Curious transitional cut diamond

[ChristaDiane]

Hello all !
So, quite a few years back I bought this beautiful Edwardian 18kt white gold 3 stone ( 1 OEC and 2 transitional ) cut diamond ring. I have always wondered why one of my transitional cut diamonds has always looked a little off. I’m sure you will be able to guess which one when you look at the photos ( it’s on the left just fyi ) as it is quite noticeable when in low light only. I know it was a time when diamonds were transitioning into the beautiful round brilliants we have today. Why I did not ask at the time of purchase, I don’t know, and I have never taken it to a jeweler to ask, as it is what it is and it’s fire and brilliance are as good as the other transitional diamond on the right. I have worn it just as is for years now, and just thought it’s antique and not perfect. If anyone knows why this stone is cut so strange, I would so appreciate your kind knowledge. Thanks I’m advance for your reply’s !

 

[prs]

I suspect you might be seeing a lot of obstruction under the table on that particular diamond. It's tough to tell without a close-up video.

 

[ChristaDiane]

@prs
Hi!
I read up on obstruction and basically it’s a bad diamond is what I’m understanding ? Lol ! It’s not good, I do know that. Being that it is an antique diamond, should I just think of it as it’s charm from its era…?
Thank so much for commenting!

 

[ChristaDiane]

@prs
Hi!
I read up on obstruction and basically it’s a bad diamond is what I’m understanding ? Lol ! It’s not good, I do know that. Being that it is an antique diamond, should I just think of it as it’s charm from its era…?
Thank so much for commenting!

It’s funny, I thought I had been seeing fire and brilliance from this diamond all these years, when maybe it’s just been the other two diamonds ?

 

[prs]

You can still get fire and brilliance from the diamond. It's just the angles are cut such that you see more dark areas under the table if you get too close. This is fairly common with old cuts. When Tolkowsky was writing his thesis he used five diamonds from his family business that he considered examples of the best angle proportions. Even one of these would now be considered prone to obstruction!

 

[kris01vb]

Wish I had better lighting for these pics. It’s my great grandmother’s wedding ring. So happy to have it passed down to me.

 

[ChristaDiane]

@prs
Yes, I do still get the fire and brilliance from this diamond ! I had to clean it to be sure, lol ! Thank you so much for replying regarding this. I’m no jeweler, but I do my homework on diamonds and gemstones in general. Just have never heard of an obstructed diamond before, so thank you! I learned something new, and I always love to learn about them. And, yes… I have read up on Tolkowsky’s ideal cut for antique diamonds. Again, thank you so much! I will be taking it to my jeweler to learn some more. (:

 

[ChristaDiane]

@kris01vb
Gorgeous ring !! I have been passed down two OEC rings with blue sapphires from my grandmother as well. I just love antique cuts, and the settings are always so unique, and just lovely. I actually have more to come, but I hope it’s not for quite awhile, lol ! Thank you for sharing !

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Most gems have some obstruction when you look at them, your head is the obstruction! Many old cuts have the fish eye because of shallow/too deep pavilions/thick girdles. It's just natural for the darkness to show up when the diamond moves around. It could also be set a little deep or wonky in the setting causing shadowing. Make sure to give it a good scrub under the gallery. It's not particularly severe and I wouldn't care overly much about it, the ring is beautiful.

 

[ChristaDiane]

@ItsMainelyYou
Yes! It could be my head, lol ! I certainly did give it a nice scrub and is sparkling like a champ ! Thank you so much for your kind reply. I wish rings like these came with a historical note of some kind, as it would be so fun to know more about them. And, thanks again… I think it’s a pretty ring too.