Antique diamond advice

[panda08]

Long time lurker, first time poster. First of all, thanks to everyone who contributes to PS. Your collective knowledge and advice has been absolutely invaluable. I also really like how the members are so kind, encouraging and supportive. Truly outstanding!

I''m in the market for an antique diamond for an engagement ring. I''ve seen some that I''m interested in but they are not certified. I think I''ve read all of the previous posts about antique diamonds but have not come across advice on my question. I am wondering about pricing so that I can make an educated decision on whether the prices quoted are within the ballpark or whether I should negotiate if the stone''s right but the price isn''t. I''ve looked at websites that sell antique diamonds to try to compare apples to apples. However, there isn''t always a stone that has the same stats. Can I compare prices of antique diamonds with modern cuts of the same stats? If so, should the prices be the same or are antique diamonds discounted from moderns or do they have a premium? If so, by what percentage, i.e., an OEC is 25% less than a comparable RB or 25% more than a RB?

Thanks!

 

[Rhea]

There are no hard and fast rules for pricing on older cut stones. Usually they cost less, no firm percentage, if they are lower coloured, say I and lower. If they are higher coloured, say F and above, they usually seem to cost more. It is much harder to find the higher coloured stones. They are thought to be kept in the family or be recut into ideal cut stones before the antique cuts became popular again.

What do you mean stats? Are you talking about colour and clarity or something more?

 

[panda08]

Hi Addy, thanks for your reply. Yes, I do mean similar color and clarity, as well as carat weight, between modern cuts and the antique ones.

 

[LGK]

The appraiser I had appraise an OEC of mine said that antique cuts are appraised / priced lower than a comparable modern cut generally, but over 3 carats that no longer applies- the price evens out to what a modern round brilliant would be. We didn''t discuss high color OECs because that didn''t apply to mine, but yeah, it does seem like they are 1. very, very difficult to find and 2. more expensive than a comparable round brilliant due to rarity and demand.

I don''t think there''s any way to come up with a formula, like 10% less or whatever; there''s just SO many variables. Good luck! It can take some time to find a nice OEC, but it''s so worth the effort!

 

[arjunajane]

This site has some lovely ones at the moment
http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/