3 old cut O/P honkers...could one of these be THE ONE?

[04diamond<3]

I love cushion B!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like the oec. I would probably want to see more pictures, preferably outside. I might see some on-on, off-off effect going on in some of the pictures, do you see that in person?

I do notice that as well in one of the photos. I think with this make of classic OEC that is basically par for the course. Such a clear petal-like central area seems to cause that sometimes.

Worth taking the diamond for a walk but to me, its a winner. IF you want a classic OEC.

Is the OEC a true old cut or has it been recut? It looks very symmetric and perfect.

 

[cabbitstarr]

The OEC is really nicely cut!

 

[misskittycat]

The OEC is to die for, but I also love Resonance.Of.Life's cushion. Both different stones so it's really a personal thing.

 

[SB621]

I really like the shape of cushion b best, but I don't care so much for what FK calls the fish eye. That would really bug me to no end. Cushion A is allright but doesn't do anything for me. The OEC is lovely and I personally really like the facet pattern so if you have to pick between the 3 I would do the OEC. However, I perfer cushions so I would probably keep looking for a better cushion.

 

[valmanin]

I like the oec. I would probably want to see more pictures, preferably outside. I might see some on-on, off-off effect going on in some of the pictures, do you see that in person?

I do notice that as well in one of the photos. I think with this make of classic OEC that is basically par for the course. Such a clear petal-like central area seems to cause that sometimes.

Worth taking the diamond for a walk but to me, its a winner. IF you want a classic OEC.

Is the OEC a true old cut or has it been recut? It looks very symmetric and perfect.

The OEC is from OWD so presume/hope it is a true antique. He didn't have it on his website. After I badgered him relentlessly (poor Adam) for the small table type OEC, in a lower color, with beautiful faceting, preferably eye clean SI1. he found this one which is under budget. It is uncerted so we will have it appraised today.

So, I will take her for a "walk" today and get more pictures. What would be the best way to get pictures that will tell if there is a problem or not???

Thanks!

 

[valmanin]

I like the oec. I would probably want to see more pictures, preferably outside. I might see some on-on, off-off effect going on in some of the pictures, do you see that in person?

I do notice that as well in one of the photos. I think with this make of classic OEC that is basically par for the course. Such a clear petal-like central area seems to cause that sometimes.

Worth taking the diamond for a walk but to me, its a winner. IF you want a classic OEC.

Is the OEC a true old cut or has it been recut? It looks very symmetric and perfect.

BTW, how would you know if it was recut? I mean other than knowing it's an AVR or something.

 

[valmanin]

The OEC gets my vote. It has more silver, then yellowish tint and my eyes prefer that. But it might be just the pictures. More pictures would be great.

Thanks Inna...honestly, in person they are almost all identical in color. I thought there would be more of a difference between 3 O/Ps. The OEC, because of the faceting, in some lighting faces up just a touch lighter.

 

[valmanin]

I'm not sure I like what is happening in the first cushion B photo (but let me state I know nothing about cushions!) as the faceting seems a bit disorganized in the center there and maybe some leakage? I am also not in love with the faceting of cushion A. I much prefer the OEC faceting to either of the antique cushions you have posted. All their profiles are delish though.

I know nothing about cushions either. So why do I have two of them? Honestly, these two cushions both came in with the right specs/price point and I really like cushions too so I figured I would try it out.

 

[backwardsandinheels]

If you like OECs, it sounds like you have a winner if you like the color well enough. I remember the cushion in the Bella halo so it's known to look lovely when set.

 

[valmanin]

Okay...been playing with the OEC and gosh it's pretty, but I can get it to be off off off on on off etc. pretty easily. Also, I got a pretty good shot of it with obstruction while holding the camera close...almost all center facets were dark. It's not exactly easy to get this to happen, but it can happen. It reminds me of what Gem's new stone is doing.

 

[two_little_birds]

The OEC really speaks to me. Faceting is super crisp and decently symmetrical. No mushyness at all. Love it!

ETA: Cushion B would be my 2nd pick!

+1, I agree completely!

 

[valmanin]

So, these are the worst pictures I can get. They are indoors but I get a ton of natural light in my house.




Thoughts?

 

[GemFever]

I think the OEC is beautifully cut, and just because it does the black flower thing when the camera is staring right at it, does not mean it will have problems when it's on your finger. In DS'es thread you'll see that in one of her pics, her beautiful new 2ct AVR also photographs with a black flower, but I'm sure that does not mean it has any issues IRL. Also, having some facets go on-off is completely normal, I believe. It's contrast, which makes the stone more interesting to look at. Just as long as not too many adjacent petals go off all at the same time, all the time.

The real question is how you feel about it when you look at it with your eyes, not through a close-up camera shot. Does it feel over-dark in the center? Is there too much shade in that area? Or is it bright in most light conditions?

Editing to add some thoughts on my stone, which may be similar to this one, as you mentioned. The obstruction is bothering me less now, and Dreamer suggested to me that it might not be so much obstruction, as general over-darkness under the table. Sometimes I feel like the table area is just a little darker than the crown facets... maybe like 20% "shadier." This doesn't happen in all light conditions. Ideally, it would be awesome not to have that. But if everything else was perfect about my stone (i.e. color and fluorescence), I think I could easily overlook it. I'm already noticing it much less, because the fire is just too distracting

That said, if you're spending a good sum of money on this, you should be completely happy with your stone. I personally think the faceting is TDF, but if you'll have nagging doubts about darkness and performance, maybe the search should go on.

 

[Laila619]

I really like that OEC!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like the oec. I would probably want to see more pictures, preferably outside. I might see some on-on, off-off effect going on in some of the pictures, do you see that in person?

I do notice that as well in one of the photos. I think with this make of classic OEC that is basically par for the course. Such a clear petal-like central area seems to cause that sometimes.

Worth taking the diamond for a walk but to me, its a winner. IF you want a classic OEC.

Is the OEC a true old cut or has it been recut? It looks very symmetric and perfect.

BTW, how would you know if it was recut? I mean other than knowing it's an AVR or something.

Well if this matters to you -- and it may or may not, there is no "right" way to feel about recutting old stone in my opinion -- you have to ask your vendor very directly and then hope they are honest. You need to ask if there has been any repolishing done, and if so to what areas of the diamond and for what purpose. Also ask if any of the faceting was recut or altered from its original patterning.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think the OEC is beautifully cut, and just because it does the black flower thing when the camera is staring right at it, does not mean it will have problems when it's on your finger. In DS'es thread you'll see that in one of her pics, her beautiful new 2ct AVR also photographs with a black flower, but I'm sure that does not mean it has any issues IRL. Also, having some facets go on-off is completely normal, I believe. It's contrast, which makes the stone more interesting to look at. Just as long as not too many adjacent petals go off all at the same time, all the time.

The real question is how you feel about it when you look at it with your eyes, not through a close-up camera shot. Does it feel over-dark in the center? Is there too much shade in that area? Or is it bright in most light conditions?

Editing to add some thoughts on my stone, which may be similar to this one, as you mentioned. The obstruction is bothering me less now, and Dreamer suggested to me that it might not be so much obstruction, as general over-darkness under the table. Sometimes I feel like the table area is just a little darker than the crown facets... maybe like 20% "shadier." This doesn't happen in all light conditions. Ideally, it would be awesome not to have that. But if everything else was perfect about my stone (i.e. color and fluorescence), I think I could easily overlook it. I'm already noticing it much less, because the fire is just too distracting

That said, if you're spending a good sum of money on this, you should be completely happy with your stone. I personally think the faceting is TDF, but if you'll have nagging doubts about darkness and performance, maybe the search should go on.

I think in this style of classic OEC that type of thing is almost unavoidable. And I do think your diamond, Gem, looks a lot like valmanins OEC here, and both look a little like DS's AVR! The patterning is similar. All diamond go dark when you get the camera close. Who cares. That type of obstruction is what makes arrows in an MRB and it makes the dark flower in DSs AVR and perhaps in your OECs as well. What matters is whether the central under-table area is dark all the time, or if it is dark most of the time. I don't mean is it dark if you hunt for it and try to find it and twist your hand in all sorts of contorted ways I also do not mean that it goes dark in PHOTOS. I mean, in person when you look at the stone with your lovely EYES what do you see? That is how you judge an OEC. With the eyes.

 

[chrono]

The OEC is gorgeous but I also wonder if it is newly cut. The facet pattern looks a lot like GOG's AVR. I am partial to cushions though so I would keep looking for better stones if that's the shape you want.

 

[valmanin]

Thanks Dreamer, Gem and Chrono!

It reminds me of the pictures of AVRs as well. Well, I had it appraised today and it seems like Adam was pretty darn close to what the appraiser said. Color was O-P and clarity was Si1/Si2 (she kept going back and forth). Nothing is under the table and nothing is dark. Definitely eye clean. Her opinion (and she didn't hesitate) was that it was a genuine antique due to the unfaceted, and thin girdle (with a little wear) and also she said that it's not too too symetrical...a little off round (very little). 47% table, 64% depth....that's all I can remember. I did have fun playing with the color grading stones. I think my favorite color is L...but I think I am ok with the O-P...our bank account is much happier with it.

BTW, the appraiser preferred the cushions...just her opinion. She went back and forth on which one though. Cushion A faces up lighter...she pegged it as an N-O...and is very clean VS1. They really are both so beautiful in person. I think she thought the OEC was too close to a MRB...I disagree.

BTW, my husband kept saying he didn't like the black dot in one of the stones... ...I finally figured out he meant the culet. He said, "Well, I don't know what you call it, but I don't expect to look into a diamond and see a black dot at the bottom." He really loves diamonds too!

I am going to go try the stones out in some different color settings at a local jewelry store today and see if that helps.

 

[valmanin]

Oh...I also meant to add that AVRs have an inscription and this one does not so I don't think it could be an AVR. Not saying it couldn't have been recut though...I suppose anything is possible.

 

[valmanin]

I think the OEC is beautifully cut, and just because it does the black flower thing when the camera is staring right at it, does not mean it will have problems when it's on your finger. In DS'es thread you'll see that in one of her pics, her beautiful new 2ct AVR also photographs with a black flower, but I'm sure that does not mean it has any issues IRL. Also, having some facets go on-off is completely normal, I believe. It's contrast, which makes the stone more interesting to look at. Just as long as not too many adjacent petals go off all at the same time, all the time.

The real question is how you feel about it when you look at it with your eyes, not through a close-up camera shot. Does it feel over-dark in the center? Is there too much shade in that area? Or is it bright in most light conditions?

Editing to add some thoughts on my stone, which may be similar to this one, as you mentioned. The obstruction is bothering me less now, and Dreamer suggested to me that it might not be so much obstruction, as general over-darkness under the table. Sometimes I feel like the table area is just a little darker than the crown facets... maybe like 20% "shadier." This doesn't happen in all light conditions. Ideally, it would be awesome not to have that. But if everything else was perfect about my stone (i.e. color and fluorescence), I think I could easily overlook it. I'm already noticing it much less, because the fire is just too distracting

That said, if you're spending a good sum of money on this, you should be completely happy with your stone. I personally think the faceting is TDF, but if you'll have nagging doubts about darkness and performance, maybe the search should go on.

I think in this style of classic OEC that type of thing is almost unavoidable. And I do think your diamond, Gem, looks a lot like valmanins OEC here, and both look a little like DS's AVR! The patterning is similar. All diamond go dark when you get the camera close. Who cares. That type of obstruction is what makes arrows in an MRB and it makes the dark flower in DSs AVR and perhaps in your OECs as well. What matters is whether the central under-table area is dark all the time, or if it is dark most of the time. I don't mean is it dark if you hunt for it and try to find it and twist your hand in all sorts of contorted ways I also do not mean that it goes dark in PHOTOS. I mean, in person when you look at the stone with your lovely EYES what do you see? That is how you judge an OEC. With the eyes.

Funny. That's how YOU judge an OEC. I, on the other hand, have to see a picture of it to tell what I think. Sad I know. It's because I've looked at hundreds in pics and probably about 10 in real life so I feel like I am starting to be able to evaluate them in pictures but in real life I am just like "oooh...sparkly". Hopefully someday I will trust my eyes. I do think it falls into the category of not being to dark in real life so I'm not worried about it.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Photos are good for judging faceting. But once you have the min your hands you really need to turn away from the pictures. Those are not what you will live with every day!! Look at the diamonds!

Interesting about the girdle, and that certainly does suggest this is a fabulously cut antique.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Oh...I also meant to add that AVRs have an inscription and this one does not so I don't think it could be an AVR. Not saying it couldn't have been recut though...I suppose anything is possible.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that this was an AVR Only Jon cuts and sells those and there are hardly any around, certainly not enough for one to find its way loose without a report into another vendor's inventory! But it speaks to the cut quality of this particular OEC that it looks like a precision cut new stone. They didn't have computers back then to help them, just their eyes and know how.

 

[valmanin]

Oh...I also meant to add that AVRs have an inscription and this one does not so I don't think it could be an AVR. Not saying it couldn't have been recut though...I suppose anything is possible.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that this was an AVR Only Jon cuts and sells those and there are hardly any around, certainly not enough for one to find its way loose without a report into another vendor's inventory! But it speaks to the cut quality of this particular OEC that it looks like a precision cut new stone. They didn't have computers back then to help them, just their eyes and know how.

True. I didn't think anyone was suggesting that in a bad way or anything. I, myself, kind of wondered though. I spent a lot of time looking at AVRs in pictures and when I saw my pictures of this OEC I wondered.

 

[ruby59]

I hope one of them works for you. They are all beautiful. Just for comparison -


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-3-20-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-Diamond-Ring-VS2-clarity-w-GIA-/251122755573?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item3a781527f5[url]

 

[valmanin]

I hope one of them works for you. They are all beautiful. Just for comparison -


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-3-20-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-Diamond-Ring-VS2-clarity-w-GIA-/251122755573?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item3a781527f5[url][/quote] Hi Ruby! I think th...nt. Oh to have a 3.2 carat pendant! :love:

 

[valmanin]

I had a little photo shoot with OEC today! She's really pretty. I have a hot pink point and shoot camera so that's where all the pink is coming from.

 

[hlmr]

Gorgeous stone!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Beautiful.

 

[two_little_birds]

So pretty!

As for that eBay listing, yes it used to be a pendant.