Upgrade Advice

[classiccushion]

I currently have a cushion cut SI1, H color .75 ct diamond. My wonderful husband and I are talking about upgrading. We are considering two stones right now and I need some advice!

My engagement band/wedding band are both very petite. They both have SI1, H color small stones halfway around the band. I know the clarity and color of my center stone isn''t the "best quality" but it''s very sparkly and I can''t see any visible inclusions.

Here are the specs of the two diamonds we''re considering, both are cushion cut:1.2 ct, VS1 & G color or 1.3 ct, SI1 & H color

The 1.2 ct is about $1,000 more than the 1.3 ct - do you think it''s worth the extra money for the smaller diamond? Or if I''m happy with my current color/clarity should we go for the 1.3? I am waiting to hear from the jeweler on the other specs (depth, cut and table).

Also - if we go with the higher clarity/color will this make the smaller diamonds on my band look less sparkly? I''m worried about that too!

Thanks so much for your input!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/16/2010 9:44:37 AM
Author:classiccushion
I currently have a cushion cut SI1, H color .75 ct diamond. My wonderful husband and I are talking about upgrading. We are considering two stones right now and I need some advice!

My engagement band/wedding band are both very petite. They both have SI1, H color small stones halfway around the band. I know the clarity and color of my center stone isn't the 'best quality' but it's very sparkly and I can't see any visible inclusions.

Here are the specs of the two diamonds we're considering, both are cushion cut:1.2 ct, VS1 & G color or 1.3 ct, SI1 & H color

The 1.2 ct is about $1,000 more than the 1.3 ct - do you think it's worth the extra money for the smaller diamond? Or if I'm happy with my current color/clarity should we go for the 1.3? I am waiting to hear from the jeweler on the other specs (depth, cut and table).

Also - if we go with the higher clarity/color will this make the smaller diamonds on my band look less sparkly? I'm worried about that too!

Thanks so much for your input!

Hi cc and welcome,

Both the cushions you are interested in are something of an unknown quantity as we have very little info to work with. As such there is no way to know which is the best one or whether one is worth more money than the other. Are both diamonds GIA graded?

Are you sure of what type of cushion you want and are you interested in getting the best cut cushion you can? Do you prefer to buy from a jewellery store rather than online?

If you are unsure as to what type of cushion to get, this video provides an excellent basic introduction.

http://www.vimeo.com/7579666

I would really recommend you watch it so you can see how well cut cushions can look, that way you will know if you want to go all out to get the best cut you can.

General advice is to keep side and centre stones within 2 colour grades so you should be ok with H colour accent diamonds 2 grades either way. It is cut quality which gives a diamond its sparkle, not colour and clarity.

 

[classiccushion]

Hi,

Thanks for your response and for the video, both diamonds are GIA certified however one doesn''t indicate cut on the certification - that''s the 1.3, is that odd?
Also, we can''t see the diamonds beforehand - we have to order them from our jeweler, who is now located only in California, because they give us a credit for the value of my original diamond.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/16/2010 12:35:38 PM
Author: classiccushion
Hi,

Thanks for your response and for the video, both diamonds are GIA certified however one doesn''t indicate cut on the certification - that''s the 1.3, is that odd?
Also, we can''t see the diamonds beforehand - we have to order them from our jeweler, who is now located only in California, because they give us a credit for the value of my original diamond.

GIA don''t give cut grades to any shapes other than rounds at this time so this is usual.

I think in that case if you have to work with one jeweller and are dependant on what they find for you, if you are interested in the all important cut of the diamond, I would buy an ASET scope to take with you. They are simple to use with a little practice and it would be of great help to you in evaluating the diamonds.

Also don''t go by cut labels a seller might assign to a stone, terms such as Ideal Cut, Excellent cut and so forth aren''t a guarantee of any level of cut quality.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Since cushions cannot easily be assessed remotely, and most vendors are not experts I would suggest asking that the diamonds you seriously consider be sent to an truly independent appraiser with expertise in Cushions before you buy. There are a few who frequent PS who fall in that category, but their names escape me... maybe another consumer will give them to you later in this thread. This way you will know you are getting the best cut you can get, which is what really matters.

All else being equal I would choose the H color lower clarity larger diamond since you already know you like that color and clarity combo!

But cut is the most important aspect to assess, and since you will not see them in person and most cushions out there on the market are not well cut, an appraiser in your corner will really help.