Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

How to get a good deal on a fabulous OEC?

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
J

Julize

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
12
After nearly 12 years together, the better half and I have begun talking about an upgrade to my original e-ring, which is a 3/8 carat RB set in yellow gold. I know I definitely want something in platinum or white gold this time around, and I''ve been thinking more and more that I''m interested in an OEC. I''m also really drawn to some of the beautiful Edwardian-looking settings (antiques and/or reproductions) I''ve seen at Fay Cullen and a few other places.

I''ve noticed most people here buy their diamonds online, separately from the setting but it seems like OECs are a *lot* more difficult to track down. Thus far, the only web-site I''ve found that seems to carry an inventory of loose stones (a la Whiteflash) is oldworlddiamonds.com and, at first glance, their prices look much higher to me (for similar size, color, etc.) than some of the pre-set rings I''ve seen.

With all this in mind, I''m desperately in need of some expert advice! Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to track down a beautiful OEC? Should I be looking more at pre-set options that include the stone or was my original plan to buy the stone separately a better idea? If so, where in the world should I be looking?? Would it be better to concentrate my efforts locally (greater DC area) so I have an opportunity to actually see and compare different stones or are there other online options for loose stones that I''ve missed?

Thanks so much for your help!
1.gif
 
If you really want an antique old cut stone, you just have to do a lot of legwork looking around. You really have to see the old cuts in person to see what they look like. Each one is unique since they''re not cut using exacting calculations like more modern RBs. There are plenty of threads here already laden with suggestions on places to look. Just do a search and you should come up with plenty of reading material! But do research in your area and go visit the estate jewelry shops and antique stores. And you''re close enough to go to NYC and visit some of the places that specialize in old stones.
 
Thanks surfgirl. You have a gorgeous stone, BTW--I''d be thrilled to find one half as beautiful!!

We''re definitely going to do some looking here in the area, but I''m a little concerned about how much we''d be inflating prices by going through a B&M location. I was hoping I might be able find a reputable online vendor that I trust, to select some good options that meet our specifications and maybe send them for us to look at? Or is that not how it works--I''ve never done this before, so I''m feeling kind of stupid.

As far as the online option is concerned, I''ve been doing quite a bit of searching and I''ve found suggestions for lots of places that carry antique pieces (i.e. Singlestone, AntiqueEngagementRings.com, Doyle & Doyle, etc.) but my impression was that those places are primarily for purchasing settings as opposed to loose stones? None of the most recommended spots for loose stones (GoodOldGold, Whiteflash, JamesAllen, NiceIce, etc.) seem to carry OECs. Are you suggesting that one of those vendors might be able to help locate an old stone, even though they don''t inventory them? Sorry if I''m being dense, but in the lurking/searching I''ve done over the past week or two (quite a bit) I haven''t found many suggestions for places that specialize in loose old stones.
33.gif
 
Surfgirl - do you know of any good B&Ms around the Seattle area? I''ve also developed a desire for an OEC, but am not sure where to start. I plan to look in stores listed in the phone book and have already been to one jeweler, but I''m just curious if there are any well-known places in the Northwest.

The one place I did go to was the same place I bought my wedding band. They have a wide selection of older cut diamonds, but they''re VERY overpriced and the diamonds aren''t well enough to justify the price tags.
 
Ari at Singlestone and Leigh at AntiqueEngagementRings can help you find OECs (both the stone alone or with the setting). Occasionally, James Allen and Whiteflash will be able to find a few (but very few) OECs from the virtual database.
 
MC, I do not know any old cut sources in Seattle...only LA, SF and NYC.

Julie, I also think Ari at Single Stone is great to work with, as is Michael Goldstein Ltd. in NYC. But for me, I found you really have to see the stones in person. If it''s possible, I''d recommend you take a trip to NYC and line up as many appts as possible with the old cut dealers so you can see for yourself what the options look like. Failing that, I''d get to LA and see Single Stone and one other place recently referenced here - Regal something or other - do a search for OECs and you will find that thread....Finding the right old cut for you is a lot more work, IMO, than finding a new RB, but it''s so worth it in the end! Good luck!!
 
Thanks so much to all of you for your help. The more I look, the more I think I''m absolutely in love with Singlestone''s rings--it just figures that they''re on the total opposite end of the country! Oh well, I guess a long, hard chase only makes the prize that much sweeter (or so I hope!).

Thanks again!
 
Singlestone does have amazing rings! I found my ring on ebay, but I think that you have to be very careful if you go that route. We kind of lucked out in that regard. Good luck with your search!!
34.gif
 
Date: 7/2/2007 10:06:21 PM
Author: Julize
Thanks so much to all of you for your help. The more I look, the more I think I'm absolutely in love with Singlestone's rings--it just figures that they're on the total opposite end of the country! Oh well, I guess a long, hard chase only makes the prize that much sweeter (or so I hope!).

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Hey, it could be worse. It could be a different country! (I'm from Canada...). Good luck on your search, I love the older cut styles!
 
Date: 7/2/2007 10:06:21 PM
Author: Julize
Thanks so much to all of you for your help. The more I look, the more I think I''m absolutely in love with Singlestone''s rings--it just figures that they''re on the total opposite end of the country! Oh well, I guess a long, hard chase only makes the prize that much sweeter (or so I hope!).


Thanks again!
Click to expand...
If you''re on the east coast I''d go to NYC before LA simply because there''s way more selection. Call Michael Goldstein Ltd., GOG sometimes can call in old cuts, M. Khordipor, Nelson Rarities (Maine), etc. and go have a field day!
 
I just wanted to also share my love of Single Stone.

I got my OEC from them, and they were wonderful. They happened to have lots of beautiful rings when I was there.

Good luck on your search!
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top