Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitional

[sparklypoodle]

Hello old cut lovers! I need your help.

I have been looking for an old diamond, in the 2 ct size range. I have not had much luck so far, but was presented with this one, and wanted to get your thoughts. I have not been given all the specs yet, but what I have been told so far is that it is a transitional 2.05 ct I SI1 that is eye clean. I am not a fan of the setting, and will likely have it re-set into a simple solitaire if I get it, so don't take that part into account. What do you think of the diamond itself? I think I prefer the look of old European cuts, but the truth is, it's a small difference for my untrained eye, so this one seems like a good option.

Thoughts?

 

[rubyprincess]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

I think that setting is utterly gorgeous, wow! I love that.

As for the stone, I know very, very little about antique stones but it doesn't look like a transtional stone to me at all. I want to see what the real experts say though.

 

[decodoll]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

+1

I too really love the setting, but the diamond cut looks strange to me. No open culet that I can see, and not at all the typical chunky checkering type facets that you would expect to see. The only thing that is right is the smallish table. I hope others can chime in, as I am by no means an expert!

 

[kelpie]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

I don't like the look of that stone at all. Just looks like a really sloppily done round brilliant...not even like a transitional. What is your budget? I'm great at finding deals online (I got my 2.24 L VS2 european cut for 4.6k and I'm happy to brag about what a cheapskate I am).

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Oh Kelpie! If you could help me, I would be soooooo grateful!

I too, am quite the cheapskate... I just like the idea of a good deal, not retail prices...

Anyway, my budget is about $5500, and my dream would be around a 2 ct oec. I'm not too picky about clarity. Nothing too yellow, so no warmer than a J or K...

Please let me know what you can dig up for me! I will keep checking back!

Thanks again for your advice to not get the one I posted about. My untrained eyes just can't see the difference...

 

[kelpie]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

No problem, it's fun! Here are some you might want to get on and think about making an offer on. I got mine in a no reserve ebay auction. Too risky for some but it paid off huge for me because I had been thinking we needed to spend 15k to get the ring of my dreams. I'll keep my eye out for you. Have you seen some of the lower colors like L-M in person? They can be really beautiful and are much easier to find than the near colorless old cuts. Sometimes they can take on a dingy appearance in photos but that is not the case in person with most of them...it's more like sunshine if you see any color.

This is a match but there's not a lot of info and I don't know the seller. I'd ask where the inclusions are. I highly doubt the color grade is accurate because there are so few G old cuts that size but it's unfair to expect GIA grading and info when you want bargain basement prices. A lot of people freak out over damage and girdles but I just had my girdle faceted to improve appearance and repair any damage, it's very cheap to do considering how much it improved the look and safety. Ari at Single Stone is your man for that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/14k-White-Gold-Engagement-Ring-Mine-Cut-2-04ct-Diamonds-/160551548885?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item25619e37d5

More:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Loose-1-75cts-Old-European-Cut-Diamond-EGL-Cert-K-VS1-/290532405215?pt=Loose_Diamonds&hash=item43a514afdf
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fine-Old-European-Cut-Diamond-Ruby-Necklace-3-35CT-/230498441537?pt=US_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item35aac71941
http://cgi.ebay.com/EGL-1-55ct-Old-European-Cut-Loose-Diamond-N-Color-VS2-/370319600892?pt=Loose_Diamonds&hash=item5638c4acfc
http://cgi.ebay.com/Estate-14K-YG-Old-Euro-Cut-Diamond-Solitaire-Necklace-/150383916722?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23039476b2
http://cgi.ebay.com/Art-Deco-14kt-Old-Euro-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-1-68ct-/130368842171?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5a96a9bb
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-4ct-I-SI1-European-Diamond-Vintage-Pendant-Platinum-/190480731169?pt=US_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item2c59894c21

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-ANTIQUE-DIAMOND-PLATINUM-ENGAGEMENT-RING-2-18CT-NR-/300477648598?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item45f5dd0ed6
http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PLATINUM-2-10-CT-DIAMOND-Engagement-RING-L-M-VS-/390214015618?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item5ada915a82

 

[vintagelover229]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Have you seen this one at JBEG that they just listed? I love it
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/206ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/15736805_7Bm73#1183072892_RL6zx

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Oh! Thank you thank you thank you!!! You are the best!!!

Kelpie, can I ask you for a huge favor? I put the ones I liked on my watch list, can you edit your post to remove the ebay links? I'm so afraid of a lurker snatching one up from under me...

I will definitely let you know what happens, and if I win anything good, and most importantly, how good of a deal I got thanks to you!!!

Please keep your eyes pealed for me in case you find anything else. I need to send you a commission for your hard work!

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

vintagelover I did see that one from JBEG, and asked about it. While it is beautiful, it is way out of my budget...

I really love these old cuts. Even if money were no object, I would still consider them at the top of my wish list!

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Aerix]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Hi there! I couldn't help but join in the search. I found this one other ring on eBay that's closer to your budget. Not 2cts though, but close:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Old-Cut...82765003?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item4cec58ebcb

 

[kelpie]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

I'm sorry...we only have the capacity to edit our posts for 20 minutes or something. Perhaps the mod would be willing to help.

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Ok, thanks for trying...

I saw one that you posted that I was considering, and it's already gone... I knew this would happen.

It's hard for me to make such a large purchase without asking questions first, and getting a good sense from the seller.

I live in Los Angeles, so always ask if I can see them in person first, but I guess I have a lot of competition out there.

 

[kelpie]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

The competition and interest in old cuts is MUCH stronger now than it was last April when I bought my stone. Even the no reserve auctions can end surprisingly high like close to what you might pay retail from JBEG if they are from the reputable estate auctioneers who move a lot of inventory. I still don't understand which one is gone, they all look active to me. Sometimes you just have to take a bit of a risk and that's when you find amazing deals, that is what return policies and ebay buyer protection is for (I've had to use it and was reimbursed).

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Thanks again.

This is one I was watching, I thought it was from your list, maybe I'm wrong. It went fast for some reason.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=400197971895&si=A1ArwOMQW1iQKpMF5t5pAzzNFJM%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Some have no return policy, which makes me very nervous. For example, in this listing
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160551548885&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
The seller said no returns on this because he is afraid of having the diamond switched... I tried to assure him, but he wouldn't accept a return policy.

The first diamond pics I posted are from an ebay seller I trust, I have bought from her in the past. The ring is not yet listed, but a few people commented here that the diamond is a dog... It is a shame.

Anyway, thanks again, and keep them coming. I will take the plunge eventually!

 

[kelpie]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

This one looks perfect
http://cgi.ebay.com/EDWARDIAN-ANTIQUE-1-94CT-CUSHION-CUT-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/250782461089?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item3a63ccaca1

 

[kelpie]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Confused, it looks like it has a 3 or 7 return policy to me. That one looks like a steal if the inclusions aren't too noticeable.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160551548885&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#rpdId

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Yes, it does look like a steal, but when I contacted the seller, he told me that for that particular ring = no returns.

Anyway, I know my ring is out there, somewhere!

 

[HeartingDiamonds]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Hhmm, cant be so sure based on the photos, but the stone looks very much like an RB to me.

 

[tradergirl]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Here. Just what you want. I saw this guy end the auction once at $4500 but I guess the buyer didn't pay. Looks good to me. Personally, I don't want anything lower than VS2 clarity.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Round-Old-European-Cut-2-06-Carat-Diamond-/260749040846?pt=Loose_Diamonds&hash=item3cb5da9cce

 

[tradergirl]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

I just spent some time going through Ebay and have reached one conclusion:

People are nuts, deluded, call it what you want.

I saw one guy trying to sell an I2 1.4 ct. for 8700 bucks. I wouldn't pay that for a VS1 in that size.

There are so many like that - the mind boggles. I want to email each of them and ask, "why are you even bothering to list this?"

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Thanks tradergirl! I am the one who bid on it as a buy it now!

I have some extra pics and the appraisal that he sent to me. The stone belonged to his grandmother, he found it in an envelope after she passed away. Very nice seller, and easy to communicate with. Will allow a return if I change my mind.

How do you think I did? I am very nervous...

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Here are some pics of the diamond...

 

[sparklypoodle]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

Another pic. This one shows more warmth.

 

[tradergirl]

Re: Please give me your thoughts on this 2ct old transitiona

I thought it looked great and at $4500 for a 2 ct. rock, you stole it. I thought about buying it several times but then I would have just flipped it. I'm glad you got it before some lurker did.