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Need some guidance finding my dream OEC

Should I buy this diamond?

  • Yes

    Votes: 26 89.7%

  • No

    Votes: 2 6.9%

  • Maybe

    Votes: 1 3.4%
  • Total voters
    29
  • Poll closed .
iluvshinythings

iluvshinythings

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
899
I finally saved enough (or pretty darn close) for my dream OEC and might have found the one. My ideal specs are >8.5mm, close to colorless (I'm not hugely sensitive), wild dispersion and eye clean. I also think fluorescence is a huge bonus and have been looking for a diamond with it, but it's the least important of my criteria.

I really, really, really can't screw this up so I'm asking for help. I'm also not an expert and really hope an expert will chime in.

So I found a great contender, had it shipped and heart is telling me one thing but my brain is arguing. My heart says "OMG YASSSSSS!!!!" She increases my heart rate and makes me feel all giggly/warm and fuzzy. My head says to take a minute and get some wisdom from someone else.

https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/3-07ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-k-si1

upload_2018-8-13_12-30-52.png

This above is a vendor pic and is so much better than what I could ever take.

The pros: The diamond is huge, she's bright and sparkly. She's got loads of fire and brilliance. The dispersion is amazing. My eyes aren't great (the age thing), but she's looks eye clean to me.

The cons: She looks good compared to my J, and I'm 9 out of 10 sure she's colorless enough for me. I haven't checked her out in tons of different lighting, but right now that's the only concern I have about her performance. I never thought I'd say this, but she might actually be too big at 9mm. I wear a size 5ish and she looks enormous and is one of the biggest diamonds I'll ever encounter in my community/social group.

Also, the certificate is bugging me. She's GIA certified (K, SI1, VG/VG, SBF), but the certificate is from her previous owner and she wasn't re-certed for this sale. I'm buying her from a trusted PS vendor, that I've personally been happy with before, but I've never spent this much on a diamond so I'm being extra picky. The seller told me the old cert isn't a big deal and offered to send her back to GIA for a quick re-certification.

How long does it take to get a re-certification? I'm also worried about what happens to my money while the certificate is in progress. Should I expect my money back or is it reasonable for the vendor to keep it. I paid via credit card with the understanding that if I decide to keep the diamond, my credit card would be re-funded and I'd take advantage of the wire transfer discount. I'm afraid that if the cert comes back differently, the vendor has my money and I don't have room for negotiations. I'm also worried that I'll pay interest on the credit card or the warranty period will expire while we're figuring this out. Am I making a big deal about a non-issue?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this particular diamond? Is it a good deal? Is there anything about it that would persuade you one way or the other?

Thanks for all the help!
 
I wouldn’t pwrsonally feel a need for recertification. If you’re worried a local jeweler could probably examine it for cracks or chips. When it arrives can you post more picturesZ. I think you will know one way or another when you get it.
 
I have a size 5 ring finger as well. Can't wait to see this little big baby on your hand!
 
Not an expert but I love OEC’s and I think this one is gorgeous :geek2:

How old is the prior cert? That would probably determine if I wanted it recertified.
 
The description says no knicks or chips so if it does have any you'd be entitled to a full refund. What is the mark at @ 5 o'clock in the photo?
 
ILikeShiny said:
Not an expert but I love OEC’s and I think this one is gorgeous :geek2:

How old is the prior cert? That would probably determine if I wanted it recertified.
Click to expand...

It's from 2015
 
cokitty said:
The description says no knicks or chips so if it does have any you'd be entitled to a full refund. What is the mark at @ 5 o'clock in the photo?
Click to expand...

By looking at the cert, I think that's the natural. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

It looks much worse in the pics. On the actual diamond it looks like a tiny non-sparkly area to me.
 
scarsmum said:
I wouldn’t pwrsonally feel a need for recertification. If you’re worried a local jeweler could probably examine it for cracks or chips. When it arrives can you post more picturesZ. I think you will know one way or another when you get it.
Click to expand...

I have it and I don't see any cracks or chips. My eye sight isn't the greatest. I'll see if my jeweler is around. He always knocks diamonds that he hasn't sold me though. I can see why, he's not making any money of me except repairs and a setting once. I might buy something from him if he had antiques at comparable prices, but that's not going to happen.

Good suggestion though!
 
iluvshinythings said:
It's from 2015
Click to expand...
In that case I’d want it recertified, unless it was just sitting in a safe. That’s a long time of daily wear to possibly get some damage.
 
Oh my... that’s One. Gorgeous. Stone! :love: Sending to GIA for a recert is not a big deal. Their turnaround is generally a couple a weeks after they receive it - sometimes quicker.

I think it’s a good idea to do it while it’s still loose, otherwise it may always nag at you. That’ll give you the peace of mind that it’s been checked and still matches the report.
 
ILikeShiny said:
In that case I’d want it recertified, unless it was just sitting in a safe. That’s a long time of daily wear to possibly get some damage.
Click to expand...

That's my worry. I know it used to be in a setting so it's been set and unset. I don't know how much or how it was worn though.
 
stonewell said:
Oh my... that’s One. Gorgeous. Stone! :love: Sending to GIA for a recert is not a big deal. Their turnaround is generally a couple a weeks after they receive it - sometimes quicker.
Click to expand...

That's good to know. The last I heard (a couple of years ago?) GIA was taking forever so I'm glad that's changed.
 
Very pretty! Do you have a ring holder so you can test it in different lighting?
 
Omg I love it! I would probably get it recerted for peace of mind, but it looks amazing.
 
I am not an expert, but I really like this stone and the spread can't be beat!

I had a similar experience when I bought my OEC/tranny. The cert was a few years old. I debated having it sent for recertification and laser inscription of the #, but after being advised against the inscription on a true antique buy a few posters here, I decided to pass on the the recheck. I did examine it with my 30x loop and didn't find any chips or scratches so I felt comfortable that there was no damage to the stone since the report was done.

As for color, can you place it in a ring holder to play with it in various lighting? I think that you will be very happy with a K in an OEC. My stone is an L and I couldn't be happier. It never looks yellow, just occasionally a touch creamy from the side.

Congratulations and be sure to post some hand shots when she's finished.:love:
 
kgizo said:
Very pretty! Do you have a ring holder so you can test it in different lighting?
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I do! I left it at home this morning so I made a mad dash to grab it on my lunch hour. It made a huge difference.
 
Octo2005 said:
I am not an expert, but I really like this stone and the spread can't be beat!

I had a similar experience when I bought my OEC/tranny. The cert was a few years old. I debated having it sent for recertification and laser inscription of the #, but after being advised against the inscription on a true antique buy a few posters here, I decided to pass on the the recheck. I did examine it with my 30x loop and didn't find any chips or scratches so I felt comfortable that there was no damage to the stone since the report was done.

As for color, can you place it in a ring holder to play with it in various lighting? I think that you will be very happy with a K in an OEC. My stone is an L and I couldn't be happier. It never looks yellow, just occasionally a touch creamy from the side.

Congratulations and be sure to post some hand shots when she's finished.:love:
Click to expand...

The one in your avatar is gorgeous!

Do you think a bigger stone shows more color or does the size not matter?

Thank you for the tip about inscription. I had thought of having that done myself.
 
IMG_1779.jpg IMG_1785.jpg IMG_1791.jpg

Thanks for all the help so far.

Here's a few quick pics from lunch time. First is inside and 2nd two are outside. The holder really helped get a better perspective. I would never set her this high IRL but she doesn't look that bad IMO.
 
It is stunning stone. And definately not too big!!!
 
Goodness me :love: what a gorgeous stone. I think your reaction to it has told you everything you need to know about whether you should keep it or not.
I would totally keep it even if it would be one of the bigger stones you’d see around. It’s fantastic!!
I wouldn’t bother about getting it recerted personally because I wouldn’t be willing to part with it now that you’ve got it :lickout: loupe it thoroughly and learn all the inclusions tho so you can be sure there’s nothing that’s not on the existing paperwork.
How will you set it? If it’s borderline too big now, its wearability will likely depend on that.
 
iluvshinythings said:
The one in your avatar is gorgeous! Thank you!

Do you think a bigger stone shows more color or does the size not matter? Not really sure. I have heard that, but I don't have enough experience to say that I see that pattern.

Thank you for the tip about inscription. I had thought of having that done myself. Your welcome. I really wanted to have it inscribed for ease of identification, but I was advised against especially since my stone has a bruted girdle and I am told that this is part of the authentication of an old cut stone
Click to expand...
 
That diamond is hideous! Just horrible. Now send it to me immediately for disposal. :mrgreen2:

All kidding aside, I think you picked a stunner. :kiss2:
 
I saw that one and wished I had the budget for it. Those pastels in your 2nd outdoor picture are amazing. :drool: I hope you're keeping it, but if not, send it to me along with your finger size. :saint:
 
Forgot to add, I don't think I would recertify it. I would have a trusted (hopefully independent) appraiser confirm that it is the same diamond as the GIA report and in the same condition.

I am not an old cut expert, but I don't really see how you could do any better than this diamond unless you went below 3 carats and got a lower price. But you would have a hard time finding a diamond pattern as beautiful as this. I am shocked that you got 2 no votes!
 
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My 3 carat OEC felt big on me for a while too. And I have a 4.5 finger. But setting it low on the finger helps and don’t put a halo around it. The eyes will get accustomed to the size in a couple of months.

About the stone, the faceting looks gorgeous and flowery. A K is a nice sweet spot for an OEC. How do you like it? And I personally wouldn’t bother with recertifying. It is probably due to my own laziness. 2-3 years shouldn’t be enough time to ding a diamond. That’s just me.
 
In your pics I think it looks really, really nice. When you are indoors be sure to check in different lighting environments. Mine changes a lot based on overhead, indirect, LED, incandescent, etc. Make sure you love it in the lighting of the rooms you spend the most time in. Lastly, I think the size is perfect on you.
 
I'm no expert but I think its beautiful on your hand and its just a beautiful stone. Since you are planning to set it lower you might be more comfortable with the look on your hand. I love the pastel colors in your second outside picture!
 
I think it’s beautiful. I would think you would get used to the size after a while. Keep it!
 
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