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Q&A: Cushion Cut for $3500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Thank you for taking the time to review my question.

I’ve read quite a few of your articles and others online to get myself somewhat educated, but would love your help!

To give you the breakdown of my preferences, here they are:
-online (heard most/best about James Allen)
-cushion cut
-cut: the best possible (but there aren’t any hard rules on this, right?
-colour (H or better)
-clarity (most comfortable w/VS2 or better, but not opposed to SI 1 or 2)
-size (>0.7, assuming can’t get higher than 0.9 in my budget, but not opposed if available)
-budget for diamond ($2500-3500)
-budget for ring (in Platinum) ($500-1200)

For reference to a diamond I was looking at: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.71-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-172592?a_aid=dmnd1357

For reference to the ring style, something like this with a bit thicker ring, and one that rounds up towards the diamond (don’t need the sapphire on the ring):

http://birks.com/en/products/Engagement-Rings/g64/5000601210

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

It seems like you have this diamond buying process down pat. I love the diamond you selected. Looks like you don’t need much help from me.

Let me know how it looks when it arrives.

However much I appreciate you letting me know you loved the diamond I chose, I was looking for a couple of options from you, if possible. Can you also tell me the difference between regular and modified cushion cut?

Basically, I’m just looking for feedback on buying the best/clearest diamond and ring for my money, without overpaying if I don’t have to. If you could add in your analysis or comments to the diamond options specifically, that would be excellent.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

The difference between a modified cushion and regular is technical and has to do with the faceting on the bottom of the diamond. There are many different looks to cushions. There is the antique chunky and the crushed ice. Then there is square/rectangular which will change the way it looks.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.70-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-195377?a_aid=dmnd1357

This is the antique chunky look.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.72-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-194834?a_aid=dmnd1357

This is the crushed ice look.

There is no technical preference between the two. It’s all about what you like.

Thanks for your response. I now have two different stone options that I’m looking at, as I would like a more square cushion cut.

What are your thoughts of these two? Should I stay away from the 2nd option that has a Medium Blue fluorescence?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-204384?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-206403?a_aid=dmnd1357

also thinking about this true square (1.00 length to width ratio) cushion cut:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.75-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-136882?a_aid=dmnd1357

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

I love the 0.80 G VS2. I think its the best cut/value overall.

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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
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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
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