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About to pull the trigger on an OEC...

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stevielaine

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 16, 2014
Messages
36
Hello All,

This is only my second post, and I appreciate any advice and/or help you may have to offer. I have been looking for an OEC for my future engagement ring, and with the help from Erica of Love Affair Diamonds (formerly JBEG) I think I have found one that I love. She has nothing but wonderful things to say about the stone, and from all the many pics and videos she has sent me, I think the stone is beautiful. I think it is cut a little deep because the face up size is fairly small for a 1.42 (I think it is comparable in size to a 1.25ct). I don't mind, as I think the size is perfect for my finger, but I wanted to see what you experts thought before I pull the trigger.

Here is the link to the EGL report http://www.eglusa.com/verify-a-report-results/?st_num=908007407d

I am planning on having the stone independently appraised when I get it.

And here is the link to just a few of the pictures that Erica has sent me http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/141ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/28655002_SrcbCX#!i=2804938811&k=FcWtqxJe

I put the stats into the Holloway Cut Advisor and got Very Good results on all categories except for Spread which got a Good result.

I have also used the David Atlas screening chart for OEC's and it appears to score excellent to very good on all categories except Pavilion Depth %. Can someone explain to me if that is going to have a negative effect, other than the spread size?

I know these are all just tools used to evaluate different aspects of a diamond, so I just wanted to see if anyone had anything else to add before I take the plunge!

Thanks so much in advance! I really appreciate it! :twirl:
 
The HCA is only for modern round brilliant cuts - can't apply it to OEC's as they are cut to different specs (steeper crowns,smaller tables, etc). So toss that out.

It looks like a nice stone - if Erica thinks it is nice, and you like the pictures, why not have it sent to you so you can see it in person?
 
Yes, you really can't use any formulas with OEC's. You have to see it to know if you absolutely love it, and if you have doubts, send it back and try another. This one looks nice and worth sending for. What is the table measurement?
 
Thanks for the responses, I guess I should have realized the HCA wasn't for OECs, but thank you for pointing that out to me. I guess I need more help than I thought! LOL.

I am planning on having the stone sent to me, but I am new at looking at diamonds, so as long as its pretty and sparkly, I'm sure I will like it! I just wanted to make sure there was nothing glaringly obvious to you who are more experienced at this than me.

The table is 55%, for the person who asked about that.

Thanks again for your help and advice!
 
I would assume it is closer to a transitional or late OEC if it has a 55 table as most OEC's have tables smaller than that. I would encourage you to look through a lot of the threads here with OEC and transitionals to see what kind of look you like best before making a permanent commitment. Many here would want a smaller table than that, because modern round brilliants have tables that size. I am not saying anything negative about that stone, but I personally would want a table under 50 so it would look more like an OEC. I do think it has a pretty facet pattern, so I still think it is worth looking at. Sometimes it takes seeing a few to know what you like best!
 
She did say it was a later OEC. I have looked through many, many photos of OECs and honestly I like both OECs and transitional diamonds. I do like the look of the smaller tables, but I really like the flowery look of this stone. Is there anything wrong with a larger table, or is it just a matter of visual preference?
 
I think it looks gorgeous. I love Transitionals though.
 
Also, if you guys wouldn't mind telling me what to look for when I do get the stone?
 
I would not call that stone a transitional, there are a lot of aspects of the cut other than table size that cause a stone to be given that label -- by me anyways. This diamond has classic OEC proportions with a high crown height and steep crown and pavilion angles. It has long and fat bezel facets. The lower halves are quite short, look to be in the 65% range or shorter. You cannot determine the age of a diamond by its table size alone, nor pick a stone based on that.

I think its a lovely make in a later European Cut. It has wonderful precision in the faceting, which is why it might show some very primitive "arrows" as the petals of the flower under the table extent outwards under the crown -- I think the crown angle will be too steep, though, to really clear arrows like my own diamond shows.

The problem with larger tables comes when the lower halves are too short and you can end up with leakage around the inner periphery of the table, or you can end up with laziness or over dark. That is not a problem here because the lower halves are a little longer than you sometimes see.


But these names don't matter. The proportions seem to work well and I don't see any glaring signs of poor cut. Faceting is crisp, there does not appear to be an issue with obstruction or leakage.


ETA: I watched the video again and this stone does have some leakage under the inner periphery on tilt angles. In my personal experience, that is par for the course in a stone of this make, and most others of similar make. When you see it in person wear it in lots of lighting and see if the center goes dark or you find the inner rim of the table area is not very active in terms of scintillation and "life" as you walk around with it. But overall remember this stone was cut at least 90 years ago and it is not a modern stone or and old cut that has been "fixed" like many out there (Erica and Grace don't do that). It won't be perfect and should not be judged harshly! This is a fine looking stone. Let your eyes guide you to decide if it is the right one for you or not.
 
Dreamer D, I am so happy you commented on my post! I love your diamond, and your setting! It was one of my inspiration pics I sent to Erica! :love: I'm also happy you have nice things to say about the stone. Not that I don't want honest opinions, but it is reassuring to hear good words about something as important as this. I have never even looked at diamonds before now, and I want to get the most beautiful stone that I can, but it's hard when you know almost nothing.

Pricescope has been an invaluable resource for me, but I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing. Erica has been absolutely wonderful, and extremely patient with me, and has helped me so much, but there is so much information out there, and it is so hard to tell if something is right from pictures and videos. I do trust her that it is a beautiful stone, but I wanted to get some others input as well. I will definitely look at the stone in different lighting conditions, and will check for the things you told me to. It is helpful to know what to look for, so thank you for your help.
 
UPDATE... Here it is! I just got the diamond today and I think it's beautiful! I ran right outside to snap some pics while the sun was out and the flowers were blooming! What do you guys think? These pics are my first attempt at photographing a diamond, and are taken with my iphone, but I sure had fun! :tongue:



Sorry the pictures are turned the wrong way...

img_4058.jpg

img_4059.jpg

img_4060.jpg
 
Oh my. I am in love. These OEC's catch your heart.
 
How are you going to set it?
 
It's gorgeous and I don't see anything in those pics that concerns me at all! Just lovely.
 
stevielaine|1394257118|3629840 said:
Dreamer D, I am so happy you commented on my post! I love your diamond, and your setting! It was one of my inspiration pics I sent to Erica! :love: I'm also happy you have nice things to say about the stone. Not that I don't want honest opinions, but it is reassuring to hear good words about something as important as this. I have never even looked at diamonds before now, and I want to get the most beautiful stone that I can, but it's hard when you know almost nothing.

Pricescope has been an invaluable resource for me, but I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing. Erica has been absolutely wonderful, and extremely patient with me, and has helped me so much, but there is so much information out there, and it is so hard to tell if something is right from pictures and videos. I do trust her that it is a beautiful stone, but I wanted to get some others input as well. I will definitely look at the stone in different lighting conditions, and will check for the things you told me to. It is helpful to know what to look for, so thank you for your help.
Click to expand...

I just saw this! You're welcome and thank you :oops: Just for the sake of discussion, I do think there are some similarities between your new diamond and mine. They both seem to have very precise and symmetrical cutting, and they both are later makes. But I think yours had a much more classic flavour than mine, and "reads" more like an OEC in your photos, whereas mine looks more on the MRB side. I have seen some other stones that look more like mine, showing clear fat arrows, for example. But, that doesn't matter so much because each of these cuts are unique and so you are not going to fine two identical -- that is part of the fun. I think you found your own lovely stone!
 
Oh I love that diamond and have been looking at it for ages!!!! I'm so glad it went to a good home!

I think you did a great job picking!
 
Stunning!!!! :love: :love: :love:
 
yup! agree.. beautiful.

Gypsy|1394693912|3633151 said:
Oh my. I am in love. These OEC's catch your heart.
Click to expand...
 
What a beauty OEC!!! It's so cool and classic and sparkly :love:
I can't wait to see it set.
 
Hi Guys!
Thank you so much for all the kind words, you sure know how to make a girl feel good! :twirl: It's so funny, I've only had it for one full day, and I already feel so attached! I don't think I could send it back!!!

To those who asked about the setting, I am still thinking about what I want to do. My absolute favorite ring that I've seen so far is twosanguinehearts Single Stone cushion halo, I hope she doesn't mind if I use her photo here...

OMG every time I see it, I just drool! I'm afraid Single Stone is a bit out of the budget though, so maybe something inspired by it.

Of course I also love Dreamer D's setting! There are so many that I love, but I seem to favor something a little different, like it's not quite what you think when you first glance at it, if that makes sense!

I guess I have some thinking to do! Any suggestions are happily accepted!

Happy Friday!

img_4066.jpg
 
Very lovely setting choice!
 
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