Q&A: Help Finding a 1.70 Ct. Cushion Cut Diamond for a White Gold Setting With Baguettes for Around $12k Budget

Hi all,

I’m in the preliminary phase of narrowing down what I’d like in a ring so I can give my boyfriend some guidance.

My top favorite is the James Allen tapered baguette setting, but with a cushion cut in the center and a slightly larger stone than the 1.5 carat that that setting typically maxes out with.

I’m thinking around 1.8-2.2, or whatever will get me to around 7mm by 7mm — although it doesn’t necessarily have to be square/even measurements. I have a fake ring that I bought for size to get an idea of how something would look on my hand, and I think 7mm is ideal for me, again give or take half a mm on one side to add to the other.

Assuming I can get the larger custom setting (and have it lowered so the stone doesn’t sit so high, lower profile is important to me), I’m a little concerned about price. I’m expecting the budget to be about $12k total, and I’m not sure I’m going to be able to get a stone that size that’s eye clean and still an I color to be set in white gold.

I found this one and a handful of others that might work, but I’m still unsure:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.81-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-2661306?a_aid=dmnd1357

I realize the James Allen photos are done at 15x magnification, so some flaws that are glaring in the photos will be less noticeable in person, but is it possible to find a stone in the 9-10k range that size that won’t have a big black speck in the center? Do you have any thoughts? We’re not quite at the point where we’re ready to choose stones (I’m just doing reconnaissance now) so I don’t want to take too much of your time, but I’d love to know if you these parameters in this budget is just a pipe dream! If you thought it would get me somewhere, I’m open to going with yellow gold to drop down a few color grades in order to keep the stone the size I want.

Also, your site is so amazing and my boyfriend will definitely be coming to you when it’s time!

Thanks!

Thanks so much for your help! That’s a gorgeous stone! I did some more thinking after I wrote you and I’m starting to wonder if I should give up on cushions and think about a round stone with the tapered baguettes. Since the face up on the rounds is more than on a cushion, $10k will get me a larger looking/larger diameter stone and I can stay with an H+, or even save some cash and go with yellow gold and a J.

I do like a warmer look (perhaps just because my mother’s ring had that look and was set in gold) and 7.5mm with good cut and clarity are looking to be around $7500 from what I can tell. I guess it does all come down to a matter of taste/preference. The other option would be to stay with a cushion and maybe go more rectangular? Would you say it’s accurate to say that there’s a premium on the more square cushions? It’s a balancing act trying to have something unique while also getting the size I want!

I’m not even sure there was a follow up question in there, and I know you’re a diamond expert and not a psychic or an ancient oracle 🙂 but if there’s anything you think I’m not considering in terms of factors between the two cuts I would love to hear it. I just don’t want to be a cookie cutter plain-band-solitaire/micropave-set-super-high/halo/etc kind of girl, which is why I started with a cushion. The dream has always been a 3 carat yellow cushion with trapezoids, but I’ll save that idea for a big anniversary 🙂

Thanks for listening!

I know it’s been a while since our conversation below (and please let me know if I should submit a new request), but I’m working on steering my boyfriend toward a stone. I have a custom request in to James Allen to get an estimate for this setting with an approximately 1.7ct cushion that is basically a slightly smaller copy of this (but not 20k):
www.jamesallen.com/diamond-rings/cushion-cut-engagement-rings/2.01-carat-three-stone-engagement-ring-1782981?a_aid=dmnd1357

James Allen suggested that, to get the pillowy, cushiony look like in the original ring, I should look for a fairly square cushion with a depth and table btw 59-69%.

I’ve found these in H or better (plus a bunch of I’s) but I’m not sure if they’re all eye clean:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.72-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2482035?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3535598?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.53-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3178381?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.72-carat-d-color-si2-clarity-sku-3585162?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.67-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3613338?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.62-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3507253?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.62-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-3429983?a_aid=dmnd1357

With the yellow gold prong, would you still suggest staying at an H or better or do you think I could go down to an I? I’m trying to get a stone that is about 6.5-7.0mm across in each direction. Sorry to send you a zillion, but what are your thoughts on them? I was hoping to stay on the lower end of the 9-10k range if the setting is going to be custom, but if you think I don’t be able to get eye clean and no yellow then I understand I might need to go up or sacrifice in length and width. I don’t hate a warm-looking stone (I don’t need an icy colorlessness) but I suppose the line between warm and yellow-toned might be in the eye of the beholder 🙂 I’m fair-skinned, Irish ancestors, tend to be pinkish skin if that makes a difference.

Thank you again. I’m hoping to get a couple of stones to send to my boyfriend (if he hasn’t contacted you already).

Thank you for your fast reply! I’ve given all the info (and the custom setting which is ready) to my boyfriend and told JA that you had help me. This has been very fun, thanks again!