We don't see many older cut stones in D-F color,why?

[Dancing Fire]

b/c most have already been recut? or b/c more colorless rough was discover during the 20th century?

 

[Dreamer_D]

b/c most have already been recut? or b/c more colorless rough was discover during the 20th century?

I believe its both from what I have read about it on PS. But I bet mostly the former.

 

[ChristineRose]

I think they have more diamonds in general than they used too, but the same percentage are DEF. They had no concept of white engagement rings, so demand for tinted vs. white was higher as tinted stones were just another option like rubies or amethysts. Hence tinted stones tend to be found in more significant pieces.

 

[Hera]

I've read that it's because of what was coming out of the mines at that time and I agree that many were likely re-cut into MRBs.

 

[WinkHPD]

When I first got into the diamond trade in 1975 it was very common for any older cut diamond coming on the market to be recut if it could be done without breaking a price barrier such as going below a carat.

There was not the appreciation or the market for these diamonds that there is now. We could buy one off the street, recut it to a modern round brilliant and sell it for much more than we paid.

A few of us cried in the wilderness that some of them were too beautiful to recut, but since a nice old stone sold for a huge discount from even a poorly cut modern stone, few listened...

Wink

 

[CharmyPoo]

When I got my OEC diamond, almost everyone I talked to told me it was a prime candidate for recut and I should consider it as it is worth more. My thoughts ... not worth more to me!

Here is a beautiful F old cut
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321279811842

 

[Rockdiamond]

I agree with Wink.
Add to this the demographics of diamond color: compare a 3ct D color versus a 3ct M-N color.
The profit on recutting the M-N color is marginal.
The profit gained from recutting a D color would have been exponentially more- that's why a small percentage of the authentic antique diamonds that exist are colorless IMO.

ETA- Charmy- wow- very rare stone for sure.

 

[distracts]

Here is a beautiful F old cut
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321279811842

brb selling my house so I can buy this.

 

[Tekate]

Mr. Wink: I become engaged (1st time ) September 74.. my boyfriend gave me a family stone - reset at Macy's! they told him it was an OMC.. but it wasn't squarish.. it was a beautiful 1.50 OEC.. don't know any specs on it.. but I had the stone taken out when we broke up and made a pendant.. the jeweler said it was an OEC 1.50K and that he could re-cut it and I would lose 35%.. I knew nada about diamonds back in the mid 80s so I said no... I eventually returned the stone to my ex's family per his lovely Mom's request.. but I loved that stone way more than I love my MBC.... my current husband of 26 years didn't like my first stone he said it wasn't as brilliant as the one he bought me.. in a way that was true... but the OEC.. WOW it made rainbows.. but it wasn't as bright say.. but it was classier.. I think perhaps my OEC was a I/J color... it was always full of rainbows.. where as my MBC is a 1.66 G/H color VS2.. it's lovely.. but I miss that OEC and someday when I get the money I will buy one and set it in a pendant.. my point is jewelers were very keen to re-cut my first engagement ring. Thanks for reading.

 

[ariel144]

When I first got into the diamond trade in 1975 it was very common for any older cut diamond coming on the market to be recut if it could be done without breaking a price barrier such as going below a carat.

There was not the appreciation or the market for these diamonds that there is now. We could buy one off the street, recut it to a modern round brilliant and sell it for much more than we paid.

A few of us cried in the wilderness that some of them were too beautiful to recut, but since a nice old stone sold for a huge discount from even a poorly cut modern stone, few listened...

Wink

Well, that is very very sad.

 

[WinkHPD]

Mr. Wink: I become engaged (1st time ) September 74.. my boyfriend gave me a family stone - reset at Macy's! they told him it was an OMC.. but it wasn't squarish.. it was a beautiful 1.50 OEC.. don't know any specs on it.. but I had the stone taken out when we broke up and made a pendant.. the jeweler said it was an OEC 1.50K and that he could re-cut it and I would lose 35%.. I knew nada about diamonds back in the mid 80s so I said no... I eventually returned the stone to my ex's family per his lovely Mom's request.. but I loved that stone way more than I love my MBC.... my current husband of 26 years didn't like my first stone he said it wasn't as brilliant as the one he bought me.. in a way that was true... but the OEC.. WOW it made rainbows.. but it wasn't as bright say.. but it was classier.. I think perhaps my OEC was a I/J color... it was always full of rainbows.. where as my MBC is a 1.66 G/H color VS2.. it's lovely.. but I miss that OEC and someday when I get the money I will buy one and set it in a pendant.. my point is jewelers were very keen to re-cut my first engagement ring. Thanks for reading.

Mr. Wink. I like that, has a classy ring to it. Thank you for starting my day out so well this snowy Saturday morning.

I would guess that if I could go back and count the stones that I recut way back then that far and away the largest percentage of them were family stones. I would also say that I talked more people out of recutting than into recutting as I too always loved the older cuts, if they were well done.

I was always somewhat flummoxed when someone would come in with a beautiful OEC or OMC and tell me that one or more jewelers recommended recutting and what did I think. If the stone was a lifeless lump of crystallized carbon I would explain the cutting process to them and give them an estimate of the finished size and value versus the current value. If the stone was wonderful as is I would explain how lucky they were to have such a beautiful gem and explain that although it would be worth more if they recut it that they should consider, strongly, keeping it as it was since they had no intention of selling i anyway.

I did not know enough to explain why the stones had larger flashes and more dispersion back then, but I certainly knew enough to encourage them not to destroy the exquisite beauty of the well done older cuts. I used to wonder out loud with my clients about why antiques were treasured in so many areas, but not with diamonds.

Now the market has changed and the old stones are finally properly appreciated. Some of them would still be best served by a make over, but so many of them are now treasured and enjoyed for their unique beauty. Some changes are good, and I definitely love this one.

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

When I first got into the diamond trade in 1975 it was very common for any older cut diamond coming on the market to be recut if it could be done without breaking a price barrier such as going below a carat.

There was not the appreciation or the market for these diamonds that there is now. We could buy one off the street, recut it to a modern round brilliant and sell it for much more than we paid.

A few of us cried in the wilderness that some of them were too beautiful to recut, but since a nice old stone sold for a huge discount from even a poorly cut modern stone, few listened...

Wink

Well, that is very very sad.

Agreed

 

[Polished]

When I first got into the diamond trade in 1975 it was very common for any older cut diamond coming on the market to be recut if it could be done without breaking a price barrier such as going below a carat.

There was not the appreciation or the market for these diamonds that there is now. We could buy one off the street, recut it to a modern round brilliant and sell it for much more than we paid.

A few of us cried in the wilderness that some of them were too beautiful to recut, but since a nice old stone sold for a huge discount from even a poorly cut modern stone, few listened...

Wink

Well, that is very very sad.

Agreed

I remember reading somewhere that during a period (1980s?) when the gold price was high a decision was made to melt down a lot of old art deco rings because they weren't in vogue at the time and the belief was held that they never would be. Now that is triste. At least in this situation Wink you knew the value and beauty in the old cut stone.