Q&A: Choosing a Cushion Cut Diamond for a Cushion Halo Setting With Up to $8,000 Budget

Thanks for your site and help in advance!

I’m starting my search for a 1.3-1.5 carat centre cushion with pave set in either platinum or rose gold. Maybe total 1.8-1.9 carat if possible.

Something like this:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-cushion-outline-and-pave-gallery-engagement-ring-item-53074?a_aid=dmnd1357

Can I get something with a budget of 8000 for diamond and setting? If not, can you please adjust the budget to meet the criteria as well as the centre carat to meet the budget?

Thanks.

Thank you so much for your email and apologies for the delayed response. The diamond you’ve suggested is of course no longer available, but that is fine – I’m not in a rush and would like to get the perfect ring! In terms of timeline, I would like to purchase something in approx the next month. Do you still have any discount codes for JA?

I’ve done some research and I feel like I will most likely go with JA or BGD.

I like the idea of BGD because I want to get the exceptional brilliance/cut and I’m happy to pay a bit more for it but I haven’t seen them release any new signature cushions (H&A) over the past week or two in the size I’m after so I don’t know the premium for a signature cushion at the ~1.33 carat mark. Also, I haven’t been able to find a setting that is very similar to what I’ve been eyeing from JA:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-cushion-outline-and-pave-gallery-engagement-ring-item-53074?a_aid=dmnd1357

Please let me know if you have any insights on how frequently new signature cushion stock might come out (I’ve emailed BGD), a rough idea of premium for their signature cushions vs something that you might suggest as comparable from JA (or even BGD not signature line) and whether there is any setting from BGD that would be an alternative to JA’s. Also, I vaguely recall reading a post in the FAQ regarding BGD cushions and perhaps being cut a little too shallow/deep in terms of table or depth but I can no longer find this. Do you (still) have such an opinion? If so, would you mind elaborating please or sending me to the FAQ link?

In terms of questions re: the diamonds themselves, I’ve read from your site that you recommend H+ for cushions. Does this change when set with a halo in a pave setting where the surrounding diamonds are an average colour of F-G. Will the colour of the center diamond appear more ‘coloured’ as it is surrounded by other (smaller) high rated colour diamonds? Or should I request for the halo/pave to be H colour?

Also, I think I’m now also considering white gold in addition to rose gold or platinum and now a ctw w/ center diamond of 1.68 rather than 1.8-1.9, so ideally a center of 1.33 or 1.34. If you have any advice, suggestions or recommendations, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks again.

……

What do you think of the following?
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.030-i-vs1-cushion-diamond-active-104092669008?a_aid=y
set in: www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/the-anita-halo-platinum-5950p?a_aid=y
$2550 – $3150

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.32-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-3077954?a_aid=dmnd1357
$6220 (I have put this on hold)
set in: www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-cushion-outline-and-pave-gallery-engagement-ring-item-53040?a_aid=dmnd1357
$2340

Alternatively, let me know if you have any other suggestions, thanks!

Got it thanks!

So today is my birthday and it would be kind of cool to be able to make the purchase of my engagement ring on my birthday!

Can I get our opinions/ranking on the following four please?
1) www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.32-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-3077954?a_aid=dmnd1357

2) www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.60-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2617934?a_aid=dmnd1357

3) www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.55-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3010571?a_aid=dmnd1357

4) www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.510-g-si1-cushion-diamond-gia-1186244640?a_aid=y

There prices are 6220, 9930, 11150 and 10565 respectively.

Of course 1) is a lot less expensive so I expect it to be not as good as the others but at the same time, I guess think the additional color and clarity may not make much difference from diamonds 2 & 3?

Also, I can’t seem to get signature, so how does the select range of 4 compare?

Thanks so much!

Thanks for such a speedy response, it is much appreciated and super helpful.

I also found the diamond you suggested too but BGD told me that it has already been sold and will be removed from their website shortly.

I will keep you updated with how it goes.