LGK|1316245967|3019383 said:So yeah- I do wonder if the OWD stone is actually as bad a deal as the appraiser says? Can you poke around a bit more online to compare before you have to decide? Because otherwise, it does look like it is a nicely cut OEC. But that is a big price difference...
And even more confusingly- I don't care for this one. It has way too big a table and not enough culet and I'd call it verging on a TC. Which, oddly enough, after owning one I've discovered I don't really love TCs. So, if it were me, I'd pass on it. But you see? That's alllll personal taste right there! At a certain point, personal taste takes over and nuances of cut are kind of a wash- like, what Neil calls "top OEC cut" may not be what I like best or what you like best. I like fire, lots of fire, and less brilliance... which is why TCs don't do it for me. They're often like little flashlights beaming white light out everywhere. Neil might like a good balance of fire and brilliance, and a more closed culet than I prefer... or whatever.Gypsy|1316281120|3019547 said:https://www.artdecodiamonds.com/products.php?id=2191&l=0&u=2147483647&sortway=asc I think this one kicks serious arse but... it's 9K-- close to AGS0 pricing for RBs. It's a GIA H VS2 though and the patterning of it is to die for. Still... this is what *I* would guess (best guess I can make without an ASET of it) it's closer to Neil's "top." But you have to remember who you are talking about... this is a guy who stares at stones ALL. DAY. LONG.
LGK|1316281993|3019556 said:And even more confusingly- I don't care for this one. It has way too big a table and not enough culet and I'd call it verging on a TC. Which, oddly enough, after owning one I've discovered I don't really love TCs. So, if it were me, I'd pass on it. But you see? That's alllll personal taste right there! At a certain point, personal taste takes over and nuances of cut are kind of a wash- like, what Neil calls "top OEC cut" may not be what I like best or what you like best. I like fire, lots of fire, and less brilliance... which is why TCs don't do it for me. They're often like little flashlights beaming white light out everywhere. Neil might like a good balance of fire and brilliance, and a more closed culet than I prefer... or whatever.Gypsy|1316281120|3019547 said:https://www.artdecodiamonds.com/products.php?id=2191&l=0&u=2147483647&sortway=asc I think this one kicks serious arse but... it's 9K-- close to AGS0 pricing for RBs. It's a GIA H VS2 though and the patterning of it is to die for. Still... this is what *I* would guess (best guess I can make without an ASET of it) it's closer to Neil's "top." But you have to remember who you are talking about... this is a guy who stares at stones ALL. DAY. LONG.![]()
LGK|1316280281|3019534 said:I suspect that the OWD stone is really nice, probably top 10% of OEC cuts. And that's pretty great. Because, TBH, *most* of the OECs you see are just... meh, about what the stone in the setting from Nikki looks like. Not absolutely killer cut, not ugly, just average- and usually you can notice some not-so-great aspects if you look. The OWD stone looks like it doesn't have any glaring issues, it looks like the center is going to return light. I'm not sure what Neil would categorize as "better", but personally, if a stone has edge-to-edge light return/fire, the center facets flash when you move it a little bit, and the pattern is pretty? That's what I look for. I suspect the OWD stone has that, the ASET certainly suggests it. I do have a certain level of "good-enough" with OEC cuts, you know?
I think asking Nikki for the setting is a really great idea! It's gorgeous. I'd be tempted to keep the OWD stone, especially if you can get some $ back. (I'd be surprised though, Adam has never negotiated as far as I know.) But yeah, I would look around and see if there's anything else and decide to return the OWD stone based on what else is available out there. I mean, OECs have been *really* popular lately which drives the price up typically... which makes shopping frustrating!
Gypsy|1316281120|3019547 said:https://www.artdecodiamonds.com/products.php?id=2191&l=0&u=2147483647&sortway=asc I think this one kicks serious arse but... it's 9K-- close to AGS0 pricing for RBs. It's a GIA H VS2 though and the patterning of it is to die for. Still... this is what *I* would guess (best guess I can make without an ASET of it) it's closer to Neil's "top." But you have to remember who you are talking about... this is a guy who stares at stones ALL. DAY. LONG.
LGK|1316317178|3019873 said:The Art Deco Diamonds one looks like it might be nice, but I hate the way they take pics- so much obstruction it's tough to tell if it really is dark in the center or not.
I almost wonder if just keeping the OWD stone wouldn't be a good idea at the moment. With a great cut OEC, it may be worth paying extra for- and it looks like it's definitely a contender. And when I helped my mom shop for an OEC recently it knocked my socks off how much they'd gone up recently! I mean... wow. OECs are expensive these days. She got a 1.30 ct OEC from JbEG, set in a 14K filigree setting with no sidestones, N/VS2, for $5500. (In 2007, I paid $2500 for a very similar stone from OWD.) That was a *good deal* considering what was out there! So, I lean towards saying... have Neil send you the stone, and see what you think in person. If you love it, keep it. Spending a little extra for the right rock? Sometimes it makes sense.
Anyway. A $1K setting? I'd go for a pretty temp, and search for a real antique setting slowly.
I've used jewelryrings.com for decent cast repro settings several times. They're not like top notch quality or anything, but they work for a year or so if you need them to. (ETA: nevermind, looks like their store is gone- too bad, Kim had some great repro rings![]()
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http://stores.ebay.com/Antique-Jewelry-Co?_trksid=p4340.l2563 This ebay store has some actual antique empty settings, usually. I particularly like this one as a temp: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-ART-DECO-FILIGREE-MOUNT-SETTING-HOLD-6-5MM-18KW-/170672648438?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bce1f0f6#ht_1559wt_1037
Dreamer_D|1316320296|3019889 said:Kennedy did you look through the company I linked above? They are a well known vendor I believe and have a good return policy and lots of beautiful mounts in the $1000 - $1500 range.
I would see the OWD stone but might keep looking for the setting and get a temp. But I am lame at ever committing to a setting so maybe not the best person to ask.
kennedy|1316367231|3020184 said:Someone needs to talk me out of doing something really stupid. I had a thought that I could not return the art deco ring and replace the current stone with the OWD stone. I could then sell the 1.43 ct myself? That's totally crazy, right? Would it be crazy to think I could get 5k for a 1.43 ct K, VS2? I sent an email to the seller asking whether she would sell me the mounting separately, but she hasn't responded yet. And the ring needs to go back tomorrow in order for me to stay within the return period. I just love that setting!
Yssie|1316369229|3020196 said:kennedy|1316367231|3020184 said:Someone needs to talk me out of doing something really stupid. I had a thought that I could not return the art deco ring and replace the current stone with the OWD stone. I could then sell the 1.43 ct myself? That's totally crazy, right? Would it be crazy to think I could get 5k for a 1.43 ct K, VS2? I sent an email to the seller asking whether she would sell me the mounting separately, but she hasn't responded yet. And the ring needs to go back tomorrow in order for me to stay within the return period. I just love that setting!
I just bought an "H" VS2 (I'd say I) 1.34ct OEC for 3.2k.. so I'd say yeah, expecting 5k if you're not an established seller w/ some awesome photos is - optimistic.
slg47|1316369436|3020198 said:Yssie|1316369229|3020196 said:kennedy|1316367231|3020184 said:Someone needs to talk me out of doing something really stupid. I had a thought that I could not return the art deco ring and replace the current stone with the OWD stone. I could then sell the 1.43 ct myself? That's totally crazy, right? Would it be crazy to think I could get 5k for a 1.43 ct K, VS2? I sent an email to the seller asking whether she would sell me the mounting separately, but she hasn't responded yet. And the ring needs to go back tomorrow in order for me to stay within the return period. I just love that setting!
I just bought an "H" VS2 (I'd say I) 1.34ct OEC for 3.2k.. so I'd say yeah, expecting 5k if you're not an established seller w/ some awesome photos is - optimistic.
threadjack...pics????
That's exactly what I did with the ring I bought from Nikki- bought hers for the setting, put my OWD stone in it, and sold the leftover rock. However, I have an antique mall at my disposal and was able to put the ring in one of our showcases for sale. I've sold a few things that way and, if they're well priced, they move. But. If you don't have a way to access the general public and sell at retail, it might be more difficult. YMMV! I took the risk because I didn't mind getting stuck with the "extra" 1.08 ct OEC, and could afford that if it happened...kennedy|1316367231|3020184 said:Someone needs to talk me out of doing something really stupid. I had a thought that I could not return the art deco ring and replace the current stone with the OWD stone. I could then sell the 1.43 ct myself? That's totally crazy, right? Would it be crazy to think I could get 5k for a 1.43 ct K, VS2? I sent an email to the seller asking whether she would sell me the mounting separately, but she hasn't responded yet. And the ring needs to go back tomorrow in order for me to stay within the return period. I just love that setting!