Crushed ice cushion brilliance (contrast)

[smallricey]

Hi I bought a 0.64 carat diamond.
It’s a crushed ice cushion diamond but seems like it has an excellent cut from the rarecarat video

https://www.rarecarat.com/product/91864201?ntb=1&online=35,23,32,17,27,55,54,30,24,107,43,45,53,38,103,40,52,105,12&local=&searchId=ae6e1d36-b12c-4707-8ee2-69340f48ca94&postalCode=

However I don’t think it has any contrast at all
Is it because crushed ice r all like that?

 

[smallricey]

Jeffrey shared 3 photos with you

www.amazon.com

Here r some vids

0.64 carat faced up 5mm square

 

[Tourmaline]

None of the videos were taken in lighting that would show contrast. Try outside in the shade. A overcast day is best.

 

[smallricey]

I s

None of the videos were taken in lighting that would show contrast. Try outside in the shade. A overcast day is best.

I see, thanks I will try that and report back.

 

[smallricey]

I see lotta facets and greyish contrast with white, but none of them black.
thoughts?

Jeffrey shared something with you from Amazon Photos

www.amazon.com

 

[tyty333]

Yes, unfortunately, a lot of "crushed ice" cushions are what we call "mushy". They are light gray in the middle and dont have
good light return. You arent going to see any contrast (black) in a "mushy" stone.

Are you still within the return period? We can help you pick out a stone that should have better light return.

Cushions that have a more defined facet pattern will have better light return and will usually show contrast.
For example...
You have something like this....

0.61-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

If you want nice light return, fire, brilliance with contrast you need something like this

0.72-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.70-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

 

[smallricey]

Yes, unfortunately, a lot of "crushed ice" cushions are what we call "mushy". They are light gray in the middle and dont have
good light return. You arent going to see any contrast (black) in a "mushy" stone.

Are you still within the return period? We can help you pick out a stone that should have better light return.

Cushions that have a more defined facet pattern will have better light return and will usually show contrast.
For example...
You have something like this....

0.61-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

If you want nice light return, fire, brilliance with contrast you need something like this

0.72-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.70-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

the rarecarats diamond video does show a pretty defined facets no? if this is what crushed ice is I’m fine with it..but I’m still within the return period

 

[lovedogs]

Most crushed ice stones wont have a ton of contrast, but some do.

 

[smallricey]

Most crushed ice stones wont have a ton of contrast, but some do.

That’s what I’m trying to find out. Since we do want the dazzling crashed ice look, it’s like bunch of tiny lights shooting out of the diamond. So we want to stick with something like what we got right now. just wondering if this is a gd crushed ice or bad one, since it seems like there’s difference.

 

[Tourmaline]

Stones with the crushed ice look aren’t recommended here. We can’t really address whether you have a *good* crushed ice stone, as well-cut diamonds don’t have the appearance of crushed ice. If the crushed ice look is what you want, and you’ve said it is, then you will need to judge with your own eyes whether you consider the stone a good one for you.

 

[flyingpig]

In a crushed ice diamond, it is the leakage, instead of the obstruction, that acts as contrast.

You do not want any significant amount of obstruction in a crushed ice diamond. Do you want a dark and leaky stone?

You want a good distribution of light return (red/yellow in ASET) and leakage (white in ASET),and maybe some obstruction (blue in ASET), but not that much.

 

[smallricey]

In a crushed ice diamond, it is the leakage, instead of the obstruction, that acts as contrast.

You do not want any significant amount of obstruction in a crushed ice diamond. Do you want a dark and leaky stone?

You want a good distribution of light return (red/yellow in ASET) and leakage (white in ASET),and maybe some obstruction (blue in ASET), but not that much.

got it, so in
basically have different look than the brilliance cuts black/white contrast.

Stones with the crushed ice look aren’t recommended here. We can’t really address whether you have a *good* crushed ice stone, as well-cut diamonds don’t have the appearance of crushed ice. If the crushed ice look is what you want, and you’ve said it is, then you will need to judge with your own eyes whether you consider the stone a good one for you.

Well I liked it, but I was watching good old golds crushed ice video which shows slushy vs “good” crushed ice stones. That’s what raised the concern.

I’m not able to get aset image. Does appraiser provide aset?

this forum is helpful as always thanks

 

[tyty333]

the rarecarats diamond video does show a pretty defined facets no? if this is what crushed ice is I’m fine with it..but I’m still within the return period

No...you can pick out the 4 mains but each main facet has a ton of different grays going through it. By defined, I guess I'm saying they
should be black or returning light like a mirror. You can tell the difference between the top link I posted and the bottom two, right?

You can purchase an aset here

ASET Scope - Ideal Scope

Tri colour scope that is best suited for fancy shapes. Two lens in metal housing.

ideal-scope.com

Appraisers

Appraisers Archive

If you're looking for a trustworthy jeweler then you've found the right place. We have compiled a comprehensive lists of jewelers all over the world.

www.pricescope.com

 

[flyingpig]

A Complete Guide to Radiant Cut Diamonds | Whiteflash

Discover how to buy a high performing and beautiful radiant cut diamond along with guidance on settings, where to buy and more.

www.whiteflash.com

Look at what WF considers a good crushed ice radiant: even distribution of light return (red/white) and leakage (black in this case) with minimal obstruction (blue)

 

[tyty333]

To tag on to @flyingpig 's link, WF also has a good write-up on cushion cuts (including crushed ice) so you can get a better understanding
of the different cushion cuts.

A Complete Guide to Cushion Cut Diamonds

If you’re looking to purchase a high quality cushion cut diamond, then make sure you head to Whiteflash and read this guide to purchasing online.

www.whiteflash.com

 

[smallricey]

A Complete Guide to Radiant Cut Diamonds | Whiteflash

Discover how to buy a high performing and beautiful radiant cut diamond along with guidance on settings, where to buy and more.

www.whiteflash.com

Look at what WF considers a good crushed ice radiant: even distribution of light return (red/white) and leakage (black in this case) with minimal obstruction (blue)

I see so minimal blue hence minimal obstructiction (black)

I read the white flash cushion cut guide before I made the purchase. The rarecarat cur looks exactly the same as white flash’s drawing. That’s why I made the purchase.
I’m not sure how to conform rarecarats video to blueniles video in my head. Since they re obviously taken under a different lighting. Do you think the 4 mains have to be chunkier?

 

[Karl_K]

The best way to describe top end crushed ice is nothing big. Everything small and flashy; no large areas of light return,obstruction or leakage.

 

[smallricey]

Looks like I might be getting a “good” crushed ice cushion. I’ll see if I’ll schedule an appraisal with Dana in pasadena ca to see if she will provide aset image. Thx for the recommendation.

I’d rather not return the whole thing and start over again if what I got is gd alrdy lol

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

So . . . did you like it when you got it and got talked out of it? You asked about quality and got educated answers but if you really like it, then keep it.
A lot of people on this forum have less than perfect diamonds that they just love.

 

[smallricey]

So . . . did you like it when you got it and got talked out of it? You asked about quality and got educated answers but if you really like it, then keep it.
A lot of people on this forum have less than perfect diamonds that they just love.

Trying to be informed abt the purchase since it’s still within return period. Maybe I got a crap, since it’s not I’m a diamond expert lol

btw it hasn’t been said, but the bright white reflection under the table shows up after I tilt the diamond.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Yes, unfortunately, a lot of "crushed ice" cushions are what we call "mushy". They are light gray in the middle and dont have
good light return. You arent going to see any contrast (black) in a "mushy" stone.

Are you still within the return period? We can help you pick out a stone that should have better light return.

Cushions that have a more defined facet pattern will have better light return and will usually show contrast.
For example...
You have something like this....

0.61-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

If you want nice light return, fire, brilliance with contrast you need something like this

0.72-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.70-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

That .70 is on Rare Carat I believe, for a little less. I think it's very nice, certainly more defined facets.

 

[smallricey]

**edited by moderator to comply with trade policies**

Spread = table or does it mean something else?

 

[Natylad]

Spread = table or does it mean something else?

It's the dimensions of your diamond, when you look at it faceup. At 4.89 x 4.74 mm your stone looks very small for its 0.64ct carat weight.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Spready can be a nice quality in the diamond, assuming other factors are good as well. Covers more of your finger than its stated carat weight suggests. More bang for the buck.
Spready is not so desirable in a pencil skirt. More bang . . no, not going there.

 

[smallricey]

It's the dimensions of your diamond, when you look at it faceup. At 4.89 x 4.74 mm your stone looks very small for its 0.64ct carat weight.

Oic…yah I put it in stonealgo. It looks like 0.58 carat.

the way I see it is that the other 4.9mm diamonds ain’t cheaper so I’m ok with that. Unless small spread has other issue than face up size

 

[lovedogs]

Oic…yah I put it in stonealgo. It looks like 0.58 carat.

the way I see it is that the other 4.9mm diamonds ain’t cheaper so I’m ok with that. Unless small spread has other issue than face up size

The issue is that you likely paid for a size you didnt get. Stones are often priced based on carat weight. So you might have overpaid for a stone that looks small

 

[smallricey]

The issue is that you likely paid for a size you didnt get. Stones are often priced based on carat weight. So you might have overpaid for a stone that looks small

Nah I paid $1350. So like I said if the only problem is the face up coverage then it’s not really a problem in this case. But I could see that being a problem if other similar 4.9mm size stones are cheaper. As I mentioned, they re more expensive so I’m ok with it.

 

[canuk-gal]

Nah I paid $1350. So like I said if the only problem is the face up coverage then it’s not really a problem in this case. But I could see that being a problem if other similar 4.9mm size stones are cheaper. As I mentioned, they re more expensive so I’m ok with it.

Great that you got what you wanted!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The spread = 0.51ct round equivalent.

 

[smallricey]

Great that you got what you wanted!

So far it seems that way, but haven’t done appraisal to see if there are lotta green and yellow without leakage in aset image. But u suspect, under the table center there re some leakage. However I do see some light return in the center as well, but under sunlight the crushed ice just looks so gd, like the infinity room art show. We specifically wanted the crushed ice cushion since it’s cheaper than the round brilliant. So it’s an either or situation and had to settle, maybe we will upgrade to round brilliant single solitaire in the future.

Due to that, I didn’t want a cushion stone that resemble the round brilliant cut and didn’t rly care for the antique look. Let’s be honest, antique cut is out of my price range anyway. I had $3-4k all in budget, obviously lower the better.

Good info here, so I really know what I have purchaed.