Is this 1.63 OEC a contender?

[Huldak]

PSers, I'm in official E-ring buying mode and after many months of reading this forum decided on an AVR. However, this diamond at JBEG caught my eye and I'm wondering if I should have a look. I'd greatly appreciate any opinions before I go ahead and have it shipped to have an in-person look. According to the description it's eye clean, so I'm not worried about that. My budget maxes out around 15k, so this leaves a healthy cushion for a setting. (ETA: priced at $9925) Thanks in advance!

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/163ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/31452920_hX2nbn#/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/163ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/31452920_hX2nbn/2724001866_pzNCdhG

 

[ming]

I've been looking at that one on line as well. I think you should have it sent and look at it in person. I'm also on an OEC mission and when they say you should look at them in person it is pretty much the truth. I looked at 2 that Erica had sent to me and can tell you the process was easy as can be and she's great to work with. You don't have much to lose.

 

[Huldak]

Thanks Ming, I know you're right. Are you also considering an AVR?

I guess if I'm pitting an OEC against an AVR I want the OEC to have a fighting chance by picking a good one.

 

[Hera]

It's normal for a more transitional type stone to have a larger table but it's a little too big for my liking.
I also didn't love the videos (though they seem to have been taken on a rather overcast day).

 

[Huldak]

I think the table is a little big. It's normal for a more transitional type stone to have a larger table but it's a little too big for my liking.

I didn't notice that, thanks so much Hera.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I would not say 55% for table is a deal break.

 

[Hera]

I would not say 55% for table is a deal break.

Yeah, agree! It's normal to have a transitional stone with this table size (and it's on the smaller side for one). Not sure what's really bugging me about the stone. Possibly just the proportions.

 

[Huldak]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. Here's a picture of the stone:

 

[Huldak]

I can't resist throwing this out there, I'm much too faint of heart to buy it (I think), but I think it's so pretty! I won't give identifying information so as not to spoil it in case folks have their eye on it, although maybe that's not necessary in this case as it's not an auction.

 

[SB621]

I personally find the facet pattern appealing of the 1st diamond. I like it very much.

 

[Huldak]

I'm going to have the first one sent to me. Now I just have to pick an AVR to compare it to and have that sent along as well!

 

[arkieb1]

I am not sure why anyone would find issues with the facet pattern, its almost got a fat arrow pattern in the still shots and looks like a firecracker in the sun shots in their videos. Definitely worth a look in person. If you do get an AVR at the same time, please take pictures side by side of both and talk everyone through which one you prefer, this stone or the AVR and why, I think that will benefit a lot of people.

 

[Huldak]

I definitely will! I love all the pastels the diamond picks up in the shade as well.

 

[Hera]

I just wanted to be clear that I was not saying anything against the faceting of this stone. The faceting is a fine example of transitional type faceting with very clear chubby arrows. I think this was just a case of personal preference and I probably should have stayed out of the thread in the first place.
Objectively, this has a very prominent facet pattern and if you like transitionals, this is a very pretty example of one.
I, too, am very interested to hear what you think and how it compares to an AVR for you.
Good luck

 

[Huldak]

I was looking for all opinions, not cheerleaders, and I appreciate your viewpoint as well as those who liked it better. To a certain extent it is personal taste, but for those who like and dislike it's still helpful to know why. I'm not sure I've ever even seen an OEC in person. I'm excited to do the compare and just sent my BF a thread on taking pictures so we're ready.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like the JBEG stone. The patterning is a lot like mine, so I think its a diamond that will benefit from an enclosed mounting, something that blocks some of the light to the pavilion from the sides. Like a halo or other type of basket that wraps around the stone. When you look at it, try wrapping tinfoil around the holder so the stone is enclosed. It will increase the contrast patterning a lot!

 

[Huldak]

I like the JBEG stone. The patterning is a lot like mine, so I think its a diamond that will benefit from an enclosed mounting, something that blocks some of the light to the pavilion from the sides. Like a halo or other type of basket that wraps around the stone. When you look at it, try wrapping tinfoil around the holder so the stone is enclosed. It will increase the contrast patterning a lot!

I'm glad you like it! Thanks, that's very helpful advice I'll give it a try. One of the settings I'm considering is a bezel so it sounds like that might work well.

I've ordered my AVR so now all I have to do is wait for my sparklies to arrive!

 

[Huldak]

Any likes/dislikes on the below? It's an Old European Brilliant on the GIA cert. 48% table 64.7% depth. Don't know if the picture is enough to tell anything. It would be nice to have an older flavor of OEC to round out my comparison.

 

[Hera]

That is beautiful classic OEC faceting!!! This variety needs in person evaluation for table darkness but the patterning is gorgeous.
When do you get all of the diamonds so you can start comparing?

 

[Dreamer_D]

The most recent is lovely!

 

[Huldak]

Oh gosh. Ok tx Hera and Dreamer. Wow I feel like I have some real beauties from which to choose. The almost Tranny arrives at FedEx today but I may not get it until Friday. The AVR is delivered Saturday. This one I'd have to set up, but hopefully Saturday.

 

[Huldak]

Here's a shot of the JBEG late OEC next to the AVR. The AVR is on the left. Both are J color, the AVR is a smidge bigger.



I could easily see the chunkier AVR facets, and I felt the edges of the AVR were crisper. The OEC was lovely, though I did send it back. I also ordered the last OEC I asked about, and that arrived today. Unfortunately because it was delayed at FedEx I wasn't able to compare all 3 at once. More on that newest arrival shortly.

BF has been wonderful in examining all 3 closely, helping me take pictures. However, he laughingly says he can't tell the difference and tells me to get the one I want.

 

[Huldak]

See? Helping. ETA: I realize this might have been confusing. The above photo is the only one that contains the late/almost tranny OEC from JBEG. Below is the AVR being compared with the OEC from OWD.



OEC on the right. Says to mention this is his hand so you all don't think I have big clumps of hair on my fingers.

 

[Huldak]

Here's a close up. OEC on the left, AVR on the right.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I can't wait until the comparison photos come through. Looks like you have some great option.

What's the price difference?

Guessing that stone without identifiers ... was it an ebay stone? I think that was the one dubbed half oec half omc.

 

[Huldak]

Just the OEC, because I was kind of fascinated with it, and we've all seen many wonderful close-ups of AVRs, which are pretty consistent.

 

[Huldak]

My attempt at an IS of the OEC. It was the only time the camera would take a photo, after that it focused only on the edge of the scope.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I agree its between the OEC and the AVR. Frankly, that OEC is about as good as it gets. I have seen an AVR in person and they are extremely well cut and look very true to many real antiques I have seen. What is the price difference?

 

[Huldak]

Sorry I wasn't trying to make the stones anonymous so much as I didn't want to be pitting vendor against vendor. These stones are all so different, 3 different types really, that I think it's the stones more than the vendors that are being compared.

The AVR was MUCH more than the late OEC. So, that probably wasn't a really fair comparison. The second OEC I was fascinated with was within $1000 of the AVR (ETA: $1,000 less than the AVR), and it was from Adam at OWD. Here's the stats on all 3 stones:

Late OEC: 1.63 (7.31-7.46 x 4.7 J, SI1
55% table
64.7% depth

AVR: 1.7 (7.45-7.49 x 4.97) J, VS2
44.6% table
66.5% depth

OEC: 1.66 (7.36 - 7.39 x 4.7, I, VS1
48% table
64.7% depth

 

[Huldak]

Trying to find differences between the AVR and the OEC: Contrast is the biggest. The AVR seems more consistently white reflecting light all the time, whereas the facets under the table of the OEC at times darken. I kind of like that effect close up, seeing the darkened arrows. I will note that the center does not show as all-over dark as it comes out in these pictures, at all. Far away, the AVR looks all over brighter/whiter. Hard to say one is better.

That's awesome Dreamer, that's kind of the feeling I was getting but of course I had the benefit of Adam picking it out for me, so I knew it was a good one (I told him I wanted a "rock star").