Question comparing 2 Cushion J VS2's

[DallasTiger]

I am new to the site and have been well informed by reading each of your inputs. I have been searching for the correct diamond for around a month. I have narrowed my selection to two different diamonds, one which I have not seen yet (should be tomorrow or Monday).
The first diamond is $800 more (not a big concern), 2.08 Cushion Modified Brilliant, J VS2, Excellent polish, very good symmetry, 7.75x7.26x4.93. Depth % is 67.9%, Table % is 68%.

The second diamond is a 2.05 Cushion Brilliant, J VS2, Excellent polish, Excellent symmetry, 7.65x7.24x5.04. Depth % is 69.6%, Table % is 60%.

I understand the first diamond is going to look bigger, due to the larger table % and dimensions. A concern I have is there seems to be a slight cloud (according to the GIA report), but I can't really tell when looking at it. It also seems there are a few more inclusions in the table, though I am not too concerned with it being a VS2. How does a natural affect the quality of the diamond? Overall, I like the dimensions and quality of the diamond.

The second diamond, I have a few more concerns. While it is a VS2, will there be more of a chance to see the inclusions in a Cushion Brilliant as opposed to a Cushion Modified Brilliant? The second diamond also has a couple of indented naturals, as well as a small natural inclusion. Are these a significant concern? While it will not look quite as big as the first, these are my main concerns.

I am also trying to decide if I would like a Cushion Modified Brilliant or a Cushion Brilliant. I know this isn't something you can really give advice about, as this is more of a personal preference. However, would it be fair to say one has more "fire" and "brilliance" than the other? Is there one that is more preferred than others? Are there any other concerns I am missing out on?

GIA 7173895945

Vs.

GIA 1166130579

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Gypsy]

Can't help you with information posted. Lab reports do not have the right information to decide if you have a cushion worth buying or not. You have to shop with images, videos or ASETs if you are shopping online. If you are shopping in person, then you need know what what to look for.

Please read these two threads (my posts in them explain what you need to know). Please read all the posts in the threads below and follow any links posted:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-and-looking-for-help-choosing-cushion-cut-diamond-to-oz.205195/[/URL]
To start you off.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-need-opinions-about-this-cushion-cut-diamond-pics.206771/#post-3763672#p3763672']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-need-opinions-about-this-cushion-cut-diamond-pics.206771/#post-3763672#p3763672[/URL]

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut.

There really is no other way to determine if you have a good cushions is to see images of the stones, and then you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.

That's what an ASET image does. http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance Please read.
And ASET shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return That is why you won't see us recommending vendors like Blue Nile, as they do not provide images or ASET images for their diamonds. James Allen and Good Old Gold do this. So do Brian Gavin and Whiteflash and High Performance Diamonds.

Or you can get an AGS0 cushions, but those are rare, and usually branded. . GIA does not grade their princesses for performance. Only AGS does. And any lab other than GIA or AGS is not worth considering at all.

 

[RandG]

Can you post any photos or video? These should have very different looks to them, and I'm curious about the 2nd one.

 

[DallasTiger]

I will try to upload the video after I try to get one tomorrow or Monday.

 

[DallasTiger]

Wow. I feel like I just took a crash course in cushion cut diamonds. You are very informative in your posts. I appreciate the knowledge. I thought I had gained a good bit of knowledge over the past month, but that was probably the most informative thread I have read.

I appreciate the heads up on cut being king. With that being said, I will keep you guys updated on which way I go. I have been working with a jeweler in New York that has gotten a good bit of my family's business over the years on the first diamond, so I trust him a good bit. The second diamond is coming from Diamonds Direct in Birmingham. The situation with them has been somewhat frustrating as I "held" a diamond after my first time there for a 20% down payment (fully refundable). Since I have done my research, they have lowered the price of the diamond by 15%, which I have now removed that diamond from consideration due to it having an EGLUSA certification and very shallow depth (50%). The second diamond listed before comes from Diamonds Direct trying not to lose a sale.

I trust the jeweler in New York due to previous family dealings with them, but I feel I need to at least listen to Diamonds Direct. It is difficult, seeing as though I do not live in either Alabama (family does) or New York. I do feel as though they are giving me the best deal they can in each scenario. Both have quoted me the price with a custom setting, which I believe is probably a comparable price.

The jeweler in New York really likes the diamond and offers 30 day return policy. That is the way I am leaning, unless my family sees the diamond in Birmingham tomorrow or Monday and is completely blown away by it.

Thank you again for all of the information. If I ever look at another diamond, I may have to pay for you to help me pick one out! Just kidding.

 

[Gypsy]

We don't charge to pick out diamonds. We are all hobbyists and this is fun for us. If you want help picking something, just send up a flare.

Where are you located? We might be able to point you to a good local jeweler as well to help you on your journey.

And thank you for your kind comments. I do try to keep the information helpful.