Help me choose an OEC!

[mtriplee]

I'm in the process of purchasing an OEC and would like to get opinions from some pricescope experts!

I've been working with Erica from Love Affair Diamonds, and she has been very helpful, providing opinions and comparison videos. I'm just having trouble pulling the trigger on the diamond, and it's time for a decision. Here are the candidates:

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-90ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-j-vs1/
(I've seen some earlier PS discussion on this one; lovely and flowery!)

https://loveaffairdiamonds.smugmug....ld-European-Cut-Diamond---GIA-K-VS1/i-SjCS95d
(New on the site and not as many photos/videos. I haven't seen it compared next to the others. Great size/spread!)

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-65ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-j-vs2
(Crisp and interesting, but looks somewhat dark in some comparison videos. ASET looks pretty good to me.)

Others I've considered by am not leaning toward:

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-95ct-cushiony-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-j-vvs2
(Lovely shape, and striking in some videos. I like it less in indoor light.)

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-77ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-k-vs1/
(Great size/spread for the price, and faces up very white. But I like the more flowery centers of the other diamonds, and the crown is rather shallow.)

Depth question: Is ~60% too shallow in combination with a small table?

Any input you can offer to help me make a decision is much appreciated!

 

[foxinsox]

I feel like 60% depth would be just fine.
Which one do your eyes like the most?
For the K, does the comment about clouds not shown bother you at all? Can Erica comment if there’s any impact on crispness or light return from them? If not, I think that’s my favourite..
you’ve got a fun decision.
How do you want to set it?

 

[mtriplee]

Thanks for your reply, foxinsox!

My preference shifts, depending on the lighting.

I guess I assumed that with a VS1, there wouldn't be a clarity issue, but perhaps I should ask about the clouds. Can I ask why the K 1.80 is your favorite? I have the least information on it, but I like the price and the proportions.

For the setting, I'm planning to do something similar this:
https://ringconcierge.com/products/old-mine-cut-antique-engagement-ring/?variant=31505156870

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

There’s just something about the 1.65ct J vs2 that I love! Second to that the 1.95ct J vvs2 cushiony one for sure for me. Erica doesn’t have a bad stone though so you can’t go wrong.

 

[mtriplee]

Lovesparklesparle, thanks for weighing in! The 1.65 was my first love of this bunch.

The 1.95 definitely stands out with its cushiony shape, but it's also the highest priced, and I feel I may have some guilt if I choose it!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Don't worry about depth. These stones are not cut with a recipe. Each one has a unique combination of proportions, and some work and some don't and *in general* the only way to tell if its well cut is to look at how it performs in various lighting.

For me the biggest downside of OECs is that they can have issues under the table. Ideally, I prefer an old cut where you have nice activity under the table so that the big main under-table facets twinkle on and off somewhat independently rather than two or three turning on and off together or one or two staying dark all the time. When there are lazy under table facets or two or three that are "off" (dark) more than they are "on" (bright), it can lead to a darker and less interesting central area in the stone.

I looked at all the videos, and the stone with the best cut to me in this regard is the 1.90. I'd pick that one.

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Lovesparklesparle, thanks for weighing in! The 1.65 was my first love of this bunch.

The 1.95 definitely stands out with its cushiony shape, but it's also the highest priced, and I feel I may have some guilt if I choose it!

The question you have to ask yourself is if you go with the 1.65 will you be wishing you had the 1.95 on your finger? If this is the case don’t get it! Since the 1.95 made your shortlist it must be attainable for you? You can always go simpler with an interim setting, then reset later with your dream setting.

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

I do lurve that culet though! It’s definately one of a kind, which is what is so great about oecs.

 

[foxinsox]

Thanks for your reply, foxinsox!

My preference shifts, depending on the lighting.

I guess I assumed that with a VS1, there wouldn't be a clarity issue, but perhaps I should ask about the clouds. Can I ask why the K 1.80 is your favorite? I have the least information on it, but I like the price and the proportions.

For the setting, I'm planning to do something similar this:
https://ringconcierge.com/products/old-mine-cut-antique-engagement-ring/?variant=31505156870

Ah I LOVE that setting. Will you get RC to set it or DK (or someone else?).
I liked the look of this one on the video, it’s got a great spread and the flower petals under the table look good to me. I haven’t analysed it super closely though, just gone by what my eyes liked (and I don’t usually like teeny tables that much!). I would wonder about the side colour since it’s the most tinted but it does look bright in the videos.

 

[mtriplee]

Lovesparklesparle, the 1.65 is the one I'm concerned may be just a bit too small. It stays in the mix because I like it, but I don't think I'll pick it for that reason. Despite that amazing culet on the 1.95, I'm leaning most toward the 1.90 and 1.80 (mostly due to cut style and size).

foxinsox, I'm planning to have Erica make the setting. I want to feel really sure of the center stone choice, since I'll be forgoing the return period by having it put into a custom ring without seeing it in person, first.

The K color doesn't concern me in the 1.80. I'd slightly prefer a J, but my daughter's beautiful K oval has made me feel very sure that I prefer warmer diamonds (as long as they are well cut!). The diamond in my engagement ring is a GIA F, and I prefer the color of the (estimated) I-color old cut I wear on my right hand.

dreamer_dachsie: Your feedback was very helpful. Thank you!
What's bothered me most about the 1.65 (and others, at times) is that I see the same table facets off/on together as the diamond is moved around, and I don't like that. The 1.90, as you noted, seems better in this respect. What's your opinion of the 1.80?

Thanks to all for the feedback. It's so helpful to me!

 

[mtriplee]

Hello @foxinsox, @dreamer_dachsie, and @Lovesparklesparle:
Thanks so much for your input! I responded in the post above, but I'm a newbie here and failed to quote your text or tag you.

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Ok so 1.65 is out (you could add some kind of halo if you love it?)

Of the 1.9 and 1.8, 1.9 for me. Much prettier faceting under the table, and I like the snowflake pattern.

The 1.8 seems more “bright” at times but overall I prefer the 1.9.

However, if you can stretch your budget, that cushiony one is so pretty and would amazing in your setting.

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Lovesparklesparle, the 1.65 is the one I'm concerned may be just a bit too small. It stays in the mix because I like it, but I don't think I'll pick it for that reason. Despite that amazing culet on the 1.95, I'm leaning most toward the 1.90 and 1.80 (mostly due to cut style and size).

foxinsox, I'm planning to have Erica make the setting. I want to feel really sure of the center stone choice, since I'll be forgoing the return period by having it put into a custom ring without seeing it in person, first.

The K color doesn't concern me in the 1.80. I'd slightly prefer a J, but my daughter's beautiful K oval has made me feel very sure that I prefer warmer diamonds (as long as they are well cut!). The diamond in my engagement ring is a GIA F, and I prefer the color of the (estimated) I-color old cut I wear on my right hand.

dreamer_dachsie: Your feedback was very helpful. Thank you!
What's bothered me most about the 1.65 (and others, at times) is that I see the same table facets off/on together as the diamond is moved around, and I don't like that. The 1.90, as you noted, seems better in this respect. What's your opinion of the 1.80?

Thanks to all for the feedback. It's so helpful to me!

Sorry what do you mean by same facets off/on together/at the same time?

Rather that forgo your return window, why don’t you buy the stone, inspect it, then send it back to be set? That’s what I’d do if I lived in the USA. More complicated if it’s not domestic but still easy enough to do.

 

[mtriplee]

Ok so 1.65 is out (you could add some kind of halo if you love it?)
Of the 1.9 and 1.8, 1.9 for me. Much prettier faceting under the table, and I like the snowflake pattern.
The 1.8 seems more “bright” at times but overall I prefer the 1.9.
However, if you can stretch your budget, that cushiony one is so pretty and would amazing in your setting.

I'm not a huge fan of halos and am still anticipating them going out of style! The 1.95 and 1.90 are actually close in price. The 1.80 is quite a bit less expensive.