remotely buying a Crushed ice cushion...are these worth asking for ASET images??

[Aska Maky]

Hello, I'm new here and being my first trial of buying fancy cut online.
I'm now have my eyes on 2 candidates of modified cushion brilliant(crushed-ice look).

Both look nice for me in 360 degree videos, but it's very hard to imagine optic performance in real life.
Due to the limited number of free consultation with vendors, I would like to know if my candidates are worth trying to get ASET images.

Here are a few knowlege I gain on well-cut Crushed ice cushion cut...
-Table and Depth ratio are excellent in 61-67% range.
-ASET images are difficult for consumers to interpret. Some equally dispersed light leakage can enhance twinkle effects.
Best crushed ice can have rather many green areas and it doesn't necessarily mean the rock looks dull in person.

I wish to buy a crushed ice cushion which has adequate fires(dispersion) and livery scintillation.
This is not for an ering but casual use.
I'm willing to wait until the right one would pop up,so any straight-forward inputs are highly appreciated

 

[Aska Maky]

Candidate#1

H color, SI2, Table 62%, Depth 66.6%, Symmetry Excellent, Polish Excellent

 

[Aska Maky]

Candidate#2

H color, SI2, Table 63%, Depth 69.1%, Symmetry VeryGood, Polish Excellent

 

[0-0-0]

I don’t think these are crushed ice cushions. There are distinct brilliant type faceting in the center and around the edges.

 

[Aska Maky]

I don’t think these are crushed ice cushions. There are distinct brilliant type faceting in the center and around the edges.

thanks for your comment!
ohh... Attatchments are their facet designs. Neither has long pavillion facets reaching to corners... is this not the indication of crushed ice cushion?

 

[0-0-0]

It’s not quite so simple.

Dozens of hybrid modifications (Chimeras) that use the crown of the classic round cut and modifications of the pavilion idea for Princess or Radiant cuts. In recent years, these modifications have been continually improved, and now some of them have fairly good Optical Performance, such as Ankit nice example. Interestingly, the same design can produce both large virtual facets (short light paths) and Crushed Ice, depending on the crown and pavilion angle ratios. Diamonds look like different cuts, although they have identical patterns. This is a very interesting phenomenon, and for the Optical Performance courses, we are cutting three samples to show how you can get a Crushed Ice Cushion from a non-Crushed Ice Cushion by changing the proportions.

 

[0-0-0]

Some quick examples, these all have similar facet diagrams on the GIA reports, but look very different face up. IMO the 1.31 looks most like crushed ice.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-20885352

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-15144723

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.31-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-21289499

 

[Aska Maky]

Some quick examples, these all have similar facet diagrams on the GIA reports, but look very different face up. IMO the 1.31 looks most like crushed ice.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-20885352

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-15144723

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.31-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-21289499

I was stunned at first hearing that those are not crushed ice, but I think got your point! So informative, thank you so much!

Maybe two cushions which I listed above are classified as "Hybrid Brilliant" in the video below at 0:51 ?

 

[Aska Maky]

I cannot deny I'm drawn to two cushion diamonds which I originally posted.
Regardless they are not crushed ice cushions, are they possiblly beautiful or not?
Or at least, is it worth asking for their ASET images to dig them down?

 

[Frenchieglitter]

I think the modified briliant faceted cut you selected will be more beautiful than just a crushed ice. I can't comment if those diamonds are actually well executed cuts, I'll leave that for PS experts. But brilliant faceting is usually what most ppl prefer for it's lively color flashes and facet symmetry. I own a few myself. I love the bold color flashes and seeing into the discernable facets. Crushed ice is also pretty, but gives off more small splintering flashes of white light, it reminds me of sunlight twinkling off water. Also pretty, but not everyone's preference. Most ppl seem to want diamonds that have that amazing ability to shoot out rainbows and "fire". Just depends what you like best, no right or wrong choice really.

 

[Aska Maky]

I think the modified briliant faceted cut you selected will be more beautiful than just a crushed ice. I can't comment if those diamonds are actually well executed cuts, I'll leave that for PS experts. But brilliant faceting is usually what most ppl prefer for it's lively color flashes and facet symmetry. I own a few myself. I love the bold color flashes and seeing into the discernable facets. Crushed ice is also pretty, but gives off more small splintering flashes of white light, it reminds me of sunlight twinkling off water. Also pretty, but not everyone's preference. Most ppl seem to want diamonds that have that amazing ability to shoot out rainbows and "fire". Just depends what you like best, no right or wrong choice really.

Thank you for input, your cushion cut diamonds must be so stunning and beautiful!
Lively scintillation and facet symmetry are exactly what I am wishing for.

Assessing crushed ice cushion online by only one video is too tough...crushed ice diamonds looked like steep deep cut ones for me, then I felt like I was selecting a well-cut crushed ice (but not a crushed ice, indeed).

360 degree video is still not enough to tell if either can have good amount of fires, so I'm going to ask for ASET images
Thank you for your helpful comments!

 

[Frenchieglitter]

Keep us updated, there are many experts here, surely they can help you select a beautiful diamond, would love to see what you decide

 

[Dreamer_D]

Video 1 shows a lot of leakage. Notice the large areas of grey looking, fuzziness with no distinct light play? Like a cloud or haze? You can see it between the two circles I drew on the image below. You don’t want that. You want glitter or chunkier facets turning on and off, white and black. The mush areas will just look dead.


Video 2 looks a little better but still has lots of dead areas. There is also a sizeable inclusion smack in the middle of the table that I suspect you will see.

 

[Aska Maky]

Video 1 shows a lot of leakage. Notice the large areas of grey looking, fuzziness with no distinct light play? Like a cloud or haze? You can see it between the two circles I drew on the image below. You don’t want that. You want glitter or chunkier facets turning on and off, white and black. The mush areas will just look dead.


Video 2 looks a little better but still has lots of dead areas. There is also a sizeable inclusion smack in the middle of the table that I suspect you will see.

Thank you for your advice, I'm aware the first cushion's center looks different than the second one. I am rather concerned that light leakage occurs at the very center( inside the smaller circle on your pic), but is it wrong?

Is there a chance that the part between two circles have crushed-ice look, not just plain and dead?

 

[Aska Maky]

How about this cushion? It looks like this one has slightly darker color under the table than edges, but does it mean it also have dead areas?

 

[Dreamer_D]

See how it looks like a grey fog over most of the surface? Avoid that. It’s not crushed ice. It’s just dead areas that will look grey and lifeless.

The first stone the area of leakage and deadness is between the two circles.

If you are going to hunt on your own I suggest you spend a day or so reading back through old threads on PS about choosing cushion cuts. These were super common back in 2008-2014 so there are dozens of threads with images to help you educate your eyes for choosing a good cushion in this style.

 

[Aska Maky]

See how it looks like a grey fog over most of the surface? Avoid that. It’s not crushed ice. It’s just dead areas that will look grey and lifeless.

The first stone the area of leakage and deadness is between the two circles.

If you are going to hunt on your own I suggest you spend a day or so reading back through old threads on PS about choosing cushion cuts. These were super common back in 2008-2014 so there are dozens of threads with images to help you educate your eyes for choosing a good cushion in this style.

thank you so much for your help! Actually I did read past PS posts regarding qualities of cushion cut, but most images/pictures, links are no longer available. I will try educate myself more anyway!

 

[Dreamer_D]

thank you so much for your help! Actually I did read past PS posts regarding qualities of cushion cut, but most images/pictures, links are no longer available. I will try educate myself more anyway!

You can also reach out to vendors who offer more services. It’s hard to buy fancy cuts on your own. With MRBs or even old cuts there are enough people here in PS who know the cuts well and can help evaluate but with the kind of fancy cut you want it’s a little more difficult. You will pay for the added help but it may save you time and headache.

 

[Aska Maky]

You can also reach out to vendors who offer more services. It’s hard to buy fancy cuts on your own. With MRBs or even old cuts there are enough people here in PS who know the cuts well and can help evaluate but with the kind of fancy cut you want it’s a little more difficult. You will pay for the added help but it may save you time and headache.

Yes, I now really feel how difficult it is! One question just generates another.
I'll try reaching out to a professional. Thanks again for your help

 

[Dreamer_D]

Then come here for opinions about the selections that vendors offer you and we can help you evaluate!

 

[Aska Maky]

Update of the past few days...
I reconsidered which cushion cut diamond I trully want,
then decided to follow my inital dream for "crushed ice" appearance

I nallowed down online inventory again and confirmed with a gemologist that those are crushed ice cushions rather than hybrid brilliant.

Here, I attached the current candidates (#3 to #, and I would greatly appreciate any comments!

While I’m still indecisive, I’m leaning toward #3 to some extent...

 

[Aska Maky]

candidates #3~#5
I think those three are very similar to each other

#3

#4

#5

 

[Aska Maky]

candidates #6~#8
Those three may have a bit different personalities...?

#6

#7

#8

 

[Aska Maky]

those are the faceup looks, #3~#8

 

[Aska Maky]

My ideal crushed ice effects are like those in the following videos… Hopefully I can get such a beautiful light show from any of the candidates listed above

 

[tyty333]

The problem is that "crushed ice" flashes dont show up in this kind of videos/lighting situation. It is almost impossible to
tell the difference between "mushy" facets and facets that light up as crushed ice in the right lighting situation. As you can
see above, the two videos you gave us that you want a stone like are in different lighting conditions than the 6 cushions
you posted above.

My advice...pick a vendor that has a good return policy so that when you receive the stone and it's not what you want, you can
send it back (no questions asked).

Another option...ask Distinctive Gems for help. He can do extra videos and Aset/Ideal scope images.

Another option is Diamonds by Lauren...very familiar with crushed ice cushions. Can provide additional videos...etc.

 

[Aska Maky]

The problem is that "crushed ice" flashes dont show up in this kind of videos/lighting situation. It is almost impossible to
tell the difference between "mushy" facets and facets that light up as crushed ice in the right lighting situation. As you can
see above, the two videos you gave us that you want a stone like are in different lighting conditions than the 6 cushions
you posted above.

My advice...pick a vendor that has a good return policy so that when you receive the stone and it's not what you want, you can
send it back (no questions asked).

Another option...ask Distinctive Gems for help. He can do extra videos and Aset/Ideal scope images.

Another option is Diamonds by Lauren...very familiar with crushed ice cushions. Can provide additional videos...etc.

thank you for your comments, yes I'm certainly aware of the barrier you explained! this kind of video can only tell a partial story.
I've confirmed that the vendor offers free return for 30 days, so I'm thinking of giving a shot a anyway
and thanks for your info on good vendors too!

 

[diamonds27]

Hello, I'm new here and being my first trial of buying fancy cut online.
I'm now have my eyes on 2 candidates of modified cushion brilliant(crushed-ice look).

Both look nice for me in 360 degree videos, but it's very hard to imagine optic performance in real life.
Due to the limited number of free consultation with vendors, I would like to know if my candidates are worth trying to get ASET images.

Here are a few knowlege I gain on well-cut Crushed ice cushion cut...
-Table and Depth ratio are excellent in 61-67% range.
-ASET images are difficult for consumers to interpret. Some equally dispersed light leakage can enhance twinkle effects.
Best crushed ice can have rather many green areas and it doesn't necessarily mean the rock looks dull in person.

I wish to buy a crushed ice cushion which has adequate fires(dispersion) and livery scintillation.
This is not for an ering but casual use.
I'm willing to wait until the right one would pop up,so any straight-forward inputs are highly appreciated

Hey, you should check out this new site, www.yourdiamondguys.com. It’s got this cool AI that scans for inclusions and weeds out the bad ones, so you only see the best diamonds with nice imperfections. Plus, there’s tons of info on there to help you out.