WWYD with a big-ish badly cut diamond? Or pre-PS diamond?

[Indylady]

If you had a badly cut diamond to spare (and its too shallow for a good recut), what would you do? What have you done with your pre-PS diamonds?

 

[tkyasx78]

Pendant

depending on how big though I might be ok with the weight loss in a recut

 

[chrono]

Sold as estate.

 

[missy]

If you had a badly cut diamond to spare (and its too shallow for a good recut), what would you do? What have you done with your pre-PS diamonds?

Trade/Sell or give to a friend or family member who would enjoy it.

 

[lambskin]

How bad? If it is absolutely horrible then I would not do anything with it other than sell it or use it for a trade in. I would not spend another dime on it by setting it into something else...the old adage "Lipstick on a Pig" or "Good Money After Bad". But if it is something that is pretty albeit not ideal, you can always set it into a simple setting and wear it on vacation or venue where you do not want to wear it and still have some bling.

 

[marymm]

Is it too shallow to convert into a rose-cut or the like?

 

[Indylady]

Trade/Sell or give to a friend or family member who would enjoy it.

I did just that with one of them—a charming OEC that I am giving to my mom. It’s a bad cut, but still overall atttractive with a very white face up color and definitely still nicer than many diamonds out there. It’s being set right now.

 

[Indylady]

Is it too shallow to convert into a rose-cut or the like?

How bad? If it is absolutely horrible then I would not do anything with it other than sell it or use it for a trade in. I would not spend another dime on it by setting it into something else...the old adage "Lipstick on a Pig" or "Good Money After Bad". But if it is something that is pretty albeit not ideal, you can always set it into a simple setting and wear it on vacation or venue where you do not want to wear it and still have some bling.

Both are pretty but not ideal. One is an OEC and the other is a Marquise, both around 1ct, both nice and white facing G’s (I do like all colors and low colors, these just happen to be white). Both way nicer than any mall diamond, but not as nice as my tastes now .

On ‘Good money after bad’, I agree with you, and generally that is my mantra most of the time. However, someeeetimes, a great setting can really pull up an ok diamond. It’s just a bit tough to know when to make the call and I think it would take some serious $$$ for a nice custom setting rather than a stock setting, at which point, I wind up going full circle on my own logic and wonder, why not just get something new altogether?

As for selling or trade in, I’m totally intimidated by the process for some reason. The OEC sat in a box forever and made several trips to the jeweler without much progress, and finally I just had it set into a simple solitaire for my mom. The Marquise, I still don’t know what to do with that.

 

[Calliecake]

I would give it to one of my nieces who loves jewelry. I’m also not one who should be answering this. I have diamonds that are not PS quality and love them anyway.

 

[Indylady]

Sold as estate.

Not a bad idea and very utilitarian.

 

[lambskin]

any pictures?

 

[diamondringlover]

lol I still wear mine every day.....

 

[AGBF]

How bad is a great question. I have several non-ideal cut round brilliants that were bought during the 60/60 days. But they are all great color, and clarity while the cut was what the high end jewelry stores were then selling. I have a stone that is, I believe, a 2.20 carat E color VS clarity. I originally wore it as a solitaire but felt it was too big (!!!). So I had it set in a bezel on a gold wire pendant. The necklace actually has many gold wire strands, I forget how many, maybe 5 or 7. I have no desire to part with this stone.

AGBF

 

[Indylady]

How bad is a great question. I have several non-ideal cut round brilliants that were bought during the 60/60 days. But they are all great color, and clarity while the cut was what the high end jewelry stores were then selling. I have a stone that is, I believe, a 2.20 carat E color VS clarity. I originally wore it as a solitaire but felt it was too big (!!!). So I had it set in a bezel on a gold wire pendant. The necklace actually has many gold wire strands, I forget how many, maybe 5 or 7. I have no desire to part with this stone.

AGBF

Deb, that is beautiful! I love the multi strand look, and in yellow gold . I recently got some pave work in yellow gold (a halo). I never see yg pave and wondered if I was making the right choice (over plat) but my true love of yg won out.

As for mine, how bad? Very mediocre cuts, but still quite white and bright, and overall charming and far better than much of what is available at an average shop.

 

[AGBF]

I recently got some pave work in yellow gold (a halo). I never see yg pave and wondered if I was making the right choice (over plat) but my true love of yg won out.

You have piqued my interest, Indylady! Will you post a photo of your new piece?

Deb

 

[Snowdrop13]

My original diamond pendant is in this category. It’s nice and white but I can see an inclusion under the table, I can also tell that the cut isn’t the best, although it is pretty sparkly under certain types of lighting.

I have made my peace with it now (I raged internally for ages about the money I spent on it, with the knowledge I have now I can see I would get a superideal for the same, and it’s 15 years later ) and have decided to wear it when I go on holiday and don’t want to wear my upgraded stone. If that doesn’t work out I will likely give it to my sister or niece. I know I would not get even half what I paid for it back if I tried to sell and the effort of that is too much!

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Haha, thought about this. Mil has a d (or e) vvs 1.7 ct family stone that's a flat, spready pancake. She complained at least 10 x during the last month about the lack of sparkle. Thinks it's because her setting is too low (it's not). When I explained the concept of CUT to her, she just kind of zoomed out of the discussion. I'd love to have it recerted with all the angles (they have several indepent appraisals stating ctw clarity and colour, but no cert) for curiosity's sake. I guess recutting won't be an option, given the shallow dimensions... I'm pretty sure I ll not have to worry about it, though, since all jewelry will go to her only daughter, who hates jewelry and will just sell everything off.

 

[Indylady]

You have piqued my interest, Indylady! Will you post a photo of your new piece?

Deb

Yes, of course! I'm horrible with photos which is why I never post any, but here are a few below. The gallery is really the best part about the ring--it has multicolor sapphire and diamond flowers (I think the light blue stones may actually be aquamarines, but I think the rest are sapphires. When I was a child my mom and aunts would tell me the fairy tale "12 Dancing Princesses", a German Brothers Grimm fairy tale about 12 princesses that would wear their shoes out each night by sneaking out to go dancing. In my family's version, the princesses travelled through rooms with sapphire and emerald and diamond ruby forests on their way to the princes. They never got caught and evaded all the knights and noblemen that the king sent to follow the princesses and figure out why their shoes were so worn; it sounds like an unsatisfactory end, but I really didn't question that as a child, and just enjoyed each pretty description of forests of gems and beautiful gowns and dancing with princes. Or perhaps in my family's version they eventually married the princes, I really can't quite remember, but it was a happy ending. Turns out that was my family's feminist twist, to include lots of gemstones and no capture, and that in the traditional story (and versions of the story) the princesses only walk through silver, gold, and diamond rooms, and they are caught somehow and then either marry the knight that caught them or are cursed with a magic spell for the number of days they went out dancing, depending on the version. Anyways, I always loved the story and love flowers and florals generally, and thought this would be a sweet gallery. Steven Kirsch made the ring. The centerstone is a 1.4ct fancy light gray.

I really worried that I need platinum for both the pave (for the sake of a long lasting ring, to avoid loosing pave, etc.) and the fancy gray, but, I love YG and I actually think it makes a nice contrast with the gray and encourages it to pop a bit. There is such little visible metal on the halo that you can really barely tell its in yellow gold at any normal viewing distance, or so I think by my eyes. I lose some pave over time or the ring bends out of shape, and if that happens sooner because its yellow gold and not platinum, I have made peace with that possibility or inevitability. I just like what I like, and I'll work on the upkeep by babying it a bit and paying for the maintenance.

 

[Indylady]

Haha, thought about this. Mil has a d (or e) vvs 1.7 ct family stone that's a flat, spready pancake. She complained at least 10 x during the last month about the lack of sparkle. Thinks it's because her setting is too low (it's not). When I explained the concept of CUT to her, she just kind of zoomed out of the discussion. I'd love to have it recerted with all the angles (they have several indepent appraisals stating ctw clarity and colour, but no cert) for curiosity's sake. I guess recutting won't be an option, given the shallow dimensions... I'm pretty sure I ll not have to worry about it, though, since all jewelry will go to her only daughter, who hates jewelry and will just sell everything off.

You could instead send it to a diamond cutter that will likely provide an ASET for free to assess a cut; it would be deceptive if you/MIL were not open to a cut, but it wouldn't hurt to see. Its a shame it'll go to someone who doesn't care and will sell it, but I guess c'est la vie. A halo could add a bit of sparkle if nothing else is to be done and she won't sell it or recut it, and still wants to wear it.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Beautiful, @Indylady

 

[Indylady]

My original diamond pendant is in this category. It’s nice and white but I can see an inclusion under the table, I can also tell that the cut isn’t the best, although it is pretty sparkly under certain types of lighting.

I have made my peace with it now (I raged internally for ages about the money I spent on it, with the knowledge I have now I can see I would get a superideal for the same, and it’s 15 years later ) and have decided to wear it when I go on holiday and don’t want to wear my upgraded stone. If that doesn’t work out I will likely give it to my sister or niece. I know I would not get even half what I paid for it back if I tried to sell and the effort of that is too much!

Yep--kind of how I feel about my diamonds. Selling is really intimidating to me, especially which something is quite outside of the PS scope of 'good/great'; even though I'm the one that bought it was great intentions and liked it a lot, I actually feel a bit weird trying to sell something that I don't think is that great. I know that's why people sell things (tastes change, they want to upgrade, etc.) and there is a market for all kinds of diamonds, but its still just a lot to think about altogether. You might consider a recut though, I have had one recut with success and considered it for one the diamonds that led me to this create this thread.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

You could instead send it to a diamond cutter that will likely provide an ASET for free to assess a cut; it would be deceptive if you/MIL were not open to a cut, but it wouldn't hurt to see. Its a shame it'll go to someone who doesn't care and will sell it, but I guess c'est la vie. A halo could add a bit of sparkle if nothing else is to be done and she won't sell it or recut it, and still wants to wear it.

Thanks for your input! I suggested to send it off, but she's afraid GIA will switch her diamond :roll, so she won't be open to sending it anywhere else.

 

[Indylady]

Beautiful, @Indylady

Thank you so much, Kipari! In real life, literally no one around me has ever noticed or commented. I love the ring a lot though, and the pave work and shared prongs on the gallery are really tiny and delicate. I'm amazed my phone actually picked up so much of the prongs in the photos, but in real life they are pretty tiny and look like husky pinpricks. The diamond flowers are tiny tiny. And I asked for some open space in the gallery to be a bit more light and airy, which doesn't show much in the photos, and he did a wonderful job. I can tell the four bigger blues (the aqua and sapphire) are anchoring the halo to the donut on the band; there is also a hint of a stem under the bright pink sapphires, just underneath and hitting the donut, but otherwise the look is completely seamless and I'm amazed that Steven was able to leave such open spaces while preserving the structural integrity of the ring.

 

[Indylady]

Thanks for your input! I suggested to send it off, but she's afraid GIA will switch her diamond :roll, so she won't be open to sending it anywhere else.

Old school! I get it.

 

[Indylady]

any pictures?

I never took any and Old World Diamonds took the listing/photo down as soon as I bought it (one of the two). It is being set now and then sent to my mom (actually likely to arrive Monday or Tuesday), but i'll take a photo next time I see my folks. The marquise is also with my folks, sitting in a jewelry box.

 

[AGBF]

That's a fabulous ring, IndyLady. I absolutely love the colorful underside with the sprinkling of diamonds over the colored gems. It looks like all my childhood fantasies! (And "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" was probably my favorite book, only the version I had was written for children in the 1950's United States, so it wouldn't have had any of the Brothers Grimm surprises in it.)

I am so glad you reminded me of the story as well as showing me your beautiful ring. Both the ring and the story are inspiring!

Hugs,
Deb

 

[strawrose]

Yes, of course! I'm horrible with photos which is why I never post any, but here are a few below. The gallery is really the best part about the ring--it has multicolor sapphire and diamond flowers (I think the light blue stones may actually be aquamarines, but I think the rest are sapphires. When I was a child my mom and aunts would tell me the fairy tale "12 Dancing Princesses", a German Brothers Grimm fairy tale about 12 princesses that would wear their shoes out each night by sneaking out to go dancing. In my family's version, the princesses travelled through rooms with sapphire and emerald and diamond ruby forests on their way to the princes. They never got caught and evaded all the knights and noblemen that the king sent to follow the princesses and figure out why their shoes were so worn; it sounds like an unsatisfactory end, but I really didn't question that as a child, and just enjoyed each pretty description of forests of gems and beautiful gowns and dancing with princes. Or perhaps in my family's version they eventually married the princes, I really can't quite remember, but it was a happy ending. Turns out that was my family's feminist twist, to include lots of gemstones and no capture, and that in the traditional story (and versions of the story) the princesses only walk through silver, gold, and diamond rooms, and they are caught somehow and then either marry the knight that caught them or are cursed with a magic spell for the number of days they went out dancing, depending on the version. Anyways, I always loved the story and love flowers and florals generally, and thought this would be a sweet gallery. Steven Kirsch made the ring. The centerstone is a 1.4ct fancy light gray.

I really worried that I need platinum for both the pave (for the sake of a long lasting ring, to avoid loosing pave, etc.) and the fancy gray, but, I love YG and I actually think it makes a nice contrast with the gray and encourages it to pop a bit. There is such little visible metal on the halo that you can really barely tell its in yellow gold at any normal viewing distance, or so I think by my eyes. I lose some pave over time or the ring bends out of shape, and if that happens sooner because its yellow gold and not platinum, I have made peace with that possibility or inevitability. I just like what I like, and I'll work on the upkeep by babying it a bit and paying for the maintenance.

That is so pretty!

I’m wondering the same thing about a diamond ring I’m getting. It was a “maul” buy, but it is a treasured gift.

 

[Calliecake]

It’s a beautiful ring @Indylady . I would love to have a ring like this to share and make one day for my small neices when they get older. The story behind it makes it uniquely special besides being stunningly beautiful. Thank you sharing this story. Do you mind it I consider having something similar made?

This ring would have occupied my nieces for quite a long time when they were little and occupy one of their daughters now. A couple of my nieces were jewelry girls. We had a family funeral that had quite a long service. Three of my nieces had asked to sit with me at the service. They sat silently for the entire service passing my jewelry back and forth wearing and trying different pieces on. The girls were 3 6 and 7 at the time. My SIL’s couldn’t believe they were quite the whole time. After the service was over the 6 year told her mom she was so happy because they got to wear my jewelry the whole time.

What a beautiful piece to wear and have made for my younger ones when the are older day with lots of happy memories behind the pieces.

Your story really touched my heart.

 

[dk168]

My mum's near 1.9ct MRB is pre-PS that she bought over 40 years ago.

Don't know the exact specifications and there is no certificate. It has an extra facet in the girdle.

I had it looked at by one of the ladies at Diamond House's London branch, and she estimated it to be G/H around 1.9ct, and advised against re-cutting it (I was enquiring about re-cutting it via them).

I don't want it to be re-set into a ring as I don't like MRBs as rings, and already have my 1.19ct E VS1 as RHR of choice (left hand is for either a CS or pearl ring).

I already have substantial diamond bracelets except for a tennis bracelet that is at the top end of my wish list.

Hence I have decided to have it set in a pendant, as I could do with another diamond pendant due to my paved puffy heart pendant is not appropriate for all occasions.

I shall find a way to have it set so that it can be worn as a single stone bangle interchangeable with a pendant setting that I have in mind.

DK

 

[Indylady]

That's a fabulous ring, IndyLady. I absolutely love the colorful underside with the sprinkling of diamonds over the colored gems. It looks like all my childhood fantasies! (And "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" was probably my favorite book, only the version I had was written for children in the 1950's United States, so it wouldn't have had any of the Brothers Grimm surprises in it.)

I am so glad you reminded me of the story as well as showing me your beautiful ring. Both the ring and the story are inspiring!

Hugs,
Deb

Thank you, Deb! I hope you didn't mind the long post, I realized as I was wrapping up that I was verging on essay territory , I just like the ring a lot and I got a little excited sharing it! The 12 Dancing Princesses is such a wonderful tale, its a fun and delightful coincidence that you already know it and love it too!