Where can I find an OEC?

[somethingshiny]

Okay, I''ve been going back and forth on what kind of stone I want for an anniversary piece. I love asschers but they''re out of my price range (for a good sized one) I really like cushions and have been perusing those quite a bit. However, on GOG I just found a video tutorial with OEC shown. I fell in love with them! The huge faceted fire that comes off is amazing! And, I love the warm colors (L and M, I believe were shown) I tend to lean towards antique looking jewelry (think Grandma''s wedding set) and I think that sticking with an original cut would be beautiful! Now, from what I''ve found here, they tend to be less expensive than a RB, but I don''t know where to find them, or how much they run. I can''t seem to find them on GOG or JA, I don''t know where else to look. I want to get as close to a carat as possible and very lenient with color. Can anyone offer any suggestions for me, please?!?

 

[Gothgrrl]

You can try Ari at Singlestone. A lot of PS''ers have mentioned him too. Or maybe WF.

 

[strmrdr]

GOG can get them, call em on Tuesday.

 

[surfgirl]

It''s interesting to me when people think old cuts will be cheaper than a new RB and I''m wondering where that idea comes from because this is the third or fourth post I''ve read in the last month saying that. Old cuts aren''t necessarily less expensive unless you''re talking about a lower color grade that wouldn''t sell well. In my experience, a very fine quality old stone isn''t going to be cheaper than a modern RB cut, and can actually be more expensive simply because there is a limited number of available old cuts on the market that are of fine quality in terms of the 4Cs. At least that''s been my experience.

As for where to shop for one, please do a search and you will find many posts with the same list of contacts and that should be enough to get you started! Enjoy shopping...

 

[simplysplendid]

Try www.abazias.com..

 

[peachster]

Sometimes pawn shops (believe it or not) will have some OEC diamond rings - and shops with a specialty in estate jewelry also have nice offerings on old stones/settings.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/30/2007 1:45:55 AM
Author: surfgirl
It's interesting to me when people think old cuts will be cheaper than a new RB and I'm wondering where that idea comes from because this is the third or fourth post I've read in the last month saying that. Old cuts aren't necessarily less expensive unless you're talking about a lower color grade that wouldn't sell well. In my experience, a very fine quality old stone isn't going to be cheaper than a modern RB cut, and can actually be more expensive simply because there is a limited number of available old cuts on the market that are of fine quality in terms of the 4Cs. At least that's been my experience.


As for where to shop for one, please do a search and you will find many posts with the same list of contacts and that should be enough to get you started! Enjoy shopping...

I think the key phrase in your thoughts is "fine quality" old stone. There are a TON of older stones that are very much not in the same realm as yours, and thus are priced appropriately. I think people don't necessarily realize that there is a big difference in old cut stones too between a well cut one and a poorly cut one and thus go online and see them selling really cheap, and not realizing that it's the same reason you can buy a crappy 1ct for $1k these days or an amazing one for $6k.

We've looked a lot at old stones and the prices are wild because there are sooooo many poorly cut ones out there.

 

[somethingshiny]

I know a "fine quality" would still cost a pretty penny, but, i guess what I''m really wanting is a really well cut stone with a warmer color (L,M, etc). I''m really attracted to the stones that don''t have great symmetry, too. I prefer the irregular pattern and large facets. So, I guess what I need to know is where can I get a well cut stone that may be lacking in the other qualities? (besides pawn shops and estate sales-I live in a very rural area) Does anyone know if GOG has this type of stone available? OR is this something I should just put in a request for and see what they can dig up? If I just have to have GOG or someone look for this type of stone, should I go with GOG? Is there a better place (WF, etc) to find what I''m looking for?

Any and all help is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[chrono]

GOG and WF do not carry these stones. HOWEVER, if requested, they will help you find them. One thing I like about both vendors is that they are not hesitant about giving you tons of pictures. They will even do Idealscope pictures to help you pick stones with less light leakage and be your pair of eyes. The only downside is the shipping cost since you really can't tell which OEC is pretty or not based on the numbers.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 7/30/2007 10:59:47 AM
Author: somethingshiny
I know a 'fine quality' would still cost a pretty penny, but, i guess what I'm really wanting is a really well cut stone with a warmer color (L,M, etc). I'm really attracted to the stones that don't have great symmetry, too. I prefer the irregular pattern and large facets. So, I guess what I need to know is where can I get a well cut stone that may be lacking in the other qualities? (besides pawn shops and estate sales-I live in a very rural area) Does anyone know if GOG has this type of stone available? OR is this something I should just put in a request for and see what they can dig up? If I just have to have GOG or someone look for this type of stone, should I go with GOG? Is there a better place (WF, etc) to find what I'm looking for?


Any and all help is much appreciated! Thanks!

Do a search and you'll find many posts/threads with lists of places to shop - both online and in person (sorry, I just cant write it all out again but all the NY/LA contacts are on threads here if you look). But if you're committed to buying an old cut, honestly? You probably need to take a trip to NYC or LA and shop in person. You just cannot tell online what they look like. A stone can look nice in a photo but have no real fire or scintillation in real life and visa versa. To me, old cuts are more of a "must see in person" buying experience.

neatfreak, you are right, of course. However, is a poorly cut/lower quality old cut all that much cheaper than a RB of similar quality? I'm asking, not telling...I really wonder...A poor or lower quality stone is the same thing whether or not it's an old cut or a RB, isn't it? And to be honest, an old cut that's not that great in quality can be re-cut to be a better stone so, I wonder if the "potential" in a "just okay" old stone makes it slightly more valuable because of the potential to re cut it and improve it's overall characteristics, whereas theoretically, a new RB is what it is and it's already been cut using modern methods to bring out the best that it can be. I wonder what the experts would say about this? DiaGem, Dave Atlas, et al...care to weigh in?

 

[Stone Hunter]

What about www.faycullen.com ? They have alot of rings to choose from. Many are older cuts. Not all though so you have to really read the descriptions. They have some lower colored stones too.

I just LOVE OECs

HTH

 

[somethingshiny]

Thank you all for your help. I''m gonna have to put in a request for a vendor to help me find an OEC (one with lots of pics!). Unfortunately, I live 1000 miles from NY and 2000 miles from LA. So, I''m going to have to make do with someone else''s opinions of the stones. (They know more than me anyway!) The faycullen site has a lot of settings and stones too, so maybe that will make it a little easier. Thanks again!

 

[chrono]

I love the FC designs but please read their return policies before buying. I think they charge a restocking fee and only give store credits.

 

[somethingshiny]

Chrono~ Thanks for the warning!!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/30/2007 2:19:43 PM
Author: Chrono
I love the FC designs but please read their return policies before buying. I think they charge a restocking fee and only give store credits.

Ditto. It''s a horrible policy I wouldn''t buy from them unless I could to go their store and see it in person.

And Surf- I think you are exactly right, BUT the unevenness and "rough" cut look in a poorly cut old stone is more ok for some people than in a new stone which you would expect to be perfect. At least that is my thought process on the whole thing. But I sure know if I were looking for a stone I would be looking for an ideally cut stone regardless of whether it was new or old.