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How to buy a vintage OEC?

Pendants and earrings have a different set of merit for me personally. You could totally have two rings with different flavour old cuts but to be honest I don't feel like this pleases you as much as the Sako stone. That's why I propose a pendant for Maxine so that way you can still enjoy it without seeing her up close lol and she won't be competing against the Sako stone (I'll just call her Juliet) lol.
 
Ditto …. Pendants and earrings are for everyone else to look at, the stones we LOVE are for you… aka ring :lol:

For example, I am color and clarity sensitive… for my ring I choose a KVS1. The stone I had picked for my pendant was an MSI1. I loved the faceting on it so much, but I wouldn’t be staring at it all day, like I do with Flora.
 
EllieTO said:
I'm still toying with what to do with Maxine. At first I was in awe with how nice she's cut, then disappointed that I wasn't seeing the OEC facet pattern I like. She's pretty but not my type, if that makes sense. I put her away for a few days to think about it. I was playing with a loupe today and I can't get over how perfect she is! I can't see any inclusions or blemishes other than the chip. The cut is so precise. The facets dance all around and there's no obstruction under any conditions (I'm using the big words now!) I realized there is no culet, and I think it's actually more of a transitional than OEC?

As I was examining her today, I was thinking that if I return her, I might look back and kick myself for letting such a pretty stone go just because.... no flower. :confused:

New video here. I also ordered a camera microscope lens, so I'll post more when I get those pictures and videos.
https://imgur.com/a/nLjcRfr

I'm not talking about my Sako stone because that's decided. :mrgreen2: I just need to start the thread on her setting. She seems to be shrinking by the day though. :lol-2:
Click to expand...

Can I tell you how much I'm loving these videos you keep sharing? :kiss2:

I want to weigh in as Maxine's previous (temporary) caretaker, Lol. My entirely unqualified guess is she's' worst case an L SI1. The chip is on the girdle, and I think they're a bit more forgiving of those when grading. Her clarity otherwise is absolutely fantastic. And re: color, you have to keep in mind she's essentially in a yellow gold cup since the band is solid below her, so that will lend the stone added color. Also, the chip will be super easy to disguise, given its location.

I really do hope you decide to keep her and have her graded. I'm so curious!!
 
maryjane04 said:
Pendants and earrings have a different set of merit for me personally. You could totally have two rings with different flavour old cuts but to be honest I don't feel like this pleases you as much as the Sako stone. That's why I propose a pendant for Maxine so that way you can still enjoy it without seeing her up close lol and she won't be competing against the Sako stone (I'll just call her Juliet) lol.
Click to expand...


lavenderdragonfly23 said:
Ditto …. Pendants and earrings are for everyone else to look at, the stones we LOVE are for you… aka ring :lol:

For example, I am color and clarity sensitive… for my ring I choose a KVS1. The stone I had picked for my pendant was an MSI1. I loved the faceting on it so much, but I wouldn’t be staring at it all day, like I do with Flora.
Click to expand...

Ah I see. I feel the same about pendants vs earrings. For that reason, I wouldn't spend this much on a pendant! If I keep it, it will be for a ring.

It's true that my first love is floral OECs. I think I was thrown off by Maxine at first because that's what I expected. I wasn't able to translate the loupe/lens pics lala posted to what it would look like in real life (but I now see the difference, having examined both stones through a loupe). So I kept trying to see the OEC in it and it threw me off. But I could totally see it was such a well performing diamond, I just needed the mindset shift from OEC to transitional. I do appreciate it for what it is, and I put a high value on antique/vintage stones, so I think it could have a place in my collection.

And no, you can't call the Sako stone Juliet, I can't have that. Her name is Summer Dream. Summer because she's floral and loves the sun, and Dream after none other than @Dreamer_D

lala646 said:
Can I tell you how much I'm loving these videos you keep sharing? :kiss2:

I want to weigh in as Maxine's previous (temporary) caretaker, Lol. My entirely unqualified guess is she's' worst case an L SI1. The chip is on the girdle, and I think they're a bit more forgiving of those when grading. Her clarity otherwise is absolutely fantastic. And re: color, you have to keep in mind she's essentially in a yellow gold cup since the band is solid below her, so that will lend the stone added color. Also, the chip will be super easy to disguise, given its location.

I really do hope you decide to keep her and have her graded. I'm so curious!!
Click to expand...

Thank you for saying that you're enjoying my posts! When I saw your post that you were returning it, I secretly made it my life's mission to be the next buyer. :lol: It would've been my first purchase if it came up a couple days earlier, but I'm glad it didn't because I may have missed out on Summer Dream, and I wouldn't trade her. It's pretty cool that I got two stunning stones for less than I almost spent on just one (#1 from early in the thread, and I'm still kind of sad to have let her go. I named her Eve - the FIRST woman/stone).

You're definitely the most qualified to give an opinion on her grade. I agree she's not too yellow, but I'd rather err on the lower side so I'm not disappointed. My best guess is M for now, but I haven't seen her unset yet. And SI1 would be great!
 
Aww Summer Dream and Maxine. Two very different flavours and personalities. I do get that about spending a lot on a stone you can't see but you still got a bargain for both! I would probably set them in two very different settings then so you'd have options.

I know you wanted the CVB Cora.. I also love Lisette. And then you could probably do a three stone or something like that! It's a luxury to have options!
 
Both Summer Dream and Maxine are beautiful! Thanks for sharing your journey with us, especially the pics and videos ;). Can't wait to see how you have them set. I would go with a ring for Maxine if you decide to keep her so you can enjoy how sparkly she is.
 
maryjane04 said:
Aww Summer Dream and Maxine. Two very different flavours and personalities. I do get that about spending a lot on a stone you can't see but you still got a bargain for both! I would probably set them in two very different settings then so you'd have options.

I know you wanted the CVB Cora.. I also love Lisette. And then you could probably do a three stone or something like that! It's a luxury to have options!
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm trying to make them pretty different. I was thinking platinum for one and YG/RG for the other. Summer Dream would be Cora-like, vintage vibes with a delicate lacy halo. For Maxine, a more modern vibe with bezel set center and bezel set halo stones. Something like this.

I'm being super indecisive. I have a bunch of ideas pinned, but I can't decide where to begin with choosing various elements and putting them together. I need to organize my thoughts and maybe do some sketches before I start a thread or start talking to a vendor. I've never designed a ring!
1741319876024.png

Dreamer_D said:
Wow what an incredible honour!! :kiss2: :kiss2: It’s a good thing I didn’t choose my other favourite screen name - evil witch — or it wouldn’t be nearly so romantic!

Obviously I think you should keep Maxine, I’m glad you are learning to love her flavour.

You might enjoy this thread form a billion years ago where me and another PSer wax poetic about transitional diamonds:

Click to expand...

I mean, Summer Dream does have a really nice ring to it, but I can work with evil witch... Ursula perhaps? :lol-2:

Thank you for the thread, I will peruse it.
 
I've been silent for a few days, it's been a week. But I have updates!!! Who's excited?

I got Maxine unset this week and OMG guys!

1. This means she's mine, there's no going back. :mrgreen2:
2. Naked Maxine is WHITE!!!

She's pretty much the same color as Summer Dream, a J. I am very color sensitive (meaning I can distinguish small differences in shade, I did a test at one point and scored in a top percentile) but I can't see a difference with my own eyes! I can sort of see it in pictures, but in any case I think it's maybe one grade lower. Of course it's impossible to tell a difference face up or face down. It has been overcast here all week and I barely had time for a photoshoot during daylight, so my pics are crappy, but here they are.

1741321044170.png

1741321073129.png

1741321102218.png

Maxine is on the right in all.

I knew that in theory the yellow setting would mess with color perception, but wow I didn't expect her to be so white! In the setting, even face up she looked so creamy compared to Summer Dream. Now I'm hesitating setting either one in yellow gold. Originally I was thinking I would end up with a lower color so didn't want to set it in white because I don't like when a low color diamond looks dingy in a white setting. I think either of these could hold their own in a white metal, but I do want them to be different and I do wear any color metal, depending on my outfit and other jewelry. Decisions decisions.

And just for fun, another video of the two sisters hanging out all freeeeee. I think Maxine looks so much prettier out of that setting. I think this was in full light on an overcast morning, IIRC. I kept the sound so you can hear the hummingbirds in the background. I have a nest in my tree, I think mama bird was protesting my activities.

https://imgur.com/a/UwOJcTQ
 
Stunning! All my diamonds are KL color and I prefer to set them in platinum baskets. My experience is yellow gold baskets really add tint as you have seen!

I also noticed my transitional looks much more like an OEC loose or in an airy mount. When she was bezelled she looked very angular bc contrast made the arrows so apparent.

Both are stunning! I’m guessing JK for Maxine too!
 
And in further news, I'm dropping her off at GIA tomorrow! How awesome is it that I can just walk into GIA? Current turn-around times are about a week.

I tried to take measurements now that she's loose, and my best estimate is 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 mm, I was just afraid of scratching or chipping her with the caliper (yes I know she's a diamond, but still!). So around 1.7 ct based on some similar sized OECs I looked up, just as I thought.

I also looked up a bunch of stones of various clarity grades, and I didn't realize SI2s were so terrible. I think she should come out as an SI1.

Here is the closest I could find, but I think this is a natural, not a chip.
Watch the 360 video: https://47jewelry.com/products/1-64...r-k-clarity-si1-3d2423?variant=43320464441515

And a chipped VS2: https://47jewelry.com/products/1-58-carat-old-european-cut-diamond-color-m-clarity-vs2-4d590
 
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EllieTO said:
And in further news, I'm dropping her off at GIA tomorrow! How awesome is it that I can just walk into GIA? Current turn-around times are about a week.

I tried to take measurements now that she's loose, and my best estimate is 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 mm, I was just afraid of scratching or chipping her with the caliper (yes I know she's a diamond, but still!). So around 1.7 ct based on some similar sized OECs I looked up, just as I thought.

I also looked up a bunch of stones of various clarity grades, and I didn't realize SI2s were so terrible. I think she should come out as an SI1.

Here is the closest I could find, but I think this is a natural, not a chip.
Watch the 360 video: https://47jewelry.com/products/1-64...r-k-clarity-si1-3d2423?variant=43320464441515

And a chipped VS2: https://47jewelry.com/products/1-58-carat-old-european-cut-diamond-color-m-clarity-vs2-4d590
Click to expand...

Maxine looks beautiful unset! I think if you like white metals then definitely set both in platinum/white gold. Even warmer stones like my M works better in white prongs vs gold prongs.

OMG how lucky are you to be so close to GIA! SI1/2 aren't even that bad lol. I have an SI1 and SI2 stone. I can't wait to see what Maxine's colour and clarity grade comes back as. She's beautiful either way. How amazing is it that you got two very lovely stones for the price of 1!
 
Yeah I’m going with K SI1!
 
EllieTO said:
And in further news, I'm dropping her off at GIA tomorrow! How awesome is it that I can just walk into GIA? Current turn-around times are about a week.

I tried to take measurements now that she's loose, and my best estimate is 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 mm, I was just afraid of scratching or chipping her with the caliper (yes I know she's a diamond, but still!). So around 1.7 ct based on some similar sized OECs I looked up, just as I thought.

I also looked up a bunch of stones of various clarity grades, and I didn't realize SI2s were so terrible. I think she should come out as an SI1.

Here is the closest I could find, but I think this is a natural, not a chip.
Watch the 360 video: https://47jewelry.com/products/1-64...r-k-clarity-si1-3d2423?variant=43320464441515

And a chipped VS2: https://47jewelry.com/products/1-58-carat-old-european-cut-diamond-color-m-clarity-vs2-4d590
Click to expand...

Woohoo!! I'm so excited for this. I'm just gonna sit here for the next week or so with my bucket of popcorn waiting for the results!! :kiss2:
 
Get some yellow gold/rose gold/white/plat colored craft foil
And play around with ‘making a bezel’
:love:
 
Rfisher said:
Get some yellow gold/rose gold/white/plat colored craft foil
And play around with ‘making a bezel’
:love:
Click to expand...

OMG this is genius! It takes care of the color aspect and the bezel aspect too! I was going to try @vitona526 's earring contraption. :lol-2:
Thread 'Willy aka the Beast' https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/willy-aka-the-beast.288001/

I actually just ordered a gold tone tension stone holder. I was shocked at how much difference just that little piece of metal makes! I took some pics as an experiment, I will have to post soon.

I walked Maxine into GIA on Friday. And by walked, I mean went through three security checkpoints. It was an experience! Popcorn buckets will be available in this thread while we wait.
 
I’m going with J color. SI1, because of the chip. I would play up the whiteness with a white metal.

Your diamonds are both really excellent cuts. I’m glad you are keeping both!

I would put these two into Dormeuses style earrings to give them a little movement.
 
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If you still want to go with yellow gold for one of the rings for versatility btw, I would just go 2-tone for Maxine. The WG/plat baskets/bezel help keep the stone looking white because they don’t introduce any yellow into the stone. But having yellow metal “surrounding it” (like with a YG halo and shank) is absolutely fine and actually can help punch up the contrast and make the centre look whiter!
 
AllAboardTheBlingTrain said:
If you still want to go with yellow gold for one of the rings for versatility btw, I would just go 2-tone for Maxine. The WG/plat baskets/bezel help keep the stone looking white because they don’t introduce any yellow into the stone. But having yellow metal “surrounding it” (like with a YG halo and shank) is absolutely fine and actually can help punch up the contrast and make the centre look whiter!
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Yes, this is exactly what I'm thinking!
 
Here are the pics of both stones in different color holders. They were all taken in natural light, as fast as I could swap them out to avoid changes in light conditions. These are stills from videos, I can post the videos if anyone is interested.
I'm shocked!

Summer Dream (J)
Summer Dream white.png Summer Dream yellow.png

Maxine (color TBD)
Maxine white.png Maxine yellow.png

I need to do my nails before photo shoots...
 
Amazing color! How did these two diamonds get found seemingly to be paired together? They are almost identical in color but the TBD diamond seems even slightly lighter. That’s on the edge of I color, but still a J IMO. Maybe I’m wrong but my K color Transitional is -much- more tinted. And the cuts are gorgeous! Good luck!
 
LightBright said:
Amazing color! How did these two diamonds get found seemingly to be paired together? They are almost identical in color but the TBD diamond seems even slightly lighter. That’s on the edge of I color, but still a J IMO. Maybe I’m wrong but my K color Transitional is -much- more tinted. And the cuts are gorgeous! Good luck!
Click to expand...

Haha it must be hard to keep up with this thread. Here's the TLDR.

They are not meant to be paired, it was a total coincidence. I was looking for a pretty OEC around 1.4-1.7 ct. I bought the first one, Summer Dream, from Sako (CJD) after seeing it in person. It's GIA certed 1.49 J SI1.

Around the same time during my search, a ring was posted in the Somebody's gotta buy this piece thread, from Max Pawn. The original purchaser posted nice pictures but then decided to return it. I kept an eye out until it was available on the site again. I had just bought Summer Dream, but since this one from Max Pawn, Maxine, seemed like such a good deal, and there was a return policy, I decided to get that one too. I thought it was an OEC, but it's actually a transitional. It looked quite yellow in its original setting, and it's a bit larger than Summer Dream, estimating 1.7 ct. I thought about it for a couple weeks, and decided to keep both. The second one, Maxine, is at GIA now.

Post in thread 'Somebody's Gotta Buy This Piece!' https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/somebodys-gotta-buy-this-piece.245723/post-5387582

I'm going to set them both in rings, but I'm really struggling with conceptualizing the designs, so it's going to be a while.
 
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EllieTO said:
Here are the pics of both stones in different color holders. They were all taken in natural light, as fast as I could swap them out to avoid changes in light conditions. These are stills from videos, I can post the videos if anyone is interested.
I'm shocked!

Summer Dream (J)
Summer Dream white.png Summer Dream yellow.png

Maxine (color TBD)
Maxine white.png Maxine yellow.png

I need to do my nails before photo shoots...
Click to expand...

What are you seeing in person with these in the different colored metal? Are you leaning one way over the over the other?
 
Here are the videos from which I took those screen shots. It shows them face up to start.
https://imgur.com/a/HQujVsp

Honestly, I don't mind the warmth. I didn't mind it in Maxine in her original setting either. The creaminess is nice. I was just shocked at how much of a difference it made, even in the minimal metal of the holder. Also, with the kinds of settings I'm considering, you wouldn't really be able to see them from the side anyway.

Originally, when I was only planning one piece, I was thinking to set Summer Dream in a CvB Cora or similar, in yellow gold. But when I got Maxine, I was thinking she would be better in yellow because of her supposedly lower color. Now that they're the same color, I can go either way. I definitely want at least one of these in yellow or rose, because most of my other rings are in white and my one other showstopper ring is also in platinum (yes, I have a JOTW! Daisy is my treasure :kiss2:), and I want variety. I like the CvB Cora in yellow, so if I go with that or similar, then I will stick with yellow.

I'm definitely also considering two tone, as @AllAboardTheBlingTrain also suggested.
 
Wow, they look beautiful in both colors. And gorgeous faceting with fire! I can’t wait to seethe direction you choose.
 
Just gorgeous diamonds look in’ gorgeous. I like the idea of setting each in a different colored metal. Might I suggest you don’t try to plan both at once. Too stressful. Once Maxine is back perhaps decide which diamond you want to set first. And just make one perfect ring. Then you will have an easier time designing the other one bc you will have two pieces to go off stylistically.

I have a strong preference for platinum prongs because they tend to just disappear and the diamonds look whiter. But it depends on the style you are after.

I see the Daisy ring. Do you have other daily wear rings? I wonder if you have considered a three stone for one of them?
 
Dreamer_D said:
Just gorgeous diamonds look in’ gorgeous. I like the idea of setting each in a different colored metal. Might I suggest you don’t try to plan both at once. Too stressful. Once Maxine is back perhaps decide which diamond you want to set first. And just make one perfect ring. Then you will have an easier time designing the other one bc you will have two pieces to go off stylistically.

I have a strong preference for platinum prongs because they tend to just disappear and the diamonds look whiter. But it depends on the style you are after.

I see the Daisy ring. Do you have other daily wear rings? I wonder if you have considered a three stone for one of them?
Click to expand...

Excellent suggestion to focus on one ring first as I’m struggling with the design of just one ring :confused:
 
jaqjaqjaq said:
Excellent suggestion to focus on one ring first as I’m struggling with the design of just one ring :confused:
Click to expand...

I spent 6mo designing my five stone. Some of that was waiting for the bank account to fill, but mostly I was honing in on what I truly wanted. I call it the “banging my head on the wall” phase lol
 
Dreamer_D said:
I spent 6mo designing my five stone. Some of that was waiting for the bank account to fill, but mostly I was honing in on what I truly wanted. I call it the “banging my head on the wall” phase lol
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Was that 6 months of pre CAD work with Amy/David or was that after you received the first CAD? I always feel rushed, not because the team makes me feel that way but I assume I’m being a PITA.
 
jaqjaqjaq said:
Was that 6 months of pre CAD work with Amy/David or was that after you received the first CAD? I always feel rushed, not because the team makes me feel that way but I assume I’m being a PITA.
Click to expand...

I started thinking about what I wanted in Oct 2024 and requested a quote at that time. We did a couple CADs that were very small changes from the inspiration CAD they did a few years back. Then I let them know I was pausing until the new year. Then I spent two months thinking and planning and putting together my design document on my own. Then I contacted them again in January and we worked exchanging CADs for about 4 weeks. We did about 4-5 major CAD revisiting that time. Sometimes I would send revisions the next day, and sometimes it would be a week or two between them sending me a CAD and me sending a revision. We did not exchange design consultation emails per se, mostly it was me sending design boards and CAD revisions and them replying “like this” and attaching a file? A few times I asked questions about durability of the delicate gallery, metal choice, stone setting order etc. I approved CADs in early Feb.

I figure they have many clients and I’m just one of them, so they likely aren’t thinking about me at all between emails lol.
 
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