 because step cuts show everything; every dirt and speck. In terms of size, princess are the deepest, so it'll look small. Cushions and asschers can be found in reasonable depths (mid 60s) so it won't look too small unless you start comparing them to rounds.

 

[dani13]

Hi Angel,

I think you have to see some of these types of stones in person to decide which shape you prefer. An asscher is going to have a very different look and type of "sparkle" as compared to a cushion or a jubilee.

When I was first looking, I was deciding between an emerald cut, an asscher, or a cushion...My vendor picked out some stones in each category for me to see. Once I got to see them all in person, I knew I wanted an emerald cut. So, I think just viewing them in real life will help you decide...

 

[Angel7]

Chrono - As always, you are such a help with all your knowledge! I have to read your reply again to make sure I get it catch all the good info you wrote! (I think I''ll just print it out and bring it with me everywhere I go as a cheat sheet of what I should look for!)

So much info that I don''t know and those are great tidbits you included, THANK YOU again! I am off to check out the GOG video!

Dani - I do think I need to go and try on and see what I like best in person. I know I''m not a RB girl so now it''s just a matter of viewing them on my hand in person and seeing what I like best.

Thank You all!! So hard to choose. We shoud all just have one of each!

 

[Angel7]

Date: 1/4/2008 12:16:23 PM
Author: Chrono

If you go to GOG''s video section of their webpage, you can see how the different shapes perform. If you check out the video made for Chrono, there''s a RB next to a PoH and a cushion. He has more too on princess and asschers.

What a great video! Have you decided between one of those beautiful stones?

 

[neatfreak]

You really just need to see a bunch in person and try them on! The one thing with many of those cuts compared to cushions (as I learned when I researched!) is that many of those patented cuts (POH, Jubilee, etc.) are very deep (as well as asschers) so they face up smaller for their carat weight.

Despite what some people say, my cushion faces up just about as big as a round of it''s size when compared side by side. So I think some of those stones are better "bling for your buck" if that is an issue.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 1/4/2008 8:53:37 PM
Author: neatfreak
You really just need to see a bunch in person and try them on!

I agree with Neatfreak! You need to go shopping and take a look at lots of different cuts in person.

 

[EricaR]

I agree with everyone. Go and try them on in person. On a computer screen I love princess cuts, but once on me I fell in love with rounds and cushions - two shapes I never really considered before.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I agree with everyone that you need to try them on and see which you like on your hand and in person.

 

[sera]

I''m in agreement with what''s already been said, but I would also add: try on stones in the size you''re looking to get so you get an idea how that size and shape looks on you as well as how the faceting looks in that size (I decided to hold off on an Asscher until I could get a bit bigger size to really see the pattern).

Also, you might not be willing to sacrifice the face up size for one of those fancy shapes. I was willing to and went with a PoH (which I totally love and have no regrets, but it was a long process to get to a decision).

There are also the X-Factor princess cuts at Whiteflash that have cut corners... you might want to take a look.

 

[Angel7]

Date: 1/5/2008 3:35:20 AM
Author: sera
I''m in agreement with what''s already been said, but I would also add: try on stones in the size you''re looking to get so you get an idea how that size and shape looks on you as well as how the faceting looks in that size (I decided to hold off on an Asscher until I could get a bit bigger size to really see the pattern).

Also, you might not be willing to sacrifice the face up size for one of those fancy shapes. I was willing to and went with a PoH (which I totally love and have no regrets, but it was a long process to get to a decision).

There are also the X-Factor princess cuts at Whiteflash that have cut corners... you might want to take a look.

Thanks everyone! I remember trying some on in the past but it was no where near decisive ore really concerned with what looks good, was just trying on for fun. I''m going next weekend so I will let you guys know!
Sera - I do like the X-Factor Princess, I assume that''s only a Whiteflash stone ? I also like the PoH (your ring is beautiful

) are those cuts only available via the PS online vendors?

 

[tberube]

The same thing happened to me when I first started looking at diamonds. I knew I didn''t like rounds - but until then I hadn''t realized there were other square choices other than princess! It was then that I realized that I really am not a fan of princess cuts at all.

I myself am sort of a setting girl - to me the setting and the ring as a whole is just as important as the diamond itself. So I looked around at settings and stumbled upon one that totally knocked my socks off - and it just so happened to be a setting for an Emerald Cut diamond. I hadn''t even considered EC''s before, but the more I thought about it, the more I learned that EC''s are just the right cuts for me - not to flashy or "crushed ice" like (I like simplicity), they look pretty big for their size, not everyone in the world has one, and (this is silly but) emeralds are my birthstone but they''re too soft for my clumsy hands so it was the perfect answer. And that''s how I chose my diamond''s cut.

But I have to say that I am TOTALLY in love with cushions - they''re unbelievably gorgeous and if I ever upgrade that''s the cut I will get.
And Asschers are captivating and so rich looking - but you I''d never get enough face-up size for the money I''d have to spend on an asscher, so I probably will never own one.

 

[tberube]

Chrono - how do I find that video you mentioned? I''m curious now but I can''t locate it.

 

[sera]

tberube, I''m with you on being a setting girl... I know I could have gotten a LOT larger diamond had I not budgeted fairly equal amounts to the diamond and the setting, but the setting is VERY important to me as well (I just can''t decide on ONE yet, but I''m close!

)

TY Angel7, I''m really happy with my decision. The fancy cuts are deeper so you get less spread, but I didn''t want a round so wouldn''t get the best spread no matter what I decide on. That PoH was THE cut for me! I love that it is square but sparkles like a round- I love that it''s F color- and I love (like all PSers) that my diamond WAY outsparkles the average the diamond. I''m pretty sure the X-Factor can only be purchased from Whiteflash and the PoH from Good Old Gold.

Here is the VIDEO LINK... you click on the picture of the 3 diamonds, it''s the 5th video down. It says, " For PS''s Chrono..." and is under the section "Recent Shoots" (the second grouping of videos beneath the "Instructional Videos" group.)

 

[urseberry]

To find the video Good Old Gold made for Chrono, go to their website, click on Video on the left sidebar, and scroll down to Recent Videos. Alternately, you can use this direct link I made for you.

 

[Angel7]

Tberube & Sera - Totally agree about the setting comment. I feel like so much of the budget is going towards the setting and I''m limiting myself on the stone. Sorry, I need something on the band!

I''m not a just a plain band kinda girl.

Tbe - That''s so funny you say that about Princess cuts, now I wonder if I won''t really like it that much on my hand either! I know I''ve tried them on, just don''t remember what I thought! I love the look of Emeralds but just never tought they were "me." Hmm, guess I''ll try that one on too!

I''ve decided with the budget I don''t think the Asscher will make the cut (no pun intended!)

I agree on not digging the "crushed ice" look.
I''m excited to see Cushions, it''s a shame I can''t see a PoH or Square H&A or X-Factor in person.

Sera - All those settings you picked made me drool! Can''t wait to see/hear what happens!

Thanks again all!

 

[Rhino]

Date: 1/4/2008 8:53:37 PM
Author: neatfreak
You really just need to see a bunch in person and try them on! The one thing with many of those cuts compared to cushions (as I learned when I researched!) is that many of those patented cuts (POH, Jubilee, etc.) are very deep (as well as asschers) so they face up smaller for their carat weight.

Despite what some people say, my cushion faces up just about as big as a round of it''s size when compared side by side. So I think some of those stones are better ''bling for your buck'' if that is an issue.

Just a point of note Neat. You could basically say this about any *square*. There are unpatented AGS Ideal princess cuts with depths that run deeper than any of these patented cuts. It is a typically a sacrifice with most squares in general.