Help needed quickly!

[Gorgeousgigi]

Hello
I have been using this forum as a reader not a poster for 2 years and brought an ORC ring based on learning about these old cuts from this forum.

I am about to embark on my second project. I was pointed towards this OEC on EBay which I bought and sent to a jeweller to appraise before sending to GIA for grading (if my jeweller thinks this is a good one ). I am based in the uk so there's no way I can see it within the 14 day return window.

I paid $7,500 and my jeweller estimates it to be 2.45c, O-P colour VS1 clarity.

My jeweller says it performs really well. And is a lovely antique lace colour. I totally trust my jeweller but I do have some concerns purely because I have never seen such a low colour diamond in real life.

I attach some photos my jeweller took to show colour against a J and M coloured diamonds. The stone is the middle one.

Can you let me know your thoughts. I don't know what I am asking specifically I guess just looking for reassurance that this is a good buy and looks like a good performer.

Thank you in advance

 

[Gorgeousgigi]

Sorry the two diamonds next to my O-P are K and J coloured (not M).
Thanks for looking. Any feedback appreciated.

 

[Gypsy]

The faceting is pretty from what I can see.

Do you have any stats on it? Table, depth, angles? At least dimensions?

It would help us help you if you did.

 

[Gorgeousgigi]

Hello thank you
Dimensions are 8.5x8.38x5.57
I don't have any other measurements but the table is tiny 43-46% and depth around 65%.
Thank you for your help

 

[Gypsy]

So this is a good comp for you:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/2-01-to-3-00/2-43ct-old-european-cut-diamond-est-o-p-vs2-clarity#.VxNOvnqilLM

It's GIA graded, so of course it will demand a higher cost than a stone that isn't so graded. And the spread is better by quite a bit (.3mm is a visual difference). So the stone should be discounted as it faces up smaller than it should for the weight.

So I think you paid in the range you should have IF it comes back with the color grade anticipated.

If it does not, then it is going to be worth less, and hopefully you've negotiated a contingency with the vendor that if it does come back warmer than O-P they will discount the price to you.

So, I don't think you got a steal. But I think the price is fair. The stone looks pretty faceting wise. And that's really all I can say about it from the information provided.

Regarding the color. I personally don't like anything warmer than a GIA graded M as a general rule, in old cuts. That's from personal experience in seeing quite a few lower color old cuts. But there are many folks on here who happily have bought such stones.

Personally, I would have tried to negotiated a return policy that allowed you to see it in person before being stuck with it.

 

[Gorgeousgigi]

Hello Gypsy
Thank you for your help.
The vendor listed the stone with a wide colour range- listing details below:

Old European Diamond. 2.45CT.

8.27mm x 8.43mm x5.57mm. Medium to Large Culet. Thin to Medium Girdle.

Color: OPQ Range; Facing Up Appx. L-M. VS1. (Dust Particles on Surface. Three Internal Pinpoints Under Microscope, Invisible Under 10X Loupe; Some Tiny Chips on Facet Junctions and Girdle, Mostly On Pavillion Side)

So I can't negotiate. However my jeweller has said in her opinion she would be surprised if it was graded by GIA as lower than an O-P.

If it came back as an S-T would I have over paid and if so by how much do you think?

Thanks again I really appreciate your help. I have 14 days to return it so I do have options.

 

[Gorgeousgigi]

I have a link to a video my jeweller took indoors showing the most colour the diamond shows.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B18L3wIoz7IiMHNoUUQ3c3J4QzdyY0NkNnpzaS1kcGY1UVZZ/view?usp=docslist_api

Hopefully the link works

Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[MMtwo]

I'm a fan. Using my layman's eye (ie, I am no where the expert of Gypsy) it's a beauty. Sorry, I can speak to the value.
The soft color is very nice and the facet pattern is lovely.

 

[MollyMalone]

So this is a good comp for you:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/2-01-to-3-00/2-43ct-old-european-cut-diamond-est-o-p-vs2-clarity#.VxNOvnqilLM

It's GIA graded, so of course it will demand a higher cost than a stone that isn't so graded. And the spread is better by quite a bit (.3mm is a visual difference). So the stone should be discounted as it faces up smaller than it should for the weight. * * *

pssst, Gypsy, that stone's color has been estimated by Grace as O-P; there's no GIA report posted/linked.

I think I would give a pass on the eBay stone, gigi -- not because of the color but because the faceting is more hodge-podgy, with more "splintery" smaller facets than is my personal preference for an old cut. The eBay listing's hugely magnified (70x) photos gave me pause in this regard,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-45CT-OLD-EUROPEAN-ANTIQUE-CUT-DIAMOND-OPQ-VVS2-VS1-RING-/121945746677
and your jeweler's video didn't alleviate that for me. Think if you compare it with the videos Grace provides for the stone Gypsy linked, you'll see the difference: Grace's stone has a stronger presence because there are more, and more uniform, distinctively chunky facets & you get broader flashes.

So if you're seeking a stone that boldly declares, "I'm an Old European Cut", this wouldn't be my choice for you.

 

[Gorgeousgigi]

Hello
Thank you for your thoughts.
My jeweller referred me to the same stone from grace as a comparison. She also feels IRL the stone has the same presence as the one on Grace's sight. The quality of her photos and video are not as high as she doesn't have the specialist equipment.
Molly I definitely want a stone with broad facets and reflecting lots of pastel colours etc. Can you explain more about why this one is splintered. I am totally a novice in all of this!
I am erring towards sending this stone back and choosing a higher colour smaller stone. But I don't want to give up on it if its a good one - and by that I mean strong flowery facets and high light return.
I really appreciate the feedback.
Thank you
Tina

(By the way, Gigi is my gorgeous 4 year old. Hadn't realised until I posted that it sounds abit pretentious! I am not gorgeous!!).

 

[MollyMalone]

Your jeweler has the decided advantage of having the stone in hand, so her view should hold more sway than my thought (based on the greatly magnified yet not truly terrific pics, at least on my iPad, in the eBay listing & your jeweler's video) that it's less flowery & the appearance outside the table is more "chaotic" with smaller facets than I'd like to see.