Q&A: Choosing a Cushion Cut Diamond for a Halo Setting With Up to $5,500 Budget

Hello. Thank you for everything you have provided on this site. It has been by far the most informative that I have come across and I have spent hours on it already. I am looking for a cushion cut 1 carat diamond in the $4,000 range (to go on a $1,000-$1,500 band). I have primarily been looking at Blue Nile after a trip to their store, but then I came across your story stating it would be a bad idea to buy a cushion cut from Blue Nile. I have since shifted to James Allen and doing a search using your advice, I ended up with a list of 5. I’m hoping you can offer me feedback on what you think of this list – or if I should be going a different direction with my search criteria. It would be so very much appreciated.

Thank you!

Thank you for your reply and information. I am grateful for the assistance.

I am interested in more of a square shape cushion cut.

Thanks again and I look forward to continuing this conversation.

That does look pretty great, unfortunately when I click on the link, the site says that diamond is no longer available.

Any other suggestions for me? Thank you very much for your help.

……

Can I ask your opinion on this:
Blue Nile LD08021330

It seems similar to the James Allen link you sent me (that is no longer available) and the GIA report looks remarkably clean on this one. I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you.

Thanks, I thought rectangular would be OK, but it turns out that won’t be the case. So my search continues.

Here is one I found on James Allen, any thoughts or other options you might be able to pass along?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2746832?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks again.

OK, one more:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2743445?a_aid=dmnd1357

This appears to be the best price I’ve found, while also appearing very clean. It’s width-length isn’t quite as square as the two below, but it’s still a 1.05 ratio.

Thank for all your help. What do you think of this?

I wanted to let you know I purchased this diamond from James Allen. It’s in a halo setting and I think it looks fantastic. I’m very excited to receive it. I want to thank you for your assistance in looking over diamonds this past week as well as all the information on your website. It was all very valuable and important to me.