Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut showing?

[Kim N]

Still trying to learn more about old cuts and training my eyes to identify well-cut ones... What kind of flaws is this OEC showing? i.e. Is there any leakage? Any lazy facets? In particular, why are half of the table facets going dark and the other half not?

Is this an early, middle, or later OEC?

 

[Rockdiamond]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

Hi Kim,
With the very best photo, an expert can only make some guesses.
However the photos you've got are not exactly what we'd call very good ( no offense- i hope you did not take them

With regards to leakage, as well as overall light performance, stones like these are very hard to gauge.
Some people love ASET , however my personal feeling is the movement gives these stones such a lot of life that a still photo just can't capture- in other words facets tat look dark in a photo may actually be lighting us as the hand moves even a little bit.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

My comments are based on how I would evaluate a diamond like that if I was buying on ebay or similar. I assume this is from a source like that because I know you have been looking and the photo quality suggests a non-expert.

It looks like it has a tonne of potential. I like what I see and think this is one to seek more information about. Seems like an classic OEC to me, nice super small table and a pleasing "tight" facet pattern, symmetry looks really excellent. Under table looks ok. The darkness in that single quadrant could be that the stone is tilted the same way in both shots. It could also be that the cut is not as good or tight in that area. Obviously moving the stone will tell you what's up, you would want to see those facets light up.

If the seller has a firm return policy in place allowing returns for any reason and cash back no restocking fee, then this is one I would be tempted to see in person if the price was right and it met my desired specs.

Do you have a profile shot? The table is small enough that in my experiene you can have good optics even with a lower crown height. You don't want to see too much depth, but this doesn't look like an overdeep stone from those pics.

 

[Kim N]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

Thanks, David and Dreamer!

David, yes, I'm used to seeing ASET images for RBs, so this whole search has been a new exercise for me in learning to evaluate based on just pictures, and usually not good ones.

Dreamer, this is from a source like that but the price is retail and over budget, which is why I'm hesitating. I prefer a checkerboard or flower pattern, but I do find this cut pretty as well. I appreciate your assessment on the cut quality! Here's a profile pic.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

You're welcome Kim!
I also find that ASET does prove to be completely different when used to evaluate a round versus any other shape.
Sometimes the interpretation goes against what we've learned with rounds.
I'm sure it goes without saying, but make sure you get a money back if it's a retail situation and especially if it's not a "bargain"

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

Proportions look pretty good, crown height looks good for the table and it is not as likely to have obstruction issues as the higher table guys, in my experience. A little pavilion heavy. Anyways, for cut worth seeing in person. But it looks very very tinted. Like, probably OP color. Sure, you can't judge that from pics, but I think you can get a sense. Since I know your budget, for that color it would need to be close to 3ct at that color for it to be a fair price on the secondary market IMO. I know of two similarly tinted stones that went for $7500 to $8500 in the 2.3ct range recently.

 

[Kim N]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

Thanks, Dreamer! Good to know about the pricing of the other stones that sold recently. It does look pretty tinted, and I really would prefer not to pay retail prices. Looks like I'll need to keep looking.

 

[ariel144]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

kim,
this store has lots of Old cuts in your price range and over 2c. Here are some I found a while back. Surely there is one that would suit you.

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/edwardian-2.07ct-old-european-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring-/17662/3/item# 2c KL VS1 $13,800k 8x8mm
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/2.04ct-old-mine-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/17129/3/item# K si3 9800

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/art-deco-style-2.03ct-cushion-cut-diamond-sapphire-platinum-engagement-ring/16739/3/item#Jk VS1 $12,600
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.97ct-old-mine-cut-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/16405/3/item# $10,600 1.98c KL vs1
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/edwardian-style-2.22ct-old-mine-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring-by-william-goldberg/15583/3/item# 2.22 K vs1 $14k
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1920s-2.30ct-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/13995/3/item# 2.33 K si1 $15,700

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/edwardian-style-2.10ct-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/13421/3/item# JK 2.10c VS2 8.2x 8.2mm $14,200
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1920s-2.01ct-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/11704/3/item# 2.01 KL vs1 $11,800
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/antique-2ct-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/10259/3/item# 2c K vs1 $13k
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/antique-2.26ct-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/9770/3/item# 2.26 K vs2 $13k
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/2ct-edwardian-platinum-diamond-engagement-ring/3725/3/item# 2c JK VS2 8.3x 8.1 $12,000
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/2.14ct-art-deco-style-platinum-diamond-engagement-ring/6713/3/item# 2.14 JK SI2 $11,000

 

[Kim N]

Re: Old cut experts, what kind of flaws is this old cut show

Thanks for the links, Ariel! I've actually gone to their website many times and contacted them in the past. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with their customer service, plus they have a restocking fee.