Best light performance cushion?

[hellokitty6782]

I'm interested in cushions, as that's my favorite shape, but I realize that they aren't cut for light performance. I really love the square hearts & arrows, but I called GOG and they don't currently have anything bigger than 1.18 c in my price range and also the price is really really high.

Other than the August Vintage cushion, what cushion cut gives the best light performance? I saw a very beautiful (and spready) old mine brilliant stone yesterday (1.65, F VS2 with a large culet). I compared it with many other antique cushions in the office within the same range, and loved the sparkle and fire on this one the best. Because of the large culet though, I know I'm losing a lot of light with this stone. So I'm wondering, what kind of cushion should I look for that has the best light performance? (Aside from AVC, as they are pretty pricey).

Does anyone know what type of cushions they use in the Harry Winston halo ring?

 

[HopeDream]

Hi HelloKitty6782,

If I recall correctly, Brian Gavin has also developed a cushion cut with light performance in mind. It's not a chunky cushion, but you might like it anyway. No worrys about culet light loss with this one.

There's a picture of one in this thread https://www.pricescope.com/forum/sh...-signature-modern-cushion-cut-t128981-30.html

I'm not sure what his pricing is like, but I'm sure you could contact them to find out.

 

[hellokitty6782]

Thanks for that, I checked out the pictures. I don't think I prefer it to the antique or chunky cushions though

 

[slg47]

I would get a cushion that appeals to you (it seems like you are looking for a more antique style...) Nothing wrong with a large culet, many AVCs have them, I think you have to consider the overall diamond, not just the culet.

 

[hellokitty6782]

You're right, I do love the antique cut, but light performance is more important to me, so I would go with a beautifully cut modern brilliant if it has more brilliance and fire. I also adore the square hearts & arrows, but I didn't see one on GOG in the size I want within my price range.

 

[iota15]

So what's your price range? What are you color/clarity/carat wants?

There are some stones that are cut for light performance (like the H&A and the August Vintage). If it's too pricey for you at the moment for the size you want, you might have to come down in weight, or color or clarity or... well, something.

To be honest, it doesn't matter whether you're looking at a modern or antique cut - each cushion needs to be evaluated on its own (unless it's a branded cushion with a price premium) to determine whether it's light performance is great or meets your expectations.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hello hellokitty!
What is " light performance"?
There are many cutters who cut as beautiful a stone as possible- but given that beauty is in the eye of the beholder there is no standard for "light performance"
It sounds like you saw a stone that performed very well in your eyes
Did the large culet bother you?

 

[hellokitty6782]

I would like a D-F color
1.5 c+
Excellent cut,
VG polish
VG symmetry
beautiful looking stone, but with as much fire and sparkle as I can find out of a cushion
No more than $14K for the stone

I did see a really beautiful one from a PS vendor, that I selected after looking at quite a few that were pretty much all gorgeous and many of them fit the requirements above. The only problem is I havent seen an ASET or IS for the stone that I liked best, and I also haven't compared it in person to another cushion that is meant for more optical performance.

I did find this AVC http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7089/,, which is pretty close to the other one I saw, in size, same color, it has slightly lower clarity those, and the price is only a couple hundred more. I just wish I had an ASET from the other one to compare to this ASET.

Also, the look of large culet does not bother me at all.