Help with an OEC on a budget - tips welcome!

[peonyinlove]

Hello, I'm a new member to Pricescope but have been reading the site for a while, and particularly admiring all the old cut stones on this site. My partner and I are looking for an OEC that will be the centre stone of an engagement ring, but we are both students and on a fairly strict budget. That being said - we are also pretty flexible! This is our first diamond purchase, so please be gentle

We're open to colour up (down?) to L/M, but would prefer a 'white facing' diamond and are amenable to fluorescence as it can improve the face up colour of some stones.

We are wanting an eye clean stone - beyond that I'm not concerned with clarity. If there is a visible inclusion that can be hidden by a prong, we are open to that too.

Ideally, we're hoping for a stone that's 6mm +, but obviously that may not be possible. As far as cut goes, we are simply hoping for a sparkly, lively diamond!

The stone definitely needs to be under 4,000; but under 3,000 would be ideal. I've found a few contenders on jbeg's website as a starting point and have emailed them to see what they have that may not be listed. how are these options?

1,525.00 - http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/073ct-Loose-TransitionalEarly/29239113_D2KXM7#!i=2493656583&k=G2mJWv8

2,995 - http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/103ct-OEC-Old-European-Cut/25698218_LcsW9F#!i=2123769438&k=mCMnQ8K

I realise EGL isn't as strict as GIA - but I'd appreciate some feedback.

 

[SB621]

I love Jbeg but in addition I would contact Adam at Old World Diamonds. His website is horrible so just email him your requirements and budget and he will let you know if he has any contenders. If you are on a budget either JbEG or OWD can be very helpful.

 

[nowicanseethemoon]

I adore JbEG. I like the look of the 1.03ct, but I'm by no means one of the experts around here. Someone with more expertise than me will weigh in on this for you.

 

[madelise]

I think you also need to consider pattern. The .73 is extremely modern looking… and the 1.03 is a completely different flavor. For antiques, I really think the pattern is the most important thing that needs to sing to you. The whole allure is in the personality of the stone!

I prefer this over the other 2: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...amond/30496178_G334QC#!i=2629786858&k=xXqhV8V

 

[JulieN]

Very thin girdle + low crown angle on the first one is potentially a chip risk. It also just looks like a fat-arrowed BIC to me.

I wonder if anyone has gotten an Ideal Scope on this guy yet? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.87-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-good-cut-sku-187345

 

[peonyinlove]

Yes, i agree about pattern, although i do like both patterns (the transitional and the oec) so i'm a little torn

I did contact OWD because their website is truly maddening, but Adam only sent back one stone above my price range. I'll contact him again in hopes of having a few possibilities identified.

 

[peonyinlove]

Very thin girdle + low crown angle on the first one is potentially a chip risk. It also just looks like a fat-arrowed BIC to me.

I wonder if anyone has gotten an Ideal Scope on this guy yet? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.87-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-good-cut-sku-187345

oh wow - i didn't realise james allen had old cuts - did you search 'round' and then sift through? that opens up a lot of options - thank you!

 

[JulieN]

No, it is a one- off, sometimes you spot something unique.

 

[madelise]

Yes, i agree about pattern, although i do like both patterns (the transitional and the oec) so i'm a little torn

I did contact OWD because their website is truly maddening, but Adam only sent back one stone above my price range. I'll contact him again in hopes of having a few possibilities identified.

The first one isn't even transitional. And I don't just mean tranny vs oec. I mean the whole aesthetic. Each one has it's own pattern. Some are more chunk, some are more flower-y, some have pronounced arrows and are more modern.

I like the 2nd one you linked to, but with an EGL M, I'm not sure if that really is a true M. It might be slightly lower in color. I'd want to ask them for their opinion and maybe compare it with the 1.05 I linked.

Very thin girdle + low crown angle on the first one is potentially a chip risk. It also just looks like a fat-arrowed BIC to me.

I wonder if anyone has gotten an Ideal Scope on this guy yet? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.87-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-good-cut-sku-187345

It's soooo pretty! SO WHITE!

 

[madelise]

Are you opposed to preloved? http://loupetroop.com/listings/ring...k-si1-oec-in-size-6-setting-by-heart-of-water

 

[peonyinlove]

Are you opposed to preloved? http://loupetroop.com/listings/ring...k-si1-oec-in-size-6-setting-by-heart-of-water

not at all!

 

[Slickk]

I like this one that Madelise linked. It is very pretty and the setting is classic

 

[peonyinlove]

I think you also need to consider pattern. The .73 is extremely modern looking… and the 1.03 is a completely different flavor. For antiques, I really think the pattern is the most important thing that needs to sing to you. The whole allure is in the personality of the stone!

I prefer this over the other 2: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...amond/30496178_G334QC#!i=2629786858&k=xXqhV8V

apologies - i inadvertently skipped over your suggestion - that stone is wonderful - i will send it's info to my boyfriend to see what he thinks! i love the faceting and it appears much whiter than i thought an 'M' would be, and i feel better about a GIA M than an EGL M.

 

[missymoo]

If it were me 20 years ago, I'd have been all over this one and put it into a $200 setting. Then, I'd let my friends think he spent a fortune. I also like the one posted above.

http://loupetroop.com/listings/necklaces-and-pendants/0-dot-933-ct-oec-diamond-pendant