Help w/ cushion vs. oval decision!

[ephemery1]

Decisions, decisions... I have been torn between cushion and oval shapes for nearly a year. Originally I settled on cushion (after seeing only one in person, though) because I liked that soft, rounded shape, and the fact that it was fairly unusual... and I always pictured ovals as being too long and skinny. However... I came across an oval online that was a much lower L/W ratio than the norm... around 1.29. It was that same soft rounded look I liked about cushions, without being too narrow. PLUS it has a considerably larger spread per carat than the cushion tends to have, which would be a nice bonus for my long fingers!

My boyfriend still likes cushions better, because he says they're more unusual... and more sparkly. Anyone know if this is true? As for me, I'm a bit concerned that the traditional part of me will be "over" the unique cushion shape at some point, and I'll wish I'd gone with an oval that will be more unique and suited to my finger than a round, but not really "trendy" in any way. Oh, and the setting we both love is a thin, platinum band that tapers into 2 very small RBs, one on either side of the center stone.

So, any thoughts or opinions as I make my final decision? Anyone out there make a similar decision? Just curious as to what finally helped you decide. I'd love to see pix if anyone wants to post the stones they decided on. Also, any input on the "sparkle" of an oval vs. a cushion? Is it going to be impossible to find an oval without a horrible bow-tie? Or will that be easier with such a low-ratio oval? I currently have Mark T. at ERD looking at ovals for me, so I should have some certs in my inbox this afternoon! But I don't want to rule out cushions quite yet...

Thank you!!

 

[stacy4232]

I really love ovals and cushions. Those were the two shapes I was deciding between too. I ultimately decided on a cushion mainly because I liked the feel of the more antique styles and I thought the cushion cut fit in well with vintage style settings. As for sparkle, I think you could find comparable sparkle in both rings depending on how the diamonds were cut. I saw extremely sparkly ovals and cushions during my search. I settled on a modified brilliant cushion that has a faceting pattern more like a round brilliant.

I don''t think you can go wrong with either! Have fun looking!!

 

[SoonIHope]

CUSHION CUSHION CUSHION CUSHION!!!!!!!!!!

(hehe and no, no bias here!!

)

I don''t think you can consider cushions "trendy" because I have still never seen another real life person with one! They are an older cut of stone that has been around forever and now a few more designers are choosing to work with them (again), but they really are a very classic and timeless look, so as long as your setting isn''t easily date-able (which it doesn''t sound like) I don''t think cushions will ever look dated! And I don''t think you''d ever get tired of them because they have an elegant rounded shape if you like rounder stones, orrrr you can look at it as being more squarish/rectangular if that''s more to your taste at the moment!

I don''t have any good comparison for cushions and ovals, but my cushion is very sparkly! Hehe. That wasn''t helpful at all was it!

But yeah, don''t give up on cushions yet!!!! See a few more in person before you make the final decision!!! And, as always, remember to post pictures of whatever you end up with!!!

Your setting idea sounds beautiful, so whichever type of stone you choose, I''m positive it''ll be gorgeous!

 

[Dee*Jay]

I too went through the cushion/oval debate. I ended up with an oval a little over 3 cts becuase to get the same *size* cushion I would have had to go to almost 4 cts (and that might have caused my husband a heart attack... ) But I know what you mean about the shape. I''ve read that the "preferred" L/W ratio for ovals is 1.5, but that''s too skinny for me. Mine is 1.4 and I love the proportion.

If I were going to do this all over again (and to some degree I am--LOL!--because I have fallen out of love with my stone and am looking for a new one) I would consider the setting first. There is a Dimend Scaasi setting that if I would have seen earlier I would have bitten the bullet and gotten a 4 ct cushion just for the setting.

 

[SoonIHope]

As for the size issue....don''t forget that while cushions can be cut deep, they can also be cut shallow!!! Mine has only 55% depth but is suuuuper sparkly and doesn''t look shallow at all, which also adds about 1/2 or 3/4 of a carat size visually! Also if you get a more rectangular one, the optical effect is that of a larger stone than a square/round would be. I do love ovals too, though, but I don''t want these to be your REASONS for choosing an oval over a cushion!

 

[JenStone]

Cushion! The reasons I would prefer a cushion over an oval:

1. There are so many more options out there. OMC vs modern (I''m guessing that you''re leaning towards modern), square vs rectagular.....it seems you can find one to "fit" your style.
2. Well-cut cushions can be very difficult to find. Add that to finding one to fit your style...just the fact that you (or your SO) will have to search harder would make it that much more special.

 

[ephemery1]

Thanks so much for all your opinions... even though the majority is definitely leaning toward cushion at this point, it seems!!

Jen you are right about cushions being difficult to find, making them all the more special... my poor BF was looking for nearly 6 months on his own before he gave up and involved me in the search! The ones I have seen thus far have been relatively deep (a 68% and 73% depth!) so definitely smaller in spread than the similar size ovals I''ve seen. We are looking in the 1.3 - 1.5 carat range with our budget... and size is definitely not everything, but I really was in love with the look of the bigger stones on my finger.. I guess I''m a little afraid that normal diamond "shrinkage" will kick in even faster if I didn''t go with a slightly larger-spread stone!

But Albi you''re right that I shouldn''t quite call cushions "trendy" at this point... I definitely haven''t seen anyone else with one in real life. And they are versatile in their part-rectangle/part-rounded look... though I''ve really never liked square or rectangle diamond shapes... so I''d definitely want one that was as rounded-looking as possible!

Ugh... I wish I could just DECIDE already and finally have a ring on my finger...

this process seems like it''s been going on forever! I''m so notoriously indecisive, I just need somebody to make the decision for me. And I think I''d be leaning toward oval for sure if it weren''t for the fact that my BF prefers the cushion... he''s making me second-guess now.

Dee I''m curious why you''ve fallen out of love with your oval? What are you looking for now?

 

[diamondfan]

Though I think you cannot go wrong with either, I prefer cushions, but you have to be happy. You could keep looking for a cushion that is more spready but still well cut and that sparkles well...I honestly think they are both lovely and timeless...a cushion does combine roundishness (is this a word?) with a tailored ness. I think it would depend also on the setting, though most settings that would accomodate one well would likely as not work for the other shape too! Enjoy the hunt though it is frustrating too!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 5/9/2006 10:36:55 PM
Author: ephemery1

Dee I''m curious why you''ve fallen out of love with your oval? What are you looking for now?

The ONLY thing I dont'' love about my oval is that there are some wider flat facets on the ends causing some light leakage that drives me a little crazy in certain light. But otherwise it''s perfect -- LOVE the size, shape, color, clarity, L/W ratio, just need a little different cut...

 

[ecf8503]

Have you contacted Jonathan at Good Old Gold? He recently helped find an absolutely stunning oval for someone I know -

 

[ephemery1]

You guys are great... thanks so much for your input! Although I''m still uncertain...ugh.The few times I''ve been back to the same B&M in Philly to see both an oval and cushion they have in stock, I''ve thought maybe seeing them that next time would make me decide... but no such luck! So maybe I''ll ask Mark T. to keep an eye out for some spreadier cushions for me as well as he looks through the ovals. Hopefully the right one will just leap out at me when we find it!! Question: when an internet vendor is looking for stones for you, do you have him/her send them to somewhere near you to go and look? Or directly to you? How many stones?

Date: 5/10/2006 9:57:13 AM
Author: ecf8503
Have you contacted Jonathan at Good Old Gold? He recently helped find an absolutely stunning oval for someone I know -

What is the etiquette with this sort of thing? Since I''ve already been in touch with Mark T., would it make sense to contact somebody else as well now? Or should I just wait and see?

 

[ecf8503]

There are many people here who do look for stones through numerous vendors, so I don''t see it as a problem. I can only speak for Jonathan in this instance, but if you call or e-mail Good Old Gold, ask for Jonathan, tell him what you are looking for, and I''m sure he''ll be able to help. I recommended him to someone I know who was having no luck finding the "perfect oval", and after calling in a few different stones, Jonathan came up with a real stunner!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 5/10/2006 9:57:13 AM
Author: ecf8503
Have you contacted Jonathan at Good Old Gold? He recently helped find an absolutely stunning oval for someone I know -

I did actually e-mail back and forth with Jonathan (as well as some other PS vendors) but they only take in trade stones that they have sold in the first place and I need to use my current one as a trade in. So I'm kind of limited in my vendor choices. I actually have 4 people in Chicago who are willing to take my stone in trade, and who are working to find me something, but my requirements are QUITE specific at this point. (Amazing how your needs become so much more particular the second time around -- when you (hopefully!) finally figure out what you're doing!)