Questions on Octavias

[SandyinAnaheim]

I was reading through some older threads and bumped into Kenny's classic Octavia "shouting from the rooftop" threads. Those threads lead me to GOG's Octavia videos and I'm awestruck by their scintillation and light reflection properties!! They look lit from within! KarlK and DiaGem - you sirs are scholars and gentlemen, not to mention genius. But it's your fault I'm starting to talk myself into needing one....or two.

So I was wondering if there is a minimum carat weight requirement on the Octavias due to their cut? I've only seen .90+. Maybe .4s or .5s don't make sense because of the cut/optics? Are Octavias generally cut from rough or existing Asschers? Can a pair be custom ordered in some way so that color, clarity and size match to the best degree possible? Thanks!

Oh, I'm going to be in SOOOOO much trouble!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I will let Karl answer most of your questions, but I know Jon will attempt to custom cut pairs in specialty cuts if appropriate rough can be found. I am pretty sure they are not cut from asschers.

 

[Karl_K]

The virtual facets get a little on the small side much under 1ct. but the main reason is cutting costs.
The cost of cutting them is very high and smaller stones won't cover the cutting costs.
Without Yoram inventing a cutting process for them they would be uneconomical to cut.
It is cut from rough that wont make a top stone in a cushion or a more standard asscher because the cut uses too much of the rough. Have to find one that wont cut a top but has enough for the crown of the Octavia.
Jon and Yoram handle custom orders and availability will depend on what rough Yoram has or can find.
It is possible if Yoram can get the rough.

As much as I love the cut a well cut more traditional asscher has the advantage at .4ct to .5ct sizes.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

Thank you DS, and Karl for the information. I guessed it might not be cost-effective in the smaller size. But after having seen the Octavia, I'm even less interested in the Asscher then I was before. I'm not a fancy cut sort of person AT ALL - but the Octavias are SO multi-dimensional and unique that I cannot resist it!

 

[kenny]

Another factor to consider regarding what minimum size 'works' is your vision.
If you are young with good vision you are able to resolve and enjoy the pattern and detail of smaller stones than us old farts sliding down the slippery death slope.

Recently I bought a 1.51 ct Octavia after comparing it in person to a 1.02 ct.
The smaller stone still had identical fire and light performance.

IMO there are two separate things I want to see and enjoy in a diamond, light performance and the diamond's pattern itself.

Though the 1 ct Octavia had the same light performance as the 1.5, my old eyes were not able to resolve and enjoy the 1 carat's Octavia pattern.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Thank you DS, and Karl for the information. I guessed it might not be cost-effective in the smaller size. But after having seen the Octavia, I'm even less interested in the Asscher then I was before. I'm not a fancy cut sort of person AT ALL - but the Octavias are SO multi-dimensional and unique that I cannot resist it!

Me too!... If I were to buy a non round stone the Octavia would be it

 

[luvdajules]

Me three...but I also love the AVC too. This is the one downside of PS! I didn't even know about these 2 other cuts and now I have to have them eventually