Why the explosion in popularity of OEC diamonds?

[CloverBuddha]

Congratulations @CloverBuddha can’t wait to see your engagement ring.

I’m also in the UK, and visited an OEC specialist in Hatton Garden, and I was so disappointed. (Not to mention looking in other jewellers there and their ‘better’ prices!)

Fortunately for me, I was going to NY and meeting Missy for a visit to Old World Diamonds. Wow, what an experience that was. Their inventory was amazing and I got to see spectacular old cuts. If I hadn’t seen such wonderful examples of what they should be like, I don’t think I’d have been so smitten.

They really are a stone that need to be seen to fully appreciated.

Not only did I get to meet such a great PSer, I also came back with Bella, who has surpassed all my expectations.

Life is a peculiar thing: I never was the marrying type. Even though Ive been with my partner for nine years,have lived together for eight, and we have the house, the cats, and are quite comfortable. And then he proposed! In fact, 10 seconds before he did propose, he didn’t know he was going to! And I never knew there was such thing as vintage diamonds.

Since then it’s been a whirlwind! Planning a destination wedding to Jamaica, deciding on the design and fabrics for the wedding dress I will make (I’m a designer, and refuse to spend £3000 on a polyester dress! Silk all the way! ) And a deep dive into deciding on an engagement ring.

Being an absolute geek, I’ve researched everything about diamonds before our appointments. In fact several jewellers said they were impressed by my knowledge! Not that I’m a ‘know it all’, but I really become obsessive when researching things, wanted to get the best value from the money my fiance was paying, and also because I am very particular in my taste.

However, two weeks ago my life changed when I discovered by chance this beautiful ring and the world of Old European Cut Diamonds! I had literally started searching pre-owned/pre-loved diamond rings, and the first website I got here had my Ring. I have never seen any stone like it, I literally stops Fiancé mid-sentence in conversation and said ‘I LOVE THIS RING’!
Fortunately, it was in our budget and the jewellery shop was a 45 minute drive to the lovely Surrey countryside to get there. I’m so glad I got over the initial feeling of “it’s way too soon, and I’m sure I’m not going to like it because it’s too big anyway! “

But we went long to see it. And it literally was love at first sight. I hadn’t seen anything like those times before in my life and only when I started to research it did I realise how precious stones I. Thanks so much for the people on PS who helped me understand OEC!
Anyway, long story short is fiance and I are going to see her again tomorrow ( Saturday) and I literally have been counting the days, and the hours! Literally has been as exciting as waiting to see a friend who I haven’t seen for a while.

Now that you mention that ORC’s are so hard to find in London, I feel very very lucky, and to find such a range of this size and history in our budget.
And just so you all don’t forget what she looks like, here’s a few photos!

 

[Austina]

Wow @CloverBuddha that’s beautiful, what a great find, and in my part of the world too! Isn’t it great to have something different?

I had to at the not wanting to get married - neither did I, and it’s our 40th anniversary at Christmas

I would love to see your wedding dress when you’ve made it, if you’d be happy to share.

 

[CloverBuddha]

Wow @CloverBuddha that’s beautiful, what a great find, and in my part of the world too! Isn’t it great to have something different?

I had to at the not wanting to get married - neither did I, and it’s our 40th anniversary at Christmas

I would love to see your wedding dress when you’ve made it, if you’d be happy to share.

Awww, 40 years! amazing!
That's super-sweet of you to ask to see my dress. I'd love to share it, My deadline for completion is June 2019. Our wedding date is Nov 25, 2019 - I want a lot of contingency time!