Cool Stuff - Before and After Recut!

[Giangi]

Hi folks!

So.... A while ago I got an estate diamond. It was quite big, 2.87ct, faint yellow (right between L-M color) and I1 clarity. Due to the large facets the grade-setter feather was eye-visible.
Here's a breakdown of the specs:
2.87 L-M color I1 clarity
cushion-profiled old european cut
mm. 8.38-8.67 h.5.62mm
depth: 67.1 %
table: 50.5 %
crown: 18.5 %
pavilion: 45 %
girdle: thin to thick; bruted
culet: large, faceted
four naturals (one per side) with trigons


The stone was very nice and quite lively...but old. You could tell how old it was by the amount of small abrasions, indentations, chips and nicks that you can also make out in the attached picture.
To make a long story short, I decided it was a good idea to look for a cutter and ask for an opinion. There aren't really that many over here, but I was recommended one name and there I went. He first eyeballed it and said it had a good potential; then, we started doing all the recut-related math to find out the loss weight of a recut to a round brilliant. The idea, in this kind of stones, is to keep the smallest existing diameter as the largest one and to "file down" to the desired dimensions the other measurements in order to get a round stone. In this case, some naturals and external characteristics had to be "trimmed" and polished away.
He gave me a final weight figure, saying that he likes to err on the conservative side not to create any illusionment or hope lol. I said it was ok and I would have gone back there in a week to pick it up.


Sooooo....when I went, I got the great news...I was first quoted a possible weight of 1.90-2.00cts depending on the thickness of the girdle and other factors. (We both agreed it was convenient to recut the stone to a good-very good make compromising proportions and size, since I really didn't want to go below the 2cts mark) The final weight was actually 2.38ct!! The color went up from a low L to a good K because of the girdle, which is not porous now, and because of the not-so-chunky pavilion. Clarity also went up from I1 to a VERY good SI2 - completely eyeclean from the top- because a good part of the feathers were cut away.

Here are the specs on the new beauty:

2.38 ct K color SI2 clarity
round brilliant cut
depth: 63 %
table: 54.5%
crown: 15.5% or 33.5°
pavilion: 44%
girdle: thin to slightly thick, bruted
culet: pointed
polish: very good
symmetry: good
fluorescence: very slight


Depth is a little higher than what we like to see most of the times, but weight-retention was to be considered in this case (as we really wanted it to be 2 cts or more) and the fact it used to be square didn't allow the cutter to "play" too much with the measurements.
Needless to say I am literally in awe with the final results as it started as a pretty stone (according to the cutter it dated back to 1700-1750!!

) and ended up being simply gorgeous!

Just wanted to share this interesting topic with you. Hi guys!

 

[Stone Hunter]

WOW that''s very interesting. Thank you for sharing. I loved looking at the photos.

 

[Boom]

What an amazing difference! I love old cut stones and hate to see them re-cut, but since your stone was in a pretty bad condition, I think this is one time I have to say I would have done the same thing!

So, how are you going to set the new stone?

 

[Lorelei]

OMG - what a great decision

Congratulations on your unexpectedly fabulous diamond! What are your plans for it??

 

[widget]

How interesting! I love the pictures.

I know what you mean, Boom. I always get a twinge when I think of an old diamond being recut....but I must admit this is pretty impressive. The difference is astonishing!!!

Thanks for sharing, Giangi!
widget

 

[kenny]

Very fascinating.

If you don''t mind may I inquire as to the fee for this, and the country?

 

[Eva17]

If you don''t mind may I inquire as to the fee for this, and the country?


Same question as Kenny!

 

[Giangi]

Here''s one more shot for ya''ll. I think it''s really pretty.

To answer your questions: this stone won''t be set - I just collect diamonds. I am usually with the no-recut kind of feeling, but in this case it was needed. The stone was 300 (!!) years old and you could tell it had been worn. Not to mention the fabulous clarity increase. In this new picture you can actually make out the grade setter feather at about 4 o''clock.
The recutting was carried out in Milan, Italy and it did cost me around $120 per carat or 90€/ct for our european mates.

It took 5 working days. The cutter said he can often offer same-day service for small and routine operations such as girdle repolishing, culet repairing or so.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Wow - that's a fabulous recut! Normally I would be hearbroken over recutting an old stone, but the improvement on this is so great that you obviously made the right choice!

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 8/23/2006 11:34:10 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
Wow - that''s a fabulous recut! Normally I would be hearbroken over recutting an old stone, but the improvement on this is so great that you obviously made the right choice!

I have to resoundingly concur!!! While an old cut, the recut dramatically improved the look of the stone. Bravo!!! And so cheap for the recut!!! I was expecting it to be much more!

 

[devientdrow]

Thats absolutly fabulous!!!! It''s gorgeous! If you don''t mind me asking how much did you pay for the original estate stone? I''m just wondering what the comparison would be between buying an estate piece like you did and having it recut or purchasing the finished product from a vendor. I''m sure you got a great deal!

 

[Mara]

giangi my dear you never fail to amaze me!!! you always have the BEST STUFF going on!!! i agree that i would have not wanted to recut an old stone but with all the chips and nicks it sounded like it was the only way to go. and look at the results! we read about these types of things online but the difference in this one is huge!

if that K needs a home, i have a J SI carat sister to it so just send it over my way for a RHR.

 

[Cehrabehra]

wow... your original stone is almost exactly what I''m looking for! It''s an old mine cut and it sure was pretty ::sniff:: but I''m very happy that you''re thrilled with your "new" beauty

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/23/2006 11:31:40 AM
Author: Giangi
Here''s one more shot for ya''ll. I think it''s really pretty.

To answer your questions: this stone won''t be set - I just collect diamonds. I am usually with the no-recut kind of feeling, but in this case it was needed. The stone was 300 (!!) years old and you could tell it had been worn. Not to mention the fabulous clarity increase. In this new picture you can actually make out the grade setter feather at about 4 o''clock.
The recutting was carried out in Milan, Italy and it did cost me around $120 per carat or 90€/ct for our european mates.

It took 5 working days. The cutter said he can often offer same-day service for small and routine operations such as girdle repolishing, culet repairing or so.

wow, if you weren''t going to set it I''d have kept the 300 year "patina" on the stone! It''s like refinishing an antique table and sanding away the finish so you can have this modern finish and then you don''t use the table!

 

[rogue]

Wow! That''s fantastic!! So, um, can we all just buy a big chunk of rough diamond and get it cut to a 3 carat for $360??

 

[Beacon]

This is really great and must have been a blast for you seeing the transformation take place.

My question: How did you know the stone was 300 years old? Did you know the history of this stone or was the cutter able to determine it''s age in some way? I am very interested in historical stones.

I have wanted to do the same project and have seen some old, rather ragged stones that would be candidates. Sort of like a tear-down house - a fun project that creates huge impact!

 

[lili]

Wow, that recut is worth every penny.
~$300 is chump change considering that you now got a sparklier diamond.
The step up in clarity and color is an awesome bonus.
Congrats on your new old diamond.

 

[KristyDarling]

How cool is that!!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

That''s impressive, wow!!!!

 

[pricescope]

Giangi, cool pictures indeed. Thanks for posting.

Although my weird taste prefers the look of the old fashion one. Reminds me this little sucker

 

[pricescope]

Close-up. Anybody wants to re-cut it to decrease the leakage?

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/23/2006 3:26:06 PM
Author: Pricescope
Close-up. Anybody wants to re-cut it to decrease the leakage?

NOOOOOOO I want to wear it!!!!!!!!! look at the brilliant polish on that sucker! Where''d you get that pic where is that stone? beautiful beautiful... goodness me... ::sigh::

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/23/2006 3:26:06 PM
Author: Pricescope
Close-up. Anybody wants to re-cut it to decrease the leakage?

oh of course - that''s the regent... I should have recognized it! I''d never seen that pic of it or seen it at that angle... wow, that''s one gorgeous stone, too big to fit on my finger though LOL

 

[kcoursolle]

What a fun thread, I''ve really enjoyed looking at the before and after pictures. I''m amazed by the jump from I1-SI2 and L-K, that''s fantastic!

 

[Giangi]

Hi everybody - I agree that it''s normally better to leave old cut stones as they are, but this one needed some maintenance. It was really starting to show some damage and it didn''t sparkle like an almost 3ct diamond should.
The cutter was able to determine the age of the stones by evaluating several characteristics: from the very shape of the pavilion, you could tell the cutter had tried to follow closely the shape of the octahedric rough and the four naturals, parallel one to the other, were an additional proof of the desire of maximum weight retention and not-so-technological tools being used. He also said the stone had been cut against its grain, so it was "particularly hard" and almost wore out his cutting wheel LOL

.

Speaking about old-makes...Did you all know the Tiffany Diamond (the yellow cushion-shaped one) has a depth percentage exceeding 80%?

I have recently read that on some PDF file.

 

[flopkins]

oooooooooooh so interesting !!!! thanks for sharing...

I agree w/the others, normally I am not a fan of recutting but WOW!!!! this really improved things!!!

 

[CareBear]

I''m a bit confused about this statement "The color went up from a low L to a good K because of the girdle, which is not porous now, and because of the not-so-chunky pavilion." I didn''t know that girdles and depths affected the color grade of a stone. Can someone explain this to me?

 

[Giangi]

A porous girdle is not as smooth as a bruted one. Thus, dirt can easily get stuck in those small pores giving the stone a darker appearance.
Concerning the pavilion, yes, a chunky pavilion may make the color look more apparent. As you know, diamonds belonging to the Cape Series are graded table down. A built-up pavilion may intensify the body color from the side. The recutting process made the pavilion thinner, more symmetrical and all the excess weight was polished away.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Pretty cool--thanks for sharing!

cheers--Sharon

 

[bling*diva*]

~~Wow!!! I''ve never seen that done before!! That''s amazing!!!