Round or Cushion cut Diamond?

[luvsdmb]

Hi Everyone,

I've taken a break from this site to figure out what the heck my next step is in finding the ring of my dreams. I'm back now because I do think my issue is with the size of my diamond.

I currently own a 1.01 round diamond. So I have decided to go larger. My next decision is either a larger round or a cushion cut diamond.

Would love to hear your advice, opinions, stories, anything that will help me since I have figured out that I can't seem to trust myself with making a wise choice.

Brooke

 

[mdmc]

Just my 2 cents. I like them both but chose a round for myself. I have it in a solitaire setting right now and love stacking it with other rings I have, but........I also chose it because I might want to set it in a halo in the future. I love the look of rounds in a square halo. The best of both worlds for me. What setting are you thinking of?

 

[luvsdmb]

I actually am thinking about the JbEG Kylie Halo with Mimi option.Actually a few of their settings I really love, but I also love the cushion halo's with round diamonds. So a larger diamond with this halo might do it for me.

 

[luvsdmb]

Here is the JbEG Mimi Halo that I really love! I love the fact it's a round diamond with the cushion halo.

 

[righthandring]

In practical terms, a cushion is cheaper. But it's harder to find a beautiful one because there is so much inconsistency and variation in the different types. Also there is no real grading for the cut and you can't rely that much on the certificate. For me, one of the reasons to get a cushion is to be a little different.Yet by contrast the halo is very popular. Personally I prefer more simple settings that highlight the cushion's different shape. I realize my opinion is probably a minority view.

 

[Harpertoo]

In practical terms, a cushion is cheaper. But it's harder to find a beautiful one because there is so much inconsistency and variation in the different types. Also there is no real grading for the cut and you can't rely that much on the certificate. For me, one of the reasons to get a cushion is to be a little different.Yet by contrast the halo is very popular. Personally I prefer more simple settings that highlight the different shape. I realize my opinion is probably a minority view.

I absolutely agree with you.
I have considered a halo for a round re-set, but I really want a cushion for the shape and I think the halo dilutes the look.
(No offense to all the incredible halos around!)

But I do think a round is perhaps easier to buy, and maybe easier to sell/upgrade.
Cushions seem to be more idiosyncratic. Which is probably why I prefer them...less of a commodity. Also the cost per mm/ face up might negate the savings per/ct of a cushion.

 

[luvsdmb]

I am really drawn to halo's with Cushion and Oval cut diamonds. When I saw the Mimi Halo I really loved it and I feel like JbEG would do a great job with it and not have it over power the center stone no matter what it ended up being.

 

[mdmc]

Oh, I love that setting!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd also consider Victor Canera and Steven Kirsch for a pave halo. That first ring posted above has way too much gap between the stone and halo. I do like a round stone in a cushion halo, but it has to be done right.

 

[SMC]

Here is the JbEG Mimi Halo that I really love! I love the fact it's a round diamond with the cushion halo.

Two things:

1. This is an old cut diamond. Would you consider one? It seems like old cuts cost less per carat than RBs or cushions but it's hard to find a good one (especially if you are looking for higher colors).
2. I read in another thread that JBEG will be discontinuing their settings at the end of May. If you do want to get their setting, you'll need to act soon.

Shape is so much of a personal preference that I don't feel comfortable advising you one way or the other. The good things about PS are that you can look at all the SMTB threads for inspiration and the experts here are great with suggestions once you decide on a shape.

 

[Rosebloom]

I believe JBEG discontinued their settings last May but have since brought them back. So you shouldn't have a rush.

I love a modern round brilliant in a cushion halo (although I agree with DS that I'd look at VC, SK and I'll add Leon Mege to the list as well to see which style you like best). You get the super sparkle of the round with the unique shape of the cushion. Win win in my book!

 

[luvsdmb]

Wow! Victor Canera and Steven Kirsch sure know what they are doing! Their rings are stunning.

This is going to be fun, but harder than I thought.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Wow! Victor Canera and Steven Kirsch sure know what they are doing! Their rings are stunning.

This is going to be fun, but harder than I thought.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it.

I believe theirs are as good as it gets. I am sure there are others around who do that kind of work, but for the ones we know about here, they do the best. And if you want an heirloom quality ring, that is where I'd go.

As far as round versus cushion goes, cushions are cut deeper and you have to go up in weight to get a similar size. Ideally it would be nice to have both! But I am sticking with a round for my e-ring since nothing really beats the light return and sparkle of a well cut round.

 

[two_little_birds]

Are you going to keep your current RB? Or are you selling/upgrading it?

If you do keep your current RB, my vote would be for the cushion. That way you have two different stones.

If you're not keeping it, then I would continue looking at stones until one or the other "speaks" to you.

 

[SMC]

I believe JBEG discontinued their settings last May but have since brought them back. So you shouldn't have a rush.

I love a modern round brilliant in a cushion halo (although I agree with DS that I'd look at VC, SK and I'll add Leon Mege to the list as well to see which style you like best). You get the super sparkle of the round with the unique shape of the cushion. Win win in my book!

A oops sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[luvsdmb]

Are you going to keep your current RB? Or are you selling/upgrading it?

If you do keep your current RB, my vote would be for the cushion. That way you have two different stones.

If you're not keeping it, then I would continue looking at stones until one or the other "speaks" to you.

I am leaning towards an upgrade. I looked at a few cushion cuts today and I have to say the one I liked was a 1.96 and I felt like I still could have gone larger. So a larger round might make more sense for me right now.
Take in consideration that although I am on this site I am not even close to being on top of my game like so many of you ladies on here. I live in Ohio so that does not leave me to many options for diamond shopping.
I'm still hopeful that the right stone will "speak" to me when I see it.

Thanks

 

[luvsdmb]

Wow! Victor Canera and Steven Kirsch sure know what they are doing! Their rings are stunning.

This is going to be fun, but harder than I thought.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it.

I believe theirs are as good as it gets. I am sure there are others around who do that kind of work, but for the ones we know about here, they do the best. And if you want an heirloom quality ring, that is where I'd go.

As far as round versus cushion goes, cushions are cut deeper and you have to go up in weight to get a similar size. Ideally it would be nice to have both! But I am sticking with a round for my e-ring since nothing really beats the light return and sparkle of a well cut round.

I agree and I realized that tonight when I checked out a few cushion cuts the 1.96 seemed small. So I have a feeling I will be getting a larger round. Funny you mentioned the heirloom, I told my 9 month son that Mommy is going to get a bigger diamond and maybe you will give it to your future wife someday. I then teared up and decided I can't even think that way about him.(seemed like a good time for a picture of him)

 

[luvsdmb]

I believe JBEG discontinued their settings last May but have since brought them back. So you shouldn't have a rush.

I love a modern round brilliant in a cushion halo (although I agree with DS that I'd look at VC, SK and I'll add Leon Mege to the list as well to see which style you like best). You get the super sparkle of the round with the unique shape of the cushion. Win win in my book!

I love all three designers! You are right about the "super sparkle of the round with the unique shape of the cushion". I'm starting to feel really good about upgrading to a larger round. But I still plan on checking my options.

 

[luvsdmb]

In practical terms, a cushion is cheaper. But it's harder to find a beautiful one because there is so much inconsistency and variation in the different types. Also there is no real grading for the cut and you can't rely that much on the certificate. For me, one of the reasons to get a cushion is to be a little different.Yet by contrast the halo is very popular. Personally I prefer more simple settings that highlight the cushion's different shape. I realize my opinion is probably a minority view.

It's funny you mention that. I only started thinking of a halo this week when I saw the Mimi. You would not even believe how many e-rings I have owned and still am not happy with. With that being said maybe a halo is what I should have gone with in the very beginning. Or maybe just a larger diamond in a non halo setting will do the trick for me also. Who knows.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Awww, sweet baby! And don't think about the ring going to his wife because you will be too young! Mine is going to my first granddaughter when she is ready to get married! That way I should be old enough that I won't mind giving it away!

 

[luvsdmb]

O Snap!!! I gotta throw Oval into this thread now. I have been searching thru hundreds of posts and came across ovals that I really love. So that is now added to my list. Same setting idea though.

 

[luvsdmb]

I thought I would post a picture of my current diamond. It looks teeny tiny on my pork chop size 9.5 finger.

1.02 ct
H
Very Good/Very Good
6.40 x 6.33 x 4.01mm

I feel a little sad when I think about trading it on something larger

 

[luvsdmb]

I decided for an Oval!!! Here it is. 1.50ct. I really love it. It feels more like mine than any ring I've had before.

 

[luvsdmb]

Here are better pictures of my Oval diamond.As good as I could get with my phone.
When I went in my heart was set on either a larger round or a cushion, but this spoke to me. I didn't want to take it off so I knew it was meant to be. I really love it!
Now the setting. I still have a halo in mind but I just found two settings from Leigh Jay Nacht Inc. that I really like.

Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. It's a 1.50ct.

Thanks
Brooke