Question for the "old cut" Cut Nuts

[Mayk]

Still a novice... Looking for the facts...

My perception of the difference between an OEC and a Transistional Cut... Lower crown, closed culet, results..more spread. I'm sure there is much more but to my eyes those are the standouts... Are there other differences or are any of my perceptions incorrect?

What are the significant differences between Round Brilliants and Transitional Cuts?

 

[elliemay]

I'm not an expert, but here's what I've learned from my own stone (sold as an OEC but I now realise it's more of a trannie ).

OEC = larger culet
OEC = smaller table
OEC = taller crown

For me, trannies look "neater" whereas some (thought not all) OECs are just all over the place. That's part of their charm, though!

To my eye, a trannie has chunkier facets (though not necessarily as chunky as an OEC) than a MRB and reflects back more colour. Generally, when compared to MRBs, I'd say trannies have the same characteristics as above -- larger culets (though they'll be small compared to OECs), smaller tables, and taller crowns.

Of course, this is what I've learned in about four months of spying on PS and scouring eBay, so I'm sure some real experts will come along and give all the technical facts. I'm just talking about what I've observed.

 

[vinjewels]

MayK, I am also novice, but here's a thread I am currently looking at for info. There is a diamond that is more modern cut in there too for comparison. I haven't read the entire thread, but its interesting.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cuts-new-cut-eye-candy-a-question.94179/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cuts-new-cut-eye-candy-a-question.94179/[/URL]

I agree, you need some of the technical experts to chime in who have had both. I have only had the old cuts.

 

[ericad]

Transitionals can kind of be a catch-all bucket to include late OEC's and early RB's. There are no real rules about table size and crown height, but generally speaking Trannys will have no visible culet (or a pinpoint culet), better symmetry, often times larger spread with lower crowns, larger tables and can have a facet pattern that literally looks like you morphed the blocky facets of an OEC with the more arrow-like facets of an RB. But there's lots and lots of variation to be found.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some examples that may be helpful (all examples are previously sold items.)

 

[Upgradable]

I'm not an expert, but here's what I've learned from my own stone (sold as an OEC but I now realise it's more of a trannie ).

OEC = larger culet
OEC = smaller table
OEC = taller crown

For me, trannies look "neater" whereas some (thought not all) OECs are just all over the place. That's part of their charm, though!

To my eye, a trannie has chunkier facets (though not necessarily as chunky as an OEC) than a MRB and reflects back more colour. Generally, when compared to MRBs, I'd say trannies have the same characteristics as above -- larger culets (though they'll be small compared to OECs), smaller tables, and taller crowns.

Of course, this is what I've learned in about four months of spying on PS and scouring eBay, so I'm sure some real experts will come along and give all the technical facts. I'm just talking about what I've observed.

Pretty good assessment, Elliemay. The only disagreement I have is that oecs aren't necessarily "all over the place" with faceting. Since the time period during which oecs were cut was much longer than the timeframe for transitionals, there is an evolution with the precision of faceting. I more heartily endorse the criteria as larger culet, smaller table, and higher crown as oec.

No matter the designation, the MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA for evaluation vintage and antique cuts is, does the stone make your heart sing? That's the only thing that is truly important! Enjoy the process of searching for your dream stone, and welcome to the club!!

 

[yssie]

Check out the wireframes in Karl's article re size of mains and visibility of lgfs under table
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/do_pavilion_mains_drive_light_return_modern_round_brilliant

 

[elliemay]

I'm not an expert, but here's what I've learned from my own stone (sold as an OEC but I now realise it's more of a trannie ).

OEC = larger culet
OEC = smaller table
OEC = taller crown

For me, trannies look "neater" whereas some (thought not all) OECs are just all over the place. That's part of their charm, though!

To my eye, a trannie has chunkier facets (though not necessarily as chunky as an OEC) than a MRB and reflects back more colour. Generally, when compared to MRBs, I'd say trannies have the same characteristics as above -- larger culets (though they'll be small compared to OECs), smaller tables, and taller crowns.

Of course, this is what I've learned in about four months of spying on PS and scouring eBay, so I'm sure some real experts will come along and give all the technical facts. I'm just talking about what I've observed.

Pretty good assessment, Elliemay. The only disagreement I have is that oecs aren't necessarily "all over the place" with faceting. Since the time period during which oecs were cut was much longer than the timeframe for transitionals, there is an evolution with the precision of faceting. I more heartily endorse the criteria as larger culet, smaller table, and higher crown as oec.

No matter the designation, the MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA for evaluation vintage and antique cuts is, does the stone make your heart sing? That's the only thing that is truly important! Enjoy the process of searching for your dream stone, and welcome to the club!!

I see what you mean, Upgradable. I wasn't clear there -- by "all over the place", I meant that the criteria for symmetry aren't as tight on OECs as they are for MRBs, so whereas I wouldn't want a MRB with not-so-great symmetry, I might be more forgiving of that "flaw" in an OEC, if that makes any sense. (Heck, I'm forgiving of nearly every flaw when it comes to old cuts! )

 

[Dreamer_D]

Something else, well cut transitionals are I believe harder to find than well cut OECs, and that is saying something!