Thinking about getting a Cushion... have a question

[AaronCriss]

Hi Guys,

I am looking at getting a cushion cut stone for an engagement ring, and I think I have found a very good deal. I am on a budget so price is very important to me. I have read that you cannot go by the numbers for a cushion cut, but I am wondering what you guys think. BTW, the girl that this is for is NOT a diamond specalist. This stone seems to be a great deal!

Here are the specs for the stone:
Price: $1873
Shape: Cushion
Carat: 1.06
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
Length to Width
Ratio: 1.04
Measurements: 6.62-6.37-3.39
Depth Percentage: 53.2 %
Table Percentage: 58 %
Girdle: TN-M
Culet: None (Pointed)
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: Faint

Thoughts?

 

[iheartscience]

That is actually an extremely shallow stone. Out of jewelry store lighting it could look very lifeless/not sparkly at all.

Also, who graded it as a J/SI1? Was it EGL? Or AGS or GIA? If it was EGL, it may be more like a K or L SI2 or even I1.

I''d be very cautious about buying a 1 carat diamond for only $1800-you usually get what you pay for. You''re better off getting a smaller, well cut diamond that is higher quality.

If you''re looking for a cushion cut, Mark T. at EngagementRingsDirect.com is a cushion specialist. I''d contact him, tell him your budget and have him pick you one.

 

[CrookedRock]

Hi there!
We def need some more info bc thing2of2 is right on with the questions

Here is one that looks nice but very rectangular... Cushion .92

 

[AaronCriss]

Yeah, it was EGL. I take it that EGL is not reputable?

I willl take a look at engagementringsdirect.com and see what they have.

 

[AaronCriss]

Ok, I found two diamonds i liked on engagementringsdirect. One is $200 more than the other, and i am really not sure why. Thoughts?

Price: $2,645
Shape : Cushion
Carats : 1.00
Cut Grade : Premium
Color Grade : I
Clarity Grade : SI1
Measurement : 5.83x5.71x3.62
Ratio : 1.02
Depth : 63.4
Table : 60
Girdle : M-VTK
Culet : None
Polish : Very Good
Symmetry : Very Good
Certification : GIA
Fluorescence : FB

Price: $2,453
Shape : Cushion
Carats : 1.00
Cut Grade : Premium
Color Grade : I
Clarity Grade : SI1
Measurement : 5.83x5.53x3.86
Ratio : 1.05
Depth : 69.8
Table : 59
Girdle : TK-XTK
Culet : None
Polish : Excellent
Symmetry : Very Good
Certification : GIA
Fluorescence : NO

Another question. My fiance to be has small fingers, she is a 4.75. Any thoughts on how a 1ct cushion would look? Would a round or princess be more visually stunning? A similar sized round seems to be bigger than a cushion by about 1mm.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 4/19/2008 4:54:33 PM
Author: AaronCriss
Ok, I found two diamonds i liked on engagementringsdirect. One is $200 more than the other, and i am really not sure why. Thoughts?

Price: $2,645

Shape : Cushion

Carats : 1.00

Cut Grade : Premium

Color Grade : I

Clarity Grade : SI1

Measurement : 5.83x5.71x3.62

Ratio : 1.02

Depth : 63.4

Table : 60

Girdle : M-VTK

Culet : None

Polish : Very Good

Symmetry : Very Good

Certification : GIA

Fluorescence : FB

Price: $2,453

Shape : Cushion

Carats : 1.00

Cut Grade : Premium

Color Grade : I

Clarity Grade : SI1

Measurement : 5.83x5.53x3.86

Ratio : 1.05

Depth : 69.8

Table : 59

Girdle : TK-XTK

Culet : None

Polish : Excellent

Symmetry : Very Good

Certification : GIA

Fluorescence : NO

Another question. My fiance to be has small fingers, she is a 4.75. Any thoughts on how a 1ct cushion would look? Would a round or princess be more visually stunning? A similar sized round seems to be bigger than a cushion by about 1mm.

I think your best bet is to call Engagement Rings Direct and ask Mark T. which looks better! He will tell you objectively. He might also have some diamonds that aren''t up on the website-he''s located in the diamond district in NYC so he has easy access to tons of diamonds! Although there are definitely guidelines for fancy shapes like cushions, the look can vary quite a bit, so it''s best to get an expert''s opinion. The depths are a lot better, though!

And yes, EGL is not a very reputable lab. You want to get a diamond that is certed by GIA or AGS.

A round diamond definitely will face up larger than a cushion cut. However, well cut rounds are definitely more expensive than a nice cushion. It seems like it''s important to you to hit the 1 carat mark, and a 1 carat ideal cut round diamond with the same color and clarity combo as the cushions you''re posting is definitely going to be more than $2k, which appears to be your general budget.

Now, you could always go smaller than 1 carat in a round brilliant diamond, and it might look the same as a 1 carat cushion because of the measurement difference. What does your girlfriend prefer? Do you know? If she asked for a cushion, I would get her what she asked for. If she''s not sure what shape she wants or doesn''t care, you could go for a round.

I just did a quick search with the Pricescope search function, and if you''re willing to go to a J or K, you might be able to get an ideal cut 1 carat round diamond for $2500-$3000ish. Ideal cut Js and Ks can face up very white, and it''s also possible to find eyeclean SI2s. That color/clarity combo is a great value in ideal cut rounds. I don''t know how tight your budget is, though.

If you make a new thread asking for help picking out a round on a budget, I know you''d get lots of responses from people who are really round brilliant experts! (Not me, but I can use the search function and type in the ideal cut depth and table %! For a round, that would be 58.7-62.3% depth and 53-58% table.)

Also, you''re lucky because she does have small fingers, so a 1 carat round or cushion will look sizeable on her!

 

[chrono]

The 2 newer cushions you posted from ERD are far better than your first choice. I'd call Mark to get some pictures of the real stones. As suggested above, call Mark to do some searching for you. As he is in the diamond district, he has access to tons more stones not listed on his website. He also has a great eye for cushions so he won't pick an ugly one for you.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/19/2008 11:13:35 PM
Author: thing2of2


I think your best bet is to call Engagement Rings Direct and ask Mark T. which looks better! He will tell you objectively. He might also have some diamonds that aren''t up on the website-he''s located in the diamond district in NYC so he has easy access to tons of diamonds! Although there are definitely guidelines for fancy shapes like cushions, the look can vary quite a bit, so it''s best to get an expert''s opinion. The depths are a lot better, though!

Definitely second T2O2''s advice!

 

[CrookedRock]

I agree... Call Mark! But before you call him be sure you can tell him specific details about what type of look you want in a cushion. Modified vs Brilliant, culet size, ratio guidelines, etc... He will find you what you want espicially if you are patient. The only problem with Mark is that his pictures of his stones do not do them justice like GOG''s pics and videos. Jon would also be a good person to call particularly if you don''t plan on going to NYC to see the stone first. I do trust Mark to pick out something beautiful, but Jon can as well...