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Some Advice on Cushion Cuts

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Ruup

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Hi there new to this forum, so firstly a big hello to everyone and thanks as I have been lurking here for a few weeks now and have picked up truly invaluable information. Was totally lost but in a few weeks here have picked up loads of information. If it hadn''t been for this forum I probably would of just gone in blindly and bought one without knowing what I was going to get!

I am looking to purchase a Cushion Cut Diamond, I am going to propose to girl and I know from one time randomly taking her into Tiffanies that she loves the Cushion Cut shape so I''m decided on that. I have two diamonds in mind at the moment, I know with Cushion Cuts you need to be see them before purchasing but thought I''d check with you guys here just to see what you guys think before getting any images sent over. The stones are based in America but I''ve found here in the UK that hardly any will actually let you see the diamond before buying it so especially for this shape I thought that was too risky, especially considering this ain''t coming cheap! I''ve always fancied going to New York so I could kill two birds with one stone so to speak and pick up the diamond from there and to do a bit of sight seeing!


1.75 Carat

Color: E
Clarity: VVS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Depth: 63.4%
Table: 61%
Girdle: Thin-Medium
Dimensions: 7.62x6.83x4.33
Ratio: 1.12



Carat 1.53

Color: D
Clarity: VVS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Depth: 69.5%
Table: 65%
Girdle: Medium-Very Thick
Dimensions: 7.12x6.53x4.54
Ratio: 1.09http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/certificate.aspx?idno=2264582&file_name=1 (from looking at this has four extra facets at the bottom on the diamond)





I know she doesn''t like huge diamonds, just something which is a nice size so I thought I might as well spend the extra on going for higher colour and clarity. Even though I could get away with a lesser spec I dunno I''m just a bit weird and I don''t think I''d be happy with that. Her Ring size is about a 5.25 (or K size here in the UK) so I think the above two should look ok on her finger.

Just wanted to run these specs by you guys just to see if everything looks ok before I get in contact with ERD or Whiteflash, I really like that 1.75 Carat but weird it has a smaller depth in mm then the 1.53 carat stone so would this present any issues? It would ideal though as she hates the idea of the diamond sticking out quite high from her finger as well. I think they are both Modified Brilliant Cushions so definitely need to see them as I am not keen on that crushed ice effect.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
 
I know she doesn''t like huge diamonds, just something which is a nice size so I thought I might as well spend the extra on going for higher colour and clarity. Even though I could get away with a lesser spec I dunno I''m just a bit weird and I don''t think I''d be happy with that. Her Ring size is about a 5.25 (or K size here in the UK) so I think the above two should look ok on her finger.

Just wanted to run these specs by you guys just to see if everything looks ok before I get in contact with ERD or Whiteflash, I really like that 1.75 Carat but weird it has a smaller depth in mm then the 1.53 carat stone so would this present any issues? It would ideal though as she hates the idea of the diamond sticking out quite high from her finger as well. I think they are both Modified Brilliant Cushions so definitely need to see them as I am not keen on that crushed ice effect.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)--------------------------------------

First I suggest figuring out which type of cut you like, then once you know that you can post your detailed preferences and budget and we can help you narrow down the choices.

ChunkyCushionLover''s Guide To Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds

Step 1 (Choose The Type of Cut)

Decide the look of cushion you like best. (Watching the videos should help you the most with this.)
A great video illustrating the best in Cushion Brilliant Optics and a comparison between several varieties http://www.vimeo.com/9188543

i) Cushion Brilliant
a) 4 main like this one http://www.octonus.com/oct/projects/foxymovies/round_cushion2_office_fr.phtml or http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (4 main is on the far left)
b) 8 main modern http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 (stone on the left)
c) 8 main old mine cushion http://www.vimeo.com/5310842
d) BGD modern 8 main cushion (the mains intersect at the corners) https://www.pricescope.com/forum/topic12849.html

ii) Square Cushion Hearts and Arrows http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266-2.mov http://video.jogiadiamonds.com.au/images/analysis/CXF7266.mov

iii) Cushette http://www.vimeo.com/3164922
iv) Cushion Modified Brilliant (often referred to negatively as the "crushed ice" variety as many in this category have only small flashes and were cut to save weght not to optimize light return),
a) 4 Pavillion main facets (several varieties)
b) 8 mains (several varieties) http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 pictures and commentary here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-shocking-final-diamond-choice-i-gave-to-my-fiance-which-one-would-you-pick.121154/
c) Square Brilliant (rare seen more in Belgium)

A helpful thread to see the plots and pictures of different types of cushions can be seen here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/ (keep in mind pictures aren''t as useful as videos and can only be used reliably to understand facet structure not light performance)
If you want to learn about cushions a great video by Jon at GOG can be watched here http://www.vimeo.com/7579666 and bonus footage here http://www.vimeo.com/7611843.

Step 2 (Choose the 4Cs)

1) Post your budget, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, LW(length to width) Ratio (do you like perfectly Square or Rectangular?) and cut preference. We will help find stones in your price range or tell you if your budget is realistic for the specs you have chosen or if you will have to make some tradeoffs. If you would rather go directly to the vendor at this point I suggest you speak to:

i) Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com
ii) Jon at Goodoldgold.com
iii) Bob at Whiteflash.com
iv) Brian at Briangavindiamonds.com

This list is limited to what I beleive are vendors who specialize in cushion cuts designed for light performance there may be others but I haven''t had experiences with them. Some vendors like GOG and BGD have even developed their own cushion signature cut diamonds lines not available for sale by any other vendor. All of these vendors will be able to provide ASET images and pictures of stones to help you decide prior to purchase.

Example:
Budget: $10,000
Color: H and above
Clarity: SI1 and above (Anything Eyeclean from 6 feet away looking faceup)
Carat Weight: 1.3Ct+
Lw Ratio = 1 - 1.05 (I want square) or 1.1 - 1.3 (I want rectangular)
Cushion Brilliant (Modern) either 4 main or 8 main

Step 3 (View and Post ASET Image and Photographs and/or see in person)

Ask the vendor for a Video and/or ASET image (http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp) of your possible choices and we can help you narrow down which of your selections we prefer and why.

Step 4 (View a side by side comparison at a vendor or appraisor for final selection)

If you are still not sure I would send your two or three favourite stones to a PS listed appraisor https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx close to you, where you can view your final choices in person prior to purchase you will just have to pay shipping. Many PS vendors will send stones to a trusted appraisor without you having to pay first and the appraisor will only release the stone to you only upon payment to and consent of the vendor.
For such an expensive purchase approximately $100 in shipping and insurance (both ways) and $100 in appraisor time seems well worth it to make the most informed choice possible.
Happy Hunting,
CCL
 
Wow thanks for the response mate. I don''t know how reasonable/fussy I am being here but here goes!


Budget - ~$15,000 (just for the diamond)
Color - D or E
Clarity - Upto VVS2 and maybe VS1
Carat Weight - 1.5 - 1.75 Carats
Ratio - Something around about 1.1 is probably ideal. So something which you can see is starting to become a rectangle but isn''t a proper rectangle.

As for which type, I am really liking http://www.vimeo.com/3164922 (one on the right) which you say is the 8 mains Cushion Modified Brilliant. Also under "i) Cushion Brilliant" you have http://www.vimeo.com/2120607 as a 4 main and a 8 main so I''m not sure which one it is but I do like the one on the left of this video. http://www.vimeo.com/9188543 Also am liking the 3rd diamond here as well. So I think it is safe to assume I like the 8 mains ones! I''m not sure if any of these three diamonds are possibly the same but I would be happy with any of those.

Tomorrow what I''ll do is give those guys a call which you have listed as well to see what they say. Tried to call Mark today actually just for some general advice but he wasn''t in.

Thanks again for the response :)
 
Hi Ruup - I am in Australia and have just had a FANTASTIC experience purchasing a Cushion Cut (August Vintage Cushion) from GOG (Good old Gold) online.
Jon could not have been more helpful and although I haven''t got the ring finalised yet (stone is with another jeweller in the US) I could not be more wrapt! If you haven''t had a look at their site yet, I strongely suggest you do. Their customer service is fabo and I kinda needed my hand held alot because I''m on the other side of the world. Check them out.

Also - just a small note - you say your girl is not into big diamonds - 1.75 is kinda big for a small finger! But hey I''m still stumped on what girl wouldn''t like a big diamond in the first place (don''t we just say that, but never really mean it?)
9.gif
 
I just had a quick peek - this one is a SI1 but Jon will tell you if it's eyeclean (he is very honest about this).. I just got a F 1.5 SI2 and my jeweller is blown away by it. It is an F, however you may find that the difference between a e and f is very slight in diamonds cut this well. But that's just what I have learned here - so it may be different for you. I found I started out thinking I wanted D then realised that right up to G is still super dooper white IMO.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6929/
 
Date: 4/15/2010 7:44:32 PM
Author: CushionNovice
But hey I''m still stumped on what girl wouldn''t like a big diamond in the first place (don''t we just say that, but never really mean it?)
9.gif
Click to expand...


Hahaha
36.gif


1.75 is a great size, I''d say that''s pretty big... but That''s a good thing.
2.gif
 
Date: 4/15/2010 5:16:16 PM
Author:Ruup


Hi there new to this forum, so firstly a big hello to everyone and thanks as I have been lurking here for a few weeks now and have picked up truly invaluable information. Was totally lost but in a few weeks here have picked up loads of information. If it hadn't been for this forum I probably would of just gone in blindly and bought one without knowing what I was going to get!

I am looking to purchase a Cushion Cut Diamond, I am going to propose to girl and I know from one time randomly taking her into Tiffanies that she loves the Cushion Cut shape so I'm decided on that. I have two diamonds in mind at the moment, I know with Cushion Cuts you need to be see them before purchasing but thought I'd check with you guys here just to see what you guys think before getting any images sent over. The stones are based in America but I've found here in the UK that hardly any will actually let you see the diamond before buying it so especially for this shape I thought that was too risky, especially considering this ain't coming cheap! I've always fancied going to New York so I could kill two birds with one stone so to speak and pick up the diamond from there and to do a bit of sight seeing!


1.75 Carat

Color: E
Clarity: VVS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Depth: 63.4%
Table: 61%
Girdle: Thin-Medium
Dimensions: 7.62x6.83x4.33
Ratio: 1.12



Carat 1.53

Color: D
Clarity: VVS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Depth: 69.5%
Table: 65%
Girdle: Medium-Very Thick
Dimensions: 7.12x6.53x4.54
Ratio: 1.09http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/certificate.aspx?idno=2264582&file_name=1 (from looking at this has four extra facets at the bottom on the diamond)







I know she doesn't like huge diamonds, just something which is a nice size so I thought I might as well spend the extra on going for higher colour and clarity. Even though I could get away with a lesser spec I dunno I'm just a bit weird and I don't think I'd be happy with that. Her Ring size is about a 5.25 (or K size here in the UK) so I think the above two should look ok on her finger.

Just wanted to run these specs by you guys just to see if everything looks ok before I get in contact with ERD or Whiteflash, I really like that 1.75 Carat but weird it has a smaller depth in mm then the 1.53 carat stone so would this present any issues? It would ideal though as she hates the idea of the diamond sticking out quite high from her finger as well. I think they are both Modified Brilliant Cushions so definitely need to see them as I am not keen on that crushed ice effect.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
Click to expand...
Hi Ruup

Is the first diamond above from Tiffany?
 
Hi there Lorelei, no neither are from there and am not planning to buy one from there either.

Also might just give Dan a call from ERD, I'm sure he would be able to help me out as well.


Date: 4/15/2010 7:44:32 PM
Author: CushionNovice
Hi Ruup - I am in Australia and have just had a FANTASTIC experience purchasing a Cushion Cut (August Vintage Cushion) from GOG (Good old Gold) online.
Jon could not have been more helpful and although I haven't got the ring finalised yet (stone is with another jeweller in the US) I could not be more wrapt! If you haven't had a look at their site yet, I strongely suggest you do. Their customer service is fabo and I kinda needed my hand held alot because I'm on the other side of the world. Check them out.

Also - just a small note - you say your girl is not into big diamonds - 1.75 is kinda big for a small finger! But hey I'm still stumped on what girl wouldn't like a big diamond in the first place (don't we just say that, but never really mean it?)
9.gif
Click to expand...

As for her not being into big diamonds lol well I suppose you might be right. Though I would say she isn't really into dressing up, make up and jewellery in general. Also doesn't like me spending too much money on her as well and she says herself she isn't a real girly girl lol. When she tried some on at Tiffanies some of them while not being big diamonds stuck up quite highly from her finger and she didn't like that, she also likes a thicker band then what she saw there. She also doesn't want the band to be too bling bling!


I'm not even sure whether 5.25 ring size is seen as a small or big finger! She has long fingers and her hands are big so maybe she could get away with a 1.75 carat stone, problem is not seen a stone that big and can't either! I am surprising with this ring as well so really don't want to take her along, we were just going past Tiffanies and I was like hey lets go in here and have a browse about so she might know it is around the corner but I don't want to go to her for too much advice either! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQpGEIZAaas&feature=related This is Jon's (from GOG) daughter modelling a 1.7 carat square cushion, her finger size is 5 and it doesn't look huge. Looks a decent size but I guess it would be hard to compare as the stone I am looking for is more rectangle then proper square.


Also had a look at the stones you mention there and maybe I'm being totally fussy and unreasonable here and while I probably wouldn't tell the difference between the two I really have my heart set on either a D or E colour and a VVS2 clarity. I'm probably just being overly anal about it but think I'm going to give her one engagement ring that is going to be with her forever and I don't want to look at it afterwards and be like I really could of afforded a better one and that will bug me forever!

 
Hi Ruup,
I will have a look at that video now. I know what you mean about your GF not liking the stone to sit up so high. I agree, i also dislike a high setting and adore them sitting low. In terms of wanting to stay up higher in color and clarity. I also understand. As i mentioned earlier, I started out like that too, and then after quite a lot of research I realised for me, that if the stone is eye clean it didn''t matter what the clarity was - and therefore i was able to get a bigger better cut stone for my money. Same with the color - have you been watched any of GOG''s videos on color? They helped me a lot - in fact on the note of color, just today my jeweller took some photos of two stones for me and I was really shocked at the color differences. It really showed for me, that sometimes the color shows up differently depending on the cut of the stone. I could not believe how white and amazing my F stone was, and i''m color sensitive! But as you say, you need to do what''s good for you.. I too am getting my stone ''forever'' so i was super excited to learn that for me the F was just as good as a D. Anyway, enough from me - good luck!
2.gif
 
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Other/KAs-150-GOG-AV-Cushion/11808232_bJAcB#834246420_Bu8AT

Have a peek at these two stones that I have been looking at (I just purchased the first one)... I will make a proper thread about it another time... however these stones are sitting in a stone holder just like in Jons video (the diamond isn't set, it's just sitting in some prongs - you will see what i mean when you flick through the photos). Both of these stones are si2 in clarity and my jeweller went over them with her hawk eyes and could not see ANYTHING on them... So to me that's fantastic that I'm not paying for something that i can't see.

Oh and PS - Sounds like you are going to get her something fabulous - very exciting, i'm sure she will be over the moon!
 
Wow that is a lovely stone and congrats! Is that your finger the ring is on? If so you don't mind me asking what ring size you are do you? I'm finding it hard to visualise what a 1.5 - 1.75 carat stone will look like on her finger! Let me know what you think of that youtube video as well.

I've spent the last month or so trying to convince myself about the colour & clarity thing but I just can't seem to do it right now, I know I am probably being unreasonable with it but I really want those specs you know. Like you say it is forever so knowing me a few years down the line I'll feel disappointed I didn't just wait and get exactly what I wanted!

Thanks and I hope it will be fabulous, she really does mean the world to me so this is why I'm being so fussy! If it had been for myself I doubt I would of gone through all this hassle!

Also having a look at the GIA report of that 1.75 carat looks like that is a 4 main cushions (I think so anyway), dammit!
 
Hi again,

I had a look at the video from Jon - gorgeous!!!!!!! That size looks great on his daughters finger. So its a good size reference.
Not my hand in the shot - that''s my jeweller - Erica Grace Jewels (she has been my second set of eyes for me - cross checking my stone choices before I finally picked one) I think she said that she is a 5.75 finger size. I''m planning to halo that stone so I''m super excited about the size of it. I love how white it is and it still has such gorgeous depth to the color - which to me makes it more beautiful, sometimes I think any ''whiter'' and they can look like cz! But again as you say it''s all down to personal taste.

So have you decided what type of cushion cut you like most? Is it the vintage style (like the august vintage) or the other types? And have you actually gone and looked at different cuts and colors and is that why you want the d/e? Or is it just in your heart that the higher is better? Just for reference, in the photos I just linked for you, they are BOTH F SI2 STONES!! How different does the color look in both of them?? Its bizarre! So color for me i think can change a lot depending on each individual stone. Anyway I must sound like i''m trying to talk you out of a d/e color I just know that I started out fully thinking that D/E meant ''best'' and then when I went and looked at the quality of the August Vintage stones, I quickly worked out that the color is kind of a guide and then each stone shines in its own way... So just putting in my 2cents worth really.
 
I have a 1.7ct cushion that is cut on the shallow side - it does not look huge on my size 2.75 finger. It looks like a good size but not huge. Not sure if this helps.
 
Date: 4/17/2010 8:57:54 AM
Author: QueenMum
Fancy or antique cut diamonds don't have to be deeper than rounds.
They often are, but that's a matter of money (weight retention).
My favorite antiques on pricescope are shallow, here is an example:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-new-old-2-3-carat-oec-e-ring.49501/
Click to expand...
I should point out that antique rounds are still judged using the diameter depth % calcualtion and are directly comparable.
Whereas fancy shapes even the 69.5% depth one in this thread may actually have more faceup surface area than the same carat weight round.
If the corners and edges are not too rounded a cushion with these propotions would actually have better faceup surface area than an equal carat weight round.
Consumer and industry are often against choosing fancy shapes with greater than 70% depth but most don't realize that due to a different calculation method 70% depth in a fancy may still be significantly more shallow than an ideal Round.

Ruup:

1) If you limit yourself to high clairty and color and LW=1.1 you would find it much more difficult to find the best cut to go along with these parameters, you should probably tell vendors this is your target but not eliminate stones 1 or 2 color and clarity grades below these targets and be a little relaxed on LW ratio as well. Color and Clarity are rarity factors, cut is the most important beauty factor.

2) My wife has a 5.5 finger and a 1.6Ct modern 8 main cushion as a solitaire it would certainly not be too big, we even put a halo around it making it look like a 5 Ct solitaire and it is still not too big.
Size 5 finger is 16mm diameter. Size 5.5 is only 16.5mm hardly much difference from the top.

1.6Ct Modern cushion would have a width of ~7mm which is 44% not too big at all in a solitaire setting.
Even a 1.6Ct in a halo which now has a total width of 10mm is still only 60% finger coverage.

If you choose a refined setting which isn't set too high or too busy you will not have any problems with a 1.5 - 2 carat stone. My wife is conservative and didn't want her ring to be too ostentatious either.
 
Hey guys, sorry for the late response! Been a hectic weekend!

CushionNovice - I think I''m gonna go with the AVC cushion myself, really love the way that looks. I totally appreciate your advice as well regarding the colour and clarity but I just can''t get it out of my head. I know I''ll regret it afterwards so for the time being I think for my own sake probably best sticking with that and if things don''t work out or I''m able to talk some sense to myself then I''ll look at other things lol.

ChunkyCushionLover - First of thanks again for that totally awesome post earlier on! When I speak to the vendors I''ll make sure I let them know that is what I''m after but I''m not completely strict as to what I want either. I''m open to a bit of movement when it comes to my criteria as well, I guess we will see how it goes because with diamonds you won''t always get exactly the diamond you''re after in a short space of time but something close which looks really nice. Also thanks for the advice on the size as well, I think I''ll keep my options open between 1.5-1.75 carats and see what I can get between that.

Thanks to everyone else for their help as well :)
 
You know your specs are pretty tough to come by. Mine were D to F, VS1 and better, and a perfect square. Took me FOREVER!
 
Yeah I know but we will see how things go for a little while and then I might have to change my criteria!
 
Ruup, just have to ask, is that a Dutch name?
 
lol no actually, just a nick name that some people call me by. Not sure how to spell so could be Rupe or Ruup but spelling it Ruup just sounded cooler lol.
 
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