Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Cushion vs Round in Cushion Halo

N

NUGS18

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
6
Hi all! Long time lurker here, finally getting to design the ring of my dreams! I know that I would like an SK cushion halo, but am up in the air about a round diamond vs. a cushion cut. I love the vintage look of the AVCs (never seen in person, just online), but am also intrigued by the added sparkle and larger diameter a round stone of the same size would allow.

For reference - my ring size is 3.5, we are looking for stones around the 2ct mark for either round or cushion, at a price point of about $15k give or take for the entire project (there is flexibility there). The setting will be yellow gold, so warmer colors are no problem.

If anyone can give me some pros/cons/pics of a round vs. cushion in a cushion halo I would appreciate it!! This forum has been an amazing reference!
 
For the most recent mounting of my previous diamond (that I traded in 3 mos ago), I put a round into a halo made for a cushion. My personal recommendation:
HONESTLY, if you are just starting out on this journey, if you want a cushion halo you should get a cushion and not try to make a round look like a cushion.
The only caveat is if you ever decided you were tired of the halo mounting and wanted to do something different, would you have the flexibility/adaptability to do that with the cushion (would YOU feel there were limitations because you didn't have a round???).
But, with that said, you don't want to go into this with your foot halfway out the door, so to speak. If you love the look of the cushion halo then go with a cushion stone. In my case, I already had the stone so I had to make it adapt. You are in the driver's seat and get to do it right from the get-go.
Also, I would not worry about a 2 carat cushion WITH A HALO looking too small on your size 3.5 finger. And, trust me, it is really true what they say about how much larger a halo makes a ring look!!!
I'm excited for you!!!
 
B2934D22-5ACE-41A9-924F-B842AFBF7E53.jpeg
headlight said:
For the most recent mounting of my previous diamond (that I traded in 3 mos ago), I put a round into a halo made for a cushion. My personal recommendation:
HONESTLY, if you are just starting out on this journey, if you want a cushion halo you should get a cushion and not try to make a round look like a cushion.
The only caveat is if you ever decided you were tired of the halo mounting and wanted to do something different, would you have the flexibility/adaptability to do that with the cushion (would YOU feel there were limitations because you didn't have a round???).
But, with that said, you don't want to go into this with your foot halfway out the door, so to speak. If you love the look of the cushion halo then go with a cushion stone. In my case, I already had the stone so I had to make it adapt. You are in the driver's seat and get to do it right from the get-go.
Also, I would not worry about a 2 carat cushion WITH A HALO looking too small on your size 3.5 finger. And, trust me, it is really true what they say about how much larger a halo makes a ring look!!!
I'm excited for you!!!
Click to expand...

Thank you, headlight! I’ve always thought I wanted a cushion, but was surprised by how much I liked the round in a cushion halo. Which is why I’m torn!

This is a side by side comparison I did at a local jewelry store. Both 2ct weight stones in similar settings to what I’d like to eventually have created.
 
Part of the reason that SK's settings are so amazing it that they are custom made to delicately encompass the stone in a cradle of diamonds:love:. His settings are known for having no airline (gap between the halo and the stone) and minimal metal showing. It's what makes his halo settings little sparkle bombs;)2. I think that if you were to place a round stone in a cushion setting you will have a gap/airline and more metal showing.

Also, I am sorry to say that I don't think that you will be able to hit the 2 carat mark (for a round or cushion) with your budget for the stone alone. Add to that, an Sk setting will will likely be >3-4K at least for his platinum handforged settings. Not sure what his prices are like for cast YG, but I would still expect it to be several thousand.

Congratulations on your new ring!:wavey:
 
Octo2005 said:
Part of the reason that SK's settings are so amazing it that they are custom made to delicately encompass the stone in a cradle of diamonds:love:. His settings are known for having no airline (gap between the halo and the stone) and minimal metal showing. It's what makes his halo settings little sparkle bombs;)2. I think that if you were to place a round stone in a cushion setting you will have a gap/airline and more metal showing.

Also, I am sorry to say that I don't think that you will be able to hit the 2 carat mark (for a round or cushion) with your budget for the stone alone. Add to that, an Sk setting will will likely be >3-4K at least for his platinum handforged settings. Not sure what his prices are like for cast YG, but I would still expect it to be several thousand.

Congratulations on your new ring!:wavey:
Click to expand...
If the SK setting is custom made to delicately encompass the stone, wouldn't it then avoid the issue with gap/airline because the halo would be created for the specific round stone?
 
NUGS18 said:
B2934D22-5ACE-41A9-924F-B842AFBF7E53.jpeg

Thank you, headlight! I’ve always thought I wanted a cushion, but was surprised by how much I liked the round in a cushion halo. Which is why I’m torn!

This is a side by side comparison I did at a local jewelry store. Both 2ct weight stones in similar settings to what I’d like to eventually have created.
Click to expand...
For me, I don't (didn't) like seeing the girdle's edge of the round in the halo for a cushion. Essentially, we are talking about putting a round shape into a square shape. My jeweler actually did a really good job but I still felt like it just wasn't right. It almost would've been better had we left the gap/airline as it would've lent itself to being a bit less "heavy" for lack of a better word. For the jeweler to do his "illusion magic" to make it seem like there was no gap just created a situation where it looked like the diamond was too large for the halo. So it was like either too small (gaps) or too big ("overflow") for the halo... hence, trying to fit a round peg into a square hole, as the saying goes!
The cushion cut diamond in the cushion created halo is "meant to be".
 
I apologize for not being up to speed... who is SK?
 
headlight said:
I apologize for not being up to speed... who is SK?
Click to expand...

No worries :D SK is Steven Kirsch...known for hand forged, very well done pave/halo rings!

And thanks for that analysis. I can see what you mean about the possible gap and too much metal showing. I’ve never worked with any of these artists before, so I’m not sure if he’ll have examples there to see. But I’m assuming not!
 
headlight said:
If the SK setting is custom made to delicately encompass the stone, wouldn't it then avoid the issue with gap/airline because the halo would be created for the specific round stone?
Click to expand...
He will certainly try his best, but he can't make a round stone square

headlight said:
For me, I don't (didn't) like seeing the girdle's edge of the round in the halo for a cushion. Essentially, we are talking about putting a round shape into a square shape. My jeweler actually did a really good job but I still felt like it just wasn't right. It almost would've been better had we left the gap/airline as it would've lent itself to being a bit less "heavy" for lack of a better word. For the jeweler to do his "illusion magic" to make it seem like there was no gap just created a situation where it looked like the diamond was too large for the halo. So it was like either too small (gaps) or too big ("overflow") for the halo... hence, trying to fit a round peg into a square hole, as the saying goes!
The cushion cut diamond in the cushion created halo is "meant to be".
Click to expand...
This^^^^^^
 
NUGS18 said:
No worries :D SK is Steven Kirsch...known for hand forged, very well done pave/halo rings!

And thanks for that analysis. I can see what you mean about the possible gap and too much metal showing. I’ve never worked with any of these artists before, so I’m not sure if he’ll have examples there to see. But I’m assuming not!
Click to expand...
He will have samples for you to look at and try on. He can also design something that is a mix of one or more of his designs or create something completely original
 
Personally I would look at some cushion stones and then decide. You already know what a round diamond looks like but cushions have immense variety. ALex at parks fine group is worth reaching out to to see what inventory he may have.
 
Also, to see what might appeal to you I would run some searches at love affair diamonds and jewels by grace. All of their past sold inventory is still visible.
 
Round. You’ll get more size for your budget (especially because well cut cushions can be very expensive
 
715692ED-5F96-4940-AC83-3948CEAA51DF.jpeg 38AD7E47-AD31-4584-BCF5-35F9BF1E612F.jpeg 4C739DF1-1DD7-459E-ACB9-6E9ACD73F43A.jpeg
Example of a round in a cushion halo. My ring is from Victor Canera. The cushion shape is adapted to the size of the round.
 
FC4B8B04-317C-4ACC-8FE6-91F0C4EC7771.jpeg 1D5ACF3F-8F02-47AB-A0C2-1ED86990CEB7.jpeg 4DD6CACE-852C-4559-B340-66530A69B2C0.jpeg
Examples of rounds in cushion halos
 
Acinom said:
715692ED-5F96-4940-AC83-3948CEAA51DF.jpeg 38AD7E47-AD31-4584-BCF5-35F9BF1E612F.jpeg 4C739DF1-1DD7-459E-ACB9-6E9ACD73F43A.jpeg
Example of a round in a cushion halo. My ring is from Victor Canera. The cushion shape is adapted to the size of the round.
Click to expand...

@Acinom Sorry to be distracted from your beautiful bling and thread jack...but could you share about the bag in the background? I have been searching for one that exact color.
 
I had a round diamond and I had it set into a cushion halo, and I love it. It's by maytal hannah who has also made another ring and an eternity band for me. I had it in a previous mounting, so buying a cushion wasn't an option, but I just love the way round diamonds sparkle, and I hear they are better resell if you ever want to upgrade int he future. If you are in the LA area you can see samples in person, otherwise, you can always email maytal and I'm sure she can email you pictures (and for hand forged her prices are good).
I can't wait to hear what you end up going with. Good luck! IMG_5400.JPGIMG_5391.jpgIMG_3403.pngIMG_3483.jpg
 
A friend of mine has a BGD signature cushion in a chunkier SK halo, it is a beautiful ring:

E807A2BB-4E37-448F-864E-5731B83C9537.jpeg

However, both round and cushion will work well with a well-executed cushion halo.
 

Attachments

  • D153F802-0167-40D3-9F6B-CF8375EAC31B.jpeg
    D153F802-0167-40D3-9F6B-CF8375EAC31B.jpeg
    167.9 KB · Views: 42
Donnass117 said:
I had a round diamond and I had it set into a cushion halo, and I love it. It's by maytal hannah who has also made another ring and an eternity band for me. I had it in a previous mounting, so buying a cushion wasn't an option, but I just love the way round diamonds sparkle, and I hear they are better resell if you ever want to upgrade int he future. If you are in the LA area you can see samples in person, otherwise, you can always email maytal and I'm sure she can email you pictures (and for hand forged her prices are good).
I can't wait to hear what you end up going with. Good luck! IMG_5400.JPGIMG_5391.jpgIMG_3403.pngIMG_3483.jpg
Click to expand...

I was going to comment that Maytal Hannah has done some excellent cushion halos for round diamonds with no heaviness or airlines. Yours is a perfect example!

OP, you mentioned AVCs, and personally I think an AVC in a fine yellow gold halo would be gorgeous. Have fun deciding!
 
I love the look of a round diamond in a nicely made cushion halo and I feel like a round diamond is a little bit more versatile if you ever want to un-halo the stone.

@SimoneDi Do you happen to know the size of your friend's center stone and halo stones?
 
I vote for a round stone in a solitaire. Live with it for a bit. Let it tell you if it wants a cushion halo or a round halo to be its forever home. Maybe the halo reset can be the one year anniversary of proposal gift.
 
kindred said:
I love the look of a round diamond in a nicely made cushion halo and I feel like a round diamond is a little bit more versatile if you ever want to un-halo the stone.

@SimoneDi Do you happen to know the size of your friend's center stone and halo stones?
Click to expand...
Her center stone is just under 0.9ct, ring size 5-5.25. I am not sure of the meleè size; we indicated to SK to create a “chunkier” halo and he determined the size. I would say between 1pt-2pt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top