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I have read every single page of your site and have scoured James Allen and Blue Nile for the perfect radiant or cushion cut stone. I have a budget of 6-7 for the entire ring and wedding band, so I am thinking of a diamond in the 4-5 range. I am looking to cut corners and go with an I color, and SI1 or VS2 to get a bigger size (around 1.4 carat).
I am tempted by these:
The first couple are above my budget.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Premium-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1266480.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1306487.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1265676.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Also, I am looking for a vintage style ring with milgrain work. She liked the Tacori styles we saw awhile back on Jewler’s Row in Philly.
Setting Examples:
Blue Nile: Milgrained Cathedral Pavé
-or-
Tacori: http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Jewelry_2620RDMNP_124631
Thanks for writing. I’m glad you have benefited from my site!
One quick thing – I strongly recommend against buying a cushion without seeing a picture first. You can’t really tell how a cushion will look from its cert alone (unlike a round). Because of this, I don’t think it’s a good idea to buy a cushion from BN.
As for the ring, if you sent the link to JA, it’s very likely they can match it for you (and they’ll give you 10% off the price if you apply the TAD0611 coupon code).
I dont’ think it’s a good idea to go for a J color radiant/cushion. These shapes show color more than any other shape, so that stone you suggested would look a bit yellow.
The 1.40 you linked to looks really nice. I also liked these:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1268179.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1324966.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280415.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Let me know what you think!
Thanks for the quick reply!
Busy day at work, so I just glanced at your suggestions and they look great. I am going to take a closer look this evening and get back to you.
Out of curiosity, why would the GIA give this stone:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1288812.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
a SI1 rating. That can’t be eye clean correct? How close would you have to be to see that?
I know it has to be a poor stone with the cut and all, but that size is so tempting to WOW someone with…The J color could be offset a bit by the strong-blue fluorescence too.
Finally (and you and you’re site are a lifesaver…) how does a princess cut show color (I-J) and how do the three,
cushion-radiant-princess, compare in hiding flaws, or does it just depend on the imperfections and where they are located.
That stone you linked to is definitely not eye clean. And fluorescence won’t help a J color on a radiant like that. It’s a very ugly stone.
As for the comparison of shapes, it’s like this:
Princesses are slightly better than cushions and radiants in terms of hiding color. In terms of hiding inclusions, radiants are probably better than the other two, but it really just depends on the color/location/strength of the inclusions.
Wow, what a process this is. It is taking up all of my free time, but I let it because I am enjoying it. So I looked more at what you said and wrote about the diamonds you prefer and I have narrowed it down to the following:
I’ve found that some of the stones have a significantly smaller carat weight, but have more surface area. I assume they will look bigger because of the measurements. Keep in mind, they were both “Ideal” cut (not sure how much that means for cushion cut…)
I value your opinion a great deal; do you mind taking a glance at these? Are the larger stones not cut as well as the smaller ones, leading to the similarities in price?
THANKS!
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1294986.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1279902.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
More for size with not any more cost….
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1316369.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks Ira.
Out of the stones you linked to, I like these the best:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1306487.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
and
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1279902.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
The others have too strong of a “broken glass” look to them.
A.) Do you think this stone is eye clean?
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1279902.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
B.) Do you think I am better off with this:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1306487.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks!
Did you buy the 1.40? It says it’s no longer available?
I did!, good choice? {one thing was odd, I saw the same stone listed on Lumera’s website…
http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamonds/detail/27291507…. and it was only given a “GOOD” cut rating instead of VG or Excellent. On JA’s site, it was “IDEAL”
Is the other one eye clean?
These were my other finalists, good size but J colors:
1)https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280689.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
2)https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1246752.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
3)https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1254868.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I want to thank you for all of the help. Can I give you a recommendation or anything.
Yes, the stone looks fantastic! I was going to suggest you buy that one, but I didn’t want to say anything if it wasn’t available any longer! The other one is probably not eye clean, since it has a large black inclusion on the side. And I would never suggest you buy a J color cushion cut – it would look too yellow.
Did you buy the stone from JA or Lumera?
Let me know what you think when the stone arrives, and then I’ll hit you up for a review 🙂
JA….does Lumera just use different standards for grading cuts. You would think Lumera would be looser because it has a wider range of stones (M color, etc.). Maybe JA has standards for each shape and Lumera doesn’t bother. I will let you know when I get it. Now it’s time for the setting…
Then the proposal…
The fun never stops!
Not sure about why Lumera listed it as good only. The truth is, all of these sites are just guessing when it comes to fancy shapes. The only shapes you can really grade by parameters alone are round, princess, and maybe emerald (and asscher). For the rest of them, grading cut by looking at a matrix of numbers is useless.
Did you buy it with a ring, btw? If so, did you know to use the TAD0611 coupon code? If not, it’s definitely not too late to call and get it applied!
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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