OEC not worth anything?

[isis~goddess]

Hi all, my jeweler just told me somthing that disturbed me. I told him I was interested in buying a old european cut diamond, and he said "why, their worthless, they''ve mostly been recut, people don''t want them" WHAT? I know a lot of the higher colors have been recut, but are the lower colors that still exist really worthless and not worth purchasing? They are lower in value than brillant cut stones maybe, but are they that bad? (He doesn''t carry them and probably wanted to sell me something he does carry!) I''ve only seen pictures and I like them. Can anybody tell me what they look like in person, do they have fire and character as they seem to in pictures? How much less should one expect to pay for an OEC cut diamond versus a modern brilliant? If there is a thread on this one, please direct me. Thanks

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There has been discussion on it before. It''s great that the prices are less for those lucky enough to be able to find a stone! My guess is that this jeweler makes more money off his new stock and doesn''t want to bother helping you find old stones. Plenty of girls on here have gorgeous old stones, though! Do a search on OEC and OMC.

 

[FacetFire]

Here is a link to pics of my OEC e-ring. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-new-old-2-3-carat-oec-e-ring.49501/ (keep scrolling, the best ones don't start till the 2nd or 3rd page)

It is definitely not true that people don't want them! They are actually a hot item these days and are priced similarly to modern cut stones. However, his point of view was correct a number of years ago. Years ago there was a perception that OECs and OMBs weren't worth as much (people were getting into the new cut) and they were often re-cut.

However, many of us with old stones on this board will tell you that we think they are brighter than newer stones. They definitely have a lot of fire (if you get a well-cut one). I wouldn't trade my OEC for any RB...not that I don't appreciate the beauty of a RB!

Actually, I had an appraiser tell me that years ago they were trained to appraise the "RB within" an OEC. In other words, if you had a 1.2 carat OEC that could be re-cut into a 1.0 carat modern RB, it was appraised at the value of that 1.0 carat RB. But, my appraiser valued my OEC the same as a RB of the same size, color, and clarity. So, long answer, but basically you shouldn't believe that jeweler!

 

[DiamondExpert]

The jeweler speaks garbage with a forked tougue. These stones can be very attractive, and with high crown, small table and deep pavilion often show a lot of dispersion and scintillation...mmmmmmm!!

 

[neatfreak]

Some people don''t understand the allure of the older cut stones. Those people are the same people that unfortunately sent many of the gorgeous OEC stones to be recut!!

But it''s all about what YOU think. I LOOOOOOVE them. I want one myself someday. But they just aren''t everyone''s cup of tea and especially if he doesn''t sell them what kind of a salesman would he be if he didn''t try and convince you that something he sold was "better"?

 

[isis~goddess]

Holy freaking cow!!!!! ok, i have to get one of those, my mouth is watering just looking at those pics!!!!! that jeweler was obviously on something. i should have known, he also told me there was no such thing as an ideal cut diamond, but that''s a story for another day. thanks for sharing!

 

[DiamondExpert]

...actually, the jeweler has a bona fide point about the term "ideal" cut (as compared to "Ideal" cut as defined/graded by AGS)...this is an abused term, not agreed upon in the trade...in the final analysis it comes down to opinion, be it an individual''s or a grading lab''s.

 

[surfgirl]

isis, with all due respect, that jeweler is a putz of the highest degree. Dare I say he's unedumacated about stones in general?!? As facetfire has said, the better quality stones can be as expensive as the same in a modern RB with good cause, they're not available anymore. If you find a great stone, grab it! My thread on my vintage ering is here, for your viewing pleasure...

Surfgirl's antique ering

I dont think that jeweler knows a good old cut stone from a hole in the wall...

If you love old cuts, go for it! They're truly magical. They have pesonalities like nothing else...

ETA: To add on to what facetfire said, in my opinion, the major difference between new RBs and old cuts is that new RBs are cut to reflect white light back out to your eye, while the old cuts pull you deep into the center of the stone with their clear, hypnotic faceting. Oh, and the fire and scintillation? Out of this stratosphere!

 

[BigDiamonds]

Crazy talk!

Old cuts are AWESOME, as plenty of the lucky ladies around here who have them will tell you. I can''t speak to the comparable price, but I would pay equal to a good RB. Ulterior motives, perhaps?

 

[Hest88]

Isis, if they''re that worthless, tell the jeweler I''d be more than happy to buy one from him...at cost!

 

[kcoursolle]

ditto hest...give all of those *worthless* stones to me!!!

 

[ericad]

Baloney with a capital B! I have a 2.06 carat K color OMC (VVS to VS clarity) that is totally to die for. I wouldn''t trade it for all the modern cuts in the world. For those who love antique cuts, they are priceless, not worthless. I encourage you to look at them in person. It''s also fortunate that these can be purchased for less than comparable modern cuts - which means you can get a larger stone for the money. Anyone who even utters the word "recut" should be bombarded with rotten fruit.

Here''s mine

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/halo-help-for-2-09-omc.66569/

 

[isis~goddess]

surfgirl, that ring is totally to DIE for!!!! The uniqueness and fact that you can see clear down into it, they give it such character. Well, I''m glad I started this thread because now I know I have to get a omc, oec, (transition cut may be a little hard to find). I''m going to budget 5,500-7,000. I hope I can get over a carat for that, in a nice setting. I''m going to be patient and do my research though. One thing I''ve learned, you have to be careful who you ask, I guess I can''t blame the guy for trying to sell me his own stock....but education is my best defense.

 

[luckystar112]

What is it with jewelers feeling like they can give you their opinion when you ask them a technical question??

I went to a jeweler the other day and asked about palladium. She goes, "I don''t like palladium. I had a ring made out of it, and I really don''t like it." Um...okay....but can you answer my question?!?!

 

[diagem]

Date: 9/10/2007 8:27:34 PM
Author:isis~goddess
Hi all, my jeweler just told me somthing that disturbed me. I told him I was interested in buying a old european cut diamond, and he said ''why, their worthless, they''ve mostly been recut, people don''t want them'' WHAT? I know a lot of the higher colors have been recut, but are the lower colors that still exist really worthless and not worth purchasing? They are lower in value than brillant cut stones maybe, but are they that bad? (He doesn''t carry them and probably wanted to sell me something he does carry!) I''ve only seen pictures and I like them. Can anybody tell me what they look like in person, do they have fire and character as they seem to in pictures? How much less should one expect to pay for an OEC cut diamond versus a modern brilliant? If there is a thread on this one, please direct me. Thanks

Any jeweler who says any Gem-Quality Diamonds are worthless should be suspiciously looked upon!!!

 

[Cathers]

Date: 9/10/2007 10:23:17 PM
Author: Hest88
Isis, if they''re that worthless, tell the jeweler I''d be more than happy to buy one from him...at cost!

I third that!!!

 

[FacetFire]

Some good places to start looking:

www.singlestone.com
www.faycullen.com
www.oldworlddiamonds.com

BTW, surfgirl, I just love that transition cut!

 

[oldminer]

My own daughter has a P/Q color old mine cut diamond in a platinum Edwardian period filigree ring set with lots of smaller whie diamonds. She loves it and it is her engagement ring and worn every day. Why any jeweler would tell you they are worthless could only be that he doesn''t have any to show you and that he wants you to buy the modern cuts he has in inventory.

If there was a Pricescope section devoted to the faults and problems of the jewelery business, there would be a lot of threads. If more retailers read these pages they might figure out a way to bring improvement to what they often do or say. The retailers who are active here probably have a very different appraoch to customers than BP, Before Pricescope.

 

[lyra]

I have always wanted an OEC, OMC or Transitional, way before I ever saw PS. Then I found PS, and I wanted one even more! Surfgirl''s and FacetFire''s rings are my absolute favourites on the site. I looked in vain locally when I got the chance to do an upgrade, and was really disappointed. My MIL has a gorgeous 3-stone centre Emerald and side OMC''s ring. I''ve always adored it. We used to see some nice stones at the better antique shows, but that was way before I had a budget for buying.

They may be harder to find, but they are worth the search. (I will keep looking too, but for a smaller stone now that I have an upgrade.) Good luck hunting. And Bah humbug to the jeweller.

 

[ericad]

I am working with Singlestone on my setting now and have had a terrific experience thus far. I should have the ring my the end of next week and expect it will knock my socks off.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 9/11/2007 1:36:34 PM
Author: FacetFire
Some good places to start looking:

www.singlestone.com
www.faycullen.com
www.oldworlddiamonds.com

BTW, surfgirl, I just love that transition cut!

Thanks facet...you know, sometimes I see your avatar and think your stone looks similar to mine...I just am not sure about the exact timeframe. I know my appraiser looked in some reference books but the main reason I think it''s Transitional is because of the symmetry and cut...But I have the same chunky monkey facets that you have....I wish we could have an old cuts GTG so we can all meet and see each other''s rings!

 

[FacetFire]

Date: 9/11/2007 5:10:42 PM
Author: surfgirl

Date: 9/11/2007 1:36:34 PM
Author: FacetFire
Some good places to start looking:

www.singlestone.com
www.faycullen.com
www.oldworlddiamonds.com

BTW, surfgirl, I just love that transition cut!

Thanks facet...you know, sometimes I see your avatar and think your stone looks similar to mine...I just am not sure about the exact timeframe. I know my appraiser looked in some reference books but the main reason I think it''s Transitional is because of the symmetry and cut...But I have the same chunky monkey facets that you have....I wish we could have an old cuts GTG so we can all meet and see each other''s rings!

To me, at least, your ring looks like the perfect example of a transitional cut. It has the broader facets, though they aren''t quite as broad as an OEC, but it doesn''t have the open culet like an OEC, and the crown doesn''t look quite as high and the table looks larger. It''s textbook! So cool! The perfect marriage of an OEC and a RB!

 

[isis~goddess]

facet fire, i love your stone too, it is soooo beautiful. i''m definately convinced i''m an OEC or OMC person. how do OMC compare with OEC? did you get to view plenty of each before you made your choice? i will probably buy from faycullen.com, i should be ready by next month, she has both kinds of cuts and i know i won''t get to view them in person first, so i need some help from the experienced!!

 

[ericad]

What is Fay Cullen''s return policy on loose diamonds?

I bet Ari at singlestone would work with you to find a great stone, and I''m sure you could send it back to him if it''s not "the one" - I really encourage you to talk to him also.

Ok, that''s my last Ari plug, I promise!

 

[FacetFire]

Date: 9/11/2007 11:43:20 PM
Author: isis~goddess
facet fire, i love your stone too, it is soooo beautiful. i''m definately convinced i''m an OEC or OMC person. how do OMC compare with OEC? did you get to view plenty of each before you made your choice? i will probably buy from faycullen.com, i should be ready by next month, she has both kinds of cuts and i know i won''t get to view them in person first, so i need some help from the experienced!!

I think of OMC as a mix between an OEC and a cushion cut. Take a look at these diagrams: http://www.khulsey.com/jewelry/old_european_diamond_cuts.html

And you can see comparison pics across the top of this page: http://www.aboutengagementrings.net/antiquediamonds.html

A well-cut OEC will be round, whereas a well-cut OMC will be more of a cushion-like shape. They both have lots of fire if well-cut (look for a grading of Good symmetry, not Fine or Poor). But it will really come down to your personal preference.