Help! First time buyer, opinions on this diamond

[Alastris]

Hi Everyone,

Newcomer to this forum. I am looking to buy a diamond for an engagement ring and find the information rather overwhelming, so I'm sorting through it. Found this one, pending to go see it but the truth is they all look very similar to my untrained eye. However, it's important to me in principle to get a quality ring for my partner even if I can't tell the difference.

Questions:

- Knowing full well that evaluating a ring goes well beyond a GIA report, are there any red flags here?
- Also, the jeweller (who is a family friend) said that the cut is excellent, which I now know to be subjective as GIA doesn't report cut for non-round diamonds. How would I verify that the cut is truly excellent to my very untrained eye?
- Any concerns regarding the dimensions, specifically the table and depth? the thin and thick facets?
- Finally, any concerns that the inclusions there may detract from the brilliance of the diamond?

Thanks in advance

 

[tyty333]

Seem like you already know that a fancy cut stone can not be evaluated from the report. Is this stone online anywhere with
pictures/videos?

- Knowing full well that evaluating a ring goes well beyond a GIA report, are there any red flags here? I dont see any red flags from the GIA report. Some people wont buy a diamond with a cavity in it but for fancy cuts I think other things take precedence as long as the cavity does not cause any kind of durability issue.
- Also, the jeweller (who is a family friend) said that the cut is excellent, which I now know to be subjective as GIA doesn't report cut for non-round diamonds. How would I verify that the cut is truly excellent to my very untrained eye?

Can you get an ASET image of the stone? You are smart to not necessarily take the jewelers word for it (friend or not).
Sometimes people qualify a stone as "Excellent" just because the depth and table fall within a certain range.
Unfortunately, that's just not enough to tell whether a stone is good or not.

- Any concerns regarding the dimensions, specifically the table and depth? the thin and thick facets? NO
- Finally, any concerns that the inclusions there may detract from the brilliance of the diamond? NO

Unfortunately, fancy-cut stones can show a lot of leakage (grayish area that doesn't flash). You need to find a stone that has
distinctive facets that are flashing on/off (unless you are looking for a crushed ice cushion). You need to look at them outside
of jewelers light (by a window, outside, if possible etc).

I'm going to post some stones that don't look good and some that do look good so you know what to look for. Are you looking for
a crushed cushion? That would make a difference.

(ignore any inclusions)
Cushions with decent faceting/light return

1.01 Carat cushion modified diamond

This cushion modified cut 1.01 carat G color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.01 Carat cushion modified diamond

This cushion modified cut 1.01 carat G color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Cushions that do not have good faceting/light return

1.00 Carat cushion modified diamond

This cushion modified cut 1 carat D color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.01 Carat cushion modified diamond

This cushion modified cut 1.01 carat G color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.01 Carat cushion modified diamond

This cushion modified cut 1.01 carat F color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Here is a guide on cushion diamonds and cuts that you might find interesting:

Cushion Cut Diamond Guide - (With Examples & Ideal Proportions)

Find out how to select a beautiful cushion cut diamond with our proven tips and the best proportions to look for. Also, watch me review a ring I bought.

beyond4cs.com

 

[tyty333]

Also...the first post on this thread has lots of info on the different types of cushions. Might help you to pick
out what kind you like and put a name on it. (most of the rest of the thread is about settings...you can ignore all that)

Cushion 101 : My Experience in Making a "Harry Winston" Halo

The Harry Winston Micropave halo ring is a very popular ring that has been made many times. The ring has a cushion diamond which is a slightly rounded square/rectangular diamond. A cushion diamond has a lot more variation than a diamond which makes it necessary for a bit more education. The ring...

www.pricescope.com

 

[TXwidow]

just a note: some of the vendors mentioned are now operating under new/different names, i.e. Jon no longer is with Good Old Gold and Erica and Grace are operating a bit differently also. Perhaps someone more familiar with these vendors might post an update

 

[Alastris]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am going to see the stone soon. I am told it is spectacular. However, as I research more and more it seems like the inclusions (particularly the one at the girdle) may make this stone a potential headache.

Rarecarat turned it down quickly because they felt that the cavity was a dealbreaker. Will the cavity devalue it over the long term and pose a risk to the structural integrity? It will be just where a prong will sit, most likely.