Transitional pattern - is this nice?

[rubybeth]

I am pretty bad at picking up on what makes a 'nice' pattern for an OEC/transitional diamond. I can tell when it's a real dud, but if I can see a snowflake or flower pattern, then I get confused. How does this one look? It's got a tiny culet, and table is 55%. Vendor is going to send the EGL report so I can get the other measurements and see the inclusion plot since it's an SI stone, but any flecks are just dust and it's eye clean at fairly close range. Size is what I want, and price is within budget. *fingers crossed*

 

[chrono]

Any better pictures without shadowing?

 

[rubybeth]

Any better pictures without shadowing?

I think all of the photos of it have some shadowing, sorry!

 

[valmanin]

Running out the door, but when I saw this post I thought of this gorgeous stone that just came up on RL today. Thought you might want to check it out...

faceting looks gorgeous to me...

http://www.rubylane.com/item/805115-RL1212/European-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring

 

[rubybeth]

Running out the door, but when I saw this post I thought of this gorgeous stone that just came up on RL today. Thought you might want to check it out...

faceting looks gorgeous to me...

http://www.rubylane.com/item/805115-RL1212/European-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring

Interesting. Doesn't list the millimeter measurements of the stone, so have sent a message to ask about that. I have a feeling it's smaller than I want--as close to 7mm as possible.

 

[backwardsandinheels]

I think it looks like my stone. So I like it! It's probably a later oec type. Is it in your hands or are these vendor photos?

 

[rubybeth]

I think it looks like my stone. So I like it! It's probably a later oec type. Is it in your hands or are these vendor photos?

Yes, it looks like a later OEC, with the larger crown and smaller culet. Vendor photos, but if it's promising I could probably get it and then take my own photos before deciding to keep it. I like the look of it, but don't trust myself to ignore the fact that it's sparkly and the size I want.

 

[chrono]

Because the entire stone is shadowed, I cannot tell if it has true obstruction issues nor where they are. I cannot buy a stone with such pictures.

 

[two_little_birds]

Looks like a JbEG stone, do they have more pictures on their website?

I think it's quite pretty, and I really like the patterning.

 

[rubybeth]

At the risk of someone else snatching it, you can see all the photos and video here, but I think all of the images are in shadow. http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/129ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/28368586_fTvxjL#!i=2401875126&k=H5gL7ss Based on this, Chrono, you would pass? Even on just ordering to look at it with my own eyes?

 

[chrono]

The video showed me a more but I swear I almost had the worst headache ever because she moved too much and too quickly. They have taken additional photos under controlled and consistent lighting before, so if truly interested, I would request this before tying up my funds by ordering it. You can put the OEC on hold in the mean time. I would want a solid straight down view of the stone in the white cardboard/paper/plastic holder. This will allow me to see the pattern clearly and to see what lights up and what doesn't. To see if it has any lazy facets under the table and watch out for obstruction issues. The pictures she used are useless for such evaluation because of both the background and lighting, which are hugely variable.

 

[rubybeth]

Yeah, Chrono, the video is really shaky and less helpful than others I've seen. They posted the EGL cert for me, and I have asked about a photo without shadows, a clear head-on view of the facet pattern. Will post if I learn anything new.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think it is worth seeing in person. The make is a later type of European Cut, with those longer lower halves and larger table. I think it will really look great in an enclosed setting to bring out the contrast patterning.

I do think this diamond will show some leakage in a circle around the inner periphery of the table. Notice in the photo where the stone is resting on the red background you can see the red showing through the diamond? Most old cuts have some optical negatives. You need to see it in person to know if this one's negatives are acceptable to you. I think it won't be that noticable, the longer lower halves are a really good thing for this stone.

For me, those pics show enough to tell you its worth seeing. Additional photos are unlikely to provide enough information to allow you to reject it without seeing it in person. I find photos are good rejection tools, but if a diamond passes that test, it is hard to go much further.

Of course, I think you should only get it if you want a stone with this make. If you want a classic OEC patterning, this ain't it.

 

[rubybeth]

I think it is worth seeing in person. The make is a later type of European Cut, with those longer lower halves and larger table. I think it will really look great in an enclosed setting to bring out the contrast patterning.

I do think this diamond will show some leakage in a circle around the inner periphery of the table. Notice in the photo where the stone is resting on the red background you can see the red showing through the diamond? Most old cuts have some optical negatives. You need to see it in person to know if this one's negatives are acceptable to you. I think it won't be that noticable, the longer lower halves are a really good thing for this stone.

For me, those pics show enough to tell you its worth seeing. Additional photos are unlikely to provide enough information to allow you to reject it without seeing it in person. I find photos are good rejection tools, but if a diamond passes that test, it is hard to go much further.

Of course, I think you should only get it if you want a stone with this make. If you want a classic OEC patterning, this ain't it.

Thanks for the input, Dreamer! I really appreciate your expertise, because you can tell things from photos that I clearly cannot. I am not sure that I have a strong preference for a type of OEC or transitional patterning, I just know I don't like modern round brilliants, I like the chunkier facets and flashes of color, and I think that's what I'm seeing in the video of the stone.

I think I can see the leakage you are talking about. I'm guessing this would be more obvious in person, but how would I know? Would an ASET viewer help me to decide? I don't have one but want one. I think you know that I hope to have a bezeled ring but hoped to have a more open profile view--but that wouldn't be the best for this stone.

 

[Dreamer_D]

You don't need an ASET to evaluate leakage In person it looks like an area of the diamond that simply isn't as active and goes dark easily. And if you can't see it with your eyes its not important anyways (for old cuts).

Have you seen this one? Great price and the diamond is really well cut. But maybe smaller than you want: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/gia-certified-1-03ct-o-p-vs2-oec-18k-rose-gold-lotus-pendant-t184729.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/gia-certified-1-03ct-o-p-vs2-oec-18k-rose-gold-lotus-pendant-t184729.html[/URL]

What is your budget?

 

[rubybeth]

You don't need an ASET to evaluate leakage In person it looks like an area of the diamond that simply isn't as active and goes dark easily. And if you can't see it with your eyes its not important anyways (for old cuts).

Have you seen this one? Great price and the diamond is really well cut. But maybe smaller than you want: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/gia-certified-1-03ct-o-p-vs2-oec-18k-rose-gold-lotus-pendant-t184729.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/gia-certified-1-03ct-o-p-vs2-oec-18k-rose-gold-lotus-pendant-t184729.html[/URL]

What is your budget?

Okay, I will resist ordering the ASET. Grace just sent the stone to Erica, so she will take more photos when she gets it, not in shadow on a plain background. I am also willing to purchase it to see it for myself. Do you think this stone will have chunkier flashes? I was looking at some threads with later OECs, trannys, 'American Cuts,' etc., and I find them all very pretty, no strong preference for a particular make, except I like the chunky look vs. splintery which I definitely know well because my original e-ring is a square radiant.

I LOVE that 1.03 O/P stone, I bought my earrings from Xiriah and she's a great seller, AND she just lowered the price again. My size goal is as close to 7mm as possible--I feel like I don't want to settle for much smaller unless I really can't get anywhere near 7mm with my budget, but I have seen things come up in my price range before, it just hasn't been the right time.

Budget is small right now, about $3k for the stone (will save for setting), but that can go up the longer I wait, but probably not above $5k because DH is going to start graduate school this fall. I definitely can't spend $5k right now, but maybe this time next year.