Old mine diamonds - can they be re-cut?

[nnoelle]

Hi guys!

Three quick questions

I am wondering if any diamond can be re-cut? I am looking at an old mine cut which is a good deal but don''t like the look.

Also.....do old mine cuts have a lower value?

Lastly...when looking for a diamond, what is most important, color or clarity??

Thanks gang!

 

[neatfreak]

They can, but please don't! There is such a charm in old diamonds and the cost savings won't really be big enough to make it worth it IMO.

They also can't be cut into just anything, so you'd need to get it evaluated by a cutter.

 

[diagem]

Date: 11/6/2008 10:12:56 AM
Author: neatfreak
They can, but please don't! There is such a charm in old diamonds and the cost savings won't really be big enough to make it worth it IMO.

They also can't be cut into just anything, so you'd need to get it evaluated by a cutter.

I agree with nf..., please dont...

But they can be cut to [almost] anything..., depending on the size and weight you are willing to go too

...

 

[guyneedshelp]

I agree. You might be better off selling the old cut diamond to someone who wants it and using the money to buy something you like. It would seem like a waste to reduce the size of the diamond when someone out there will want it just the way it is. They don''t cut them like that anymore, so you would just be making the stone into something that you buy more readily.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/6/2008 10:15:03 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 11/6/2008 10:12:56 AM

Author: neatfreak

They can, but please don''t! There is such a charm in old diamonds and the cost savings won''t really be big enough to make it worth it IMO.


They also can''t be cut into just anything, so you''d need to get it evaluated by a cutter.

I agree with nf..., please dont...


But they can be cut to [almost] anything..., depending on the size and weight you are willing to go too

...

True. By "can''t" I meant "who would want to waste all that carat weight trying to cut it into some weird shape".

 

[MMT]

I love the old mine cuts. Have you looked into a setting that might enhance its beauty. I prefer clarity over color. Is it eyeclean?

 

[nnoelle]

WOW I did not know the cut was so popular!
It is a large stone - I''d rather have a smaller stone of better quality. Here are the stats. Its up for auction this 16th.
10-12K (canadian $)


Carat: 3.28 Cut: old mine-cut Colour: I Clarity: SI1

 

[nnoelle]

The other two I am considering are a Birks brilliant cut going for 8-12K Canadian$
Carat: 1.70 Cut: round Color: I Clarity: VVS

And a single ear stud that I would set into a ring that is the best quality..6-8K Canadian$

Carat: 1.35 Cut: round Color: DE Clarity: VVS


...suggestions!?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/6/2008 10:45:22 AM
Author: nnoelle
WOW I did not know the cut was so popular!

It is a large stone - I'd rather have a smaller stone of better quality. Here are the stats. Its up for auction this 16th.

10-12K (canadian $)



Carat: 3.28 Cut: old mine-cut Colour: I Clarity: SI1

What makes you say that the smaller stone you'd cut from it would be better quality?

Or do you mean just generally that you'd prefer a smaller stone with better quality? Because there are certainly happy mediums here...

 

[nnoelle]

Sorry, I was not saying a re-cut old mine would be better quality. I would prefer a smaller (different) stone of better quality. Thats why I was considering the other 2 I sited.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/6/2008 11:44:01 AM
Author: nnoelle
Sorry, I was not saying a re-cut old mine would be better quality. I would prefer a smaller (different) stone of better quality. Thats why I was considering the other 2 I sited.

Gotcha! Well if you tell us your budget and what you want most out of the stone (size, color, clarity) we can help you find something that will work well for you.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

It would be a shame to cut such a fabulous stone! Also, right now, the price may seem like a great deal, but you cannot even be sure what the final bidding price will be.

Hunt around more for a stone that doesn''t need to be recut and that fits your criteria. It is unneccessary to aim for a VVS. . .why not look for a great eye-clean I color VS2 or SI1 that is well-cut?

 

[nnoelle]

Good Advice! I really appreciate the assistance. Nothing worst then making a bad purchase!

The buget is pretty flexible, 10-15K

Non of the rings up for auction (in my range) have great colour, most are J. I don''t need to get one "now" I am perfectly fine with getting an engagement ring AFTER the marriage (elopment in DEC), I just want to wait for the right one.

1. I love this EMERALD CUT: Carat: 3.11 Cut: emerald-cut Color: J Clarity: SI1 (12-15K)
picture: http://dupuis.ca/Item.jsp?q=diamonds&search=true&auctionid=61&page=2&Item_Id=13163
2. I also like this BRILLIANT CUT: Carat: 1.70 Cut: round Color: I Clarity: VVS (8-12K)
http://dupuis.ca/Item.jsp?q=diamonds&search=true&auctionid=61&page=1&Item_Id=13103
althought I''d re-set the ring without all those accent diamonds. This one seems to be a good size, clarity & colour.

3. This one is pretty stunning but I noticed it did not sell last auction (auctions are 2x a year).
TIFFANY RING: Carat: 1.62 Cut: pear-shaped Colour: E Clarity: VS1 (10-12K)
http://dupuis.ca/Item.jsp?q=diamonds&search=true&auctionid=61&page=4&Item_Id=15522
what do you think...? I love them all

 

[neatfreak]

Why do you need to buy one at auction?

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I agree with the others. If you do not like the cut of the OMC then I would look into another stone and leave that one as is. I would love to have an older cut stone. I realize that they are not for everyone, but gosh are they pretty!

 

[MMT]

Have you thought of using an online vendor? There are several very reputable ones that people use on here.

 

[Harriet]

Please, please don''t re-cut it!

 

[nnoelle]

If the auction falls through, can you recommend some good online vendors?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/6/2008 10:42:12 PM
Author: nnoelle
If the auction falls through, can you recommend some good online vendors?

Whiteflash, Engagement Rings Direct, Good Old Gold, Winfield''s Jewelers, Pearlman''s Jewelers, James Allen...those are some to start with!

 

[ericad]

Echoing what others have said, I IMPLORE you to not re-cut an old stone. Leave it for someone who will love it for what it is (there are sooooo many of us out there!), and limit your shopping to cuts you actually would want to wear. An OMC of this size and color is a rarity and must be preserved!

 

[2Artists]

I agree with everyone else. Yeah they can be re-cut but to me that would be like painting over a beautiful old painting, it certainly could be done but it would be a massive bummer. I do look forward to hearing what you pick! Best luck on your elopement!

Mrs.2Artists

 

[nnoelle]

OK I definately won''t re-cut if I buy the old mine Thank you for the vendor links but are there any Canadian ones? I''d loose too much money in the conversion from CA to US $

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I love Dupuis'' site and peruse their catalogue/auctions all the time; and have noticed that the signed pieces and diamonds always sell for app. two-three times their "estimated" selling price......

Good luck n your search!

cheers--Sharon

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/7/2008 8:35:24 AM
Author: nnoelle
OK I definately won''t re-cut if I buy the old mine Thank you for the vendor links but are there any Canadian ones? I''d loose too much money in the conversion from CA to US $

Bluenile has a Canadian outpost...but I''m not sure their prices are any different than their US counterpart.