recutting 4 carat...helllppp

[keytoagt]

i have recently acquired a diamond purchased in Paris in 1945. It''s a round cut, 4 carat daimond, I1 or I2 H or I color. ITS HUGE. FOr the price of 3500.I want to increase the quality of this diamond. Should i leave it alone or have it recut. I brought it to a local jewler and she told me not to but it cause its an old cut, but i bought it anyways. I live here in So Cal. What are my options and what would some of you do?tim [email protected]

 

[AChiOAlumna]

You can always bring it to a master diamond cutter and ask them what his/her opinion is as to your options. I don''t know where you are in So. Cal, but I know there is an established diamond cutter in Irvine.

 

[Mara]

I would have it recut into an Eightstar!!! Depending on how it is cut now, you''d lose carat weight and it would cost (not sure how much?!?!) but that would be a stunning stone (and probably still absolutely huge!) when all was said and done!

 

[keytoagt]

i live in anahiem, where in irvine is this diamond cutter, will he be able to appraise the diamond too?

 

[lumpkin]

Wow. You may end up with a higher clarity as well, depending on where they cut and where the inclusions are. I''ve always wondered about having a diamond recut, so this is very interesting.

Can we see photos of this "little" gem???

 

[SeaOats]

I personally dislike people recutting an old cut diamond. I''m just a bit sentimental and love the history of the stone, not to mention the older cut. But that''s just me.

 

[d_vader]

I think it depends on the type of person you are.

If you value sentimental things then leaving it alone might be better to preserve the history of that diamond.

If you are into beauty and believe that having it recut would increase its beauty then I would go for that.

There is also a third variable: monetary value. How much would that diamond be worth after recutting? Would it increase the price? I don't think all diamonds increase in price if you recut it to an 8* or H&A...am I right or wrong about that?

Personally, I wouldn't get it recut until I find out more about that diamond.

 

[keytoagt]

i will get pictures asap...i got a good deal right?

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/4/2005 12:53:04 PM
Author: keytoagt
i will get pictures asap...i got a good deal right?

I hope so too, but can't really tell. Of course the price sounds incredibley small for a diamonds - if it also looks attractive, you surely have.

If you do have it recut, this may be the first question to ask - is it worth it, will there be some improvement eyc. It is possible that you may end up with a smaller diamond of worse grades and a different shape. Or everything could work out better. The cuter could tell you this for sure, and it may be that some appraisers could give some impartial advice.


This doesn't mean I am not looking forward to look at those pictures!

Can't wait, in fact.


Do you have a certain output in mind? If you don't want the shape drastically changed but only proportions improved, the result could be a thrill. I still want to optimistic and believe that some imperfections are extrenal (old diamonds come with chips and scratched that lower clarity grades). An dan old cut shape done to 'ideal proportions' is a very, very pleasant thought - well, to me at least.


Bets of luck!

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 11/3/2005 10:10:24 PM
Author: keytoagt
i live in anahiem, where in irvine is this diamond cutter, will he be able to appraise the diamond too?

Yes...they can do appraisals as well....

They are located just off the 405 by the John Wayne Airport.

 

[perry]

Congradulations on the find.

I would not recut just for the sake of recutting it. Their are afterall risk (and it could shatter is the internal stresses are high).

Dave Atlas is an expert on "old mine cut" diamonds.

I''d ship it to him and let him personnally appraise it and tell you your options.

It may be best to leave it as is. It may already have a great light return which you could see with an idealscope or similar.

If you were to have it recut. 8* is an option, so is Infinity. I would definitally go with a good brand instead of just any local recutter (I believe 8* is out your way though).

Perry

 

[denverappraiser]

Tim,

Hire professional assistance. The decision to cut or not can get quite complicated and there are far more variables than you are imagining. Are you planning on wearing or gifting the final stone or is this intended as a business venture? What's your source for the grading information you provided?
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 11/4/2005 12:35:14 PM
Author: Rascal49
I personally dislike people recutting an old cut diamond. I''m just a bit sentimental and love the history of the stone, not to mention the older cut. But that''s just me.

This is an interesting question and can be a bit of a dilemna. Some of the older cuts are quite beautiful all in their own right, and some are, well let''s just say, old.

If you have one of the beauties, then it is a shame to recut it rather than enjoy it as it is. Still, if you got one of the tired old, "why did they do this to the stone?" type of old cuts, then it will definitely benefit the appearance, and quite possibly the value of the diamond.

For the stone to be worth only $3,500 (was that for the diamond or for the carat?) the stone must NOT be at all attractive as it is. The I1 - I2 designation concerns me. Are the inclusions the type that might not allow for recutting or can they be lost in the dazzle of a modern cut? So many questions, so little information. Hard to say with what you have given us, but the answer is probably that yes, it can look way better in a modern cut if it is not one of the attractive older cuts. If it is one of the attractive cuts, then you have probably gotten one of the deals of the year and you may want to think about whether or not you will have a diamond that is more valuable as it is or would you significantly benefit by recutting. (Only you can answser this, if you don''t like it as it is then it does not matter what I or any one else thinks.)

You will definitely want to speak to a professional in your area that can counsel you on the possibilites and the values of your diamond both ways, as is and recut. Please keep us posted, as it sounds like it will be an interesting project, no matter what you finally decide.

Wink

 

[denverappraiser]

$3,500 for a 4 carat stone is very inexpensive. So much so that I''m confident that there is more to this story. Did you buy this from an individual or a dealer?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver