You won't like a cushion

[vince187]

My girlfriend went engagement ring shopping without me yesterday (an issue itself, but not what I am asking about). She asked to see some cushion cut diamond rings. The salesperson said "Oh - everyone buys those, but no one is happy with them after they have them a while". Do you think there is any truth to what the salesperson said? Is she just trying to push a specific product? Is she on crack?

 

[Sparkly_Girl]

Good Lord, I hope that's not the case! I'm waiting on my cushion cut setting as I write this...

What I can tell you is that there are a good many women on this site who have had their cushion cuts for years and still dearly love them.

 

[Lula]

My girlfriend went engagement ring shopping without me yesterday (an issue itself, but not what I am asking about). She asked to see some cushion cut diamond rings. The salesperson said "Oh - everyone buys those, but no one is happy with them after they have them a while". Do you think there is any truth to what the salesperson said? Is she just trying to push a specific product? Is she on crack?

No, I don't think the salesperson is saying that just to push a specific product. Poorly-cut cushions look awful outside of jewelry store lights. Several women I know have them, and in diffuse light and dim light, a poorly-cut cushion shows large, dull areas in the center and when the diamond is tilted. They are not at all sparkly or pretty -- very dull-looking. They trap the light instead of bouncing it back. But those are poorly-cut cushions. Well-cut cushions are a different story.

That said, another reason people may not be happy with them in the long run is that cushions in general have a very different type of sparkle and flash to them than a standard round brilliant cut diamond. And that's just a matter of preference.

 

[backwardsandinheels]

She is probably on crack. Have one type of diamond long enough, and cruise Pricescope long enough, and you'll want one of every cut, then Kenny's fancy colored selection, then a collection of antique cuts, etc.....

 

[yssie]

My girlfriend went engagement ring shopping without me yesterday (an issue itself, but not what I am asking about). She asked to see some cushion cut diamond rings. The salesperson said "Oh - everyone buys those, but no one is happy with them after they have them a while". Do you think there is any truth to what the salesperson said? Is she just trying to push a specific product? Is she on crack?

Total BS.
'Nuf said.

 

[mandarinmom9]

I think all cuts are beautiful- thanks to this forum! Lol. Now I want every cut-big or small... No really, I think cuts are a matter of preference in general? Sure, there are poor cut cushions- probably as there are poor cut stones in all shapes...

 

[tyty333]

Crack

 

[kenny]

Let me guess, either she doesn't sell them or doesn't make as much commission on them.

 

[anne_h]

I originally had a modern-cut cushion (GIA categorized as 'modified cushion brilliant'), I think it had that 'crushed ice' thing going on...

Anyways - I did fall out of love with it relatively quickly. And therefore almost never wore it. I just felt it did not look pretty in most lighting situations.

My error was buying online without ever seeing in person. I bought it and had it set before ever seeing it live. The vendor was great, the price was fair, but I learned I need to see a stone in person before making a purchasing decision. (Yes, I probably could have returned it if I had figured this all out fast enough, but I guess at that point I was still in denial. lol)

I did not make the same mistake when doing my dream upgrade!!

BTW, a lot of people here love cushions, especially antique and antique-style cushions.

My two cents!

Anne

 

[MrsDrP]

Definitely on crack!

I LOVE cushions, especially elongated, rectangular cushions!

Also - I wouldn't say that "everyone has them." In fact, most of the engagement rings that I see are princess cuts or round brilliants. I think they are gaining popularity, but still not as popular as princess and RB cuts.

She needs to go see another jeweler!

 

[MrsDrP]

I originally had a modern-cut cushion (GIA categorized as 'modified cushion brilliant'), I think it had that 'crushed ice' thing going on...


BTW, a lot of people here love cushions, especially antique and antique-style cushions.



Anne

Agreed. I'm not a fan of the crushed ice look of modern cushions, but I adore antique-style cushions! My dream diamond is an august vintage cushion

 

[Enerchi]

Not sure what her addictive substance of choice is (crack is an option....) but ---- no way!

There are so many lovely cuts of diamonds, that why only go with RB? (lovely as they are - not dissing the RB's FYI!) What are her thoughts on the lower colours? I'm sure she'll suggest anything below an E will be unsuitable!

 

[Amys Bling]

If you buy a well cut cushion then I dont think you will fall out of love with it- but if you buy a poorly cut stone -of any cut- then I think you can easily fall out of love with your stone.

 

[Enerchi]

ditto to Amy's post above - well said!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The cushions they probably sell...yes, I can believe it. I imagine most cushions sold would fall far short of our expectations. Unless one buys from GOG, ERD, or LM, it is pretty hard to do a general search for cushions and come up with a decent one. But I have a pretty low opinion on the expertise of the average person who works behind a jewelry counter, that is for sure.

 

[milton333]

The only thing I would add is that, yes, a poor-performing cushion will be a dud. And it's more of a challenge to find a well-cut cushion. It helps to work with a trusted vendor and look at lots of them, but even then cushion shopping requires an investment of time and effort to get right. It can be easier for a newbie to accidentally select something that looks great in jewelry store lighting but not out in the world. I've long had an interest in a cushion cut, but it's taken years for me to feel like I have a good feel for picking one, kwim? For an RB, I can be lazy - AGS 000, buy a signature ideal from a vendor I trust, plug the stats into the HCA, one of those. Those shortcuts don't exist with cushion shopping. It certainly can be done, of course, but I can see the potential to make a mistake.

 

[HopeDream]

Cushion cuts are definitely more trendy now that they have been for a while, and there are a ton of poorly cut cushions out there, so I can see her point. I think if a person buys an average cut cushion, it will generaly have poorer light return than an average round, so at her store it's posible people often trade in so-so cushions in favor of so-so rounds.

-However-
I got a top-notch AVC for my engagement ring and it's still gorgeous 1.5 years later. If you get a well-cut cushion with excellent light performance it will shine just as brightly as a well-cut round.

 

[slg47]

Cushion cuts are definitely more trendy now that they have been for a while, and there are a ton of poorly cut cushions out there, so I can see her point. I think if a person buys an average cut cushion, it will generaly have poorer light return than an average round, so at her store it's posible people often trade in so-so cushions in favor of so-so rounds.

-However-
I got a top-notch AVC for my engagement ring and it's still gorgeous 1.5 years later. If you get a well-cut cushion with excellent light performance it will shine just as brightly as a well-cut round.

I love my cushion

 

[J_Rock]

My fiance and I love the AVC she wears. People constantly ask what kind of diamond it is because it looks unique. People are like "Is it a round, or a princess". Nothing compares to a well cut cushion in dim/candle-lit lighting.

 

[vince187]

Obviously a well cut cushion looks better than a badly cut cushion. What I don't understand is why people think this can change. Diamonds are forever, and a poorly cut cushion is going to look bad the day you buy it, and will look bad forever.