daisydukes
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2017
- Messages
- 47
As a true antique diamond lover, I have concerns about the Jogani inventory. My opinion differs from some very respected PS members, but I believe most of Jogani’s stones are newly cut but claimed to be antique. They are unheard of carat sizes, they are high color, some they even claim to be Golconda (where are they getting 5 carats of Golconda rough?). These huge diamonds have a market.
I think the inventory is beautiful but I just think they shouldn’t be claiming the stones are antique unless they can show provenance or even a hint of where these pieces are coming from. Of course maybe, just maybe there is a huge bottomless warehouse somewhere housing massive diamonds now for sale that were never worn, have no antique settings documented anywhere to fit them, and apparently weren’t considered heirlooms or museum gemology collection pieces or pieces to include in coffee table photo books on museum quality gemstones.
This is my opinion only. I would love to be corrected by facts here as it has been a burning question I have in general about the current worldwide market for massive antique style diamonds.
Can you tell if a stone has been newly antique cut most of the time, or (I'm new to diamonds) only by it's slightly 'wonky' factor? I would like to buy one someday but would prefer a true antique.
Some proconsumer and gem professionals can tell in a quick glance. For me, I’m not an expert, but I’ve been looking at antique cuts for a long time.
I look at girdles and facet junctions. Antique stones have bruted girdles and some of the oldest cut diamonds incorporate the skin of the diamond into the girdle which looks different from an antique bruted surface. Hand Bruting with modern equipment has a finer frost. Worn facet junctions and flea bites on the girdle from bruting can’t be faked. They are present in a minority of antique stones (see Gem Concepts Instagram for an example of worn facet junctions on an antique stone).
I look at cut styles.
I’ve seen a lot of what I think are modern cut stones trying to pass as antiques. I’ve never seen a modern cut antique stone that passes as a well cut antique. Across the board modern cut stones trying to pass as antiques don’t have good symmetry and are wonky and rustic to me. And most importantly these modern cuts don’t reflect a carefully defined style that was developed by a cutter over a lifetime of artistry and skill development. A good book that explains the history and technical expertise that goes into cut development is American Cut, by Al Gilbertson.
There are companies out there cutting superb antique STYLE diamonds, like GemConcepts and what used be called August Vintage.
If you want to get a true antique, they are out there and not uncommon. (Very uncommon in high color high carat weights). But you’ve got to go to a vendor who knows how to find and identify them and is truthful about provenence. Ask on PS for antique diamond vendor recommendations.
What I recommend also is determining what color, diameter/carat weight and clarity you want in a stone, and to identify what antique cut style you want. If could be that you actually find a modern cut antique in the color, diameter size and clarity you want and you relax your requirement for true antique. It really all depends on what personally gives you joy.
Thank you for the invaluable direction, and happily for me I am ever the student so I think some book perusing is in my future. Prudence and gradual familiarity will win the day.
Also, if I ever find the budget I may just come and ask you for an experienced eye.![]()
Just because one is looking for for an OEC, doesn’t mean that one is looking for an antique. I just want something beautiful.
something as beautiful and as unforgettable as @missy Bubbalah.
Yes but I would want it clearly stated and not swept under the carpet that the diamond is a reproduction
I follow his IG Videos because they really are eye candy. But I would have a problem buying from him just alone by googling him I found this
Behavior like that just puts me off. And I wouldn’t want to support such a persons business.
Once you find out his prices you might not want to buy a diamond from him. Compared to a lot of other places lets just say you are paying a high premium for his products.
No. You can absolutely buy from whomever. I just find the explanation to lack credibility in the article I read. It didn't seem genuine.
I am not a contractor either, but the explanation doesn't match to what I read. To me, that reflects on him. I also know other things about his business that would make me unwilling to work with him. But really, it's my perception and choice. If he has something you like and you like him as a vendor, that's a win.
OK so I don't know if his collection are all true antiques but his collection is indeed TDF gorgeous. I think he is great and I love his inventory. I have never bought from him but having spoken with him numerous times at antique jewelry shows I have only found him to be lovely and knowledgeable and his inventory amazing. I have drooled over many of his pieces and in fact would have bought one if it was within my budget. This ring.
He said this was a true antique and I believe him.
I have not inspected (most of) his inventory and am not an expert anyway so cannot dispute one way or another what others have written above.
I will just say judge each piece on their own merit and if you are interested in a piece he has you can get a PS recommended appraiser and get an objective and professional opinion as to the age of said piece.
@joelly thank you for your always kind and lovely comments.