Budget for a 2 carat OEC?

[almondblossom]

I am looking for an OEC around 2 ct, K-M color, VS-SI. Initially I was planning to spend 7K, but maybe that is unrealistic? Is it possible to find a decent OEC in that price range or should I raise my budget? I am thinking of buying second hand (Ebay, Diamond bistro, auctions etc). But I wanna know what is a reasonable price, what's a great deal and what's considered over priced. Could you help me give some guidelines when I am looking so I know if my $7000 bugdet is too low or if I should keep looking for a good deal or lower my expectations.
Thanks!

 

[maccers]

A 2 carat OEC that doesn't have nailhead-obstruction-fisheye issues for $7k is a great deal, IMO. You could definitely find something on ebay but of course the difficulty lies in not quite knowing what you'll be getting. For a stone that large, I'd be more comfortable buying second hand from jewels by Erica grace, however, you will pay more but you'll also get better customer service and more information from them.

Jbeg had a 2.2 OEC N-O colour listed for just over 10k. http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/loose_antique_and_estate_diamonds_page_3

You could also contact them and tell them your parameters.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Possible on ebay but hard to find diamonds in that size range. For the price, you are probably looking more in the 1.7 to 1.8 range.

 

[ruby59]

I have been doing my own search on ebay, etsy and ruby lane. If you are looking for a stone with nice optics, then you will have to spend at least $12,000 for a 2 carat OEC diamond.

There is a nice one (imo) on there now for $13,000. Also another in a higher color for $12,000. Dreamer is correct - oec's in that size are far and few between.

 

[lin_ny]

Re: Budget for 2 carat OEC?

From what I've seen on JbEG and OWD it seems like your budget is a bit low. But you may get lucky on eBay. Also probably depends what your standards are for cut and faceting and whatnot. I would think a 2ct would run you closer to 10k (at the bottom end) and up.

I know these are both a smidge low colour wise.

Here's a 1.75 M-N for 8700
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/175ct-est-Old-European-Cut/21058567_dP35Vc#%21i=1674487029&k=DFnKfZW

And here's a 2.57 N for 11k http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/257ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/22551067_sN99jb#%21i=1804688626&k=BWLFnRZ

 

[yennyfire]

I would agree that something has to give...your budget or your size/color expectations.

Here's a 1.83 L/SI2 for $7300. I don't love the photo (and the fact that it was taken at an angle makes me think it's probably not a great stone)....

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/detail.php?ID=619&SHAPE=EU

Good luck!

 

[almondblossom]

Thank you so much for your replies! Sorry I can't reply to you individually, I'm on my mobile and struggling to write (I can't read your posts at the same time for some reason)... But I really appreciate your advice and links!

I've been drooling over Jbeg's OECs for a long time. Especially that 2.20 ct. Yum! It sounds like I need to raise my budget (or go down in size). I don't wanna compromise on the cut and I'm quite picky. I've been admiring the old cuts on here for a very long time and read about nailhead, obstruction, lazy facets etc so I hope I will be able to detect problems like that when looking around. If I'd find a private seller, do you think the price also would be around 10K and up? I would love to find a ~2 ct OEC with a high crown, snowflake/flower pattern and a medium/large culet. Do you think it would be more realistic to find a nice one like that if I raise my budget to 10-12K?

 

[yennyfire]

I think $10-12K would get you into the ballpark at least....

 

[CharmyPoo]

Honestly, if you have the patience and the will to take the ebay risk ... you will find something in your specs and your price range. You just have to invest hours and hours into watching ebay auctions and learning about translating photos to reality. You have to be willing to take risks and know you won't get all the bells and whistles like you would from the vendors here.

These are the trade offs you have to decide. Go with a well known vendor with no risks and lower your specs. Stick to your specs and invest time / take risk on ebay.

I know this is possible on ebay. I have seen OECs in the size range of 1.6 to 2.1 ct and even higher color for lower price. It will come. Folks on here will help you but you also have to be realistic ... if it is a real hot deal ... they are going to keep it for themselves.

Don't want to keep looking? I would just snatch this one up ... it's pretty darn awesome in looks and a great price ... as long as you are ok with the color.
http://diamondbistro.com/index.php?a=2&b=33083

 

[lin_ny]

Honestly, if you have the patience and the will to take the ebay risk ... you will find something in your specs and your price range. You just have to invest hours and hours into watching ebay auctions and learning about translating photos to reality. You have to be willing to take risks and know you won't get all the bells and whistles like you would from the vendors here.

These are the trade offs you have to decide. Go with a well known vendor with no risks and lower your specs. Stick to your specs and invest time / take risk on ebay.

I know this is possible on ebay. I have seen OECs in the size range of 1.6 to 2.1 ct and even higher color for lower price. It will come. Folks on here will help you but you also have to be realistic ... if it is a real hot deal ... they are going to keep it for themselves.

Don't want to keep looking? I would just snatch this one up ... it's pretty darn awesome in looks and a great price ... as long as you are ok with the color.
http://diamondbistro.com/index.php?a=2&b=33083

Sorry to thread jack, but I remember seeing that one on DB and I wondered why it hadn't sold yet. Price seemed great for the size and the colour seemed pretty.

For the numbers, it seems a bit shallow and the crown short. Do you think the diamond would suffer from this at all? (Just curious for educational purposes )

 

[pandabee]

Honestly, if you have the patience and the will to take the ebay risk ... you will find something in your specs and your price range. You just have to invest hours and hours into watching ebay auctions and learning about translating photos to reality. You have to be willing to take risks and know you won't get all the bells and whistles like you would from the vendors here.

These are the trade offs you have to decide. Go with a well known vendor with no risks and lower your specs. Stick to your specs and invest time / take risk on ebay.

I know this is possible on ebay. I have seen OECs in the size range of 1.6 to 2.1 ct and even higher color for lower price. It will come. Folks on here will help you but you also have to be realistic ... if it is a real hot deal ... they are going to keep it for themselves.

Don't want to keep looking? I would just snatch this one up ... it's pretty darn awesome in looks and a great price ... as long as you are ok with the color.
http://diamondbistro.com/index.php?a=2&b=33083

Sorry to thread jack, but I remember seeing that one on DB and I wondered why it hadn't sold yet. Price seemed great for the size and the colour seemed pretty.

For the numbers, it seems a bit shallow and the crown short. Do you think the diamond would suffer from this at all? (Just curious for educational purposes )

I think it may be the color that scares potential buyers away. The stone has an amazing pattern (my favorite kind), just needs someone with a setting in mind that it will go perfect with!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Honestly, if you have the patience and the will to take the ebay risk ... you will find something in your specs and your price range. You just have to invest hours and hours into watching ebay auctions and learning about translating photos to reality. You have to be willing to take risks and know you won't get all the bells and whistles like you would from the vendors here.

These are the trade offs you have to decide. Go with a well known vendor with no risks and lower your specs. Stick to your specs and invest time / take risk on ebay.

I know this is possible on ebay. I have seen OECs in the size range of 1.6 to 2.1 ct and even higher color for lower price. It will come. Folks on here will help you but you also have to be realistic ... if it is a real hot deal ... they are going to keep it for themselves.

Don't want to keep looking? I would just snatch this one up ... it's pretty darn awesome in looks and a great price ... as long as you are ok with the color.
http://diamondbistro.com/index.php?a=2&b=33083

Sorry to thread jack, but I remember seeing that one on DB and I wondered why it hadn't sold yet. Price seemed great for the size and the colour seemed pretty.

For the numbers, it seems a bit shallow and the crown short. Do you think the diamond would suffer from this at all? (Just curious for educational purposes )

I love that one on DB that Kelpie has listed and I think someone needs to snap it up.

Photos and video don't show any issues form the depth. Long lower halves help. I think its a stone that would look great in a bezel or similar mount that increases the contrast.

 

[almondblossom]

CharmyPoo, thanks for the info! Are those ebay steals something that you negotiate with the seller or are they listed with a low price? Do people usually make an offer below asking price? And if so, how much below? I am wondering if the diamonds on ebay actually go for the advertised price or if I they usually sell for less.

The diamond listed on DB is gorgeous but I also noticed the short crown. I am worried it might be a little too warm for me but it's difficult to know not seeing it IRL.