Opinion on Old European Cut Diamond

[lauradora1979]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on an old euro diamond for my engagement ring and I wanted to get a second opinion in case anybody can flag any issues.

It's a 1.9 carat stone with the following specs:

Color: L
Clarity: VVS2
Measurements: 7.63 - 7.70 x 5.27 mm
Depth: 68.7%
Table: 43%
Girdle: Very Thin to Thick
Culet: Slightly Large

Really appreciate the opinions!

 

[marymm]

the numbers look fine but really do not provide much insight into whether the OEC has a nice cut, an attractive facet pattern, a lively performance -- do you have any pics/images/videos you can post or link to?

And/or, if the vendor has a solid return policy, purchase it and get it in hand and then take your own photos/videos and post them for comments while you're still in the return period.

 

[lauradora1979]

That’s a great point! Attaching a pic in natural light

 

[momofive]

The best would be videos in different lighting conditions. It looks pretty.

 

[starrylight]

FYI: The very thin girdle does need to be accounted for with a protective setting

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Very very strange proportions - an ASET image would help more than anything else

 

[lauradora1979]

FYI: The very thin girdle does need to be accounted for with a protective setting

That's super helpful to know. Expressing the range as "very thin to thick" confused me as to where it would actually sit

 

[lauradora1979]

Very very strange proportions - an ASET image would help more than anything else

Unfortunately there isn't one - I'm going to see it in person this weekend so hopefully any big issues will be evident?

 

[Cerulean]

Admittedly not crazy about it. The tiny table and facet pattern just isn’t doing it for me

Having a distinctive pattern is personally what makes me weak at the knees for an OEC, and if you look at the center of the stone it just looks…a bit like a jumble

I’m not a stickler for perfect symmetry but I think you can do better!

Granted, this is your stone and we all have our own personal tastes. I love a snowflake or floral pattern in the center, and so if you love the cut on this then ignore me!

 

[Cerulean]

Can you tell us what draws you to this stone? There are different “flavors” of OEC so we can help come up with suggestions based on what you like!

 

[lauradora1979]

Can you tell us what draws you to this stone? There are different “flavors” of OEC so we can help come up with suggestions based on what you like!

I think that's a really great question for me to ask myself! I know what draws me to OECs over round brilliants (the chunkiness and the candlelit type feeling vs the glittery look) but haven't thought thoroughly about the differences between OECs

 

[Cerulean]

I think before you pull the trigger, I’d maybe look at a few more stones to see what you like. I’m also wondering - have you seen an L color in person? They can be pretty tinted, and I know seeing a large range of colors and antique styles is tricky.

Do you live near a jewelry store that sells antiques? It’s helpful to see things IRL if you can! Otherwise there is yummy eye candy here - notice which ones catch your eye!

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[lauradora1979]

I think before you pull the trigger, I’d maybe look at a few more stones to see what you like. I’m also wondering - have you seen an L color in person? They can be pretty tinted, and I know seeing a large range of colors and antique styles is tricky.

Do you live near a jewelry store that sells antiques? It’s helpful to see things IRL if you can! Otherwise there is yummy eye candy here - notice which ones catch your eye!

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Yep, I've seen up to O-P old euros in person in antique rings I've tried on and I've actually loved the warmth. While I don't want to go as far as P necessarily I'm comfortable with a bit of a tint. But agreed - need to take a look at some more!

 

[marymm]

I guess I will be the outlier -- although I agree there is some disorganization, to my eyes it is bright and light with potential for interesting and lively performance based on the on/off facets shown in the pic -- it reminds me of a snowflake -- if the price was right and the return policy is good, I'd buy it to check it out in person in different lighting environments

 

[Cerulean]

I guess I will be the outlier -- although I agree there is some disorganization, to my eyes it is bright and light with potential for interesting and lively performance based on the on/off facets shown in the pic -- it reminds me of a snowflake -- if the price was right and the return policy is good, I'd buy it to check it out in person in different lighting environments

Totally - this is why it ultimately comes down to what we each like! It’s fun and more interesting that we all like different things

 

[lauradora1979]

I guess I will be the outlier -- although I agree there is some disorganization, to my eyes it is bright and light with potential for interesting and lively performance based on the on/off facets shown in the pic -- it reminds me of a snowflake -- if the price was right and the return policy is good, I'd buy it to check it out in person in different lighting environments

Great to get another perspective. I’m driving over to see it on the weekend and will give it a close look in different light conditions

 

[lovedogs]

I would see how you feel IRL. Old cuts are very personal, and preferences differ. I much prefer transitional cuts vs true OECs, especially ones with "quilt" patterns. But other people have completely different preferences.

 

[Rfisher]

I kinda like it’s personality, but would need to see more /video in different lighting to be sure.
To see what turns on and off and when.


the girdle having an area that is thick, and another area that is very thin makes it so you want to have someone experienced in setting such stones, and the understanding of their joy. Not someone who only does/enjoys modern brilliant. if not - the result can be unattractive, or unsafe.

seeing what differences in period OECs available to you in your budget in changing the parameters around for tradeoffs is the fun part! Enjoy!

 

[lulu_ma]

Please post more pics and some short vid after you see it this weekend. I'm interested to see the light performance of that teeny tiny table.

Hopefully, this vendor has a couple of other stones you can see for comparison.

 

[lauradora1979]

Update! I've just been sent a number of videos in different light conditions

Untitled

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This is "Untitled" by L Dora on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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This is "Untitled" by L Dora on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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This is "Untitled" by L Dora on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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This is "Untitled" by L Dora on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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Untitled

This is "Untitled" by L Dora on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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Thank you SO much to everyone - the guidance is much appreciated!

 

[lulu_ma]

Can we get some video in shade? I am trying to clearly see the performance of the center.

 

[lauradora1979]

Can we get some video in shade? I am trying to clearly see the performance of the center.

This one is outdoors in the shade if that helps https://vimeo.com/835893547?share=copy

 

[lulu_ma]

It looks like a few of the center petals good dark at the same time.

 

[Rfisher]

From what I can see in the videos
its not just a few of the center petals going dark at the same time. It’s got an additional ring /half ring of darkness around the center‘s perimeter that goes dark all together too.

mine for sure isn’t perfect in the center petals being on/off/on/off alternately. I can deal with a few flashing on off together in this size range, and at a certain price point if other parameters are being met.
the additional crescent shape next to the center also going dark is what tips the scale to a ‘no- see if you can find better’ in my opinion.

~ but ~
if the price range of this one is markedly lower than period OEC with similar size /clarity /color but with noticeably better facet performance - I could see someone making the concession in performance for this one to stretch to meeting other parameters and keep in budget. It’s not like it has a full on fisheye happenin.
there’s certainly much worse looking examples out there than what this one is.

 

[lauradora1979]

From what I can see in the videos
its not just a few of the center petals going dark at the same time. It’s got an additional ring /half ring of darkness around the center‘s perimeter that goes dark all together too.

mine for sure isn’t perfect in the center petals being on/off/on/off alternately. I can deal with a few flashing on off together.
the additional crescent shape next to the center also going dark is what tips the scale to a ‘no- see if you can find better’ for me.

~ but ~
if the price range of this one is markedly lower than period OEC with similar size /clarity /color but with noticeably better facet performance - I could see someone making the concession in performance for it.
there’s certainly much worse looking examples out there than what this one is.

Thank you! This is super useful. The price is very good but at the same time my budget allows me to spend more on the ring so that's not the be all and end all! I've asked her to have some others for me to look at when I go up there and I'm chatting to OWD about some other stones too.

Going to try and look at as many as I can!

 

[lulu_ma]

If you share your approximate budget and parameters, we are happy to look for you!

 

[Rfisher]

yes - please give your parameter priorities and budget.

it’s hard (and sometimes a disservice) to throw out red flags on a stone when peole vary so much on what parameters they prioritize over others.

 

[lovedogs]

I'm not a huge fan of it, but don't know your overall budget/parameters. If you give us those we can help!

 

[lauradora1979]

I'm looking at a budget of around $13,000 for the stone (could be swayed by something exceptional). Hoping for something from 1.7 carats up, open to some warmth but probably not much more than L/M.

 

[danielle622]

It looks like it has a white face up, as it looks whiter than an L color. The only thing I would say about it is that it has a pretty small culet (the hole in the middle where the diamond was cut off - one of the main characteristics of an old cut diamond), but that is really a matter of preference. Personally, I would like a bit of a bigger culet. Overall the stone looks nice though, so definitely not a bad choice.