thinking of buying this cushion and need experts opinion

[tadji]

Hi everyone,

Another Aussie joining Pricescope after not finding anything I was happy with down under.
After everyone''s recommendations I emailed GOG looking for a cushion with the following specs:
-1-2ct
-D-G colour
-eyeclean clarity
-rectangular shape (1.12-1.2 : 1 ratio)
-budget:about $8000

They got back to us today with the following diamond:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3433/

So while I am stoked and really happy with the way it looks on the website (we have emailed back asking for a video comparison) I must admit I was looking for something slightly bigger. I have a size 7 finger and was actually looking for dimensions slightly larger, like 7x6mm. And while I would love for my diamond to keep these specs I am willing to go down in clarity (and a little bit of colour if I must) to get something a bit bigger. I am just wondering about getting the dreaded diamond shrinking syndrome.

We have since reserved it. What does everyone think? Can anyone recommend anywhere else to look. I am thinking ERD, but I don''t know if they will provide as much info as GOG can and being so far away this is what I am relying on...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/24/2008 10:10:29 AM
Author:tadji
Hi everyone,

Another Aussie joining Pricescope after not finding anything I was happy with down under.
After everyone's recommendations I emailed GOG looking for a cushion with the following specs:
-1-2ct
-D-G colour
-eyeclean clarity
-rectangular shape (1.12-1.2 : 1 ratio)
-budget:about $8000

They got back to us today with the following diamond:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3433/

So while I am stoked and really happy with the way it looks on the website (we have emailed back asking for a video comparison) I must admit I was looking for something slightly bigger. I have a size 7 finger and was actually looking for dimensions slightly larger, like 7x6mm. And while I would love for my diamond to keep these specs I am willing to go down in clarity (and a little bit of colour if I must) to get something a bit bigger. I am just wondering about getting the dreaded diamond shrinking syndrome.

We have since reserved it. What does everyone think? Can anyone recommend anywhere else to look. I am thinking ERD, but I don't know if they will provide as much info as GOG can and being so far away this is what I am relying on...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome!

It is a very pretty stone! However if you want to go a bit bigger then ask Jon what else he can find for you, also dropping the colour to include H grade may help and consider a verified eyeclean SI clarity should such a diamond pop up! Mark at ERD is also an excellent vendor, I know he can provide pics but I don't know about videos - but both vendors are experts and I am sure should be able to find you something wonderful. I would talk to Jon initially and see what else he can come up with.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Perhaps, you should narrow your carat range to 1.4 to 2.0. I am sure you can still get a very nice cushion with slightly lower specs than the diamond they found you. I wasn''t really able to tell the difference between a F and G but you may be more color sensitive.

 

[neatfreak]

It's a beautiful stone and you couldn't go wrong with it, BUT that being said, I totally agree with Lorelei on the points she made if you are ok in dropping a bit on color/clarity (which you obviously are).

I can't recommend Mark highly enough, but you are right in that he doesn't provide nearly the amount of info that Jon does. Just something to consider...but he does find gorgeous cushions!!!

 

[tadji]

Thanks everyone for your help. We have emailed GOG and refined the search a bit more, told them that we are looking for something a bit bigger. They have a 1.24ct which also looks good but I am wondering how important is it to have excellent polish and symmetry?

I have also emailed ERD to see what they could do for me, but no response as yet.

Also I''m wondering if the type of setting that I use could change the look of the diamond. Originally I was thinking of a kind of Tiffany Novo setting but after seeing prbaglady''s reset I am kind of leaning towards something like that. I love the look of halos but don''t know if I would like to wear one everyday, but I think the thin pave on the side of hers is to die for! I''m thinking this (if done properly) could make it look bigger?

Thanks again for all your wonderful suggestions, I will keep you posted as to what we go ahead with.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/25/2008 5:32:39 AM
Author: tadji
Thanks everyone for your help. We have emailed GOG and refined the search a bit more, told them that we are looking for something a bit bigger. They have a 1.24ct which also looks good but I am wondering how important is it to have excellent polish and symmetry?

I have also emailed ERD to see what they could do for me, but no response as yet.

Also I''m wondering if the type of setting that I use could change the look of the diamond. Originally I was thinking of a kind of Tiffany Novo setting but after seeing prbaglady''s reset I am kind of leaning towards something like that. I love the look of halos but don''t know if I would like to wear one everyday, but I think the thin pave on the side of hers is to die for! I''m thinking this (if done properly) could make it look bigger?

Thanks again for all your wonderful suggestions, I will keep you posted as to what we go ahead with.

Not so much in fancy shapes, lab graded symmetry and polish are said to look the same to the naked untrained eye according to some experts, so as it can be more common to find gd gd in fancy shapes, don''t dismiss such a diamond out of hand as you could miss out on a lovely stone!

 

[tadji]

Thanks Lorelei. We have decided that the stone is too small, and am now looking for something bigger. GOG has another diamond on their website that is H SI1 and look good in the video but I am wondering if this is the best price? Does anyone know the approximate price to call in a diamond to GOG? Or even better, how often do they post new stuff onto their website? I would really like to stay with them so I have access to the pictures and videos etc.

Here is a link to the video made for us

The first diamond is the one we originally had on hold. The last diamond is the 1.55 H SI1. They both look great.

Can anyone recommend any good diamonds that I could get GOG to call in for a look?

Thanks everyone!

 

[DaCounselor]

I have watched the vid on GOG''s 1.55 H SI1 about 25 times as I''m looking for a cushion as well. It looks like a great stone, the only issue I have is that under spotlighting the center of the stone appears to be pretty dead in a direct face-up position. I don''t know whether this is typical for the 4 pav main cushions or not. The center does seem to come to life a bit when the stone is rotated. I think the price is fantastic. I''m passing on it as I am still holding out for an 8 pav main with a smaller table (the 1.55''s table is about 65% I think). But it looks like a very nice rock.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I like the search engine at http://www.adiamor.com/advanced_diamond_search.aspx. I am pretty sure that GOG will have access to those stones.

Couple days ago, I also pullled all the cushions available from ERD into a spreadsheet. I was anlayzing the best value for a cushion based on price per carat and a number of other characters. I found the ranges to be too great as there are so many factors that can''t be told by just numbers.

 

[tadji]

Thanks everyone for your help

I have now reserved the 1.55ct. Hopefully this is the one! I requested a video for comparison, and GOG has since provided still shots of this diamond in every possible position so thankfully that dead spot does disappear!

I''m not sure about the 8 pav main vs the 4 pav main but I am pretty sure the 1.05ct cushion that I had on hold previously was an 8 pav? That was a beautiful stone but I really was looking for something slightly bigger and I found the 1.55ct has chunky flashes just as much as the 1.05. Now to move onto the setting

CharmyPoo- sorry I am out of the loop have you found your diamond yet?

 

[DaCounselor]

I saw that the 1.55 was gone from GOG''s website so I figured you jumped on it! Keep us posted please! If you could post some of the pictures GOG sent you, that would be great as well.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Congrats on your diamond. I didn''t get to see it on GOG site so please post photos!

We do have our diamond. I didn''t get to pick but I was able to give input. My boyfriend says it isn''t mine to pick.

 

[tadji]

Hi everyone I finally figured out this picture posting stuff. We have now officially purchased our diamond from GOG. It is a cushion brilliant, 1.55ct H SI1. This is a handshot that GOG sent to me, I can''t wait to see it in real life!!!

Fingers crossed this photo works

 

[tadji]

.

 

[tadji]

another handshot

 

[goobear78]

Lovely. I love me some cushions!

 

[neatfreak]

Congrats!! It''s gorgeous!

 

[tadji]

And that''s all I can do for now, I can''t seem to shrink the rest enough

 

[tadji]

Thanks neatfreak and goobear I have lots more comparison shots but it is past my bedtime over here (10:20pm). I will try and work on them tomorrow!