Value of six Matched OEC Diamonds

[TangoSierra]

Seeing there are a lot of OMC, OEC and August Vintage, experts and such following these postings...

I was given my grandmother's pendant when she passed and had to have it appraised for insurance reasons when she passed. I remember learning of the Old European Cuts and the rare high quality diamonds that were in this "1900 era" piece. After that, it went into my bank box until I was about to get engaged and got it out to break up the pendant for the center stone to be used in my ER. **** I KNOW, I KNOW, I really REALLY wish I had not, but this was WAY before I knew about PS and did not know any better*****

Since then I have learned tons on this forum, but I still have six of the stones from when the pendant was originally broken apart. I know now the magnitude of having these MATCHED stones but I dont really have a need for them.

As such, I am looking to you ladies for what you think the six side stones are worth... I would LOVE to give them to someone that could use them in a project and ensure they are loved as much as they used to be BUT I dont want to be ripped off...

With that being said they are six OEC round diamonds ALL G(ish) in color and totally eye clean (>VS) .66cts, .63cts, .47cts, .44cts, .31cts and .30cts. (not GIA/AGS certified but compare well with their appraisal)

Thanks for insight!

 

[SparklyOEC]

I would send them to an appraiser who knows old stones. Dave Atlas is an appraiser here (whom I recently used and would again in a heartbeat). There are other appraisers listed here as well. I believe you have a couple of a options once you get the appraisal(s) back; you can consign them with a vendor (JBEG or GOG) or you can list them on DB and start a thread in the Pre-loved Jewels section. Would you be willing to sell them as 3 "pairs"? Meaning, someone may want them for a 3-stone and already have center stone or studs or even just one for a pendant. Can you post some pics? I'd love to see them! HTH.

 

[Mayk]

That is the makings of a five stone ring and one left over for a new project!

 

[TangoSierra]

Thanks for the info, I have the insurance replacement value of the stones but I dont think they are worth that on the open market....

They total $5700 from the insurance paperwork... No way they could worth that to someone... What ballpark would seem reasonable to you ladies?

 

[SparklyOEC]

Yep! Would make a gorgeous 5-stone ring. If they total $5700 for insurance, typically you can expect to get 30% to 50% of that. I'm not saying they're not worth more; that's just what most would recommend to someone looking to buy pre-loved diamonds.

ETA: Beautiful stones!

 

[MissStepcut]

Yep! Would make a gorgeous 5-stone ring. If they total $5700 for insurance, typically you can expect to get 30% to 50% of that. I'm not saying they're not worth more; that's just what most would recommend to someone looking to buy pre-loved diamonds.

ETA: Beautiful stones!

I think they would make 3 lovely pairs of earrings

 

[Dreamer_D]

You need to look for real comps. And then a lot depends on how well matched they are, how well they are cut, and how well you can market them with photos.

Recently a pair of OEC earrings that might have been about the size of the middle pair you have sold on DB for $1800, mounted in yellow gold bezels. They sold within seconds

The smallest pair might be worth $500, maybe less, one stone looks wonky which might make it less or might not make it worth selling as a pair.

The larger pair is most valuable obviously. Maybe $2000 loose if they are really gorgeous and the right buyer is around.

Or they might all be worth hald those values. THere is a wide range of prices on the secondary market for these types of stones and a lot of variables determining price.

 

[MissStepcut]

I would be surprised if they're Gs based on that single picture, they look more tinted to me.

 

[TangoSierra]

Miss Stepcut - My apologies if they are not True "G", I dont mean to misrepresent but that is what I was told they were... Would you be willing to guess what they might be?

SO... Running the numbers if I was to ask $1,500 for the stones that would be appropriate?

A few last pictures, sorry about the poor quality, I cant seem to master the diamond & photo thing...

 

[Gypsy]

Earrings in Ascending order, smallest on top. Six stone.

 

[MissStepcut]

Miss Stepcut - My apologies if they are not True "G", I dont mean to misrepresent but that is what I was told they were... Would you be willing to guess what they might be?

It's really hard to tell from photos, especially face-up ones, and without a comparison point. They may very well be! I think it's important to get an appraisal from a neutral party (as in, not a jeweler).

I wouldn't sell them as a lot, because IMO they're only "matched" to the extent that they're pairs. I'd sell them in 3 separate pairs, using roughly the pricing guideline Dreamer set out, but prepared to negotiate if they take longer to move than you'd like. They're great for side stones and earrings, so I think they won't be too hard to sell. How long it takes depends on your pricing. If I were you, I would get an appraisal, some great close-up photos against a white background (taken in a white-painted room while wearing a white shirt) and list them either on diamondbistro.com, eBay, or consign them with JewelsByEricaGrace or locally near where you live.

If it were me I might even take it a step further and set them in earrings to improve their marketability, but 1) that's a financial investment you might not be willing to make and 2) if they really are very high clarity, they might be better suited for ring stones anyway.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Where are you getting $1500 from? Each pair is worth a different amount.

 

[Enerchi]

I would say keep them, not sell them. These are from a family piece that you already feel torn about dismantling (pre-PS, so we will forgive you!!), so to sell the stones now, in time... you may wish you hadn't! But hey... I'm a sentimental heirloom type person!

What about a 3 stone ring AND a 3 stone pendant? Have it set by someone who works well in antique styles/settings, then you have 3 pieces in total from your grandmother! I like that idea but again- there's that sentimentality thing rearing its head again Or could you have something made for your mom from these stones? or do you have children you could save them for?

Just random thoughts - they are BEAUTIFUL STONES, that's for sure!

 

[denverappraiser]

You HAVE to start by figuring out what you have. G’ish (or maybe not), VS’ish, approx. 0.30-0.66 cts each according to an unidentified appraisal is nothing like sufficient information to sell them to anyone but a pro who is doing their own grading and it’s nothing like enough information to set your prices or to design anything but the simplest of marketing plans (for example: take them to a pawn shop and ask what they’ll pay).

 

[Christina...]

If you want 1500 for the set, I'll take the beauties off your hands asap. I have a 5 stone project in mind!!!!

 

[Mayk]

I think you are getting great advice about having them evaluated.. if you are looking to just sell them and be done with it and $1,500 is what you want/need.. if you list them on Diamond Bistro it will be a made dash... they'll sell fast!!! Just put your listing up on PreLoved Jewels...

 

[Dreamer_D]

You HAVE to start by figuring out what you have. G’ish (or maybe not), VS’ish, approx. 0.30-0.66 cts each according to an unidentified appraisal is nothing like sufficient information to sell them to anyone but a pro who is doing their own grading and it’s nothing like enough information to set your prices or to design anything but the simplest of marketing plans (for example: take them to a pawn shop and ask what they’ll pay).

Obviously this is the responsible thing to do.

I will note that many OECs are sold with about the amount of information the OP is presenting, and people buy them, but at very low prices and not without a return policy. If you just want to get rid of them, at the very least you need the exact mm face up measurements and better photos, and be prepaerd for low ball offers.

 

[Rhea]

I like the idea of selling them individually or in pairs. I'm in the process of making earrings so I know I'd be interested. And several people on this board have been dreaming of 5 stone rings lately.

 

[SparklyOEC]

I'll add that I'd be interested in a pair for a 3-stone ring.

 

[winternight]

Earrings in Ascending order, smallest on top. Six stone.

I love this idea. Or studs with detacable dangles. I think it's a shame to break up the set. Is it really that hard to find studs?