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Diamond novice....need help with picking antique cut

sophiapetrillo

sophiapetrillo

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 20, 2009
Messages
85
Good morning everyone,

I feel a bit intimidated by this group but I need help trying to find a diamond . David Klass gave me a quote for this setting (white gold although rose gold is a possibility), and now I need help finding a diamond. I love the antique type stones and think that would look best. Would like to keep the price under $8k but willing to go up to $10k for the perfect stone. I would like greater than 1ct but nothing too big (size 7finger) and wouldrather have quality over quantity. Any help would be very much appreciated . Thx so much!!!

Kim

88A4971C-E234-44C9-9710-00DCB51CADA9.jpeg
 
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Beautiful setting.
Couple of questions:

Do you want a true old cut diamond? Do you know your preferences re old mine cut or old euro cut?
Or are you interested in a newly cut diamond made to look like an old cut?

If the former I would reach out to Adam at Old World Diamonds first and foremost as he has the best selection of true old cut diamonds (both OECs and OMCs) and fairest prices IMO. And he is a nice and honest guy. He will find all the best old cuts within your budget and you can trust his opinion. He will also send you diamonds to look at and see in person.

If the latter I would reach out to Jonathan at August Vintage diamonds and see what he can do for you within your budget.
 
 
Thank you so much... I don’t really have a preference for the stone (older or newer). I will check out those links now. Thanks so much... I appreciate you taking the time to help!
 
sophiapetrillo said:
Thank you so much... I don’t really have a preference for the stone (older or newer). I will check out those links now. Thanks so much... I appreciate you taking the time to help!
Click to expand...

My pleasure. Try to see as many as you can (if not in person pour through the threads here and IG as much as possible) to evaluate what you like and what you don't like. Old cuts vs Newly made stones to look old cuts are very different IMO and one doesn't substitute for the other (again IMO). If you want precision optics you want a newly made "old" cut but if you want genuine antique (romantic IMO and a special piece of history) then it is true old cut for you. But you need to see both and figure out what are your preferences and non negotiables.
 
Nice choices and wonderful prices at @tyty333 but (and again it comes down to personal preferences completely) those do not appear eye clean to me and I think that is the reason for the price. Call Grace and ask her. Of course eye clean isn't important to everyone so it may not matter to you but that is why you must know what your non negotaibales are...

Once you know what you need and want in a stone we can help narrow it down further for you.
 
tyty333 said:
That is a lovely setting. Really like a prong set bezel. You didnt mention your preference for color. A lot of old stones are lower in color because they
were recut to round brilliants at some point.

Your colour preference will to a degree determine price and ct weight.

Also if you are okay with preloved there are some antique diamonds available:
https://www.diamondbistro.com/index.php?a=5&b=215
Click to expand...
 
I like the first one Missy posted from Old World Diamonds due to the cut. Talk to Adam and see if he has any other recommendations for you. He has good eyes and is very helpful.

I also like the August Vintage cuts. The ring settings you seem to be drawn to are simple and sleek and IMO this will be enhanced by a very well cut stone. See Diamondseeker’s avatar: her’s is a simple setting with a perfectly cut August Vintage Round.

You need to decide your color and clarity tolerances before you commit. Do you realize that old cuts are usually warmer? Have you seen them in person? I’d order video for the OWD stone and I’d also carefully review the August Vintage videos, then order one to see in person. Play with a diamond in various lighting before you commit.

Missy mentions eye clean. For a well cut stone, I’d sacrifice eye clean to a degree.

To be very honest, I’m leaning towards recommending the August Vintage cut to a newbie because it is a brand that is cut technically for light return. August Vintage cuts, while promising great light return (a pleasure in itself) also look very authentic to me, if not a bit overly perfect. But perfect is how some of the best antiques look.

Good luck!
 
I agree with Missy on reaching out to Adam - I have made a few purchases with him and he can do great things with finding things that are well within budget and great perfomers.
 
You would need the stats on the stone from David as well.

For $8K or $10K, I would consider Canera Antique cuts as well as OECs.

For your budget, I would throw down on this one in two seconds.

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/yqpk5x-1.071-i-vs2-ideal-old-european-cut

I, VS2 1.07 for under $8K - cut for ideal light performance. If you get a stone from Victor, you can get a discount on the setting.

I'm not suggesting a higher color because I prefer the deliciousness of the lower colored antique rounds.
 
The stone in your example setting looks very warm to me, so if you are open to that it could really stretch your budget on size. LLJsmom is right that lower colored antique stones are really lovely and just seem to glow from within.
I own several antique stones and the whitest ones I have are I’s, and they are very white.
My studs are Ks and are still quite white.

You’ve received excellent advice above to reach out to Adam, he really does have an amazing selection in addition to having a great eye and a flair for being a budgetary miracle worker. His bench is also fantastic (and fast!!!) so it’s worth seeking a quote from him on the setting as well.
 
You guys totally ROCK (pun intended, lol!!). I’m going to finish looking at the links now but i did check out Grace first before even posting and did like a lot of her stones but I don’t know what to “look for”. Honestly, imperfections/not being eye clean is fine as long as it’s not obnoxious. I’m also ok with some warmth but I don’t want yellow, if that makes sense. I don’t expect, nor crave perfection. Just a pretty ring

Any thoughts on white vs. rose gold?
 
I LOVE the August Vintage cuts...just trying to find a round. Still going through all these :dance:
 
I don't think you'd find it overly huge.It takes a while to adjust to any new ring. Its my kind of OEC and I love antique stones. OEC will faceup smaller than moderns, so look at the spread not weight.
 
sophiapetrillo said:
LOVE this one’s performance on the videos...just wondering if it’s too big. I’ve never had anything flashy or close to that size so I’m a bit self conscious. I know I need to get over that though.
Click to expand...
I have an OEC with that kind of spread on a 6 3/4 finger and it’s not too big at all. In that setting, it might appear a little bigger because of the frame around the stone but I think it would be lovely. And the cut in the K is phenomenal.
 
foxinsox said:
I have an OEC with that kind of spread on a 6 3/4 finger and it’s not too big at all. In that setting, it might appear a little bigger because of the frame around the stone but I think it would be lovely. And the cut in the K is phenomenal.
Click to expand...
Agreed! Really lovely stone.

I don’t think you’d find it too big at all!
 
hahaha its a downwards spiral!!! Honestly though your brain will quickly adapt....unfortunately though one day it may seem too small to you! Although I hope you don't get DSS...It shrinks your wallet too;)2:whistle:
 
There’s a vendor @LisaRN has recommended recently, Beladora, who has a small but very attractively priced selection of OECs including some quite high colour ones.
1.09 E VS1 transitional
1.08 G VS2 OEC (this one looks beautiful!)
2.00 J SI1 OMC total outlier, wonky but it has some charm.
I think their photos/video are a bit average but @LisaRN says they’re great to deal with so if you like any of them, see if they can give you better pics or take a punt and see?
 
foxinsox said:
There’s a vendor @LisaRN has recommended recently, Beladora, who has a small but very attractively priced selection of OECs including some quite high colour ones.
1.09 E VS1 transitional
1.08 G VS2 OEC (this one looks beautiful!)
2.00 J SI1 OMC total outlier, wonky but it has some charm.
I think their photos/video are a bit average but @LisaRN says they’re great to deal with so if you like any of them, see if they can give you better pics or take a punt and see?
Click to expand...

Thank you! Checking out now....
 
I’m still liking that first link to the authentic antique diamond from OWD that Missy provided. I still also think you should consider an August Vintage Round unless you want the romance and history of a true antique cut.

The Victor Canera stone recommended above by LLJsmom will be a beauty, no doubt.

I also like the K 1.77 carat from Love Affaire Diamonds. It will not be too big, :)

Now. I think you just need to consider your preferred diameter (not carat weight) and budget and I think that can help you narrow down your choices.

Leukolenos mentions Adam’s Old World Diamond bench. This is a fantastic point. All of the vendors mentioned have VERY solid benches. Old World Diamonds setting prices are quite reasonable and their settings are some of my favorites. Also, Adam has a secret stash of antique settings that he can access for you if you don’t want a newly made setting.

Love Affaire Diamonds has done some beautiful custom settings lately; Erica has an array of her own custom designed settings and an artistic eye. Erica also does Stuller settings if you are on a budget.

Victor Canera has luxury quality design and price point and has a huge following and fan base. His work speaks for itself.

Jon at August Vintage has executed some nice custom settings lately Too.

My recommendation for what it’s worth, is to explore the settings these vendors have to offer. Search Pricescope and look at their IGs and websites.

You might just want to align your diamond purchase with your preferred setting vendor. You will get top tier customer service from every vendor, and my opinion is that you will find it easier to buy a loose stone and setting together. Just get it all in a one stop shop, rather than have to manage the CAD process of a custom designed piece elsewhere.

My opinion. YMMV. AND GOOD LUCK!
 
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