Recent Influx of Old Cuts

[madelise]

When I first started lurking PS, back in mid to late 2010, there would be maybe 1 old cut post out of a few pages! And now it seems like old cuts are taking over!

I'm excited! I can't wait to see all the "SMTB" threads!
And I'm totally amused that PS and all the old cuts have created such a trend!!

(I'm guessing it's a PS trend since I have yet to see an old cut on a non-PS-er IRL!)





Wow, that's a lot of exclamation marks!

 

[Stari]

My decision to buy an old cut was definitely influenced by PS. And I am thankful for that!

Stari

 

[justginger]

I knew of old cuts in general since childhood - my mother happened to see a ring she liked in a flea market/pawn shop/etc one day and bought it because the engraving on the wedding band was that day's exact date, the ring owner's 60th wedding anniversary. It's an engagement ring with a ~30 pt OEC in an ornate, handpierced white gold setting, and a matching band with three tiny 1 or 2 pt single cuts. So I've been eyeballing that since I was in elementary school.

That being said, a few members' rings here on PS definitely did push me in the direction of old cuts when engagement ring shopping in 2009. Once I had that stone, there was no going back - I entertained the idea of an MRB for my last purchase, but ultimately my eyes preferred the antique faceting.

I love that lots of other people are really starting to get into these older gems - the SMTB threads have been awesome lately!

 

[junebug17]

My decision to buy an old cut was definitely influenced by PS. And I am thankful for that!

Stari

Oh, me too...I probably would never have even heard of an old cut if it wasn't for PS - and now I have one and am so happy with it - I was able to get a larger stone while staying within my budget, and I am just in love with the look of it and the history behind it. It brings me a little joy every day. I'll always be grateful to PS for that, seriously.

 

[0-0-0]

I must say PS-ers have ninja skills in finding great old cuts. The majority of old cuts I have seen in person don't even come close to the quality of stones most reject here.

 

[Dougsgirl]

This is a little bit of a sore spot for me. When I first started thinking about a new e-ring I was very interested in vintage/antique rings with old stones, but I knew nothing about them. As I did more research (before finding PS) I was advised that it would be a better "investment" to by a new stone/ring that "looked" like an antique, because the OEC's, Old mine cuts don't "hold their value". I was also advised that there is not a really accurate grading system for the old stones (the ones I was looking at were mostly EGL graded stones) and so their quality couldn't be trusted. None of this took into account the fact that I LOVE old stones!!

So... I ended up buying an August Vintage Cushion diamond which I love, but I feel like I was misled. Every time I see a vintage ring here on PS with OEC's in it, I turn slightly green with envy. I love my diamond. But I wish I would have found PS sooner and made a truly unbiased decision. I wonder what I would have ended up with... Maybe I still would have chosen the AVC... but maybe not. And just for the record... I can't stand round brilliants! I think they are boring!

Anyway... glad the Old cuts are getting the respect they deserve! Maybe I'll get one someday in another piece of jewelry!

 

[madelise]

Yes, it's totally cus of PS that I fell in love with old cuts! Is it bad to say that I'm actually GLAD things fell through for SO and myself the first time we attempted to go forward with our relationship?.. because our relationship is 100% better than before, and my diamond is 100% better than what I would have gotten! I would have had a generic radiant or a crushed ice cushion! So very 180 degrees..

So, yes, thank you, PS!

Dougsgirl -- You weren't told wrong about EGL being inaccurate. EGL isn't reliable. I believe I had a thread somewhere about it. Anyway, EGL is the standard for grading old cuts because they actually have an option of labeling the diamond as "Old European Cut" or "Transitional Brilliant", and thus making it clear that it is indeed a fancy cut diamond. GIA will slap "Round Brilliant" on them, and label them a poor cut in terms and #'s of RB standards. That makes the OEC or tranny in question seem like dirt!

Also, because the majority of the diamonds are certed by EGL, the rest of them also get sent there so that the vendors have an apples-to-apples comparison for consumers. If a vendor has one X carat, X color, X clarity diamond graded by EGL for $10k, and then another same X carat, X color, X clarity diamond graded by GIA for $20k, the average consumer won't know the difference and will be upset over the supposed overcharge for the GIA stone, and will go with the EGL. Vendors avoid this conflict, and then choose to cert that other stone through EGL, so that the color/clarity range gets bumped up to be a better comparison for a consumer looking for old cuts.

That's why it's always recommended to bring it to an independent appraiser so you can get a "real" color and clarity grade, without waiting forever and a day (and shelling out big bucks) for GIA to give their judgement.

Okay, sorry for my ramble, enough with that! I'm sure you'll love your AVC. I initially fell in love with AVCs when I first found PS! BUT! If you really do love old cuts, why don't you trade your AVC in for one? GOG's trade in/ upgrade policy is super lenient.. and he can totally source an amazing old cut for you!

 

[madelise]

So I'm a total Curious George when I can't sleep at night.. so I went hunting. I found my EGL thread, but it didn't have as much info as I thought I pulled in from somewheres here. Found 'em! Just in case you wanted to know more about old cuts and EGL grading, dougsgirl!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cut-pricing.178567/
and
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...epting-egl-grading-for-vintage-stones.177154/


I loved the info I picked up from those two threads.

 

[yennyfire]

I have PS, specifically LGK and Forte Kitty, to thank (or curse!) for my love of old cuts! I never really liked modern RBs but I didn't know that there was an alternative. I so wish that I had discovered old cuts way back when my original ering was stolen. It would have saved me so much trouble and $$$! However, all's well that ends well! So, thank you PS for introducing me to the most gorgeous stones I've ever seen!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have always loved old cuts, but I have so little access where I live that I didn't seriously try to find one. I bought one pretty little antique ring on ebay but eventually sold it since I wasn't wearing it often. I just don't have a lot of patience with buying and returning (or reselling) stones, and I think that is what those successful with buying ebay stones have done. They have bought several to many before getting to the "holy grail". I recently was at a location that had high end shops and had the opportunity to look at some larger OEC rings. As gorgeous as they were, the stones were either chipped or too low in color for me (aside from being very overpriced). One did have a setting in excellent condition, but that stone was a little smaller than I would have wanted. It's just hard to find an old stone in a higher color and excellent cut and in a great setting, such as Dreamer's.

Anyway, since I would be getting a new setting, I decided on a newly cut AVR stone as everyone probably knows by now! It can age and be the heirloom of tomorrow!

As far as I can recall, MrsSalvo and Glitterata were about the first two regular posting members with OEC ring. MrsS's first e-ring was an OEC but it was chipped and that began her replacement journey. Glitterata, the luckiest person, had two amazing rings from her grandmothers, I believe (one setting was new, though). I adored her rings way back then, but I have yet to physically see rings the quality of hers anywhere.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

One more interesting note. This trend may be true of PS members, but I have been told by a couple of vendors that they do not see that trend at all in their overall sales.

 

[TXJewel]

I was introduced to old cuts as a little girl. My great grandmother and grandmother had OEC's and Transitional cut stones; both were beautiful, but my heart belongs to the marquise cut. I've lurked on PS for a long time before posting and I would say it did definitely keep my love for old cuts alive. So, when I found an old cut marquise in it's original art deco setting, I was thrilled and am very lucky the shopowner is working with me. Also, because of PS, I will know to have the ring sent to Dave Atlas before finalizing the sale.

 

[junebug17]

I was introduced to old cuts as a little girl. My great grandmother and grandmother had OEC's and Transitional cut stones; both were beautiful, but my heart belongs to the marquise cut. I've lurked on PS for a long time before posting and I would say it did definitely keep my love for old cuts alive. So, when I found an old cut marquise in it's original art deco setting, I was thrilled and am very lucky the shopowner is working with me. Also, because of PS, I will know to have the ring sent to Dave Atlas before finalizing the sale.

Gah!!! Can't wait to see it!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Having jewellery in my "blood" I have been around old cuts for as long as I can remember....regardless of cut, diamonds will always be liquidated when people downsize their collection for one reason or another. Ten years ago I bought a typically styled OEC ring from an Estate--posted it here and it didn't garner much excitment...perhaps because of the style of the ring.....

A few years ago, I asked one dealer about OEC's and he looked at me like I had horns....aren't they "passe" he asked?

cheers--Sharon

 

[Mara]

My local guy has a few OEC's and can source anything, but he said it hasn't caught on yet... I often think that PS is kind of 'ahead' of the market curve, has been in the past (halos, cushions, etc) so it will be interesting to see if we see a larger influx of old stones in higher end jewelry stores in the next few years, by then PS will have moved on most likely. I always have loved old cuts, my first love in a stone almost 10 years ago in a local store was an OEC--came here to ask about it, it's how I found PS. But getting drawn into the whole numbers game as is so easy here, OEC"s don't really fit that bill. Though, I've had lots of diamonds and overall really enjoyed my 'diamond journey' to today. It's fun to see it have it's heyday on PS though.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I was attracted to chunkier diamonds in photos from basically the first time I saw them. I loved Facetfire's old cut, and yes, Glitterata's TWO lovely old cuts too! And LGK's many old cuts and informative posts (I miss her!!). They had old cuts way before it was popular on PS. And when the AVC first came out I was obsessed like everyone else for its chunk.

But without easy access to old cuts or a way to learn about them other than seeing them in person myself (there was not an old cut culture a few years ago that allowed learning from vendors or other helpful PSers) I ended up on the RB upgrade wagon. When I sold my RB a year ago I was too nervous to brave ebay and did not have the budget for a retail OEC the size I wanted. But that changed slowly over the course of a year and I got a diamond that makes my heart go pitter patter in a setting that I love equally. So woo hoo!

If we had the financial means I would have a seriously insane old cut collection. I love those little guys, every last one! Instead I foster them occassionally, it scratches the itch.

 

[Haven]

I definitely have PS to thank for my love of old cuts. I knew I wanted an antique cushion when we were in the process of finding my engagement ring diamond back in 2007, but it took my jeweler about four years to find one that really made my heart sing. I'm so glad he kept up the search, and I'm so glad I knew to ask in the first place! (I know I could have gotten an old cut a long time ago from a beloved PS vendor, but I like the perks of going local, and I have a local jeweler I trust so purchasing long distance wasn't an option for me.)

 

[madelise]

My local guy has a few OEC's and can source anything, but he said it hasn't caught on yet... I often think that PS is kind of 'ahead' of the market curve, has been in the past (halos, cushions, etc) so it will be interesting to see if we see a larger influx of old stones in higher end jewelry stores in the next few years

Then who are all those people driving up the prices on eBay lol.

I think it might get more mainstream as celebrities start getting more antiques. Isn't it hot stuff now to buy vintage? I don't really follow celebrities too much, but I know Miley Cyrus has an authentic antique ring, no? Neil Lane just engraved his logo into it?

 

[that_someone_special]

My local guy has a few OEC's and can source anything, but he said it hasn't caught on yet... I often think that PS is kind of 'ahead' of the market curve, has been in the past (halos, cushions, etc) so it will be interesting to see if we see a larger influx of old stones in higher end jewelry stores in the next few years

Then who are all those people driving up the prices on eBay lol.

I think it might get more mainstream as celebrities start getting more antiques. Isn't it hot stuff now to buy vintage? I don't really follow celebrities too much, but I know Miley Cyrus has an authentic antique ring, no? Neil Lane just engraved his logo into it?

Those would be PSers....

 

[madelise]

My local guy has a few OEC's and can source anything, but he said it hasn't caught on yet... I often think that PS is kind of 'ahead' of the market curve, has been in the past (halos, cushions, etc) so it will be interesting to see if we see a larger influx of old stones in higher end jewelry stores in the next few years

Then who are all those people driving up the prices on eBay lol.

I think it might get more mainstream as celebrities start getting more antiques. Isn't it hot stuff now to buy vintage? I don't really follow celebrities too much, but I know Miley Cyrus has an authentic antique ring, no? Neil Lane just engraved his logo into it?

Those would be PSers....

Haha, we need to come up with a "dibs" system, then! Like,
Back off, fellow PS-ers! I claim dibs on this auction. Stop driving the price up for me!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I had never heard of Pricescope when I fell in love with the most beautiful diamond in the world. A transition cut diamond ring that would become my engagement ring. No other diamond cut IMHO has ever compared. I was thrilled when I found PS and found that others admired old cuts as well.

When I visit second hand jewelry stores and pawn shops they tell me that old cuts are not really popular. Can you imagine?

 

[madelise]

I had never heard of Pricescope when I fell in love with the most beautiful diamond in the world. A transition cut diamond ring that would become my engagement ring. No other diamond cut IMHO has ever compared. I was thrilled when I found PS and found that others admired old cuts as well.

When I visit second hand jewelry stores and pawn shops they tell me that old cuts are not really popular. Can you imagine?

I wish there are second hand jewelry stores around here! I don't know of any I'd love to plant a dollar and grow a money tree, so I can go and save all those abandoned old cuts in pawn shops!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I had never heard of Pricescope when I fell in love with the most beautiful diamond in the world. A transition cut diamond ring that would become my engagement ring. No other diamond cut IMHO has ever compared. I was thrilled when I found PS and found that others admired old cuts as well.

When I visit second hand jewelry stores and pawn shops they tell me that old cuts are not really popular. Can you imagine?

I wish there are second hand jewelry stores around here! I don't know of any I'd love to plant a dollar and grow a money tree, so I can go and save all those abandoned old cuts in pawn shops!

If you decide to visit any neighboring towns with pawn shops or "Gold and Coin shops" make sure you ask. I have found many an old cut in a setting waiting to be melted down with the diamond being sold to someone else who would recut it.