Help choosing an OEC engagement ring!

[gemspa]

Hi all,

I'm looking at engagement rings and have come across the below 2 which look quite nice.

This one that is larger in the first 3 pictures (1.26 carat, VS2, j), doesn't have a certificate like the other one
Attache images for the second ring which includes the grading. This one is around 1k more that the larger stone.
Looking for opinions on which would be the best option and whether they're reasonably priced!

All opinions welcome and thanks in advance
I'll be trying to view some this week but wanted opinions

 

[Txborn79]

Don’t care for the first one, has a messy pattern in the middle. The second one looks better but it’s easier to determine if it’s a good OEC with a video to make sure the center doesn’t go dark all at once.

If you’re ok working with a US vendor, I’d contact OWD https://oldworlddiamonds.com/index.php

 

[gemspa]

Don’t care for the first one, has a messy pattern in the middle. The second one looks better but it’s easier to determine if it’s a good OEC with a video to make sure the center doesn’t go dark all at once.

If you’re ok working with a US vendor, I’d contact OWD https://oldworlddiamonds.com/index.php

thanks, I'm located in the UK unfortunately!

I've asked the jewelers if they have a video of the ring under natural lighting too.
The only one they have available is here https://www.hancocks-london.com/pro...iant-cut-diamond-solitaire-ring-in-18ct-gold/

 

[Cerulean]

Oh fun! Welcome and congrats!

Well, I’d jump at the chance to work with Hancocks! Their settings are absolutely stunning and their bench work is perfection. They also have a great eye for stones.



You can see in this picture that you have a bit of darkness and wonkiness under the table in the center. However, I would expect this to be a pretty lively stone and pretty stone. It depends on how much you are seeking “perfection” as many on this forum do. How interested are you in hunting?

The price on this ring is great. The setting is beautiful. Is this the top end of your budget? Hancocks has a number of other OECs in this size range, but considerably more expensive because they are whiter.

 

[lovedogs]

I'm not a huge fan of the cut on the hancocks one, but I'm also really partial to transitional cuts vs true OECs so probably not the right person to ask haha.

 

[gemspa]

Oh fun! Welcome and congrats!

Well, I’d jump at the chance to work with Hancocks! Their settings are absolutely stunning and their bench work is perfection. They also have a great eye for stones.



You can see in this picture that you have a bit of darkness and wonkiness under the table in the center. However, I would expect this to be a pretty lively stone and pretty stone. It depends on how much you are seeking “perfection” as many on this forum do. How interested are you in hunting?

The price on this ring is great. The setting is beautiful. Is this the top end of your budget? Hancocks has a number of other OECs in this size range, but considerably more expensive because they are whiter.

They do seem like a great company to work with
I'm not really seeking 'perfection' to be honest, I appreciate the quirks of old stones and the slightly warmer colours but hunting for the right one isn't an issue for me.

Budget is max ~8K, I did eye up some of the very nice large stones but they were way over my budget haha.

 

[Cerulean]

They do seem like a great company to work with
I'm not really seeking 'perfection' to be honest, I appreciate the quirks of old stones and the slightly warmer colours but hunting for the right one isn't an issue for me.

Budget is max ~8K, I did eye up some of the very nice large stones but they were way over my budget haha.

Setting budget aside for a moment, which of the examples you’ve seen of OECs really “speak to you” the most? There are a lot of different flavors, so it’ll be more helpful to give feedback with your specific taste in mind

 

[Cerulean]

I’d also add, I wouldn’t wholly discount US-based vendors. International shipping IS scary but generally you’ll get a wider variety of options at a better price point.

Old world diamonds has a large inventory, for example. They sell ready made rings, but can also search for stones that have a certain flavor and make a setting for you.

They do seem to have multiple solitaires on your budget. I especially like the 1.30 J in the bezel and second might be the 1.63 K in the white gold prong setting

Old World Diamonds » Jewelry

The World's Largest Collection of Antique Diamonds

oldworlddiamonds.com

 

[gemspa]

Setting budget aside for a moment, which of the examples you’ve seen of OECs really “speak to you” the most? There are a lot of different flavors, so it’ll be more helpful to give feedback with your specific taste in mind

I like the stones that have a lot of fire, love the big flashes of colour, I think that's the most important thing for me in the diamond.

I'll definitely look into the site you shared, they do have a lot of options which we annoyingly don't have in the UK

thanks so much for your replies btw, really helpful

 

[oldcutclubmember]

I like the stones that have a lot of fire, love the big flashes of colour, I think that's the most important thing for me in the diamond.

I'll definitely look into the site you shared, they do have a lot of options which we annoyingly don't have in the UK

thanks so much for your replies btw, really helpful

You’ve got some great advice already but I just wanted to add that it is quite hard to gauge an old cut or an OEC off of numbers on a report or a still pic. It’s best to get a video of it moving and being rocked side to side if your priority is fire over faceting.

There was a UK member in recent months that went to Grays Antique Market in person to see a variety of OECs and to get a feel for what she liked. I think she also went to Hancocks as well, if I recall correctly. She then narrowed down the specs and got a great deal on a custom made 3 stone from a US based vendor.

Have you had an opportunity to see a lot of OECs in person?

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

Lovely find, especially the VS1.

I recommend getting a certificate if something costs enough for you to think carefully about the budget.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would rule out the first. Based on my (embarrassingly extensive) experience buying old cuts on ebay based only on photos many years ago, the poor symmetry in the faceting under the table is going to mean its just dark most of the time.

Second is a very nice example of a later Old European Cut. Nice symmetry in the cutting, lower halves are not too short. I think it will be a pretty a lively example of its type. Which, if you have not seen old cuts before, is a fairly subdued kind of optics. Looks prettiest in diffuse lighting under a tree for example. They were cut to perform best in candle light after all. If you want a sparkle and fire monster, a different flavour might be better.

 

[gemspa]

I would rule out the first. Based on my (embarrassingly extensive) experience buying old cuts on ebay based only on photos many years ago, the poor symmetry in the faceting under the table is going to mean its just dark most of the time.

Second is a very nice example of a later Old European Cut. Nice symmetry in the cutting, lower halves are not too short. I think it will be a pretty a lively example of its type. Which, if you have not seen old cuts before, is a fairly subdued kind of optics. Looks prettiest in diffuse lighting under a tree for example. They were cut to perform best in candle light after all. If you want a sparkle and fire monster, a different flavour might be better.

Thanks, I'm arranging to view the second one next week definitely after the more "romantic" flashes of light as opposed to a sparkly beast haha.

 

[gemspa]

So I went and had a look at some rings. The 1.12 was sadly sold but tried on a larger stone in the video. Ignore my very shaky hands, not sure why it looks so much darker in the video than it did irl, it faced up quite white and I weirdly preferred the warmer tone of this vs some of the G's and D's I tried which was a bit of a surprise! Let me know what you think

https://imgur.com/a/6N3f1FO

 

[Cerulean]

Can you link to pictures? It’s a little hard to make out in the videos but honestly it looks lovely from what I can see! It’s also a fantastic size on your hand!

 

[gemspa]

Can you link to pictures? It’s a little hard to make out in the videos but honestly it looks lovely from what I can see! It’s also a fantastic size on your hand!

Included some that I took which admittedly were not great pictures and some from the website. It's so strange that it photos much darker than what it looked like in person, definitely had a nice vanilla colour as opposed to the flashy white of higher colour grades. Think it looks really nice with the gold band in a slightly yellow tone myself

 

[Cerulean]

I think it’s very pretty and I’m with you on liking that color range! It’s soft and beautiful on you. It sounds like you think she’s a keeper!

 

[gemspa]

I think it’s very pretty and I’m with you on liking that color range! It’s soft and beautiful on you. It sounds like you think she’s a keeper!

Now to convince the other half to stretch the budget a little haha

 

[Cerulean]

Now to convince the other half to stretch the budget a little haha

Since the other one got snapped up, can you put it on hold?

 

[gemspa]

Since the other one got snapped up, can you put it on hold?

So the are holding it for me. They also send a video with another diamond they have, slightly cheaper, bigger, lower clarity but eye clean and l colour. Trying to decide which one I prefer opinions welcome

https://imgur.com/a/HOJ08Pp

 

[lulu_ma]

So the are holding it for me. They also send a video with another diamond they have, slightly cheaper, bigger, lower clarity but eye clean and l colour. Trying to decide which one I prefer opinions welcome

https://imgur.com/a/HOJ08Pp

What's the clarity on the I color?

 

[gemspa]

What's the clarity on the I color?

L on the right is si2...which I'd normally be hesitant about but apparently eye clean. Here's the GIA cert for that one larger table on it too vs the other one

 

[lulu_ma]

Oh, the table is big on the L and that big crystal on the table would concern me.

If you accidentally whacked the spot, the diamond could crack ( I speak from experience-I chipped the corner of my emerald cut). @Karl_K can you please chime in re: the crystal on the table?

 

[Karl_K]

eye clean with that huge crystal would be one in a zillion or someone with bad eyesight looking at it.
In other words I am highly skeptical of the eyeclean claim.
The very thin girdle with huge extra facets at the girdle is a huge durability concern.
There is a good chance it has had repair work done on it.

 

[Cerulean]

Sorry I had commented on the wrong thread and deleted it.

Long story short, I like the one in the ring much more cut wise

Will leave the others to weigh in on clarity and structural integrity

 

[lulu_ma]

eye clean with that huge crystal would be one in a zillion or someone with bad eyesight looking at it.
In other words I am highly skeptical of the eyeclean claim.
The very thin girdle with huge extra facets at the girdle is a huge durability concern.
There is a good chance it has had repair work done on it.

Thanks for weighing in @Karl_K !

 

[gemspa]

Thanks @Karl_K loving the advice here, really useful info so really appreciate the response. @Cerulean I agree, the one on the right somehow looks more modern cut to my (inexperienced) eyes, the one in the ring had an almost romantic aura about it when I saw it in person.

 

[junebug17]

Both are pretty but I'm leaning towards the stone in the ring. I like the faceting better. The other diamond seems more like a transitional or later OEC to me.