Elongated antique cushion - help!

[Bancsy]

Hi all,

I'm searching for ~1.5c center stone for a Soleste-inspired setting in the $6-8k price range. I'm not sure where to land with color. I'd like the stone to have some warmth but no yellow tone.

I absolutely want an elongated cushion with a pillowy crown.

Please help! I'm reading articles, tips, and searching for stones and just becoming more and more confused about what to look for.

Thanks!
If it matters, this is the setting I'm considering.
https://www.eternitybyyoni.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Soleste-Double-Halo-Ring-With-Fishtail-Pave-524.htm#

 

[dollyanjuli]

hi!

can you post some inspiration photos of the kind of stone you like? That will help a lot. also, 8k total with setting or for stone alone?

 

[dollyanjuli]

if you are looking for the chunky antique style-

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.11-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1013598

with cushions you MUST look at measurements and not carat weight. This is a really good size. and it is much whiter than you wanted (not sure if you want this white!). It leaves you enough money to get a nice mount.

 

[Bancsy]

hi dolly. Thanks for your quick response! The 6-8 budget is for the stone only. I'm going to seem confused in my answers because, well, I am.

i think this stone's crown but would prefer a slightly morenelongated stone.
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.50-carat-k-color-si2-clarity-sku-990511

 

[Bancsy]

if you are looking for the chunky antique style-

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.11-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1013598

with cushions you MUST look at measurements and not carat weight. This is a really good size. and it is much whiter than you wanted (not sure if you want this white!). It leaves you enough money to get a nice mount.

Oh! I love this! Thank you!! I do like white and it has the proportions I like.

 

[dollyanjuli]

This is a little out there- only slightly elongated and not as puffy as a crown as I think you like, but the make/ size/ price are WOW!



https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2418650

 

[Bancsy]

This is a little out there- only slightly elongated and not as puffy as a crown as I think you like, but the make/ size/ price are WOW!



https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2418650

Thank you! I like this one too! I'm sending these all to my significant other. Please keep the suggestions coming.

He seems to be under the impression that an ideal cut would have a 60+ table percentage. Logic tells me a puffy crown won't have the %age he's looking for but will be the shape/proportion I prefer. Any feedback on this?

 

[dollyanjuli]

a cushion can not really be bought by percentages- there are a few things you look for that can give you different "flavors". If you want that puffy look you are NOT going to get that with a 60%+ table. I don't mind larger table cushions but that is not the decider of what makes a cushion "ideal". You want to look for sharp facets (no mush) that turn on and off evenly, brightness that reaches the corner...and then everything else is pretty much up to your taste. What he may be referencing is the size of table that provides a symmetrical spread and even look for a nice modern cushion. Will post one below.

Here are some different "looks"

Big table (6
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-132044

well cut modern , table 61 (too bad about the black splotch!) this is probably what your BF is thinking of
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.21-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2419139

and then the small, puffy table, more common with antique cuts - 53
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.11-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1013598

All of these are nice in their own way. Its about what YOU want. Sorry bf. lol. also, table size has very little to do with the elongated shape you want. If he is stuck on a certain %, that 8 main i posted is your best bet especially at that price. But i think the antique will give you more of the look you were going for.

 

[Bancsy]

a cushion can not really be bought by percentages- there are a few things you look for that can give you different "flavors". If you want that puffy look you are NOT going to get that with a 60%+ table. I don't mind larger table cushions but that is not the decider of what makes a cushion "ideal". You want to look for sharp facets (no mush) that turn on and off evenly, brightness that reaches the corner...and then everything else is pretty much up to your taste. What he may be referencing is the size of table that provides a symmetrical spread and even look for a nice modern cushion. Will post one below.

Here are some different "looks"

Big table (6
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-132044

well cut modern , table 61 (too bad about the black splotch!) this is probably what your BF is thinking of
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.21-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2419139

and then the small, puffy table, more common with antique cuts - 53
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.11-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1013598

All of these are nice in their own way. Its about what YOU want. Sorry bf. lol. also, table size has very little to do with the elongated shape you want.

You made sense of my confusing descriptions!

You're right. Options 1 & 2 are what bf has been looking at.

We just looked at center stones together and I showed him the "puffiness" I find myself gravitating towards. Option 3 is right up my alley! Even though it has less carat weight than the others, it appeals me to me significantly more.

We also determined the 1.2 length to width ratio seems to be the sweet spot I'm looking for too.

I really appreciate your help. I'm much more informed than I was just a few hours ago.

He's made appointment with a jeweler in manhattan for tomorrow afternoon.(he doesn't recall the name. A coworker recommended this jeweler to him.) Let's see how it goes!

 

[arkieb1]

You are over paying for an E colour if you don't mind slightly "warm" stones with a slight tint, unless you want an ice white stone, and I don't know what you are all looking at, with the 1.11 at JA, but the first thing I would want to know is how bad is that bow tie I can see in real life....

Not elongated but still a decent size if you like Antique and chunky;

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-62ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-j-vs1#.WKe-FygVq5Q

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-27ct-oec-egl-k-vs1#.WKe-eSgVq5Q

Ask Grace what else she has coming up as an option. Ask Erica what else she has coming up as an option;

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/loose-diamonds/

Phone Adam and ask what he might have as options;
http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com

Or if you want a new old cut this is a bargain;

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-553-canera-antique-cushion

Or
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.51-august_vintage_cushion-I-GIA-K-VS2-diamond-stock-15796-cert-2146850473

Something different;
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/halo-diamond-ring-108ct-branded-dbl-old-mine-y-z-vvs2-double-halo-uber-setting-gia-r4066

 

[ariel144]

cushion brilliants....wow JA just got in a bunch of nicely cut antique style cushions...the cutters are finely learning what people want. So tired of all the mushy gray under the tables in cushions ...who buys those anyway?

You picked the right time to find a cushion brilliant on JA! NEVER been this many choices EVER!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.23-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1016298

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.09-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-145394

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.08-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2310736

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.54-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-sku-289324

The 1.23 faces up the largest in the higher colors.....of course the 1.54 is nice and large for the $.

If it was my ring I would definitely snag that 1.5 J Victor Canera!
And of course you cannot go wrong with an AVC from GOG!
https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-553-canera-antique-cushion

 

[Bancsy]

You are over paying for an E colour if you don't mind slightly "warm" stones with a slight tint, unless you want an ice white stone, and I don't know what you are all looking at, with the 1.11 at JA, but the first thing I would want to know is how bad is that bow tie I can see in real life....

Not elongated but still a decent size if you like Antique and chunky;

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-62ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-j-vs1#.WKe-FygVq5Q

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-27ct-oec-egl-k-vs1#.WKe-eSgVq5Q

Ask Grace what else she has coming up as an option. Ask Erica what else she has coming up as an option;

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/loose-diamonds/

Phone Adam and ask what he might have as options;
http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com

Or if you want a new old cut this is a bargain;

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-553-canera-antique-cushion

Or
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.51-august_vintage_cushion-I-GIA-K-VS2-diamond-stock-15796-cert-2146850473

Something different;
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/halo-diamond-ring-108ct-branded-dbl-old-mine-y-z-vvs2-double-halo-uber-setting-gia-r4066

Thank you for these options. The victor canera is beautiful!

We are local to dbl so could make an appointment there. Bf is hesitant to commit to a J or K without seeing it in-person.

I'm sending all of these to him for consideration.

 

[Bancsy]

cushion brilliants....wow JA just got in a bunch of nicely cut antique style cushions...the cutters are finely learning what people want. So tired of all the mushy gray under the tables in cushions ...who buys those anyway?

You picked the right time to find a cushion brilliant on JA! NEVER been this many choices EVER!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.23-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1016298

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.09-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-145394

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.08-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2310736

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.54-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-sku-289324

The 1.23 faces up the largest in the higher colors.....of course the 1.54 is nice and large for the $.

If it was my ring I would definitely snag that 1.5 J Victor Canera!

And of course you cannot go wrong with an AVC from GOG!
https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-553-canera-antique-cushion

Funny you should mention JA's recent inventory additions. Bf was just looking there too and noted here were many to choose from.

I do love the canera! And the others you posted are viable options as well. What should be the deciding factors?

 

[arkieb1]

In that case make an appointment and go and see Diamonds by Lauren in person and Good Old Gold if you can in person. And if possible a range of halo style rings. Make appointments for both and ask to look at both Antique and modern cushions in your price range in a range of colours. It will be well worth the time, if you have it, to go and see what you do and don't like.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/contact

http://www.goodoldgold.com/contacts

I believe Adam has modern cuts sometimes as well as old cuts as well so if you are in NY he is another person you could visit in person, he will have the largest range of the type of stones you have described above;

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/contact.php

I think you should hopefully be less confused about the style of cut you want, and the colour of the centre stone if you at least go and look and see what you do and don't like and if you can do try things on. You might prefer a single not a double halo for example as well.

 

[Bancsy]

In that case make an appointment and go and see Diamonds by Lauren in person and Good Old Gold if you can in person. And if possible a range of halo style rings. Make appointments for both and ask to look at both Antique and modern cushions in your price range in a range of colours. It will be well worth the time, if you have it, to go and see what you do and don't like.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/contact

http://www.goodoldgold.com/contacts

I believe Adam has modern cuts sometimes as well as old cuts as well so if you are in NY he is another person you could visit in person, he will have the largest range of the type of stones you have described above;

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/contact.php

I think you should hopefully be less confused about the style of cut you want, and the colour of the centre stone if you at least go and look and see what you do and don't like and if you can do try things on. You might prefer a single not a double halo for example as well.

Yesterday's shopping trip was a complete disappointment. The jeweler only had one stone that appealed but was not the one and no settings that i liked. We stopped in another store where the salesperson kept telling me i didnt want a high crown and I needed a wider table to maximize size appearance.

I left feeling hopeless and mentally fatigued.

This morning, i called DBL. And finally felt like someone understood! He told me that I was looking for something relatively difficukt find and said he'd reach out the cutter who cuts the AVCs. He also recommended that i contact GOG and Adam at Old World to inquire on their inventory.

He's going to email me and let me know what his search turns up. So the hunt continues...

 

[totallyfree]

Yoram F does some amazing work - and has commented as DiaGem in this thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/stones-by-yoram.194051/page-2']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/stones-by-yoram.194051/page-2[/URL]

DBL and GoG stock various stones he as cut - if you have a look through the "sold" loose stones on DBL you might find what you'd like, and then you can look for similar stones.

I would also phone Adam - my ring (second hand to me, but originally commissioned by another PSer) is from OWD and Adam was awesome to deal with.