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questions about a cushion

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sk8ermom

Rough_Rock
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Sep 2, 2006
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I am new to this site, and I have learned so much that I felt comfortable asking some questions. First, I am alittle nervous about purchasing a diamond online. How safe is it? I found a cushion diamond on James Allen and was wondering if anyone could give me info on if this sounds like a quality stone for the money ($7330) Thanks. I am wanting a new ring for my 25th.It was either a new ring or a trip to Hawaii. I''d rather have the diamond instead of seeing Diamond Head! Thanks so much in advance.
Shape: Cushion
Carat weight: 1.51
Cut: Premium
Color: I
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 63.9%
Table: 66.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to very thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.18*6.17*3.94
Ratio: 1.16
 
Not enough info to tell with cushions. Do you have the link so we can see the pictures?
 
I hope you don''t mind but I have pulled the photo off JA''s site for you. My preference is a smaller table in the mid-50 to high-50 range.

jadiamond.jpg
 
what is the advantage of a smaller table? Even with the larger table, is this a good stone? I am not finding alot of info on cushion. Parameters etc. It is something different than all the usual cut stones. Are cushion cuts new?
 
You can do much better. That one doesn't look very promising I am afraid. Unfortunately with cushions you really need to shop with your eyes. And in order to do that effectively, you need to look at LOTS and LOTS of cushions to see what you like.

Cushions are actually a very old cut, but unfortunately they are a fancy cut, which means there are no set standards for "ideal" like there are with rounds. So it makes buying much trickier.
 
blech.
It is very safe to buy online, and JA is a well-regarded vendor
 

sk8ermom - I think the ones neatfreak selected are very nice. I am not an expert in any way and still finding my way. We recently purchased a cushion and it was a pretty long journey. Unlike round brillants, cushions numbers don't really tell you much. Something with identical numbers can look so different. In general, I look for table ranges between 55 to 60% and depths between 64 to 68% because I have found I liked the look in these ranges. However, I have seen many beautiful cushions outside of these ranges as well. Now, beyond just those numbers - there are cushion brillants and cushion modified brillants. Most people like the look of cushion brillants better because the cushion modified brillants can have a crushed ice look. Another dimension is if your preference is a more modern cut cushion or an anitque cushion. Do you like chunky facets?


I suggest you watch the tutorial on GOG's site - http://goodoldgold.com/videos/ComparingCushions.wmv

I also want to add that looking through the search engines can get pretty stressful. We worked with Mark at Engagment Rings Direct who found us what we were looking for. He had access to diamonds that never made it to the search engines (I am sure all the other vendors will too).
 
Date: 10/13/2008 8:16:59 PM
Author: CharmyPoo

I also want to add that looking through the search engines can get pretty stressful. We worked with Mark at Engagment Rings Direct who found us what we were looking for. He had access to diamonds that never made it to the search engines (I am sure all the other vendors will too).
Click to expand...

We also worked with and bought from Mark at ERD. I cannot recommend him highly enough, he will make the search MUCH easier for you.
 
The diamond that you posted is yuck. I''m working with Jon at GOG for a cushion instead of ERD as I need the video comparisons (I''m in LA, they''re in NYC). I believe that Mark only provides photos but you''d have to confirm w/ someone who''s worked with him. In the meantime, you should contact a local diamond broker or visit a local B & M to see some cushions live as it''s very difficult to judge based on photos & specs alone. One thing that I''ve learned is that Jon''s videos completely spoiled me as the diamond would be so huge on the screen so that you can see everything and when you see one in person, they''re tiny! I couldn''t make heads or tails of the facets, colour or clarity!

Definitely look at some of the GOG diamonds. I never considered James Allen simply because they used to be called Dirt Cheap diamonds and I''ve turned into a snob! Plus, as I''ve mentioned I really dig the videos!
 
Date: 10/13/2008 8:31:13 PM
Author: neatfreak
Date: 10/13/2008 8:16:59 PM

Author: CharmyPoo


I also want to add that looking through the search engines can get pretty stressful. We worked with Mark at Engagment Rings Direct who found us what we were looking for. He had access to diamonds that never made it to the search engines (I am sure all the other vendors will too).
Click to expand...


We also worked with and bought from Mark at ERD. I cannot recommend him highly enough, he will make the search MUCH easier for you.
Click to expand...

Make that three positives for Mark at ERD. He was patient, knowledgeable and found us a wonderful stone! Give him a call.

I''d also recommend GOG.
 
I absolutely love all the videos and goodies GOG provides. It really does make the whole process go a lot easier. It also points out all the good and bad of the stone (beyond what you can see with the naked eye). I have heard that the goodies come with a price premium but I only shopped with one vendor at a time so I can''t say for sure.
 
Date: 10/13/2008 10:33:43 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
I absolutely love all the videos and goodies GOG provides. It really does make the whole process go a lot easier. It also points out all the good and bad of the stone (beyond what you can see with the naked eye). I have heard that the goodies come with a price premium but I only shopped with one vendor at a time so I can''t say for sure.
Click to expand...
I''ve also been seeing diamonds from my favorite B & M and a local broker and price-wise, GOG was a little higher. I saw 2 ct cushions starting at $18k from the B&M and $17k from the broker. The ones that I''m considering from GOG are $20-21K and that includes a 3 ct. However, the B&M''s upgrade policy required a 50% price increase and the broker offered no upgrade or buyback or return policy. GOG trumps them both with their 30 day return, 75% buyback & lifetime upgrade which starts at $500 and I know that I''m getting a fabulous stone. Also with GOG I get to see Aset & IS images which were not offered by the B&M & broker. Those viewings were conducted in windowless rooms only under flourescent lighting. I had no way of knowing how the stones really performed without bringing my own Aset & IS scope (which I''ve already ordered for a cost of about $200).

I think that if I buy from either the B&M or the broker, I will always question whether or not I got a great stone. Sure with GOG I''d be paying a little more but I think that it''s justified given the fact that they provide great technology which I have not found elsewhere. Their videos sets them apart from other online retailers...you can watch them over & over again any time of the day. I can only see the stones in person with the B&M & broker. In fact at the B&M, we compared his stones while watching my GOG video just to see if they were in the same league. If Mark at ERG offered this service I''d consider using him as he is the Cushion King. Unfortunately, I can''t choose from pictures and hopping onto a plane to NYC to see stones isn''t an option for me anymore now that I have a young baby.

You can''t go wrong with either GOG or ERD. It will really depend on what you''re comfortable with and how much control you need to feel like the decision was all yours.
 
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