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Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC!

Agnasia

Agnasia

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 3, 2014
Messages
465
Hi,

I had the chat with my husband about upgrading my diamond and although he's not keen he is coming round to the idea.

Me being me, I've been diamond hunting! Now my current diamond is a MRB teeny at 0.39 ct H/I in colour and SI2 (looks eye clean to me but I'm no expert). Budget is tight, we've just had a baby, we're still doing up our house so my husband would like to stay at £1000 but preferably less (!) which is around $1600 but I think we could push it to $2000.

I've been debating what size/type of diamond I want and thinking about what I like and don't like about my current diamond -
Like.....the sparkle (it's what everyone comments on)
Don't like.....size, I'd like bigger!!

Options are 1) MRB H&A to get the light performance I love about my current diamond but size wise I think I would be in the 60s (ideally I'd like .70-.80).
2) OEC to get size, I love the chunky facets and I have 1920s diamonds in the shank and my wedding ring so it would work together, but would I get the sparkle I love? I know it's different, I would get the fire rather than brilliance, but other than the heirloom brooch which the small diamonds came from, I haven't since one in real life.
3) AVR in a way the best of both worlds, the look I love and with the light performance, but my budget does not get me far in terms of size at all, it's the most expensive option, plus with the small size will I appreciate the chunkier facets??

Initially I was completely set on an OEC but as I'm in the UK and would have to buy unseen it does worry me (paying tax/shipping for returns). Plus as my husband is not totally happy about the upgrade I really need to get it right as I won't be doing it again!

I have seen an OEC that looks good, but don't have a lot of info to go on. The certificate from EGL should be ready in a week, I really want to know more info before even thinking of talking it through with my husband.

Here is a pic and a video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksSDuE6wLlc&feature=youtu.be

Any thoughts on this diamond plus also any thoughts on what direction I should take with the diamond would be greatly appreciated :). Oh and sorry for the essay!!

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Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

bump bump :))
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Thanks for bumping ooo-Shiney! Please, anyone??
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

I can't comment on the diamond you're considering, but just wanted to say that choosing an old cut diamond is very different from choosing an RB or even a branded reproduction cut. No two antique diamonds are alike - even if you take two stones with very similar specs, they will look completely different from each other. The important part about choosing an OEC is to be drawn to one stone above all others, which may require lots of photos, videos in different lighting, and perhaps even comparison videos of multiple stones together.

My suggestion is to look at as many macro pics of OEC's as you can (PS is a great place to find them!) and determine what facet pattern you prefer. Save images and then find a vendor with good reviews who's personality you like and who's judgment you feel you can trust. Show this vendor what style, or "flavor" of OEC you're looking for and let her/him be your eyes and make suggestions within your budget. Choosing the perfect old cut is tough enough, but doing so from a distance makes it even more important that you work with a vendor you can trust.

Good luck with your purchase and welcome to the antique diamond club! There's nothing like owning an antique stone - you will love it!

PS - some special things to consider when searching is to ask if the diamond has any chips or damage (not uncommon with old cuts, and can easily be repaired, but is something you want to know about), make sure the diamond doesn't have any areas that stay consistently dark (some contrast as the diamond is in motion is good, but areas that stay dark all the time might mean that it will look dark in person, though occasionally we do see stones that photograph dark but aren't so in real life - this is where the vendor's assessment will be important), and note that EGL is softer in grading than GIA, so when comparing stones across vendors make sure you're comparing apples to apples.
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Thank you Erica for the very valuable advice. My heart does say OEC, but as you say doing it from a distance is difficult and it's making me second guess myself. I will definitely follow your suggestion of saving images of diamonds I love. We're not in a mad rush to get this diamond, so we can take our time and make sure we know what we want. I do love the romance and history of an OEC, plus my style generally is quite vintage so I just need to have more confidence I think.

Right I'm off to delve through lots of beautiful OEC photos!!
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

In case you're still looking for in UK options, this guy is located in Scotland and I very nearly bought a diamond from him a few years ago when I was trying to make earrings. His ebay page comes across as a bit of a hard sell, but he's lovely on the phone! http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/haughton1956
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Thanks Rhea, I will take a look! I have found in general though that it seems to be better value to buy from the US, even paying the import charges. I wish we had the same kind of vendors in the UK!
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Any thoughts from anyone on the diamond? I know I don't have measurements yet, but does it have potential from looking at the video?
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

It looks nice in the picture and sparkly in the video. I wish they had turned the stone so we could see the crown height.
Post the grading report when you get it.

Basically, I think it has potential but not completely confident.
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Thanks tyty333. That's what I thought but obviously the photo and video will show it at its best. I asked if there were any other photos but there weren't any. I'll see what the report says, fingers crossed.....
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Just an update for you all. I didn't receive the full report on the diamond I was looking at, but I did get table/depth % and it came out shallow (51%/57.4%). It just felt too risky and anyway fate intervened when I saw a gorgeous diamond from Jewels by Grace! It was already on hold when I enquired, but it must have been fate as they went for another stone :)

So this will be my diamond - 0.73 ct est I/VS.... I am in love :love:

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Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

You chose a beautiful stone! :appl:
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

So pretty! Congrats!!
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Thank you! I'm so excited!!
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Quite lovely!
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

it looks good
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

A gorgeous stone, please post pictures when you receive it! :love:

I am also in the midst of purchasing an OEC (a 0.52 AVR to be precise) and I think you just know if you're drawn to that look more than the MRBs. They are two totally different personalities, both equally good, but different. And though I will probably be the only one of the people I know irl who sees the difference between them (and gives a damn), it doesn't really matter. It is my ring and what matters is that I'm happy and feel special about it. (And fiancé as well, as he sees how crazy happy it makes me.)

I think we'll both be really happy with our choices :appl:
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

A gorgeous stone, please post pictures when you receive it! :love:

I am also in the midst of purchasing an OEC (a 0.52 AVR to be precise) and I think you just know if you're drawn to that look more than the MRBs. They are two totally different personalities, both equally good, but different. And though I will probably be the only one of the people I know irl who sees the difference between them (and gives a damn), it doesn't really matter. It is my ring and what matters is that I'm happy and feel special about it. (And fiancé as well, as he sees how crazy happy it makes me.)

I think we'll both be really happy with our choices :appl:
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Thanks everyone :D

Straight away I was drawn to the chunky facets of OECs and love the history to them. They just call out to me and I'm so pleased I decided to go for it! I wasn't sure about the first diamond and was just getting prepared to wait it out for the right one when I saw mine on a preview email from Grace. It was a total OMG moment and that was that!! Grace has been wonderful, so I would highly recommend Jewels by Grace to anyone. My hubby is also pleased that I'm pleased :)

AVRs are absolutely stunning so I think you've made a fab choice qwedsy!

Unfortunately my hands are still a bit swollen and fat after my pregnancy but I'm refusing to get my rings re-sized, I want them to fit again! What better motivation to lose the baby weight?
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Very pretty - you made a lovely choice! Please post pictures in setting when you get it!
 
Re: Help needed with diamond decision and thoughts on an OEC

Will do! Thanks MissGotRocks!
 
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