Thoughts on these OEC diamonds

[ming]

We are in the market for an engagement ring and based on the beauties I've seen here I am looking for an OEC. Also based on the excellent reputation of JbEG on this site I have contacted them with our budget and 'wants'.

Erica suggested the following stones which I think we'll have sent out to take a personal look at but I thought there may be some OEC lovers who could look at the stats and offer some thoughts. Apologies in advance; I don't know how to post photos but I've included the links to the photo pages.

#1 (Stone Only) http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/188ct-Old-European-Cut/29880070_qTpZTK#!i=2563325117&k=96h6M54

Measurements: 8.04 - 8.22 x 4.79 mm
Carat Weight: 1.89 carat
Color Grade: K, Faint Brown
Clarity Grade: SI1
Cut Grade: Good
Depth: 58.9 %
Table:51 %
Girdle: Extremely Thin to Medium, 2.5%
clarity characteristics: Cloud, Crystal, Cavity, Feather, Needle, Chip

#2 http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/192ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/29878693_sDkmtv#!i=2564755006&k=NGd2qSJ

Measurements 7.51 - 7.89 x 4.98 mm
Carat Weight 1.92 carat
Color Grade K
Clarity Grade VS2
Depth 64.7 %
Table 49 %
Girdle Very Thin to Thick
Culet Slightly Large
clarity characteristics Cloud, Crystal


#3 http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/254ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/31296823_wvjZFv#!i=2719775816&k=gkJjngR

Measurements 8.67 - 8.81 x 5.24 mm
Carat Weight 2.53 carat
Color Grade M
Clarity Grade VS1
Cut Grade Good
Depth 59.9 %
Table 52 %
Girdle Very Thin to Medium, 4.5%
Culet Slightly Large
clarity characteristics Chip, Natural, Extra Facet


I am loving the 2.53 but that could just be because I know it's a larger stone . I'll have to ask more questions about the chip in #1 and #3. #2 has me a tad worried about being more cushioned shape rather than round but in person I could change my mind. The coloring in #1 is a bit of a deterrent in general. Of course it doesn't have to be one of these stones. I can always wait it out.


Any general thoughts much appreciated.

 

[heididdl]

Size matters but really with the OEC the M is a nice warm color thats just my opinion

 

[GemFever]

I like the second and third options, but not the first. The first one looks like the faceting isn't crisp at all. But the cushion and the 2.53 are both nice! Love the chickens in the video for the cushion

 

[SB621]

My personal favorite is #2 because I puffy heart love tiny tables! However with all that said I like size and personally a M colored diamond is more to my liking for color. It has a soft creamy-ness to it that I melt over. If you haven't already check out the thread dedicated to lower colored diamonds.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-m-and-under-diamonds-please.180912/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-m-and-under-diamonds-please.180912/[/URL]

 

[ming]

Thanks for the quick responses! I'm not afraid of the lower graded colors and Erica said #3 faces up white. Any thoughts on the GIA report mention of a chip?

For those that have dealt with purchasing a stone from a distance, what was the experience like? Did you have them sent to a local jeweler or to you personally? Did you look at them with a jeweler for a 2nd opinion and to be able to view them with a loupe?

I am waiting to her from my FI who is overseas but in the AM am hoping to be able to send Erica and email to arrange to view them.

 

[ming]

My personal favorite is #2 because I puffy heart love tiny tables!

Again being naive but what about tiny tables do you like? I'm learning as I am going.

 

[SB621]

It is just my preference. I think ppl tend to look for different things in old cuts. You can't really go off numbers but I know from looking at many that I tend to look for OEC's and AC's that have 49-51% table. I think Armywife said it best to me, as we have been looking at old cuts for awhile now as we both have upgraded/ traded in/ etc. But I like diamonds with small tables that have some weight in the back end. It gives the top a bubbly kind of look (very scientific terminology I'm using here). Anyhow that shape appeals more to me...but might not work for everyone.

I have purchased all my rings/ settings/ diamonds online and out fo state. Never been as issue. Most of them have been with Jbeg. I have purchased a diamond from them where they shipped direct to the setter. I have also purchased where they ship direct to me and then I hold it for a while till I'm ready to set it. I have also shipped them a diamond(s) for resets projects that they have set. I have found Grace and Erica to be fantastic to work with. Very easy going, friendly and professional. I would take their word and opinion on whatever they were telling me. For buying old cuts especially in lower colors I have yet to find a great appraiser except for David Atlas. I took my N/O AC to 2 appraiser who are local to me. One of them looked at me quite seriously and said, "you know this is a lower color right? They have no value." The other couldn't even idenitfy it was a antique cushion or id the color because he has zero experience with anything under J. So if there is a diamond report with the diamond I wouldn't bother with an appraiser. Just a waste of money. You can of course take it to be louped but I sincerely doubt you will find something a PS vendor missed.

Goodluck with your search!

EDIT to answer your question.

 

[GemFever]

As SB mentioned, a lot of jewelers nowadays don't really know much about vintage diamonds or lower colors. I've had one (very nice and sweet) jeweler tell me how great it would be to recut a beautiful OEC into an MRB, then it would be worth something! I just had to smile and leave. That is to say, there may not be any point in taking it to a local jeweler/appraiser for his/her opinion. Unless you are lucky and have a very knowledgeable appraiser local to you.

I would order a loupe online (Amazon, I'd get the 30x one, they're not expensive but they are fun to have) and loupe it myself. Granted, you may not know exactly what to look for, but it's fun Otherwise, as SB said, I would trust JbEG's word on the safety of the diamond and the chip. And again to echo SB, if it has a GIA cert, there's no need to worry about what color & clarity it is, etc.

You should just have the stone shipped to you and spend a couple days with it. See how you like the light performance, personality of the stone, etc. Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[arkieb1]

Stones with smaller tables and a respectable depth can have lots of fire. Those that have huge tables often lack the same amount of fire and sparkle. But you do have to take it on a stone by stone basis, they are handcut so no one stone is the same. I think 3 will be a fireball the cushion will have chunkier fire so it depends if you prefer the deeper chunkier stone or the more round looking one. Sending someone to have a look is a great idea although a lot of the stones the JBEG girls have are stunning so get them to describe the difference to you as well as what their eyes prefer. Getting the stone shipped if you can to see if you love it is an excellent idea.

 

[SB621]

As SB mentioned, a lot of jewelers nowadays don't really know much about vintage diamonds or lower colors. I've had one (very nice and sweet) jeweler tell me how great it would be to recut a beautiful OEC into an MRB, then it would be worth something! I just had to smile and leave. That is to say, there may not be any point in taking it to a local jeweler/appraiser for his/her opinion. Unless you are lucky and have a very knowledgeable appraiser local to you.

I would order a loupe online (Amazon, I'd get the 30x one, they're not expensive but they are fun to have) and loupe it myself. Granted, you may not know exactly what to look for, but it's fun Otherwise, as SB said, I would trust JbEG's word on the safety of the diamond and the chip. And again to echo SB, if it has a GIA cert, there's no need to worry about what color & clarity it is, etc.

You should just have the stone shipped to you and spend a couple days with it. See how you like the light performance, personality of the stone, etc. Good luck, and enjoy!

Credit goes to some lovely ladies who took the time, not so many moons ago, to teach me about old cuts on a crazy website called pricescope

 

[ming]

Thank you everyone for your input. I have asked Erica to let me know the process of having them sent to me. I had originally wanted a setting with 2 side stones but will be at the top of our budget with any of these diamonds so am going to take a look at solitaire settings. I am sure i will be back with more questions when that time comes

 

[ming]

Thank you everyone for your input. I have asked Erica to let me know the process of having them sent to me. I had originally wanted a setting with 2 side stones but will be at the top of our budget with any of these diamonds so am going to take a look at solitaire settings. I am sure i will be back with more questions when that time comes

 

[SB621]

Goodluck! I think once you see them in person one of them will "speak" to you!

 

[missymoo]

I like #2 the best, but I also love #3 and couldn't turn down the size or the GIA M....That's a tough choice and a wonderful set of options.

 

[Rebecca0388]

I just bought an old cut from JbEG and I love it. I am in Australia and Grace couldn't have been more helpful with answering all my questions as it was the first time I had ever purchased a diamond.

I have now had my stone set, it has a feather and a tiny chip and after taking it to a few local jewellers all have said that it won't be a problem. I think it is pretty common for stones like this to have chips.

Good luck deciding!

 

[ming]

I have #2 and 3 en route! Erica did send a teaser photo but i can't figure out how to post from my Kindle. I also have 3 stones at a local jewelry to look at this weekend. Smaller than the ones from JbEG but their mission was to find something in our budget to do as a3 stone but I think after feedback i may not want to go that route of the side stones aren't also OECs.

What a great way to spend aweekend!

 

[ming]

I have a new OEC contender. The photos are not even close to being great but they are all I have right now. Really stunning to look at in both day light and a darker corner of the store away from the intense lighting. I honestly think I'm going to have a more difficult and less fun time looking at settings than diamonds. I can't seem to find anything that looks great on my hand.

2.29 carat
VS2
8.32-8.45 X 4.93
Color K-L

 

[pixgirl]

Love #2 and it's tiny table. This will give you lots of fire - rainbow colors as well as pastels like pink, lavender and turquoise. It's like 4th of July on your finger.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

From Erica's site I only like #2. 1 and 3 have too many dark or dead spots to my eyes. The diamond you choose should be fiery with flashes of color, not dark areas. Of course videos may not be true to life, your eyes will be the judge. The last contender I won't comment on from just one pic.

 

[Hera]

Oh dear, I didn't love any of them .
#1 looks like it has dark spots
#2 Looks like it has lazy table facets (the same facets stay off rather than turning on/off)
#3Looks like it has obstruction issues as well.
I couldn't tell anything on #4, you'll need better pics.

That being said, there's always something with old cuts. There isn't perfection. So, it's worthwhile to take a look at them with an open mind. At least, you'll get a sense for what you like/don't like.

 

[ming]

Lisa and Hera, thank you for your feedback! I think you both are correct. I didn't have the 1st JbEG sent to me so can't comment personally. #2 is super white and sparkly but it didn't really come across to me as an OEC, at least in comparison to #3 and the one I saw yesterday locally. #3 has the 'dead zones' you were referring to. It's a really pretty diamond but I need to not let size dictate my decision.

The one I saw locally has the same spread but a lot more fire and threw all sorts of prismatic colors onto my shirt when we went into the sun. It's also about the same price. However it does not have a GIA report so I've asked them what that process would entail. IT seems a bit stingy that a broker would send a diamond without one and if I want one I pay for it yet the broker then has access to it so I'm hoping that somewhere up the line someone will pay for it.

I'll also reach out to Erica tomorrow when I am working out sending the 2 in my possession back and see if she has any other availability she thinks would work.