What do you think of this OMC cluster cutie?

[acv123]

I've been searching for some old mine cluster rings to maybe turn into an OMC half eternity ring at some point and purchased this one online the other day. It's stated carat weight is 1.6 and the stones were advertised as L/M color Si1-Si2 color. There are ten stones in total (4 at .13 carat each, 6 at .18 carat each).

There wasn't much info about the ring beyond that, and it wasn't super easy to tell from the pictures what I was going to get. The ring came today and its so darn sparkly! I thought I wouldn't be crazy about the setting but I like it too! The stones are really puffy with super tall crowns, they almost look like peruzzi cuts to me from what I've seen of those but their shapes aren't entirely square.

Anyway it cost a little over 1k and I'm curious to know if you think thats a good price. Looked for some comparable things on 1st dibs but didn't see anything similar. If I keep it I will keep it as is most likely. I have 2 weeks to return.

Thanks for your honest thoughts as always, picture dump below! Also if you think this should go in the Antique thread let me know and I can request it be moved.

 

[redwood66]

What a darling ring and look at those scrumptious little crowns! If it sparkles like mad I would keep it at that price.

 

[valeria101]

.

Very nice find .-)

If you reset these diamonds, you may want to check if they look good in modern settings that tend to be more closed than this

2c

 

[redwood66]

I don't think I would reset them because they look great in this kind of setting and they might be too wonky for another style like valeria101 said.

 

[JDDN]

I think it's great. But what about something like this.....this is the Norah band by CvB. Those puffy crowns would look amazing in a band like this!

 

[redwood66]

You might have all those bitty prongs checked for safety of the stones.

 

[acv123]

.

Very nice find .-)

If you reset these diamonds, you may want to check if they look good in modern settings that tend to be more closed than this

2c

Thats a good point. They seem good as is setting wise.

 

[acv123]

I don't think I would reset them because they look great in this kind of setting and they might be too wonky for another style like valeria101 said.

They are pretty consistent to each other but there are definitely a couple that have their own personalities Whoever set them took care to match them well next to eachother even if there are variations in the group if that makes sense!

re: the prongs--for sure once I decide if I'm gonna keep it I'll have someone check on them. they are sooo teeny tiny they are hard to photograph. Would I just go to a regular jeweler to do that?

 

[nala]

I love it as is!! One thing I have learned the hard and expensive way, don’t swap out an antique setting bc I think that back in thr day, designers really did not mass produce and so they designed the best options for their stones. That is a great find. I’m jelly!

 

[acv123]

I think it's great. But what about something like this.....this is the Norah band by CvB. Those puffy crowns would look amazing in a band like this!

I looooveee that ring and always look back at it. I think it could look really nice with these stones. It's pretty open on the sides too like the current setting. I wish I could take 5 stones from this ring, make a norah band and make the antique ring into a 5 stone. Then I'd have it all!

 

[redwood66]

They are pretty consistent to each other but there are definitely a couple that have their own personalities Whoever set them took care to match them well next to eachother even if there are variations in the group if that makes sense!

re: the prongs--for sure once I decide if I'm gonna keep it I'll have someone check on them. they are sooo teeny tiny they are hard to photograph. Would I just go to a regular jeweler to do that?

If you have a jeweler with an actual bench person that could look at it then I would take it to them. Not a mall type place.
The care they took to match the stones so they all fit together is why I would definitely not reset them. You have such a nice style and so much stone face up rather than a lot of metal. IMO it is not worth the cost of a new setting when this one is in such nice shape.

 

[acv123]

I love it as is!! One thing I have learned the hard and expensive way, don’t swap out an antique setting bc I think that back in thr day, designers really did not mass produce and so they designed the best options for their stones. That is a great find. I’m jelly!

Thank you! I always love your vintage/antique finds so thats a high compliment

Its true, it doesn't make sense to take apart of good thing to make something new that may not be totally right in the end.

 

[acv123]

If you have a jeweler with an actual bench person that could look at it then I would take it to them. Not a mall type place.
The care they took to match the stones so they all fit together is why I would definitely not reset them. You have such a nice style and so much stone face up rather than a lot of metal. IMO it is not worth the cost of a new setting when this one is in such nice shape.

Haven't worked with any jewelers locally yet. Need to find someone in New York.
I was a little worried the ring looks too antiquey since it has a little scroll work on the sides but when the ring is on you most see the neatly lined up stones and a little bit of the prong swoops which is nice. I didn't think it would look so great stacked which is usually how I wear rings but I just tried it and I think it looks pretty nice. Makes it look a little more modern I think.

 

[foxinsox]

OH MY! that's ridiculously awesome what a great find. If you're in NYC, go to Old World Diamonds - they're specialists in old cuts.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

You love the ring and that is important. The setting is nice.

But you asked for opinions. I will be the only dissenting opinion. As you are within the return period; those diamonds would be a deal breaker for me. I'd return it.

cheers--Sharon

 

[acv123]

HI:

You love the ring and that is important. The setting is nice.

But you asked for opinions. I will be the only dissenting opinion. As you are within the return period; those diamonds would be a deal breaker for me. I'd return it.

cheers--Sharon

Hi Sharon, thank you for the dissenting opinion. I really do like to hear all sides. What is it about the stones that gives you pause?

I agree that the stated clarity definitely threw me but I looked at them under a loupe when I got home and only 2 of the 10 seem to have inclusions and they are teeny and over the culet so not noticeable.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Are you sure you want to hear my opinion? lol

In every photo the diamonds are are grey/black and lifeless. 1000 bucks is a respectable sum. Keep looking.

cheers--Sharon

 

[nala]

HI:

Are you sure you want to hear my opinion? lol

In every photo the diamonds are are grey/black and lifeless. 1000 bucks is a respectable sum. Keep looking.

cheers--Sharon

I can kind of see what you mean in some pictures, the question is what do you see in real life, acv? Also, if you are not in love with the setting, then maybe let it go?


Not to hijack thr thread, but Sharon, I need tough love. Can you please comment on my old mine cuts thread? Lol.

 

[acv123]

HI:

Are you sure you want to hear my opinion? lol

In every photo the diamonds are are grey/black and lifeless. 1000 bucks is a respectable sum. Keep looking.

cheers--Sharon

haha yes I'm sure! I can see what you're saying for sure. Maybe this short daylight videos will change your mind?

definitely looks a little more white/bright under certain lights. in my apartment its very sparkly but I can see some grey I think :roll What causes that?

 

[redwood66]

HI:

Are you sure you want to hear my opinion? lol

In every photo the diamonds are are grey/black and lifeless. 1000 bucks is a respectable sum. Keep looking.

cheers--Sharon

I think this is true which is why I qualified my comments with "if they sparkle like mad" because if they didn't then it is a no go for me. Obviously we are not looking at ideal cuts.

 

[redwood66]

haha yes I'm sure! I can see what you're saying for sure. Maybe this short daylight videos will change your mind?

definitely looks a little more white/bright under certain lights. in my apartment its very sparkly but I can see some grey I think :roll What causes that?

The play and pause button is right over the ring and it won't open to a new window for me so I can't really see anything. They do look grey. Do you love it or not really?

 

[acv123]

seems like maybe its my finger's fault!
Same angle and lighting just wearing it in one pic and not in the other. definitely seems brighter when not worn.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

My opinion is unchanged. And it is also free--so take what you want and leave the rest.

cheers--Sharon

 

[JDDN]

I too wondered if the stones were heavily included because most of your photos make the stones appear grayish. But then there's this photo where the stones don't appear so gray. It's a cool ring for sure and true old cuts are so often wonky (part of the charm!) so it really comes down to how much you love it.

 

[acv123]

I too wondered if the stones were heavily included because most of your photos make the stones appear grayish. But then there's this photo where the stones don't appear so gray. It's a cool ring for sure and true old cuts are so often wonky (part of the charm!) so it really comes down to how much you love it.

It’s strange they definitely aren’t heavily included but I can see the gray in the pics I took under artificial light in my apartment. The one you reposted was taken during the day with some natural and some artificial light. Going to have to see what it looks like during the day tomorrow. The large OMC stone I have almost seems to go brighter/whiter in dim lighting in a way these don’t. Going to have to think about it! Almost reminds me of those Georgian half hoop rings that always seem to be a bit grayer than modern stones. It is very twinkly though, distractingly so. hopefully at some point I can get a video up that shows that.

Does anyone know what makes stones look gray if not inclusions? Could it be shadow from under the setting?

 

[foxinsox]

Would it be because they’re quite deep? I love the profiles because they’re all ring pop-y with nice high crowns. But if they’re deep and/or have shallow pavilions, could they look grey because the light is going in but not coming back out? Could the difference between when it’s on your hand vs just the ring be leakage?

 

[MarionC]

Have you « super cleaned » the stones??

 

[missy]

HI:

You love the ring and that is important. The setting is nice.

But you asked for opinions. I will be the only dissenting opinion. As you are within the return period; those diamonds would be a deal breaker for me. I'd return it.

cheers--Sharon

Yes I agree with @canuk-gal. I would return the ring. if you weren't asking I wouldn't say anything but unless they are super filthy (and as @Jimmianne wisely suggested clean them really well) I would return them. They don't look bright and blingy.

However your opinion is what counts and if you are in love with this ring then enjoy. The setting is beautiful I agree.

 

[acv123]

Would it be because they’re quite deep? I love the profiles because they’re all ring pop-y with nice high crowns. But if they’re deep and/or have shallow pavilions, could they look grey because the light is going in but not coming back out? Could the difference between when it’s on your hand vs just the ring be leakage?

I think that could definitely be it. I don't know enough about diamonds to know for sure though :/

One thing is that I think the camera brings out more contrast which could make them look darker. I think they look lighter in person.

 

[acv123]

Have you « super cleaned » the stones??

Super cleaned today with liquid cleaner and hot water and a little scrubby brush. Took some photos in the daylight. I dunno.... they've got so much sparkle I'm really torn! Leaning towards keeping it. I wish it had been just a littttttle cheaper.