Urgent help with Cushion diamond engagement ring

[Dan88]

Hi, this is my first post on Pricescope! I've been reading posts on here during my own research for a cushion cut diamond and think its time to post my own question

I'm a newbie in looking for diamonds, and after learning the basics of the 4cs I need a bit more help in finding a cushion cut diamond for an engagement ring. I put urgent in the title as I plan to propose on vacation/holiday at the end of August.

I'm looking for the diamond to be around 1ct, color no lower than H, clarity no lower than VS1 and prefer a more square cut cushion. Must be GIA.

My budget is $6400 including setting, and the setting I would like is a platinum side stone.
If from the UK, so my budget in pounds is £5000. The $6400 is not including the import taxes which add up to around $1500.

77 diamonds sent me these today, what do you think?




1.01 ct, IF, G, depth: 67.9, table: 60.



1.01 VVS2 H, depth: 69.3, table:59



1.01 VVS1 G, depth: 68.9, table: 62

Or if anyone can find anything better it would be much appreciated! thank you

 

[tyty333]

The middle one might be ok but the first and third one look a little mushy.

Edit - did you pick out a setting already or are you looking for suggestions for the setting as well?

Ok...here is a short list (or a not-so-short list.) I went down VS2. Some arent exactly square. I wasnt sure how
much to leave for the setting so I maxed out at $5100 which leaves $1300 for a setting (probably cutting it close).

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/?CaratFrom=0.98&CaratTo=15&Color=H,G,F,E,D&Clarity=VS2,VS1,VVS2,VVS1,IF&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=6400&ViewsOptions=Images&TabSelected=3&showAdvanced=show&DiamondID=582925,576721,576723,353251,355037,35824,516301,576718,588352&Polish=&Symmetry=&Lab=&Flour=&DepthFrom=45&DepthTo=80&TableFrom=50&TableTo=83

Possible settings...
This is a beautiful setting $1200. It's one of my favorites at JA. Looks like it should cost more.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-tailored-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41042

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-0.32ct-french-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring--item-1301

 

[Dan88]

Thank you for your reply Tyty333. I have picked this out this setting, but would like some similar suggestions too. I dont mind it without the stones either just as long as its a thin band.



The second diamond i posted is a cushion brilliant, and the others modified brilliants. I have requested the ASET's of all three but haven't heard back yet.

 

[tyty333]

What I like to see in fancy cut stones are crisp, clear facets under the table. The asets should tell us a lot. Post them when you
get them.

 

[Dan88]

Still waiting on the ASET images, I first requested them on Monday so should have them soon. If anyone has any suggestions on some diamonds other than the ones I have found it would be a great help!

 

[chrono]

Not sure if I like any of your choices. I'm not sure about the second because it might look like there is a giant X in the middle in person. I guess let's wait for the ASET.

 

[Dan88]

No ASET images coming. 77 Diamonds have finally said they do not provide ASET images. They also said that the Idealscope images i requested are the images of the diamonds i posted above.

Has anyone else had this experience with them? It seems like none of them know what their doing. I have spoken to two of their 'diamond experts' and they dont even know what ASET and Idealscope is. The first few times i requested these images via email and phone they ignored what i was asking for.

Anyway, i need to find a diamond! Does anyone have any choices they recommend they could show me?

 

[telephone89]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-04ct-g-si2-premium-vintage-cushion-diamond.html 1.04ct G SI2 $5,408
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-96ct-f-vs2-premium-vintage-cushion-diamond.html 0.96ct F VS2 $5,512

eta - different look than the ones you originally posted, but will be very lovely.

 

[Dan88]

Thanks for looking telephone89, we like those but both prefer the modern cushion cut over the vintage cushion.

I found this one:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1ct-i-vvs2-signature-modern-cushion-diamond.html

What do you think?

 

[ecf8503]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1ct-i-vvs2-signature-modern-cushion-diamond.html

What do you think?

This is lovely!

 

[telephone89]

It is very nice! I chose higher colours as you said nothing less than H. But I'm sure that will not show much tint and be very sparkly and pretty.

You say you want a setting with side stones, do you have an example of what youre looking for?

 

[Dan88]

Im happy that you both like the diamond too As I'm new to this i definitely need some opinions other than my own.

Telephone89, i really like the setting which i posted above with the side stones, so something similar to that. My first choice would be to have the side stones but if there is a solitaire which is of similar thickness i could go for that.

 

[telephone89]

Oh duh, I saw that, sorry! So you dont want side stones, you want a pave band. GOG will absolutely be able to find you something like that! Snap that diamond up asap before a lurker does.

 

[Dan88]

Thanks telephone89, I'm contacting GOG now to buy the diamond and find me a setting.

 

[apacherose]

I love the GOG pick! I second snapping that up! GOG will definitely have a setting like you chose, as would james allen, so either of these can be one-stop shopping.

I went through James Allen, didn't see Tyty did as well... sorry if these are the same as she suggested:

Cushion
$4300 1.02 H Si1- I know, SI1… but honestly is my favorite and if eye clean… whoo-hoo. Looks like it will be clean to me, anyway.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-353251
$4130:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-573140
$4600- love the shape of this one, would like to see ASET:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-576717
$4770:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-576718
$5450:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.03-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-570272
H-VS 2 1.25 $5970… ask for the ps discount? This one gives you the size… I liked it enough to throw it in there
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.25-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-548897