Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purchase

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Hi guys,

I kind of did a leap of faith, and leap of heart last night. Never, ever, ever browse jewelry when you're feeling stressed!

I felt like this was such an amazing deal, and swooped it up, even though the return policy is only 3 days..

stated stats:
2.27 OEC ct center: 8.6 x4.5 mm, 5.24 mm depth, 61% table, 51 degree crown
0.46 ct, platinum edwardian setting
I/J
VS2-SI1

$5.6k

Did I strike myself a deal of the century, or did I screw up by making a rushed purchase at 2AM?
I'm definitely going to take it to get appraised ASAP, but wanted PS's opinions, too, since the majority of you know more about this than most jewelry stores do!



I'm trying to upload more photos from the listing, but PS's image uploading thingy is quite a bit to handle! I'll try again..

 

[junebug17]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

hard to tell much from just the one pic - but seems like a large table for an OEC. It might be more of a transitional cut?

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I'm trying to upload more, sorry..


Am I missing how to upload? It's driving me nuts!! It uploaded 1 photo twice, and didn't upload anything else.

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc



I'm having no luck in the uploading department..

so I uploaded into an album off PS. don't know if that's allowed or not..

There 4 additional pictures here: http://imgur.com/a/rhdaR

thanks in advance, PS.

 

[junebug17]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Maybe try to resize the pics?

Eta: Just saw the additional pics - I notice a culet, so maybe an older cut stone such as a transitional, a little hard to make out the faceting pattern - will be curious to hear what you think about it in person, and what the appraiser says.

For a large diamond and platinum ring, on the surface the price you paid seems like a really good one! Idk - almost a little too good?

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

It's what was posted on the listing.. let me email the seller to ask. She had told me that the measurements and weight are estimations, and that she had not taking then center stone out of the setting for fear of damaging it..

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Is it me, does it appear the stone is quite chipped?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I can't tell much from the photos but I am not overly optimistic. THe seller appears to be a jeweler by trade/dealer, and they usually price things based on what they are worth. You don't get steals that way as a rule, though exceptions happen. The hand shot worries me because the stone looks very lifeless and dull, and there does seem to be some damage to the stone in the photos, but it is really hard to tell. It is not one I would have jumped on, if that means anything, just based on the photos.

 

[junebug17]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Is it me, does it appear the stone is quite chipped?

I thought maybe it's the setting overlapping onto the diamond?

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Is it me, does it appear the stone is quite chipped?

I thought maybe it's the setting overlapping onto the diamond?

I thought so too, until I saw the other photos, then wasn't sure....

 

[ForteKitty]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

When do you get it? I actually dont see anything that makes me go "omg no good". There appears to be dirt or tiny carbon spots in the pic of the pavillion, and i can't tell how clean the girdle is because the scalloped setting covers a good protion, but the performance doesn't look bad at all. For that price, you can easily get it repolished and it'll still be a great deal.

ETA: the table definitely does not look like 61%. they might have estimated it based on the exposed surface, but a HUGE portion of the crown is covered by the setting so the table is likely around 55%ish.

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

thanks for the honesty.. oh boy. now i have a gut wrenching feeling

i'm hoping the abnormal sides really are just a different setting, and not chips. it doesn't mention anywhere on the ad that there were any damages.. and i'm hating that the photos are so blurry!

does the color seem like a good estimate, though? the I-J? the photo taken from the underside shows the color, more.

--OOH! OOH! she emailed me back. she's taking it to the post office right now, so I should be receiving it shortly. She asked me if one week is a good enough time for me to take to a jewelers to inspect.. do you guys think so?

She said that the angles and tables % were all verbally stated by its previous owner, so it might be incorrect. However, she checked the mm width measurements herself, and says she has a GIA jeweler's certificate, and under her inspection, she thinks it's a SI1.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I think a week is long enough. Call and make an apointment now for a couple days from now so you have it set. Assume it is lower in color and hope for eye clean. Even at M-N and SI2 it is a fair price I think, a good price! I hope it turns out.

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

thanks for the honesty.. oh boy. now i have a gut wrenching feeling

i'm hoping the abnormal sides really are just a different setting, and not chips. it doesn't mention anywhere on the ad that there were any damages.. and i'm hating that the photos are so blurry!

does the color seem like a good estimate, though? the I-J? the photo taken from the underside shows the color, more.

--OOH! OOH! she emailed me back. she's taking it to the post office right now, so I should be receiving it shortly. She asked me if one week is a good enough time for me to take to a jewelers to inspect.. do you guys think so?

She said that the angles and tables % were all verbally stated by its previous owner, so it might be incorrect. However, she checked the mm width measurements herself, and says she has a GIA jeweler's certificate, and under her inspection, she thinks it's a SI1.

I looked at it again, and I think I was just looking at the light reflecting off the setting. Either way, I think it's a pretty ring! I hope it works out!

Oh, and take it to an independent appraiser, and a GIA jeweler certificate doesn't mean much to me.

 

[decodelighted]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Good luck! I'm not an old stone expert so don't have a ton of input, advice or whatever. Was thrilled to see that it does have a cute little culet though.

What are your plans for it if the stone checks out? Reset as solitaire? Or keep as is?

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

When do you get it? I actually dont see anything that makes me go "omg no good". There appears to be dirt or tiny carbon spots in the pic of the pavillion, and i can't tell how clean the girdle is because the scalloped setting covers a good protion, but the performance doesn't look bad at all. For that price, you can easily get it repolished and it'll still be a great deal.

ETA: the table definitely does not look like 61%. they might have estimated it based on the exposed surface, but a HUGE portion of the crown is covered by the setting so the table is likely around 55%ish.

thanks ForteKitty. Haha, a little bit of hope!


What makes it a OEC or a Transitional? Is there another thread or link I can be referred to on this?
I actually really like the small culet in it.. I'm not a big fan of larger ones.
I guess I'm just nervous about the purchase price. I've never spent this much money on anything before, ever ever ever. I compared prices to OldWorldDiamonds, and it seems like it's a ridiculous deal since similar stat ones (J, SI) that are priced the same are half the size..

I'm just hoping that with this instance, I struck out or something. I know it's not likely, as "deals" never really happen, and my SO thinks diamonds are stupid because it's just overpriced carbon.. but my heart swoons for jewelry, and especially vintage pieces. I create a whole story for its adventure in my head..

Thanks, TravelingGal, I know, I was thinking, so what if you graduated, you're the one selling, of course you're going to make it sound as good as possible! lol. That's why I've always looked at those color/clarity ranges, and focused on the lower one. IE, for this I-J, I'm going to just hope it's a J-K..

As for getting it appraised, do you guys have any recommendations in the Los Angeles area? Do you know how much those will run me? I have a personal jeweler, but more for things like fixing links, or (MUCH) smaller purchases. Do you think a verbal appraisal is enough? Or should I invest in paying for an official certificate of an appraisal somewhere? Do you any idea how much that will cost? And, would they have to take the diamond out of the setting to appraise it? If they do, will it damage the setting, and thus void any chance of me returning it?

 

[junebug17]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

For that price I would have taken a chance - I think this ring is worth a look. Good luck and let us know how you make out!

 

[ForteKitty]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Charles Carmona appraised an oec for me on Monday (if you search his name on the forums, he comes up quite a bit). Excellent appraiser. http://guildlabs.com/


Based on the pics, I think it's an oec because it has a smaller table and appears to have some height in the crown. Plus it has a culet. I see a lot of promise in that diamond. Those pics are way better than the ones my seller listed! Does your seller sell other jewelry or was this a personal item?

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Good luck! I'm not an old stone expert so don't have a ton of input, advice or whatever. Was thrilled to see that it does have a cute little culet though.

What are your plans for it if the stone checks out? Reset as solitaire? Or keep as is?

it's 1 size too small for me (but resizable yay!), but I actually like the setting. I'm not 100% sure if I like the setting for that stone, though. I feel like, it's too chunky and drowns the baby out. Does that make sense? Haha, I feel like I'm babbling nonsense.

I have a weird appreciation for "old stuff", and would hate to "ruin" the setting, or toss it aside or something. So I'm actually kind of on the fence about that. I wonder if it's structurally sound enough to replace the center stone with a semiprecious colored gemstone?

I've been eyeing Gabriel and Co's ER7943W83JJ (http://bridal.gabrielny.com/style/ER7943W83JJ for a while, as a contender to reset a sapphire I was passed to from my deceased grandmother. So that's been on my heart lately. *BUT*, I would want to sleep on that for a long while to know if that is for sure what I'd like to do. And this option also hurts my heart to tear an "old piece" and shove it into something new. Like it can no longer stand in a museum this way..


But this is all going to go on the back burner of thoughts, before I get too carried away and enthused, so that I can be a little bit more objective while viewing the ring in real life!

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I used Patrick Davis who is in Culver City. He is excellent and written about on PS.

http://jewelryappraiser.net/

If you do decide to use him, call for an appt now. He can be booked up for weeks.

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Charles Carmona appraised an oec for me on Monday (if you search his name on the forums, he comes up quite a bit). Excellent appraiser. http://guildlabs.com/


Based on the pics, I think it's an oec because it has a smaller table and appears to have some height in the crown. Plus it has a culet. I see a lot of promise in that diamond. Those pics are way better than the ones my seller listed! Does your seller sell other jewelry or was this a personal item?

Thank you. Do you know approximately how much it would cost, and how long the process takes? Sorry, I'm kind of bashful to be calling in-- I'm nervous to sound like a total n00b!

This seller does sell other jewelry, but it doesn't appear like she sells diamonds all that often. Most pieces in her current inventory are about $50-100.. her whole shoppe is all vintage items, though, filled with jewelry, books, pottery, porcelains.. etc. Does this read into her credibility in some way?

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Charles Carmona appraised an oec for me on Monday (if you search his name on the forums, he comes up quite a bit). Excellent appraiser. http://guildlabs.com/


Based on the pics, I think it's an oec because it has a smaller table and appears to have some height in the crown. Plus it has a culet. I see a lot of promise in that diamond. Those pics are way better than the ones my seller listed! Does your seller sell other jewelry or was this a personal item?

Thank you. Do you know approximately how much it would cost, and how long the process takes? Sorry, I'm kind of bashful to be calling in-- I'm nervous to sound like a total n00b!

This seller does sell other jewelry, but it doesn't appear like she sells diamonds all that often. Most pieces in her current inventory are about $50-100.. her whole shoppe is all vintage items, though, filled with jewelry, books, pottery, porcelains.. etc. Does this read into her credibility in some way?

Then you might be getting a deal! vintage items but not vintage jewelry may mean they may not ask for the higher prices.

Patrick Davis is $85. Quite reasonable and he will spend a nice chunk of time with you. He'll test the setting and authenticate it for you.

Personally, I really like that setting, but I'm in the market for a RHR with some "pow!" factor!

 

[junebug17]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

JK, I mentioned the possibility of it being a transitional (cutting style in between OEC and modern brilliant) because of the larger table. But I'm certainly not an expert so it will be interesting to hear what the apparaiser says! And also what you think of the ring yourself, because a large part of this is if it speaks to you! I've been looking at antique rings for a few months now, and this is certainly an excellent value on the face of it. That center stone is really large!

 

[ForteKitty]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I tried to get an appt w/ Patrick Davis, but he is in NY for the rest of the month! Charles charges $100. He's a total sweetheart. If you dont want to call, send him an email thru his website.

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

As for getting it appraised, do you guys have any recommendations in the Los Angeles area? Do you know how much those will run me? I have a personal jeweler, but more for things like fixing links, or (MUCH) smaller purchases. Do you think a verbal appraisal is enough? Or should I invest in paying for an official certificate of an appraisal somewhere? Do you any idea how much that will cost? And, would they have to take the diamond out of the setting to appraise it? If they do, will it damage the setting, and thus void any chance of me returning it?

To answer your other questions:

- Patrick Davis is $85 and that is for all the paperwork too. He'll go through the process and then you can decide if you want the paperwork, otherwise it''s around $50, I think. So it's nice...he can look at it, and if it checks out, you can buy the paperwork too for insurance purposes. If it checks out, I would pay for a full appraisal, since it's only $35 for all the documentation and it's great to have in case you choose to resell.

- He will not take the diamond out. He'll measure and calculate carat weight via formula and do his best to assess color with the stone in the mount.

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I tried to get an appt w/ Patrick Davis, but he is in NY for the rest of the month! Charles charges $100. He's a total sweetheart. If you dont want to call, send him an email thru his website.

Oh, doh!

But I think Patrick mentioned Charles as well, so I think he'd be great. There are only a few appraisers of that level in the LA area. Patrick, Charles, and I believe Jennifer Thornton-Davis. I liked her as well, but she is in the valley, so a bit far from me, and I hear she doesn't do as much appraising for the general public anymore.

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

Oh, and Jennifer was about $95 6 years ago, so I felt Patrick's prices were a steal. He spent an hour and 15 mins with me for two items. Full paperwork for both cost me $135

 

[decodelighted]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I do agree that it gets a little lost in that setting. Hard to appreciate the true WOW of a 2+ ct OEC-or-Transitional diamond in all of that other stuff.

On the other hand -- maybe you don't want something "engagement" looking - since you're getting this for yourself? I could have A LOT of fun with an antique stone that size. YUMMO! Enjoy!

 

[JK_Imnotrlyblonde]

Re: Can you veteran/vintage cut PS-ers check out my OEC purc

I tried to get an appt w/ Patrick Davis, but he is in NY for the rest of the month! Charles charges $100. He's a total sweetheart. If you dont want to call, send him an email thru his website.

Okay! I just called in and made an appointment for Tuesday afternoon with Charles. I feel so nervous! Thanks for the tip re: Patrick's whereabouts. I definitely can't wait a month Even if I had a 1 month return policy, I'd be a wreck of nervousness by then!

TravelingGal-- too bad he isn't in town! You're right, those prices are a great deal-- especially offering a choice on wanting the certificates or not!


Thank you all so much for your help. I will update you all as soon as I can, with any information I can: if I get any more additional information via email, when I receive it, and when I get it appraised.

Decodelight (side question, is that deco delight, or decode light):: yes, I am purchasing it for myself. (**fingers crossed that if it all checks out..) I don't think I'll do a grand entrance for its existence until a year later, upon graduation, as I feel I shouldn't even be spending this amount of $$ as a student (even though I'm older)! But the price hooked me in. So I'm not sure if I'll change my mind about even what type of setting I want! Heaven knows how indecisive one can get, especially after the whirlwind of bling-crushes one gets after browsing PrisceScope! Honestly, I don't really care if it looks "engagement-y".. but I didn't think that particular one I linked to did

Can anyone comment on the color it appears to be from http://i.imgur.com/6Dvksh.jpg? i'm hoping those black lines are just lint.. I'll worry about clarity later. Does that yellowness seem like it's probably a M-ish? Do M-ish stones front face as white as this, though?

 

[Amys Bling]

Get it appraised ASAP then determine if it's worth keeping