So the time has come for me to find the right stone for an engagement ring. Your website has been a great help. Truly clearing up some of my misconceptions and keeping me away from salesmen. Thank you!
I have found one stone I am interested in and am curious if you might be able to suggest a better stone.
I am looking for an ideal cushion cut 1 caret or greater stone that is spotless to the eye. Budget $4000-$5500.
Color F or greater with no florescence.
Very good polish and symmetry.
This is the stone I am currently milling over.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1342191.asp
I had previously read that with the cushion cut I would want to stay with a greater color and quality due to the large faucets. I prefer a ratio below 1.13.
I may set it into this band:
or a band resembling the second ring on the top row from the left with the two black side stones.
Thank you for your time and assistance. Your articles on cushion cut stones are great!
That is a very nice stone you picked. Do you prefer the “crushed ice” look over the faceted symmetrical look to a cushion? If you’re not familiar with what I’m talking about, compare the stone you linked to to this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1335847.asp
Btw, I don’t know if you noticed it on my site, but you should use the TAD0611 coupon code. It’ll give you 10% off the setting.
Thanks for the quick reply. I actually prefer the faceted symmetrical look but have had trouble finding one within my price range. I have read that due to the large open faucets on the cushion cut that a VS2 clarity would be the minimum to purchase.
I have read that the SI2 is only visible under 10x lens but I am concerned about it being visible to the naked eye or looking cottony.
In the pictures or Jared Allen the crushed ice looks much shinier than the faceted diamond. I am assuming this is largely due to the picture. In lighting would the faceted or crushed ice look any shinier or reflect light any better?
Thanks again Ira!
There’s no rule about VS2, SI1, or SI2 in terms of it being visible to the naked eye or not. See my article on clarity:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/
Some VS2s are visible to the naked eye, and some SI2s are not. The trick is finding a nice SI2 that is eye clean. You can definitely find that in a cushion. It’s not as easy as with a round, but definitely possible.
The crushed ice stone will look more “sparkly” but it looks messy – not organized. The faceted look is probably more bright overall, but a much more neat and clean look.
Sorry to bombard you with another email. I found these stones and wanted your opinion on them.
Symmetrical look
(1) https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1324981.asp
(2) https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1281500.asp
(3)(For the price and quality this one seems to be the best deal however it doesn’t appear as beautiful as the others in the photos-Is this stone dark and cloudy/cottony?)
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1318874.asp
Below are the two stones we had previously looked at
(4) (Crushed ice appearance- I like how this stone shines in the photograph)
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1342191.asp
(5)(I like this stone but I am worried about the SI2 clarity with the large facets- don’t want the stone to appear cottony or cloudy to anyone’s eye)
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1335847.asp
Thanks again for everything Ira!
There’s nothing wrong with liking the crushed ice look more. If you like that picture, then maybe that’s what you’re drawn to. Otherwise, I actually like this one the best out of the others:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1324981.asp
but it’s a VERY close call. The SI2 is going to be totally eye clean and not cloudy at all. THe inclusions are feathers and they’re all on the sides. But I just don’t feel the SI2 offers you any more value. It’s a little bigger, but it’s even more expensive than the VS2s, so I’m changing my mind. The two 1.02 F VS2s are nearly identical, so I just went with the more square one.
Thank you Ira.
I am going to order the Diamond on the 30th. Headed out of town for Christmas and don’t want to chance a problem with shipping it. Hopefully it will still be available then. Thanks for all your help!
I will let you know how it works out when it arrives. I appriciate your help in the process. Looking around the internet I see that you have a pretty strong following.
Great! I look forward to hearing from you!
The ring came yesterday and looks great. I had an independent Gemlab appraise/verify the ring and center stone we looked at. As you stated I ended up with a beautiful ring at a fraction of the price I would have paid at a brick and mortar. Thanks for everything!
Such great news! Thanks so much for writing to let me know!
Do you think you might be able to do me a small favor? If you could write me a short review on ivouch, I would be most grateful! Here’s a direct link for you if you have the time:
(LINK REMOVED)
Thanks! And congrats!
It’s great! THanks so much!
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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