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We got our Cushion!

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CharmyPoo

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Joined
Dec 10, 2004
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It has been a long process and I wanted to thank Pricescope and Mark at ERD for all your help. It has been pretty stress free for me (but probably stressful for my darling boyfriend). I knew I wanted a square brilliant cushion and I prefer quality over size. I also didn''t want my boyfriend to spend too much money - I had a top end limit I wanted him to spend regardless of how much he is willing to spend. I know him and he would always want to give me the best regardless of the cost.

Warning: No Pictures and a Long Read

Some History
My boyfriend started looking back in June with Mark. He ended up putting a deposit on a 1.2ct/F/VVS2 4 main cushion brilliant. However, he felt that he could do better. Mark was very patient and continued to help him look even though he warned him that we are trying to find a needle in a hay stack. Mark told him that something in the color and clarity range he wants is rare. Fast forward 2 months, my boyfriend decided to increase his budget and Mark started looking again and my boyfriend was picky to stay in E to F and lowest VS1.

As some of you may recall from my previous thread (https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/am-i-asking-for-too-much-search-for-my-cushion.86956/), my boyfriend gave me two options - get completely involved or stay out of it completely. I wanted to not know yet I kept asking questions. Anyways, over time - he decided that it was best for me to get involved and invited me to come along to see Mark today since we were in NYC.

Our Visit Today
Mark presented us with 3 diamonds. The first was the original he picked and two more options in the 1.5 to 1.7, E to F, VVS1 to VS1 range. I quickly dismissed the two new options because I really wanted a 1.00 to 1.04 ratio - they were closer to 1.07. I loved the diamond he had the deposit on and he did very well.

At the same time, I was really curious about the 8-main cushion cut. Seeing MsMisty and dc888 beautiful diamonds triggered me to look through my files. I found that most of the certs I saved over time were all 8-main cushions. I asked my boyfriend several times in the past and he dismissed it thinking they were modified cushions and I wouldn''t actually like them if I saw them in person. So .... I had to ask Mark about them.

Mark pulled out one that was already sold and we immediately knew that was what we wanted. It sparkled so much more and we clearly had a preference for the 8-main over the 4-main. Mark had to take it away from us quickly before we kept it. He told us it will be very difficult to find an 8-main since very few cutters cut them today. He also stressed that it is especially hard in the quality we are looking for.

Of course, I had to pull out the two lovely examples that were recently purchased on Pricescope. Mark told us that these diamonds are usually sold before it ever hits the open market - there are buyers waiting for them. He also told us that the 8-main cushions was what got him his name today. Anyways, he quickly got on the phone and managed to find one for us. He called it in and it is now OUR DIAMOND!

Our Diamond
The diamond was just made available from a foreign market. We don''t even have the GIA cert yet. We also don''t have photos - we didn''t have our camera.

I really wanted an F but after seeing the G - I found that I am not as color sensitive as I thought I would be. The sparkle on this diamond really eliminates any color difference. I also wanted a Medium to Thick girdle but Mark assured us that Very Thick is not an issue - the same goes for the Good symmetry. I wanted to keep looking for the specs I wanted (part of my obsessive nature). However, I left the decision up to my boyfriend since I will be happy with either the original diamond or this one.

My boyfriend decided to go with this diamond. It would be very difficult for us to keep looking for two reasons: (1) Mark held onto the original diamond so long for us; and (2) The price difference in jumping to the next level was greater than the satisfaction jump it would provide for us.

Without further blubbering ....

Diamond Specs
Cushion Brilliant
Measurements: 6.87 x 6.83 x 4.66 mm
Carat Weight: 1.52
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VS1

Proportions:
Depth: 68.2 %
Table: 58 %
Girdle: Medium to Very Thick, Faceted

Culet: None

Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: None

PS: Mark now has a beautiful 1.2 ct Cushion in his possession for anyone that wants it.
 
What a great story, Charmy!!!! Im glad you had such a great experience with Mark- he''s so great, isnt he?

Cant wait to see pics of the stone....Do you know how you will set it? Congratulations!!!!
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great story and welcome to the 8-main cushion club
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they are great arent they?

glad you found what you wanted and happy to hear mark was so helpful.
 
Congratulations, can''t wait to see it set.
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Charmypoo, congrats on finding THE stone. I understand your journey well! ;)

Thanks so much for posting about your meeting and discussion with Mark. I myself will be in NYC
this coming week looking for a cushion. It sounds like the 8 main is something I would be interested
in seeing, but if they are not available, then I'' might be changing my mind.

What differences between the 8 and 4 did you see? I know that is something that might be hard
to describe, but I''d love to hear your input. Is your stone a modern cut? Faceting chunky? Culet?
Sorry, I know a lot of questions!!
Long ago a diamond vendor told me EX-EX was hard to
come by on a cushion. And that VG-VG is usually hard to find as well. But if a Good met with
your approval, then maybe my search parameters could widen a bit.

I am looking for a 3-4ct. rectangular, modern cushion, so far, it seems the perfect stone is not out there.
And I''m not about to settle.

Please post pics when you can. Again, congrats on your stone.
 
Hi Bebe,

I am not an expert in diamonds or cushions and hopefully some of the very knowledgeable people here can answer your questions. I have only seen a couple in real life and read a lot on this forum. I find that seeing them in real life is very different from photos and reading up on line.

You will have to take a look at the 8 main pavilions to see if it is for you. I may have different taste from others but I am actually not a fan of really chunky facets and I don''t like culets. I was pretty adamant about having no culet at all. We should be getting the GIA certificate tomorrow so I will have more details. I am also hoping to have it appraised and get photos of it.

I have 3 main reasons for my preference of 8 over 4 but I am not sure how legit they are.

1) The brilliance and fire seem stronger than the 4 main. Now, there are definitely 4 main pavilion cushions that have great brilliance and fire - we saw a beautiful 3 ct rectangular cushion there. We were told that the owners waited 9 months for it.

2) The second reason is a little strange and I won''t be able to explain it. I don''t really like the table resulting from the 4 main pavilions. It seems crocked to me and I want it perfectly centered. It doesn''t really make sense and I had trouble explaining it to Mark. But the table on all 4 main will be like that because of the face pattern.

3) The 8 main pavillion is more cushiony/pillowy than the 4 main. This is the look I like.

There are perfect diamonds out there but it''s so hard to actually get your hands on it. It''s all about timing and finding it. A lot of the great diamonds are sold well in advance and never hit the open market and search engines. It''s important to get someone with the network and reputation to look for what you want. There really is no amazing deal but just a fair deal.

If I had my way, I would love to have an F VS1 with EX/EX or VG/VG that is in the 1.3 to 1.4 range. I am worried my diamond is too big for my finger (if that is even possible).
 
Date: 9/8/2008 2:31:26 AM
Author: CharmyPoo


If I had my way, I would love to have an F VS1 with EX/EX or VG/VG that is in the 1.3 to 1.4 range. I am worried my diamond is too big for my finger (if that is even possible).

YAY!!!!! good for you!!! you must be estatic!!! btw...thanks for the awesome plug!!! hehehehe...

btw...my diamond is a 1.59 and my ring size is 3.5 and the diamond doesnt look too big (imo..lol). it looks just big enough...hahaah
 
Date: 9/8/2008 2:31:26 AM
Author: CharmyPoo


You will have to take a look at the 8 main pavilions to see if it is for you. I may have different taste from others but I am actually not a fan of really chunky facets and I don't like culets. I was pretty adamant about having no culet at all.

3) The 8 main pavillion is more cushiony/pillowy than the 4 main. This is the look I like.
Charmypoo,

Congratulations on finding your stone! I'm so glad Mark was able to help you. Any ideas on the setting?

Just a small thing, chunky facets and cutlets are also possible in 8 main pavillions - well, most of the chunky facet / old mine style cushions I've seen have 8 main pavs. The 4 pavs are a more modern cut designed to maximize value.

The stone that you purchased sounds like the 8 main "modern" with no cutlet and really tight facets (like a round brilliant). Those have beautiful scintillation.

Can't wait to see the photos!
 
Thanks EDL. It is surprising that my taste actually has changed over the last month. When we started, I wanted a cushion diamond that sparkled like a round (even though I liked the antique chunky cuhsions but was saving it for a RHR). Our diamond does sparkl like a round - we were told it faces up like an antique but it is cut like a round and definetly a modern cushion. Fast forward a month, I have started to question my decision with not getting a chunky cushion. I am so drawn to them and I even like the look of a culet now! I am itching to get an OEC with a large culet.
 
Maytal Hannah is making our setting right now. We were deciding between Maytal and Leon but the decision wasn''t up to me. I have been disengaged from the setting design process - the SO wanted something to be a surprise. However, I suspect it will be a modified version of the Daniel K split crown. When we first started looking at rings 3 years ago, that was the first ring we tried on together and we both loved it. It''s amazing after 3 years - it is still the setting we like (with some modifications). Part of me just wants a plain solitaire with a pave band. I can never deciede so it''s better that I stay out of it anyways!
 
Date: 10/10/2008 9:34:17 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
Thanks EDL. It is surprising that my taste actually has changed over the last month. When we started, I wanted a cushion diamond that sparkled like a round (even though I liked the antique chunky cuhsions but was saving it for a RHR). Our diamond does sparkl like a round - we were told it faces up like an antique but it is cut like a round and definetly a modern cushion. Fast forward a month, I have started to question my decision with not getting a chunky cushion. I am so drawn to them and I even like the look of a culet now! I am itching to get an OEC with a large culet.
You know CharmyPoo, I was just having this conversation with my husband. I love my new stone, but I also love the antique chunky cushion. I also was starting to regret my choice, but you know what, I think we''ll just have to get both. LOL.
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That''s why my bf wants to ban me from this site. I also love an OEC as well. We got to stand by our choice! Just think - in real life, the diamond is so sparkly.

Did you get to see any chunky cushions in real life?
 
congratulations! Your story gives me inspiration in finding my chunky cushion. I''m still undecided between the 2 ct vs 3 ct cushions that DOD has and watch my video comparison every night before going to bed. The more I read on PS about 4 vs 8 pav cushions the more confused i am with my choice! 4 months is a long time to search (I think I''d drive my DH crazy w/ diamond talk) but I know that it was worth the wait. I can''t wait for you to post up photos!
 
Sounds LOVELY, Charmypoo!

Glad you found "the one" for you!
 
Wow - congrats !!
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Date: 10/11/2008 1:30:29 AM
Author: jerichosmom
congratulations! Your story gives me inspiration in finding my chunky cushion. I''m still undecided between the 2 ct vs 3 ct cushions that DOD has and watch my video comparison every night before going to bed. The more I read on PS about 4 vs 8 pav cushions the more confused i am with my choice! 4 months is a long time to search (I think I''d drive my DH crazy w/ diamond talk) but I know that it was worth the wait. I can''t wait for you to post up photos!
My boyfriend has been complaining that every since we started diamond shopping - that is all I talk about. I won''t have photos until he actually proposes! (months from now)! Our appraiser never took photos of the diamond as I requested and the diamond was shipped off to our setter. Nothing for me to look at
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Date: 10/11/2008 11:58:41 AM
Author: HeartingDiamonds
Sounds LOVELY, Charmypoo!

Glad you found ''the one'' for you!
Thank you Grace. I have been going to your set frequently and checking out your beautiful stones. Too bad I can''t do much until the Canadian dollar goes back up!
 
Congratulations, it sounds like a beautiful stone! Welcome to the 8 Pav. Cushion club
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I can''t wait to see pictures. Glad to hear you had a great experience with Mark, he''s such a nice guy.
 
YAY congrats! =)
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Congratulations. It sounds gorgeous.
 
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