What does good ASET images for a cushion look like?

[KhiraLi]

I'm in the progress of purchasing a cushion ~1 ct, online from US since I live in Europe. I've been looking at stones that James Allen has classified as "ideal" and asked for ASET images that I will hopefully recieve at the end of this week. I guess that the stone with the most red followed by green and the least white/black is the best among the ones compared but I will also like to know that they actually have superior optics compared to the average cushion.

So my question is what is the amount of red/green and white/black in a cushion with a high quality cut. Images would be really helpful!

The stones i'm comparing have the following facet structures, the two on the left are cushion modified brilliants, and the one on the right is a cushion brilliant. Am I already here comparing apples and pears?

 

[slg47]

do you have links to the diamonds? also, what type of cushion are you looking for? modern? antique? square? rectangular?

I guess that the stone with the most red followed by green and the least white/black is the best among the ones compared but I will also like to know that they actually have superior optics compared to the average cushion.

have you seen this video? shows different cushions and their ASET images, might help.
http://vimeo.com/7579666

 

[KhiraLi]

I think both a vintage look and the modern splintery look are appealing in their own way but if I were to choose between two identical stones one modern and one vintage, I would choose the vintage. However I don't think I will end up in such a situation . Regarding shape, I lean towards slightly rectangular ones ~1:15 but it is not a demand.

James Allen are evaluating these for me where I think the first two are most appealing
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1331213.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280320.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1167019.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1190160.asp

I also found this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7959/ which probably is the safest buy, but at the moment I feel it is a little bit too small but maybe I can work my mind around that.

I'm a big fan of Rhino's videos and yes this one seem to have good examples of bad and good aset images

 

[slg47]

well if you want an optically superior cushion I would DEFINITELY go with the AVC.

 

[KhiraLi]

Yes I am strongly considering buying an AVC but I would have liked to have a little more options to choose from. Eg I don't need VS1 and could easily downgrade clarity to SI1 for a larger size and through James Allen it is so easy doing choiches like that. However I was quite discouraged yesterday, when I read at James Allen that they classify cuts of fancy shapes only by polish/symmetry and that one therefore should include ideal/premium/good when searching for cushions . How would I then have any clues regarding which stones are superior? Ask for aset images and evaluation on every cushion they carry in my budget?

Right now I can't find this piece of information on the website again but I guess I'll have to ask them about advice.

I understand why people say it is hard to buy a cushion!

 

[sparkly5]

Searching for a cushion myself, and faced with a similar problem - I think the only thing I can do is ask for the photographs, ASET information, and rely on the wisdom of experts on these forums to help make a decision.

It's hard being a novice AND not seeing the diamonds in person!

Another problem I'm seeing is the non-refundable deposit vendors are asking for before analysis (if they are offsite). It's understandable to offset their costs, but still - without all that information it's impossible to make an informed choice. It's like going to a broker and paying to look at any diamonds they have shipped in. Does that happen?

 

[slg47]

Yes I am strongly considering buying an AVC but I would have liked to have a little more options to choose from. Eg I don't need VS1 and could easily downgrade clarity to SI1 for a larger size and through James Allen it is so easy doing choiches like that. However I was quite discouraged yesterday, when I read at James Allen that they classify cuts of fancy shapes only by polish/symmetry and that one therefore should include ideal/premium/good when searching for cushions . How would I then have any clues regarding which stones are superior? Ask for aset images and evaluation on every cushion they carry in my budget?

Right now I can't find this piece of information on the website again but I guess I'll have to ask them about advice.

I understand why people say it is hard to buy a cushion!

yeah, I would use the images to look for ones that appeal to you. look for regions of brightness.

honestly AVCs are rarer than say ideal cut rounds so you might not find a perfect combination of color/clarity since there are not that many AVCs

if you are interested in antique cushions what about ERD's a cut beyond? They don't have anything in your price range right now, but you could ask? that would at least give you another option...

 

[Haven]

It is tough to find the right cushion.

I prefer antique-style cushions, so if I were buying a cushion from an online vendor I'd contact GOG and ERD for their A Cut Beyond cushions. Jonathan at GOG's videos are amazing, and I'm always impressed when I see the work he puts together to give clients an idea of what their stone options really look like. And ERD has an amazing reputation for finding gorgeous cushions, too, so I'd start with those two.

I think the more you know about what you really prefer, the better. So if you like antique style cushions with a 1:15 ratio that will give the gentlemen a good place to start looking for stones for you.

As for visuals, you really do have to see your cushions to know which you prefer once you've narrowed it down.

 

[KhiraLi]

If I'm not extremely lucky and one of the requested ASET images from JA looks great, I will absolutely contact GOG.

Right now I'm mostly watching videos of different cushions and I like the appearance of the last two in this video http://www.vimeo.com/4050209 (but I wouldn't have said no to any of them )

The second last one is this http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5695/ and I am surprised that it has such a low depth percentage. Is there any good information out there about what a too shallow/too deep cushion would perform like (and what is too shallow/deep?)

Looking at the aset for this diamond, it seem to have some leakage around the middle. Is this the reason why it has a slight crushed ice appearance in that region?

It makes me wonder if I'm not leaning a bit more towards the modern style.

Regarding settings I would try to see if someone here in Sweden could accomplish something like this http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5460 but with a cushion center and RB sidestones.

I understand that in the best of worlds I should really look at all different types in person but I live 4000 miles away. Or maybe I should just buy a RB from the most popular jewellery store here. What do you think about a 1ct, H I1-I3, no info about cut, no cert for 6500. What a deal