AL12
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
- Messages
- 382
Hi all,
This will be a long post and I'm nervous to hear the feedback on this stone because maybe after months of searching I am really hoping this is the one. But of course I would be amiss to not take in the expert advice from this group.
Background: After coming back to PS for my ~10 year e-ring upgrade, I fell madly in love with OMCs and I cannot get out. Due to budget concerns, I was completely set on buying a lab-grown diamond but unfortunately (and I want to say I've looked at every single potential vendor you can throw at me), the cutting of lab OMCs are not yet on par with the faceting structure that I am looking for. I am mainly seeing cuts that mostly resemble antique cushions which I strongly considered but knew deep down it wouldn't satisfy my OMC itch. I've been hunting for about 7 months now, constantly refreshing what lab grown vendors and doing and lurking around antique sites.
Most recently, I decided that look of a true OMC was most important to me so due to budget I settled on going back to earthed-diamonds but lowered my preferred carat size to around the 1.4-1.6ct mark (and even then that would have stretched out my budget for the stone alone). My end goal is a trilogy ring and I still need room to purchase side stones and setting.
I stumbled upon this stone from an unknown antique vendor based in Belgium (if this is a reputable seller, their items are definitely worth a look!) which completely exceeded my ct size expectations for an earth mined diamond and at a price (pre customs and PP fees) that just looks amazing to me. Even now I am nervous to post this and will try to leave out some details since the stone still looks to be accessible on the vendor site ***LURKERS DO NOT SNATCH THIS STONE FROM ME UNTIL I HAVE MADE MY DECISION. THE VENDOR HAS ALREADY PLACED THIS ON HOLD FOR ME FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND YOUR PURCHASE WILL BE DECLINED***
Pros:
Estimated to be about 2ct (this was my initial desired ct size for lab grown before I gave up and dimensions were provided to me via caliper measurement and it looks to align)
Estimated high color grade (I was not looking for a very warm stone unless it faced up more white)
Interaction with vendor very professional with no red flags as of yet
Comes with this amazing setting and fun rose cut stones (true antique lovers please don't come at me if I dismantle this stone!)
Cons:
Little known PS vendor, trying to still confirm if I can confirm they are legit
Not graded, the stone specs are purely being estimated by the vendor (estimated +/-2ct size and estimated F-G in color and I1 in clarity)
International purchase and unable to see the stone in purchase/returns would be difficult
----and the KICKER (covers face)....this is estimated to be an I1 due to several black inclusions in the center.
I know being I1 is so taboo in the PS world but it is crazy that I still think I really want it and am okay with it? The price is unreal and this is my upgrade, I likely may not upgrade this ring again (hah) as my next upgrade would probably be a wedding band to stack. Basically, I am not concerned about re-sale value at this price. The vendor has been amazing at being upfront about the inclusions immediately and attributed the low price to the inclusions and in the requested videos I could tell he was not trying to hide away the inclusions at all. In his words "You can easily see the inclusions with a 10x magnifying glass but 'hardly' with the naked eye. The stone is alive with a beautiful effect". I can definitely see them in the videos and while I don't love it, from a big picture perspective I really think I can justify them for the discounted cost.
Ohh...yes, the cost is about $5185 USD.
Here are the photos and videos without further ado:
This will be a long post and I'm nervous to hear the feedback on this stone because maybe after months of searching I am really hoping this is the one. But of course I would be amiss to not take in the expert advice from this group.
Background: After coming back to PS for my ~10 year e-ring upgrade, I fell madly in love with OMCs and I cannot get out. Due to budget concerns, I was completely set on buying a lab-grown diamond but unfortunately (and I want to say I've looked at every single potential vendor you can throw at me), the cutting of lab OMCs are not yet on par with the faceting structure that I am looking for. I am mainly seeing cuts that mostly resemble antique cushions which I strongly considered but knew deep down it wouldn't satisfy my OMC itch. I've been hunting for about 7 months now, constantly refreshing what lab grown vendors and doing and lurking around antique sites.
Most recently, I decided that look of a true OMC was most important to me so due to budget I settled on going back to earthed-diamonds but lowered my preferred carat size to around the 1.4-1.6ct mark (and even then that would have stretched out my budget for the stone alone). My end goal is a trilogy ring and I still need room to purchase side stones and setting.
I stumbled upon this stone from an unknown antique vendor based in Belgium (if this is a reputable seller, their items are definitely worth a look!) which completely exceeded my ct size expectations for an earth mined diamond and at a price (pre customs and PP fees) that just looks amazing to me. Even now I am nervous to post this and will try to leave out some details since the stone still looks to be accessible on the vendor site ***LURKERS DO NOT SNATCH THIS STONE FROM ME UNTIL I HAVE MADE MY DECISION. THE VENDOR HAS ALREADY PLACED THIS ON HOLD FOR ME FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND YOUR PURCHASE WILL BE DECLINED***
Pros:
Estimated to be about 2ct (this was my initial desired ct size for lab grown before I gave up and dimensions were provided to me via caliper measurement and it looks to align)
Estimated high color grade (I was not looking for a very warm stone unless it faced up more white)
Interaction with vendor very professional with no red flags as of yet
Comes with this amazing setting and fun rose cut stones (true antique lovers please don't come at me if I dismantle this stone!)
Cons:
Little known PS vendor, trying to still confirm if I can confirm they are legit
Not graded, the stone specs are purely being estimated by the vendor (estimated +/-2ct size and estimated F-G in color and I1 in clarity)
International purchase and unable to see the stone in purchase/returns would be difficult
----and the KICKER (covers face)....this is estimated to be an I1 due to several black inclusions in the center.
I know being I1 is so taboo in the PS world but it is crazy that I still think I really want it and am okay with it? The price is unreal and this is my upgrade, I likely may not upgrade this ring again (hah) as my next upgrade would probably be a wedding band to stack. Basically, I am not concerned about re-sale value at this price. The vendor has been amazing at being upfront about the inclusions immediately and attributed the low price to the inclusions and in the requested videos I could tell he was not trying to hide away the inclusions at all. In his words "You can easily see the inclusions with a 10x magnifying glass but 'hardly' with the naked eye. The stone is alive with a beautiful effect". I can definitely see them in the videos and while I don't love it, from a big picture perspective I really think I can justify them for the discounted cost.
Ohh...yes, the cost is about $5185 USD.
Here are the photos and videos without further ado:
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