This 5 carat antique cushion in GIA M color?

[lioness88]

Hi all, I apologize for my multiple questions as I spend HOURS researching, agonizing, and trying to figure out the best diamond shape and specs to recommend to my BF.

I thought I wanted an oval but then…

I was at a brick and mortar store and this caught my eye…it’s a little over 5 carat antique cushion GIA M color in a yellow gold setting.

Ugh forgive the look of my hands in the weird lighting.






What do you all think? I fell in love with this and it’s in my desired price range, but I kno the general sentiment here is to avoid brick and mortar stores. I’ll take a video of it tomorrow!!

Would I fare better buying the below from Jewels by Grace and having this setting above replicated by a jeweler?

https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/products/5-02ct-old-mine-cut-diamond-gia-k-si1?_pos=1&_sid=949cc090c&_ss=r


The appeal with the brick and mortar one is it is gorgeous and already ready..that and literally a week ago my sister told me she had a dream that I got engaged with a beautiful cushion cut diamond on a yellow gold band

thank you all for your time!!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Fancy shapes - especially antique cuts - can't really be bought off the basis of a certificate; and seeing it in person is crucial.

If the jewelry store stone is sparkly/bright/fiery in all lighting conditions, and you like how it performs, and the price is decent; don't let the fact that its in a brick and mortar store deter you.

I cant open the JbG link, but is the stone a good performer? You'll have to make a determination of which one looks better to your eye, and go with that one. If all else is truly equal, I would go for the K because I'd like a stone to be whiter. But if the M performs better than the K I'd go for the M. There's no way for us to know, so you'll have to be the one to make that decision. Exciting, though!

 

[caolsen]

Agree, antique cuts cant be judged by a certification. Do you have up close photos of the cushion?

 

[diamondyes]

It looks gorgeous.

 

[Garnetgirl]

Don’t forget to look at the diamond away from the direct lighting in the jewellery store. This will give you a better idea of what the diamond will look like in real life.
Jewellery store lighting is designed to make everything sparkle.

 

[lulu_ma]

Can we have some close up pics of the antique cushion? Table and depth and dimensions? How does the price of the M compare with JBG’s K color?

 

[Mreader]

I would also love to see more pictures plus I just want to follow this thread! I am excited for you.

 

[lioness88]

Omg thank you for all these thoughtful replies and follow up questions.

So to answer your questions the M at the store is an M VS1 (GIA).

I didn’t get the depth and table specs because by the time I was at the store I had a more than 50% feeling I’d get my own stone so I didn’t want to bother the sales associate with a request for a certificate .

The ring at the store is beyond gorgeous and a showstopper and actually the most gorgeous ring I’ve tried on by far. And I’m sheepish to say I’ve tried on a fair amount …LoL.

but I’ve always wanted to design my own setting and I did keep seeing warmth that made me wonder - wow - I think I might regret not getting the K, even if the M turns out to be sparklier?

I took more videos and pics. The pics are attached. I’ll put video pics in next reply.

I decided to go w the JBG stone (or another if my bf wants to find another one but I don’t think he finds diamond hunting as enjoyable as I do )

Last, the completed M ring at the store comes out to a bit more (maybe 8-9k after taxes) than the JBG stone + my own customized setting with a popular PS jeweler.

 

[lulu_ma]

Oh if the M stone is more than Grace’s K you made the right choice.

But I’m hoping that you will order the K stone to see in person so you can assess it with your own eyes before setting it. Also, see if you can get the measurements, table size and depth of the M color. There can be a lot of variety in measurements of old cuts due to the depths.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Unless the K is a complete dud, you made the right choice IMO. To pay nearly 10k more for a ring with a stone that is 2 shades lower makes no real sense, if the stone is cut well and has good presence on your hand. Agree with lulu_ma that you should ship the stone to yourself to wear it in different conditions and make sure that you like it before you buy.

 

[lioness88]

I can’t figure out how to show you videos of the M but the M def sparkled.

So my bf wants the ring to be somewhat of a surprise I guess and minimize complications…Caysie says the diamond is the best out of my other online options and the video Jewels by Grace posted looks nice.

I’ve never been married or engaged and am not in a spot to be looking for an antique cushion for months (yet now I’m single minded about having ONLY an antique cushion ) …would it be an awful decision to let Caysie look at it and trust her judgment on the diamond? Thank you all!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I can’t figure out how to show you videos of the M but the M def sparkled.

So my bf wants the ring to be somewhat of a surprise I guess and minimize complications…Caysie says the diamond is the best out of my other online options and the video Jewels by Grace posted looks nice.

I’ve never been married or engaged and am not in a spot to be looking for an antique cushion for months (yet now I’m single minded about having ONLY an antique cushion ) …would it be an awful decision to let Caysie look at it and trust her judgment on the diamond? Thank you all!

If you trust her judgment and want to go for it, that’s totally fine. Depends on your personal level of comfort. I am crazy and would need to see it with my own eyes because I like certain cut flavours that aren’t exactly what others like. Perhaps have a conversation with JbG if possible where you explain what it is that you like/want to see and ask them if this stone meets that expectation. Then have the same conversation with Caysie. If you want to be totally hands off and just trust her judgment that’s fine too.

Alternately you can have it shipped to you and then ship it to caysie (ask her for a shipping label so it’s covered by her insurance). Your call entirely though!

 

[lioness88]

OooOoooh gotcha. Thank you!

I just know I don’t like the crushed ice look (NO offense to anyone who has it it’s just not my pref I like the big facets!!!)

so I guess I’ll just confirm it’s not that (which I imagine it’s not bc it’s antique right)? I think I’ll go ahead and trust their judgment since I don’t have unlimited time and since I’m not on that level of knowing more than a few faceting patterns anyway (though I wish I was!!!!)

 

[lulu_ma]

I still think it would be helpful to get the info on the M, especially the depth %. The 5.02 K from Grace is 63.9% I’m wondering if the M is deeper. Each old cut has its own personality.

Idk, if it were me, I’d want to see the stone first. You just want to make you love it.

 

[diamondyes]

I have no useful knowledge but want to know more about your gold bangle! Love it!!

 

[lioness88]

I have no useful knowledge but want to know more about your gold bangle! Love it!!

Thank you it is the van Cleef yellow gold perlee

 

[diamondyes]

Thank you it is the van Cleef yellow gold perlee

Looks great on you!