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Help me pick between two OECs today!

Which OEC do you think I should pick?

  • Diamond A

    Votes: 6 46.2%

  • Diamond B

    Votes: 7 53.8%
  • Total voters
    13
  • Poll closed .
G

globaltravel

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2015
Messages
42
My search for an OEC continues. The diamonds I am considering are:

3.40 L SI1 9.53 x 9.39mm ($21,900) OWD with trade-up policy if 25% higher value item

2.91 L VS1 9.38 x 9.20mm ($17,000) JbG with trade-up policy if 100% higher value (double the price) item

I am struggling as I like them both for different reasons so I am asking for your help with a blinded video test vote before I need to finalize my decision tomorrow. I am intentionally not saying which diamond is A and B the vote is only based on what you think looking at them. Feel free to give input based on your view based on the info above on the diamond details.

Diamond A (furthest from finger tips in side by sides marked A)
https://youtu.be/M0onKhg54n4
https://youtu.be/z-nwHgqxnr0
https://youtu.be/aRe30AWPCMg
https://youtu.be/dmfz2TbvSNA
https://youtu.be/s1sNC7u2TIg

Diamond B (furthest from finger tips in side by sides marked B)
https://youtu.be/27yVesjWpbs
https://youtu.be/nVARYEDvW3Q
https://youtu.be/nmiupyglE1A
https://youtu.be/lZUdTA4CACw
https://youtu.be/4uxo-W9xlOc

Many thanks! Look forward to hearing your thoughts
 
I think they both look good, but one does seem to show a but more color than the other so if that is an issue for you and it seems that way in real life, then I'd go with the whiter one. Also, one gives you more size for it's carat weight and price than the other so you could use as your variable. And one trade up policy is more generous. So I guess it depends on what criteria is most important to you. Again, I think they are both lovely stones and if one doesn't appeal to you more than the other then base your choice on some of the criteria mentioned above.
 
I'm a recent OEC purchaser - also L color - but a little larger and I didn't vote because it's too hard to tell a stone's true personality from photos and videos. I know I can't get a video that captures the true look of my stone. It's really all in the eye. You need to trust what you see and if you can't make up your mind, one of two things is going on: 1) either the differences are so slight that either would be a fine choice; or 2) neither of them speaks to you enough to be the right one. Only you can figure out which it is.
 
I agree one faces up whiter and brighter, but the other has a really pretty cut pattern. It's a hard call so it's down to what your eye prefers.
 
Thanks Lookinagain, rainwood, arkieb1 and everyone who voted (results on the fence like I am :wall: )

Lookinagain & arkieb1 - I am curious which one looks whiter to you?
 
I would pick up the bigger size (3.40ct) unless its clarity of SI1 is not so bad! So, for me personally, it all depends of this SI1 clarity...
Having 3.4ct is much more desirable than having a bit under, but still under 3ct :naughty:
 
Hi! Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I was so swamped and just got a break now. I chose A. I think A looks a little less white but I wonder if that is she to the angle that you were recording from. Very hard to tell in these vids. I would go for the livelier one.
 
Ugghh now dead tie!!

I really like both for different reasons - at least it seems that is it not for no reasons that I am totally split

LLJsmom - thanks for your reply and all the time you spent with me in SF looking! So you're right, despite my poor video skills, that A is "livelier". Problem is that in some lighting situations the center is dark and lifeless and some facets are always a little dead not lighting up much under any situation ( you remarked on this IRL also). In other lighting the darkness lends to a much livelier contrast. She also throws some amazing colors back in some situations. For B, I would characterize her as a perfectly behaved beauty in all lighting situations - lively, pefect pattern, nice colors back ranging from pastels to deeper colors depending on light but doesn't give the same "hot cold holy cow or blahh" behavior of A.

EvaEvans - the SI was totally eye clean (Adam assured me of this and he was right) to me up until 3 days of staring at it...until I noticed (looking with the stone up close ~10 inches,like halfway btwn computer key board and my face, from my eyes) what I think is the way the surfaces show the twinning wisps when reflecting bold colors at certain angles. Now of course I keep focusing on that...and "seeing" the other inclusions since I know where they are better now. So yes, wondering if I can get my mind to more "mind clean". 3.40 indeed attractive but $5k more but with better trade-up policy. All the factors to weigh as Lookinagain wisely pointed out :think: :?
 
globaltravel|1488873972|4137507 said:
Ugghh now dead tie!!

I really like both for different reasons - at least it seems that is it not for no reasons that I am totally split

LLJsmom - thanks for your reply and all the time you spent with me in SF looking! So you're right, despite my poor video skills, that A is "livelier". Problem is that in some lighting situations the center is dark and lifeless and some facets are always a little dead not lighting up much under any situation ( you remarked on this IRL also). In other lighting the darkness lends to a much livelier contrast. She also throws some amazing colors back in some situations. For B, I would characterize her as a perfectly behaved beauty in all lighting situations - lively, pefect pattern, nice colors back ranging from pastels to deeper colors depending on light but doesn't give the same "hot cold holy cow or blahh" behavior of A.

EvaEvans - the SI was totally eye clean (Adam assured me of this and he was right) to me up until 3 days of staring at it...until I noticed (looking with the stone up close ~10 inches,like halfway btwn computer key board and my face, from my eyes) what I think is the way the surfaces show the twinning wisps when reflecting bold colors at certain angles. Now of course I keep focusing on that...and "seeing" the other inclusions since I know where they are better now. So yes, wondering if I can get my mind to more "mind clean". 3.40 indeed attractive but $5k more but with better trade-up policy. All the factors to weigh as Lookinagain wisely pointed out :think: :?
Click to expand...

global, I see. Then for sure, I would NOT chose A. This is just ME! I initially was considering an I OEC that was very white and bright, but there were a couple facets that just would NOT light up. After a number of days, that really, really bothered me. I could not get over it. It was like a broken gadget. Facets that don't light up would be a non-negotiable for me. I would rule out A.

If B gives you more consistent reflections, and has a more beautiful facet pattern I would go for B. With regard to the inclusions in B, I wish I could say I knew how I would react but I don't. Could Adam send you one that is a higher clarity?
 
It's really hard to choose based on pics-so I can't really help you there. I just want to take the time to urge you to get a written document with Adam's upgrade policy clearly stated on it, and discuss the specific details before purchasing.

I purchased a large OEC from Adam about 4 years ago and recently tried to upgrade. At the time I purchased I was told via e-mail, which I still have, that my OEC would be eligible for an upgrade and that the full purchase price would be applied toward the upgrade purchase. I was told when I asked to upgrade a few weeks ago that now my diamond has decreased in value, and is now worth $10,000 less than I paid, so if I want to trade it in it would be traded at the new rap price which is $10,000 less. So, no upgrade for me :(
 
Kasey3 said:
It's really hard to choose based on pics-so I can't really help you there. I just want to take the time to urge you to get a written document with Adam's upgrade policy clearly stated on it, and discuss the specific details before purchasing.

I purchased a large OEC from Adam about 4 years ago and recently tried to upgrade. At the time I purchased I was told via e-mail, which I still have, that my OEC would be eligible for an upgrade and that the full purchase price would be applied toward the upgrade purchase. I was told when I asked to upgrade a few weeks ago that now my diamond has decreased in value, and is now worth $10,000 less than I paid, so if I want to trade it in it would be traded at the new rap price which is $10,000 less. So, no upgrade for me :(
Click to expand...
uhhh isn't this fraud?
 
At the time that I posted my response (almost 3 months ago) that was the heart of my story. I did not elaborate on the details of my 3 attempts to upgrade and the issues that I have had. The bottom line is I am not being issued full credit for the $46,000 that I paid and that is still the fact today. It took quite a bit on my part to make any progress with the situation. Adam is a very kind person, went above what most venders would do with respect to a potential trade stone-as he has given me a loner stone to try and I know he wants me to be happy-but as I said it took a lot on my part to move this forward and these are recent events that took place this month-and not at the time that I posted. I will never be happy bout the fact that I am not going to get my full purchase price as trade in and if I want to trade I will be losing money.

LLJsmom-I am curious as to how you think you know my story as I do not know you-nor have I ever spoken to you. AND I don't appreciate the implication that I am not being honest about what has transpired. I chose to post (in March) the bottom line just as a warning to a potential buyer to get the policies clear and in writing before purchasing because had I known from the beginning that I would not be given my purchase price as trade in- as promised at the time of purchase- I would not have bought the stone.
 
globaltravel said:
OWD with trade-up policy if 25% higher value item
Click to expand...
I wonder how did you receive this information - verbal or written?..., because I was recently told, that OWD does NOT offer upgrade policy any more!
Kasey3 said:
I just want to take the time to urge you to get a written document with Adam's upgrade policy clearly stated on it, and discuss the specific details before purchasing.
Click to expand...
I want to add the same advise too. Any verbal discussion that you've might had have to be written and signed prior purchasing!
 
I like the OWD one better.
 
Hi EvaEvans and Kasey3

Maybe just to clarify. I had seen Kasey3's story just as I was reaching out to OWD so discussed the policy at length with Adam. He was very forthright with me that they would be willing to allow trade in but it depended on diamond market prices at the time of purchase versus upgrade. However if market prices were comparable, then full original value would be accepted for a new purchase of 25% higher value. I have it in multiple emails and felt his pricing for the diamond I was looking at (and ended up getting - agreed with you Soxfan!) was a fantastic deal compared to everything else I had seen.

Does not change that your situation Kasey3 really sucks. I am so sorry to hear this and why policies like those from GOG are so comforting and they seem to honour them in up and down markets.
 
globaltravel, if when upgrade diamond price depends of the current market value, this means there is NO trade-up policy, it's just trade-in policy for customers!
Kasey3 was talking about TRADE-UP policy, not TRADE-IN.
Literally, OWD does NOT offer trade-up policy any more!
It is also interesting to know, IF the market value increases, will OWD give you MORE money of what you previously paid?
 
Thank you global travel I appreciate that! I have to say I am still really ticked off by LLJsmom's comment-I am so upset about the trade in policy that is not being honored and the loss of $ if I want to upgrade, and for her to imply that she knows anything about my story is unbelievable.

I am glad that you have discussed the policies with Adam and that you are comfortable with the outcome. Please post pics!!!
 
EvaEvans: sorry not sure the distinction you make between trade-in for customers versus trade-up. I guess I always thought of trade-up as the vendor allows you to put the value of your original purchase with them towards another purchase as Long as the value of the next one is equal or higher value (depending on the vendor). I always thought of trade-in was for money / whatever buyer wants be it more or less value. Maybe I have my definitions wrong?

Kasey3: ugh no pictures yet as I am TOP on the fence about settings to decide on anything so Adam still has the stone loose until I can figure out what kind of setting I want. I wear all platinum / white gold but was thinking of something different for this - say 18kt+ yellow gold bezel setting but I'm not sure if I want simple (then looks ER like) or something different that would be a RHR / cocktail ring. Can't even decide on ring finger versus middle finger. It's a conundrum to me right now :-)
 
globaltravel said:
EvaEvans: sorry not sure the distinction you make between trade-in for customers versus trade-up. I guess I always thought of trade-up as the vendor allows you to put the value of your original purchase with them towards another purchase as Long as the value of the next one is equal or higher value (depending on the vendor). I always thought of trade-in was for money / whatever buyer wants be it more or less value. Maybe I have my definitions wrong?
Click to expand...
Trade-up means: Vendor accept back your item that you purchased from HIM for the EXACT SAME price that you originally paid, if the new item is XX% more expensive. Most sellers require 100% higher value of the new item (double the purchase), some sellers require spending of 50% more.
Trade-in means, that the vendor will accept your item back (regardless you purchased the item from them, or not), and they will give you a credit based on the current market value.
Sellers are restrictive what items they accept for trade-ins. Not all items qualify for trade-ins.
So what Adam offers you, I named it "trade-in for customers". Being said, he will ACCEPT your item back for upgrade, but he does NOT guarantee giving you a credit for what you originally paid. He will valuate your item based on the current market value, most probably he will give you the best trade-in credit, but I cannot call this trade-up policy.
 
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Given the fact that old cut diamonds have risen in price exponentially over the past 5 or 6 years to suddenly claim the diamond market is down (which it might well be) when you have a what I assume was a no questions asked upgrade policy is IMHO just shifting the rules to suit the vendor. You either have a upgrade policy or you don't. And the terms of it should have been crystal clear when the customer purchased the stone ie if you would get credited back the value you paid for the stone or the market value of the stone the terms of such an upgrade would have been important and should have been clearly disclosed.
 
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