Q&A: Assistance Buying a Square Cushion Cut Diamond

Hello! I would like your assistance on a square cushion cut diamond. I have been examining diamond on JamesAllen and have come up with a few that I really like. I’m unsure what setting I will decide on either pave or a simple solitaire. It will come down to the diamond price. My budget for the ring is less than or around 2500. I’ve found 5 diamond I adore (roughly .75, VS1/2, ideal) but they are in the I/J range. You suggest something better for white gold and am wondering what my options are now. I’m concerned about size since my ring size is 7.75. I want something substantial but nothing overly flashy for my teaching job. For clarity and symmetry I prefer ideal but would accept very good, color is up to your judgement, thanks so much! Also, I read somewhere that for durability and strength the best setting is 14k with a platinum prongs. Do you agree? What would you suggest? I was told by a jeweler that cushions are hard to set and especially may not be the best for prongs that meet in the middle of the ring. Thanks again!

…….

I contacted you earlier about help picking a cushion cut… so far here are my top 6. A few are a bit higher than I prefer but would love any suggestions you may have found. Thanks!

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1345540.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1313932.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1307986.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1313930.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1313942.asp

Sorry I keep adding diamonds for you to examine. I really should just leave it to you, the expert, but these are the last five that I have found to consider. I’ve upped the budget to $3000 for the ring and setting and have included my favorite at the bottom thus far. Please consider all the diamonds I have included here and in the previous emails and let me know which 3 or so you recommend. I appreciate your assistance and anxiously and patiently (haha) look forward to you great advice and feedback. Thanks so much! I appreciate your time and dedication to all us… clueless buyers.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1304938.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1340031.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1308033.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1276409.asp

So far the below is my favorite:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1307991.asp (I like the size, the color should be (i hope is) decent, the clarity and cut are exceptional in my opinion. Thanks!)

Thank you so much! I appreciate your time and input greatly. I really love this diamond…. one more inquiry… again I thank you in advance! On the diamond I can see an inclusion (feather, i think) near the left center and on the right corner… do you think it is eye clean? Do you have any other diamond suggestions? Thanks so much!

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1313942.asp

Do you prefer any of the below?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1284705.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1285210.asp (table is thicker than depth… I’ve heard that isn’t a good thing.)
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1284721.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1303533.asp

Thanks again!

…….

or https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1276421.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1313930.asp

Thanks!

Thanks so much Ira… we’ve narrowed it down to three and would like your end all, be all suggestion. My fiancée is growing tired of looking at diamonds I suggest that look identical to him and he wants us to go ahead and make our final decision and order it. I love all three and they are all starting to blending together and look the same. Does any of the below stand out compared to the others or are they pretty much the same, all eye clean, and all good picks? I’ve tediously examined them and looking for the imperfections. Thanks so much! Can’t wait to order my ring with your suggestion! Thanks again for ALL your help and guidance!

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1284705.asp (I think there’s a crystal in the lower middle center)
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1284721.asp (Do you detect one in the upper middle center or is that just the cut and reflection? I didn’t really see any blemishes so this may be my favorite)
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1276421.asp (I saw one in the upper left corner and the far right center)

Oh and we’ve decided on this setting regardless of the diamond. https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-2-2mm-Pave-Set-Diamond-Ring.html The price has gone up in the past 24 hours. It’s a bummer but thankfully I’ve seen your coupon and will use it. Such a big help.

Thanks again! We appreciate it! :o)

Thank you so much! I am very grateful for your help. I have showed my fiancee and he likes it! He also saw a diamond that he really liked that we haven’t shown you yet. It’s smaller but I told him I I would ask you about it. He really likes the color, price, and especially the picture (though I think it’s the lighting and comparable to the other one). Is there a huge difference between the two. It’s a $1000 difference and about a .5 mm as well but wanted to inquire about it. Thanks!

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1313947.asp

I would like to take this time to thank you for all your time and assistance this past week. We couldn’t be happier with your help and the decision we came to. We placed our order tonight and went with the 0.71 cushion. I’m ecstatic and can’t wait to receive it! Thanks a bunch!