What to do with poorly cut (4A) 1ct G/VVS1?

[k1129]

Hi! I've gotten quite an education on diamonds through the PriceScope forms... you guys are the best! I haven't been able to find any advice on my particular situation, though, so I'm going to put it out there in case any of you have ideas or advice.

In doing some research on ering preferences, I've determined that I really like the old mine and old european cuts, especially in the 1.5-2 ct range. However, I already have a round brilliant cut 1ct G/VVS1, but it seems kind of lifeless. It belonged to a relative in my great-grandmother's generation, so by my estimate it's from around the turn of the century at least. It looks more like a modern RB than a transitional or old european, but maybe it was cut as they were perfecting the style? Pics & specs are below...

I actually prefer more of a glow than a dazzle, as you can tell by my OMC/OEC love, so I'm worried that getting it recut (sounds like Brian Gavin is the go-to on this sort of thing?) will give it a more modern appearance. Is a hearts-and-arrows look my only option for a recut stone? Normally I hate the idea of an antique stone being recut, but this one doesn't have the old-fashioned charm of the stones I see at OWD, Israel Rose, Gray & Davis, etc.

When the ring was given to me I took it to a jeweler for some basic info. That info and the AGA/NAJA cut screening tool results are below:

Length:6.53
Width:6.44
Depth:3.92
Total Depth:60.45%
Table percent:67.8
Crown height:10.2
Girdle (from):Extremely thin (actually evaluated as none to medium, but that wasn't an option)
Girdle (to):Medium
Polish:Good
Symmetry:Good
Crown angle:32.3
Pavilion depth:60.4

Tab Percent: 3B
Crown Angle: 2A
Crown Height: 3A
Pavilion Depth: 4B
Girdle: 4A
Depth: 1A
Polish: 2A
Symmetry: 2A
TotalGrade: 4A

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-round

While I could sell it and put that towards another ring, it's been in my family so long that I'd kind of like to hang onto it. And we may end up going with an antique ring, but it seems silly to have this high color clear stone and not use it... But it's hard for me to tell if it's worth trying to salvage this stone, if I should just go with another one, or even what my options really are.

I appreciate any advice or ideas you'd care to share!

 

[Gypsy]

WOW it's got a 67+ table huh?

Um at one carat you'd PROBABLY loose too much, in my opinion, for a recut. You can send some pics and the stats to BGD and see what Brian says. But I'm thinking it's going to not be worth it.

I'd stick it in a the center of a BUSY pendant and let it live there, where you don't have to stare at it all day and where the design of the pendant helps keep the eye on the bling, and not the cut.

Not an OEC-- good call. Just a poorly cut RB unfortunately. I'm SORRY!

 

[rubybeth]

It sounds like the stone doesn't 'sing' to you, but you'd like to keep this for somewhat sentimental reasons. I think you could do a few things: keep it as-is and set it into a pendant or right hand ring (maybe a halo or a different setting style than what you want for your e-ring). Send it to Brian Gavin to evaluate for a re-cut and see if it's as 'bad' as you think it is, possibly getting it re-cut, and then either decide to keep or sell. BUT do consider that some people ARE just looking for a 1 carat diamond and don't care as much about cut, and a re-cut could knock it below the 1 carat mark, thus loosing that prized 'c,' carat, so it may be better to try to sell first as it is, if you decide to sell it. A lot of folks here have sold via Diamond Bistro, and if you decide to try to sell it, you could put it up for a while and see what happens, and see how you feel after seeing if you get some offers (and what they are).

 

[yssie]

That is super shallow - very high risk of chipping/damage in a 4prong setting like that that's worn regularly!

Ditto Gypsy - there are tons of options if you want to keep it but you'd rather not risk the recut - a busy pendant is a really good idea, or maybe find a match for earrings... If you do want to recut Ari at Single Stone (in LA) and BGD have done recuts for PSers, BGD specializes in modern RBs and Ari in antiques.

Have you seen BeachGirl's threads? She had BGD do a recut after her stone chipped and shared her journey here on PS - you can search the rest of her threads for the story and result - [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-is-going-to-do-the-recut-heres-the-reports.165117/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-is-going-to-do-the-recut-heres-the-reports.165117/[/URL]

I'm no pro but modern RBs have pretty immobile proportions ranges, I'm thinking an older style might be more forgiving of unorthodox proportions - and since you say you prefer it anyway I'd recommend giving Ari a call

 

[Amys Bling]

Possible recut??

 

[yialanliu]

In my opinion, if your starting at 1ct, recut just isn't worth it. You'll lose too much and remember once it drops 0.8, you lose a huge amount of value from a 1 carat.

 

[shimmer]

I would much rather have a nice 0.7-0.8ct than a poorly cut 1 ct! I say send it off for a makeover

 

[Amys Bling]

In my opinion, if your starting at 1ct, recut just isn't worth it. You'll lose too much and remember once it drops 0.8, you lose a huge amount of value from a 1 carat.

true- you will lose carat weight, but I wouldn't say you lose a huge amount of value as a poorly cut 1ct wont necessarily be priced higher than an ideal cut .8ct.

 

[OcnGypZ]

I'd say a recut would help. However, I would not try to bring it up to "Ideal" , H&A etc. specs.

I'd try to get as close to 1A on the chart as possible within reason. I wouldn't be too fraid of losing 20% weight.

The .60 oec I wear everyday, out performs all the big modern "rocks" in my office. Even the fellow in the carpet department at Lowes commented about the sparkle last night.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would much rather have a nice 0.7-0.8ct than a poorly cut 1 ct! I say send it off for a makeover

Umm...ditto!!!

And that is exactly what I did!!! I also had a 1 ct. family stone, poorly cut, but H VS and worth using. But I couldn't bear to reset it like it was. I did have Brian Gavin recut it, and it ended up at .80. I think you will lose too much weight if you try to have it recut into an OEC. I am SO glad I did it, because now I have a stone that I am proud to wear (currently in a pendant) rather than having it sit in a drawer! (and reduced value below a carat means nothing because I wasn't ever going to sell it!)

Here are my threads on the recut and reset:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/details-on-a-diamond-re-cut.160957/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/details-on-a-diamond-re-cut.160957/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-re-cut-and-milgrain-bezel-pendant-redesign.160887/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-re-cut-and-milgrain-bezel-pendant-redesign.160887/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah but you won't get an ideal cut. You'll get a much improved (cause honestly there's no way to go but up on this one) diamond. But 'ideal' on a recut of this magnitude won't happen likely without going down to 50 points or some insane like that. Cutters will balance improvement with carat weight to preserve the stone's value. At some point striving for 'ideal' you hit diminishing returns if you take off too much carat weight and that's just dumb, so they won't do it. And so you are talking about a MUCH MORE beautiful stone but 75 points and still not ideal.

If you plan to keep it, like DS, okay. It might be worth it to you, as it was to her. But if you want to resell... not so much.

I don't know if it could be cut into an old cut, but that might be worth a query. Since all you want is improvement and don't care about faceting pattern, it might be a good option.

 

[k1129]

Thanks everyone. I did see diamondseeker's recut - that's what got me thinking about doing the same to mine! I didn't know that Ari works with older cuts so thanks for that tip - I will see what he has to say and post an update if I have it recut.

I am far less likely to resell than keep to use as an ering... so not as concerned with loss of value, or reaching "ideal" proportions. I'd just want it to be something I'm happy to look at every day...

I like the pendant idea, too, though, and will consider. I love the platinum setting so I may just use that for my ring and hang onto the stone for the time being.

 

[Karl_K]

In my opinion, if your starting at 1ct, recut just isn't worth it. You'll lose too much and remember once it drops 0.8, you lose a huge amount of value from a 1 carat.

not always, this one would be almost impossible to sell in today's market retail due to the grade it would get from the top labs.
A well cut EX/ags0 .8 likely retails for more.

 

[MissStepcut]

Thanks everyone. I did see diamondseeker's recut - that's what got me thinking about doing the same to mine! I didn't know that Ari works with older cuts so thanks for that tip - I will see what he has to say and post an update if I have it recut.

I am far less likely to resell than keep to use as an ering... so not as concerned with loss of value, or reaching "ideal" proportions. I'd just want it to be something I'm happy to look at every day...

I like the pendant idea, too, though, and will consider. I love the platinum setting so I may just use that for my ring and hang onto the stone for the time being.

With that in mind, I would definitely consider consulting BG about a re-cut. You're not enjoying it now, so it seems like you have a lot to gain and not a lot to lose, even if it comes out significantly smaller.

 

[Dreamer_D]

If you are not attached to it as it is now, then I see no real reason not to look into a recut. It is basically a wasted diamond at this point in some ways -- you say it is lifeless and I don't personally see the point of a lifeless diamond! I would rather have a much smaller sparkly stone. No need to be ideal. Just much better.

Or just leave it and call it a day. No point thinking about resale, I doubt you would get much at all and that is a waste.