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Q&A: Looking for Cushion Cut for $8-9K Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am shopping for a cushion cut on a $8-9,000 budget for the stone. I have read your reviews and advice and have come across this stone from James Allen. Item # 1518487 (https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1518487.asp)

1.63 Carat
I Color
VS1
Ideal Cut

My biggest concern is the proportions. Any advice would be appreciated.

The cut proportions are fine but what type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.

Thanks for your response. I may have jumped the gun, but I purchased a stone from James Allen yesterday. I purchased product #1546809 (https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1546809.asp) but would still like your feedback on the stone.

It will be set in a simple white gold setting, solitaire, with pave around approx. 60% of the band. I was aiming to mimic the Tiffany Novo.

I like that diamond a lot.

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.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free International Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Best-in-class packaging
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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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
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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