Calling all LARGER OEC owners - hunt stories please!

[nottospec]

I am relatively new to PS and have admired all the lovely bling on here.

I initially posted with my hunt for a 5ct ish RB but have since discovered Old European cuts!! OMG, amazing pastels, bold chunky flashes, to die for.....

I am looking for a stone in the 5+ carat range .... scouring ebay, checking out auction rooms etc but am yet to find one to make me tingle. I have read some of the stories of finding stones from Charmy poo, Arkieb and others but am wondering if any of you ladies would be happy to relate what you found in this range, where you found it and how long the search took. I am happy to wait for the right stone (and in fact will need to wait some months as per DH ) but it doesnt hurt to look!!

I think the journey is often part of the pleasure in the purchase but how much time and effort did you all devote to the search?

Also if there are any AVC/AVR or victor cushions/OECs out there, why did you buy them over an antique stone and how do the prices compare?

Thanks everyone in advance...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you are looking for a 5 ct OEC, I'd just head over to see Adam at Old World Diamonds. They will have access to more stones than most, and they have access to cutters if the stone needs a little rehab.

JBEG does have one 5 ct stone now that a PSer recently looked at, and it is truly gorgeous if you are seeking a lower color:

http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/loose_antique_and_vintage_diamonds_-_over_250_carats

I chose an AVR because I wanted no lower than I color, and I also wanted an excellent cut stone and those are harder to find in antique OEC's. However, Charmy, as one example, found a well cut OEC in a higher color (H) that was able to be recut to make it even better. So she definitely ended up with an excellent cut stone. Her story is a rare one, though, so that would not be the way I'd hunt for a 5 ct OEC. You might look for the next 10 years on ebay and not find a stone like Charmy or Forte Kitty found, especially since you are looking for such a large stone. I love my AVR and found that it wasn't a lot more in price than the similar spec antique stones at OWD. However, I am always open to an antique stone if I can find a great cut in the color and clarity range that I prefer.

 

[CharmyPoo]

It will be next to impossible to hunt for a 5+ ct OEC. It is best to go through someone like Adam or JbEG to help you look.

My diamond is half the size of what you are looking for and I spent hours and hours browsing onlines ... and even more visiting different vendors, pawns shops, etc to finally find what I was looking for. Through the process, I also purchased a number of other stones as I was learned about old cut diamonds. I have also purchased and returned a stone as well. Unless you actually enjoy the hunt ... I don't recommend it. It's not worth the hours of investment unless you actually enjoy it.

Here are the larger nice OECs I have been eyeing on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/-GIA-Certified-402-ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-HM1329-/251407526803
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321287348705
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-carat-Round-Diamond-Old-European-Cut-K-VS2-clarity-EGL-USA-cert-14k-Gold-Ring-/380790998052?ViewItem=&item=380790998052&nma=true&si=NEL%252FFDKcsrHPRlAhQx2Ap%252FjZXVQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[Acinom]

Hi Nottospec

I found my 5.3 ct stone at my local antique jeweller while I was browsing for an antique rose cut ring. This was way before I discovered PS. My stone is symmetrical, but a bit quirky and shows some leakage but she is very very sparkly and I love her . We do not have the specialized cutters here, so if I would have her recut, she would turn into a H&A RB, which is not what I am looking for.

The elegant chunky facets are so beautiful in OEC's. After my own find years ago I saw a 7 ct OEC at a different antique dealer and a 5ish quirky OEC stone on a hand of a friend of a friend. They seem to be rather scarce here in Europe and I only see those larger stones here on PS, JbEG etc.

I love the one you saw at GOG and the one DS was referring to on JBEG. But you probably lose a lot on taxes when you order them from OZ?

If you find a newly cut 'old cut' I would take it!! You will have the best of both worlds: those chunky facets but also ideal proportions and light return. I would indeed contact Adam at Old World Diamonds. Or perhaps make an offer on the JbEG stone is you are into warm colours.

I have the feeling the antiques are becoming scarce (also because the higher colours are sometimes recut into RB's). Good luck with your hunt!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Your ring is spectacular, Acinom!

I forgot to mention the GOG 5 ct stone, but apparently you have already seen it? I think it is beautiful as well, if you are into that color range.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8140/

 

[Acinom]

Your ring is spectacular, Acinom!

I forgot to mention the GOG 5 ct stone, but apparently you have already seen it? I think it is beautiful as well, if you are into that color range.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8140/

Thank you DS . You are so kind!!!
Do I read well between the lines in various threads that you considering resetting your AVR beauty? I hope not!! I love your current setting. It's a perfect example that a perfect diamond is stunning in an elegant solitaire

OP has looked at the GOG and JbEG stones but I do not know what the conclusion is...

Victor currently does not have a Canera antique European on his site, but perhaps you could contact him about availability Nottospec.

 

[nottospec]

thanks for the feedback everyone!

I have emailed Victor and GoG to ask about their new "old cuts"

The GoG stone is gorgeous but the colour is a concern, I don't mind a yellow stone but a stone that unbelieveably cut that is still available after 2 years must have colour concerns don't you think? I initially thought it would be like Old Lemony where you can place it in a yellow setting to enhance the colour (I love fancy yellow diamonds) but the general consensus was this was not possible and the stone possibly had underhues that made it less appealing which is why it has not sold??????

The JbEG stone is a great size but the darkness under the table is something that may need to be seen in person to see how apparent it is.

I have just been spoilt for Christmas so the OEC is now going to have to be delayed for some months . My husband wants me to give the hunt a rest for a while but I am scared I might miss the holy grail! This is why I am considering the newer old cuts as they may be more accessible when the time is right.

BTW Acinom, still think your ring is HOT!!!

Charmypoo: the new setting for your amazing stone is fabulous! Love it and love that your jeweler knows you well enough to have full reign.

DS: your stone is killer! Did you look at Victor's OECs also before deciding on an AVR? Your avatar photo is awesome too.

 

[madelise]

I had contacted JbEG initially, then added in IDJ and OWD.. and finally ended up going through GOG. Larger sizes are harder to source, and if you're picky about specs, even harder.

 

[Acinom]

Thank you for your kind words Nottospec!

The reasons the GOG stone has not been sold are probably the price (the amount of people who have these amounts available are scarce), in combination with the warm colour. The U-V colour probably scares people off, especially if you cannot see it in person.

I totally agree that you can probably not play up the yellowness of the GOG stone by setting it in a YG cup... It sounds strange but it probably is not yellow enough! U-V will mostly be very warm, visibly tinted... Yet more in an antique lace/creamy sort of way.

It really good that you have started looking around already as it might take a while before you find it. It's probably a 'start now - find after x months to a year' sort of hunt. I hope JbEG, Victor or OWD can do something for you!! I am really excited for you! What a exciting project

 

[arkieb1]

I think what everyone is saying is that there are 3 options;

1) buy a genuine OEC from somewhere like JBEG, GOG, OWD, Singlestone etc. And you still might have to wait because to find a 5 carat that makes your heart go pitter patter or alternatively completes a mental checklist of specs and not just the first one they have in stock may take time. Risk factor is minimised because you have vendors wading through bad stones for you.
2) buy a new old cut from either GOG or Victor, again this might take some time because you will possibly have to order one and have it cut specifically for you, unless you snap up the new 3 carat Victor has just cut which is not listed as yet or the 3.11K AVR that one of the members traded for a larger AVC. Again risk factor minimised because you know what you are getting.
3) be prepared to hunt long and hard. This means scouring ebay, auction houses, and ebay again. Any of the members that got great finds including myself spend hours looking in my case it took me 18 months or more to find Lola and even then it was by chance and almost 2 years to find a fat arrowed transitional that I was also on the hunt for (which in the end after years of looking I gave up and found at JBEG anyway).... and I think Charmy, Fortekitty and other OEC "hunters" would all agree it was a process of working through or their way up to (via a number of OECS) finding something magical over 3+ carats.....

I have purchased 2 x largish stones from JBEG and found one scouring the above mentions sites so all methods work. The best bargains involve the most risk.

 

[Missy]

Lots of good advice here. I got lucky because when I started my search I called Adam and told him what I thought I wanted. I wanted color no lower than H (GIA) and an antique cushion or OEC. He told me to come in because one must see these old cuts (and the way each individual stone shows their color) in person. You cannot really tell by specs like you can with modern cuts.

I made an appointment and visited him and I fell in love with an OEC he had there. Ironically the diamond I originally set out to check out with him was an antique cushion that was beautiful but not what I ended up falling in love with. When he showed me my now OEC that was it. I was in love. 2 (or was it 3?) days later I had my finished ring that I am still wearing now almost a year later still as much (if not more) in love with it.

The point of my long winded post is that if you can, it would be ideal to view the OEC's in person before you make a decision. If you are located near Adam at OWD or Erica and Grace at JbEG (or any of the other reputable old cut vendors) make an appointment and see what you find. Good luck and I hope you find the OEC of your dreams!!!

 

[arkieb1]

Nottospec, and I and many others live in Australia we have taxes and duties + a currently bad exchange rate, so it isn't quite as simple as going and looking or putting a diamond on the credit card and viewing it in person unfortunately. Acinom lives in Europe so she also understands the dramas that can be involved in purchasing things overseas.... I suspect that if Nottospec could go and look in person she would have found something already.

 

[SB621]

I don't own an OEC, but I do own a 5ct + antique cushion. I searched on and off for about 6 months. I orginally wanted something higher in color and closer to 3.5-4cts. Like Charmy I looked at pawn shops, online sellers, ebay etc. I just got really burnt out. Finally 1 day DH told me to just go ahead and get serious about purchasing my dream stone (love that man). I finally contacted Adam that day at OWD. He found me a few options but I kept coming back to the 5.06ct AC. After seeing a video of it I was hooked. It was over budget but DH was so sick of me constantly searching for the perfect stone he didn't care and told me to get it. It isn't perfectly symmetrical so after wearing it around as a solitare for 2 months, which I hated. I ended up setting it in a VC halo and loved it.

I never really looked at newly cut old stones. They just didn't have any appeal to me. I don't see the point in paying preimum for a new stone to be cut to look like an old one. I wanted an antique stone. The age, facet pattern, soul of the diamond I found appealing.

 

[misskittycat]

I had always joked with my husband that I wanted a honker to celebrate 10 years together (which will be in June). I was happy with anything over 4ct, preferably an OEC, in my dreams!! I wanted something round but individual. Modern brilliants, as gorgeous as they are, just don't do it for me as big stones (not that I would knock one back, but I love the uniqueness and individuality of old stones). Plus, when you are looking at a well cut MRB, a 4ct stone is eye wateringly expensive.

Over the past few years Mr K had been dragging his feet over building me our dream home (a number of reasons that I won't go into here) but he gave me the shock of my life when he came home from his run one day and said he wanted me to start looking for my dream stone. You could have knocked me over with the proverbial feather.

The serendipity of my search was that it wasn't a search at all. She found me. A few days before, JbEG had sent out their sneak peek featuring my stone front and centre. As soon as he said I could start looking, I pulled the stone up and showed him. He was a bit stunned, but he agreed to us sending an email to find out more. I also contacted Adam at OWD and he was utterly charming and super helpful, but in the end, nothing could beat my stone. I loved her slight cushiony shape, her beautiful facets, her gorgeous color and her scintillation and I still do. She is a gorgeous stone and perfect for me.

I also live in Australia so I understand the frustration of not being able to see things or just order and return. If I hadn't found anything we would have attempted to visit a few of the vendors in New York when we go on our anniversary trip. For us, traveling to the US frequently, it's not such a big deal.

I do think reaching out to the professionals is the way to go. Be prepared to wait if you have a long list of criteria. I do adore that 5+ct stone that JbEG has currently but that is more than twice what I paid for my stone and no chance if convincing Mr K on that front!! I'm a big believer in fate - the right stone is out there and it will find you eventually.

 

[nottospec]

Thanks for the input misskittycat and I am so happy or you that your search was quick and easy. When I initially started this search, I thought that this would be the easiest thing in the world. Hubby gave me a reasonable budget,I just needed to find a big stone. Then I found pricescope, then I met a PSer who has been instrumental in showing me that not all stones were created equal!

Your Gladys is gorgeous! Congrats on a great find and an awesome hubby! There aren't too many men who appreciate good jewellery, I have one and says his motto is happy wife, happy life. Not gonna argue with that.

I LOVE that you girls all name your stones.

 

[gemmyblond]

Hi nottospec,
Just saw this thread now and wanted to chime in and also say congrats on being on the hunt for a gorgeous OEC!

I agree w others who've said the stone has to find you and that the journey may be circuitous and full of serendipity. One thing I'd underscore is how helpful it is to see as many OECs and old stones in general just to refine your eye. It really helps to have a mental visual library of sorts so that you can recognize what speaks to you when you see it and you can begin to categorize and define what draws you to certain stones.

In my case, I found my recent OEC when I was least expecting it and kind of half-looking...I knew I wanted a low-color genuine old stone that had visual impact and a certain type of faceting, and just kept my eyes open literally everywhere I went over the course of a few years. Meaning, I looked at antique & jewelry shows (locally and when traveling), talked with all sorts of dealers online and in person, asked around etc...I know that's much easier said than done (especially outside of the US/EUR), but it was necessary homework for me before being able to commit.

To be more specific about my approach: My original ering is also an old OEC in an elaborate original mounting, so I knew I wanted another old stone but with different character and visual punch...I focused on looking for the stone (not the mounting) and on how I wanted it to look on my finger/hand; I thought lots about how I wanted to wear this stone and what role it would fill in my jewelry life (and I also knew quite clearly what I didn't want, which evolved over time). But otherwise, I didn't have any super-specific criteria, just trusted that I'd find something in time that was the right answer. That approach took the pressure off...I didn't care about perfection, just about finding what felt right for me now. (And after awhile, I trusted myself enough to recognize it which was more than half the battle, actually.)

Anyway, best of luck and I hope you can truly enjoy the path this stone search takes you on. Can't wait to see what you end up with and hear about the path that took you there!

 

[ringcat]

Hi nottospec!

So sorry I only saw your post today, here:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/meet-lola-the-cushion-shaped-5-34-l-vs-carat-chunky-cut-oec.194432/page-3#post-3596027#p3596027']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/meet-lola-the-cushion-shaped-5-34-l-vs-carat-chunky-cut-oec.194432/page-3#post-3596027#p3596027[/URL]

and left you a reply.

Thank you for telling me about Anton's. I am from Ivanhoe (inner city), and would love to meet up with / get to know a fellow PS'er!

I have a 2.07ct M AVR coming hopefully soon.

Hope you catch this post, and hear from you soon!