Thoughts on this Cushion Cut??

[Rock_of_Love]

Hello Everyone...

I''m hoping the "Cushion Experts" can chime in...

I''m searching for a rectangular, antique-style cushion cut with the chunky facets. I''m working with some recommended vendors, but in doing some internet searches I ran across this one that looked interesting. I was able to "see" it on video - and it looked very nice. And, I was sent some magnified pics that I will try and upload. I''m trying to get some regular pics and possibley an idealscope image - hopefully on Monday.

In the meantime, I''d love your thoughts on this diamond...

1.55 F SI1
7.79 X 6.37 X 4.19
Pol VG
Symm G
Flour Strong Blue
Depth 65.8%
Table 53%
Cutlet Slightly Large

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Magnified picture, I think?? I like the elongated cutlet...

 

[Lorelei]

Its hard to tell from that pic, it has potential but could you request some more pictures possibly? The IS image would help also so post it when you get it, then we can take a look. Check also that the SB fluorescence doesn't make the diamond look cloudy in some lights, this is rare but just check with the seller.

Also check it is eyeclean to your standards.

 

[CharmyPoo]

It looks pretty to me and the numbers look good too. What are your concerns?

Can you share the video?

I know it is a strong blue flor. Do you like that? I am debating that myself which is why I am bringing it up.

 

[pixley]

Date: 1/10/2009 11:52:32 AM
Author: Lorelei
Its hard to tell from that pic, it has potential but could you request some more pictures possibly? The IS image would help also so post it when you get it, then we can take a look. Check also that the SB fluorescence doesn''t make the diamond look cloudy in some lights, this is rare but just check with the seller.

Also check it is eyeclean to your standards.

Good advice from Lorelei (as always). I love the look of it, the shape and the sl. large culet. If it checks out alright on the points that Lorelei noted, I think it''ll be a beauty.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Date: 1/10/2009 11:52:32 AM
Author: Lorelei
Its hard to tell from that pic, it has potential but could you request some more pictures possibly? The IS image would help also so post it when you get it, then we can take a look. Check also that the SB fluorescence doesn''t make the diamond look cloudy in some lights, this is rare but just check with the seller.

Also check it is eyeclean to your standards.

Hi Lorelei,

I''m requesting more pics...they said they would have them on Monday, along with an IS image...I''ll definitely post when I get it. And, thank you for the info, I will check on the SB flour...I have been reading that for light colors it can sometimes be a problem.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Date: 1/10/2009 11:59:28 AM
Author: CharmyPoo
It looks pretty to me and the numbers look good too. What are your concerns?

Can you share the video?

I know it is a strong blue flor. Do you like that? I am debating that myself which is why I am bringing it up.

Hi CharmyPoo,

I''m glad you think the numbers look good...I thought so, too, after reading some other posts, but I wanted to be sure. I guess my concerns are just buying over the internet...not truly knowing what you get without a "cushion expert" looking out for ya. And, I think it is a little more than i wanted to pay for a 1.55, but I think that is because of the F color. I was hoping to go la little arger, but, it also seems to have a pretty good spread (I think that is the terminology) for the weight...and it does seem to be the right "style" with the chunky facets.

Anyway, just hoping to get some objective views...maybe the additional pics and IS will tell more on Monday. I wish I had a copy of the video. I doubt if they recorded it, but I''ll ask.

Not sure what to think about the SB flor...I have read it is good to make a lower color grade look whiter, but not sure how it applies to higher color grades. I''ve been trying to read up on it...in addition to everything else!!

 

[Eva17]

not sure if the picture is just elongated, but it does look like a large bowtie in the middle. is that a concern for you?


i have had an F with SF and it didn''t have a negative effect on the stone.

personally i love flouro and tend to ask for it when looking for a stone. (personal choice, I know)

 

[pixley]

I wouldn''t be scared off by a little bowtie action. It reminds me of Scarlet16''s which I think is incredible, and about the same size.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I think your diamond definetly has pretty good spread. I own a 1.51 ct G VS1 and it faces up a lot smaller. I am actually in the market for something similar to what you are looking for except I want a square versus rectangular (so we aren''t in direct competition). My challenge is finding something F or higher and VS2 or higher. The inventory is just so low right now. I don''t want to give up my dream!

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Date: 1/10/2009 9:02:46 PM
Author: pixley
I wouldn''t be scared off by a little bowtie action. It reminds me of Scarlet16''s which I think is incredible, and about the same size.

Funny you mention that, but Scarlet16''s is my inspiration. I''ve been looking at cushion cuts for a while and trying to "sum up" what I really like about them and when I saw her''s, I was like "that''s it, that''s it, that''s it!! *THAT* is *EXACTLY* what I like!!" Her diamond is truly gorgeous. I bookmarked her thread and I go back and drool every so often (like every few days, hours, minutes)!!

I''m working with Mark at ERD and Jonathan at GOG hoping to find "the one"...and I''ll be out in NYC at the end of the month to see some in person. But, is it possible that I''ve already found a very good candidate?!?! I''m sure CharmyPoo, and many others, can relate to the "hunt" and sometimes when you''ve found something that is really great, you are still thinking...what else is out there?? Maybe there is something better?? And, as I mentioned, the price is higher than I wanted to pay for a 1.55 because, I''m sure, of the F color...but, again, maybe this is IT!?!

Still gotta investigate the SB Flor stuff, too...

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 1/11/2009 2:54:37 PM
Author: Rock_of_Love

I'm sure CharmyPoo, and many others, can relate to the 'hunt' and sometimes when you've found something that is really great, you are still thinking...what else is out there?? Maybe there is something better??

You will know when you see it. I think there is always something out there better but we will never be able to exhaust our options. I am still trying to decide if I should stick to my guns and don't make any scarfices or just accept what is close enough. I don't have the answers!

Are you looking to stay around the 1.5 ct range? I found about 8-10 chunky faceted cushions in the 2.0 ct range priced between 18 to 20K. For a 1.5 ct, I would not pay more than 9 to 11 K or just a little over.

 

[pixley]

Rock_of_Love - I''ll keep my fingers crossed that this is your stone.

Charmy - no settling allowed. A little compromise is o.k., but don''t settle.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

I received some pics today...I didn''t really want to post these because they are too far away and you can barely see it! I''ve asked for more pics and still waiting on the IS image...hopefully tomorrow! He says he has to return it to the vendor soon...but, I really want to see it in person. Have any of you had much luck with having it shipped to an independent appraiser without purchasing it...what costs are involved??

I really think this might be the one...the more I see what is out there and compare, I keep coming back to this one. But, again, I really want to see it in person!!

 

[Rock_of_Love]

pic 2...I need some closer ones, don''t I?!?!

 

[kcoursolle]

I''m not a cushion expert, but I love the look of this stone, the numbers are nice, and it has strong blue (yum!). The pictures look fine, and it probably won''t make a huge difference to see them larger because you truly need to see cushions in person to get the best idea.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Hi Eva,
I meant to reply to you earlier...I like the bowtie, so not a concern for me - I think I was sort of looking for it after seeing Scarlett16''s diamond. Also, I think I''m liking the flor...the vendor says it isn''t cloudy and doesn''t seem to be taking away from the "liveliness" of the diamond. I haven''t seen it in sunlight and I''ve heard this is where it can show up??

CharmyPoo,
I''m trying to keep the budget under $10K for the diamond and I''m looking at 1.5 - 2 carats...I''ve seen some larger diamonds in the 1.69 - 2.05 range for the price I''m looking for (even a 2.12), but nothing stands out like this one!

 

[pixley]

It looks beautiful.

ETA - Is it also eyeclean to your standards? Most vendors should be able to send it to an independent appraiser but I don't know whether the buyers purchased them first or not...

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Date: 1/12/2009 6:37:57 PM
Author: kcoursolle
I''m not a cushion expert, but I love the look of this stone, the numbers are nice, and it has strong blue (yum!). The pictures look fine, and it probably won''t make a huge difference to see them larger because you truly need to see cushions in person to get the best idea.

I hear ya...I''m really hoping I can see this one in person soon! Any thoughts about getting it shipped to an independent appraiser before actual purchase? Do many vendors do this?

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 1/12/2009 6:45:11 PM
Author: Rock_of_Love

Date: 1/12/2009 6:37:57 PM
Author: kcoursolle
I'm not a cushion expert, but I love the look of this stone, the numbers are nice, and it has strong blue (yum!). The pictures look fine, and it probably won't make a huge difference to see them larger because you truly need to see cushions in person to get the best idea.

I hear ya...I'm really hoping I can see this one in person soon! Any thoughts about getting it shipped to an independent appraiser before actual purchase? Do many vendors do this?

You can do this, or if you have a good return policy with the vendor you could just buy it and then get it independently appraised and return it if it's not what you are looking for. It's not expensive to ship it back and the appraisal is probably about $100 or slightly more depending on which one you chose. I don't think a lot of people do this, but going to an appraiser is a great idea if you are doubting or if you a first time diamond purchaser. I did it my first time and now I don't feel the need to do it anymore, but it was great peace of mind at the time.

It really looks like a beautiful stone! I'd take it in a heartbeat. A lot of what boils down to cushion choice are preferences. You might want to go to a B&M who has some cushions and old stones and look at some styles in person to have an idea of what to compare the stone to.

ETA: yes, I think quite a few vendors are willing to do send a stone to an appraiser, at least pricescope vendors are. You often have to pay a few for this though.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Date: 1/12/2009 6:43:49 PM
Author: pixley
It looks beautiful.

ETA - Is it also eyeclean to your standards? Most vendors should be able to send it to an independent appraiser but I don''t know whether the buyers purchased them first or not...

Thanks, pixley! From what I have "seen" so far, it is eyeclean to my standards. I know what you mean...I have seen such variation in the SI range. For me, as long as the blemishes aren''t on the face of the stone, but more on the side or pav it is fine with me.

And, thanks, kcoursolle, for the advice. Maybe I will first ask if I can have it shipped to an appaiser *before* purchase...and if not, I''ll just buy it and take it to one after. I think you are right, for a first time diamond purchaser like myself, it would give me and my BF peace of mind.

 

[Eva17]

rock, ditto seeing a cushion in person. it would really ease your mind if you could have it sent to an appraiser, or purchase first, which ever works out for you. the blown up pix looks really clean at S1.

cushions can have so much personality that can not be captured without seeing the stone in person. so far this one talks to you, so good luck!!!! i hope you love it when you see it!!!!