Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Question about old mine reported inclusions 3.8 ct M SI1

E

ESSBEE

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2025
Messages
15
I found a beautiful old mine ring just under 3.8 carats that is on the warmer side, M SI1. I know old mines have a lot of personality and unique characteristics which I love, but the GIA report shows a lot of markups on the clarity characteristics. In person I can see the imperfections at the girdle, and it’s definitely has imperfections, but I’m trying to gauge whether at $25k fully set in 18k gold and platinum whether it’s still vastly over priced.

As I said, I do love the uniqueness and personality of OMBs, but I do want to be smart and don’t want to buy it if I’m getting ripped off or if it’s structurally unsound.

Thoughts?

Screenshot 2025-06-09 at 11.38.00 PM.pngScreenshot 2025-06-09 at 11.38.49 PM.png
 
A big problem these days is diamonds with chips are hard to insure and if you have a claim they can say the damage was preexisting because of the chip and deny a claim.
It would need to be cleaned up and a new report before I would consider buying it and with everything it has going on at the girdle that could cause more problems than it fixes.
 
I think I know the vendor where this ring is. I would firstly ask what the return policy is and are you locked in with this particular vendor or are you in search of any old mine cut/ring? If the latter, we can definitely help find some options for you.

I just looked at the plot for my 3.6ct M SI2 and it has less inclusions on the plot than yours and also almost half the price (granted this was a few years ago).

If you are set on this particular stone and ring then we can give you our opinion.

Screenshot 2025-06-10 141859.png


I am pretty sure the ring you are referring to is the bottom one. How do you feel about it?
 
I’m pretty sure that’s the same one! I did love the shape and look on my hand but I’d love any and all opinions.
 
(note I have seen it in person)
 
So you have tried it on hand? Besides the shape, do you love anything else about it?

From the videos my opinion is it's not a great cut. The faceting is a bit messy and the inclusions are distracting.

Have you seen other examples of old mine cuts?
 
I’ve tried on a handful of other old mines and for the size / price / shape this one has felt the best, the others I’ve tried on in budget are much smaller. Clearly there is a reason for this.

I am of the opinion if I cared about perfection I’d go with a lab diamond, and that the beauty of an antique is that it has some character. So the symmetry of the cut doesn’t bother me, I think my biggest concern would be around the clarity and if what I’m looking at is actually “scary”, especially for the price (or understanding at what price it isn’t scary).

Do you know anything about the seller? They’ve seemed very nice so far but it’s my first time working with them.
 
Their prices are on the higher end of other old cut diamond resellers.

A lot of us on PS are antique cut lovers and it's not about perfection. We assess each stone to ensure we do not buy a dud - lab or not. Finding a old cut diamond is more than just the size/price/shape. There is so much about the cut that you cannot underestimate. There are different flavours of old mine cuts.

If you want, we can do a search for you if you give us some parameters like size/carat weight and budget and any other preferences? Also are you only considering old mine cuts and not old european cuts?
 
Last edited:
I appreciate the input, I’m looking for 2.5ct (I do like bigger when possible, so ideally over 3ct) OMB for under $25k, I was initially looking for elongated, maybe a 1.3 ratio but have warmed to ones that are closer to 1 but don’t look too square. I don’t think I’d go lower than an M color, though I’ve been surprised before! If you have any thoughts I’d love to hear them.
 
Okay let me have a look and get back to you!
 
I am on a bit of a deadline. Would your opinion of the stone change if it was set and all in $22k?
 
ESSBEE said:
I am on a bit of a deadline. Would your opinion of the stone change if it was set and all in $22k?
Click to expand...

Would you prefer loose or set?

I don't love the stone, so I would rather find another stone that I loved for that price, even if it was 22k.
 
maryjane04 said:
There are some that fit the bill at https://47jewelry.com/

Screenshot 2025-06-10 153338.png

The 3.64 is a no go.
There is no video for the 3.91.
The 3.32 is really nice! I like it.
Click to expand...

Left and middle have the same image? Fishy. And too dark under the table.

OP don’t have more images of the original stone you posted?

Not super concerned about inclusions. Antique diamonds have these types of inclusions. The way they cut the stones 150 years ago meant rough tools that often led to messy girdles like that. They were way more inclined to leave naturals and indented naturals than we are today, and they are old! Chips are common.

I own antique diamonds with chips as grade making inclusions. My insurer JM told me that the policy would not cover fixing the existing chips. But if a complete loss happened the stone would be replaced with like kind based on the lab report (eg K SI2). FYI.

I’d like to see more images of your original before offering an opinions. OMC and OMBs are the most rare old cuts. I’d be cautious about excluding one you have seen and liked in person.
 
Thank you across the board! I'm actually going back to see it in person today, as well as an N VS1 Old Euro that is gorgeous but definitely doesn't have the same personality. @Dreamer_D Attaching 2 videos below, one on me, one on the sales person.

Ring on me
Ring on salesperson

I'm also stopping by 47Jewelry today as well to see their options.
 
Last edited:
@maryjane04 oh! That website always causes me issues being in Canada for some reason. I can’t really look things up.

That original diamond is not bad. It is a little dark under the table but the obstruction isn’t awful. It doesn’t appear to have awful leakage or fish eye or nail head or those real deal breakers. That style of old cut is hard to find, and being so old and wonky I don’t mind if it’s not perfect. Wanting a stone M color or better is also a limitation ana most large OMCs that survived are cape color. Ideally a slightly smaller table among other things would help it be more lively. It is possible to find a stone with a nicer cut but it may not have the proportions that you like otherwise. But seeing it in person is really ideal and you are lucky to do that. Comparing it to others is even better. Look at it in lots of lighting and make sure you like how it looks across settings. The incisions appear to be white and dispersed so it may not bother you too much. Again, assess in person and also examine with a loupe so you really know what you are getting. What does the report say about the girdle?

I don’t like the setting it’s in though. Very high and exposed is not the best for antiques especially ones that have a more fragile girdle. I would personally want to protect the diamond with either a faux bezel or lots of prongs — like 10! It may be ok temporarily but I’d want to change it asap.

I can’t really comment on price as I don’t track huge rocks.

Please keep us posted on your visits!! Take lots of pictures and videos for us!!

Gonna tag @LightBright @newtojewels and @Lookinagain and @EllieTO as well.
 
Dreamer_D said:
@maryjane04 oh! That website always causes me issues being in Canada for some reason. I can’t really look things up.

That original diamond is not bad. It is a little dark under the table but the obstruction isn’t awful. It doesn’t appear to have awful leakage or fish eye or nail head or those real deal breakers. That style of old cut is hard to find, and being so old and wonky I don’t mind if it’s not perfect. Wanting a stone M color or better is also a limitation ana most large OMCs that survived are cape color. Ideally a slightly smaller table among other things would help it be more lively. It is possible to find a stone with a nicer cut but it may not have the proportions that you like otherwise. But seeing it in person is really ideal and you are lucky to do that. Comparing it to others is even better. Look at it in lots of lighting and make sure you like how it looks across settings. The incisions appear to be white and dispersed so it may not bother you too much. Again, assess in person and also examine with a loupe so you really know what you are getting. What does the report say about the girdle?

I don’t like the setting it’s in though. Very high and exposed is not the best for antiques especially ones that have a more fragile girdle. I would personally want to protect the diamond with either a faux bezel or lots of prongs — like 10! It may be ok temporarily but I’d want to change it asap.

I can’t really comment on price as I don’t track huge rocks.

Please keep us posted on your visits!! Take lots of pictures and videos for us!!

Gonna tag @LightBright @newtojewels and @Lookinagain and @EllieTO as well.
Click to expand...

I actually pointed OP here after her Reddit post!

She has been looking for a few months and said she liked this best. My comment was basically, "there's a reason this grabbed you more than the others you've seen and the heart wants what it wants. Go check out 47 Jewelry to make sure you've seen a well-priced NYC vendor with a lot of stock and if you still like this best, go forth -- with insurance!"
 
newtojewels said:
I actually pointed OP here after her Reddit post!

She has been looking for a few months and said she liked this best. My comment was basically, "there's a reason this grabbed you more than the others you've seen and the heart wants what it wants. Go check out 47 Jewelry to make sure you've seen a well-priced NYC vendor with a lot of stock and if you still like this best, go forth -- with insurance!"
Click to expand...

Yes good advice.
 
newtojewels said:
I actually pointed OP here after her Reddit post!

She has been looking for a few months and said she liked this best. My comment was basically, "there's a reason this grabbed you more than the others you've seen and the heart wants what it wants. Go check out 47 Jewelry to make sure you've seen a well-priced NYC vendor with a lot of stock and if you still like this best, go forth -- with insurance!"
Click to expand...

I was basically going to say the same thing. I kind of like the stone. I would decide whether the inclusions bothered me when seeing it at its normal size and not enlarged. If they didn't, and its the stone you liked the best, it doesn't need to be perfect and it doesn't matter if it isn't the stone someone else would choose. I do agree with @Dreamer_D that you need a setting that will protect it. And honestly, those would probably more era appropriate anyway.

I can't comment on price either though, I'm not a large diamond person.
 
Updates all around! I went back and saw it in person, and then went over and saw four "comparable" stones at 47 and the first old mine that I initially posted still spoke to me and felt "right". I spent some time examining through the loupe and the most visually concerning inclusions up close really didn't bother me when I was looking at it normally.

@newtojewels had a great question to me after I went to 47 Jewelry, and asked if I'd be upset if anyone purchased the stones out from under me, and I wouldn't have at all, but I would have if this ring got swiped away, which feels like it says a lot! Thank you for all your guidance!

I'll definitely eventually get it reset in a more secure setting, and I have a moissanite fun ring for any situations where it feels like I may be harder on my hands, but something about this one feels right.

I will say, the sales woman I'm purchasing from has been absolutely lovely and thoughtful and communicative. That's not the reason I picked this stone particularly, but considering how chaotic and impersonal the diamond district can feel, she's really made this a comfortable and personal experience. Maybe it's a sales tactic, but it's a good one!
 
ESSBEE said:
Updates all around! I went back and saw it in person, and then went over and saw four "comparable" stones at 47 and the first old mine that I initially posted still spoke to me and felt "right". I spent some time examining through the loupe and the most visually concerning inclusions up close really didn't bother me when I was looking at it normally.

@newtojewels had a great question to me after I went to 47 Jewelry, and asked if I'd be upset if anyone purchased the stones out from under me, and I wouldn't have at all, but I would have if this ring got swiped away, which feels like it says a lot! Thank you for all your guidance!

I'll definitely eventually get it reset in a more secure setting, and I have a moissanite fun ring for any situations where it feels like I may be harder on my hands, but something about this one feels right.

I will say, the sales woman I'm purchasing from has been absolutely lovely and thoughtful and communicative. That's not the reason I picked this stone particularly, but considering how chaotic and impersonal the diamond district can feel, she's really made this a comfortable and personal experience. Maybe it's a sales tactic, but it's a good one!
Click to expand...

So......does that mean you got it?
 
Thank you for the update. The heart wants what the heart wants. In terms of pricing, I hope you could negotiate that with her since it's on the higher end of what other vendors are charging. I'd be doubly happy for you to get a deal.
 
maryjane04 said:
Thank you for the update. The heart wants what the heart wants. In terms of pricing, I hope you could negotiate that with her since it's on the higher end of what other vendors are charging. I'd be doubly happy for you to get a deal.
Click to expand...

I definitely did! If there's anything I love as much as a diamond, it's an honest negotiation. When everything is finalized I'd be happy to update where we landed.
 
ESSBEE said:
I definitely did! If there's anything I love as much as a diamond, it's an honest negotiation. When everything is finalized I'd be happy to update where we landed.
Click to expand...

That's so good and I'm so happy that you did! There's nothing better than knowing you paid a fair price. I'm glad your research paid off!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top