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Two Cushions Enter...One Cushion Leaves!

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Alfred33

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 21, 2008
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Hi Folks....

Since I couldn''t find an introduction forum/thread when I signed up a little bit ago I never said "hello." This post will have to serve as that, along with a plea for help, advice, and opinions. I have been researching the diamond industry for about a month now and in the last week really got to work on trying to find the right stone for my g/f''s e-ring. She''s run the gamut on her supposed favorite cut and setting, so I am stepping up and deciding what I think would look nicest on her. I know her well enough to say that in the end, she''ll love whatever I give her, but it''s definitely too hard to conduct and open ended search.

That said, I started looking for about a 2ct cushion. My goals were a little lofty and after much perusing online it looks like my price range is more in the 1.5 - 1.7 area. Totally okay with that. Trying to stay within E-H and VS1-SI1. Quality of cut, above all else, is paramount. I want this puppy to sparkle!
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As for settings, I am leaning one of two ways. Either a halo bezel like this from WF or a modified version of Cartier''s Ballerine round setting.

Cushion 1.62 SI1 GIA EX VG N 58.7% 59% 7.81x6.71x3.94 $10959.30
Cushion 1.55 VS2 G GIA EX VG N 60.6% 62% 7.62x6.48x3.93 $10,230.00

Those are the two stones. I can post GIA reports but they are big files and I don''t know the forum policy on that. Maybe I''ll offsite link them?

Anyway, if I deem the 1.55 the superior stone I will most likely set it in the halo. Should really pop and make it look a bit larger overall. If I am feeling the 1.62 better I think it would be more suited for the Cartier mod. A little extra on the stone, but I would likely even out with less melee diamonds in the shank and halo. Both are through WF and need to be brought in. If I can make a choice and only bring one I will be saving myself some dough. Tough to make this call without the added tools like idealscope, and aset that I''ll only have after bringing them in.

Thoughts and advice? Thank in advance!
 
We need pictures to really be able to tell you anything about cushions...or an idealscope or ASET would be fantastic.

From just the number I'm not loving that the tables and depths are almost the same on both stones...could be a red flag, or they could look nice, that's why we need pictures please!

Have you checked with Mark at Engagement Rings Direct? He's fantastic and will find you stones that are beauties for sure. He's right in the diamond district in NY so he has access to a ton of stones without having to "bring them in".
 
I''m not a fan of the numbers either, but I''ve seen some cushions with off numbers that were beautiful! Which is why, like Neatfreak said, pictures are key.

If you''re working with Whiteflash (me too!), they can give you advice on which they think would be best, and if the stone doesn''t perform well when they get it, you aren''t charged the $40 to bring it in. Hope that helps!
 
http://www.whiteflash.com/cushion/Cushion-cut-diamond-914408.htm#

Here's an update. I don't have pics of the 1.55, but I have ruled out the 1.62. This 1.5 is in consideration and it does have the pics and full rundown. Please let me know your thoughts, thanks! If I do opt to bring the 1.55 in I will then have pics as well as comparison shots between these two.

the on posted from GOG looks very dark in several spots.
 
Is this the type of cushion you like? It appears to have more of a crushed ice appearance rather than chunky facets, but this is a matter of taste.
 
thanks everyone for your kind words and help.

Lorelei, as I understand (correct me if I am wrong), the crushed ice flavor of cushion will offer slightly more brilliance over something with chunky facets (provided both are of equal quality in cut). If this is my preference do you think it looks like a quality stone of the crushed ice variety? Were I to look at a chunky faceted stone what other features should I look for to obtain max brilliance? Should I be concerned with 8 or 4 facets, or focus more on the quality of cut? Thanks!
 
I think we're spoiled by excellently cut stones, such as H&As, AGS 0 princesses, and the H&A cushions.

Many times, stones that don't look that great in pictures, people swear they look good in person. These pictures are brutal!

This is one I don't think that looks like anything special in the picture. It is probably ok-good looking in person, though...
 
Date: 6/11/2008 3:47:19 PM
Author: Alfred33
thanks everyone for your kind words and help.

Lorelei, as I understand (correct me if I am wrong), the crushed ice flavor of cushion will offer slightly more brilliance over something with chunky facets (provided both are of equal quality in cut). If this is my preference do you think it looks like a quality stone of the crushed ice variety? Were I to look at a chunky faceted stone what other features should I look for to obtain max brilliance? Should I be concerned with 8 or 4 facets, or focus more on the quality of cut? Thanks!
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It really depends on the cut quality as to how diamonds handle light, some may think the chunkier faceted cushions might offer improved fire, but really it doesn't seem to be as simple as that - wish it was! To the diamond in question, it does look like a potentially lovely diamond, what I would do is to ask your rep at WF to talk you through this diamond and it's personality. That way they will be able to advise you on how it performs and how well it shows fire and brilliance etc. As to the ' crushed ice' effect versus ' chunkier facets', it really seems to be a matter of taste, so choose the type you like best. I have a pear which is more ' crushed ice' in its appearance, and that displays an excellent amount of fire and brilliance. So your WF rep will probably be your best bet as to how this diamond actually looks.
 
You should check out GOG videos of the cushions they comapre. It will show you the difference in the stones. I am not sure where are you looking to buy your cushion from because it is very very difficult to buy a cushion without seeing it first. If you haven''t seen it I would contact either jonathan at goodoldgold or Mark at ERD. Jonathan will make video comparsions for you of different stones so that way you can SEE the difference between the two cushions. I have heard only great things about Mark, but I worked with Joantan to get my cushette ( looks like a cushion, sparkles like a round) diamond, but either way you go you can''t go wrong. Here is the link to the video comparsion. If you want to see the cushette comapred to a cushion, the second link will take you there. Good luck in your search!
http://www.goodoldgold.com/video/


http://www.goodoldgold.com/videos/CUSHETTECOMPARISONS.wmv
 
Date: 6/11/2008 3:52:58 PM
Author: JulieN
I think we''re spoiled by excellently cut stones, such as H&As, AGS 0 princesses, and the H&A cushions.


Many times, stones that don''t look that great in pictures, people swear they look good in person. These pictures are brutal!


This is one I don''t think that looks like anything special in the picture. It is probably ok-good looking in person, though...
Click to expand...

JulieN - you seem to have a pretty firm opinion on this stone and it''s pictures, but no specifics. Can you elaborate on what you think makes the photos brutal? The 10x, the 40x, Aset or IS? Brutal is a strong word so I am hoping you can back it up with some easy to spot flaws in the pictures that I am not seeing.
 
I think a better photo might help. It looks like this stone was photographed with the stone a little twisted and I'm not really liking the shape of the perimeter of this stone, likely because of the angle that it was photographed.

I'd see if they can get you a better shot, head on, no twisting. From this photo I'm perceiving that some of the sides look flatter while others are more curved and I wouldn't want that. The faceting looks pretty, but it's the outline that's bothering me.

I'd also ask WF to describe its performance and character as well.
 
Outline...right, maybe there''s some tilt going on.

Specifically, I was talking about the ASET, which, to me, shows a bit more green than I would like.
 
thank you both pixely, and JulieN for your added observations. Also a big thanks to Stephanie for directing me to those videos. They were very helpful! Also changed my mind on a few things and helped me to key in on some things I like/dislike. Have to say though, through the process so far I am loving my rep at WF! She is really patient and understanding and once I get my head straight I think it''s going to work out very well. I will definitely be valuing her (and he co-worker''s) opinions in determining what''s the "perfect" stone for my fiance-to-be.
 
Date: 6/12/2008 10:41:04 AM
Author: Alfred33
thank you both pixely, and JulieN for your added observations. Also a big thanks to Stephanie for directing me to those videos. They were very helpful! Also changed my mind on a few things and helped me to key in on some things I like/dislike. Have to say though, through the process so far I am loving my rep at WF! She is really patient and understanding and once I get my head straight I think it''s going to work out very well. I will definitely be valuing her (and he co-worker''s) opinions in determining what''s the ''perfect'' stone for my fiance-to-be.
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And that is the best way, to have an expert rep whom you like and trust. They are by far the best qualified to advise you in finding that perfect stone! WF have an incredible reputation here, they are excellent to work with, you are in very safe and expert hands!
 
an update of sorts - I have ruled out the 1.55 stone. It''s about $3k more expensive and I think the extra facets will be a move away from what I desire in a diamond. More of that cut up crushed ice type look. Plus I''d have to risk a little bit of coin for them to bring it in. The reviews from numerous WF folks on the 1.5 are glowing. They are shocked I have not pulled the trigger yet, and I am only apprehensive because I have not seen it in person.

I am considering having them send the 1.5 H VS2 to an appraiser for a viewing, which is also an added cost. My alternative to that is to buy the stone and decide during my 10 days what I think with my own eyes. That''s my huge problem right now...coming to terms with buying a stone almost sight unseen. The photos are nice, but don''t tell all the story, especially with a cushion. Outside of putting complete and total trust in my rep, how can I get over that? I have seen a couple more stones in person in the diamond district, plus the videos online and I am thinking I really don''t like the crushed ice look as much. That said, I have seen some crushed ice that performed great. I want to believe that this is "the stone" as they are telling me but there is something that still makes me unsure.

Truth be told, I have not seen many diamonds in person at all. Ever. I have been trying to get out there so I can see what I like in person, and hope that translates so I can make a decision here. I have some new photos to post and a cert/pic of something I do like that I am using as reference. Of everything I have seen, the WF diamond by far looks the clearest. Good or bad thing? Maybe the new pic angle will shed new light on the sweetness of the stone, or if you can tell me that it is even nicer than one I like and have pics of as an alternative it would help me round out my thoughts. Thanks again to all who are helping here.

4ev150cusHSIlo.jpg
 
new WF pic

GIA-15138400_Hand-lo.jpg
 
new stone cert

0510_001-lo.jpg
 
Date: 6/12/2008 10:24:37 PM
Author: Alfred33
new WF pic
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These last pictures look really pretty to me!
 
If its size you are going for and you don''t want to go down on color at all, you should look at the SI1 clairty, I have an SI1 that is so eye clean that I can''t find anything even with my loop! If you get an eye clean diamond you can save a little $$ there and then have it sent to an appraiser to view yourself. I''d offer to stop by WF myself to tell you how the 1.5 looks, but everyone likes different cushion styles! It''s all on how you feel, if it feels right, I''d say go for it. WF wouldn''t steer you wrong, and I''m sure it''s a great stone. If not, keep looking! The perfect stone is out there!
 
The pics look good!
 
so it seems like everyone likes the new photos provided by WF, great! How about that first pic of a different stone, magnified under the loop? and it''s matching GIA report that I posted two posts down? I actually was impressed by that stone and if from the pics anyone can ascertain that the WF is stone is even better then I''ll know what to do right away.

I am also intrigued, Stephanie, by your observation to get an upgrade on size by going to an SI1. I definitely can handle an eye clean SI1 as is evidenced by my opinion of the newest stone I posted up. If WF can get me closer to a 2ct that''s on par with the quality of the 1.5 and stay in my budget I think things would really get going. I''ve communicated this to my WF rep so we''ll see how that turns out.
 
The one from WF looks great! There are also some eye clean SI2 out there, but I think the one that you have looks great! For some reason I thought it read VS1, ummm, maybe I should put my glasses back on!
 
Is it just me, or does anyone else kinda thing that the whiteflash photo looks enchanced? The diamond looks too bright compared to her hand. I could be way off.

Alfred - have you talked to anyone at GOG? (Rhino on this board is a great help)

I just bought a cushion, sight unseen and although I will be happy with the final product, I''ll never buy a diamond that way again. Video/lots of pictures I can manage, but one simple photo and a GIA report is in my opinion, insufficient when hoping to buy a cushion that does not have the common crushed ice look.

Just .2 cents from another cushion shopper.
 
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