Help w/ Elongated Cushion Lab Diamond

[ForestGreen]

Hi there!

You all seem super kind and helpful based on other threads I've read - thank you for what you do! I would like to kindly ask your opinion on this 2.51 Carat cushion lab diamond. Does it look like it has a fisheye to you? I can't tell if the slightly blurry circle around the table edge is normal or not. Looks beautiful to me, but I'm no trained eye. The SO is determined on the elongated cushion look, and just want to make sure I'm not making any mistakes. FYI I can return this if needed.

Thank you so much!

Link to Video: https://imgur.com/a/NR1fiB3

 

[ForestGreen]

Bumping this! Thanks anyone/everyone!

 

[AL12]

I’m not an expert but I’m definitely seeing the “fisheye” that you mentioned. Sometimes with fancy cuts, beauty is in the eye of the beholder…basically it might not bother your SO, but personally I’m not a fan of it!

 

[ForestGreen]

I’m not an expert but I’m definitely seeing the “fisheye” that you mentioned. Sometimes with fancy cuts, beauty is in the eye of the beholder…basically it might not bother your SO, but personally I’m not a fan of it!

Got it, starting to understand more that fancy cuts are about interpretation. Thank you

 

[AL12]

Got it, starting to understand more that fancy cuts are about interpretation. Thank you

Maybe try and get her to provide photos (lots!) of cushion cuts that she likes and focus on a trend in the faceting she leans toward. Maybe you’ve already done this? She might like splintery crushed ice or she might like more chunky facets. I wavered between both and at the end of the day actually decided to get a radiant cut!

Once that’s determined you can come back and post more finds. There are some really great experts here who can analyze the GIA specs and cut for you!

 

[ForestGreen]

Maybe try and get her to provide photos (lots!) of cushion cuts that she likes and focus on a trend in the faceting she leans toward. Maybe you’ve already done this? She might like splintery crushed ice or she might like more chunky facets. I wavered between both and at the end of the day actually decided to get a radiant cut!

Once that’s determined you can come back and post more finds. There are some really great experts here who can analyze the GIA specs and cut for you!

Great advice

 

[ariel144]

I didn't read your first post and just watched the video. I was like: Isn't that a big fish eye? Who ever the vendor is I would question their ability to judge a well cut cushion.

I do not care for that "modified" facet pattern in cushion cuts. Look for a "cushion brilliant" (NOT "modified") with an 8 main star faceting...which is extremely RARE in lab diamonds and earth-mined cushions these days.

There was one OP that was using a British website for lab diamonds and they actually had some "cushion brilliants" and even some antique faceted lab cushions. It seems like I also found some on Ritani's site. I can usually spot them when see lots of cushions on the same page like James Allen lists theirs.

You can find these on www.distinctivegems.com Jon is known for his well cut cushions for best performance! But you will pay a premium

When looking for your cushion put in an "Advanced Search" and put in the depth at the mid 60% and the table at mid 50% to find one with an high crown. The smaller the table, the higher the crown. An high crown creates that "pillowy" look thus the "cushion" cut.

The good thing about IGI grading is they include the crown height on cushions, radiants etc. Whereas GIA does not.

If you post your budget here expert PSr's will help you find the best cushion for your $$.

 

[ariel144]

IGI "cushion brilliant" ....not the facet pattern I was referring to, but note the depth and table. Mid 60's and mid 50's. The video is not working. nor the picture:

3.00 Carat Cushion Lab Grown Diamond E Color SI1 Clarity Very Good Cut | Ritani

3 Carat Cushion Lab Diamond VG Cut E Color SI1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG468103909

www.ritani.com

An 8 main facet pattern looks like an 8 pointed star.
Like THIS! I don't know or understand why IGI is labeling this a modified cushion because this is a "cushion brilliant" according to GIA. This stone is on Distinctive Gem and is an ultra performing cushion cut. He has these cut really deep 70% so they also face up smaller. But note the high crown! LOVE!

1.38ct J SI1 Distinctive Cushion Cut Private Reserve Lab Grown Diamond

Some of the first Distinctive Rectangular Cushion Cuts and they came out *amazing*. Diamond Details Measurements 6.83x6.26x4.48 mm Cut Id Polish Ex Symmetry Ex Fluorescence None Culet None Report Table 52% Depth 71.6%

www.distinctivegem.com

You can see an 8 main cushion pattern here:

Verify Your Report

Ensure authenticity & accuracy of your report here. Verify your gemstone report online for complete confidence in your precious investments.

www.igi.org

Antique cut:

2.02ct F VS1 August Vintage Rectangular Cushion Cut Private Reserve Lab Grown Diamond

Diamond Details Measurements 7.93 x 7.18 x 4.81 mm Cut Id Polish Ex Symmetry Ex Fluorescence None Culet long Report Table 46.5% Depth 67%

www.distinctivegem.com

I assume she wants an elongated cushion since your video is a slightly elongated cushion.

 

[ariel144]

Check out this site for lab cushions, then you will know which flavor of cushion you prefer. She has some beautiful antique cut cushions. And lots of videos of her rings!

Product

Lauren B specializes in custom engagement ring design, loose diamonds, fine jewelry, moissanites and more. Browse online or in our New York store

www.laurenbjewelry.com

 

[ForestGreen]

IGI "cushion brilliant" ....not the facet pattern I was referring to, but note the depth and table. Mid 60's and mid 50's. The video is not working. nor the picture:

3.00 Carat Cushion Lab Grown Diamond E Color SI1 Clarity Very Good Cut | Ritani

3 Carat Cushion Lab Diamond VG Cut E Color SI1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG468103909

www.ritani.com

An 8 main facet pattern looks like an 8 pointed star.
Like THIS! I don't know or understand why IGI is labeling this a modified cushion because this is a "cushion brilliant" according to GIA. This stone is on Distinctive Gem and is an ultra performing cushion cut. He has these cut really deep 70% so they also face up smaller. But note the high crown! LOVE!

1.38ct J SI1 Distinctive Cushion Cut Private Reserve Lab Grown Diamond

Some of the first Distinctive Rectangular Cushion Cuts and they came out *amazing*. Diamond Details Measurements 6.83x6.26x4.48 mm Cut Id Polish Ex Symmetry Ex Fluorescence None Culet None Report Table 52% Depth 71.6%

www.distinctivegem.com

You can see an 8 main cushion pattern here:

Verify Your Report

Ensure authenticity & accuracy of your report here. Verify your gemstone report online for complete confidence in your precious investments.

www.igi.org

Antique cut:

2.02ct F VS1 August Vintage Rectangular Cushion Cut Private Reserve Lab Grown Diamond

Diamond Details Measurements 7.93 x 7.18 x 4.81 mm Cut Id Polish Ex Symmetry Ex Fluorescence None Culet long Report Table 46.5% Depth 67%

www.distinctivegem.com

I assume she wants an elongated cushion since your video is a slightly elongated cushion.

Thank you so much for your insight, it's truly appreciated! Original diamond will be returned. I have to say, I absolutely love that Antique cut. She likes the style of an elongated cushion, but also loves Antique cuts (I just never saw them pop up as a lab diamond). My budget is ~$5800 for the stone, so unfortunately the one you linked to isn't doable. So pretty though... That 1.38ct SI1 stone is also beautiful - interesting about how it faces up smaller and performs better that way!

I'm leaning towards CVD, but noticed an interesting trend of fisheyes appearing more commonly on CVD elongated cushions vs HPHT. Not sure if there's any rhyme or reason to that?

 

[ForestGreen]

Check out this site for lab cushions, then you will know which flavor of cushion you prefer. She has some beautiful antique cut cushions.

Product

Lauren B specializes in custom engagement ring design, loose diamonds, fine jewelry, moissanites and more. Browse online or in our New York store

www.laurenbjewelry.com

Just as I was saying I love Antique cuts! Thank you

 

[AL12]

So glad @ariel144 came to share her expertise! I’m a novice when it comes to the more detailed information she was able to provide. Figured someone with more knowledge would come along so I gave the thread a little bump bc I didn’t love that fisheye!

DG will come at a premium price and their antique cushions are cut with a modern precision (if that makes sense?) to optimize light performance and optics. You can trust that you will get amazing light return but note that it may not come with the character of a true old cut or maybe even some of the lab antique cushions that are starting to come out (you’ve started looking at a good time, I want to say the number of lab cushions and vendors providing have really gone up in just the last year alone!). DG will also provide amazing customer service and has a buy back program even for their labs if you want to upgrade in the future (at least from when I last talked to them) or you can even sign up for a custom cut service and if the stone comes back a larger size you don’t pay extra (last time I checked).

Lauren B: I’ve looked at their IG and website a lot. They seem to really appeal to the feminine aesthetic when they market and I’ve seen lots of pretty elongated lab cushions coming through. Some cut more modern and also some in an antique style. I’m not positive on their pricing and I can’t vouch for them but try searching for the vendor here on PS to get some more info. If I was in the market for a cushion and maybe needed some more inspiration versus searching a mass inventory on my own I would definitely be checking them out. Labs are fairly new for this vendor FYI.

DiamondsbyLauren (not to be confused with above): doesn’t seem to have as much inventory but I’ve heard good things about their customer service and their price point seems to be very fair based on a few stones I was eyeing. Maybe you will get lucky and they will have something for you!

I think cushions can be a hard cut to nail down when shopping for your SO, there’s a lot of personal preference that comes into play. But everyone is so helpful here and I know the end result will be worth it.