Sent my Old Mine Cut stone to GIA and so happy with the results!

[acv123]

I thought GIA didn't do split grades, i.e. it would either be an O or a P. Was your report from the GIA lab or just someone who did their training at a GIA facility and works for a jeweller, but is not certified by GIA?

I took the diamond to the GIA lab in New York, not sure about the split grades but you're right does seem odd since the lower (better?) colors are so strictly defined it seems.

 

[acv123]

That’s lovely. Is it possible to get the name of this trustworthy auction house?

Of course, they were so nice there I'd be happy to send business their way (especially since I don't see myself in the market for another diamond for a loong looong time). It's Grogan and Co.

 

[acv123]

Congratulations! That is one GORGEOUS stone!!!

your asscher is beautiful by the way. I'd love to have one one day. Too many diamonds, too few fingers!

 

[acv123]

you got a 2.59ct VS1 diamond for under $6k??? HOLY CRAP! I love it!

haha yes! + a stressful 3 hours watching the auction and bidding furiously, and having it all be over in 5 seconds! It was a rollercoaster and with a no returns policy, it was a risk. I feel so lucky!

 

[Tekate]

Beautiful stone!!! can't wait to see the ring..

 

[KristinTech]

Thank you! It was my first time buying something that expensive (or even over a couple hundred dollars) in any kind of auction and online so I was really out on a limb. But its so fun! And I find the items in auctions are usually pretty interesting depending on who the specialist is and where the jewelry is coming from.

Mine is a two hour drive, but going to the exhibit to try things on is so fun! My sister and I plan to meet there in a couple of months for it. I scored my pretty Art Deco ring in it (avatar pic)!

I can’t wait to see how you set your new diamond! My anniversary present this year will be a five-stone, and I want old cut diamonds in it of some sort.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Big risk...but lovely payoff.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Niel]

I took the diamond to the GIA lab in New York, not sure about the split grades but you're right does seem odd since the lower (better?) colors are so strictly defined it seems.

Gia absolutely does split grading at lower colored diamonds. You’ll see u-v or x-y. Nothing out of line there

 

[pyramid]

Thanks, I never knew that.

They split on higher letters.

 

[pyramid]

Thanks, I never knew that until now.

Gia absolutely does split grading at lower colored diamonds. You’ll see u-v or x-y. Nothing out of line there

 

[pyramid]

I love your stone, really love the large culets when the stone looks so symmetrical. I was wondering is this known as an antique cushion rather than old mine cut, or maybe the name is interchangeable. I have seen old mine cuts that look the same with large culet but they are round instead or like Yenny's beautiful oval (not seen any like this, just mean it is not square). I thought I read the antique cushions are fewer and far between to find now.

There again I have also read that old mine cuts are more square.

I know they are not old European cuts.

I just wonder where the lines are drawn between antique cushion and old mine cut. Not from a lab description just how jewellers name them, maybe someone like Wink would know if it is interchangeable or not?

 

[dkata]

Such a charming stone for an unbeatable price! You’ve done really well! I’m so curious, how you are going to set it, as I also have an N color OEC, already for one year in a solitaire setting, because I don’t know, how to set it.

 

[BrimstoneTwo]

Such an inspiring thread! I’m in the UK and after we are finished paying for this wedding I’m going to have to start watching for bargain bling.

Your stone is really lovely and can’t wait to see what you do with it. Congratulations!

 

[EvaEvans]

I was skeptical when the first person said it could be an SI2 or lower (maybe the stone was dirty) but extra surprised to hear it again especially after the cert came in.

I have heard of some jewelers who intentionally make low grading in attempt to discourage the owner and get their diamond at low price!

Who knows maybe I just got really lucky with GIA.

I think that you got what it is! You've done good job!

 

[SimoneDi]

Such a beautiful stone and a wonderful story! I am so happy that you were able to find everything you were looking for an more just by following your instincts!

 

[acv123]

Mine is a two hour drive, but going to the exhibit to try things on is so fun! My sister and I plan to meet there in a couple of months for it. I scored my pretty Art Deco ring in it (avatar pic)!

I can’t wait to see how you set your new diamond! My anniversary present this year will be a five-stone, and I want old cut diamonds in it of some sort.

I'd love to go to the exhibit sometime! I love the ring you got! I followed the thread a little while ago and was glad the re-sizing worked out. Can't wait to see your 5 stone ring project progress!

 

[Gabbycat]

WOW! Congrats on a beautiful stone. Can you find one for me, too?

 

[acv123]

I love your stone, really love the large culets when the stone looks so symmetrical. I was wondering is this known as an antique cushion rather than old mine cut, or maybe the name is interchangeable. I have seen old mine cuts that look the same with large culet but they are round instead or like Yenny's beautiful oval (not seen any like this, just mean it is not square). I thought I read the antique cushions are fewer and far between to find now.

There again I have also read that old mine cuts are more square.

I know they are not old European cuts.

I just wonder where the lines are drawn between antique cushion and old mine cut. Not from a lab description just how jewellers name them, maybe someone like Wink would know if it is interchangeable or not?

Hi! I've seen Old Mine and Antique Cushion used interchangeably especially when looking at stones sold by european vendors. After looking at examples of stones billed as either antique cushion or old mine it seems antique cushions have a soft square outline and seem to be not as deep to me. Meanwhile Old Miners seem more rounded and to have more of those culet reflections on the perimeter of the stone giving it a less geometric look. My stone was classified by GIA as Cushion Brilliant but I know GIA has an Old Mine Brilliant classification so maybe they think it leans more toward the cushion end of things? I was told it was an Old Mine but I think its really between. Here are some stones I looked at that I think demonstrate the difference. If anyone else can weigh in please do!


Top in both pics 2+ Antique Cushion, bottom 1.6ish Old Mine

Top is the stone I bought and bottom center stone looks more like an Antique Cushion to me. The bottom was actually smaller in carats but spreadier giving it a shallow look.

 

[acv123]

Such a charming stone for an unbeatable price! You’ve done really well! I’m so curious, how you are going to set it, as I also have an N color OEC, already for one year in a solitaire setting, because I don’t know, how to set it.

Hi, thank you! I think I'm going to set it in gold with french cut sides but i'm not 100% sure yet. Part of me wants to let the stone shine on its own in a solitaire and maybe update the setting later for more sparkle but I'm going to get some input from the designer. I also really really love @Confection10 new setting. Its so classic! So still a little undecided but have a couple ideas. Definitely gold and 6-8 prongs though.
Here's the link to the @Confection10 thread
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-cured-yellow-gold-fever.236256/

 

[LLJsmom]

Well done!!! Congratulations! The stone is beautiful and charming and wonderfully clean! Can not wait to see it its final home.

 

[acv123]

Such an inspiring thread! I’m in the UK and after we are finished paying for this wedding I’m going to have to start watching for bargain bling.

Your stone is really lovely and can’t wait to see what you do with it. Congratulations!

Thank you! I'm sure you'll find something there! Just based on scouring the internet for stones it seems like there are a lot of good finds there just because people have been collecting jewelry for much longer than here in the US. I looked at a ring from DBGems and some others from Plaza Jewelry that I liked both based in the UK.

 

[acv123]

Such a beautiful stone and a wonderful story! I am so happy that you were able to find everything you were looking for an more just by following your instincts!

I can't lie, it was a roller coaster and my fiance to be was definitely worried. But its all really due to the wisdom of people on this board, I think I read every OMC thread from the past ten years

 

[acv123]

WOW! Congrats on a beautiful stone. Can you find one for me, too?

Haha, my boyfriend was saying I need to go into the business now because I have no outlet for all the info I've been accruing over the last couple months. I wish I could have a collection of ten engagement rings and switch them out all the time but now I'm just being greedy!

 

[MarionC]

Congratulations to a successful risk taker! It is a very beautiful stone.

 

[derbygal]

I love old mine cuts and this one too my breath away. What an amazing find. Good for you!

 

[acv123]

pics with natural light and snow outside due to the "bomb cyclone". Makes the stone look nice and creamy. I "set" it on a gold band with some sticky tac just to see what it would look like

Hope everyone stayed warm this weekend!

 

[Queenie60]

Very beautiful stone. Good find - congratulations!

 

[Niel]

Hi, thank you! I think I'm going to set it in gold with french cut sides but i'm not 100% sure yet. Part of me wants to let the stone shine on its own in a solitaire and maybe update the setting later for more sparkle but I'm going to get some input from the designer. I also really really love @Confection10 new setting. Its so classic! So still a little undecided but have a couple ideas. Definitely gold and 6-8 prongs though.
Here's the link to the @Confection10 thread
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-cured-yellow-gold-fever.236256/

Something about this stone screams rubies to me. An antique three stone with a million prongs? That’s probably what I’d do

 

[acv123]

Something about this stone screams rubies to me. An antique three stone with a million prongs? That’s probably what I’d do

I could definitely see 2 cushion cut rubies on either side! Rubies are my fiance-to-be's birthstone so maybe for an anniversary I'll give this stone an update?

 

[MarionC]

Your « set stone » gave me pause...set already!? And such minimalist prongs lol
Then I zoomed in. Brilliant!
Here is my ritani halo...i think your setting is much more elegant : )
It will be fun to see what you finally decide.