Q&A: Looking for Cushion Cut over 2 Cts. in $13-17K Range

Your site has been a tremendous help to me. I am sure others are as grateful for your unbiased advice as I am.

I am hoping you can recommend a few cushion cut diamonds in the $13-17k range. I am looking for a stone that is 2-2.3 carats and is cut close to a 1:1 ratio. I would be willing to sacrifice some clarity and color for a larger stone, but of course want something that is eye-clean. The diamond will be set in a halo.

I really appreciate any recommendations you are able to make. Please let me know if you need any additional information.

Thank you for the response and the recommendations. In addition to the stones you picked out, what do you think about the following?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1519309.asp

Is this stone eye clean based on what you can tell from the James Allen site?

I appreciate your help!

If I wanted to stretch my budget a bit, which of the following stones would you recommend?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1511418.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1524532.asp

If you wouldn’t recommend either of these stones, can you suggest a cushion cut for a budget of about $20k?

Thanks for your help!

Thanks for the response. You had initially recommended this stone to me:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1524532.asp

However, it is an I color stone. Obviously I do not want the diamond to have a noticeable yellow tint, but will the color actually stand out except for when the diamond is placed beside another stone with D, E, F, or G color?

I am more concerned about the stone being “eye clean” and free of any major inclusions.

Thanks for your advice.

I really appreciate all of your feedback thus far. I am starting to narrow down my choices and would like your opinion on just two more diamonds:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1528252.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1528253.asp

If neither of these stones really stands out to you, can you recommend one or two more cushion cut diamonds in the range of 2-2.6 carats with a ratio relatively close to 1:1? My preferred budget is $14-18k, however, I would go higher if the right diamond presents itself.

Thanks again for all of your help and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Once again, thank you for your feedback. Everything you have told me so far has been extremely helpful during this process. I do have one final diamond that I would like your feedback on. Please take a look at the following:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1527900.asp

This is the same stone at 20x magnification:

https://www.jamesallen.com/DiamPics/NR3735-51pic.jpg

One of the James Allen gemologists has assured me that this stone is “eye clean” despite the inclusions visible at 20x magnification.

What are your thoughts on this diamond?

I look forward to hearing back from you!

Thank you for the feedback Mike.

The one characteristic of this diamond that is still causing me hesitation is the I color grade . Do you think the color will be an issue if I’m planning to set the stone in a halo (meaning the contrast with the smaller diamonds)?

Here is the stone again:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1527900.asp

This is the same stone at 20x magnification:

https://www.jamesallen.com/DiamPics/NR3735-51pic.jpg

Is there a different cushion cut diamond you would recommend for a $14k – $17k budget?

I am following-up to say thank you for helping me select the absolute perfect diamond for my fiance’s engagement ring. Your advice and feedback was invaluable throughout the entire process. I am able to sleep peacefully knowing that I made an informed and educated choice.

I have attached a couple of photos of the finished product, which my fiance is head-over-heels about. I purchased the following cushion cut diamond (2.24 carat, ideal cut, I color, VS2) through James Allen:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1527900.asp

This is the same stone at 20x magnification:

https://www.jamesallen.com/DiamPics/NR3735-51pic.jpg

I also had James Allen create a custom setting, which is 18k white gold, split-shank, halo pave 0.78ctw.

Again, thank you for all of your help. You really made the entire process much less daunting.