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I got a D

GemFever

GemFever

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Nov 28, 2011
Messages
2,419
A .82 D SI1 round brilliant, and a D on my diamond research report card.

The backstory -- after getting two hefty OMCs in my earrings, I decided to "upgrade" my AVC to a round brilliant. It wasn't an upgrade in size, I actually went down from 1.11 to a .8 (though the diameter is the same) and down in clarity, but way up in color. I wanted to have an RB in my possession -- the power horse, the modern standard, the hearts and arrows. I'd seen a well cut round stone in an estate jewelry store a couple weeks ago, and all I could see was sparkle. I went the whitest I could, just for the experience of it.

I waited for the stone eagerly and I was so ready to love it. When it arrived this morning, I tore at the packaging as quickly as I could and... there it was. My heart sank. I am simply not a fan of the needles. And there is no fat crown, which I've grown to love so much. I am spoiled by/used to the antique stones. I can't gaze into this stone's "face" and admire the pattern. IF I could see the arrows with my naked eye, I think I'd feel better. But at the .82 size (which I think looks big enough for me right now) it's just all needles. The performance is amazing, of course, especially in sunlight. I'm sure the sparkles will be outstanding in the evening, too.

I've emailed GOG after my initial reaction (well, about an hour after my initial reaction) too see what I can do. Maybe they can find an OEC or OMC for me for a similar price to this stone. I'd definitely go warmer, too. The D looks cool, but the difference between the D and my G-H (EGL) earrings didn't blow me away like the difference between the earrings and my AVC L.

I guess this post is part venting/complaining, and part as reference (from my perspective) for someone who may be wondering about the difference between RB vs. antique stone, as I was. And the difference between a super white vs. a warmer stone.


- Anya
 
Good summary Gemfever!

Sometimes, you just like what you like - what the masses may consider the holy grail, your eyes may not. Go for what you love - its your ring, your eyes, your heirloom you are building!

I think with GOG you will get complete satisfaction - same with many of the vendors on PS. You're lucky you aren't dealing with a small time local person... oh... like my situation! :rolleyes:
 
I felt the same way when I first opened up my new RB. I had an asscher and caught the RB bug, and DH encouraged me, thinking that every girl needed a round in her jewelry box. When I opened the package I was initially very excited about the size increase, but once I got it out and started playing with and trying to photograph it..... :(sad . I was sure that I had blown it somewhere along the way and got a dud. I obsessed about the table reflection, and the color, (I went down in color) and that while it was really blingy it just didn't have the big bold flashes that my asscher had. It didn't seem to photograph as well as the asscher either. We had a week of straight rain after the ring arrived and that didn't help me love it anymore, but on the 8th day the sun came out! :love: I finally got to see the arrows and it started dancing and doing all the wonderful things that I had been waiting for it do, and my attitude toward started to change and now I'm quite taken by her. :bigsmile: I find that it's still difficult to photograph, the needles are so quick and they jump across the stone so it's hard to pick up what my eye sees. I find video is much more impressive. I also wasn't sure that I wanted to part with my asscher, because I loved everything about it other than the size, so I don't think that I gave the round a fair shake when she first arrived. I guess, I'm saying that maybe you should wait a few days and see if this stone grows on you. I never truly understood what people meant about each diamond having it's own little personality, sometimes it takes longer for people to grow on you, and I think it's the same for diamonds. Maybe you will love her in a day or to? I think you should at least take a day or two to introduce yourselves. =)
 
Yup, I'm very glad I found PS in time to go with GOG from the start :)

Enerchi, I hope your refund goes smoothly! Knock on wood. Tomorrow you're getting your stones back, right?

Christina: thanks for your perspective! Maybe that's what it'll take. She'll definitely be getting plenty of attention from me in the next few days ::)
 
Maybe you would be happier with an AVR from GOG? Cut for performance but still chunky?
 
Thanks for the suggestion stargurl. It's a good one, theoretically. But there is something about the AVR that doesn't capture my imagination the right way. Something about the facets under the table... same thing with the AVC. I loved the AVC, but it ended up being too perfect compared to the OMCs. Well, "too perfect" is not exactly it... I think I prefer more facets under the table... the flashes were too big 8)

Gosh, I feel bad enough saying I'm not in love with the RB. Now I'm also not in love with AVRs, AVCs... just to clarify -- I think each one of them is beautiful in its own way! Absolutely beautiful. I think I've just gotten OMC/OEC tunnel vision.
 
Well, there are diamonds that photograph well and diamonds that wear well and they are not always the same. RBs look the best accross the widest lighting environments. Is your set? Go to Home Depot or Costco and tell me what you think ;)) Wear it in overhead fluorescent lighting too. Wear her around and get used to her different personality from old cuts. THEN see what you think.
 
Don't! Different strokes for different folks and all that.

Larger and smaller RBs do perform so very, very differently. It's not like with OECs, where the smaller ones throw out big, bold flashes, the larger ones throw out bigger, bolder flashes... At sub-1ct I can definitely see how someone who is used to and who appreciates chunky faceting and light return could be disappointed by an RB! I have a nice 0.8 E 60/60 type that does absolutely nothing for me, I'm keeping it around as a curio/for a gift for someone one day...

These old cuts do photograph much better than RBs, I think. RBs look so terribly boring and clinical in photos compared to the always-unique antiques, but that same clinical precision of cut and proportioning yields unparalleled light return - if you like that sort of light return!
 
It sounds to me like a big, chunky transitional might be just the ticket ....

Re: doubting your preferences, I know what you mean. I went from a J round to an E pear to some H H&As ... only to wind up back around at a J round (albeit with an older cut). Don't feel bad - sometimes it needs to be a process of trial and error! But at the end of the day, the eye wants what the eye wants.

I'm sure Jon can call in some older stones - in the meantime, do you have a local place you could visit to eyeball some old cuts?
 
Very true Dreamer, I will examine her in all conditions. I need to get to Home Depot ASAP ::)

What are threads without pics, right? I took some in sunlight and shade. The OMCs bullied the newcomer a little in the full sunlight shot ;))

I gotta say though, in the shade, the stone is SO White. I like! :sun:

But the puffy crowns on my OMCs... ohh I looooove them!

IMG_3998.jpg

IMG_4008.jpg

IMG_4019.jpg

IMG_4025.jpg
 
Circe and Yssie, thanks for your input. I have seen some OECs at Intergem, they are beautiful. I think I need to give this stone some time... And yet, and yet. I got a ~.5 OEC at intergem, and it had a significant inclusion, too. Like a sideways white cloud (couldn't see with the naked eye, cause the stone wasn't that big). But there was something about that stone that made my heart leap with delight. I suspect it has a lot to do with the high crown. I've since given that stone to my mom as a present, so I can't compare it to the RB now. I should go visit my mom :bigsmile:
 
I was sort of curious why you went for a modern rb over an AVR, but perhaps you have already ordered and returned an AVR? I don't believe pictures do any diamond justice.

I was at WalMart last night waiting for my daughter in the dressing room and I caught my diamond flashing in the mirror outside the dressing room. That entertained me the whole time I waited for her because I was surprised at that perspective and how bright and white and big my stone looked due to the excellent light performance. There are times I am tempted by the antique stones on here, but I am convinced that I wouldn't want to give up my well cut rb. I will happily ADD to my collection, however!

I love old stones and AVR's and hope eventually to see an AVC in person. They each offer something different and if I could have them all, I would! Good Old Gold has the best variety of any jeweler I know of, so I don't think you'll have a problem choosing another stone!
 
DS,

I dunno, there's something about AVRs that never appealed to my eye. I feel like the facets under the table are too round and bubbly.

If you compare this AVR and OEC, the OEC is more elongated... maybe not perfect light return, but ... I guess it's like preferring one beautiful flower to another.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9486/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9479/

I was also thinking that I'd like to have one awesome RB, and then *add* to my collection when the finances allow. But I'm going to be gazing into this ring so much... I think, ideally, I'd rather have an RB in a pendant. Shall see how things work out. After all, the RB I currently have on my hands is quite a beautiful representative of its class. :))

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IMG_4080.jpg
 
It sounds like you really miss a high crown in that D-color RB... maybe see if Jon could find you a high-color Fiery Ideal Cut RB - their crown/table proportions are closer to that of OECs so you do get that beautiful profile, and though hard to find they are out there even with AGSO Light Performance etc.

My other thought is, maybe that splintery/needle look you don't care so much for in that D could be ameliorated if you found another RB with an lgf more like 75?

Gotta say, though, be still my heart - that D is sure a beautiful stone!
 
marymm: :oops: what's lgf?

thanks for the compliment on the stone :)) It is a pretty! Even with an inclusion right under the table ::) I can't really see it though. The plus side of smaller stones!
 
GemFever|1339184146|3211999 said:
marymm: :oops: what's lgf?

thanks for the compliment on the stone :)) It is a pretty! Even with an inclusion right under the table ::) I can't really see it though. The plus side of smaller stones!
Click to expand...

lgf = lower girdle facets

here's a good thread I've bookmarked that explains how lgf affect face-up performance - https://www.pricescope.com/communit...rdle-length-affect-face-up-performance.87181/

(Lately I've been hankering after a sub-carat D-color stone - might go to E, but for me there is something special about a D, and your pics really show how gorgeous a well-cut D is.)
 
I was just curious, what is the crown height of your RB?
 
Marymm: thanks for the link! I'll read it now.

As for the D color... yup, it's nice :bigsmile:

Christina: I still fail to navigate angles and facets coherently, so I'll just post the GOG link. I *think* it's .93mm?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9468/
 
GemFever|1339185625|3212023 said:
Marymm: thanks for the link! I'll read it now.

As for the D color... yup, it's nice :bigsmile:

Christina: I still fail to navigate angles and facets coherently, so I'll just post the GOG link. I *think* it's .93mm?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9468/
Click to expand...


Thanks gemfever! It's 34.2, I was just wondering what angle appeared flat to you as compared to your OEC. I like a small table and high crown too, mine has a CA of 36. PSers always post about how gorgeous the high crowns are on old cuts, but I'm not sure that I've ever noticed just what the CA on these beauties is approximately.
 
GemFever,
It's like reading myself :wink2:
You can do what I did, just ask Jon to source you a few old cut stones for the amount you have with GOG.
I think that Jon and Adam use the same database, since two OMCs that Jon sourced for me were posted on Old World Diamond website (with pictures). So maybe you can look at the stones yourself and pick one that will sing to you.
 
Sounds like someone needs to take a trip to GOG to play with their OECs..and sure wish that someone were me! ;) :cheeky:
 
GemFever said:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9479/
Click to expand...

Oh my!!! That M OEC just made me to hold my breath for a few seconds. I was not ready to see it. Three year anniversary coming up in two weeks and kids colledge funds can wait for a awhile :wink2:
 
Christina: interesting info about the crown angles! Looking at some of the OECs listed on GOG's site, it looks like those percentages are actually not *that* different from the RBs. My OMCs are more cushiony than round, so I'd compare them to AVCs. There, the angles are closer to 40, so I'm guessing that's around where my OMCs are. Maybe a little above 40. The crowns are just huge! And so endearing ::)

Inna: That's exactly what I'm hoping to do. I already wrote to GOG with that request, waiting to see what they come up with. Oh, and sorry for subjecting you to too much temptation with that OEC. ;))

Webdiva: I am actually contemplating a day-trip to NYC if some OECs turn up and need looking at! :naughty:

Shall see. Thanks for your comments everyone!
 
I know exactly what you mean. This happened to me several months ago. I ordered a diamond, tore into the package and my heart sank as it was not what I expected at all. :nono:

That's what return policies are for, so we can return what we don't like and get what we do like. I'm with ya, I am not a fan of the needles and small twinkly flashes either. The imperfect OECs and OMCs with their bold flashes makes my heart go pitta-pat. Your in good hands with GOG, so no worries!
 
I'm just going to have to get a real life look at one of these amazing old cuts! DH and I shopped around a bit trying to get a look at some locally but didn't have much luck. :(sad I'm thinking that there may be an old cut RHR for me someday off in the distant future. I think all your diamonds are gorgeous GemFever, but I agree, there is something very endearing about an antique cut. :love:
 
MyDiamondSparkles: I'm glad I'm not the only one! Well, now I'll be impatiently waiting and tearing off the packaging off another stone... I hope, at some point in the not too distant future. I'll try not to let my imagination run away with me :praise:

Christina: I hope you do get to see some! Does Intergem come to your area? You know, it sounds so wild to hear someone talk about "all" my diamonds. Even a year ago, I couldn't imagine having several diamonds. Amazing how things came together.
 
What's your next step, GemFever? Are you still looking for a stone now?
 
I'm curious too. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts after you've had a few days to play with her. =)
 
GemFever,
I came few times to look at your stone, and I have to say I like it a lot. It looks amazing on pictures and even two OMCs cannot scare it. I would consider keeping it. Cannot wait to hear what you decided.
 
Thanks for checking in girls! Now that I'm done wiping off the snot and tears after watching some episodes of Season 2 of Downton Abbey (about which I first learned here on PS), I'm glad to report on my current status ::)

I'm waiting for hear back from Sarah at GOG. I'm super curious what she will find, based on my budget and OEC specifications (not too warm, beautiful faceting, don't care about clarity as long as it's pretty, don't really care about size *as long as it's pretty*). If there are good contenders, I may take a day trip up to New York to take a look at them. That's when I'll make my decision between the RB and a potential OEC.

As for how the RB and I have been getting along... well, I got blinded once, literally :cheeky: It was only my peripheral vision, but definitely a "WHOA" moment. Then, I *loooove* how it glows in the late evening light, after sunset. It's crazy, I wish I had snapped a pic. Maybe I'll post one tomorrow. I also like it in the sun... two are two situations when I can't really see the faceting, just the super-white glow.

I haven't reconciled myself to the needles yet. And I'd definitely new a new setting for this stone... but to be fair, I was going to get a new setting anyway, as soon as I save up for it. This setting was temporary from the start, even for the AVC.

So... waiting to hear from GOG. Though your comments are going to make me think extra hard.

Last but not least, some pics! I'll post comments in the titles.

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