What cushion would you put in this setting?

[emmarose329]

So it turns out I'm pretty terrible at picking diamonds and could use some help from the experts!


We chose a Gabriel and Co setting and would like to go with a cushion cut center stone. Our budget for the stone itself is $2000, give or take (I'm willing to pitch in $200 or so for a nicer diamond). I'm not a huge fan of the "crushed ice cushion" look and would like to go with .7 ct or above (which seems reasonable for a $2000 budget).

Luckily I have size 4 fingers so it'll look fairly proportionate even with a smaller center stone. We had originally wanted 1+ ct but clearly that's not happening unless we up the budget significantly.

Any advice would be awesome.

 

[Gypsy]

SO, I'm sure you know we normally say do not shop for fancies on Blue Nile as there are no images and you need images and ASETs to shop fancies.

That still stands. However Blue Nile has a new line of hearts and arrows cushions that come with GCAL reports that has images and some light return information. And for tight budgets, they are a great fit.

So I think it this is a nice option for you if you have to hit 70 points : http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigCU#diamonds_pid=LD04192448

Another: http://www.bluenile.com/cushion-cut-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-i-color-vs2-clarity_LD04183095

You might want to see if they can pull both and recommend one to you.

 

[Gypsy]

PAY ATTENTION TO DIMENSIONS not CARAT WEIGHT WITH CUSHIONS.

Other options: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10066/ which is a nice option because Good Old Gold carries Gabriel and Company so you can get both the stone and the setting there.

 

[emmarose329]

PAY ATTENTION TO DIMENSIONS not CARAT WEIGHT WITH CUSHIONS.

Other options: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10066/ which is a nice option because Good Old Gold carries Gabriel and Company so you can get both the stone and the setting there.

Wow, thank you, Gypsy! Those are both gorgeous stones and I never would have even thought to look at Blue Nile for cushions. I was looking at James Allen a lot because you can see a video of the physical diamond. We're actually going up to IDJ at the end of the month to see the setting, I've heard good things about their price matching and their work in general.

 

[emmarose329]

Opinions on this stone? http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/0.71-carat-cushion-h-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-gia-certified-loose-diamond-D12782459

I'm a bit wary, the prices seem much much lower than WhiteFlash, James Allen or BlueNile.

 

[Gypsy]

There are no pictures of the actual stone. It could be nice. Could be a dog.

You need pictures of the stones. And preferrably an ASET.

 

[heididdl]

For me the diamond decides the setting not the other way around...that beingn said I like Gypsy first .71 pick

 

[emmarose329]

There are no pictures of the actual stone. It could be nice. Could be a dog.

You need pictures of the stones. And preferrably an ASET.

Yeah, that's the part I'm nervous about, especially because you have to request the GIA cert and they don't seem to offer an ASET.

 

[Gypsy]

Is this for you? If so would you consider an old cut round for that setting?

Cause this would be AMAZING: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/68ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-h-vs1.html#.Ux-1YYXg9Co

That is one SERIOUSLY gorgeous stone. And that setting will work with a round.

 

[Gypsy]

There are no pictures of the actual stone. It could be nice. Could be a dog.

You need pictures of the stones. And preferrably an ASET.

Yeah, that's the part I'm nervous about, especially because you have to request the GIA cert and they don't seem to offer an ASET.

Yeah. See that's not something that makes me nervous. I'm VERY certain. It's a flat no. The majority of cushions out there are dogs.

I searched through over 60 stones for you on JA and could not find ONE I would recommend. Okay?

 

[emmarose329]

For me the diamond decides the setting not the other way around...that beingn said I like Gypsy first .71 pick

I like Gypsy's choice as well, especially because it sounds like a beautiful cut. The setting is the only thing that my boyfriend and I could agree on, so that was the first step. I prefer extremely art deco style settings with large airlines and bezels, he's more of a Soleste halo kind of guy. We had to make a compromise somewhere.

 

[emmarose329]

There are no pictures of the actual stone. It could be nice. Could be a dog.

You need pictures of the stones. And preferrably an ASET.

Yeah, that's the part I'm nervous about, especially because you have to request the GIA cert and they don't seem to offer an ASET.

Yeah. See that's not something that makes me nervous. I'm VERY certain. It's a flat no. The majority of cushions out there are dogs.

I searched through over 60 stones for you on JA and could not find ONE I would recommend. Okay?

Definitely helpful! What are some things I should be looking for when I see stones in person? I'm the sort of person that will just say, "Ohhhh, sparkly!" and call it a day, when I know that there's more to it than that!

 

[Gypsy]

Oh boy. Can I ask that you go on Good Old Gold's website and do some research?

They have a TON of videos on cushions. And that's the best training for you. If you can't find them, just give them a call and ask them for the links. Or... start a new thread asking for "LINKS to GOG Modern Cushion Videos, please."

After you've done that I'll do some more work with you.

 

[Gypsy]

I have to tell you though, THIS is the stone I'd want for that setting: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/68ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-h-vs1.html#.Ux-1YYXg9Co given your budget.

 

[emmarose329]

Oh boy. Can I ask that you go on Good Old Gold's website and do some research?

They have a TON of videos on cushions. And that's the best training for you. If you can't find them, just give them a call and ask them for the links. Or... start a new thread asking for "LINKS to GOG Modern Cushion Videos, please."

After you've done that I'll do some more work with you.

Will do! Thanks so much, Gypsy!