3 ct old mine diamond question

[scoutfinch]

I have been looking at a 3.19 ct old mine, cushion cut diamond... I-J color, vs 2 clarity.. priced at 15K. Its a lovely stone.. And Ive learned that looking at diamonds is truely a " diamond by diamond" process.. This diamond has the chunky facets, beautiful fire, etc.
that Ive been looking for. My question is whether this price is reasonable or not.
Any feedback will be appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

If you compare to rounds on the board here you will find it is OK - but it is not certified - I-J means nothing.

Consider sending it for appraisal to Dave Atlas - under appraisers - he is an old cut specialist by BirthRight

 

[hoorray]

Date: 5/6/2005 6:31:10 PM
Author:scoutfinch
I have been looking at a 3.19 ct old mine, cushion cut diamond... I-J color, vs 2 clarity.. priced at 15K. Its a lovely stone.. And Ive learned that looking at diamonds is truely a '' diamond by diamond'' process.. This diamond has the chunky facets, beautiful fire, etc.
that Ive been looking for. My question is whether this price is reasonable or not.
Any feedback will be appreciated!
Thanks.

yep -- Garry is right (of course -- he''s the expert.) Dave Atlas (Oldminer here) is one of the premiere old cut specialists. I would have him appraise it and advise you, pre-purchase. If the seller won''t go for that, then I would worry.

 

[scoutfinch]

Thanks for the replies! Actually the seller owns a reputable jewelry store.. specializing in old diamonds and platinum. She''s offered to send it to GIA.. I think i''ll ask her to do that.
I have another question.. Im also interested in a beautiful european round 1.30 ct diamond.. GIA certified... I- VS2 ..$6400.. Its full of amazing fire and looks very white.. no dark spots. How does that price sound?

 

[Kaleigh]

Usually the OEC''s are not GIA certified, but who knows. 1.30 for that price may be just right. You''ve seen it and it''s beautiful, may be time to trust your eyes???

 

[scoutfinch]

Hi Kaleigh,
I wondered about the grading of OECs too.. since they arent perfectly cut like MBs but I saw the report ... it identified the diamond as old european cut.. good polish, good symmentry, etc..
Actually, this diamond would be for my daughter, to go in an old plat family mounting.
Im fairly new to diamonds, but after looking at so many new brilliants, I just really love to old cuts so much more. Its true what so many of you on this site say about the colored fire and chunky facets in the OEC and OMs Ive been looking around for the past year and saw this, but didnt know how to express it!
Im looking at the 3 ct OMC for myself, but want the assurance of a certification on it. It seems that different jewelers here give different appraisals.
thanks for the reply!
Robin

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I would still go with Dave over GIA.

Dave will give you grades and an OPINION.
GIA will only give you grades, cost more and take longer

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 5/6/2005 9:45:53 PM
Author: scoutfinch
Thanks for the replies! Actually the seller owns a reputable jewelry store.. specializing in old diamonds and platinum. She''s offered to send it to GIA.. I think i''ll ask her to do that.
I have another question.. Im also interested in a beautiful european round 1.30 ct diamond.. GIA certified... I- VS2 ..$6400.. Its full of amazing fire and looks very white.. no dark spots. How does that price sound?

On second reading - if you are comfortable with the retailer, and they are specialists in the field - I see no reason to doubt them. At that color - you can see if you like it or not - and at VS2 - if you cant see the inclusion - then it may not matter.
Sounds like a very fair deal all round

 

[scoutfinch]

thanks Gary,
I like the idea of talking to Dave, who really knows about old diamonds. Does he sell them as well? This diamond hunt is confusing.. and I really want to buy with confidence.
I have another question.. i recently inherited my mothers 1.5 ct transitional cut .. had it appraised for insurance .. H-vvs1.. and have been told its a really good cut.. ive noticed with this diamond as well as others that in the extremly bright sunlight, they seem to darken. On cloudy days, they seem to look their whitest..Is this common? I''m about to turn 50 so my eyesight isnt the greatest, but sometimes its just hard to really "see" the diamond at its best.. and they seem to change! This only adds to my confusion...

 

[headlight]

I''ve read on this forum in the past that the really superb cut stones do go dark in sunlight!

As for eyesight, I''m turning 40 next month and my eyes are really going downhill! I have readers that mainly assist with my astigmatism and when I wear them boy does my diamond look SO much better!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

There are many good threads showing why even well cut diamonds look dark in direct sunlight.

Dave sells old cuts to the trade - he does not sell to privates (only generals ha ha ha). But if you ask him he may have a client near you - maybe even the store you are dealing with.

The good thing about gettting older for guys is you can enjoy looking at a wider age range of women

 

[hoorray]

Date: 5/7/2005 1:18:45 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)


The good thing about gettting older for guys is you can enjoy looking at a wider age range of women

and one of the good things for women is that "eye-clean" becomes MUCH easier.....

 

[scoutfinch]

Thanks for the thread info about sunlight darkening a diamond. Interesting reading, although Im not sure i understand some of the technical parts! Im still new at all this! But Im relieved to know this is a real phenomena, because local jewelers looked at me like i was nuts when I asked about it. They also tried to tell me that RB and OEC are basically the same, but I knew the facets looked completly different! Yay for this informative site!
Its amazing to me how when inspected separately, several diamonds of the exact same color and clarity appear white and brilliant, but when compared side to side, they look so different.. Especially when comparing OECs.. They just seem to be ever changing and I require alot of time to study them.. with a good pair of readers!

 

[headlight]

Date: 5/7/2005 1:30:17 AM
Author: lop

Date: 5/7/2005 1:18:45 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)


The good thing about gettting older for guys is you can enjoy looking at a wider age range of women

and one of the good things for women is that ''eye-clean'' becomes MUCH easier.....

''aint that the truth

 

[quicksvo]

I''ll throw my recommendation in for Dave Atlas too. I had 2 other appraisals for a 3 ct OEC stone I have (it''s with Wink Jones now), but wasn''t confident in them even though one was from a trusted jeweler. After reading all of the good posts here about Dave and talking to him via email, I send the stone to them. They had quick turnaround, prompt responses to any questions/concerns and provided a detailed grading report. After comparing the OEC to the GIA graded stone I ended up with, it was obvious that the first 2 appraisals I had were not accurate, but the one from Dave Atlas looked to be right on.