Opinions needed on this OEC earrings please!

[olympia776]

So, some of you may remember that I've been looking for oec or transition earrings. I took the plunge and bought these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370478663587?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_503wt_952

Sorry I wasn't able to grab the pictures. Anyway, I didn't think that the photos were awesome and asked about my concerns (black spots) but the seller assured me they weren't there. Well, when I received them they very definitely are there. I don't see how the larger stones could be SI since at least one of the inclusions is very visible with the naked eye. There is probably a chip or a natural on one of the smaller stones as well. I'm going to be taking them to the jeweler later to have a look. That's the bad.

The good is that they're really gorgeous and sparkly on the ears. The old cuts don't seem too pronounced to me (probably not that well cut) but they are very nice on. Ever wish you'd never met a loupe in your life?

I was hoping for really stellar earrings and these were a bit over what I'd hoped to spend. I guess I wonder what you would do? I really, really like them but I'm disappointed about the quality. This is a big purchase for me - I don't know that I'll be buying anything big for a few more years. Would you ask for a discount, return and start again, or?

Thanks!

 

[marymm]

Well, the eBay listing says the larger OECs have SI2 clarity, and the smaller OECs have I1 clarity - from the description alone I myself would have assumed they were not eye-clean and would have visible imperfections. So I don't think there is any disparity between the posted description and the actual earrings you received...

However, you say you emailed the vendor to inquire specifically about visible black spots and he replied that there were none, and yet you can see them - can you see the black spots with just your eyes (and without having first louped the stone?) If the black spots were only eye-visible to you after you louped the stone, then I myself would not find a contradiction between the email exchange and the actual earrings received. But if black spots were eye-visible to you without louping first, then IMO you have grounds on which to request a price accommodation.

For me personally, I would return the earrings and keep looking - given your price range, I am sure you will come across another pair with better clarity. Good luck with your decision!

 

[yssie]

On the one hand it is a very pretty design, you like the way they look on your ears, and certainly noone's going to be peering at them at close range while you're wearing them!

On the other hand you're disappointed, and that's quite a bit of money to spend on not being entirely happy. From what distance did he say they were clean to the naked eye? And are you more upset with the quality or with the inaccurate appraisal, and do you feel you ultimately paid a fair price for the product? I'd try to make those distinctions and go from there.

 

[Circe]

Ditto to MaryM and Yssie - I think the description sounds pretty accurate*, but I also think that your feelings about the earrings are the important part.

Personally, I would return them and start over: if I start out disappointed with something, I very rarely come to love it with the passage of time. And, while I think they have a great selection and deserve to charge what they charge because of their edit ... Peter Suchy Jewelers have always struck me as having prices at the higher end of retail on vintage goods. I'm cheap enough and enjoy the hunt enough that, having gambled on the "sure thing" and found it wanting, I'd give myself some time to poke around and see what I could find hiding on the internet under my own steam ....

*One thing I will say in addition: I think PS vendors and PS posters have sort of spoiled us when it comes to what "SI" means. If, like, Yekutiel at ID Jewelers tells me something is eye-clean, I know he means "eye-clean to the standards of a bunch of people who post close-up macro photos of their jewelry," and I feel safe buying from him. By general industry standards, though? SI means inclusions that are either VERY visible through a loupe or moderately visible to the naked eye of a person with 20-20 vision at 12" or so: I clarity means the inclusions are either very eye-visible, or pose a structural threat. Just something to keep in mind as you keep looking.

 

[yennyfire]

I agree with the other folks. If you're not happy now, you won't be happy with them in the future. Find something you love....

 

[Rhea]

I agree, find something you love.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I have to agree. Between what you saw in the pictures and the fact that the description lists them as SI2's and I1's, it is safe to say that what you saw in the pictures is truly what is. However, if they are not all you dreamed of or you feel that you overpaid, just return them and start again armed with better knowledge than when you purchased these.

I'm sorry you're disappointed - there's nothing worse than anticipating something only to find it's not quite what you thought. There are other deals to be had though if you're patient and willing to shop around.

 

[Gypsy]

I agree with everyone else. Sorry you are disappointed honey.

My rule of thumb:
On ebay SI means it may have eye visible inclusions. With old cuts SI means you need to ask about chips. VS means it's eyeclean, but you still need to ask about chips. And VVS means the thing is probably okay. Anything below SI on ebay is gonna have black buggers unless the seller explicitly says... it has a honking chip that's setting the grade.

 

[yssie]

I agree with everyone else. Sorry you are disappointed honey.

My rule of thumb:
On ebay SI means it may have eye visible inclusions. With old cuts SI means you need to ask about chips. VS means it's eyeclean, but you still need to ask about chips. And VVS means the thing is probably okay. Anything below SI on ebay is gonna have black buggers unless the seller explicitly says... it has a honking chip that's setting the grade.

That is a depressingly accurate appraisal.

 

[olympia776]

So sorry for the typo in the title! I should never try to do two things at once!

Okay, so I think I feel most disappointed about being able to see the carbon in one of the bottom stones. I feel like that stone is more like an I than SI. I'm also annoyed about the chip. I did ask about carbon and chips and I feel like the seller was misleading. I'm definitely going to write and ask if there's anything he can do for me.

Oh the flip side, I think they're extremely gorgeous. The are very white and so classic. I've got a 1 ct bezel pendent and a 7 stone dbty style necklace that both look beautiful with it. On the ears I don't think that any normal person (non-PSer!) would find any flaws.

The jeweler I took them to - a local place that sells mostly second hand stuff - thought they were beautiful and that the price was very good. I asked him about custom bezels and he said it would probably be at least $500 so even if I bought one of the rings I was looking at it would still be pretty high. I'm thinking it's likely that I'll keep them.

I'm feeling guilty about spending so much on myself but I did sell some jewelry and one of my other collections to pay for them so I suppose I shouldn't feel too bad (right?). Ahh, thank you for reading (if you still are!)!

 

[Rhea]

It's hard spending money on yourself isn't it? Don't worry, it gets easier with practice

I think the style is very pretty and you didn't get a bad price for the earrings - 4 diamonds! It's just down to making sure that you get something that you like.

Let us know what the seller says?

 

[Gypsy]

I agree with everyone else. Sorry you are disappointed honey.

My rule of thumb:
On ebay SI means it may have eye visible inclusions. With old cuts SI means you need to ask about chips. VS means it's eyeclean, but you still need to ask about chips. And VVS means the thing is probably okay. Anything below SI on ebay is gonna have black buggers unless the seller explicitly says... it has a honking chip that's setting the grade.

That is a depressingly accurate appraisal.

I forgot to clarify: On Ebay SI1 means eye visible probable ask about chips. SI2 means eye visible definitely (or a honking chip, be sure to ask about chips). SI3 means "I REALLY don't want to admit it's an I clarity with big black buggers everywhere so I'll get creative." And any seller that uses SI3 in their listings but actually admits to I clarity on a particular piece is telling you that the carbon is still in the process of evolving into a diamond, but hasn't quite made it there yet.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree with everyone else. Sorry you are disappointed honey.

My rule of thumb:
On ebay SI means it may have eye visible inclusions. With old cuts SI means you need to ask about chips. VS means it's eyeclean, but you still need to ask about chips. And VVS means the thing is probably okay. Anything below SI on ebay is gonna have black buggers unless the seller explicitly says... it has a honking chip that's setting the grade.

That is a depressingly accurate appraisal.

I forgot to clarify: On Ebay SI1 means eye visible probable ask about chips. SI2 means eye visible definitely (or a honking chip, be sure to ask about chips). SI3 means "I REALLY don't want to admit it's an I clarity with big black buggers everywhere so I'll get creative." And any seller that uses SI3 in their listings but actually admits to I clarity on a particular piece is telling you that the carbon is still in the process of evolving into a diamond, but hasn't quite made it there yet.

Excellent, Gypsy! I don't even look at ones that say SI on there because I know I don't want visible inclusions. I think my little antique ring was listed as VS1, and it is totally eyeclean and I can't see inclusions with a 10x loupe (but the stone is only .55, so maybe they are just too small to see!).

The main reason I, personally, would not keep those earrings is because if I decided later I wanted better ones, I think they might be hard to sell.

 

[olympia776]

It's hard spending money on yourself isn't it? Don't worry, it gets easier with practice

I think the style is very pretty and you didn't get a bad price for the earrings - 4 diamonds! It's just down to making sure that you get something that you like.

Let us know what the seller says?

I'll let you know. I'm just hoping that it's love and not lust. I'd just hate to really overpay for poor quality stones. On the flip side I don't know that earrings like these would be possible with perfect stones - at least with my budget! I REALLY love this style. They really complement my other pieces.

Here are a couple of pics - ear shot are truly difficult!

 

[olympia776]

It's hard spending money on yourself isn't it? Don't worry, it gets easier with practice

I think the style is very pretty and you didn't get a bad price for the earrings - 4 diamonds! It's just down to making sure that you get something that you like.

Let us know what the seller says?

Well, the seller wrote back very promptly and courteously. He offered to pay for my return shipping or to give me a refund of $150. I just wrote to see if he could do 10%. I think I'll need to get one of the prongs smoothed out for sure - it's extremely rough and I've broken three nails and irritated the heck out of my ear trying to get it in and out.

 

[Gypsy]

I agree with everyone else. Sorry you are disappointed honey.

My rule of thumb:
On ebay SI means it may have eye visible inclusions. With old cuts SI means you need to ask about chips. VS means it's eyeclean, but you still need to ask about chips. And VVS means the thing is probably okay. Anything below SI on ebay is gonna have black buggers unless the seller explicitly says... it has a honking chip that's setting the grade.

That is a depressingly accurate appraisal.

I forgot to clarify: On Ebay SI1 means eye visible probable ask about chips. SI2 means eye visible definitely (or a honking chip, be sure to ask about chips). SI3 means "I REALLY don't want to admit it's an I clarity with big black buggers everywhere so I'll get creative." And any seller that uses SI3 in their listings but actually admits to I clarity on a particular piece is telling you that the carbon is still in the process of evolving into a diamond, but hasn't quite made it there yet.

Excellent, Gypsy! I don't even look at ones that say SI on there because I know I don't want visible inclusions. I think my little antique ring was listed as VS1, and it is totally eyeclean and I can't see inclusions with a 10x loupe (but the stone is only .55, so maybe they are just too small to see!).

The main reason I, personally, would not keep those earrings is because if I decided later I wanted better ones, I think they might be hard to sell.

I look at the SI1 ratings if the price is good and the pictures are good and the seller is one that has good feedback. Especially if there is documentation or a chip or something that says "this diamond is eyeclean, except for the chip. If there was no chip it would be VS". Looking doesn't cost me a dime. My own OEC (which I bought uncertified from a local BM, and not that a great a BM honestly) is an SI2 because of chips and naturals. And I know of one ebay stone that could be mine's twin, and is listed as such. It takes time effort and a lot of messaging vendors for details if you want specific information. And of course, some people lie, so you always need a return policy, even with ebay protection. VS is always safer though, of course, and I don't even bother with anything below SI1.

Olympia, they have great presence on your ears. And with antiques you kind have to take what you can get unless you want to go about finding stones and having them set, which it doesn't sound like you want to do.

They wouldn't be mindclean for me, personally, and I would worry about re-sale as well. But if you love them and are planning on keeping them, and know that you might take a loss on resale then I don't see why you shouldn't keep them.

 

[olympia776]

Well, I heard back from the seller and he's willing to do a 10% price reduction and he's sending heavy friction backs. All in all, I'm pleased. They are pretty amazing on. No, they are not loupe clean and at 6 inches there are some visible spots. However, for 1.77 ctw and platinum I'm happy.

I would be open to finding stones and having them set but I don't know that I'd be able to find four old stones to match to replicate this look and I feel like custom platinum settings would probably be very expensive. I guess in my mind it's worth going with a known that you're happy with versus an unknown that's unpredictable. I'm very picky and anything I've had made I've never been 100% happy with. These, while not 100% ideal, are extremely gorgeous on. I'm not going to be looking at them with a loupe on a regular basis - most likely I'll be looking at them in the rear view mirror and smiling!

 

[Gypsy]

Well, I heard back from the seller and he's willing to do a 10% price reduction and he's sending heavy friction backs. All in all, I'm pleased. They are pretty amazing on. No, they are not loupe clean and at 6 inches there are some visible spots. However, for 1.77 ctw and platinum I'm happy.

I would be open to finding stones and having them set but I don't know that I'd be able to find four old stones to match to replicate this look and I feel like custom platinum settings would probably be very expensive. I guess in my mind it's worth going with a known that you're happy with versus an unknown that's unpredictable. I'm very picky and anything I've had made I've never been 100% happy with. These, while not 100% ideal, are extremely gorgeous on. I'm not going to be looking at them with a loupe on a regular basis - most likely I'll be looking at them in the rear view mirror and smiling!

Then I think you are set! Great news! YAY!!!

 

[olympia776]

Then I think you are set! Great news! YAY!!!

Thanks, Gypsy! I think in part they are just too pretty to let go of! I also see great potential if I get tired of them to make them into a stud and a dangle which sounds nice. They're very sparkly and amazingly white - my poor fiance keeps reminding me of the story of Narcissus. Hopefully I won't fall into the mirror and drown So, I guess I'm pretty taken with them.

The other side of this equation is that I'm selling some jewelry that was given to me by someone I really don't care for so the fact that I could turn a reminder of something bad into something beautiful is just right for me.

 

[Gypsy]

Wear them in happiness and good health honey! And enjoy!

 

[Rhea]

They do have amazing presence on your ears! It's good that you like them and got them for a price that you want. I think you're right, you won't find another 4 oecs, totaling 1.77 carats, in plat for that kind of money.

 

[lucyloo]

They do have amazing presence on your ears! It's good that you like them and got them for a price that you want. I think you're right, you won't find another 4 oecs, totaling 1.77 carats, in plat for that kind of money.

Ditto! They look gorgeous on you! Enjoy them

 

[olympia776]

Thanks you three I'm really enjoying them! There is one spot that I'm not thrilled about on one but you'd have to be right up on top of me to tell. They move just a tad which I really like. They also seem to pull light in a reflect light really well - nothing I've ever noticed with my other diamond earrings.

I was at a couple of antique jewelry/watch places today and saw a pair of earrings that was similar (and extremely gorgeous) and they wanted 10K! I figured for my budget I'm pretty darn happy

(there was another pair that was completely drool worthy though - they were a lever back style with three smaller diamonds down the front each in four prong setting - they bottom was graced with a beautiful tear drop shape - the stones weren't pears but large european cuts with a smaller round, probably a single cut, above that. WOW - so gorgeous! But at 7K I'll just have to visit them!)