Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
The most important consideration when buying cushion cut engagement rings is the clarity of the stone. This particular cut only suits good quality diamonds as the cut is very open. It will exaggerate the flaws found in all diamond stones.
Diamonds are graded according to the four C’s being cut, clarity, color and carat. You have already decided on the cushion cut and as this cut suits stones of at least one carat, let’s move onto the two remaining C’s clarity and color.
When a stone is graded on clarity, they are talking about how visible the inherent flaws in the stone are to a trained eye. Often people will buy a huge stone but the clarity will be very poor i.e. there will be flaws present that are visible to the naked eye resulting in the ring not looking as beautiful as it could. You should never buy this type of stone for a cushion cut engagement ring.
A diamond classified as FL is flawless. This makes it the most expensive of all the grades and means that even a trained eye cannot pick up flaws using 10 x magnifications. An IF is the next level. This is used when there are some tiny irregularities but no internal visible flaws. When you chose a cut such as the cushion, you need to buy a stone that has been graded at least as a SI-1. There are small flaws that can be seen under magnification but will be invisible to the naked eye.
The next C is the color and again given the size of diamond you need for a cushion cut engagement ring, you shouldn’t be looking at stones given a rating of less than an I but preferably an E Or F would be better.
When you are shopping for cushion cut engagement rings, you need to be wary of some scams certain jewelers will try to pull. When you visit your jeweler, if he mention that the stone is a blue white diamond you need to leave the store. This is a common term used by scam artists and you don’t want to risk falling victim.
When buying an engagement ring of this value, your jeweler should be pleased to provide you with the weight and quality in writing of the center diamond or only diamond if you have chosen a solitaire. If they are not prepared to do this, again leave without buying anything.
All sales people use tricks and gimmicks to sell their stock and jewelers are no different. Why do you think diamond rings are usually displayed against black cloth? Or why are the lights in a jewelry store always so bright? Both settings make the stones sparkle better. These are common sales tactics and as we are all aware of them no real harm is done.
But you need to be aware that some stores use blue lights in their fluorescent lighting. This can make diamonds with yellow streaks look more colorless i.e. more valuable. So always ask to try on the ring and walk around the store. If possible look at the ring in daylight to see how the stone looks. Given the price of cushion cut engagement rings, the store clerk may accompany you outside but a little extra vigilance at this stage will help you secure a better deal for this very important purchase which you hope only to make once!