Cushion ideal length:width ratio?

[yossyrian]

My fiance-to-be and I have pretty much settled on the setting and the shape, cushion, and are at the point where we are trying to determine our ideal length:width ratio. She currently prefers 1.15 - 1.20, however our jeweler has pointed out that we''ll have to make some concessions with diamond quality as we move away from a more square cut. Looking at bluenile, I beleive he is correct: the more rectangular you go, the more there seems to be some slippage with respect to clarity, color, girdle, etc. He also mentioned that an ideal depth for a cushion is 65% - thoughts on this? Rectangular is what she likes, and I''m inclined to get her what she wants, but I was wondering if there is a generally accepted L:W ratio for cushions. Looking online it would seem there is no rule of thumb:

"There are no established "ideal proportions" for a cushion cut diamond, however there are cushion cut diamonds which are clearly more beautiful than others as a result of the attention to detail during the cutting process."
http://www.niceice.com/cushion_cut_diamonds.htm

"Cushion cut diamonds can be cut to a square outline of 1.00 or an elongated outline with a 1.30 ratio as the ideal."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/jewelry/?ie=UTF8&popup=common%2Cstone_length_to_width_ratio

"Squarer-looking cushion cuts (Ratio of 1:1) tend to be prefered to more rectangular ones (Ratio of 1.2:1). Cushion cuts should not exceed a ratio of 1.2:1"
http://www.gemnation.com/base?processor=getPage&pageName=shape

"we suggest a classic pillow shape with the length-to-width ratio of 1.10 to 1.20."
http://www.diamondsourceva.com/Education/Shape/diamonds-shape-cushion-cut.asp

My current desired specs are:

Carat: 1.5 - 2.0
Clarity: VVS2 and above (would drop to Vs2 if needed)
Cut: Very Good (as defined by bluenile
Color: DEF
LW: 1.15 - 1.20

Am I kidding myself?

 

[neatfreak]

No offense, but your jeweler is full of it. There are PLENTY of ideally cut, modern cushions that are not square. Including mine.

Do yourself a favor if you really want a cushion and call Mark at ERD. He is fondly known as the "cushion king" around here, and for good reason!

ETA: Your clarity is also waaaaay overkill. You can easily drop to a VS2 with no problems.

 

[JulieN]

color, clarity, girdle..fancies, bleh. doesn't tell you anything.

mroe rectangular just means less round; round is the best shape for light performance.

Definitely drop to VS2, or SI1.

Extend L/W to...maybe 1.12 or 1.10, just to widen your pool of options.

What's your budget?

 

[yossyrian]

Thanks both.

Budget is $16k or so for the diamond.

"she" likes the more rectangular 1.2 look, and I''m trying to figure out if it''s purely a matter of taste or if there is more to it than that.

 

[JulieN]

http://www.gemappraisers.com/shapePickerNew.asp

Choose round/oval/cushion. Bring ratio to 1.2. Somewhere around 20% bulge is the line between oval and cushion, IMO.

I think it is more of an issue in emeralds, where the angle of the corners can affect what is the perceived L/W ratio, maybe more than the bulge affects cushions.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/5/2007 11:37:57 PM
Author: yossyrian
Thanks both.


Budget is $16k or so for the diamond.


''she'' likes the more rectangular 1.2 look, and I''m trying to figure out if it''s purely a matter of taste or if there is more to it than that.

Then get her the rectangular look. Mine sparkles like mad because it''s a great cut, it doesn''t really matter that it''s a tad rectangular. And please, don''t try and buy a cushion sight unseen from bluenile. Call Mark, tell him what you want, and he''ll hand select some that meet your specs and even ship them to you for inspection if you want. Not to mention the lifetime upgrade policy.

 

[yossyrian]

Interesting link, thanks. I guess there is no way for me to guage for this bulge factor w/o a picture of the diamonds I''m considering?

 

[JulieN]

eh, you don''t need to analyse it or anything. it''s just interesting. don''t buy cushions without pictures.

 

[yossyrian]

Thanks for the recommendation - I''m in Manhattan so maybe I''ll stop by Mark''s

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/5/2007 11:58:21 PM
Author: yossyrian
Thanks for the recommendation - I''m in Manhattan so maybe I''ll stop by Mark''s

Oh lucky you! Make an appointment first. But Mark is seriously great, you won''t regret it. And some of the best prices around too.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Ideal L:W is relative to the eye..... mine is 1.26 and I think it''s a great length.... however, if I were to say what was ideal I would say 1.10 to 1.15 is IMO classic. Not ideal, just classic. Some like very square and some like elongated. There''s no wrong answer.

 

[EAT]

My cushion is 1.19 ratio and excellent / excellent cut. I agree with Neatfreak, go to Mark and see a bunch of stones in person. Mine is a vvs2, but I would have been happier to go lower.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I think it is just what the wearer wants. Now days there are GREAT rectangular cushions out there. They have alot of sparkle.

I think mine is 1.27 I wanted at least 1.2 and loved the look of 1.25 and over when I got to see them in person. It''s what I think looks best on my finger.

So go with what your GF wants. Just be sure to get a great cut for the sparkle factor!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 6/6/2007 5:10:13 PM
Author: Stone Hunter
I think it is just what the wearer wants. Now days there are GREAT rectangular cushions out there. They have alot of sparkle.

I think mine is 1.27 I wanted at least 1.2 and loved the look of 1.25 and over when I got to see them in person. It''s what I think looks best on my finger.

So go with what your GF wants. Just be sure to get a great cut for the sparkle factor!

hey SH I haven''t seen you in a while and I missed you!! Happy to see you

I originally thought I wanted a cushion around 1.40:1 but I think mine is plenty long. There''s just no wrong answer.... as long as the cut compliments the length. I don''t think my cut compliments the length all that much but I love it anyway.... boston jeff''s is "classic" (IMO) proportions and not as extreme. The cuts like stone hunters though can be *any* length - even longer than hers - and have no bowties or anything like that. they just look amazing.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Date: 6/6/2007 5:28:36 PM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 6/6/2007 5:10:13 PM
Author: Stone Hunter
I think it is just what the wearer wants. Now days there are GREAT rectangular cushions out there. They have alot of sparkle.

I think mine is 1.27 I wanted at least 1.2 and loved the look of 1.25 and over when I got to see them in person. It''s what I think looks best on my finger.

So go with what your GF wants. Just be sure to get a great cut for the sparkle factor!

hey SH I haven''t seen you in a while and I missed you!! Happy to see you

I originally thought I wanted a cushion around 1.40:1 but I think mine is plenty long. There''s just no wrong answer.... as long as the cut compliments the length. I don''t think my cut compliments the length all that much but I love it anyway.... boston jeff''s is ''classic'' (IMO) proportions and not as extreme. The cuts like stone hunters though can be *any* length - even longer than hers - and have no bowties or anything like that. they just look amazing.

Thanks.

 

[yossyrian]

Thank You all for the input. My follow-up question: Modifed Brilliant Cushion vs. Brilliant Cushion ... does it matter. From the top, and w/o looking at the bottom too closely, it didn''t make a whole lot of difference to met, but I''ve heard some people who really feel strongly about the more classic Modified.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I really really think that you have to go with what you like best.

I truly love the facet pattern in my stone. Find a stone that has a cut that you love. If you don''t see a difference then it doesn''t matter to you.

HTH

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 6/6/2007 10:59:34 PM
Author: yossyrian
Thank You all for the input. My follow-up question: Modifed Brilliant Cushion vs. Brilliant Cushion ... does it matter. From the top, and w/o looking at the bottom too closely, it didn''t make a whole lot of difference to met, but I''ve heard some people who really feel strongly about the more classic Modified.

If you''ve seen them and it didn''t matter to you - then that''s all the answer you need!! Who cares what other picky opinionated people like myself think LOL

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/6/2007 10:59:34 PM
Author: yossyrian
Thank You all for the input. My follow-up question: Modifed Brilliant Cushion vs. Brilliant Cushion ... does it matter. From the top, and w/o looking at the bottom too closely, it didn''t make a whole lot of difference to met, but I''ve heard some people who really feel strongly about the more classic Modified.

If you can, I would see if you can find out what SHE likes. They are quite different IMO and just because she likes one type of cushion does NOT mean she would like a different one.

 

[Sassee]

Yep, in the end, its about seeing the diamonds and finding what really makes you drool!!

I can''t remember the exact specs on the cushion I am getting (embarrasing, yes, but I am afraid I am not as technically inclined as a lot of you fabulous posters) but it is definitely a more elongated stone. It suits me a lot more than the chubby square-ish cushions. It has amazing sparkle and fire, is a great cut and is a D colour (SI1 but totally eye clean - especially for a blindy like me!!)

I saw quite a few stones but nothing compared to the first one I viewed. It was beautiful and I fell in love

Now just have to wait patiently for jeweller to make the ring, for the boy to pick it up and for the proposal... (not much to wait for at all really!!)

Oh yeah, and after that, for the boy to take pictures so that I can post them here!!

 

[Stone Hunter]

Date: 6/7/2007 3:44:45 AM
Author: Sassee
Yep, in the end, its about seeing the diamonds and finding what really makes you drool!!

I can''t remember the exact specs on the cushion I am getting (embarrasing, yes, but I am afraid I am not as technically inclined as a lot of you fabulous posters) but it is definitely a more elongated stone. It suits me a lot more than the chubby square-ish cushions. It has amazing sparkle and fire, is a great cut and is a D colour (SI1 but totally eye clean - especially for a blindy like me!!)

I saw quite a few stones but nothing compared to the first one I viewed. It was beautiful and I fell in love

Now just have to wait patiently for jeweller to make the ring, for the boy to pick it up and for the proposal... (not much to wait for at all really!!)

Oh yeah, and after that, for the boy to take pictures so that I can post them here!!

Where oh where did you find this lovely stone? I wanted to go lower in clarity but couldn''t find that and all the other specs I wanted when I was looking. Of course wanting a rectangular cushion and Fluor and tight specs did limit me. But it sounds like you found a real winner! Congrats.

 

[Sassee]

^^^

Stonehunter,

I just think that we were incredibly lucky. I am actually in Melbourne, Australia, and it was literally the first stone I saw. Cushions are still a bit of a rarity in Oz, so it was not like there was a massive range to choose from. However, this was a GIA certified stone, so we felt comfortable that what we were being told was accurate, and the diamond consultant at the jeweller we visited (a manufacturing jeweller called Charles Rose) was blown away by it. She said it was a fantastic stone and what really set it apart was the D colour. The cut must be pretty good too, because it was shooting off light and rainbows everywhere!

I hope that when the ring is finally on my finger (might still be a couple of months away) that i won''t be overcome by shyness so that I can post some pictures!!

 

[diagem]

Date: 6/5/2007 11:01:53 PM
Author:yossyrian
My fiance-to-be and I have pretty much settled on the setting and the shape, cushion, and are at the point where we are trying to determine our ideal length:width ratio. She currently prefers 1.15 - 1.20, however our jeweler has pointed out that we''ll have to make some concessions with diamond quality as we move away from a more square cut. Looking at bluenile, I beleive he is correct: the more rectangular you go, the more there seems to be some slippage with respect to clarity, color, girdle, etc. He also mentioned that an ideal depth for a cushion is 65% - thoughts on this? Rectangular is what she likes, and I''m inclined to get her what she wants, but I was wondering if there is a generally accepted L:W ratio for cushions. Looking online it would seem there is no rule of thumb:
No concessions!!! Just spending quality time finding the right one...
No "Ideal" period!!! The longer you go..., most chances are that you will go deeper...., (And I have seen some drop dead gorgeous ones at 80% plus TD. It all depends on the way it was fashioned/cut...

''There are no established ''ideal proportions'' for a cushion cut diamond, however there are cushion cut diamonds which are clearly more beautiful than others as a result of the attention to detail during the cutting process.''
http://www.niceice.com/cushion_cut_diamonds.htm
So True!!! In cutting Diamonds..., Attention comes from experience and professionalism!
Try to chose someone who has had experience with the wild range of Cushions...

''Cushion cut diamonds can be cut to a square outline of 1.00 or an elongated outline with a 1.30 ratio as the ideal.''
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/jewelry/?ie=UTF8&popup=common%2Cstone_length_to_width_ratio
Again..., No "Ideal" period! Have seen gorgeous ones at 2 to 1 also!!!

''Squarer-looking cushion cuts (Ratio of 1:1) tend to be prefered to more rectangular ones (Ratio of 1.2:1). Cushion cuts should not exceed a ratio of 1.2:1''
http://www.gemnation.com/base?processor=getPage&pageName=shape
I have never seen any statistics!!!

''we suggest a classic pillow shape with the length-to-width ratio of 1.10 to 1.20.''
http://www.diamondsourceva.com/Education/Shape/diamonds-shape-cushion-cut.asp

My current desired specs are:

Carat: 1.5 - 2.0
Clarity: VVS2 and above (would drop to Vs2 if needed)
Cut: Very Good (as defined by bluenile
Color: DEF
LW: 1.15 - 1.20

Am I kidding myself? Not at all!!!!! Just time...

 

[Stone Hunter]

Date: 6/7/2007 9:17:18 PM
Author: Sassee
^^^

Stonehunter,

I just think that we were incredibly lucky. I am actually in Melbourne, Australia, and it was literally the first stone I saw. Cushions are still a bit of a rarity in Oz, so it was not like there was a massive range to choose from. However, this was a GIA certified stone, so we felt comfortable that what we were being told was accurate, and the diamond consultant at the jeweller we visited (a manufacturing jeweller called Charles Rose) was blown away by it. She said it was a fantastic stone and what really set it apart was the D colour. The cut must be pretty good too, because it was shooting off light and rainbows everywhere!

I hope that when the ring is finally on my finger (might still be a couple of months away) that i won''t be overcome by shyness so that I can post some pictures!!

Congratulations on your luck! It sounds like a wonderfully cut stone.

Please don''t be shy! We NEED more cushion pictures here! It''s a MUST have. Please contribute.