Should I keep this OEC?

[phale]

I've received the diamond yesterday and I have a few days to return.

When I first opened the box, I can immediately see the black leakages (I dont know what's called, you can see from pics below).

Before this OEC, I bought a MRB with HCA = .8 and good idealscope image. However, this MRB just faces up very white. It's whiter than Tiffany's G color in the store, I even asked them to compare under the window. the MRB blinded me when I was outside in the sun but it did not pull colors around it. The Tiffany's stone looks like a drop of color which pulls color around and... very 3D looking. So I returned the MRB.

This OEC pulls so much color around it, very pretty. I feel like I can see layers and layers of the pastels. When I tilt it, I can see deeper layers, like looking into her soul . It does not blind me under the sun like the MRB but inside the house, it sparkles very pretty. Now I know what you all means by disco ball. Especially when I see its reflection in the mirror, it's extremely sparkle.

HOWEVER, there is a dark half circle around the table (dark C ) that bothers me. I see it most of the time. This morning I have been taking it out and in of the box to see how much I can tolerate the dark C .

Specs:
1.42 H, Si1 GIA
Polish VG
Symmetry G
Flour: None
Table 57
Depth 61.5
Crown 36
Pavillion 42.5
Culet: slightly large

Pic 1: You can see the black circle Im talking about from the pic below


You can see the black circle Im talking about from the pic above.

Pic 2: the circle again


Pic 3: idealscope


Pic 4: idealscope again


pic 5


The circle does bother me. But I dont know if this is common in OEC.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yes, that is leakage. Common in old cuts. Remember they did not have computers to help them plan a diamond's cut!

It seems you have a lot of positives about this stone. I had an OEC a while back that I loved many positives about. But there was a certain aspect of its optics that bugged me when I noticed it, so I did not keep it. Not leakage like this, but another issue. In retrospect, had the stone not been for my e-ring -- I am very OCD about my e-ring! -- I would have kept it. With old cuts, you cannot just order up a diamond with all the features you want! There is luck and the hunt involved. And usually there is some type of compromise. But everyone I know who has an old cut they adore spent a very long time looking and test drove quite a few before they settled!

Wear the ring for a day or so. See if the positives outweigh the negatives for you. And if its not the one for you, then keep looking! I am going to say most ppl with an old cut they adore spent a year looking

 

[SB621]

Yes, that is leakage. Common in old cuts. Remember they did not have computers to help them plan a diamond's cut!

It seems you have a lot of positives about this stone. I had an OEC a while back that I loved many positives about. But there was a certain aspect of its optics that bugged me when I noticed it, so I did not keep it. Not leakage like this, but another issue. In retrospect, had the stone not been for my e-ring -- I am very OCD about my e-ring! -- I would have kept it. With old cuts, you cannot just order up a diamond with all the features you want! There is luck and the hunt involved. And usually there is some type of compromise. But everyone I know who has an old cut they adore spent a very long time looking and test drove quite a few before they settled!

Wear the ring for a day or so. See if the positives outweigh the negatives for you. And if its not the one for you, then keep looking! I am going to say most ppl with an old cut they adore spent a year looking

+1 to everything Dreamer said. My cushion is not cut fantastic and looks assymetrical when it was set as a solitare. I know that is different then leakage but the point is that most older cuts have issues. You just have to figure out if you can live with it or not.

 

[MomInstyle]

Hey there,

I think it's pretty but again I am an amateur so I am no help at all. Looking at your ring, it's kinda like mine with leakage when looking at certain angel. I agree w/ what poster stated above. With older cuts, it comes with more or less issues but it's depend what you are willing to compromise. I've looked at 8 OECs in IRL and each one has issue. Will the be your main ering? JBEG has 3 days to return policy, you can wear it today and tomorrow to see to see how you feel.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I want to emphasize that you can find old cuts with minimal to no leakage. I own one and have seen a few others. They are very hard to find, especially in larger sizes (over 7mm). I don't want to make it sound like all old cuts are leaky. But many are! And I am not only talking about lopsy fugs, either

 

[phale]

Hey there,

I think it's pretty but again I am an amateur so I am no help at all. Looking at your ring, it's kinda like mine with leakage when looking at certain angel. I agree w/ what poster stated above. With older cuts, it comes with more or less issues but it's depend what you are willing to compromise. I've looked at 8 OECs in IRL and each one has issue. Will the be your main ering? JBEG has 3 days to return policy, you can wear it today and tomorrow to see to see how you feel.

you're so lucky being able to see 8 OEC's. My e-ring has no sparkle so for this upgrade, I really want one that has good light return and fire

I love the fire of this ring but I can see that leakage and it's for my upgrade ering so I dont know if I want something that every time I look at it I can see something that I dont like

 

[phale]

I want to emphasize that you can find old cuts with minimal to no leakage. I own one and have seen a few others. They are very hard to find, especially in larger sizes (over 7mm). I don't want to make it sound like all old cuts are leaky. But many are! And I am not only talking about lopsy fugs, either

I need you to help me find a ring like Charmy's . I take half of the quality. You have no idea how many of your posts I have read through.

With my first MRB, I can see the yellow tint with an I color. But it does not bother me. However this leakage does. For now I am not concern about lively facet pattern, symmetry...I just want one with minimal leakage and gives me good light return and that pretty flowery snowflake pattern. Im thinking to go back to a modern round now but after seeing this OEC, i know i want an OEC

Dreamer, my husband would flip if he hears the search can last a year lol. He said the first 2 week was fun but now he wants me to find one so I can focus on something else.

Every time I return something I feel bad. Grace is amazing and she has gone extra miles for me (I have best experience with her out of all the vendors) . I want something on my finger NOW but I cant find her.

 

[Dreamer_D]

What is your budget? Let me look on JBEG and see if there are any others I would recommend you exchange this one for, ones more promising in patterning perhaps. You did not like the I color in an MRB but are you open to lower color in an OEC? I prefer GH in MRBs but like KL in oldies.

And BTW: symmetry and lively faceting ARE what will create a stone that is "minimal leakage and gives me good light return and that pretty flowery snowflake pattern". It is all related.

 

[phale]

What is your budget? Let me look on JBEG and see if there are any others I would recommend you exchange this one for, ones more promising in patterning perhaps. You did not like the I color in an MRB but are you open to lower color in an OEC? I prefer GH in MRBs but like KL in oldies.

And BTW: symmetry and lively faceting ARE what will create a stone that is "minimal leakage and gives me good light return and that pretty flowery snowflake pattern". It is all related.

I've not seen a KL in OEC. I would like it to face up white. I would think Im pretty color sensitive.

My budget is up to 15k. I like to stay in the 7k range though so that I can buy some more . 15k will restrain me for more projects.

I'd already have a "custom" mounting for me from my jeweler. It's a twisted shank with the 6 prong head. My jeweler just ordered the parts from his Stuller catalog then he assembled them. So it would be best for me to find an OEC that fits this setting. So maybe 1.2 to 1.3 ct.

Again, I really appreciate all your comments and your help. I'd love to have you all on my journey to find the one.

 

[SB621]

oh fun!!! Let the hunt begin!!!

 

[phale]

oh fun!!! Let the hunt begin!!!

YAY,I feel so much better having someone to hold my hands

 

[phale]

As well; JBEG always has nice OECs for great prices; although, I would consider Single Stone in LA, or Langs in SF for more extensive selections (although the $$ will likely be higher). I just noticed that your budget is in the 10k range...for the size you are considering, you should be able to get a very, very nice OEC!! Do NOT settle !!

Good luck & happy hunting!!

Of course no offense. I'd rather you tell me im not good so that I can learn

 

[phale]

Oh, as well, a well cut & patterned OEC, even in the K-L range will most likely face up very white...they can be moody, for sure, but generally, with the well cut ones, they face up about 1 to 2x better than their color grade.

I was calling mine a J for the longest time; but I just pulled the report out & it's a K. I've uploaded a pic for reference; the diamonds in the band, by the way, are E-Fs...so you can see that it does indeed face up considerably whiter.

So basically, you're looking for an OEC with a width of about 7 to 7.2mm then?

Oh I can clearly see the facet pattern on yours and no leakage that I can see

I've already have a setting to fit a 7 to 7.2 but I'm open to bigger diamond

 

[phale]

I've been eyeing on this one. But the stone is a little smaller, I dont know if it would fit the current setting and if the seller is willing to sell the diamond only. What do you all think though? I want to train my eyes to know what's good.

The table is larger at 56% than many of you would like.

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/110ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/27846587_3xsrxD#!i=2349042185&k=h92nc3p

 

[phale]

bmgdesign,

you're right it's a little bit small. I want in a 1.2 to 1.5 ct range. I saw an 1.9 something on jbeg that I like from the pics but because of my job, i'd rather not to go that big.

does the ebay diamond have kozibe effect? i've never seen one IRL but on picture, Im the weird one that I dont like it
I can clearly see the flower under the table. However I cant make of the outer facets. Is it because of a still image that the pattern looks ... confusing?

 

[phale]

i've been local shopping

I found a 2.26 EGL L color VS2 at a local store. The facets are pretty and I was pleasantly surprised looking at it through my idealscope. The idealscope image looks like an August Vintage Round to me.

It has 46% table and 62% depth. I know it's a lot bigger than I want but that's the only one they have. The owner has sent all of his OECs to be recut except this one. I was told that I am the 2nd person come asking for an OEC. The first person was 20 years ago.

I put down a deposit on Saturday. Today when I came back to pick it up, the pastels under the table are very lazy and it may have head obstruction. When I moved the diamond around, nice fire and sparkles were being thrown off from the outer facets but none came from the pastels under the table. The center is not black, it's darker and lazy.

Im thinking to get an August Vintage Round now.

Now I have found out about OEC, i cant choose a modern round any more. I was compare this diamond to a 2ct hearts on fire and I still love this OEC better.

 

[phale]

@ Phale:

Yes, probably a bit small for what you're after . A 1ct is super if you're setting it in a halo !

And, by the way, I'm not a fan of the kozibe effect either, I think it clutters up the pattern of the cut...so you're no weirder than I

Would you mind my asking what your profession is? Also, are you set on the six prong setting? Have you looked here on PS at the other scoper's truly fabulous settings for their OEC's? Just a thought, because with the original OEC's, most have very knife edged girdles which makes them quite predisposed to chipping. Sometimes those high profile & exposed settings can be asking for trouble. Have you thought about an 8 prong setting???

You should definitely check out Lang's online store...and it always great fun to go snooping about on eBay, as well !!

do you think the 8 prong setting would be overwhelmed? I think it would work for a big diamond say 2ct

Im in real estate but I dont work much. I tried on a 2ct at my local store and I dont think it's too big . Im thinking to go as big as I can and ill just take the ring off when I go to work .

 

[arkieb1]

Hi,

I own the stone at JBEG that is too small for you BTW and I think it will be too small and probably a hint of too much colour if you like white white stones. Its got amazing light return though

Anyway, why don't you get an August vintage round to look at? Best of all worlds, OEC pattern and great light return. You could probably get one lower than a H say an I or even a J and still be happy because of the cut....