Cushion help for a former lurker?

[meg_]

Hi all!

I'm one of the many PS lurkers finally coming out of the woodwork for help purchasing a cushion cut diamond. I hope you don't mind!

I'm replacing my engagement ring, which was stolen from my house (lock up your jewels!) during a burglary this past summer. My original ring had a 1.01 ct RB (VS2, I, faint Flr) I don't have the specs in front of me, but I believe it was about 6.5 mm. My wonderful husband bought my previous diamond on a whim so now I'd like to upsize and get the vintage (or vintage style) cushion I've always wanted.

Sadly, with a brand new house and a new baby (3 months) I don't have a large enough budget to get the 3ct+ of my dreams. But I do have the opportunity to purchase this stone:

2.00 ct (AGS)
J color (my color threshold for older stones)
Good Cut
VS2
Good symmetry
excellent polish

Depth - 67.4%
Table - 59.0%
7.90*6.97*4.70

HCA scores it as excellent

I'm waiting on an ASET and with the holiday, it gives me a few extra days to make a decision, but what do you guys think? The stone is under $11k (My budget for the stone is $12-13k)

I like the more rectangular cushions and the vintage style. (I don't care for modified CBs) I have size 7 fingers, so I'm worried a bit about coverage..... I'm planning on a HW style rose gold setting.

Am I missing any information?

Thanks for your help!

 

[tyty333]

Looks like it could be a nice cushion. Aset will tell us more. HCA only works on rounds. The symmetry looks off in the picture
like the upper left corner is lower than the right corner (but it could just be the picture).

 

[meg_]

Looks like it could be a nice cushion. Aset will tell us more. HCA only works on rounds. The symmetry looks off in the picture
like the upper left corner is lower than the right corner (but it could just be the picture).

Ha! Ok, thanks. Clearly, I skimmed.

I asked about the symmetry, but haven't heard back. I'm hoping it's just sitting at an angle for the photograph.

 

[Niel]

someone else was interested in that stone and it had a disappointing aset
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-advice-on-a-cushion-cut-diamond.182644/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-advice-on-a-cushion-cut-diamond.182644/[/URL]

ETA, i think, i cant remember what the concusses was on that one, but i know it was pulled in recently

 

[meg_]

Thanks Neilseel. I had actually read through that thread, and hadn't made the connection to the stones.

It looks like the Aset came back mostly green with some black in the edges.

 

[Niel]

Thanks Neilseel. I had actually read through that thread, and hadn't made the connection to the stones.

It looks like the Aset came back mostly green with some black in the edges.

I had seen this recommended a handful of times the only reason I recognize it is that little inclusion there in the right bottom. In that thread they dont really say much about the aset on that stone, do they? I feel like after the OP got the asets it was mostly a discussion about the first two. hmmm

 

[meg_]

Thanks Neilseel. I had actually read through that thread, and hadn't made the connection to the stones.

It looks like the Aset came back mostly green with some black in the edges.

I had seen this recommended a handful of times the only reason I recognize it is that little inclusion there in the right bottom. In that thread they dont really say much about the aset on that stone, do they? I feel like after the OP got the asets it was mostly a discussion about the first two. hmmm

I noticed that. Maybe because it doesn't seem like an impressive amount of red?

 

[mandasand]

The faceting structure is not antique enough for my taste. I would see what else the vendor can come up with.

 

[meg_]

They don't have anything large enough, but still in my budget at the moment. (Although they have a yummy looking 4 ct that I dream abbout.)

But I'm not in a huge rush.

 

[meg_]

Does anyone have opinions on this one from OWD?

There isn't a still shot on the website so Adam sent me this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qse6xhshKE&feature=em-share_video_user


Carat Weight: 2.28
Color: K
Clarity: VS2
Measure: 8.48*8.27*4.80
Cert: EGLLA
Depth: 58.0
Table: 53
Polish: Good
Symetry: Good
Girdle: vtn
Flourescence: None
Culet: Medium
Price: 11,411.00


It seems to face up really large - and I'd love the coverage!

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of your help!

 

[Niel]

Well i love the culet abf the shape. Also seems to have no maltese cross. Would they privide you asets? Doesnt seem to have a lot of fire but that could very easily be the lighting

 

[Niel]

There is a really lovely O 2.11 AVC in your budget if you willing to go that low.

 

[meg_]

The O is a lovely stone, but I think it just has a bit too much color for me.

I'll ask Adam if he can provide an ASET. Has anyone who bought from OWD received one in the past?

 

[Niel]

You know i dont even know how helpful those asets are for old stones.... Im sure if you ask them they would tell you about the fire.

 

[meg_]

Thanks Neilseel. The vendor told me the same thing.

They have a great return policy - but I'm not really sure what to do!

 

[Niel]

Did they say anything about the fire? If you arent in a rush it might be worth getting home and taking a look. Especially sense your OP said you thought j was a low as you wanted to go. I think it looks lovely though. I would get it home and take it to a hone depot lol. They have nice potlighting to see fire, and usually they have multiple lighting environments set up to see what paint looks like in different lights. Works good for diamonds too haha

 

[meg_]

I just emailed to ask.

Do you think this one is better than the original?

 

[madelise]

They don't have anything large enough, but still in my budget at the moment. (Although they have a yummy looking 4 ct that I dream abbout.)

But I'm not in a huge rush.

The most important thing I have learned on PS is to not rush any decisions. If a vendor doesn't have anything on hand that suits your budget and tastes, don't settle. Wait it out, call other vendors, search on the secondary market.

 

[chrono]

When shopping for diamonds, I do not view it under the best lighting aka Home Depot. That's like trying to buy a diamond that is viewed under the jewellery store lights which makes practically every diamond sparkle. View it under regular conditions and the worst possible lights; this way you know it will look better than what you see or the same but never worse.

 

[ariel144]

Hi Meg,
(My name too)

there is a really nice antique cushion on ebay...Diamond Zone...2.35c GIA J VS2...it faces up nice and large
and they state it faces up like an I colorand is a great performer. It is set in a platinum antique ring and the price is $15k.

Maybe they will sell the stone without the setting...don't know. Anyway, it is one of my favorite large cushion cuts right now.
I like how large the K on OWD faces up too. But if you want an higher color i would go with the GIA J on ebay. From some of the posters here on PS they have used that vendor on EBay and feel their listings are accurate.

I'm not on my computer or i would post the link. Good luck!

 

[Niel]

Double post

 

[Niel]

When shopping for diamonds, I do not view it under the best lighting aka Home Depot. That's like trying to buy a diamond that is viewed under the jewellery store lights which makes practically every diamond sparkle. View it under regular conditions and the worst possible lights; this way you know it will look better than what you see or the same but never worse.

My point about hone depot is that they have nice fire lighting but also little shadowboxes at the paint isle to test your paint swatch in multiple different lights. Flourecent, soft, daylight.... it gices you a fun sense of fire but also easy access to multiple real live situations. That was what i was trying to convey. You can sense the colors in different light. Sense she was considering a k and had originally thought it too dark, seems like easy access to multiple lightings right next to each other would help

 

[meg_]

They don't have anything large enough, but still in my budget at the moment. (Although they have a yummy looking 4 ct that I dream abbout.)

But I'm not in a huge rush.

The most important thing I have learned on PS is to not rush any decisions. If a vendor doesn't have anything on hand that suits your budget and tastes, don't settle. Wait it out, call other vendors, search on the secondary market.

You are 100% right. I just seem to get caught up in the rush of searching.

 

[meg_]

Hi Meg,
(My name too)

there is a really nice antique cushion on ebay...Diamond Zone...2.35c GIA J VS2...it faces up nice and large
and they state it faces up like an I colorand is a great performer. It is set in a platinum antique ring and the price is $15k.

Maybe they will sell the stone without the setting...don't know. Anyway, it is one of my favorite large cushion cuts right now.
I like how large the K on OWD faces up too. But if you want an higher color i would go with the GIA J on ebay. From some of the posters here on PS they have used that vendor on EBay and feel their listings are accurate.

I'm not on my computer or i would post the link. Good luck!

Hi Meg!

I had actually emailed her already, and while she'll sell the stone alone it is not a huge difference in price. I'm going to keep watching it...

 

[meg_]

Anyone else have thoughts about this one? I spoke with VC yesterday and he is going to try and source me a few additional options. OWD has only a 10 day return window, so I likely won't be able to see all the stones together at once. Do you think that will matter?

Does anyone have opinions on this one from OWD?

There isn't a still shot on the website so Adam sent me this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qse6xhshKE&feature=em-share_video_user


Carat Weight: 2.28
Color: K
Clarity: VS2
Measure: 8.48*8.27*4.80
Cert: EGLLA
Depth: 58.0
Table: 53
Polish: Good
Symetry: Good
Girdle: vtn
Flourescence: None
Culet: Medium
Price: 11,411.00


It seems to face up really large - and I'd love the coverage!

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of your help!

 

[ariel144]

Anyone else have thoughts about this one? I spoke with VC yesterday and he is going to try and source me a few additional options. OWD has only a 10 day return window, so I likely won't be able to see all the stones together at once. Do you think that will matter?

Does anyone have opinions on this one from OWD?

There isn't a still shot on the website so Adam sent me this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qse6xhshKE&feature=em-share_video_user


Carat Weight: 2.28
Color: K
Clarity: VS2
Measure: 8.48*8.27*4.80
Cert: EGLLA
Depth: 58.0
Table: 53
Polish: Good
Symetry: Good
Girdle: vtn
Flourescence: None
Culet: Medium
Price: 11,411.00


It seems to face up really large - and I'd love the coverage!

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of your help!

I agree, that 2.28 K faces up so large...I don't think it is too shallow to make the leakage bad but what are Adam's comments on this stone. Someone stated that he tends to like the more shallow cuts. Looks like a nice stone for the price and size.

 

[meg_]

I agree, that 2.28 K faces up so large...I don't think it is too shallow to make the leakage bad but what are Adam's comments on this stone. Someone stated that he tends to like the more shallow cuts. Looks like a nice stone for the price and size.

He said it faces up bright and lively.

 

[Niel]

I say get it home and see how you feel.

 

[ariel144]

I say get it home and see how you feel.

Ditto...that's a lot of bling for the money...hope it's the one.

 

[meg_]

EEEK! She's here.

I think she's absolutely gorgeous. Definitely bright and fiery!

I need to ask Adam if he knows more about her history. She doesn't have as much of an antique look as some of the other stones I've seen. (I.e. the maltese cross isn't all that defined - which isn't necessarily a bad thing!) Is there such a thing as a transitional cut cushion?

But more importantly, she's huge. for a 2.28. I LOVE the coverage.

I need to stare at her for a while and see how I feel about the warmth of the stone. I don't think I'm particularly color sensitive and she has a great pastel cast that I think will look lovely in a rose gold setting. But, I just want to be sure!




You can see the color in this one. Actually it wasn't quite this yellow in person, but definitely warm.