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OMC vs Cushion, which would you choose?

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sunnyd

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I''''ve always been in love with cushions, especially the chunky faceted kind. Now I find myself presented with an OMC and a cushion brilliant with very simliar specs. I don''''t anything about OMCs, are there any recent pics or threads?

I don''''t have pics of the stones, just numbers, if you want them, I''''ll post them. As a chunky faceted cushion lover, do you think an OMC would live up? Do I want that one?


Thanks!
 

neatfreak

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I think you REALLY need to see both before deciding. One could be a dog and one beautiful ya know?
 

sunnyd

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Yeah, I know. I guess I always thought OMCs were round (don''t know why) but the 1.19 ratio would be the funniest looking round I''ve ever seen...durr.
20.gif
Okay then, I need to see em!
 

neatfreak

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Date: 5/27/2008 6:48:48 PM
Author: sunnyd
Yeah, I know. I guess I always thought OMCs were round (don''t know why) but the 1.19 ratio would be the funniest looking round I''ve ever seen...durr.
20.gif
Okay then, I need to see em!

OEC''s are round OMC''s usually aren''t. OMC''s look similar to old chunky cushions IMO. Buy with your eyes with these kind of stones.
 

sunnyd

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Yes the OECs are lovely. If I were to have an affair, it would be with an OEC. Shhh.
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diamondseeker2006

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Yes, there''s no way to choose a cushion or OMC without seeing them. You might like both or neither one!
 

sunnyd

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I''ll probably love both...lol I''m not that picky.
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Ellen

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sunnyd

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Thanks for the links Ellen, I''m definitely calling these in for a looksie!
 

Ellen

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Welcome, and let us know how it goes!
 

ericad

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With regards to antique diamonds, OMC''s and Antique Cushions were cut during the same time period. Both will have the chunky facets and medium to large culets. OMC''s are generally more round in shape (off-round) and cushions exhibit a definite square or rectangular outline, though still soft with rounded corners. To me, both are beautiful - it just depends on whether you prefer a cushion shape or rounded shape. In any case, the faceting will be chunkier and more "rustic" than OEC''s, as they are older cuts. OMCs and cushions are fiery buggers!

Examples to follow.
 

Harriet

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Ericad,
Did you start your own company? If so, congrats!

Sorry for the threadjack.
 

Ellen

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Erica, from what I had read up on here, I thought OMC WERE antique cushions, as in the same thing.
33.gif
And most of the ones I''ve seen have been on the squarish side. Here''s mine, this is what I''ve seen more of.

OMC3886.JPG
 

kimikocat

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If you are comparing a modern cushion with an OMC, then the modern cushion may have better symmetry than the OMC. I''ve seen some OMCs that are quite asymmetric. If I remember correctly, a tall crown and small table are also hallmarks of the OMC, and they sparkle in a different way than a modern brilliant-cut cushion. Also they have open culets, and sometimes you can see that culet reflected around the girdle. Some love it, some freak out.

If you are looking at an antique cushion, I believe they do return light in a blocky pattern similar to the OMC.
 

Eva17

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i love the pix of the cushion
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ericad

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Date: 5/28/2008 7:30:17 AM
Author: Ellen
Erica, from what I had read up on here, I thought OMC WERE antique cushions, as in the same thing.
33.gif
And most of the ones I've seen have been on the squarish side. Here's mine, this is what I've seen more of.


OMC3886.JPG

That's correct - sort of. They are very similar and were cut during the same time, however the rounder shapes are referred to as OMC's - usually not perfectly round, may still be slightly squarish or "off-round" and cushions have a clear soft square or rectangular outline. Many times a diamond may start out as one thing, but due to chips, repolishing, etc. over the years, the shape can become distorted. There are many diamonds that could be called either, there are off-round OEC's too, LOL. I think what matters is what shape one is seeking, cushion or round, then target diamonds based on that criteria.

Personally, I would call yours a cushion due to the clearly square shape, but it depends on who is grading it and how extensive their knowledge is about old cuts. Many lump cushions into the OMC bucket, which is fine, but I feel that going one step further and distinguishing between OMC/Cushion helps buyers get a better sense of a diamond's shape and character.
 

Ellen

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Date: 5/28/2008 11:01:45 AM
Author: ericad


That''s correct - sort of. They are very similar and were cut during the same time, however the rounder shapes are referred to as OMC''s - usually not perfectly round, may still be slightly squarish or ''off-round'' and cushions have a clear soft square or rectangular outline. Many times a diamond may start out as one thing, but due to chips, repolishing, etc. over the years, the shape can become distorted. There are many diamonds that could be called either, there are off-round OEC''s too, LOL. I think what matters is what shape one is seeking, cushion or round, then target diamonds based on that criteria.

Personally, I would call yours a cushion due to the clearly square shape, but it depends on who is grading it and how extensive their knowledge is about old cuts. Many lump cushions into the OMC bucket, which is fine, but I feel that going one step further and distinguishing between OMC/Cushion helps buyers get a better sense of a diamond''s shape and character.
Rich Sherwood is who told me it was an OMC, and he specializes in old stones.
Idunno1.gif
 

sunnyd

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No pics yet (they're coming though! Yay!) but this OMC I'm looking at is 5.19-4.33-2.81. So it's definitely square! Love those pics ericad, thanks!
 

Ellen

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Erica, now this is bugging me. lol But really only because I want to be sure I''m giving correct info to posters. I looked up OMC history, and this link states what I had read in the past.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_cut


The first brilliant cuts were introduced in the middle of the 17th century. Known as Mazarins, they had 17 facets on the crown (upper half). They are also called double-cut brilliants as they are seen as a step up from old single cuts. Vincent Peruzzi, a Venetian polisher, later increased the number of crown facets from 17 to 33 (triple-cut or Peruzzi brilliants), thereby significantly increasing the fire and brilliance of the cut gem, properties which in the Mazarin were already incomparably better than in the rose. Yet Peruzzi-cut diamonds, when seen nowadays, seem exceedingly dull compared to modern-cut brilliants. Because the practice of bruting had not yet been developed, these early brilliants were all rounded squares or rectangles in cross-section (rather than circular). Given the general name of cushion—what are known today as old mine cuts—these were common by the early 18th century. Sometime later the old European cut was developed, which had a shallower pavilion, more rounded shape, and different arrangement of facets. The old European cut was the forerunner of modern brilliants and was the most advanced in use during the 19th century.

All the links I found said basically the same thing.
 

Rhea

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How exciting! I agree that it depends on the particular stone. Be sure to post photos when you get them!
 

ericad

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Agreed - they were cut during the same time and are essentially the same thing, however if you look at vendors such as OWD, SingleStone, Mel's, Lang, Fay Cullen, Israel Rose, Nelson, etc. you will see a differentiation between OMC and Cushion. I am not a GG and have not seen your stone, therefore I will not dispute the appraisal (Rich knows of what he speaks!) But looking at the pic, it appears to be a squareish OMC, hence my reference to it as a Cushion. My experience has been that many antique specialists do differentiate between the two - it just depends on who you ask.

Example: My first antique purchase was an OMC/Cushion. A very reputable dealer (who made the setting) initially called it a Cushion. The local appraiser I used to view the stone prior to buying it called it an OMC. The dealer later agreed that it was more off-round than square (two of the corners were soft squares, one was very round due to polishing out a chip, and the other was in between) and called it an OMC, but it was one of those stones that could have gone either way :)

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about the distinction between OMC and Cushion. As I said, some call them all OMC's. Others call them all Antique Cushions. And yet others differentiate between the two, which is what I prefer to do for the sake of helping buyers make the right selection.
 

diagem

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Date: 5/27/2008 11:22:53 PM
Author: ericad
OMC
Looks to me like an early version OEC..., high CA combined with a round shape..., and possesses 8 even sized mains with an extremely large culet!!



OMC_246_M_VS_b.jpg
 

diamondseeker2006

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Absolutely gorgeous stones!!!
 

diagem

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Date: 5/28/2008 1:28:23 PM
Author: ericad
Agreed - they were cut during the same time and are essentially the same thing, however if you look at vendors such as OWD, SingleStone, Mel''s, Lang, Fay Cullen, Israel Rose, Nelson, etc. you will see a differentiation between OMC and Cushion. I am not a GG and have not seen your stone, therefore I will not dispute the appraisal (Rich knows of what he speaks!) But looking at the pic, it appears to be a squareish OMC, hence my reference to it as a Cushion. My experience has been that many antique specialists do differentiate between the two - it just depends on who you ask.

True..., but they all seem to confuse the average consumer/clients by doing so and not being able to explain the difference!
Even GIA have a hard time differentiating between the two!


Example: My first antique purchase was an OMC/Cushion. A very reputable dealer (who made the setting) initially called it a Cushion. The local appraiser I used to view the stone prior to buying it called it an OMC. The dealer later agreed that it was more off-round than square (two of the corners were soft squares, one was very round due to polishing out a chip, and the other was in between) and called it an OMC, but it was one of those stones that could have gone either way :)

Honestly, I wouldn''t worry too much about the distinction between OMC and Cushion. As I said, some call them all OMC''s. Others call them all Antique Cushions. And yet others differentiate between the two, which is what I prefer to do for the sake of helping buyers make the right selection.
 

ericad

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Date: 5/28/2008 5:33:39 PM
Author: DiaGem



Date: 5/27/2008 11:22:53 PM

Author: ericad

OMC
Looks to me like an early version OEC..., high CA combined with a round shape..., and possesses 8 even sized mains with an extremely large culet!!




OMC_246_M_VS_b.jpg


Was graded as OMC by a very well respected antique diamond expert (who examined it in person), but just goes to show that where antique cuts are concerned, each stone is unique and several people can look at the same diamond and have different opinions as to what it is!
 

purrfectpear

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Interesting discussion. I''ve spent quite a bit of time perusing OWD pics and they classify as OEC, Mine, and Cushion. That said, they have several stones under mine that are clearly rectangular (not even squarish) that I would call cushions. I''m just a consumer so I don''t know why they decided mine in lieu of cushion, but they''re cushion shaped to me
33.gif


I''ve been virtually debating between some of erica''s and OWD stones for the last month or so. Sometimes I think I just hope they''ll sell so I won''t be the one out the money
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I sense a treat in my future
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ericad

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Here is a pic of an OEC which we believe is an "early" OEC. In the pic it looks similar to the OMC above. So which is right? Is the OMC actually an early OEC? Is the early OEC actually an OMC? Or is the OMC a "late" OMC and the OEC and "early" OEC and they look very much alike?

It shows that there are stones which are also "in-betweeners" - one of the wonderful things about antique diamonds. Each one is unique and different.

:)

270OEC1.jpg
 
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