OEC lovers--would you buy either of these?

[rubybeth]

You've probably already seen both of these listings on DB; one for a GIA 1.13 M VS1 OEC/transitional (?) , 6.66-6.77mm and one for an uncerted approx. 1.25 M VS1 OEC, about 6.8mm. Would you buy either? I know uncerted has a lot of risks, but the seller is willing to unset the diamond and have it weighed and appraised loose. I guess I am more interested in staying under budget than in having a certificate.

http://diamondbistro.com/category/2...125-ct-(approx)-VS1-Old-European-Diamond.html
http://diamondbistro.com/category/2...-diamond-with-GIA-cert-platinum-ring-sz6.html

My ideal is an approx. 7mm stone (lower color, eye clean) and I was hoping I could stay under $5k. Maybe this is totally unreasonable? Ideally, I was going to save my pennies and get something sometime in 2013. Should I just keep saving?

 

[Circe]

I like the stone in the first one very much, and I think the workmanship on the setting looks phenomenal. That one seems worth seriously considering. I'm pretty sure I saw it listed on eBay yesterday ... lemme see if I can track down the listing.

ETA: drat, looks like my google-fu is on the fritz. Just thought I'd mention since it does put that one on a deadline of sorts.

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

Hi Ruby

This might be unrelated, but I was curious - are you looking for just a diamond, or a completed ring? I ask because both these have a beautiful looking diamond, but the settings are quite different.

You could ask for a video if one doesn't exist, since I've been finding that still photos can be tricky to interpret with OECs.

I have also had a debate with myself whether to save pennies and wait until a later date to find a diamond (I'm also in the market for an OEC), but with the way prices keep rising and the popularity of OECs rising off the charts, I don't think we could save enough pennies to keep up with the rising prices. I also don't think it hurts to continue looking at the second hand market since those items seem to come and go pretty quickly.

 

[mandasand]

Honestly, of the two, I would go with the 1.13 M that is GIA certified and it comes with the lovely setting. I think this is a pretty good value for the stone and setting. Plus, I would be more comfortable buying a certified stone because it will most likely not be "grossly misrepresented." But, that is not really any kind of return policy, so I would make her an offer AND try to push for some kind of return policy.

The stone will be warm, I hope that is OK...I can see the M color in the 1.13 with that setting.

 

[rubybeth]

Oh, Circe, she may have it listed on eBay, too, that's possible. She really needs to sell some sparklies since her DH is not okay with her unauthorized spending. I am not interested in the setting (thought it's awesome, not my style at all) and she has some bites on the setting alone, so I could get the loose stone.

sweetpea&babycorn, I am just looking at the center stones. I have a couple setting ideas, but it would be a solitaire, either w/double claw prongs or fishtail prongs, or a bezel.

mandasand, I like the setting and the GIA cert helps, but it's just a hair smaller than I'd like (would be okay with smaller if there was an upgrade policy! ), and I really prefer a solitaire since I want to continue wearing my plain wedding band and my bezel band.

I am okay with warmth in the stone. I am willing to go lower than M, if needed, to get to my desired size. I really wouldn't feel comfortable wearing anything larger than 7mm right now with my job and other financial goals (I'd look pretty silly with a doorknob on my hand and not enough for a down payment on a house!). I likely won't get either of these stones, because I just got an OEC 5-stone and my DH will probably roll his eyes at me and tell me to be patient!

 

[mandasand]

Oh, Circe, she may have it listed on eBay, too, that's possible. She really needs to sell some sparklies since her DH is not okay with her unauthorized spending. I am not interested in the setting (thought it's awesome, not my style at all) and she has some bites on the setting alone, so I could get the loose stone.

sweetpea&babycorn, I am just looking at the center stones. I have a couple setting ideas, but it would be a solitaire, either w/double claw prongs or fishtail prongs, or a bezel.

mandasand, I like the setting and the GIA cert helps, but it's just a hair smaller than I'd like (would be okay with smaller if there was an upgrade policy! ), and I really prefer a solitaire since I want to continue wearing my plain wedding band and my bezel band.

I am okay with warmth in the stone. I am willing to go lower than M, if needed, to get to my desired size. I really wouldn't feel comfortable wearing anything larger than 7mm right now with my job and other financial goals (I'd look pretty silly with a doorknob on my hand and not enough for a down payment on a house!). I likely won't get either of these stones, because I just got an OEC 5-stone and my DH will probably roll his eyes at me and tell me to be patient!

Well, then I guess the smaller stone you should rule out. But, I don't think you should go for the other one. That's my opinion. If I were you, I would be working with GOG, OWD, JBEG to source you an OEC. JBEG just added some stones to their website:
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/137ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/25068964_W9n9pt#!i=2054322430&k=Z5nH3s6 - $5775

And, I love this setting. LJN said it accommodates a larger stone (not a smaller one like I wanted)...you can purchase the setting only. I think it is around $900 for platinum:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=3469

 

[rubybeth]

Well, then I guess the smaller stone you should rule out. But, I don't think you should go for the other one. That's my opinion. If I were you, I would be working with GOG, OWD, JBEG to source you an OEC. JBEG just added some stones to their website:
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/137ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/25068964_W9n9pt#!i=2054322430&k=Z5nH3s6 - $5775

And, I love this setting. LJN said it accommodates a larger stone (not a smaller one like I wanted)...you can purchase the setting only. I think it is around $900 for platinum:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=3469

Thanks, mandasand! My plan was to save for another year and then contact OWD or JbEG to source a stone for me in my budget. The one from JbEG you posted is ideal, but likely out of my budget. I think something might have to give, and it may just mean waiting longer or going with a vendor that has an upgrade policy that works for me.

And, that setting is so pretty! I will have to put that on my Pinterest board.

 

[bunnycat]

Not meaning to derail, but I have a question and I'm not sure if I should start a new thread. I'll try here first.

Can you tell me the reason you might prefer the first stone, other than size? Is is a slightly earlier cut with smaller table and higher crown? Is that preferable? Do you guys have an opinion on the other (slightly smaller) stone and ring? I admit I've had that thing in my watch list for days and days on eBay and DB.