Defying expectations--an [almost] flat-crown OMC

[GemFever]

Hi guys,

I made an offer on an ebay stone, mostly out of curiosity. The listing had numerous pics, but it was hard to really understand the personality of this stone from the pics. It was weird that a cushiony OMC with a big culet had no kozibe. But the size and price were pretty good, and the return policy was decent (full refund minus shipping), so I decided to take a look. Only after my best offer was accepted did I notice that the appraisal estimated the depth at 58%. My excitement abated after that, I was just waiting to receive it so I could ship it back.

Well, the stone arrived today, and I'm not so sure I want to let it go! The crown on the stone is almost flat, but it has a fairly small table (estimated at 47%), and looks pretty great to me. It has no obstruction that I can make out. Quite possibly it has tons of leakage somewhere, but if this leakage is happening, it's not bothersome to my eye.

The facets under the table are lively, and big. There really is no kozibe to be seen, which is a bummer. The color, appraised as K-L, is probably closer to an M or so. Oh, and it has chips on the girdle and table. Considering the weird proportions of the stone, I'd be a little afraid to have these polished out.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying this stone right now. Not sure what to do. I don't want to return it. I'll play with it some more, and seriously consider using it as my main e-ring stone instead of the 1.75ct OEC. I know it doesn't meet all the specs i said I wanted (color, fluoro), but for the price (a little under $4K), I think I could really enjoy it for a while.

Whatever I decide to do with it, I wanted to share the story and the pics here. A pretty stone that's defying the numbers.

Here is the original listing, it has some pretty zoomed in pics:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230960919146?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[GemFever]

 

[chrono]

It might look fine for now but I am doubtful it will show much rainbow type fireworks. Have you checked it out under various lights yet?

 

[GemFever]

 

[GemFever]

It might look fine for now but I am doubtful it will show much rainbow type fireworks. Have you checked it out under various lights yet?

Chrono, that's a good point. I haven't seen it in low-light yet, only daylight. Will have to see what it does in the evening.

I tried it in my favorite spot outside, under a big green tree. It doesn't throw as much crazy playful colored light as the OEC, but it does a fair amount. I'll go out and try to take some more pics out there, and compare it to my OMC earrings too.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It might make a good pendant stone, but I would not like the flat crown in a ring. I like your current diamond ring much better.

 

[almondblossom]

Love the big culet and the chunky facets! Interesting composition of the stone with the small table and flat crown. Curious to hear how it performs in different lightings.

 

[GemFever]

Some more pics.

Also, ongoing impressions. It is not as brilliant and bright as the OEC. I think it comes through in some of the pics. It's definitely not better than the OEC, it's just different. Bigger facets, cushiony shape, bigger culet and no kozibe.

I personally really like the bigger facets, and the bigger spread! I also really love the crown petal facets on this stone, they are prominent.

 

[GemFever]

In the last two pics is where you can see the difference between the brilliance of the OEC, and the duller look of the OMC.

 

[missy]

Wow, Gem, I like the way you work LOL! You are efficient and fast! I see what you find appealing about this stone and you have it in person so you can see the way it really performs as opposed to what we are seeing. Trust your eyes and see it's personality in action under lots of conditions. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I think it is pretty and what a great price.

 

[sapphirering]

I agree with CharmyPoo, I'm not an expert on old cuts but the facet pattern is really pleasing to my eye. And I love eBay deals!

 

[GemFever]

Thanks missy, Charmy, and sapphire!

Got the black light out. Well, just my luck -- a bunch of the side stones have fluorescence, but not the center stone. That's fine with me though -- if I keep it, I know it won't be my final "holy grail" stone. Just a stone I really like and will probably enjoy wearing more than the OEC. That's my thinking right now.

 

[yennyfire]

Ya know...for that price, it's a keeper in my book! The facet pattern is nice...it's not the most perfect stone I've ever seen, but it is definitely pleasing to the eye. I think ya did good lady!

 

[bunnycat]

Girl- you've been busy!!!

I think it's an interesting stone and it'd be great to see it out of those huge prongs that are holding it in and out of the closed off bottom and see what that does for it. It's my feeling that shallower stones might do better in a mount where the bottom lets lots of light in.

 

[two_little_birds]

I really like it. Sometimes I think people can be too serious when it comes to selecting a stone (and sometimes that's called for), but this stone is very pretty. Can't put my finger on it exactly, but I can understand why you like it.

Have a date with it tonight, get cozy and snuggle up. See how you feel in the morning. $4K seems like a great deal though.

P.S. You have some mean photography skills there girl. What camera are you using?

 

[GemFever]

Yenny -- that's what I'm thinking. The price is great, which takes away some of the pressure of finding something perfect. This isn't a forever stone, but I can really enjoy it for now, and later turn it into an RHR. And I'm surprised that I really like the larger face-up size of this stone! I thought 1.75 was pushing it. Maybe I will feel awkward when it's on my finger, but right now--I'm liking this ~8mm spread!

Bastet -- Yup, busy bee here I'll be glad to take a break from searching, to be honest. If I keep this, I'll find the OEC a good home (my mom said she wants it, I need to make sure she was serious, but she loved the OEC when she saw it), and then take a breather and really re-build my budget.

The brooch actually has a decently open back. I'm not sure if the light performance of this stone will get any better than it is right now. I think it should be bezeled to accentuate its cushiony shape. And because there is a lot of light leakage around the edges, I think a bezel will help (I'll attach a photo to illustrate leakage).

TLB -- That's exactly what I'm feeling about this stone -- I like it without over-analyzing. If I was blowing my budget on this stone, I probably would let it go. But as it is, I have some room to just enjoy it with all its pros and cons.

Thanks for the compliments on my pics! All taken with my iPhone 4. Sometimes with a 30x loupe pressed to the camera. I'm really used to this phone camera right now, we like to work together

Below, the leakage pic. Pretty much this stone has leakage around the edges outside of the petals (at least as I understand it).

 

[valmanin]

Cool stone!!! It definitely faces up larger than your OEC. Have you measured it? Or did I miss that maybe? Can't wait to hear what you decide.

 

[GemFever]

Valmanin -- the dimensions from the appraisal that was in the ebay listing: 8.18 - 7.78 x 4.63mm. It is noticeably bigger, even with the leakage on the edges.

My somewhat more sober thinking is kicking in before bed. Even though I like this stone more than my OEC for reasons of personal taste, I still know that it would not be my final, ultimate stone. It is too warm and has no fluorescence (not a must, but would be a big bonus). If this stone was whiter and had fluoro, it may have been enough for me to be happy with it for at least several years to come. But as it is... I know I'll still be looking for the right stone.

So, the question is -- should I spend money on setting this stone (and getting some chips taken care of) just to have a "temp" I'm happier with. And when I do find the next stone, could I sell this one without losing money? Who knows...

Anyway, I'll keep looking at it and weighing my options and doing some budget math.

 

[Hera]

Rocky Talky is the place for honesty so I'm going to be honest with you. I think you're trying to talk yourself into this stone and that seems to be a repetition with your last stone. Around 4k is still a large chunk of money that will go towards buying a more foreverish stone. You're already sort of focused on the leakish around the edges of the stone (I didn't really even notice it til you pointed it out) and what I suspect this will do is make the stone appear smaller than it is.

I think you need to send it back and continue looking. I think something more of what you're looking for is still out there!

 

[GemFever]

Rocky Talky is the place for honesty so I'm going to be honest with you. I think you're trying to talk yourself into this stone and that seems to be a repetition with your last stone. Around 4k is still a large chunk of money that will go towards buying a more foreverish stone. You're already sort of focused on the leakish around the edges of the stone (I didn't really even notice it til you pointed it out) and what I suspect this will do is make the stone appear smaller than it is.

I think you need to send it back and continue looking. I think something more of what you're looking for is still out there!

Thanks Hera, I appreciate it! You are right that there is some self-persuasion involved. And there definitely was some of that with my 1.75ct OEC, too. But I'm still glad I have that OEC on my finger right now (i.e. I'm glad I didn't send it back, even with all the disagreements the OEC and I have ).

Whether I keep or return, it's been an interesting and educational experience. The part that's unnerving is how much I'm enjoying the larger look of this shallow OMC. Suddenly, the 1.75ct OEC I was almost uncomfortable wearing due to its size... well... it looks downright small! Yikes!

 

[cabbitstarr]

The oec in your ring is much more beautiful in my opinion.

It's much brighter and has a much bigger presence.

 

[chrono]

Your OEC is very bright and I can see the appeal of the newer larger stone. Yes, it is a great deal for $4K but if you will continue to look for another stone, I'd rather hold on to my $4K as who knows if the right one might pop up next week.

 

[GemFever]

Thanks for your input Chrono and cabbitstarr!

The appeal of this stone is not mostly the size, but the fact that it looks bright under the table. It doesn't go over dark there at any point, which I really, really like.

I am leaning more toward returning, precisely because I don't want to needlessly tie up my budget when the *perfect* stone could show up soon. I'll still think on it a bit. Will look at it under office lights today.

I've been trying to see as many various old cuts as possible lately. One cushion blew me away, but it was in the Q-R range and already sold. After that I decided to look at more cushions, and made a long drive to see a 2+ct GIA-J medium-blue fluor antique cushion. That one was rather underwhelming. It strangely showed color under the table AND went dark under the table. I knew it wasn't the one for me within seconds of seeing it.

I do find that I like the slower, broader facets in general. Not quite AVC-big, but about the size of the facets of the flat OMC I have in my hands right now. Too much scintillation feels hectic to me (just personal opinion, of course).

Anyway, the old cut education continues!

 

[Draco]

There is glare off the upper girdle facets outside the petals in image 8539 which makes them look brighter and more opaque. That is not indicative of leakage in those areas but I can't tell from any of the photographs if they do or not. If you wan't to know put something red underneath and where you can see the red is where it leaks.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I have owned a few flatter topped cushions and they can be spectacular.

But that is not one. I think its a great pendant stone, and if I was in the market I would buy something just like it for a huge pendant with a nice facet pattern and bold flash. But it is not as bright in part becuase the shallowness is creating a glassy look to the diamond. You can see through it, never a good feature in a ring diamond.

And you are wacky in the head if you like this one better than your OEC in the ring Its not, even taking into account "eye of the beholder" jazz. Your e-ring OEC is exceptionally well cut.

 

[GemFever]

There is glare off the upper girdle facets outside the petals in image 8539 which makes them look brighter and more opaque. That is not indicative of leakage in those areas but I can't tell from any of the photographs if they do or not. If you wan't to know put something red underneath and where you can see the red is where it leaks.

Thanks for your input Draco! I used the term "leakage" though maybe it's not the most precise description of what's going on. Basically, the outer edges do not reflect much light most of the time. It's almost like the reflecting part of the diamond disappears outside of the petals. That's why I thought a bezel would be a good idea, to bring the stone together.

I have owned a few flatter topped cushions and they can be spectacular.

But that is not one. I think its a great pendant stone, and if I was in the market I would buy something just like it for a huge pendant with a nice facet pattern and bold flash. But it is not as bright in part becuase the shallowness is creating a glassy look to the diamond. You can see through it, never a good feature in a ring diamond.

And you are wacky in the head if you like this one better than your OEC in the ring Its not, even taking into account "eye of the beholder" jazz. Your e-ring OEC is exceptionally well cut.

Thanks for chiming in Dreamer! You are right -- the stone has a somewhat glassy appearance. It's certainly not perfect. No real fire. But what appeals to me is really big facets with slow, rolling light reflections. I dunno... just the whole look of it.

Anyway, you're also right that I'm a bit wacky in the head But not wacky enough. Gonna return this stone and hope the OEC can forgive me for now I am still very happy it's on my finger!

 

[Laila619]

Your OEC is very bright and I can see the appeal of the newer larger stone. Yes, it is a great deal for $4K but if you will continue to look for another stone, I'd rather hold on to my $4K as who knows if the right one might pop up next week.

Ditto Chrono.

 

[GemFever]

You're right Laila. But while I know logically this is true -- best not to spend the $4K right now and to wait for the *perfect* ring, it's tough reminding myself that every time I look at it! This shallow, leaky, imperfect stone somehow crept into my heart. It may sound crazy, but I guess I either connect with a stone, or I don't.

Which probably means that when I really fall in love with a stone, I will fall hard. Let's hope the passion doesn't rip my wallet I may have just made myself blush.

I need the seller to authorize my return sooon... this brooch should be packed away and ready to go, safely away from my admiring eyes.

 

[valmanin]

You're right Laila. But while I know logically this is true -- best not to spend the $4K right now and to wait for the *perfect* ring, it's tough reminding myself that every time I look at it! This shallow, leaky, imperfect stone somehow crept into my heart. It may sound crazy, but I guess I either connect with a stone, or I don't.

Which probably means that when I really fall in love with a stone, I will fall hard. Let's hope the passion doesn't rip my wallet I may have just made myself blush.

I need the seller to authorize my return sooon... this brooch should be packed away and ready to go, safely away from my admiring eyes.

Awww...I totally get that. I am the same way. It's funny how picking a diamond is such an emotional decision. You have to fall in love. The question is are you in love or is it just a crush?