mystery diamond on its way to me!

[velouriaL]

I've never been much of a diamond girl. I know someday I'm getting my grandmother's 2 ct icy emerald cut, and that's good enough for me! But lately I have been finding myself looking at warm old cuts and thinking, Hmmm...

Well, fast forward to today. My stepdad calls me and tells me he's sending me some of his mother's jewelery as she just moved into a nursing home. Nothing major, he says, a couple of nice gold chains, a manual wind watch and the like. And then he says that he's going to include her engagement ring from her first husband, which she hasn't worn in years. He says he doesn't "think it's worth too much because it's an older cut" but that "it's nice and sparkly and a decent size, I think!"

I feel like I'm about to get to the bottom of best ever cracker jack box! I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, and I'm not expecting anything particularly awesome, but I'm excited about my windfall diamond.

Just thought I would share because no one else would care! LOL.

Feel free to guess what it's going to be. Whomever guesses the closest gets good karma for their own jewelery good luck.

 

[Andelain]

1/2 ct O-P OEM

Be sure to post pics when you get it!

 

[MollyMalone]

You've been such a good, e-ring "fairy godmother" to friends & family, velouriaL, I think it's great that you're getting an unexpected gem to call your own!

Here's hoping your step-dad doesn't dawdle getting the package off to you

p.s. in case you'd consider posting a pic or two of the watch as well, some of us collect vintage watches... just sayin'

 

[Gypsy]

Good karma! Can't wait for pics!

 

[velouriaL]

Thanks, guys! He said he put in the mail and it should be here by Monday. Woo!

An update: Turns out the ring BELONGED to her husband, I guess the third one, not the first, so stepdad's stepdad. Stepdad says it's in a fairly unisex setting that he wore on the right hand, so I might keep it as is as a RHR for myself or perhaps put it in a bezeled necklace. We'll see. I have some unset sapphires around that might be pretty with it, too. We'll have to see when I meet it face to face. Stepdad says that he took it to a jeweler about 15 years ago who said it was worth "about a thousand dollars" but "would have been more if not for the old style cut." Who knows if the jeweler had any idea what he was talking about . Again we'll see!

Andelain, your guess has been registered... though what's an OEM? Do you mean OEC or OMC? Or something I haven't heard of? I was actually imagining about half a carat, too, J or lower.

MollyMalone, thanks, that's very sweet! I have been the engagement ring fairy for three couples now! I love old watches, too. I have a couple of winders. This one was also stepdad's stepdad's. I'm told it's an automatic Movado. Should be nice! I like vintage men's watches as they are usually the right size for my girly wrist.

Any more guesses for good luck?

 

[Niel]

How exciting!

 

[tyty333]

Good luck...hoping its a lovely stone!!!

I need a Fairy Diamond Mother (or Father)!!!

 

[arkieb1]

I hope it is at least a carat in size over is going to be a bonus and it might be an OEC or an OMC lots of antique mens rings have OMCs in them so it will be exciting to see what you end up with!!!!

 

[velouriaL]

On carat or more would be awesome! But I'm not betting on it. I like OMCs, though!

 

[ericad]

Eeeek how exciting! I guess a 1ct tranny, L/M color.

 

[MCAUDI]

I will be anxious to see what you get.

 

[Andelain]

Andelain, your guess has been registered... though what's an OEM? Do you mean OEC or OMC? Or something I haven't heard of? I was actually imagining about half a carat, too, J or lower.

I meant to type OEC while I was thinking OMC, so you got both.

 

[LLJsmom]

I'm guessing at least a carat! Can't wait!

 

[velouriaL]

You guys are being too optimistic! I'm thinking .25 so I'm not let down! Which, BTW, would make a totally cute and fashionable rhr or necklace!

 

[PattyCo]

Ooooh, how exciting for you !

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I'm guessing .40 l-m color.

 

[velouriaL]

Just got it! What a wonderful sparkly surprise! Here are the deets, as far as I can tell:
Cut: OMC
Size: Around 6mm, hard to say exact dimensions when set, and I have no idea about weight
Color: I'm not very color sensitive, but it's not as low colored as I thought it would be! Even compared to some white CZs I have around
Clarity: too dirty to tell, but not cloudy or speckled or obviously included

Here is a super quick shot I took before I had to head out. It's a lot sparklier IRL.

The shank is broken in back and the stone is loose, so def needs some TLC before wearing.

I'm pleased as punch!

 

[tyty333]

Just got it! What a wonderful sparkly surprise! Here are the deets, as far as I can tell:
Cut: OMC
Size: Around 6mm, hard to say exact dimensions when set, and I have no idea about weight
Color: I'm not very color sensitive, but it's not as low colored as I thought it would be!

EDIT...That picture didnt show up until I posted!

Oh, its very cute! I even like the setting. Doesnt look all that manly to me...definitely can be worn by a women!

 

[velouriaL]

Sorry! Edited post!

 

[velouriaL]

And the watch, 14k case, seems to be keeping good time. I feel like I got majorly upgraded!

 

[Tourmaline]

Gorgeous diamond!

 

[velouriaL]

It's suuuuper dirty. Now I feel bad posting pictures like that. I wouldn't want pictures of me looking haggard online! Haha. But I'm sure you can see the potential. I was expecting much, um, quirkier!

 

[velouriaL]

Took a tooth brush to it quickly... Definitely see a carbon and there's a pit where one of the crown facets meets the crown. But still!

 

[velouriaL]

Oh, its very cute! I even like the setting. Doesnt look all that manly to me...definitely can be worn by a women!

I agree. Especially on right hand, maybe even middle finger. I'm going to leave it for now.

 

[Sunstorm]

OP, it is a very nice surprise! I see potential in it too, hey just to get something like this unexpectedly is really great. I too think the setting could work for a woman but of course you can have it reset as well. I can tell that it is dirty, it should get a thorough inspection, cleaning if it is safe and then you can see whether you should do something about the minor chip. In old pieces it is common; I have a couple diamonds chipped in my Art Deco watch but if this diamond is large enough and you think it is worth it, you could even have it recut. I am curious what you end up doing with it, leaving it as is after cleaning or doing recutting, resetting, etc. Congratulations!

 

[Niel]

Love this! So much better than I would have hoped (if it was coming my way anyways)

 

[Gypsy]

What a cool stone! I really like it! Give that puppy a nice bath and it will sparkle like mad, I get!

Are you going to reset it?

 

[velouriaL]

I stopped by my jeweler and he said that it would be at least $150 to fix the prongs and the solder the back of the shank. I was going to fix it, but the watch will cost around $200 to service, and I think I'm just going to do one now. I doubt the setting is worth a whole lot more than it would cost to fix it, so I might just reset. I'll probably leave the pit?Need to think...

BUT I WANT TO WEAR IT NOW NOW NOW NOW! Don't worry. I won't wear it until the stone is secure. It is VERY wiggly right now. Partially held in by some of the crud, I think... There is A LOT of stubborn dirt. To give you an idea, the watch hadn't been serviced since the late 1970s (before I was born)!

The jeweler says: OMC, a carat or a little under, probably SI, and definitely above a K, probably GHI!

The cut is pretty nice. Lots of crazy chunky flashes. I guess I sorta get now what you ladies like about diamonds...

Very cool! It's SO much better than I'd hope! I wish I'd known the owner. He had passed away by the time his step-son met my mom. Whomever you were, thank you!!

And thanks my PS fam for indulging my excitement! You all get some good luck karma!

 

[Sunstorm]

Wow, sounds really good, I too love chunky facets on diamonds. You got yourself a really nice surprise gift for sure. I only wanted to add that do make sure to be very careful when resetting, repairing, etc. because of the chip. Most will be fine but just in case do ensure they inspect the diamond well and be careful not to damage it further and/or make it shatter. Not likely the case but I did want to point it out that it will not hurt to be extra careful. Hopefully your jeweler can help you with this. Very curious what setting this beauty will end up in or if it remains in this setting, I would love to see her after a good bath.)

 

[Niel]

If its going to cost that much I'd just get a poppyseed setting.