How risky is it to recut a RB to OEC?

[Kim N]

I've been searching for a large, well-cut OEC for several months with no real luck. After seeing Demelza and Dreamer's fabulously cut old cuts, I think what I'm really looking for is a very chunky modern RB. I love chunkiness combined with superb optics. Unfortunately, AVRs are far over budget for the size I'm looking for. And ever since twosanguinehearts's thread about recutting a RB to an OEC, I've been wondering if that's a good route for me to take.

How risky would that kind of recut be? Is it a terrible idea to buy a RB for the purpose of recutting into an OEC? Would the end result even be a chunky RB like what I'm looking for?

 

[MissGotRocks]

A diamond cutter would probably be the best one to answer this question. Call Ari at Singlestone and see what his recommendation would be in terms of purchasing something to recut. I'm guessing it would depend on size and placement of inclusions. I wouldn't purchase anything without talking to a pro first.

 

[tyty333]

I dont think there is any such thing as a chunky round brilliant (pics if you got any).

I think someone recently had a RB cut into an OEC...I'll see if I can
find the thread...

Here it is...
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/rb-to-oec-recut-before-and-after-pics.177547/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/rb-to-oec-recut-before-and-after-pics.177547/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

I don't know if I would do it. I'd probably be more likely to find an OEC with potential then have it 'perfected' as it were. But it's worth asking Singlestone about.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

After the person had their rb modified by SS, I contacted Jon at GOG to ask if that could be done to my 1.58 GIA XXX stone. The one thing I knew was that I still wanted excellent light performance and would not sacrifice that. There is more to it than just cutting pavilion facets. Jon told me that the pavilion needed to be high enough to recut...I think he said more than 41.2 or something like that. Mine was less than that. Plus, in order to cut a smaller table, I would lose some weight from the top. He said to cut an ideal cut OEC, I would be looking at close to 1.35 cts or so, and that clearly wouldn't be wise with my current stone. So I would advise you to contact Jonathan because he has been working with cutters to cut OEC style stones that have ideal light performance, and I just wouldn't do it otherwise.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well first, thanks for the compliment on my stone . I am 100% smitten, George is a special girl.

Second, I don't think its a good plan to recut an RB. The RB with the right proportions would cost far more than an OEC, even on the secondary market I suspect. And, on top of that, without a sarin of a cut like mine (for example) I am not sure the look could be recreated exactly -- maybe someone very skilled could estimate based on photos? I think an AVR is the closest look, as you intuited.

If you go for it I think you should work with Brian Gavin or Jon from GOG and his team. Frankly, recutting the pavilion of an RB does not create the same type of look as a true old cut, like mine or like Dems -- the changes between an RB and my stone, for example, are to the pavilion, sure, but there are many differences to the crown as well and the sum of the parts matters. The table, the star and bezel facets, the upper girdle facets, the crown and pavilion angles, and the pavilion are all involved in creating the end look. Diamond cutters back in the day who were interested in creating diamonds that really performed optically were really artists. Its not just about short LGF and a culet. Anyways, if you recut you need to consider the WHOLE stone, and that means finding the right candidate in an MRB will be hard, without losing a lot of weight. I think Gypsy is right that recutting a true OEC would be more economical by far. But I would rather you founda true antique. Your stone is out there, you know. You may need to widen your net. Or save for an AVR

 

[Kim N]

Thank you for all of your input! You make very good points, and I definitely would not take any action without talking first with SS, GOG, or BGD. It does seem like not only is it worse cost-wise, but it also may not result in the look I want, plus there's always a risk of the diamond shattering. Looks like it's back to the search for me. Thanks again, everyone.

 

[cl600500]

the RB is more expensive then an OEC with variables aside. the cut is more sell-able for the merchant and more appealing to the consumer, you could hypothetically sell the RB pocket a few dollars and buy a OEC, this would be the least time consuming and practical. it could also be done with a trade by going to a store and getting a OEC in and out, or mailing your stone to a jeweler and having them send you pictures of the stone you want in return. my advise -not to recut it because you would be losing money, yes the sentimentality is there of the original stone but that is not wise for your wallet GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[yssie]

If you go for it I think you should work with Brian Gavin or Jon from GOG and his team. Frankly, recutting the pavilion of an RB does not create the same type of look as a true old cut, like mine or like Dems -- the changes between an RB and my stone, for example, are to the pavilion, sure, but there are many differences to the crown as well and the sum of the parts matters. The table, the star and bezel facets, the upper girdle facets, the crown and pavilion angles, and the pavilion are all involved in creating the end look. Diamond cutters back in the day who were interested in creating diamonds that really performed optically were really artists. Its not just about short LGF and a culet. Anyways, if you recut you need to consider the WHOLE stone, and that means finding the right candidate in an MRB will be hard, without losing a lot of weight. I think Gypsy is right that recutting a true OEC would be more economical by far. But I would rather you founda true antique. Your stone is out there, you know. You may need to widen your net. Or save for an AVR

Ditto everything Dreamer says - article to explain more here: https://www.pricescope.com/journal/do_pavilion_mains_drive_light_return_modern_round_brilliant

 

[Dreamer_D]

I don't know if I would do it. I'd probably be more likely to find an OEC with potential then have it 'perfected' as it were. But it's worth asking Singlestone about.

Great article! I had not seen it before.

 

[Kim N]

Thanks, cl. And Yssie, thanks for the link to the article--it's very helpful!