Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would you d

[FieryBrilliance]

Hi All,
Ive decided to try and scale back my budget to 10k for the stone on account of my girlfriend finding out that I was thinking of spending twice that and telling me how mad she'd be if I did... Every guy's dream to have a woman tell him not to dare spending over 10k, right? Not this guy... I want to buy something that makes people's jaws drop, but perhaps I can find that in the 10k range too.

I've narrowed my search to GOG and ERD for a chunky vintage cushion and am now just trying to decide between the two. Personally I love AVC from GOG, as well as all the tools, videos, and great insights they have provided me. I've read great things about ERD, so am checking them out too. Deciding between a few AVCs in the 1.00-1.13ct range, and a few "a cut beyond" stones in the 1.25-1.5ct range. The girlfriend doesn't care much about clarity or warm color (I do, though), but has commented that she likes a friends 1.5 solitaire, though she did mention that she worried it might be too big in a halo. And of course, she wants something fiery and brilliant. She has a size 5.5-6 finger, so trying to determine whether to "go big(er)" or go with the AGS ideal smaller stone. It's going into a split shank micro pave setting with rose gold halo.

What would you do? Stones I'm considering below:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.30-carat-g-vs1-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-110237.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.32-carat-g-vs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-112937.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.54-carat-i-vs1-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-109134.html

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7958/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9739/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8618/

I wonder if the look and fire of the smaller AVC is worth going .20-.40ct smaller.

Appreciate your thoughts and advice!

 

[woofmama]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I'm personally a fan of AVC's but the inventory seems a bit slim & think you could get a larger stone with your budget. Perhaps you should call or email them to see if more diamonds are coming in soon.
I also think that you can lower in these cuts and still have a beautiful white, flashy diamond. Search Dougsgirl on here to see her AVC J in a diamond halo. The stone is gorgeous and doesn't look tinted in an offensive way at all. Antique cuts are gorgeous in lower colors and send out pastel flashes of light. Have you watched all the videos on GOG? Since your financee to be stated she isn't color sensitive you should at least look at the lower colors. The true antique stones that are all the rage on here are primarily low colors between k-p. They are breathtaking!

Another option to find a stone is Perry at Leon Mege : https://www.artofplatinum.com/vault/solitaire-engagement-rings-2?product_type_1_keystone_shape[0]=Antique+cushion&product_type_1_keystone_shape_comp=find_in_set_any&product_type_id=1
I couldn't find the link to their diamond inventory page so I linked to his completed antique cushion ring page.
I'm sure ERD's cushions are very nice as well. There are many examples of rings on here with their stones. I just find the AVC's more pleasing to my eye.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I think the 3 AVCs are simply gorgeous. But I think I would pick the 1.5 G VS1 for size and it looks pretty awesome too.

 

[CopperTop]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

Does she for sure want a split shank micropave halo?

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I think the 3 AVCs are simply gorgeous. But I think I would pick the 1.5 G VS1 for size and it looks pretty awesome too.

+1 IMO - go big or go home! I'm not a fan of this cut, but if you love it, get the biggest size that you can!!

 

[SB621]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I personally am not a fan of the AVC's. To me if you like old cuts then you should actually search and get a real one vs paying way to much to have something made to look old. However with all that said, cushions face up small so I would get the largest one possible. .

 

[FieryBrilliance]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

Does she for sure want a split shank micropave halo?

She does. We went to several stores and she tried on several ring types and every time she kept coming back to the split shank w/ halo, so of that I'm fairly certain. I'm the one being fussy about the stone... she doesn't really seem to care much about it. I'm geeking out about Jon's videos and all the different facet structures and everything, and she says, "i don't know, it doesn't really matter to me, you decide" though I know she does like antique looks and does not want the H&A appearance or crushed ice of a modern cushion.

I've been thinking, planning, scheming, analyzing for months now. I'm pretty sure I know exactly what she wants, just confused myself over the precision of an AVC vs. larger size of an ERD w/o the same precision/symmetry/light performance.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I think it is a tough choice. I do prefer the AVC's for their superior light performance. On the other hand, I think the ring is going to look better with a 1.5 ct+ stone. The 1.5 I VS looks pretty good. I wouldn't consider the 1.3's because that is not enough gain in size to be worth it.

 

[Niel]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I would for sure pick a 1.5 over the 1 ct

 

[mypatience]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7958/

This stone would be my choice.

I have an AVC and I love it so much. I can always see the facets and I get so many compliments on the stone. I just love how crisp the stone is.

When looking at these side by side it is my opinion that the cut of the AVC is more pleasing.

 

[FieryBrilliance]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I think it is a tough choice. I do prefer the AVC's for their superior light performance. On the other hand, I think the ring is going to look better with a 1.5 ct+ stone. The 1.5 I VS looks pretty good. I wouldn't consider the 1.3's because that is not enough gain in size to be worth it.

Thanks - very good insight. I agree that a .20 difference between a 1.11 AVC or a 1.3 ACB isn't drastic enough to merit the jump to 1.3, but a 1.5 is. I don't like the way it looks as much as the AVC, but I need to wrap my head around the fact that i'm looking at these things at 40x magnification and in real life, they are much smaller and therefore probably less noticeable.

Does anyone know where I can see accurately determine what a 1.0 vs. 1.5 looks like size wise online?

 

[FieryBrilliance]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7958/

This stone would be my choice.

I have an AVC and I love it so much. I can always see the facets and I get so many compliments on the stone. I just love how crisp the stone is.

When looking at these side by side it is my opinion that the cut of the AVC is more pleasing.

Thanks MyPatience,

I agree that the AVC is more pleasing to the eye, however, I'm trying to remind myself that at these magnification levels, it's much more noticeable than in actuality. Question i'm grappling with is would a 1.11ct AVC look THAT much better than an ACB?

 

[Niel]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7958/

This stone would be my choice.

I have an AVC and I love it so much. I can always see the facets and I get so many compliments on the stone. I just love how crisp the stone is.

When looking at these side by side it is my opinion that the cut of the AVC is more pleasing.

Thanks MyPatience,

I agree that the AVC is more pleasing to the eye, however, I'm trying to remind myself that at these magnification levels, it's much more noticeable than in actuality. Question i'm grappling with is would a 1.11ct AVC look THAT much better than an ACB?

Oh I couldn't agree more. Theu are blown up and also gog takes good glamour shots.

If gog was the only old cut option I'd pick it over crushed ice any day
. But its not. And I would prefer to habe a lovely well cut 1.5 over a very well cut lovely 1 ct

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

They are blown up and also gog takes good glamour shots.

I agree, photography makes a big difference and some vendors have more/fancier toys to take great shots.

I too would prefer the bigger stone over the 1ct stone.

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

All I did was shrink the photos to get a more realistic look...

 

[FieryBrilliance]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

All I did was shrink the photos to get a more realistic look...

Great idea! Thanks for doing that.

Do you think that based on your modification/shrinking of the image, the AVC is about a 1.0ct size and the other looks like it would be about a 1.75 or something.

What do you think?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

No, why would you think a 1.5 would look like a 1.75??? A 1.3 ct. round brilliant has a diameter of 7mm which is greater than the measurements of the 1.5. So the 1.5 looks like a 1.5 ct cushion.

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

Do you think that based on your modification/shrinking of the image, the AVC is about a 1.0ct size and the other looks like it would be about a 1.75 or something.

Every computer monitor is different, so size is something you would have to adjust. Or you can draw out the measurements on paper

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

No, why would you think a 1.5 would look like a 1.75??? A 1.3 ct. round brilliant has a diameter of 7mm which is greater than the measurements of the 1.5. So the 1.5 looks like a 1.5 ct cushion.

+1

 

[FieryBrilliance]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

No, why would you think a 1.5 would look like a 1.75??? A 1.3 ct. round brilliant has a diameter of 7mm which is greater than the measurements of the 1.5. So the 1.5 looks like a 1.5 ct cushion.

I think my language was confusing. I was just looking at the smaller pictures and eyeballing what they literally looked like. The shrunken ERD ACB stone looks to me to be slightly larger in the picture than what a 1.5 would look like in reality based on me having looked at some. I obviously don't think a 1.5 will look like a 1.75, it'll look like a 1.5. I was simply being literal and looking at those pictures.

Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

No, why would you think a 1.5 would look like a 1.75??? A 1.3 ct. round brilliant has a diameter of 7mm which is greater than the measurements of the 1.5. So the 1.5 looks like a 1.5 ct cushion.

I think my language was confusing. I was just looking at the smaller pictures and eyeballing what they literally looked like. The shrunken ERD ACB stone looks to me to be slightly larger in the picture than what a 1.5 would look like in reality based on me having looked at some. I obviously don't think a 1.5 will look like a 1.75, it'll look like a 1.5. I was simply being literal and looking at those pictures.

Thanks!

I get what your saying the proportions looked the same to you as a a 1.5 vs 1.75....
I think theu would look larger. But again, it depends on the monitor

 

[JulieN]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

Shrinking an image is not a good representation at ALL of what the differences will be in real life.

I would get an AVC, and ask Jon if anything is in the pipeline, perhaps a nice SI1/2? She said she doesn't care about clarity or lower colors.

 

[ecf8503]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

Remember not to look just at carat weight - look at the actual dimensions of the stones.

The ERD 1.5 is significantly larger than the GOG ones - just food for thought.

Does ERD make videos?

Many people have purchased from ERD and have been very happy with their cushions, and there is a lot of red in those ASETs (although I see some darkness more so in the 1.5 under the large Maltese Cross facets in the center) so I think you are pretty safe in the light performance department. But the ERD's do have a different look from the AVC's. I have an AVC and I love it (it's just slightly rectangular - almost square), and I love it! I like the pattern and the guaranteed light performance, so it wasn't a hard choice for me.

Once you get it set in a halo, you will have good finger coverage any way you go, so I wouldn't worry too much about a smaller stone. But if size is a concern, then go for the 1.5! I'm sure it is beautiful, and ERD makes nice settings as well.

 

[ariel144]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

You might want to consider this large antique cushion from OWD too. Nice and large and the video looks good.

http://oldworlddiamonds.com/detail.php?ID=2496&SHAPE=OM

video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyrm893flvk

Almost 8mm x 7.5mm.

 

[stargurl78]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I would go with the 1.5 ct from ERD.

 

[isekii]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

That 1.5 is a really beautiful stone.
If you're in the area you should check it out.

 

[packrat]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I have AVC's and I love love love them. Paid more for them than I would have if I'd gone w/ACB or one of the others, but I'd not change them for anything. So, my personal preference would be for the AVC. If I had 10k I'd go lower in color to get a bigger stone. Mine are L/M's. I could've gone higher in color and gotten smaller ones but I like the low colors.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I own a few cushion cuts ... true omc, avc, newly cut generic omc, modern cushions in sizes ranging form 0.8 ct to 1.8 cts in diamonds. I can tell you that you will be able to tell a HUGE difference between 1 ct and 1.5 ct. I feel the difference is big enough to overcome the edge of perfect symmetry.

As an owner of a perfect 1.7ct AVC (I find mine even more lovely than others but I am biased) and several other cushions including 1.0ct OMC, I know I will be ok to forego the performance for the size. I also know that a true antique OMC or newly cut generic cushion can be very beautiful on its own. Like I said, if I was to buy all over again .. I would get a bigger true antique OMC with more of a flower center over maltese cross.

You need to decide what is most important to your gf but I suspect she will be more excited with a 1.5ct.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I would absolutely get the ERD cushion in this case. That stone is really gorgeous.

My feeling is: the spread difference is much larger than the performance difference.

6.7 x 7 is a REALLY NICE SIZED ROCK.

Can you have Mark send it to you so you can see it in person?

 

[FieryBrilliance]

Re: Smaller GOG AVC or Larger ERD A Cut Beyond? What would y

I would absolutely get the ERD cushion in this case. That stone is really gorgeous.

My feeling is: the spread difference is much larger than the performance difference.

6.7 x 7 is a REALLY NICE SIZED ROCK.

Can you have Mark send it to you so you can see it in person?

Thanks gypsy! I'm glad you weighed in and think its great because ive seen that you regularly suggest stones other people havent posted in these forums when they ask for your feedback.

My only concern aside from the fact that it's not quite as precise / has the light performance of AVCs is that the ERD ACB is an I color. Everything I've read suggests that cushions maintain color a bit more than other stones so I'm nervous about the I color. The lady doesn't know the diff or care, I don't think, but would an I color surrounded by F/G micro pave be noticeably warmer as a result of that? Add to that the fact that the halo is rose gold, will it look even warmer?

It's the only hesitation I am having at this point. I'm definitely leaning in ERDs direction at this point. Just need to get over that color hump and then see the stone, obviously.

Thanks!