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New member - cushion advice

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iacabu

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
12
Hi everyone, new to the forum as a purchase is imminent.

I'm in the UK and using 77diamonds to create a halo engagement ring. The main problem I have using this company is the inability to see any of the diamonds listed on their website in the flesh.

Really I've too much to ask in one post so I'll try and stay brief and perhaps things will get answered through the comments anyway.

Budget isn't massive, maximum of about £3500 GBP for the stone. To be honest, less is better.

These are the specs I sent to 77diamonds as I have an appointment with them this Saturday.

Cut - CUSHION
Carat - 0.80 - 1.05
Cut - EXCELLENT
Colour - G - D
Clarity - VS2 AND ABOVE
Certificate - GIA
Polish & symmetry - EXCELLENT / (VERY Good?)
Fluorescence - NONE - FAINT
L/W ratio - close to 1. I'd like it as square as possible
Table - 58% - 66%
Depth - 60% - 68%


Table and depth are based on various Web sources but I may need correcting.

The problem I'm now facing is the fact that most GIA reports I've looked at are cushion modified brilliant.
I'm not sure if I should be avoiding the crushed ice look, are all c.m.b crushed ice? Would a normal person (me or the Mrs) even know once it's on the finger?

At the end of the day, I'm sure she'll be happy with whatever she gets and no one is going to be pulling out a loupe and inspecting the ring. I feel like I'm going way over the top looking into this and while I enjoy it, it's becoming frustrating trying to perfect the choice. Should I not worry about it so much
 
You should be able to know what your eye likes and that's what's important.

Here a link to a great article on the variety of cushions (there are so many) which may help guide you in your search.

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
 
Thank you for that link. I came across it yesterday when I found this forum.
You're right in that I need to see the diamonds to know what I like, but I feel it's not as easily done.

It's also hard to determine the cut without the plot.. Can I request these or are they normally available already?


Edit - I've just watched those Gold Old Gold videos and they are fantastic. Pretty much answered my question on what to look for.
I could argue buying sight unseen using plots, pics/vids and ASET scope images but makes me realise how important it is to see in person.

The bright crushed ice looks very nice, but I think the chunkier facets of a vintage cut are much more eye catching
 
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Most of us do not see the stones we buy until they show up at our house. Use a good vendor with a 30 day no excuse 100% refund
policy.

I can tell you what most* PSers like (or don't like) as far as cushions. Most* do not like crushed iced. PSers mostly like antique
cushions or chunky faceted cushions.

You can tell 77diamonds that you are interested in cushions with chunky faceting patterns and not crushed iced.

Not all cushion modified brilliants are crushed ice. Really depends on the stone. I looked at 77diamonds. Their videos arent
that good because a lot of them are straight up and down. The videos with the stone at an angle are usually easier to evaluate. Can
they supply ASET images?

Tell 77 diamonds what you want to see as far as a stone goes so that they don't bring in a bunch of crushed ice stones for you
to look at. Probably best to send them some pictures of what you want to see (versus trying to explain it).
 
So I've just got back from a trip to 77 Diamonds, plus a stop at a few other jewelers.

I didn't get to see many cushions in the flesh but I saw a few, non of which I would have bought.

Turns out I can request ASET images from 77.

Most of what I was told by them backs up all the research I've done and what is said on here, apart from to do with table and depth. They suggest that as long as it is within their boundaries of an excellent cut then I needn't worry about it. I just can't remember exactly what they were now I've left the place. It was a wider range than I've seen online though.

I can also see the stone before it is set, which is a bonus as the wait time for the ring would be around 8 weeks.
 
When you find a stone you like online you can link the post and get opinions from PSers. Glad you can get an ASET to double
check the light return.

The problem with a really large table is it doesn't leave much room for the crown. When looking at stones turn them to an angle
that you can see the crown and make sure it has some crown height to it. The crown is the area from the girdle of the stone up to
the table. This is a round stone but you get the gist.

snip 1.png
 
Thanks for the advice.. I'll keep that in mind.

I'll post up some diamonds as and when I shortlist a few and get aset images for them
 
Here are a few pics. I've added the plot from the GIA certificate, where it was available to view.

I found the first 5 after setting my specs and just picking the pictures I liked. I have requested to see ASET images for these and waiting for a reply.

The final 3 I have just found today. They exceed what I planned to spend but have the 8 main pattern or a cushion modified version of it.

Should I be tempted by any of these?



1.png2.png3.png1385539167.png2215931105.png2396998364.png2397877804.png7398092492.png
 
Watch out for too much black (contrast) when looking at the diamond straight on. You want a little bit of contrast to give
you scintillation but too much just gives you a dark stone.

Like your first stone has some darkness running north to south through the center. I cant tell if its ok (within tolerance) because
you really need to see videos of the stone so you can see what happens as the stone moves. You don't really want to see big
chunks of darkness (combined facets all dark). Its rather hard to explain but you usually know when you see it in a video.

I would throw out the 3rd stone and the last stone. The other two H&A stones look like they are worth further review.

Post your asets when you get them.
 
The H&A look prettiest to me.
 
They are all promising.
 
I read "I am using 77 diamonds" as "I am putting 77 diamonds in the ring." I sat here trying to visualize if they would be mellee or larger? Hahaha :lol-2:

Best of luck to you!
 
My eyes like this one the best. Seems to have the brightest center with distinct H&A.

2397877804.png
 
IMO, if I wanted H&A, I'd get a round. I'd pick the 1.01 F - I like the distribution of facets, which seem to be of similar sizes.
 
If I were buying, I'd pursue one of the first two 8 main or H and A cushions (whichever they're called). But, I think if you determine which faceting style you like best first, then it will be easier to narrow down the choices from there.
 
tyty333 said:
Watch out for too much black (contrast) when looking at the diamond straight on. You want a little bit of contrast to give
you scintillation but too much just gives you a dark stone.

Like your first stone has some darkness running north to south through the center. I cant tell if its ok (within tolerance) because
you really need to see videos of the stone so you can see what happens as the stone moves. You don't really want to see big
chunks of darkness (combined facets all dark). Its rather hard to explain but you usually know when you see it in a video.

I would throw out the 3rd stone and the last stone. The other two H&A stones look like they are worth further review.

Post your asets when you get them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your replies. There are videos in the website and it doesn't look as dark when not face on.
I think I overlooked how dark some of them appear but we will see what the aset looks like. Not sure how long it would normally take to receive them, and I'm thinking the diamonds might even sell before I get anything back.

AprilBaby said:
The H&A look prettiest to me.
Click to expand...

I was unsure at first but I'm also favoring them. Typical they're the most expensive.

flyingpig said:
They are all promising.
Click to expand...

Fingers crossed for some good aset images

ProfessorBling said:
I read "I am using 77 diamonds" as "I am putting 77 diamonds in the ring." I sat here trying to visualize if they would be mellee or larger? Hahaha :lol-2:

Best of luck to you!
Click to expand...

Haha yeah I guess it does read that! Thanks

DejaWiz said:
My eyes like this one the best. Seems to have the brightest center with distinct H&A.

2397877804.png
Click to expand...

Good shout. Will see how aset images compare

molecule said:
IMO, if I wanted H&A, I'd get a round. I'd pick the 1.01 F - I like the distribution of facets, which seem to be of similar sizes.
Click to expand...

That's a fair point. The Mrs likes cushion and obviously equivalent weight rounds are more expensive, although I could get a similar size (in mm) for the money.

The 1.01 F was actually my favourite before spotting the H&A stones

mwilliamanderson said:
If I were buying, I'd pursue one of the first two 8 main or H and A cushions (whichever they're called). But, I think if you determine which faceting style you like best first, then it will be easier to narrow down the choices from there.
Click to expand...

I suddenly got focused on H&A but it occurred to me that she might not like them. It's been confirmed she does but a well cut modern cushion is also fine with her.
For example, she likes both of these stones..




Again, thanks for all your replies. This really seems a great forum. Very friendly and honest opinions
 
Rather frustratingly after a 5 day wait, I've only been sent 2 videos. Luckily, for the top 2 stones. I have asked for ASET images again.

1.02ct H VVS1
£3972

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

1.00ct F VVS2
£4472

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

Spec wise, they are both otherwise very similar aside from the cut.

I don't want any hint of yellow and it will be set in a platinum halo so I'm thinking the F will be best? The F also appears to be a proper 8 main cut, although I may be corrected on that
 
I think the video on both of them looks great! I agree, if you don't want a hint of yellow, best to go with the F.
 
ASET images received for these two...
Top is the H, bottom the F.

GIA 2397877804.jpgGIA 2396998364.jpg

To my untrained eye, the first one is much better. I realise the cut isn't perfect on either and the arrows don't line up, but for my budget I think they look acceptable. Light return is what I feel is more important? I don't want a dull diamond
 
Definitely the 1.02 H VVS1
 
I expect everyone will say the same.

I'm reluctant to settle for a H, rather than just wait for another to come up.

As a solitaire ring I probably wouldn't have a problem with the colour, but I'm not sure how it will sit in a halo with whiter stones
 
iacabu said:
I expect everyone will say the same.

I'm reluctant to settle for a H, rather than just wait for another to come up.

As a solitaire ring I probably wouldn't have a problem with the colour, but I'm not sure how it will sit in a halo with whiter stones
Click to expand...

I agree that the image of the F is not good and so it makes sense to go with the H. The melee can be chosen to match the center stone perfectly. They shouldn’t have a problem doing that, if you’d rather not wait for another F to come along.
 
iacabu said:
I expect everyone will say the same.

I'm reluctant to settle for a H, rather than just wait for another to come up.

As a solitaire ring I probably wouldn't have a problem with the colour, but I'm not sure how it will sit in a halo with whiter stones
Click to expand...

If you haven't done so, then you could go back to 77 Diamonds and have them pull both an H and D-F colorless cushion then float (set on top of the prong tips to simulate a completed ring) them on a pave/halo setting similar/same to the one you are wanting so that you can gauge the looks of the different cushion colors with the pave/halo.
 
I always struggle to make a decision when it comes to larger purchases.

At the moment I'm in two minds. Either wait until a better colour H&A stone comes up that I will then have to request an aset for (I've actually done this today but further images weren't available for whatever reason) , or pull the trigger on the H and take a look before it's set.

After originally looking for colour of G or above, I've been watching videos and really don't think the negligible difference between G and H is worth thinking about.
Obviously comparing side by side with a colourless stone is different, but having the stone upside down on a white background isn't going to happen. I believe the H will face up white and be a good compromise on spec and cost.
 
iacabu said:
I always struggle to make a decision when it comes to larger purchases.

At the moment I'm in two minds. Either wait until a better colour H&A stone comes up that I will then have to request an aset for (I've actually done this today but further images weren't available for whatever reason) , or pull the trigger on the H and take a look before it's set.

After originally looking for colour of G or above, I've been watching videos and really don't think the negligible difference between G and H is worth thinking about.
Obviously comparing side by side with a colourless stone is different, but having the stone upside down on a white background isn't going to happen. I believe the H will face up white and be a good compromise on spec and cost.
Click to expand...


Between the two ASET images that you posted earlier, I'd say the H would probably face up a bit more brilliant than the F, due to the light return differences because the F appears to be nearing "ring of death" territory.
 
I have gone ahead with the H colour.

There shouldn't be any problem with the colour and have been told it will match the G halo.

Although a slight compromise on colour, everything else looks spot on. I did a little search of cushion aset images and this one seems better than most I came across.
 

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