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5 to 7 carat cushion questions

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charlottejw

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
26
Long time lurker and appreciate the communities insight and knowledge. I am in the market for a 5-7 carat cushion (SO is new to diamonds is a bit unclear on exactly what she wants but through a bunch of photos I have narrowed it down to cushion). I consider my knowledge to be pretty solid on diamonds (for a consumer) in general mostly from reading through this site, but struggling a bit with cushions since they are so hard to analyze from certs and images vs. more defined cuts. I found James Allen to be the best resource for these stones so far since they seemed to be the only ones that had actual images of the stones. I will link a couple of the diamonds that I was considering to see if anyone here has some helpful advice. My SO does not want a "crushed ice" look, and likes the chunkier vintage look, but also likes the look of a modern cut as long as it has decent sized facets. I would like to be in the F-G color range (maybe H), eye clean is a must and not really interested in a SI1 at this price point. The 7 carat below has Strong fluorescence which doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't show up cloudy under normal lighting conditions. The 5 carat has a more vintage cut that I really like (sadly it's a D color, which I would rather not pay for, but struggling to find a lot of options like in this style at this size). I have requested ASET images and should have those in a couple days and am planning to take a look at several options including these in person with my SO late this week.

www.jamesallen.com

5.06 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 5.06 carat D color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

7.02 Carat cushion modified diamond

This cushion modified cut 7.02 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

A couple other notes - she seems to be gravitating towards a slight rectangle so 1:1.1 ratio-ish is where I would guess her preference is. Alternatively if anyone has seen some stones that I may have missed that look like good alternatives to the above I would love to see them. Thanks for reading! Also I will be sure to post photo updates as this project progresses
 
If that D is for real you have found a unicorn as that looks like an antique stone and you never find Ds in that size anymore. I just took a cursory glance. If money were no object I would go for that one. The F modified cushion looks pretty but nothing like that D. You could probably find that F elsewhere. But a D 5 carat color possibility antique stone? Unbelievable.
 
5.06...love, love, love the faceting pattern on it. Beautiful open culet. Just reminds me of an
old stone from the past. Not sure what your SO likes but old cut stones (this could be
old or newer cut to look old) are pretty popular around Pricescope.

Ask if you can get an aset image on it. Probably not because of covid but doesnt hurt to
ask.
 
I’m sure someone with more knowledge than I will be along to give their opinion on the specific stones, but I would just recommend figuring out what your girlfriend’s top priority is since that’s a LOT of money... in terms of colour, D and F won’t be too far apart and only someone who is fairly colour sensitive will be able to pick apart and care about the differences; in terms of size 5 and 7 carat are very different; in terms of cut style/facet pattern again they are extremely different. So if the choice was between these two stones only, it would depend on what your girlfriend cares about most - if she likes both cutting patterns equally for example, then would she prefer the bigger stone or the rarer stone? There’s no right or wrong answers, so it’s important to know what your girlfriend prefers!

(FWIW, I would pick the 7ct because I am a size ho, but everyone has different priorities!)
 
Love the first one! Have no idea what your budget is but if I was looking for a large cushion, I’d contact Sam at Icerock. He posts some amazing cushions

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LLJsmom said:
If that D is for real you have found a unicorn as that looks like an antique stone and you never find Ds in that size anymore. I just took a cursory glance. If money were no object I would go for that one. The F modified cushion looks pretty but nothing like that D. You could probably find that F elsewhere. But a D 5 carat color possibility antique stone? Unbelievable.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I adore the D color option with the lovely antique look. But make sure your gf is ok with it too bc its definitely different than a modern look.
 
That D is to die for!
 
The two are quite different looks, part of this is trying to figure out where my SO's preferences are (she isn't entirely sure so in person look is needed). If she likes the antique look then the 5 carat seems to be a pretty good example from the responses so far (really struggling to find larger colorless antique cushions). I also had another 5 carat modern one pulled in "I" color to see how color sensitive she is. The size/value proposition on the 7 carat is great for a nice (but not as unique) stone, it is 40% larger than the antique, but 10% cheaper. Also appreciate the rec for Icerock, beautiful stuff, but may push my budget!
 
Oh, that D is :kiss2:!
 
The D is amazing - the facets are antique style and so beautiful
 
I love the D as well. It's gorgeous.
 
I know nothing about cushion cuts, but that D stone is special. Amazing. Also, I think the post above helps make the decision easier, at least it would for me, where 2 carats only equates to 10% more face-up surface area. That is a lot of carat weight below the belt, so to speak.
 
Another vote for the D color!!!! Can see tint in the F one and eventho its 2ct apart, the color and cut wins over the size
 
Neither are available - did OP snag them both to test them out?
 
I agree on the D. I'd prefer it over any modern cushion. The 7 ct isn't all that well cut. If you watch the girdle as it turns in the video, you can see in places that it is very thick. Lots of weight hiding in that area. I'd mark that one off the list, personally.

This one is a maybe:

All Diamonds - Magnified in 360° HD | JamesAllen.com

James Allen offers a wide selection of GIA, IGI and AGS certified conflict-free loose diamonds, all viewable in 360° HD. Take the guesswork out of buying a diamond.
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
 
Appreciate all the replies. They're showing up as not available because I reserved them so I could take a look in person. I really like the look of the D, but I am concerned a bit about price as it seems quite expensive just by its stats @ $135k. The 7 Carat was $125k, but that seems to have looked pretty underwhelming to people so unless it shines in person I will steer away from that. Now I am struggling to understand value expectations (rounds are so much easier to evaluate), the pricing on cushions seems to be all over the place and the antique style seem to have become more popular and are at a premium? The JA site has cut grades for all the cushions, it was my understanding that GIA does not grade the cut of cushions, does anyone know how JA determines its cut grades for cushions on its site? Is there another good source for antique style cushions in the 5+ carat range (max H color)? Thanks for all the help, this is a challenging process for someone who usually over analyzes things!
 
charlottejw said:
Appreciate all the replies. They're showing up as not available because I reserved them so I could take a look in person. I really like the look of the D, but I am concerned a bit about price as it seems quite expensive just by its stats @ $135k. The 7 Carat was $125k, but that seems to have looked pretty underwhelming to people so unless it shines in person I will steer away from that. Now I am struggling to understand value expectations (rounds are so much easier to evaluate), the pricing on cushions seems to be all over the place and the antique style seem to have become more popular and are at a premium? The JA site has cut grades for all the cushions, it was my understanding that GIA does not grade the cut of cushions, does anyone know how JA determines its cut grades for cushions on its site? Is there another good source for antique style cushions in the 5+ carat range (max H color)? Thanks for all the help, this is a challenging process for someone who usually over analyzes things!
Click to expand...

I would ignore JAs in house "grading" for cushions as it's pretty much just their opinion. I've seen victor Canera have some big cushions, so I would look there as well.
 
AllAboardTheBlingTrain said:
Someone here can correct me if I’m wrong, but Distinctive Gem also cuts their own modern-antique cushions do they not?
Click to expand...

Finding 5ct++ D VS2 rough might not as easy as cutting 1-2ct stone. I think for bigger carat D VS2 and above its not easy to custom cut
 
This one might work as a comp for the 5 carat. I think it sold for @$135K. And this was for a G SI1.

www.estatediamondjewelry.com

Vintage 4.12ct Swiss Ring. Circa 1950 - Estate Diamond Jewelry

A rare and impressive ring featuring a 4.12-carat old European cut diamond, L color, and VS2 clarity. Hand-crafted in platinum, circa 1950.
www.estatediamondjewelry.com
 
munchee said:
Finding 5ct++ D VS2 rough might not as easy as cutting 1-2ct stone. I think for bigger carat D VS2 and above its not easy to custom cut
Click to expand...

Jonathan carries and can cut large diamonds. If you're going the custom route, it might take some time to get the rough. It doesn't hurt to ask him though.
 
One more slightly smaller comp. This is an authentic Cartier ring from the 1920's so not apples to apples, but a data point, nonetheless.

www.hancocks-london.com

Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring | Cartier c1920s | Hancocks London

4.21ct old mine cut cushion diamond and platinum solitaire ring by Cartier c.1920s, with very simple & elegant platinum mount, with open gallery & D shaped band
www.hancocks-london.com www.hancocks-london.com
 
As I am doing more research and looking at more stones the face up size of the D color is very large, so unless there are light return properties that are negative that I don't see in the stone it faces up more like a 6 carat cushion in a more modern cut style 11.35 X 9.8. I'll reach out to get some initial thoughts on the custom cut route and see if its realistic, might be a very fun project. The more I look the more I am realizing that if I like the style of that antique stone I found a pretty good one (by luck) that won't be easy to replicate. Also I don't need a D for a custom cut, it's just what the cushion happened to be that I liked the cut of, fine with a G frankly and since you can't guarantee color in a custom cut would shoot for F and not cry if it came out a G or even H. Also appreciate the comps, helping me get a better idea of reasonable price/value expectations
 
Wow that D is amazing! That's truly a special stone you found! Can't wait to see the final ring. Please keep us updated! :)
 
Dang... I'd choose the D all day long!
 
Oops I forgot about this one...5.34 H VVS2 $130K

And this is from a vendor that prices very competitively.

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Here's a beautiful true antique Oscar Heyman--I am sure Lang's would be happy to send you video so you could see how the stone performs

www.langantiques.com

5.56 Carat Antique Cushion-Cut Diamond in Oscar Heyman Mounting - GIA G VS2

A ravishing and resplendent original early-20th-century icy-white cushion-cut diamond, weighing 5.56 carats, but presenting significantly larger due to its masterful cutting, seriously sparkles, sizzles, and shines from within a modern platinum mounting, by the venerable Oscar Heyman, aglitter...
www.langantiques.com www.langantiques.com
 
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