Thoughts on this Cushion IS Image?

[jgny]

Thought I'd post some pics of a cushion I looked at last week, I have decided not to take it as the color was not white enough for me. I don't have an ASET scope, so no ASET images. Would love to know what your thoughts are on this diamond are based on the IS images, and also the crappy photo I managed to take of the diamond. It will help me evaluate the other stones I am looking at.

It is a true antique stone, cut around 1900s was the dealer's best guess. No GIA cert, my guess was L/M color, VS clarity. Approx. 6 ct.

 

[jgny]

IS Image #1

 

[jgny]

IS Image #2

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 5/17/2010 12:08:33 AM
Author:jgny
Thought I''d post some pics of a cushion I looked at last week, I have decided not to take it as the color was not white enough for me. I don''t have an ASET scope, so no ASET images. Would love to know what your thoughts are on this diamond are based on the IS images, and also the crappy photo I managed to take of the diamond. It will help me evaluate the other stones I am looking at.

It is a true antique stone, cut around 1900s was the dealer''s best guess. No GIA cert, my guess was L/M color, VS clarity. Approx. 6 ct.

Well first it looks to me like a modern reproduction of the vintage 8 main style not an actual antique. The symmetry is too perfect, the girdle looks way too smooth and the corners look too perfectly rounded. It could have been retouched but It looks to me like this stone was cut with modern tools. If it is a true antique (still possible) all I can say is WOW amazing skill.

As for its light return its hard to tell. There are some limitations to the IS images posted, it looks like the diamond was tilted from one image to the other with the second one being more likely to be more accurate representation of the faceup image.

Overall I have way too little information and am making uncomfortable assumptions, I would reccomend if interested that it be sent to a vintage stone specialist like Richard Sherwood for a full reflector workup including aset and his appraisal.
In my subjective opinion this is a gorgeous stone but if the color bothers you than I agree with you on passing on it.

How much did they want for it?

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Jgny

I would definitely suggest the diamond is sent to an experienced appraiser to find out more, whether it is a repro or antique, Rich Sherwood or OldMiner would be excellent choices for a stone like this, its a large diamond and isn't going to be cheap so an appraisal would be well worth the investment. I am surprised at the condition the stone is in for its age, of course it is possible the cut and finish was done by a very skilled craftsman and that if the stone was not worn much or with great care, that it survived intact.

The stone is going to show some definite tint and moreso because of the huge size as a general rule, is that ok with you? It also sounds as if you have estimated the colour and clarity of the stone yourself, if so you really need an independant expert's opinion before you hand over the cash as to what it actually is and you are paying for.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I agree - 6 ct stone definetly is worth an appraisal before purchase. I have used Richard Sherwood in the past and highly recommend him.

 

[jgny]

CCL - they wanted approx $57K for it. Like I said, I did not want to take it as it is too yellow for me, but I am new to using IS and ASET to take pics of cushions, so thought I''d practice on a few stones and get opinions from some of the cushion enthusiasts here on PS.

Posting another one - 3.5 ct E VS2 brilliant (yes, I am looking for Old Mine, this one is a brilliant but very spready for a cushion) and I was able to take IS and ASET pics. This is the stone:

 

[jgny]

Another pic:

 

[jgny]

IS - apologies, pic is a little pink as the backlight was not working...

 

[jgny]

ASET 1

 

[jgny]

ASET 2

 

[jgny]

My interpretation - A LOT of light leakage here. You can see the "ring of death" around the table but also along the edges of the cushion. ASET is far from impressive - way too much white space. Any other call-outs?

 

[tyty333]

Date: 5/18/2010 4:00:32 PM
Author: jgny
My interpretation - A LOT of light leakage here. You can see the ''ring of death'' around the table but also along the edges of the cushion. ASET is far from impressive - way too much white space. Any other call-outs?

I agree with yo on this...lots leakage and oh how I hate that ring of death

 

[jgny]

I wonder if most cushions will have a slight ring - in the time I have been looking at them I always notice one, no matter how subtle. Take a look at these three stones:

Cushion 1

Cushion 2

AVC

I wonder if it is related to how the facets line up...

 

[Dreamer_D]

It is not a ring of death in those chunky styles, it is purposely there. I cannot recall the name for it, but it is part of the chunk appeal.

Stone one you posted is a stunner to my eye, but color matters so it is your choice. The second is a crushed ice/watery look to me. Not nice at all.

 

[Cehrabehra]

that second one has more green than red - now I''m a fan of green and most people aren''t so much, but this has way too much... there shouldn''t be more green than red at the very least.

This is after and in addition to what you just posted yourself

 

[CharmyPoo]

Eewy on the 3 ct. By the way, does the photo look like what you see under the scope?

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 5/18/2010 4:00:32 PM
Author: jgny
My interpretation - A LOT of light leakage here. You can see the ''ring of death'' around the table but also along the edges of the cushion. ASET is far from impressive - way too much white space. Any other call-outs?

It looks like you are having trouble with the ASET. Neither of the ASET images look like the girdle of the diamond is in the same plain as the lense. #1 take off the metal casing allowing more light into the scope. #2 Line up the tweezers and align the diamond table paralell to the lense. This may be easier if you get ideal light with the built in diamond holder.

The IS image shows very less leakage than the ASET and they should match, although it is flooded with light, whereas the ASET shows different areas of leakage from one shot to the next and a lot more than the IS.

Leakage at the edges of the table is not be design

it usually arises from CA/PA mismatch.
What you are seeing is that most stones with a high carat weight 3 CT+ the rough is extremely valuable and weight retention is the primary concern over light performance. The AVC is significantly better than those other stones and I doubt you will find anything close in that high a carat weight in a non branded cushion.

 

[jgny]

Date: 5/18/2010 10:32:53 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 5/18/2010 4:00:32 PM

What you are seeing is that most stones with a high carat weight 3 CT+ the rough is extremely valuable and weight retention is the primary concern over light performance. The AVC is significantly better than those other stones and I doubt you will find anything close in that high a carat weight in a non branded cushion.

Unfortunately AVC is out of my price range so I have to resort to looking for that needle in a haystack. These two stones are not stones I am seriously considering, they just happened to be ones I could practice my IS and ASET picture taking skills, bot of which need serious improvement. I should be seeing some more stones over the next few weeks so will have some more practice.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 5/18/2010 11:10:24 PM
Author: jgny

Date: 5/18/2010 10:32:53 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 5/18/2010 4:00:32 PM

What you are seeing is that most stones with a high carat weight 3 CT+ the rough is extremely valuable and weight retention is the primary concern over light performance. The AVC is significantly better than those other stones and I doubt you will find anything close in that high a carat weight in a non branded cushion.

Unfortunately AVC is out of my price range so I have to resort to looking for that needle in a haystack. These two stones are not stones I am seriously considering, they just happened to be ones I could practice my IS and ASET picture taking skills, bot of which need serious improvement. I should be seeing some more stones over the next few weeks so will have some more practice.

Have you asked GOG or ERD what they can find for you in a vintage 8 main cushion in your price range?
They have both been known to source some fantastic generic 8 main vintage cushions the "needle in a haystack" so to speak.

 

[jgny]

Date: 5/18/2010 10:32:53 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover
Leakage at the edges of the table is not be design

it usually arises from CA/PA mismatch.

CA/PA?

 

[jgny]

Date: 5/19/2010 12:17:41 AM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Have you asked GOG or ERD what they can find for you in a vintage 8 main cushion in your price range?

They have both been known to source some fantastic generic 8 main vintage cushions the ''needle in a haystack'' so to speak.

Am in touch with both of them, nothing has come up yet...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/19/2010 12:17:49 AM
Author: jgny

Date: 5/18/2010 10:32:53 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover
Leakage at the edges of the table is not be design

it usually arises from CA/PA mismatch.

CA/PA?

That means crown and pavilion angles, unless you have the expertise to understand the effects of various angles on fancy shapes, they don''t have the same significance as they do in round diamonds for the average PS consumer.