Trying to decide between these two stones and will be going up to New York most likely to do so.

[MP]

As the subject line says I''m trying to decide between these two stones.

The first one is a stone from GoodOldGold.

STONE #1 - Here are the specs:

Shape and Cutting Style: Cushion Brilliant
Carat Weight: 1.61 ct
Color: I
Clarity: VVS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Measurements: 7.23 X 6.94 X 4.55mm
Table%: 58.89%
Depth%: 65.96%
Crown Depth: 16.59%
Pavilion Depth: 44.77%

I had a lot of trouble attaching images so here is the link:

Cushion 1.61 I VVS2


STONE NUMBER 2 - Here are the specs:

Shape and Cutting Style: Cushion Brilliant
Carat Weight: 1.55 ct
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Measurements: 7.49 X 6.65 X 4.35mm
Table%: 56%
Depth%: 65.4%

 

[MP]

The stone from GoodOld Gold is beautiful and so is the one from ERD. I know both dealers are very reputable. I have heard though that when you are talking cushions the guy to go to is ERD. Any thoughts would help guys.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/8/2008 8:41:31 AM
Author: MP
The stone from GoodOld Gold is beautiful and so is the one from ERD. I know both dealers are very reputable. I have heard though that when you are talking cushions the guy to go to is ERD. Any thoughts would help guys.

They both have an excellent rep with fancy shapes and Mark is known as the cushion guy - these 2 diamonds look beautiful and what a nice dilemma! I guess it depends on which diamond speaks to you the most and if you would prefer the H VS or I VVS clarity grade. For me if I was choosing out of these, I would go by the personality of each cushion for my choice, assuming the prices are comparable. You could also lower the clarity a little and see if there are any well cut SI clarity cushions available, but I am assuming the clarities you picked are to your preference?

Also do you have a good table up pic of the ERD cushion?

 

[Ellen]

My suggestion is, let your eyes choose. You get to see both in person. Fancies need the eyes as numbers don''t mean quite as much.

Put them through as many similar lighting situations as possible. Pay attention to which is brighter, more sparkley, more firey. Then pick the winner. And have fun!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/8/2008 8:48:48 AM
Author: Ellen
My suggestion is, let your eyes choose. You get to see both in person. Fancies need the eyes as numbers don''t mean quite as much.

Put them through as many similar lighting situations as possible. Pay attention to which is brighter, more sparkley, more firey. Then pick the winner. And have fun!

Then in that case, pick the one you love the most - both fab stones by the look of it!

 

[MP]

Now when you say Mark is the guy to go to that makes me a little nervous. I am dealing with Gary down at ERD. I assume Mark''s guys measure up to his standards. In terms of clarity versus color is it better to go with the higher color?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/8/2008 8:50:53 AM
Author: MP
Now when you say Mark is the guy to go to that makes me a little nervous. I am dealing with Gary down at ERD. I assume Mark''s guys measure up to his standards. In terms of clarity versus color is it better to go with the higher color?

Sorry I didn''t mean to worry you!!! Gary at ERD will definitely measure up to Mark''s high standards, don''t worry! Colour is a matter of preference, if it was me, I wouldn''t go out of my way to choose a VVS clarity, but well cut large cushions aren''t easy to find, so I would have an initial leaning towards the H VS, but definitely consider the I VVS too. It would come down to which one I liked best and you are in the unique position to be able to look at both, but maybe the H VS might be a better fit from your personal comfort level, but keep an open mind, I think you will know quite quickly which one you love the most once you see them!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/8/2008 9:12:03 AM
Author: Lorelei

Sorry I didn't mean to worry you!!! Gary at ERD will definitely measure up to Mark's high standards, don't worry! Colour is a matter of preference, if it was me, I wouldn't go out of my way to choose a VVS clarity, but well cut large cushions aren't easy to find, so I would have an initial leaning towards the H VS, but definitely consider the I VVS too. It would come down to which one I liked best and you are in the unique position to be able to look at both, but maybe the H VS might be a better fit from your personal comfort level, but keep an open mind, I think you will know quite quickly which one you love the most once you see them!

I agree.


Just a note, while Mark is known as the cushion guy, he's not the only one to find great stones. They can be found anywhere, although not always easily. Looks like you have two nice ones to choose from!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Mark found me the perfect cushion in 2 days after I had spent 3 months looking. He''s the man! I have an I color and its beautiful. It''s very very white. As long as you get to see them in person let your eyes choose for you. My I actually faces up whiter than my friends H amazingly. Good luck!

 

[MP]

Thanks legacy, just out of curiosity what was the clarity you went with. I keep hearing that higher color versus clarity is what you should look for in the cushions.

 

[dani13]

I would say go view both stones in person and see which one you prefer....They both look gorgeous!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I can't tell a thing about the one from ERD from that photo. Do you have one taken of the top or face of the stone? We need to see the facet patterns. The GOG stone is perfect in that respect. It has a gorgeous symmetrical look. And I'd certainly trust Jon to pick excellent stones of any cut. The GOG stone is probably more square than the one from ERD judging from the measurements, so that would also make me prefer the GOG stone. The only thing thus far that the ERD stone has as an advantage is the H color. But I'd have to have the right facet pattern and squareness over one color grade.

 

[MP]

Here is the GIA report for the ERD stone. I''m not sure if you can tell from this about the facets.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

No, it would have to be a picture. Ask for one if you don''t have it. There''s no way to compare the two without a picture looking directly into the table of the ERD stone.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/8/2008 10:49:17 AM
Author: MP
Here is the GIA report for the ERD stone. I''m not sure if you can tell from this about the facets.

No, also the faceting plot on the reports doesn''t always seem to be the same as the actual cushion as far as I am aware. As you are able to see both diamonds in person, pick the one you love the most - I don''t think you can get it wrong with either of the two beauties you are considering!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 2/8/2008 9:33:15 AM
Author: MP
Thanks legacy, just out of curiosity what was the clarity you went with. I keep hearing that higher color versus clarity is what you should look for in the cushions.

VS2 and its perfect. I have yet to see the inclusions and I''ve been looking. I think the I was just a perfect color, its so pretty and so white. I''m just very pleased with it. I''ve even seen some beautiful Js... you really just have too look at the diamond.

 

[MP]

Here is another picture of the 1.55 H VS2.

 

[MP]

I love the cushion brilliants. It''s hard to make the choice. I want both.

 

[Ellen]

Well, it''s still hard to compare because that last shot isn''t head on either. So far, I like the GOG stone better. But, it''s really up to you and your eyes. If you see them in real life, you''ll see their personalities, and I think it will be easier to decide.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 2/8/2008 5:53:25 PM
Author: Ellen
Well, it''s still hard to compare because that last shot isn''t head on either. So far, I like the GOG stone better. But, it''s really up to you and your eyes. If you see them in real life, you''ll see their personalities, and I think it will be easier to decide.

Ditto!