Question regarding Old European AND Modern Cuts in the Same Piece

[holst053]

I recently inherited a diamond wedding band set that was made in the early 1900''s. The ring itself is damaged, but it has 2 beautiful half carat old European cut diamonds in it.

I am planning to ask the love of my life who I''ve been dating for almost 5 years to marry me in the near future, so I''ve been looking at diamond engagement rings. I''m leaning towards a 3 diamond engagement ring style.

I think it would make the ring extra special to have old antique cuts that most people don''t have (and they are becoming rarer each day as more people have them recut) but also have a brand new modern cut to shine as brightly as other rings seen today. The old diamonds carry some sentimental value, although unfortunately she did not personally know the original owner. The antiquity and sentimental value of these diamonds gives them a sort of neat personality.

The idea floating in my head right now would be to take the 2 half carat old European cut diamonds from the damaged ring I have and get them reset into a new engagement ring with a full carat modern cut diamond in the center surrounded on either side by the old half carat diamonds.

My understanding is that modern cut diamonds shine more brilliantly than the older cuts do. My concern is that placing a modern cut diamond next to the old cut diamonds will make the European cuts look dull by comparison.

Has anybody ever seen a piece like I am describing? Did it look good or did the modern cut drown out the older cuts? How much of a difference is there between old cuts and modern cuts in terms of how brilliant they shine? Would the type of piece I described be beautiful or simply bizarre? Are there certain modern cuts that look best when placed next to old cuts?

Thank you for your time, I truly appreciate any input you can provide.

Matt

 

[glitterata]

Can you post pictures of the diamonds in question?

Old cuts and modern cuts are definitely different, but the differences might seem subtle to most people. After all, most people can''t even tell the difference between a diamond and a cubic zirconia. And depending on the particulars of your old cuts, they might be as bright and sparkly in their own way as many modern cuts. Also, people often use (for example) pears or half-moons as side stones for round brilliants, although pears and half-moons aren''t as sparkly.

So it might look fine. Or it might look off. Impossible to say without seeing the stones in question.

Why not take your heirloom diamonds to a jewelry store and put them next to some modern cuts and see what you think?

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Post your ring! I think G''s idea of taking your ring to a shop and have them try and match for color, etc is a good idea. Besides, OEC''s ususally have smaller tables and higher crowns, therefore should be blinginators! (hope I got that right!

)

P.S. Are you sure your GF would want a three stone ring for an ER? ER''s can be trickly devils

.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Elmorton]

Hmmm...personally I would LOVE to have a ring that mixed an RB with two OECs...but I''m afraid that to the average person, it won''t look right - basically, sitting next to an RB, a regular ol person who doesn''t know that OECs exist may think that the sides are "badly cut" diamonds on the sides - because in comparison, the OECs will have chunkier facets and a different light return (so your center stone and side stones will perform differently in the same lighting conditions).

Agreed - I''d check in and see what your gf thinks of 3 stone rings - since it''s her engagement ring, it''s pretty important that it''s a style that she likes! - and also see what she thinks about different shapes of diamonds. For some reason, my brain is thinking that an oval, radiant, or cushion (or a step-cut, but I''d be absolutely sure she likes those before checking them out) would provide a little more contrast in terms of cut and may be more pleasing to the eye than an OEC next to an RB.

 

[ericad]

Old European cut diamonds are beautiful and unique in their own right. Many, such as myself, find them to be more beautiful than modern RB's. My gentle suggestion would be to source an OEC for the center stone to make a knockout 3 stone ring. Have you seen many OEC's in person? Do some research here on PS and you might develop the same kind of old cut obsession as the rest of us, lol. A 3 stone OEC ring with family stones will really make an amazing one of a kind heirloom.

I worry that by mixing an RB center with OEC sides (at 1/2 carat each, the OEC faceting will certainly be apparent) the contrast will not do justice to either cut - they will compete with each other. Not to mention that the depth of the OEC's may not match the center RB, thus making the 3 stone look unbalanced from the side view.

Alternately, if an RB is what you really want, perhaps consider a solitaire or 3 stone made from all modern cuts, and turn the OEC's into a lovely pair of earrings as a wedding or future anniversary gift.

 

[MustangGal]

I also think a modern RB between 2 OECs may just look "off". Would she like a colored stone enaggement ring? They would look beautiful with a sapphire in the middle! Otherwise I would just source another OEC for the middle.

 

[holst053]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I truly appreciate your time in helping me understand this whole thing a little better.

For some reason the thought never really crossed my mind that I could source a third OEC for the center stone! When I had the ring appraised the appraiser told me that there is not really a large market for the older cuts so if I were interested in selling the ring (which I was not) I should try an antique jewelry trader or individual buyer rather than a traditional jewelry buyer. This made sense to me, but it led me to believe that it wouldn''t be possible (or at least not easy) to find another Old cut diamond.

If I wanted to purchase a third OEC for the center stone how would you recommend I go about doing this? I understand a jewelry store would be unlikely to carry them. I found some online traders that sell loose old European cuts, but I am somewhat skeptical of ordering a diamond I have not seen in person. I know the color and clarity of the OEC''s that I have so I could purchase a third that is similar, but am I right to assume that I would want to compare in person since the older cuts are somewhat inconsistent? If I order an OEC with similar color and clarity, would I be assured a center diamond that will match the other 2?

I like the suggestion of using something other than a diamond, such as a sapphire, but I''m thinking that sourcing a third OEC might be the way to go.

Thank you again for your time,

Matt

P.S. A reliable little bird told me she likes 3 stone rings, in case you were curious

 

[Elmorton]

Erica and Grace may be able to help you (www.jewelsbyericagrace.com)- Erica's post above has the link. PSers have been very happy with Erica and Grace and I don't think there's one of us who hasn't just drooled at her lovely finds.

Another site that PSers have used is www.oldworlddiamonds.com.

If you want to go the B&M route, my suggestion is to find a jeweler who also carries estate or antique pieces. My local jeweler just started taking tons and tons of trade-ins for scrap, and when I walked in to ask about old cuts, I was surprised to find that they had a pretty good variety of loose stones.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Any chance you would get the stones unset first and have them appraised? That way (or at least) you can find out the quality of the stones, cut, and their condition. It might help in your search and trying to match (same ballpark).

Besides Erica Grace, Singlestone carries old cuts, as does Old World Diamonds.

BTW, I wonder if you would get a greater response by posting this in Rocky Talky. And provide a link to this thread.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Rhea]

Another idea, if you aren''t set on diamonds, would be to use a coloured stone in the middle. I think you could more easily mix a newly cut coloured stone with the OECs.