Q&A: Looking for a Cushion Cut Diamond for a Rose Gold Solitaire Setting With an $8,000 Budget

Before I comment on the diamonds you sent me, I have a question: What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? I want to make sure the I color wouldn’t look yellow in it.

Since rose gold is actually closer to white gold than it is to yellow gold, it’s possible that an I-color cushion cut diamond might have a yellow hue in it (especially a diamond the size you’re looking at). Cushion cut diamonds don’t refract light just as well as round diamonds and thus tend to show their true color more. So if you want to be sure the diamond would look absolutely colorless, I’d go at least one color grade up. If you are not too color sensitive or you wouldn’t mind having a warmish-looking diamond, then the I color wouldn’t be a problem.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9317850?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one looks nice on paper, but I’m not a huge fan of the black windowing on the sides. It wouldn’t look particularly great in real life.

Blue Nile LD13621521
This one is beautiful.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.80-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9152732?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is cut a bit too deep and the extremely thick girdle is also an issue. I would skip it.

For white gold, you would absolutely have to stick with a higher color grade (H+). It’s up to you, whatever look you prefer.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9317812?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is a very nice option.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9297293?a_aid=dmnd1357
Great diamond.

Blue Nile LD12909941
This one is not eye-clean. The large feather on the table would be noticeable in person.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9210954?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is cut a bit deeper and has an extremely thick girdle. It’s not such a great option.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9099810?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9322010?a_aid=dmnd1357
Same issue here. You should avoid extremely thick girdles. The thicker the girdle, the more weight is concentrated there which makes the diamond smaller overall. Plus, extremely thick girdles look ugly.

Blue Nile LD13979039
This one is nice, but there’s a chance that the crystal on the table would be noticeable.

That’s great news! That diamond is an excellent choice.