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$10K to Spend Help Me Find A Antique Cushion

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vintagejewellover

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
15
I have been reading and trying to learn about stones from all you Price Scope Experts, but the more I read, the more confused I get.

I am looking for an upgrade diamond for my beautiful wife for our anniversary. She loves vintage jewelry and I want to surprise her with a lovely antique cushion or Old Mine Cut Round. My budget for the stone is 10K give or take a little. I see you folks like Good Old Gold, and Brian Gavin and White Flash and some others, but honestly, I don't know what I'm looking at.

I think I would like an AGS or GIA certified stone
As large as I can reasonably get given the price restrictions. Finger size 8
Color H - J
Good Cut
Clarity not sure

Any help or diamonds you could recommend would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sometimes it's hard to find an actual "antique" diamond. I tried and found some, but wasn't happy with the performance of the diamond. I ended up buying from GOG, because of the superior cut and quality and the ability to potentially upgrade one day. You have a really healthy budget. You just need to figure out what you like then post them and get opinions! Jewels by Erica Grace, Single Stone, James Meyers(whole rings), old world diamonds all have actual antique stones (some may be slightly revamped).
 
Speaking of JBEG, she has a 1.87 K antique cushion available now for $10,150. It's a little lower in color than what you described, but she does say it faces up more like a H-I.

Link
 
Thank you both for posting so quickly.

I like the looks of the one you linked to JBEG
I am going to post some I have been looking at for the group's review.

AND..... it is ok if it is not an old stone, an antique cushion style will do
 
This 1.74 is one I was looking at. I am unsure of K color.
I have done quite a bit of looking in local stores, and have only seen down to J in color.
 
You know, for the GOG ones, I would ask Jon to put together a video for you with the diamonds in natural light. I've only ever seen an H AVC in person and can't comment on the lower colors, but I've heard many PSers say that J/K colors come out as a warmth, rather than a yellowness, in the AVCs. But a video might help a lot.

I prefer AVCs to genuine antiques because the optics are much better but you do lose the sense of historic charm and the quirkiness and character of a true antique.

FWIW, my mom has a 1.6 K round brilliant that faces up quite white for its color, but I can still see warmth from the side. I think I'd prefer the warmth in an antique-style stone than a modern RB - it just suits the larger, chunkier facets better.

Have you taken a look at the AVC/AVOEC thread? There's quite a range of colors there for you to see :)

ETA: Link
 
That's a good idea about calling them at GOG

Do you know anything about Faye Cullen?

I agree with you about the color in an antique cushion. I think my wife would be ok with some warmth, as I think it is like you say more acceptable in the antique stones as opposed to regular rounds.
 
As long as she's ok with it, you're good to go. What does she have now? Btw, this is a really sweet idea - what a great husband you are!

Since you said she likes vintage/antique jewelry, do you think she'd want an actual antique, or would be ok with just the antique "look"?

I haven't worked with Faye Cullen, but I've read reviews on PS along the lines of terrible customer service. Do a search for them though - unfortunately that's all that I remember about them.

Also, for genuine antique stones, check out Old World Diamonds. They have lots of OMCs and OECs. And Singlestone too. Singlestone can be rather pricey, but they have beautiful stones and stunning settings. I have no idea where you are, but if you're in/near CA, I believe Singlestone has a store in LA.

But honestly, I'm a total GOG/Jon cheerleader. I haven't bought anything from him directly, but he's always been really awesome about communicating and answering all my questions when I've e-mailed him about stones in the past, and I love that he'll shoot videos for you so you can "see" the stone.
 
Thank you BEG I try to be a good guy. Just like her to be happy. I don't think she will care if it is a true antique stone, as we have done some looking together.

I hear what you are saying about GOG I wish they had something in between the 8K stones and the 12K stones. I suppose they have other inventory. I will give him a call tomorrow.

I am going to look at your other webpage suggestions. Thanks immensely for your guide in the right direction.

I have just finished looking at the 1.87 GIA report on the stone from JBEG.
I will let you know what I find at the other places. Or if you see anything promising, please let me know.
 
Of course. Happy to help! Good luck searching, and I'll post if I see anything else. And definitely ask Jon if there's anything else that's not currently on the webpage - that's how my friend found her AVC. It wasn't ever listed on the website, but they went and visited GOG and Jon brought it out. :)
 
One other question, are the prices listed firm, or is there room to negotiate?
 
I'm pretty sure the prices are firm, though there is a discount for purchasing via wire (I've given you the non-wire price).
 
Ok thank you so much. You were correct, Old World Diamonds certainly had a large inventory, most were EGL certified. Not sure if this is acceptable. I am moving on to Single Stone and James Meyers
 
OWD has a large inventory. EGL is more lenient in grading than AGS or GIA but with old cut stones, I don't think it makes quite as much a difference as with modern cuts like RBs. As far as I saw, OWD has gorgeous diamonds, and not so gorgeous ones, so you just have to weed through the not as good ones, you know?

For James Meyer - I ADORE his settings, but he does not take outside stones anymore.

Btw, you haven't mentioned setting - what are you looking for? JM will source a stone for you since he doesn't take outside stones, and so will Leon Mege if you go with him, and he's found some beautiful antique-style cushions as well. Leon will take outside stones, however, so don't feel like you HAVE to get a stone from him if you go with him for a setting.

ETA: Here is an example of a Leon-sourced antique cushion - MissDebby's beautiful ring - Link
 
That is a beautiful ring. I think the setting is really nice as well. I have been seeing the name Leon Mege and have looked at his webpage. I will probably go with something similiar in style to MissDebbie's... a classic looking solitaire with an antique tone.
 
I hadn't seen that one Kelpie. The dimensions look smaller than 2.42 But it looks lovely.

What about this one? Not sure how to show the URL Type in : Deco Original Platinum 2.29ct Old Miner Diamond Ring Ebay Search

Do you know anything about this seller?
 
Sarahbear621 said:
I just did a 2 carat upgrade myself and right after I bought my stone I found this on DiamondsByLauren. I really wish I had bought it but it might work for you. it is way below your color range but with mine cuts I think the lower colors are SOOOOOO much nicer.

Halo Diamond Ring by DBL: http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-201ct-new-old-mine-diamond--hi-tech-but-old-fashioned-r3229
Click to expand...

Well it faces up like a 1.6Ct, did you see it in person?
Thats a perfect example of the cutter doing a LOT of things to keep the precious 2 carat weight. (76.5% depth/ thick-very thick girdle).
A vintage cut diamond without the large bold flashes which are coveted by lovers of the vintage cutting style.

These are exactly the type of stones to watch out for, especially if you just notice the carat weight and don't compare the stones to much lighter stones with the same faceup size.
 
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