Another ebay rollercoaster -- french cuts

[GemFever]

Dear PSers,

Since I got bitten by the french cut bug here, I thought I'd post my recent (currently ongoing) experience with ebay frenchies.

I was looking around at all kinds of pre-owned diamonds and saw a huge opal ring with a "halo" of unusual looking diamonds. Upon closer inspection of the pics, I realized they were french cuts. The bidding on the item started low, but with a hidden reserve. I asked the seller about the reserve, she said it was close to $4K. I wasn't looking to spend that much at all. But she also said the diameter of the stones was 3.9mm.

The gears in my imagination started spinning like crazy. Could I buy the ring and sell a part of the stones? With a 3.9mm stone... I'd only need a few maybe for a 4 or 5-stone ring... anyway, I contacted JbEG for pricing and the possibility of consignment. Grace responded very quickly and was incredibly helpful throughout the process. I really can't thank her enough, she is awesome.

So, falling back on the option of consigning the stones I wouldn't keep, I decided to go ahead and risk buying the ring. After all, 4+ carats of french cuts!

The ring arrived today. To my quite strong disappointment, the stones are closer to 3mm on average than 4. And, they have considerable flea bites. The abrasion is not visible to the naked eye, but with my 30x loupe I can find it quite easily. And who knows whether there is damage under the prongs...

So, I'll most likely skip the risk of consigning the stones as a parcel and return it to the seller tomorrow. But I did want to share the story and the pics here. This was my first real life look at frienchies, and they are gorgeous. They remind me of the maltese crosses in AVCs. And they have AVC-like kozibe! So cute. I so wish I had a *spare* $4K lying around, and then another couple thousand to set them properly... maybe someday.

Cheers all!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also would not buy them since they aren't in excellent condition. Plus the price was too high for me. But I think that would make a great pendant as it is, so I kind of hope someone will buy it and keep it intact!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I don't think those are fench cuts anyways. French cuts have pointed tops, no table. Unless thoe are upside down? They look more like mini cushions.

 

[heliotrope]

Hey GemFever

that would have made an amazing 5 stone for you such a shame that this one did not work out - but I am sure you will continue to find many more treasures on your future hunts

I would love to find a single 5mm frenchie for a stacking set I am working on

Dreamer - I am sure they are french cuts - check out this outline (taken from Lang's Antique University)

 

[Dreamer_D]

Heliotrope, thanks! I just looked up the same thing and noticed my error.

 

[fiona00004]

oh, too bad it didn't work out... it is a really pretty item though!

 

[vinjewels]

Good for you for checking with your own tools before having anyone else take a look. I wanted "project stone" french cuts and bought them. I had them 'checked' (they checked out fine according to the jeweler) taken out only to find out they had abrasions when I tried to sell them. It was a rollercoaster with a LOOOOOOONG drop. Lost $$

They are pretty, but there are some out there (maybe a little smaller though) for close to that kind of money you can get new?

 

[GemFever]

Thanks guys.

Man, in evening lighting they are even more irresistible. I am having a hard time saying "goodbye" (planning to ship back tomorrow). The devil on my shoulder is saying ... keep some, consign some! Even if I won't completely make back the money, it might still be worth it... after all they look awesome to the naked eye... how much perfection can one expect from an antique stone. Grrrr...

Oh vinjewels, just saw your post... so you'd say a definite no? How bad were the abrasions on your stones, and how big the stones?

 

[GemFever]

Oh maaaan... what would PS do? What to do, what to dooo... I just spent a good hour with a 30x loupe, trying to pick out the best stones. I think I found about 6 that seem to be in good shape. So, I'm thinking... if I sell those, scrap the gold, sell the opal for cheap (because of the crazing)... I wouldn't make any money on this, but I wouldn't have a $4K hole in my pocket either. The biggest risk is what's under those prongs, whether the edges are intact. I wonder if some of the abrasions could be polished out... or whether this would be worth it... sorry, thinking outloud here.

Question -- if the nice stones, the ones I would feel comfortable selling, range in size from 3.3 to 2.9, is it plausible to sell them as a parcel? Most of them are closer to 3.3, with one smaller one. Can the different be masked if someone wanted to make a channel band with them?

Man, I'd loooove a 5-stone half eternity. *dreamy sigh*

 

[GemFever]

Mmmmm no, gonna return it after all. Just looked at Circe's beautiful eternity and realized that my stones are too mismatched in terms of size to really make a parcel. And I think that's what these stones are best for -- eternities or half eternities. Gotta let the reasonable part of my brain win on this one.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Wise decision.

 

[ericad]

Dang, neat find! Those stones would make a killer bezel set DBTY...

 

[GemFever]

Hey guys, remember this french cut story? I've regretted returning this ring a lot... even though the initial price was hard on me. But still, I regretted it.

Tonight it went back up for sale, and now it's mine!!! For slightly less than last time. I can't wait to have it in my hands. I'm gonna get the chips polished out as far as I can, and then I'm going to make my dream 5-stone (or maybe 6-stone, now that I have so many stones!) ring, and maybe some other projects, and I'm so damn excited! Hahaha! Sorry (<< sorry to overuse this smiley, but that's what my face looks like right now).

Now just have to wait patiently for quick and safe shipping. Knock on wood.

 

[Circe]

Excellent, congratulations! I cannot wait to see what you make of them.

 

[missy]

Excellent, congratulations! I cannot wait to see what you make of them.

Ditto. It will be even sweeter now because you almost lost her and now you know what she means to you. Very excited for you Gem!

 

[valmanin]

Oh wow!!! How exciting! I guess it was meant to be. I can't wait to hear how the stones turn out when you unset them. Are you still planning on selling some of them?

 

[tyty333]

I dont know what cut of stones they are but they are really sweeettt! I'm so glad you got her back. Maybe you could
try to see if any PSers are interested in the stones on the preloved forum. I'd be curious what they would go for. Do you
have any idea?

 

[Christina...]

I dont know what cut of stones they are but they are really sweeettt! I'm so glad you got her back. Maybe you could
try to see if any PSers are interested in the stones on the preloved forum. I'd be curious what they would go for. Do you
have any idea?

I was wondering the same thing!

 

[Circe]

There are two (or more!) kinds of french cuts - I actually did a thread on the variations a while back.

Linky: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/two-kinds-of-french-cuts.182616/

 

[Huldak]

Congrats GemFever! I can't wait to see what you do with them.

 

[GemFever]

Hey gals!

I think I may sell some stones, to help fund a really nice setting for my dream half-eternity French cut band (though I don't know what this dream setting is yet).

The plan right now is to get the opal-frenchie ring in the mail, run, while tearing apart the packaging, to a dimly lit corner of the house with my black light and check if any of the stones have fluorescence. I can't believe I didn't check last time. 

After that, it will be a few weeks before I have an opportunity to go to NYC and have the stones taken out of the setting and closely examined (weighed, measured, louped). I will see if I can have as many of them re-polished and fixed up as possible. Maybe I could get them slightly re-cut so they are a uniform size, shall see. If any of them have chipped corners (I'm sure some will), I'll try to get that addressed as well, but I won't sweat it too much if the corners can be hidden in setting.

Once all that is done and I pick out my half-eternity parcel, I will probably list the rest on Pre-Loved. Pricing will depend on how much the "diamond rehab" process costs me and how the stones look (corners intact or not, etc).

For comps though, check out this parcel at JbEG ($4350):

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/197ctw-French-Cut-Parcel/22830170_BRHpSp/1832213058_SB2jwp6#!i=1832213058&k=SB2jwp6

I'm hoping whatever parcel I end up putting up for sale will be a little more affordable 

But this is all just daydreaming for now. I must be patient and see how it all works out in reality. 

(( ))

 

[GemFever]

There are two (or more!) kinds of french cuts - I actually did a thread on the variations a while back.

Linky: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/two-kinds-of-french-cuts.182616/

Yup, I've looked at that thread several times. I'm more a fan of the cut that you have in your eternity band, and that is in this opal-diamond ring. I love how mirror-like the stones look, very silvery and peaceful. ... Ok, I'll restrain myself from waxing poetic until I actually have the stones in my hands

 

[GemFever]

Circe -- I myself can't wait to see what I make with them. I still cannot quite visualize the perfect setting. Something simple, yet personalized... something I can be happy wearing for many years (I don't want any re-sets). What metal, what color? So many choices!

Missy -- thank you! The frenchies came back to me. I kid you not, I have been calling them I thought maybe the original owner (who consigned through the ebay seller) would change her mind and decide to sell again. And she did!

Valmanin -- thanks! I will start a new thread when I unset them, I think. If all goes well, I'll try to document the process of having them unset, and the before/afters of getting them cleaned up. Fingers crossed my plan works!

Tyty333 -- Good idea about Pre-Loved I replied about that a few mins ago. Shall see how it goes.

Christina -- I think I'll be glad to share the loot with PSers once I figure out what I need for my project. Just trying not to get ahead of myself, not to get overexcited. I've been through too many adrenaline rushes (and crashes) lately! (The antique cushion I drove hours to see, the flat OMC I got and just sent back, now these frenchies coming back to me...)

Melanie -- thanks! I'll be sure to post about the project!

 

[Laila619]

Glad you got it back and can't wait to see the end result!!

 

[junebug17]

Oooh, this is an interesting new development!! I picked up from some of your other threads that you regretted passing on this, I'm so glad you were able to get it again! Can't wait to see what you do!

 

[GemFever]

Laila -- thank you!

Junebug -- Wow, your avatar pic is looking mighty bright and beautiful! You're right, I mentioned that I was sorry I returned it over in my OEC thread. After I sent it back, I actively searched for frenchies everywhere, but couldn't find anything in the size I want (~3mm) and in my budget. So I'm glad to get this ring back. Now I just have to be patient while I wait for the shipping notification and tracking number, then for the delivery... so much patience must be practiced...

 

[Rosebloom]

I'm so happy for you!! I think they'll make a gorgeous semi eternity. I always stalk the Single Stone bands for inspiration. They have some beautiful designs as I'm sure you know. Can't wait to see how this unfolds! Congrats!

 

[GemFever]

Thanks Rosebloom!

The ring is here! Well, was here this morning, I've since dropped it off at the local jewelry store to get the stones unset. I should have the unset stones and the dismantled ring in about a week. Then I'll proceed to examine each stone, measure, obsess, lay them out in various designs, etc.

I've also decided on a jeweler I want to work with, and even got myself on his calendar. It won't be the most typical french-cut band... it'll have some floral designs and maybe some leafy bits... shall see. I first heard about him when Kismet posted about her custom opal ring from him. I've wanted something by made by this artist ever since I saw Kismet's thread, but I didn't have a gemstone that I felt was "worthy" of being paired with such a special (and pricey) setting. I'm not completely sure that the square french cuts are the exact right stone to send to him, but I'm going to take the risk and see what happens. Also, I love the fact that all I have to do is send inspiration images, and then wait for the final product.

Here's the jeweler's website with some photos of his work: http://www.sevenfingers.com/rings.html

Kismet's thread:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opal-ring-from-seven-fingers-jewelry.166336/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opal-ring-from-seven-fingers-jewelry.166336/[/URL]


I guess my next update will be when I get the loose stones

Couple pics from today. Circe, if you see this -- would you mind sharing how wide your band is? Is it around 3mm? It has such a nice presence. I'm trying to visualize how much presence these stones will have once they are out of their mini-fishtail settings (which add over a mm visually to each stone, very tricky!).

 

[GemFever]

I've been procrastinating updating my own thread! Because I have a bunch of confusing decisions to make with these stones [rant below].

I have the frenchies unset. They are so pretty But I am stumped right now in how to sort them. Which ones to choose for my own band, and what to do with the rest. I'll need about 6-7 stones. That leaves 9-10 stones free. At first I was sure I wanted to sell them, but now I don't know. Maybe save them for a future fabulous project? Sidestones, DBTY...

Part of the reason why it's been hard to figure out how to sort them is because they are all so different. There are about 7 stones that are fairly uniformly 3mm square. Then there are 3 stones that have bigger tables than the rest. And there are about 6 stones that are kind of elongated and come in at around 3.4x3mm. The stones with the bigger tables also fall into the parcel that are larger in size.

Today I got a gemstone scale in the mail. It's so cute! And very accurate, I'm really enjoying it. I figured out that my total parcel is 2.9cts Individual stones range from .15 to .23, with the majority being around .18-.19.

Over this weekend I need to finally decide which stones will make up my ring, and send all the stones off to be polished. Most of them have wear and tear, though most of it is microscopic. Still, I'd like them to be clean and fresh. But before I send them off, I need to decide how much polishing I want. Do they all need to be calibrated somehow? I think for my ring, since it'll be handmade from scratch with a hand-made bezel, it's fine if they are slightly different sizes. But for a channel set band, would .02mm-.05mm make a big difference? Ugh, so many decisions with little knowledge.

And now I'll stop whining and post some pics (check out the ring I made with some gum )

 

[GemFever]

And a couple more pics... These are sorted into bigger and smaller.