The quest for chunky cushions....

[futuremrstildsley]

Hi Everyone! Hope you all are having a fabulous weekend!

Well, my fiance and I are beginning to look at replacing my current e-ring. I have absolutely fallen in love with GOG''s August Vintage Cushions

, and don''t have any qualms dealing with them and their business from the stellar reviews I''ve read. The only thing I''m hesitant on is purchasing a stone without seeing it in person, despite the pictures and videos. Taking a trip to New York is a bit out of the question, so my question is:

Are there any other places that have these ''chunky faceted'' cushions? Would I be able to find them / special order them at any jewelers around me, or is GOG the ONLY place that has them?

If anyone could give me any links to some ones online, or even give me an idea of how I can discern a chunky cushion from a modern one, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/30/2010 1:29:31 PM
Author:futuremrstildsley
Hi Everyone! Hope you all are having a fabulous weekend!

Well, my fiance and I are beginning to look at replacing my current e-ring. I have absolutely fallen in love with GOG's August Vintage Cushions

, and don't have any qualms dealing with them and their business from the stellar reviews I've read. The only thing I'm hesitant on is purchasing a stone without seeing it in person, despite the pictures and videos. Taking a trip to New York is a bit out of the question, so my question is:

Are there any other places that have these 'chunky faceted' cushions? Would I be able to find them / special order them at any jewelers around me, or is GOG the ONLY place that has them?

If anyone could give me any links to some ones online, or even give me an idea of how I can discern a chunky cushion from a modern one, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much in advance!

Hi MrsT,

The GOG cushions are Jon's signature brand so you won't find them anywhere else. You could find chunky type cushions from perhaps other vendors but it would take some work and perhaps patience to find the right one. You could try jewellery stores but I would imagine it would be challenging to find a good cushion and difficult to find one with the superior optics the AVC's have. But if one of GOG's AVC's is what you want, then thats the only place to acquire one.

Jon does have an excellent video for new cushion buyers which gives a good grounding in cushion basics and how to determine the type of cushion etc, I have posted it for you below along with some other useful links.

http://www.vimeo.com/7579666

http://www.vimeo.com/tag:cushioncuts

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/

Here is the new cushion tutorial for Pricescope written by Coatimundi,

http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/cushion-cut-diamond/

 

[futuremrstildsley]

Thanks for your quick response Lorelei - I pretty much figured as much. I may just have to take the leap without seeing it in person, because the AVC''s are delish!

Thanks again!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/30/2010 1:35:40 PM
Author: futuremrstildsley
Thanks for your quick response Lorelei - I pretty much figured as much. I may just have to take the leap without seeing it in person, because the AVC's are delish!

Thanks again!

You are most welcome! Jon has an excellent and well deserved rep, I know it can take a leap of faith to order online but you would be in very safe hands with him.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 1/30/2010 1:29:31 PM
Author:futuremrstildsley
Hi Everyone! Hope you all are having a fabulous weekend!

Well, my fiance and I are beginning to look at replacing my current e-ring. I have absolutely fallen in love with GOG''s August Vintage Cushions

, and don''t have any qualms dealing with them and their business from the stellar reviews I''ve read. The only thing I''m hesitant on is purchasing a stone without seeing it in person, despite the pictures and videos. Taking a trip to New York is a bit out of the question, so my question is:

Are there any other places that have these ''chunky faceted'' cushions? Would I be able to find them / special order them at any jewelers around me, or is GOG the ONLY place that has them?

If anyone could give me any links to some ones online, or even give me an idea of how I can discern a chunky cushion from a modern one, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much in advance!

Here is a little Guide to help you in your cushion search it will link you to videos where you can see visually the differences between the various cushion cuts:
There is no site that is as critical on light performance or provides you with as much information as GOG.

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.)

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/community/threads/bgd-cushion-let-me-know-what-you-think.128493/

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

Than we can help you narrow things down considerably.

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 http://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 $100 in shipping and $100 in appraisor time seems well worth it to make the most informed choice possible.

Happy Hunting,

CCL

 

[Bella_mezzo]

chunky cushion and lorelei posted a comprehensive list of info. I just wanted to say I am in

with those stones and GOGs customer service too. DH and I are not into upgrades, but, those stones make me reconsider

 

[futuremrstildsley]

WOW! Chunkycushion, thanks for all of that info. Your info along with Lorelei''s has been most helpful. I''ve been watching videos for a couple hours now!!!

I really do appreciate your help.

Bella - Aren''t they just so gorgeous? I''ve only heard great things about GOG so it''s putting me more at ease now. I wasn''t planning on upgrading either, but I''m doing more of a replacement. I''ve had a ton of problems, trials, and tribulations with my current not-so-nice e-ring

(thread here) so we''re doing more of "replacement", with a little "upgrade" included!!!!

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 1/30/2010 3:34:10 PM
Author: futuremrstildsley
WOW! Chunkycushion, thanks for all of that info. Your info along with Lorelei''s has been most helpful. I''ve been watching videos for a couple hours now!!!

I really do appreciate your help.

Bella - Aren''t they just so gorgeous? I''ve only heard great things about GOG so it''s putting me more at ease now. I wasn''t planning on upgrading either, but I''m doing more of a replacement. I''ve had a ton of problems, trials, and tribulations with my current not-so-nice e-ring

(thread here) so we''re doing more of ''replacement'', with a little ''upgrade'' included!!!!

Please tell me how the appraisal on your previous ring went I am most interested. Were you able to get a refund?

 

[futuremrstildsley]

We have an appointment a week from today to have it appraised. We pretty much know that the results are not going to be favorable, so my DF already offered to get me a new ring and possibly have my old stone put into a pendant for a necklace, so at least I''ll get to keep it for sentimental purposes.

No refunds at The Jewelry Exchange, just exchanges. Ha, like I''d ever buy something from them ever again. If only we had stumbled upon this website beforehand! Oh well, live and learn, right?

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 1/30/2010 3:48:45 PM
Author: futuremrstildsley
We have an appointment a week from today to have it appraised. We pretty much know that the results are not going to be favorable, so my DF already offered to get me a new ring and possibly have my old stone put into a pendant for a necklace, so at least I''ll get to keep it for sentimental purposes.

No refunds at The Jewelry Exchange, just exchanges. Ha, like I''d ever buy something from them ever again. If only we had stumbled upon this website beforehand! Oh well, live and learn, right?

What is their exchange policy like? Can you get full credit towards another diamond? If so we could help you find something pretty decent for the money and even a lousy vendor needs only to call it in.

 

[JulieN]

Why don''t you have Jon send a stone to the appraiser for you to check out?