Q&A: Choosing a Cushion-Cut Diamond for a Cathedral Pavé Setting With Around $7,000 Budget

Hello,

I’m new to all this but a quick study. My GF and I recently started looking at rings and diamonds. We decided on cushion cut and looked at a few at a local jeweler. One that we liked had this GIA #6245760138. I’ve read some of your articles and it didn’t seem completely “eye clean” to me but looked good until you got awkwardly close. They were charging 6590US for it.

I’ve started to do more research now and I feel like I could get a better diamond for less. I’ve started to look at James Allen and Blue Nile but online is a bit scary. I’m also wondering what this “crushed ice” appearance is and how to tell.

Sorry to ramble on. Thanks for any insight!

We are looking for a squarish shape in the 1.2ct area, in a white gold setting. A little bigger is more ok than a little smaller. My budget is 6-$8000, but I’m more comfortable closer to the 7000 range or below. This is for the engagement setting and diamond but not wedding band. We will be getting that at a later time.

What we’ve been drawn to so far is something more on the dainty side. Like this:

We like a cathedral type, my Gf doesn’t like the main diamond to just stick out of the band. We were told that sometimes cushion diamonds can come loose due to the shape and that a crown like this can be more secure:

We’ve found some settings locally, so getting setting and a diamond or just a diamond is an option.

Thanks for the help!

That is very close! One thing the gf is not too keen on is the “channel” like setting for the side diamonds, although this one isn’t too bad. She likes the more prong looking type. Also, we’re not apposed to a side embellishment of some sort but we plan to do a wedding band and would prefer it to nest tightly. She also prefers it to not taper as it gets close to the diamond. It’s hard to tell form the picture if this one does that.

This diamond looks very nice, I just have a question on the girdle and how much that effects things… This one says medium to very thick? Could you also give me a few slightly bigger options? I’d say up to/below 1.5 and the price going up is obviously ok.

Thanks for your help!!

Yes I saw that setting as well. That is very much what I am looking for.

I’ve been looking around James Allen for diamonds and it really is hard for my untrained eye to pick things. What are your thoughts on this diamond?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2818649?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks

I did put it on hold, it was $6400… I have until this afternoon to make up my mind 🙂