Old stone (OEC/OMC/Antique Cushions) girdle question

[Enerchi]

Following a few threads and viewing some old stones online (hello eBay distractions...!!!) the girdles can vary so much from very thin to very thick. If the new owner was not going to repolish the girdle to get it to a consistent size, and were to leave it in the original condition, what is the safer setting style for that stone? What if you don't want to go for a 'safe' setting and want to put the diamond in your dream design?

If you love bezels, great, then you are 'safe', but if you prefer prongs, is a 6 prong the only "safer" option? What if you preferred a 4 prong? or what about a halo - does that help make it slightly safer??

I was just wondering - there are so many gorgeous older stones that are on the SMTB forum, I was curious about setting options being limited due to girdles.

 

[ecf8503]

I have an old OEC in it's original setting. The girdle is a mess (obvious my gr-grandmother wasn't too careful with it!), but it is still in it's original (very sturdy) 4 prong setting, and I haven't the heart to change it. That said I'm sure it *should* be in a bezel or something "safer", but my local jeweler thought it was ok. IMHO an individual evaluation of the state of the girdle by a jeweler may be your best bet. But to your point, I'd think a halo would offer some girdle protection, yes.

 

[armywife13]

My OEC has a thin to sl thick girdle and is in a bezel. I can't say that the girdle thickness really affected my setting choice, though the added protection was a bonus. I always loved the Julia setting, and preferred the profile of the bezel over the profile of the prong version....that was my main reason for the bezel.

Obviously bezels provide some of the greatest protection, but they aren't for everyone. As far as prong settings, yes, 6 would give better protection than 4. A halo would probably up the protection because it will take some of the hits instead of the center diamond. That being said, I think you should go for your dream setting. A while back I remember seeing a similar discussion over protecting antique diamonds and I think I remember Mara(forgive me if I am incorrect) saying, "that's what insurance is for." She is right, jewelry is meant to be enjoyed, so get the setting you love and insure the piece so you can have some peace of mind.

 

[Enerchi]

Good advice, that Mara gave!!! I agree - enjoy what you have, wear it and let it see the light of day!

I love the OECs/OMCs in halos - actually in ANY setting!

 

[armywife13]

I agree, it really was great advice!

Eventually, I want to set my baby in a SS halo, or VC Sophia bezel... But I am waiting on those until DSS sets in (which it already is! ) and I have an extra $6k laying around.

 

[Enerchi]

GET OUT!!! how you could you have DSS already??? yours is a killer stone!!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would just pay the $150 to $300 to facet the girdle if I was really worried. Otherwise I would wear what I liked.

 

[armywife13]

GET OUT!!! how you could you have DSS already??? yours is a killer stone!!!!

I know, DSS is horrible!!! It does not look small by any means, it just doesn't look huge anymore. It looks comfortable, if that makes sense.

And Dreamer brings up a good point, faceting a girdle is not an expensive venture and can help a lot.

 

[TitanCi]

Sorry, this in NO way pertains to your question, but MY GOD!

I had a 90 yr old patient today and I IMMEDIATELY noticed her ring. It's an OEC and those things are super awesome looking in real life, so much fun to look at: the faceting is so cool! She said she had it since she was 16, and the ring itself is unique, it opens up via a hinge on the shank!

The next stone I buy my fiance will be an OEC to give her a different flavor!!

Sorry for that, OP!

 

[Enerchi]

Oh Titan!!! You have been seriously bit by the diamond bug!!! I think that's amazing that in your real work life, you are noticing women's diamonds!!! That is too funny - and lucky fiance/wife to have you already planning her NEXT diamond you are too sweet

 

[TitanCi]

Oh Titan!!! You have been seriously bit by the diamond bug!!! I think that's amazing that in your real work life, you are noticing women's diamonds!!! That is too funny - and lucky fiance/wife to have you already planning her NEXT diamond you are too sweet

Enerchi! It's funny how she says I like to look at her stone and gaze at it more than she does! I really appreciate stones for what they are!

But I tell you, this OEC bug nipped me in the butt. Seeing pics online is one thing (they look super cool enough already online thru pics) but to SEE one live... something sexy about that cut!

 

[madelise]

I would just pay the $150 to $300 to facet the girdle if I was really worried. Otherwise I would wear what I liked.

Ditto!

 

[madelise]

Oh Titan!!! You have been seriously bit by the diamond bug!!! I think that's amazing that in your real work life, you are noticing women's diamonds!!! That is too funny - and lucky fiance/wife to have you already planning her NEXT diamond you are too sweet

Enerchi! It's funny how she says I like to look at her stone and gaze at it more than she does! I really appreciate stones for what they are!

But I tell you, this OEC bug nipped me in the butt. Seeing pics online is one thing (they look super cool enough already online thru pics) but to SEE one live... something sexy about that cut!

Are you still in SD area, Titan? There's an amazing antique shop in SD that carries a lot of PS-worthy bling! I forget the name, but I hope some PS-ers in the area can point you in that direction if you ever need to go scouting for an oldie for an "oldie" anniversary! It'd be super cute to say something along the lines of, "This diamond is over 100 years old… We've got X# of years in! Here's to 100 years of 'us! Happy X# year anniversary!'" or something like that.

Your SO is super lucky to have such an involved, educated, fanatic of diamonds! Every PS-er wife/fiance/gf that doesn't have a diamond supporting SO is jealous! I know I am!

 

[madelise]

HAHA! Lookie what I found while searching for additions to add to a few 'collections' threads..
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-visit-to-h-moradi.171319/

H Moradi was what I was thinking of! Titan, if you're still in SD, you should totally go visit that place!

ok sorry sorry for the threadjack *hides.

 

[Mara]

I remember the thread you're talking about Enerchi (I think) and I think someone else might have said that (or maybe I did who knows) but the one thing I always think and usually say about this is that these stones are many years old, sometimes even 100+ years old. And while many of the OEC's and old stones have very thin girdles, I often think about how durable they really are to have made it this long and sometimes in such fantastic condition!

Obv we don't always know what original pieces they were in or how they were really worn, but I tend to wear what I like and not worry too much about wear and tear. I think my 2.32 RB had a thin-med girdle and I wore it in a 6prong solitaire for 6 years and it didn't ever get a chip that I know of!

So while yeah I think stuff can happen, if you plan to get it insured then wear what you want and don't worry about it. If you are super worried, then have the girdle polished to a uniform shape. I dunno though, part of what I just love about these stones is their uniqueness and that come with a thin girdle sometimes! I have a pendant stone that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the classic facet pattern on. It's chipped around the edges, probably from the original ring it was in until about 10 years ago, and I could have it repolished and lose .20ct or so but I'm really afraid it would change the facet pattern or something about the stone with that loss. If I was really interested I'd send it to BGD to have them check it out but yanno I just love it the way it is. I say wear what you want and don't worry about what 'may' happen.

 

[Dreamer_D]

We need to see this pendant Mara

 

[TitanCi]

Oh Titan!!! You have been seriously bit by the diamond bug!!! I think that's amazing that in your real work life, you are noticing women's diamonds!!! That is too funny - and lucky fiance/wife to have you already planning her NEXT diamond you are too sweet

Enerchi! It's funny how she says I like to look at her stone and gaze at it more than she does! I really appreciate stones for what they are!

But I tell you, this OEC bug nipped me in the butt. Seeing pics online is one thing (they look super cool enough already online thru pics) but to SEE one live... something sexy about that cut!

Are you still in SD area, Titan? There's an amazing antique shop in SD that carries a lot of PS-worthy bling! I forget the name, but I hope some PS-ers in the area can point you in that direction if you ever need to go scouting for an oldie for an "oldie" anniversary! It'd be super cute to say something along the lines of, "This diamond is over 100 years old… We've got X# of years in! Here's to 100 years of 'us! Happy X# year anniversary!'" or something like that.

Your SO is super lucky to have such an involved, educated, fanatic of diamonds! Every PS-er wife/fiance/gf that doesn't have a diamond supporting SO is jealous! I know I am!

Thanks, Madelise! I am in the SD area and will be for a very LLLOOONNNGGGGG time. What part of town is it in?? I like that idea you have!

 

[Dreamer_D]

H Moradi is in la Jolla actually.

There is another place you can go in SD called 'Authentic Luxury Goods", its downtown near the convention center. They don't always have gold cuts, but they do have a tonne! I bought from them on ebay as have others I know.

Both places have really excellent prices, as do most estate/pawn type operations in my experience (ALG is the retail face of a pawn shop in SD).

 

[madelise]

H Moradi is in la Jolla actually.

There is another place you can go in SD called 'Authentic Luxury Goods", its downtown near the convention center. They don't always have gold cuts, but they do have a tonne! I bought from them on ebay as have others I know.

Both places have really excellent prices, as do most estate/pawn type operations in my experience (ALG is the retail face of a pawn shop in SD).

I may want to make my end of summer weekender trip one to SD instead of Vegas this year.. .

 

[Enerchi]

Madelise, if you go to SD instead of Vegas (WHAT??? LV is my favourite city in the world, but I understand the jewellry draw! ) please please PLEASE take your camera and post a WHACK of pics of any and everything you see and try one! Its just simply *compulsory*!!!

 

[madelise]

Madelise, if you go to SD instead of Vegas (WHAT??? LV is my favourite city in the world, but I understand the jewellry draw! ) please please PLEASE take your camera and post a WHACK of pics of any and everything you see and try one! Its just simply *compulsory*!!!

Yeah, for sure we're not going to LV. I think there's a convention there that weekend or something bc prices for hotels are ridiculous! That's usually my go-to spot for a getaway weekend because Vegas hotels are sooooo cheap.. If I'm paying SoCal hotel rates, I'm staying in SoCal!

SO liked the idea of SD, but I hadn't told him it's bling related. I'm thinking of the Wild Animal Park. We will for sure bring his DSLR! I wonder if the jewelry stores will let us take pics, though??

 

[audball]

I would just pay the $150 to $300 to facet the girdle if I was really worried. Otherwise I would wear what I liked.

Ditto!

This is what I did. I got an OEC off ebay that's girdle was Extremely Thin. The whole way around. I had my heart set on a semi bezel that would be completely exposed on two sides (north and south which were the most vulnerable to hits...sheesh). I had it done by BGD and it only took 2 1/2 weeks (though I was quoted 6).

The recut came out with the girdle varying from Thin to Slightly Thick but the average is Medium. The designer (Sholdt) set the stone where the thin was covered with the bezel and the parts that are exposed are mostly Medium so it looks very uniform.

I also started a thread when I was debating what to do and got similar responses. My stone had NO mousebites at all and Mara was the one who said that if survived that way for as old as it is in a prong setting, that it was probably fine. But since it was going into a sentimental piece (my engagement ring) I decided to get the girdle done AND get it insured so that I can enjoy it without worry.

Now I just need the LIW part to be over so I can wear it all the time!

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Karl?
Garr y?
Expert?
I am going to reset an OEC which is with GIA right now, part of the reason it's there is because of the girdle. I want to know it's status and that will help inform my resetting ideas. I remember reading recently that girdles can be bruted-just smoothed out like, like, ummm...beach glass? It can help the stone look less warm I believe. It was very common to do it this way I understand. Again, pros please fill us in...

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Girdles can be thin then thick, etc. all the way around. How is it decided overall what to call it?