I color cushion

[DaCounselor]

I have been searching for the ever-elusive chunky-faceted cushion and I finally have a pretty good candidate - the only downside is that it is color-graded "I". Ideally I would like a stone in the "F-G" range but I set my parameters out to "H" to catch a possible outlier. Now I stumbled across an "I" that looks great except for the color grade. I have not seen the stone in person as it is across the country from where I am.

Are there any cushion and/or color experts out there who can weigh in on an "I"?? I''m really not interested in any sort of yellowish tint, even a mild one. I plan to set the stone in an antique-style platinum setting. Thanks for any input!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/22/2009 3:43:24 PM
Author:DaCounselor
I have been searching for the ever-elusive chunky-faceted cushion and I finally have a pretty good candidate - the only downside is that it is color-graded 'I'. Ideally I would like a stone in the 'F-G' range but I set my parameters out to 'H' to catch a possible outlier. Now I stumbled across an 'I' that looks great except for the color grade. I have not seen the stone in person as it is across the country from where I am.

Are there any cushion and/or color experts out there who can weigh in on an 'I'?? I'm really not interested in any sort of yellowish tint, even a mild one. I plan to set the stone in an antique-style platinum setting. Thanks for any input!!

What size is it and which lab grade? This can make a difference, but honestly if you aren't comfortable with even a small hint of warmth that you might notice from the side in some lights then I would look to see what else is out there if you can't see the diamond in person. The diamond won't be in any way yellow but it won't be an icy white if that makes sense - however if you trust the vendor who has the diamond, they may be able to tell you more about how the I colour presents itself.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 1/22/2009 3:43:24 PM
Author:DaCounselor
I''m really not interested in any sort of yellowish tint, even a mild one. I plan to set the stone in an antique-style platinum setting.

An "I" color diamond will exhibit a "hint" a very subtle "hint" of color but might easily be masked by the visual performance of a well cut cushion... We set "I" color diamonds in platinum all the time and the body color is not "noticeable" unless somebody is truly looking to determine whether they can detect a little warmth in the stone...

 

[jstarfireb]

The face-up color will depend on a lot of factors, including how reliable the lab grading is (an EGL I may be a GIA K in some cases!), the cut quality and light return, the particular kind of setting you choose, etc. I don''t know much about cushions at all, but I have an AGS ideal cut princess that''s an I, and I can''t tell the difference between it and an F color princess. Also, any hint of color that you would see in an I wouldn''t be face up; it would come from the sides, so if you set it in a closed basket or bezel, that would minimize any chance of seeing color.

 

[DaCounselor]

This particular cushion is graded "I" by the GIA so I assume that it is a legit "I". It is 1.6 carats. It looks really nice, but I am concerned about a hint of yellow with an "I". I have heard that the larger the stone, the more apparant a lower grade color will be. This concerns me a bit with a 1.6. Also wondering if the larger, chunkier facets will effect color perception?

 

[diagem]

Date: 1/22/2009 4:13:25 PM
Author: DaCounselor
This particular cushion is graded ''I'' by the GIA so I assume that it is a legit ''I''. It is 1.6 carats. It looks really nice, but I am concerned about a hint of yellow with an ''I''. I have heard that the larger the stone, the more apparant a lower grade color will be. This concerns me a bit with a 1.6. Also wondering if the larger, chunkier facets will effect color perception?

If you are overly concerned..., move higher...

Also..., since I understand its an old-type appearance..., if the crown height is significant..., color (light tint) will show at angles!

 

[neatfreak]

If you are uncomfortable with seeing any hint of color at all you should pass. Otherwise you''ll start imagining that it''s yellow and the stone won''t be mind clean for you.

 

[Upgradable]

Either I''m suffering an acute case of deja vu, or this is a recycled thread.....

Anybody else?

 

[Eva17]

i have an i color cushion. it is a larger size and it faces up an F. i am color sensitive and i don't have side tint either. my stone has sb flouro which is why it faces up so good. it is gia certed.

you don't mention flouro so i would guess there is none?

if there is no way for you to see this stone in person, maybe you should pass on it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would not mind an I color in a cushion that was going to be set in an antique style setting. I think it would be very appropriate.

 

[Todd Gray]

In my experience, it is difficult for the average consumer to discern a color grade or two, especially when diamonds are mounted. However there is also the "between the ears" factor and how it will affect how you sleep at night. One thing I know for certain, if you''re "looking for color" in a diamond, you''ll always find it! Better to bump up a color grade or two and buy what is going to settle your brain at night than try to save a bit and regret it... At least in my experience.

 

[diagem]

Date: 1/22/2009 5:22:06 PM
Author: Todd Gray
In my experience, it is difficult for the average consumer to discern a color grade or two, especially when diamonds are mounted. However there is also the ''between the ears'' factor and how it will affect how you sleep at night. One thing I know for certain, if you''re ''looking for color'' in a diamond, you''ll always find it! Better to bump up a color grade or two and buy what is going to settle your brain at night than try to save a bit and regret it... At least in my experience.

definitely if you are overly sensitive....

 

[indypitty]

I have an I color cushion that appears really white. (see avatar) Mine has an AGS certificate. The only time I notice any warmth is when it is side-by-side another diamond higher than I. I happen to prefer a little warmth in antique style cushions! Go with your gut, though, as others have said!

 

[DaCounselor]

Thanks all - going with my gut is the right call, so I am going to take a pass on the "I" and hold out for an icier grade. The diamond in question is GOG''s 1.61 I cushion. Jonathan has a video up on his site - it really is a beauty, if anyone else out there is looking for a chunky cushion and doesn''t mind the color grade....

 

[pixley]

Aww, that''s such a fantastic cushion. I hope it finds a good home on some PSr''s hand so we can see it set. It does seem to be tough to find those in the higher color grades, but it''s so worth it to hold out for what you really want.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I am like you and like ice white. What I have learnt and advice I received here - don''t settle! Get something you really want even if you have to wait.

 

[Rhino]

Hi DaCounselor,

If you are here in NY you''d be doing yourself an injustice not to see this for yourself. I have F, G and H colors here you can compare it to also. After making that comparison *then* see if you still think this is too yellow. I''ll bet ya a nice Italian lunch you don''t.

Hehe... seriously lunch would be on us of course.

Your call though.

Peace,

 

[missismene]

I recently went ring shopping for e rings (OEC diamonds in platinum setting) so I can tell you from experience on my hand.
I would not worry about the I coloring unless you are completely against color.
It will most likely show color, I thought some were gorgeous, others I could care less for. There were some K colors i liked more than their lower color counterparts, but I would have not known that nor considered it if I had not tried them on and considered different colors/cuts.
If you are able to try on some rings that you may consider, i would recommend it. It gives a much better perspective.
Also the lower color grades look different to me in the antique settings. It compliments the antique look.
You never know what you will love.
good luck.

 

[missismene]

That being said I could not agree on a diamond unless the color was G-H, so I understand wanting the more white colored diamond (considering I was specifically searching for an OEC).

 

[pixley]

I like Rhino''s challenge (mostly because it involves Italian food and diamonds, woo-hoo)!

DaCounselor,
Have you seen enough stones to know where you stand on the colour tolerance issue? It might be worth it to investigate that before you decide. I don''t like yellowy stones either, but I have an "I" round brilliant that I got from my mom that reads as more ivory white. It''s not icy like my "F" cushion but it''s never read as yellow.

 

[DaCounselor]

Jonathan throwing down the challenge - I Love It! I know that you know your candy, Rhino, and I also know that the 1.6 "I" you are holding is amazing. I tell you what - I am going to head out locally this weekend and do some more color comparisons and see where my head is at after. I am typically a "no compromises" kind of a guy, but that hasn''t worked so well in my hunt for a fab chunky old skool cushion. They are so tough to find.