Does a Small Table on Cushion = more "fire"

[GBlu05]

Generally speaking does a cushion or old mine brilliant cut with a small table have more fire than a cushion modified or cushion brilliant with a larger table? I''m interested in and have been (virtually) looking at cushions with a smaller table say 53-54% and depth of 67-69% I like the look of the larger crown and chunky facets...does the culet have a negative impact on the amount of light return?

I know that its hard to tell how a cushion will perform just by looking at the numbers but I have sense that some individuals on here have seen more than enough cushions over time have a well formed opinon on table size/depth , crown height, etc that they could share...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/26/2010 1:11:22 AM
Author:GBlu05
Generally speaking does a cushion or old mine brilliant cut with a small table have more fire than a cushion modified or cushion brilliant with a larger table? I'm interested in and have been (virtually) looking at cushions with a smaller table say 53-54% and depth of 67-69% I like the look of the larger crown and chunky facets...does the culet have a negative impact on the amount of light return?

I know that its hard to tell how a cushion will perform just by looking at the numbers but I have sense that some individuals on here have seen more than enough cushions over time have a well formed opinon on table size/depth , crown height, etc that they could share...

No hard and fast rules GBlu, you could have a cushion with proportions you would think would make for a beautiful and fiery stone but if the overall cut isn't great it won't be an effective performer. Take each diamond as a whole and make good use of images to narrow down, however expert vendor opinion is the best way to tell you about the individual performance of a stone and lastly, your own eyes and taste.

 

[diagem]

Date: 2/26/2010 6:44:51 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/26/2010 1:11:22 AM
Author:GBlu05
Generally speaking does a cushion or old mine brilliant cut with a small table have more fire than a cushion modified or cushion brilliant with a larger table? I''m interested in and have been (virtually) looking at cushions with a smaller table say 53-54% and depth of 67-69% I like the look of the larger crown and chunky facets...does the culet have a negative impact on the amount of light return?

I know that its hard to tell how a cushion will perform just by looking at the numbers but I have sense that some individuals on here have seen more than enough cushions over time have a well formed opinon on table size/depth , crown height, etc that they could share...

No hard and fast rules GBlu, you could have a cushion with proportions you would think would make for a beautiful and fiery stone but if the overall cut isn''t great it won''t be an effective performer. Take each diamond as a whole and make good use of images to narrow down, however expert vendor opinion is the best way to tell you about the individual performance of a stone and lastly, your own eyes and taste.

Best & simplest advice you could get when it comes to the Cushion Cut jungle....

The open culet does (kinda) have a negative effect on the amount of light return BUT it has positive effect on beauty/character

.

Which is more important to you?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/26/2010 6:58:24 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 2/26/2010 6:44:51 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/26/2010 1:11:22 AM
Author:GBlu05
Generally speaking does a cushion or old mine brilliant cut with a small table have more fire than a cushion modified or cushion brilliant with a larger table? I''m interested in and have been (virtually) looking at cushions with a smaller table say 53-54% and depth of 67-69% I like the look of the larger crown and chunky facets...does the culet have a negative impact on the amount of light return?

I know that its hard to tell how a cushion will perform just by looking at the numbers but I have sense that some individuals on here have seen more than enough cushions over time have a well formed opinon on table size/depth , crown height, etc that they could share...

No hard and fast rules GBlu, you could have a cushion with proportions you would think would make for a beautiful and fiery stone but if the overall cut isn''t great it won''t be an effective performer. Take each diamond as a whole and make good use of images to narrow down, however expert vendor opinion is the best way to tell you about the individual performance of a stone and lastly, your own eyes and taste.

Best & simplest advice you could get when it comes to the Cushion Cut jungle....

The open culet does (kinda) have a negative effect on the amount of light return BUT it has positive effect on beauty/character

.

Which is more important to you?

Thanks DiaGem, that means a lot coming from you!!!

 

[GBlu05]

Thanks everyone for their thoughts.....regarding the use of an expert opinion to help judge cushions besides Jon and Mark T are their other vendors whose "eyes" and experience you trust or respect? How about Leon? Would you trust his eyes to pick out a stone for you?

I read on his website that he is starting/expanding his diamond selecton services has anyone heard anything about this new service?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/26/2010 8:51:34 AM
Author: GBlu05
Thanks everyone for their thoughts.....regarding the use of an expert opinion to help judge cushions besides Jon and Mark T are their other vendors whose ''eyes'' and experience you trust or respect? How about Leon? Would you trust his eyes to pick out a stone for you?

I read on his website that he is starting/expanding his diamond selecton services has anyone heard anything about this new service?

I would also value Brian Gavin''s opinion, I am not familiar with Leon''s new service yet to be able to comment.

 

[Rhino]

Hi Gblue,

You''ve gotten good advice. Just my .02c

Date: 2/26/2010 1:11:22 AM
Author:GBlu05
Generally speaking does a cushion or old mine brilliant cut with a small table have more fire than a cushion modified or cushion brilliant with a larger table?

No guarantee. The fire in a cushion is dependant (and its brightness and contrast for that matter) are dependant moreso upon the relationship between the crown angles, pavilion angles, upper half angles and lower half angles. The nature of the fire and type of sparkle you will observe (large broad flash vs small pin flash or combo thereof) is primarily dependant upon the length to which those half facets are cut on the pavilion. Sadly none of this information is provided on lab reports.
What can be said "generally speaking" about smaller tables is they usually dictate taller crowns and I am a personal fan of small tables and tall crowns. It''s only a fraction of the entire equation that must be used to determine the rarest cushions. Ie. a good start but not conclusive.

I''m interested in and have been (virtually) looking at cushions with a smaller table say 53-54% and depth of 67-69% I like the look of the larger crown and chunky facets...does the culet have a negative impact on the amount of light return?

Diagem said it well. IMO a large culet on a vintage faceted cushion does not detract one iota. In fact in the overall scheme it becomes an afterthought and as Diagem said it adds to the overall character. I personally view it as a neutral. Certainly not a negative.

I know that its hard to tell how a cushion will perform just by looking at the numbers but I have sense that some individuals on here have seen more than enough cushions over time have a well formed opinon on table size/depth , crown height, etc that they could share...

A bit has been written recently but if you read em all the bottom line is its good info to have. Small tables and tall crowns say something to the aesthetics, particularly the profile (i like em too) but do not speak to the overall beauty and light performance. I''ve seen multitudes of cushions with small tables and tall crowns that I would not drop a dime on.

Hope that helps.