diamond circa 1870 & recutting??

[liz1022333]

Hello All: my fiance are having trouble figuring out what to do with the diamond engagement ring that has been in his family for over 100 years. The diamond was his grandfather''s grandmother''s! We figure it dates to around 1870.
The diamond is a Old European cut weighing roughly 2.2ct. It is an E or D color and is very very clear. However... the diamond was badly chipped around almost the entire girdle, probably from his grandmother wearing another diamond ring on the same finger. However, there are no faults or flaws that would cause the diamond to crack. Several jewelers in our area say that the diamond would lose 20%- 50% of its weight if it were to be recut. They say that we could have the cutters replicate an antique cut. If the diamond is recut it would not fit into the antique platinum setting. A major con for us.
Does anyone have advice/suggestions/input as to whether or not we should have the diamond recut? What should we take into consideration? We''re trying to get as much info as we can before we rush into anything. I would appreciate any thoughts. Thank you!

 

[glitterata]

If I were in your situation, I would consult Dave Atlas, an appraiser who posts on this board. He's an expert in old cuts (and, judging by his posts and his reputation, the kind of honorable, generous, humane person there should be more of in this world).

He has mentioned in the past that chips can threaten the integrity of a diamond and should be repaired. I would trust him to evaluate the stone and help figure out what to do about it. I bet he could find someone to repair the damage so as to best preserve the spirit of your stone.

Yoo hoo! Dave! Weigh in on this one, please!

(PS: Liz: Please post pictures! It sounds gorgeous.)

 

[pqcollectibles]

Dittos to Glitterata's comments. I second contacting Dave Atlas at www.gemappraisers.com. You may have a diamond that is repairable. Your diamond could be worth much more with a repair than a total recut.

Get Dave, or an equally qualified appraiser, to weigh in the structural integrity of that diamond and the possibility of whether or not it can be repaired. Many of the higher color/clarity older cuts were "recut" to more modern style. If your diamond really is D/E/F, and a repair will do the trick, it would be like restoring an extremely valuable antique.

 

[valeria101]

20%-50% loss... does this mean you asked both about repair and recuting to a modern round brilliant ?

 

[liz1022333]

Hello, Thank you for your replies. I've taken the stone to several local jewelers and none of them mentioned repairing. They've all suggested either leaving it as is or recutting. I'd love info on repairing. Can anyone offer me any??

 

[liz1022333]

these aren't very clear, but thats the best my camera can do

 

[chialea]

The setting doesn't look as old as the diamond, although it's lovely... You might want to set another gemstone in it if you need to get this diamond recut. I wouldn't recut it if I could avoid it, though, you'll really lose the uniqueness of the family heirloom.

 

[liz1022333]

I should also mention that the setting is obviously not circa 1870. It is, however, the setting his grandmother selected in 1932.

thats the last pic I have

 

[pqcollectibles]

We can't give you any info about repairing the diamond. It will have to be physically inspected by a professional who knows their stuff. A repair could be as simple as a polish to smooth out the chipped area. A pro will know for sure.

Dave Atlas is an expert with old cut diamonds and he really, really knows his stuff. You can email Dave at [email protected], or call him at 215-873-CERT or 215-345-1987. AGA is located at 732 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Edited to add:

Lovely ring!!!

I gave you a link to Dave Atlas' company website in my post above.

 

[glitterata]

Mmm, Liz, beautiful. Thanks for the pictures. And PQ, thanks for posting Dave's contact info.

 

[Hest88]

Oh, sigh! What a gorgeous thing!

I agree with the others. I wouldn't entrust such a treasure to anyone but Dave Atlas.

 

[Rank Amateur]

Why recut it?

I say it is beautiful as it is.

 

[Mara]

I almost agree with RA...it looks lovely in the picture though maybe ring size too big for your finger?

One other option is to possibly have it reset in one of the old style bezel surrounded settings, where the bezel covers the entire stone and therefore protects the girdle. You would not have to repair or recut the stone, and it would be protected by the bezel. You could have an antique repro made of that particular setting if you really love it, or select something new. Just a thought.




Though I also third/fourth/fifth contacting Dave Atlas..he would know best.

 

[oldminer]

We'd be glad to assist you with making a judgment on how to proceed. Of course, we'd need to examione the stone. Probably some light repair cutting to fix chips is all we'd normally do and then the old mounting would still fit fine.

Glad to take a look to see what might be best. No cost to you other than shipping expenses. We would give you a firm estimate of any repairs that we could do on the stone or the ring.....It sure looks nice in the photo.

 

[Lynn B]

I'm so glad Dave finally "chimed in" on this thread!

BTW, what a beautiful ring! It just oozes "personality" and charm! I love the older stones... what a story they have to tell.

Lynn

 

[Hest88]

Dave, you're such a gentleman!

 

[liz1022333]

Thanks for the responses I'll let you all know what I decide.

I may be in touch w/ you, Dave, to set up an appointment.

 

[winyan]

Liz

That is an absolutely gorgeous ring, and I'd say the setting would still qualify as antique as it's over 80 years old.

Dave...thank goodness we have you!

win

 

[Jennifer5973]

Wow...great ring and wonderful history.
Please let us know how it turn outs!

 

[hoorray]

beautiful ring and stone! You are lucky to have such an heirloom. I would definitly send it to Dave Atlas -- he is an expert in this area and can certainly help you...