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My budget is about 10,000 and my thinking is that should get the best ideal cut within my budget. Thoughts on this approach? I think my girlfriend prefers a cushion cut but I also know she would be really happy with a great looking diamond. I was searching Blue Nile and didn’t find any cushion cut that had an ideal cut but maybe there are some very good cuts you can recommend?
If you want the best cut possible, I’d choose to go with Brian Gavin. Look at this 1.020ct cushion cut I found:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.020-h-vs1-cushion-diamond-active-104092669006?a_aid=y
Their Signature diamonds are the best out there. All of their diamonds are incredibly brilliant.
As for the cut grade, GIA doesn’t give cut grades to any shape but round. This being said, you shouldn’t focus on the cut mark on Blue Nile at all. It’s their subjective note.
Thanks for the response.
I noticed the color on the diamond is H, does that matter as much here?
The H color is absolutely fine for any setting you decide to put it in. Especially with the BG’s cut, the diamond will look colorless.
I went to a jewelry store this weekend to see rings in person just to get an idea of what carat size looks like, and I think I want to go with about 1.4 – 1.5 carat. Can you recommend a cushion or round cut around 10K?
I’ve also read that if you look at a round cut and a cushion cut of the same carat, the round will seem bigger. Any truth to that?
You are completely right about the actual size of a cushion vs round. A round will always look much larger. If you’re aiming for a ~1.50ct now, I’d drop the idea of having a Brian Gavin diamond and concentrate on an Ex GIA cut instead.
If I should include a round cut to my search as well, I need to know what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones, halo) and metal (yellow gold, white gold, platinum) you’re going to put it in. The round diamond’s color can vary based on this. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
I’m going with a solitaire setting and a yellow gold band. I read that if I’m going with a gold band I can afford to go with a lower color grade.
I’m between a round or cushion cut. Seems I can get a bigger cushion but not sure if it’s worth getting a 1.8ct cushion over a 1.5 round.
Yes, you can go lower. If it’s a round cut, you can go as low as a K color goes. If it’s a cushion cut, I+ is recommended as cushions don’t mask their true colors as well as rounds.
If you want a ~1.80ct diamond, I found an incredible choice:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.82-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2238714?a_aid=dmnd1357
And I also found a 1.61ct cushion:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.61-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2675327?a_aid=dmnd1357
Let me know what you think.
Can you recommend any of the following diamonds? I’m inclined to go with Blue Nile because they offer no interest financing so I can pay no interest until I get my work bonus in 6 months. My girlfriend and I are going to Italy in June so I really think it’d be perfect to do it on this trip, otherwise I would just wait.
Blue Nile LD08124261
Blue Nile LD08405289
Blue Nile LD08478729
Blue Nile LD06166358
Blue Nile LD08612926
Blue Nile LD08613345
Blue Nile LD08149375
I like these two stones:
Blue Nile LD08124261
Blue Nile LD08613345
The rest is either not eye-clean or badly cut. These two are winners.
Ok thanks for your help! I think I’m going with the second one.
One last question. If I decide to go with a gold pave setting, will that impact the appearance of the color since I’m going with a color J? If so I’m fine going with a plain gold band.
It shouldn’t be such a big deal. It’s borderline, but it should be OK either way.
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
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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