Can’t decide between OEC and round brilliant

[mochiko42]

to play devil's advocate. I started off with badly cut MRB (gifted to me) then I had an AVR and a true OEC for a while. Now I have a superideal H&A and I'm very happy with it, I don't think I could go back to a true antique OEC. Even though I miss the pastel colors flashes of my old OEC, I appreciate the light performance of the MRB more. I do have a transitional cut moissanite ring and also new cut OEC 7 stone in the works for when I miss the faceting pattern of vintage stones. My advice would be to see the different stones in person and live with them for a while if possible (maybe get a H&A moissanite and a OEC moissanite from a vendor with a good return policy first so you can compare the facet patterns before spending a lot of money on diamonds). It's a deeply personal choice and it can take a lot of. time and experience to figure out one's preferences.

 

[tfc_diamondlvr]

Hi!

I am ering shopping and on the hunt for the perfect diamond. I was just going to go with a round brilliant, close to a carat or 6 mm spread. But then the wonderful and knowledgeable people here introduced me to Jewels by Grace and old European cuts.

I’ve seen a round brilliant in person plenty of times and one old transition cut but never the old European. I’ve asked a couple jewelers by me and they only have some mine cuts I can see. I’ve found a few YouTube videos at least.

So I need to honestly know, is it true that old Europeans are not as brilliant because of poorer cuts? Does anyone have both and can recommend one over the other? What are some shops that sell modern cut OECs besides good old gold and Victor Canera? The sparkle of the diamond is most important to me.

I plan to have a yellow or rose gold Tiffany or cathedral style setting, plain with no side stones.

Thanks!

Just curious, do you know if your partner prefers one cut over the other? I know some of the folks on here talked to me about OECs and said it's a different beast that you have to enjoy.

I didn't really know anything about OECs until coming on this website. I would have not understood the beauty of those stones had it not been for PSers.

Just a thought I had.

 

[LLJsmom]

I had to see a well cut one. I looked for two years and saw mediocre ones that did NOTHING for me. Then Adam at OWD showed me a couple that made me go “I get it...”. Precision cut OECs are even more amazing. Those I saw after I bought my OEC. My DH is happy with whatever makes me happy. Personally he prefers the OEC because it has more character to him.

 

[steviedsgirl]

I think you can find a great specimen of either type, it's a matter of what your eye prefers. Once I saw an OEC, I never looked back. The antique cut bug bit me hard. I love their broad flashes of sparkle and the pastel reflections seen in certain lighting. I love their high crowns and small tables. I truly don't care for the modern hearts and arrows round cut stones. They appear splintery to me.

So you need to decide what appeals to you and then find the best specimen of that type. In my opinion, finding a true antique with faceting you love will be harder than finding a modern H&A or modern vintage cut. However, like Erica, I am charmed by their history and find each stone's unique characteristics fascinating. I can pick my stone easily among others, which I love.

Good luck in your hunt!

YES!!! yennyfire, I also use the term "splintery" to describe modern cut stones and thought I was just being obnoxiously biased with my old stone fetish (as you can tell from my avatar) -- glad to see someone else use the same descriptor.

TEAM OEC!!!

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

....But if I had to pick one ring to rule them all?

I was engrossed in reading this great thread and I seriously just laughed out loud at this sentence in the middle of a coffee shop...

Nice

 

[ChristineRose]

Terminology, for the confused.

Brilliance is light white return.
Fire is colored light return.
Brillanting is the cutting of the extra facets, as opposed to single cuts. OEC were called brilliants for a hundred years or so.

OEC are less brilliant, but they are more fiery. It's a trade off.