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Q&A: Help Finding a Cushion Diamond for a Halo Setting Within a $5.000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I’m looking for a cushion cut .95ct to 1.1ct with a $4500-5000 max budget for the stone only. It would go with the following setting https://www.helzberg.com/product/scott+kay+semi+mount+1988579.do?from=Search&cx=0 but in 18k white gold and I’m not purchasing it from Helzberg.

I came across the following stone:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2210607?a_aid=dmnd1357

and would like your opinion on it or other recommendations. The reason I liked it is it is difficult to see any inclusions while having good color and dimensions.

I have a couple of other questions:

1. Most of the cushion cuts on JA do not show the crown or pavilion angle? Are they not pertinent? I would assume they are as they affect how the light is reflected or lost through the stone. I may be wrong on this.

2. Is there a preferred table to depth closeness in numbers or having one bigger than the other?

Thanks.

The diamond you found is very clean, but it’s cut a little too deep than we recommend. We like to keep the depth % between 60-69% to maximize brilliance. Table-wise, anything below 70% is fine.

Regarding the crown/pavilion question, it’s not that they aren’t pertinent it’s that there is no consensus as to what is considered a proper angle for the diamond.
There are also several variations of shape and faceting that can affect the brilliance and what angles you’ll end up with. For those reasons, most people don’t focus on crown/pavilion angles.

I looked around and I like these options for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.09-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2012835?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.06-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2220798?a_aid=dmnd1357

They are well cut and either of them will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

Thank you for taking the time to respond and find me a couple of different very nice options. I noticed that one of the two you sent me were within 0.2% of the depth of the one I originally sent you. Is that a big difference? Since those were closer to the top of the budget. I took your advise on the criteria and found the following:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.97-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2263249?a_aid=dmnd1357

Can you provide your input on this? I believe since it is slightly under 1 Caret, it may be a good value if all the other criteria are acceptable.

Thanks.

The 69% is already the highest end, I wouldn’t recommend going over it.

And I absolutely love the new diamond you selected. All the specs are great on it. Well done!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
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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
  • Provide insurance appraisal
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