OEC purchase - opinions wanted

[CaseyLouLou]

I purchased this ring with a very clear 3/4 ct diamond with nice color. I might still return it if it’s not up to snuff. The diamond has a nice checkerboard facet pattern which is a bit flowery and has good symmetry. The facets are on and off all over the place so i think that’s a good sign. It has nice fire in bright lights and also sparkles well in low light.

The setting is making it hard to assess because I get a lot of glare off the bezel which blinds me.

Here are some photos and I will also prepare some videos.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I like it A LOT! Adore the faceting pattern, pretty setting. Yes Girl I think you done good!

Was this an online find or did you find it locally?

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I like it A LOT! Adore the faceting pattern, pretty setting. Yes Girl I think you done good!

Was this an online find or did you find it locally?

eBay. I probably overpaid but I was hoping it would turn out well. I will post some videos soon. Glad you like it so far!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

eBay. I probably overpaid but I was hoping it would turn out well. I will post some videos soon. Glad you like it so far!

Eh, don't feel bad, I feel like I overpaid for the OEC solitaire I bought recently, that will probably fade once you see how pretty the diamond is in person.

Do you have any stats on the diamond like color and clarity? From the pictures it looks really good, your eyes will tell you if it's a hero or a zero.

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

Very pretty stone! I think you did good!

 

[OdetteOdile]

I don't know very much about OECs, but I do know when I like the look of one, and I like yours very much. Can you use painters tape to cover up the bezel so that you are not getting the glare of the metal?

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Don’t get hung up on maybe overpaying. It’s better than buying something cheaper and mediocre. Looks great.

 

[Dreamer_D]

A very nice transitional cut. These are very rare! I'd keep it for sure.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Eh, don't feel bad, I feel like I overpaid for the OEC solitaire I bought recently, that will probably fade once you see how pretty the diamond is in person.

Do you have any stats on the diamond like color and clarity? From the pictures it looks really good, your eyes will tell you if it's a hero or a zero.

Seller said SI1/H. I can’t find a single inclusion with my loupe. I took it to a jeweler and they said it was very nice.

I took some videos with a flashlight to see it in high and low/indirect light so maybe you can see it’s performance in this video. It seems to have a lot of fire but I don’t have much to compare it to - never had a diamond this big! It seems to sparkle in most lighting. In sunlight there’s just a lot of glare off the setting.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I don't know very much about OECs, but I do know when I like the look of one, and I like yours very much. Can you use painters tape to cover up the bezel so that you are not getting the glare of the metal?

I tried that actually and it didn’t stay on the edge very well.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

More videos

 

[Slickk]

I think it is gorgeous. Nice find!!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

A very nice transitional cut. These are very rare! I'd keep it for sure.

Apparently I like transitional cuts better than actual OEC’s because I keep finding them. I suppose they have better symmetry and still the charm and flashes of light with the chunky facets.

I have noticed that in some light it seems to “internally” sparkle if that makes any sense. The facets inside the stone are going on and off but not really reflecting the light back at me. It’s kind of cool. Is this a thing?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You really can't generalize that transitionals have better symmetry than OECs, though, because some of each type have great and bad symmetry!

I do think a well cut tranny is just beautiful, and from what we can see, it looks like a winner! I'd just want it checked to make sure it doesn't have chips under the prongs or anything else hiding. Overpaying a little is fine. I paid a premium for my antique asscher because they are pretty rare. So as long as you didn't pay double or something and you have a purpose for the stone, I'd keep it!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

You really can't generalize that transitionals have better symmetry than OECs, though, because some of each type have great and bad symmetry!

I do think a well cut tranny is just beautiful, and from what we can see, it looks like a winner! I'd just want it checked to make sure it doesn't have chips under the prongs or anything else hiding. Overpaying a little is fine. I paid a premium for my antique asscher because they are pretty rare. So as long as you didn't pay double or something and you have a purpose for the stone, I'd keep it!

Well, I might as well tell you what I paid and see if it’s in the ballpark. It’s in a nice Leo Ingwer vintage setting (not my style) so I expected that to add to the price. I plan to have it reset. The jeweler I showed it to didn’t mention anything wrong with it.

I paid $1300. For the size I thought that wasn’t too bad.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

For some perspective a .77 H SI1 transitional (without the lovely checkerboard faceting) is selling at Ivy and Rose right now for $1595 so assuming no chips or surprises you did great. I personally really like the setting and there will be people who will pay to have an authentic vintage setting especially if it is by a designer.

Now here is a question, since you have been aiming for an OEC and got yourself yet another transitional, will this scratch the itch? I mention this because I was in your boat, bought a ring I knew was a transitional then was aiming for an OEC and got....another transitional. Then I finally found the OEC and some peace with my last purchase.

Maybe this is not really even anything to think about, you could always get an OEC in the future, the more the merrier as they say!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

For some perspective a .77 H SI1 transitional (without the lovely checkerboard faceting) is selling at Ivy and Rose right now for $1595 so assuming no chips or surprises you did great. I personally really like the setting and there will be people who will pay to have an authentic vintage setting especially if it is by a designer.

Now here is a question, since you have been aiming for an OEC and got yourself yet another transitional, will this scratch the itch? I mention this because I was in your boat, bought a ring I knew was a transitional then was aiming for an OEC and got....another transitional. Then I finally found the OEC and some peace with my last purchase.

Maybe this is not really even anything to think about, you could always get an OEC in the future, the more the merrier as they say!

All very good questions! I have a question that will help me (maybe) understand better this whole transitional vs OEC thing. I love the August Vintage OECs but there’s not way I’m paying for that. Are those transitional cuts in reality because they look like it to me?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

All very good questions! I have a question that will help me (maybe) understand better this whole transitional vs OEC thing. I love the August Vintage OECs but there’s not way I’m paying for that. Are those transitional cuts in reality because they look like it to me?

I'm not familiar with the August Vintage diamonds but they do have a good following on PS so maybe someone more familiar can chime in.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Here’s a photo of an ideal cut August Vintage round. In love - maybe someday I will splurge. Mine doesn’t seem too far off in pattern but I don’t know the proportions.

 

[distracts]

I think it looks fantastic!

 

[gregchang35]

another vote for the stone looking awesome.... I think it looks transitional, too. The pavilions that are reflected through the table are more structured/ linear vs flowery/ rounded for an OEC.
AS for the AVR example that you showed- the pavilions definitely looks more structured/ linear so I would consider them in the older language as transitional. but that is only my opinion, and i am no expert. perhaps AVR encompases both the OEC and Transitional cuts?

 

[foxinsox]

Looks like you did good - bright chunky and just a lovely diamond! How are you planning to set it?

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

The stone you have is very different to an August vintage. It is a beautiful example of a transitional and a decent price, but if your heart is set on the av look (and you can’t/won’t/don’t want to buy another stone) as mentioned this might not scratch the itch. If you can keep this and buy another one lol.

Day time/diffused lighting videos would be good!

 

[missy]

I purchased this ring with a very clear 3/4 ct diamond with nice color. I might still return it if it’s not up to snuff. The diamond has a nice checkerboard facet pattern which is a bit flowery and has good symmetry. The facets are on and off all over the place so i think that’s a good sign. It has nice fire in bright lights and also sparkles well in low light.

The setting is making it hard to assess because I get a lot of glare off the bezel which blinds me.

Here are some photos and I will also prepare some videos.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

GORGEOUS! Nice purchase and looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing more photos when you receive this beautiful old cut. Transitionalicious!

Seeing it in person will solidify if it's the right stone for you. Photos and videos only show so much but when you get it and examine it under all lighting environments you will know if this is a winner for you.

 

[kgizo]

It’s really lovely and sounds like you paid a reasonable price. Well done”!

 

[MarionC]

What a pretty facet pattern...and that tiny culet!! A keeper for sure, and fingers crossed the condition is what you are hoping.

As far as maybe overpaying a bit...I’ve done that myself recently and fretted before seeing the ring, but when the ring came and I loved it, I didn’t give the cost a second thought.
I hope you love it, and enjoy it for a long time.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

GORGEOUS! Nice purchase and looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing more photos when you receive this beautiful old cut. Transitionalicious!

Seeing it in person will solidify if it's the right stone for you. Photos and videos only show so much but when you get it and examine it under all lighting environments you will know if this is a winner for you.

Thank you. I do have it in my possession and those are my photos and videos. Not having had another diamond of that size (ever) it’s tough to know what I’m looking at, especially in that setting. I’m hoping when I get it out of the setting it will be easier to see the performance. The reflection off that bezel is really distracting.

 

[missy]

Thank you. I do have it in my possession and those are my photos and videos. Not having had another diamond of that size (ever) it’s tough to know what I’m looking at, especially in that setting. I’m hoping when I get it out of the setting it will be easier to see the performance. The reflection off that bezel is really distracting.

I believe it. A loose stone is always easier to evaluate. Hope you love it when you get to see it out of the setting. And then when you choose your setting that’s something to be aware of. It absolutely influences the way we perceive the diamond.


FYI a timely thread

How much does a setting influence diamond performance?

Hi Everyone. Maybe this topic has been addressed before? I had my asscher setting thinned down and engraved and am now experiencing an enhanced performance more like the stone looked when it was loose. At first I thought the bench that did the work had somehow “super cleaned” it, but weeks...

www.pricescope.com

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Looks like you did good - bright chunky and just a lovely diamond! How are you planning to set it?

I have no idea how to set it. It’s for a right hand ring so I don’t want it to look like an engagement ring. I’m thinking low set with maybe a slight halo. I’m looking at settings but haven’t found exactly the right one yet. Here’s a few photos I have collected.

I might try to work with David Klass again.

 

[OdetteOdile]

Those are beautiful! I especially like the first two.