Seeking advice: 3-4 carat cushion, $50-60k budget

[bl412415]

I am looking for a cushion cut diamond. Budget is around $60k all in. Ideally looking for something with more rectangular proportions and less depth and more top surface area (don’t want a lot of the carat weight in the bottom).

Ritani – I consulted with a virtual gemologist at Ritani and here are 2 options here I’ve narrowed down to and both are pretty different. I like the 3.55 for the size but not sure if I should be concerned about the color. Also the 3.08 has a crushed ice look which I like but isn’t a necessity. The photos aren’t good but you can view the specs/GIA report there.

https://www.ritani.com/diamond_consultations/18986-1520961131

Blue Nile – much better imagery on Blue Nile. I haven’t spoken with anyone there but here are some options I came up with. Seems like Blue Nile is slightly less expensive on a per carat basis.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

One general question I have is when it comes to cushions, which attributes would you recommend prioritizing?

Given my budget and priorities, would love your thoughts in general and specifically on the above options if you don’t mind! Do you think I’ll be happy with the larger options at Blue Nile that are a bit lower on clarity (say VS1 or VS2) and color (G or H), or would you advise sizing down a bit and upping those atttributes?

Not sure this matters but for what it’s worth I’ll be going with an ultra thin platinum band with micro-pavé.

Any thoughts or advice? Different options to consider?

Thanks so much for your time!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Reposting what I posted on your other thread.

I think down through G color is fine in modern cushions. Sometimes H is okay, depending on the cut of the stone. Certainly VS1 is always excellent, and VS2 is usually fine. I don't care to pay for higher than VS1 if there's a choice because it's totally clean with inclusions hard to see with a 10x loupe, and that is clean enough for me! Cut is the most important factor in a diamond's beauty, so finding the best cut one within the specs you want should be the goal.

Ritani...I think the 3.23 looks slightly brighter in the center than the 3.53, but both are pretty nicely cut from what I can tell just from photos. I do not like the 3.08 at all and would eliminate that one.

I don't like the cut on the first couple. This one looks like it has a more symmetrical facet pattern, but it has a thick girdle, and you do have to watch out for that by looking at diameter measurements, because it can hurt the face up size to have extra weight in the girdle area. So I'd eliminate it.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

This one can be on the maybe list. You can see that while it's weight is much less than the one above, it faces up not too much smaller due to it not having the thick girdle.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

Just a note, a lot of stones you see on BN or Ritani can be found on other sites for less. So once you narrow your choices down, don't buy until people can see if a stone is listed for a lower price. Blue Nile will price match, or the other vendor might have better policies.

I'll look around and see if I see anything promising, but you'll get more help when this is moved to Rocky Talky.

(Don't go too thin on your pave shank because they aren't so durable. Bare minimum of 1.8mm but 2mm is better and still very thin.)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Enchanted Diamonds lists a lot of great cushions. They have the best selection I know of (although some of the stones may be listed on other sites, ED seems to have among the lowest prices). I'd focus on their master cut cushions that they label with 100%. That's just their in house designation and some stones are better than others, but it's a good place to start. I'll give you my search link, but I will show you some stones I like.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...monds.cut_score+DESC+NULLS+LAST&shape=Cushion

Examples of nice ones (many are more square, though):

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C350-4687Z0869? (gorgeous, H color)

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C352-1820Z1494?

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C321-169609086?

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C320-3Z6287840?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don't see much at James Allen. Here's one that's not quite as well cut as the one's above, but I wanted to show you what H color looks like. Of course, H is a range and some are closer to G and others are closer to I color.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/3.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4511681

 

[Octo2005]

A few things on cushions -
1. There are many different flavors. From the ones you linked above it seems that you prefer a modern cushion faceting. You might want to read this thread to get a feel for what cushion personality speaks to you the most. https://www.pricescope.com/communit...rience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/
2. Focus on the dimensions. Cushions are not cut to a standard size, and therefore are not as predicatable in their face up size like a MRB would be cut.
3. You can certainly go down in clarity as long as it is eye-clean. I wouldn't recommend going down in color unless you are considering an antique cut cushion or a newly cut branded antique facet cushion like an AVC or one of VC's stones.
4. Once you narrow down your choices, you will want to request an ASET. Some sights post them on line and others you will have to ask for one.

 

[tyty333]

G/VS would be plenty white and clean enough for me. With the options you given I like this one...
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

Out of the ratani 4 and 5 might be ok....

I would want asets for those 3. Have you asked for asets? Have you checked James Allen?

I checked JA and didnt see anything rectangular over 3 carats.