ChairmanOfTheBoard
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
- Messages
- 27
Hello all- ive been reading your forum for a few months now and it has been so helpful, so thank you! I have two issues that at first do not seem related, but, i think they are.
1) I know that the GF wants a cushion. Im not in love with it (for reasons i wont list here- unless you really want to know) and i dont like a halo setting. The halo to me distracts from the diamond too much and also can give the effect of trying to make it look bigger (which, yes, is the purpose of any setting!). She likely wants a prong setting.
So i am mostly reduced to a cushion cut with a prong setting. Jeweler told me that cushions can turn and even slip out of a prong setting, so they come with a support bar. Not a perfect image but this is it:
I dont like the support bar because it partially blocks the bottom of the diamond (thicker ones do at least). This not only obstructs the view (which, i understand is not the preferred nor primary view) but also presents a quandary of do i even bother getting a deep diamond, because you cant see the bottom anyway in this setting. Which brings me to...
2) Ive been reading all over about depth and scintillation/brilliance/fire. One of the primary concerns for me is light reflection. Here is a general chart:
For the length/width % of cushions, is there a difference for ideal depth %?
Is it different for each, or same?
Is there a crown angle or pavilion angle that is desirable? http://www.omniadiamonds.com/7-1.jpg
Here's the conflicting info ive read:
-depth is generally preferred for any stone at 58-62% http://smartcarat.com/diamond-smarts/diamond-depth-percentage/
-there are exceptions to the standard #s when it comes to cushions, 59-64% is preferable http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/cushion-cut-diamond
-depth is completely different for cushions and a higher # is ok [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/[/URL]
-depth % that is preferred is based on whether you get a more square vs rectangular cushion [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/[/URL] (also says closer to round is better for light)
-depth should be: "in the range of 69.9 to 62%. Lower than this 70+ will create too much depth below the girdle and the consumer will be paying for weight that cannot be seen. Above the 62% and the diamond can become watery in appearance thus reducing brilliance. Unlike the “crushed ice” cushion the table can be increased to the 60-66% to allow the 4 pavilion facets full opportunity of displaying brilliance." http://www.pricescope.com/journal/cushion-cut-diamond-guide-engagement-rings-direct-0
-then i read this: "This steeper angle ensures greater brilliance in a cushion cut. 75% You will find that a cushion cut diamond within this range will deliver more brilliance. Cushion cut diamonds that are closer to square in measurement will be more brilliant if the depth percentage is within the range of 65% to 75%. Cushion cut diamonds that have more rectangular shapes exhibit greater brilliance with depth percentages between 70% to 80%." http://www.drostes.com/Cushion-Depth-_ep_137.html
What makes sense to me amongst all of this- is to avoid any extreme #s! http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/cushion-cut-diamond
The consensus- from both the internet and jewelers ive met in person- is that for cushions, you cannot go simply by the #s. Arrrrghghhg!
* * *
So now you hopefully see how the issues are related- do i get a deep cut (which you cant see part of it)(which might or might not reflect properly?) or a shallow (which might or might not reflect properly?) or something in between (which is wasteful with the support bar)?
I guess, is this so unsafe:
Other ideas:
-just go round brilliant?
-risk a prong setting with no support?
-a moderate depth with the support bar?
-just get something and she can return it
-can i get a six prong, or perhaps a very thin support bar?
Thanks everyone. This will be my first and last engagement. Hopefully for her too!
fb
PS- i fortunately have the carat, color, clarity, size, and budget all set- if it helps, ill post. I plan on dropping to a knee on her birthday, April 20.
1) I know that the GF wants a cushion. Im not in love with it (for reasons i wont list here- unless you really want to know) and i dont like a halo setting. The halo to me distracts from the diamond too much and also can give the effect of trying to make it look bigger (which, yes, is the purpose of any setting!). She likely wants a prong setting.
So i am mostly reduced to a cushion cut with a prong setting. Jeweler told me that cushions can turn and even slip out of a prong setting, so they come with a support bar. Not a perfect image but this is it:
I dont like the support bar because it partially blocks the bottom of the diamond (thicker ones do at least). This not only obstructs the view (which, i understand is not the preferred nor primary view) but also presents a quandary of do i even bother getting a deep diamond, because you cant see the bottom anyway in this setting. Which brings me to...
2) Ive been reading all over about depth and scintillation/brilliance/fire. One of the primary concerns for me is light reflection. Here is a general chart:
For the length/width % of cushions, is there a difference for ideal depth %?
Is it different for each, or same?
Is there a crown angle or pavilion angle that is desirable? http://www.omniadiamonds.com/7-1.jpg
Here's the conflicting info ive read:
-depth is generally preferred for any stone at 58-62% http://smartcarat.com/diamond-smarts/diamond-depth-percentage/
-there are exceptions to the standard #s when it comes to cushions, 59-64% is preferable http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/cushion-cut-diamond
-depth is completely different for cushions and a higher # is ok [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/[/URL]
-depth % that is preferred is based on whether you get a more square vs rectangular cushion [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-ideal-length-width-ratio.63340/[/URL] (also says closer to round is better for light)
-depth should be: "in the range of 69.9 to 62%. Lower than this 70+ will create too much depth below the girdle and the consumer will be paying for weight that cannot be seen. Above the 62% and the diamond can become watery in appearance thus reducing brilliance. Unlike the “crushed ice” cushion the table can be increased to the 60-66% to allow the 4 pavilion facets full opportunity of displaying brilliance." http://www.pricescope.com/journal/cushion-cut-diamond-guide-engagement-rings-direct-0
-then i read this: "This steeper angle ensures greater brilliance in a cushion cut. 75% You will find that a cushion cut diamond within this range will deliver more brilliance. Cushion cut diamonds that are closer to square in measurement will be more brilliant if the depth percentage is within the range of 65% to 75%. Cushion cut diamonds that have more rectangular shapes exhibit greater brilliance with depth percentages between 70% to 80%." http://www.drostes.com/Cushion-Depth-_ep_137.html
What makes sense to me amongst all of this- is to avoid any extreme #s! http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/cushion-cut-diamond
The consensus- from both the internet and jewelers ive met in person- is that for cushions, you cannot go simply by the #s. Arrrrghghhg!
* * *
So now you hopefully see how the issues are related- do i get a deep cut (which you cant see part of it)(which might or might not reflect properly?) or a shallow (which might or might not reflect properly?) or something in between (which is wasteful with the support bar)?
I guess, is this so unsafe:
Other ideas:
-just go round brilliant?
-risk a prong setting with no support?
-a moderate depth with the support bar?
-just get something and she can return it
-can i get a six prong, or perhaps a very thin support bar?
Thanks everyone. This will be my first and last engagement. Hopefully for her too!
fb
PS- i fortunately have the carat, color, clarity, size, and budget all set- if it helps, ill post. I plan on dropping to a knee on her birthday, April 20.
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