How to buy an OEC diamond?

[diamondsR4eVR]

Hi All,

First I want to say this website is super dangerous.

I come in here regularly to look at all the beautiful diamonds you all own or want to own. I would love an OEC. What should I look for in terms of great fire? Since they are cut differently than MRB I don’t know what to look for/focus on.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Queenie60]

I would suggest you look at Jewelsbygrace.com; old world diamonds.com. Check out Grace’s videos of OEC’s she offers. You need to decide whether you like warmer stones or colorless stones. There are a few different patterns -flowered pattern and checkerboard, there’s another however the name of the pattern escapes my mind right now. I prefer the flower pattern myself. Also, take a look at Augustvintageinc.com - Jonathan has newly cut OEC’s that are precision cut and very beautiful. Good luck, take your time and determine what truly moves you. And there are many knowledgeable people on this forum who can help you once you determine your likes. I am not one of them, I just have a few tidbits to offer!

 

[missy]

Agree with all @Queenie60 wrote above. And see as many IRL as possible.

If you are not located near a vendor that has old cuts you can have them sent to you to evaluate in person. It is important to lay eyes on as many as you can to know what your preferences are and what you love in an old cut and what your deal breakers are. Knowing your deal breakers is as important (the dealbreakers) as knowing what you love. Color, facet pattern, shape, size, clarity, light play across the stone, etc.

You can view them online first and decide which you would like to see in person if you cannot go to a vendor that offers old cuts though that would be best. For example, Old World diamonds has the largest selection of old cuts in the country (if not the world).

 

[Honeybasil]

Agree with all @Queenie60 wrote above. And see as many IRL as possible.

If you are not located near a vendor that has old cuts you can have them sent to you to evaluate in person. It is important to lay eyes on as many as you can to know what your preferences are and what you love in an old cut and what your deal breakers are. Knowing your deal breakers is as important (the dealbreakers) as knowing what you love. Color, facet pattern, shape, size, clarity, light play across the stone, etc.

You can view them online first and decide which you would like to see in person if you cannot go to a vendor that offers old cuts though that would be best. For example, Old World diamonds has the largest selection of old cuts in the country (if not the world).

I agree to see them in person. Adam at OWD is SO nice and helpful. I really appreciated that he sent me so many to look at since I had never seen any in person before.

 

[missy]

I agree to see them in person. Adam at OWD is SO nice and helpful. I really appreciated that he sent me so many to look at since I had never seen any in person before.

Yeah, Adam at Old World Diamonds is a gem. Glad you had such a good experience with him @Honeybasil. The fact that he has the biggest old cut selection and he's so nice to boot really is special for us old cut lovers.

 

[MarionC]

Hi All,

First I want to say this website is super dangerous.

Yes it is. Probably more even than you know....yet

 

[Inked]

I agree with above. I recently purchased my OEC from Erica at Love affair diamonds. She's scaled back significant;y but I believe she still has a few in her Etsy store.

I checked Jewels by grace every day, Adam at Old World, Alex at Parks Fine, and even Loupe Troop, Ebay and Diamond Bistro. Even local pawn shop/antique stores might be something to try. I looked for 6 months before I finally pulled the trigger. I really REALLY wanted a J around 2.25. I wound up with a 2.27 GIA L at a price I was willing to pay. Of course there were ones that were more "perfect" stats but they were way more than I wanted to spend. Also, most have good return policies, you really have to see them in person. I fell in LOVE when I saw mine in person, even though the stats may have said it wasnt "perfect" it seemed perfect to me!

I am NOT an expert, but I believe it's fairly known that GIA standards are stricter than other grading, so for me, i was concerned about going so "low" to an L color, but since it was GIA I felt more confident that the L was really an L and not what GIA would have graded as an M. If you're concerned about color I would be more careful about another lab's grading. Maybe the experts can confirm or deny that? Hope I made sense in my explanation.

 

[missy]

I agree with above. I recently purchased my OEC from Erica at Love affair diamonds. She's scaled back significant;y but I believe she still has a few in her Etsy store.

I checked Jewels by grace every day, Adam at Old World, Alex at Parks Fine, and even Loupe Troop, Ebay and Diamond Bistro. Even local pawn shop/antique stores might be something to try. I looked for 6 months before I finally pulled the trigger. I really REALLY wanted a J around 2.25. I wound up with a 2.27 GIA L at a price I was willing to pay. Of course there were ones that were more "perfect" stats but they were way more than I wanted to spend. Also, most have good return policies, you really have to see them in person. I fell in LOVE when I saw mine in person, even though the stats may have said it wasnt "perfect" it seemed perfect to me!

I am NOT an expert, but I believe it's fairly known that GIA standards are stricter than other grading, so for me, i was concerned about going so "low" to an L color, but since it was GIA I felt more confident that the L was really an L and not what GIA would have graded as an M. If you're concerned about color I would be more careful about another lab's grading. Maybe the experts can confirm or deny that? Hope I made sense in my explanation.

Perfect sense. And I agree with you. Though others might not. I definitely prefer GIA for Color grading over AGS despite the fact that AGS is superior for cut grade.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

My ER is 1.02. I’d like a larger stone. Since my budget is not big I’m willing to go down in color and clarity. But not sacrifice cut and carat. My ER is a K and I’m totally okay with that- thank goodness I’m okay with lower colors. Perhaps even L. I’ve also seen some gorgeous Ms. my take away from reading- take my time. That’s good because we are also planning a wedding so don’t want to dip in our wedding fund. I actually don’t want something much larger than my ER. Surprisingly. Something that measures around 7. Low 7s is fine by me too. So around 1.30. But will it look like a 1.30 since those cuts are deeper right? Or am I wrong?
For those that dealt with Adam. If he sends you stones to look at do you have to pay for them or does he insure them? How does that work? Unless I go to NYC in the Spring. I’m two hours away so not terrible.

 

[missy]

My ER is 1.02. I’d like a larger stone. Since my budget is not big I’m willing to go down in color and clarity. But not sacrifice cut and carat. My ER is a K and I’m totally okay with that- thank goodness so I can be okay with a lower color. Perhaps even L. I’ve also seen some gorgeous Ms. my take away from reading- take my time. That’s good because we are also planning a wedding so don’t want to dip in our wedding fund. I actually don’t want something much larger than my ER. Surprisingly. Something that measures around 7. Low 7s is fine by me too. So around 1.30. But will it look like a 1.30 since those cuts are deep right? Or am I wrong?
For those that dealt with Adam. If he sends you stones to look at do you have to pay for them for r does he insure them? How does that work? Unless I go to NYC in the Spring. I’m two hours away so not terrible.

I insured the rings when I borrowed them from Adam to evaluate if I wanted to keep one. I picked it up in person so the delivery charge I am not sure about. But yes I had to insure them myself. I called my jewelry insurance company and temporarily insured them while they were in my possession. HTH.

Come to NYC in the Spring and I will join you (if you want me too that is and OK if you dont lol). 2 hours is worth the trip!

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

I insured the rings when I borrowed them from Adam to evaluate if I wanted to keep one. I picked it up in person so the delivery charge I am not sure about. But yes I had to insure them myself. I called my jewelry insurance company and temporarily insured them while they were in my possession. HTH.

Come to NYC in the Spring and I will join you (if you want me too that is and OK if you dont lol). 2 hours is worth the trip!

Omg! I would love your help! So awesome of you to offer your assistance.

 

[missy]

Omg! I would love your help! So awesome of you to offer your assistance.

My pleasure and it is a sincere offer. Just let me know when you know the time frame so I can make sure I am available. Would love to help you in person!

 

[Honeybasil]

My pleasure and it is a sincere offer. Just let me know when you know the time frame so I can make sure I am available. Would love to help you in person!

I want to come!! Lol

 

[missy]

I want to come!! Lol

The more the merrier!

 

[Honeybasil]

The more the merrier!

I’m a little farther away than 2 hours and I was just in NYC a few weeks ago. Next time I’m there maybe!

 

[missy]

I’m a little farther away than 2 hours and I was just in NYC a few weeks ago. Next time I’m there maybe!

Sounds like a plan. I hope you found exactly what you were looking for!

 

[Austina]

You won’t be disappointed going to Old World Diamonds, I went with Missy, and Adam was so helpful. Pulled out lots of stones in my budget, and gave me an honest opinion n each one, with absolutely no pressure to buy.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

I want to come!! Lol

Please do come!

My pleasure and it is a sincere offer. Just let me know when you know the time frame so I can make sure I am available. Would love to help you in person!

This is so exciting! I really hope this works out. That way I look at all the beautiful diamonds and decide do I save more money for something really special &/or buy my wedding band! Eek! I’m excited!

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

You won’t be disappointed going to Old World Diamonds, I went with Missy, and Adam was so helpful. Pulled out lots of stones in my budget, and gave me an honest opinion n each one, with absolutely no pressure to buy.

What an amazing experience!

 

[Austina]

It was @diamondsR4eVR and of course having @missy there too, really added to the experience.

 

[joelly]

Hi All,

First I want to say this website is super dangerous.

I come in here regularly to look at all the beautiful diamonds you all own or want to own. I would love an OEC. What should I look for in terms of great fire? Since they are cut differently than MRB I don’t know what to look for/focus on.

Thanks so much for your help!

Lol I know right?

You want Adam at Old world diamonds. I follow him on Instagram. I have yet see him offering an ugly oec.

Each person is different of course but I’d look for the flowery facets. Also, with old cuts, I find that the bigger the diamonds the better appreciation you have on its facets. Just my two cents.