Just TOYING with the idea of a OEC styled stone...

[TitanCi]

Madelise thought I should start a new thread, so here I am! Plus I know you PSers are bored of looking up HCA values and virtual shopping for new members, so let's take a quick break. My turn.

So after my many months of research on MRB stones and sleepless nights for god knows how long using the HCA and plugging in numbers to ultimately find an awesome MRB, I started to like OECs after seeing so many of you lovely ladies on PS with them. They have some character to them, and I like that many don't have OECs around here (i.e. "being different"). So I started saving up (again) to buy (in the sorta near future) the fiance a smaller "play ring".

So I know this isn't truly an OEC, but I like GOG AVRs, so I was thinking something along these lines...obviously much smaller than her MRB, but again, just something for fun, for when she doesn't want to wear the MRB:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9070/

Looks pretty good, right? I sorta like this one

BUT... I always see you ladies (or men) mention warmer colors in these stones. Is that something that most people generally want? I guess what I'm saying is... is that the "color style" that should accompany these OEC styled stones (warmer colors)? Hell, that's fine with me.

Plus, do they tend to look better in gold settings?

I've showed her OEC stones and she is open to the idea (I guess a girl would be dumb NOT to accept another stone, right?) and I think this size stone (possibly larger) will be VERY doable in the near future (possibly by year's end)?

Anyway, you OEC lovers, should I:
-get warmer colors to make it really OEC style
-setting colors?


Thanks PS!

 

[bunnycat]

Just a thought- but this one is currently up on LT from a PSer:

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/1-dot-01ct-j-si1-old-european-cut-diamond-ring

As for warmer versus not on the AVR's, I can only tell you my own experience with them. If I'm going to go warm in a round stone, a true OEC is the way I lean and I have seen warmer AVR's in person and I think you could go as low as J and be ok (and so go a little bigger too probably) and stick with a setting style that's antiquey and not modern for it. For lower colors, I like the way they look in the AVC line better, but that's just me....

It may also depend a little on whether you put it in rose gold or not...like this one is about the same price as what you are looking at and looks like it'd be pretty in rose gold.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9977/

 

[TC1987]

My mother has an OEC from Belgium that is an E or F color and it'll knock your socks off. Those antique cuts are gorgeous in the very high colors, but most of the old ones of high color were recut to MRBs a long time ago.

What color of metal depends on the individual warm diamond, when you're looking at settings for a warm. Some of them love white metals, but some definitely look far better in YG or rose gold. It's nice to be able to drop it into several different settings and see what is the most complimentary. Some of those warm stones L/M and lower look great in a mounting with glare-white side stones, too. The contrast is pretty. But I would not go YG or RG and bright white side stones with a warm diamond. I might go YG or RG with colored gem side stones, for a European look.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I adore AVR's but I like around G-H color for all my diamonds. Higher colors are just brighter diamonds. I think you can get by with lower colors in antique stones, but if you can afford J or higher (or especially I or higher), I absolutely would do it!

That said, please do not give her a second round solitaire ring! How about setting that stone in a pretty pendant to wear for the wedding instead? They will have Beverly K settings or simple halo settings that would be gorgeous with a half carat diamond! Or, if you want to make a right hand ring, then maybe get 3 stones and made a 3-stone ring (maybe colored stone sides). But it makes no sense to me to give her a solitaire when she already has an engagement ring.

 

[bunnycat]

LOL! You can tell by my avatar that I'm not opposed to 2 rings to wear. I get bored with the same choice every day, but you know your FI best and a AVR would be a LOVELY pendant to have done if she likes the idea of the OECs....And an AVR in an antique style pendant setting or somethign with milgrain would be yummy!

I'd say if she does like the idea of an smaller alternate ring though, do it different. Play up the antique quality. If modern and sleek was the styling of the larger ring, go with antique or ornate with chasing or carving or fishtails or something. Or something that would look good in rose gold (lower color) or something like the carved delicacy of the VanCraeynest rings.

Or if she likes the pendant idea better, then DS's idea of a halo is great! And maybe a little surprise sapphire for her "something blue" for the wedding????

 

[madelise]

I'm totally not opposed to having a 2nd solitaire. I like the idea of a smaller solitaire for alternative wear to alternative settings, though. But I also like the idea of a pendant that she can wear forever and never bother taking off. Oh, first world problems!!

Have you gone to H Moradi yet? I remember I told you to swing by there since you're local. I actually think I went to the cliff you described from your proposal, right after I went to H Moradi for my summer staycation. I managed to see those seals, too!! Sorry, semi-tangent. I think it will be super helpful if you guys go see old cuts in person. This whole dilemma of warmer colors will then become a non-issue. If I wanted a MRB, I would want it no more tinted than an H or I. I thought I wanted it no more tinted than that in my OEC, too, until I saw just how non-issue those warmer colors are on these older cuts. You should see it in person to get that same experience.

GemFever's ring on preloved is darling, too, and super white for an old cut! AND GIA graded. That's a great catch
But you also have a very local store that happens to be known to allow a gap for haggling, especially on eBay. Their eBay prices are much lower than their in-store prices, and on eBay, they allow haggling. I would def take advantage of that if you happen to find something you love. But you should, at the very least, go just for a great visual education.

If you are stuck on wanting super ideal optics like your FI's MRB, maybe you do want to stick with an AVR, though. Either way, go check out the lower colors. You'll be very pleasantly surprised.

As for setting metal, I think you should wait until you figure out what diamond color you get. If you want something COMPLETELY different than her current e-ring, I think a rose gold or yellow gold setting will be divine with a lower colored OEC. But even if you stayed with white metals, it can still be a complete 180 if you get an antique or antique repro setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

And really and truly, I think she should have input if you want to make another ring anyway. I think a simple halo pendant is one thing, and a second ring is quite another. The halo pendant could be a wedding gift. Does she even like antique style jewelry? Many of us do, but not everyone does. To be honest, I like picking out my own rings and my husband is happy to get me the things I really love. Even with the best of intentions, it is almost impossible to choose something as personal as jewelry if the recipient happens to like jewelry! (Just like color, you can see that there are all different preferences here. I maybe could do a lower color in an antique stone in an antique setting, but in a newly cut AVR with great optics, I just really like higher colors. In an AVC, I can go a little lower in color.).

One more thing. To me, the basics of diamond jewelry are an engagement ring, diamond studs, and in last priority, a pendant. I really wouldn't do a second e-ring if she doesn't have the others.

(I agree that if I had a 2 or 3 ct. diamond e-ring that there might be times I'd want a smaller alternative to wear. But with a 1.3 ct. gorgeous e-ring, I just can't see her ever not wearing it in favor of a half carat diamond!)

 

[TitanCi]

Ladies - thank you for all the feedback. She actually loves the way they look now! I don't know why I'm so happy that she likes the diamond and I would have to spend more money! I never thought of the pendant idea and I think that may be an awesome valentines day gift!!! I guess to me rings seem to spark more interest... But now I'm completely open to the pendant idea.

Madelise- I have not visited them yet but if they're in SD the. I will definitely go, possibly this weekend! That's awesome I can haggle cuz I love to haggle!!! So I will check out the eBay page too.

On a side note, how is the stone quality of old world diamonds?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ladies - thank you for all the feedback. She actually loves the way they look now! I don't know why I'm so happy that she likes the diamond and I would have to spend more money! I never thought of the pendant idea and I think that may be an awesome valentines day gift!!! I guess to me rings seem to spark more interest... But now I'm completely open to the pendant idea.

Madelise- I have not visited them yet but if they're in SD the. I will definitely go, possibly this weekend! That's awesome I can haggle cuz I love to haggle!!! So I will check out the eBay page too.

On a side note, how is the stone quality of old world diamonds?

Stone quality will vary widely depending on the individual stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'll show you a few pendant ideas for AVR/OEC's. The first two are Beverley K which is carried by Pearlman's and Good Old Gold. The 3rd is an antique style that you could have made (with sapphires or all diamonds). The last photo is a custom halo pendant made by Steven Kirsch. I think if you are happy with ERD's work on her rings, they could make one as well.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yikes! Sorry those are so huge!

With her rings, I'd probably go with all diamonds and probably the first or last one.

 

[Christina...]

OH!! I am really really loving that first one DS!! A very good Valentines day gift indeed....

 

[bunnycat]

And really and truly, I think she should have input if you want to make another ring anyway. I think a simple halo pendant is one thing, and a second ring is quite another. The halo pendant could be a wedding gift. Does she even like antique style jewelry? Many of us do, but not everyone does. To be honest, I like picking out my own rings and my husband is happy to get me the things I really love. Even with the best of intentions, it is almost impossible to choose something as personal as jewelry if the recipient happens to like jewelry! (Just like color, you can see that there are all different preferences here. I maybe could do a lower color in an antique stone in an antique setting, but in a newly cut AVR with great optics, I just really like higher colors. In an AVC, I can go a little lower in color.).

One more thing. To me, the basics of diamond jewelry are an engagement ring, diamond studs, and in last priority, a pendant. I really wouldn't do a second e-ring if she doesn't have the others.

(I agree that if I had a 2 or 3 ct. diamond e-ring that there might be times I'd want a smaller alternative to wear. But with a 1.3 ct. gorgeous e-ring, I just can't see her ever not wearing it in favor of a half carat diamond!)

I can understand this concept too. Choosing to wear a 1/2 carat-er over a pretty 1.3 may or may not be up her alley. I know once I have gotten used to the larger size of the OEC I have, I wouldn't ever go down in stone size now. I'm lucky my other ring is a halo.

You have lots of choices to consider!

I think you might understand the oldies better after you go see some in person. Each antique stone has its own personality and so until you know what you like and dislike about stones, it's probably going to be a little harder to call somewhere like OWD and say give me x color and clarity and get reliable results. There's a lot more variables in the old cuts that come in to play, I think.

 

[pandabee]

I'll show you a few pendant ideas for AVR/OEC's. The first two are Beverley K which is carried by Pearlman's and Good Old Gold. The 3rd is an antique style that you could have made (with sapphires or all diamonds). The last photo is a custom halo pendant made by Steven Kirsch. I think if you are happy with ERD's work on her rings, they could make one as well.

I love that SK pendant!!!! A pendant sounds like the perfect v-day gift.

 

[madelise]

Omg I would sell a kidney for that 2nd pendant!!!!!! Eek, so pretty!!!

 

[TitanCi]

DS - I can't believe you remember the aspects of her E-ring (technically it's a 1.35 ), but thanks for the pix of the pendants! I showed her and she likes the halo'ed pendant.

I was searching on oldworlddiamonds.com (I think that's a site PS recommends, right), and I know it depends on the individual stone, but to refresh my mind, and for those that are curious, EGL is more "definitive" for older cut stones, right?

 

[hippi_pixi]

old world diamonds is great for antique cuts. I wouldn't call EGL more definitive... but it is the standard for old cuts. most antique cuts will be graded by EGL. from memory i think because they recognise them as antique cuts and grade them on symmetry and cut based on this. where as other grader might grade them as a poorly cut MRB. correct me if I'm wrong anyone.

bear in mind that an EGL is known for being more lenient on its color and clarity grading than GIA. an EGL J might be equivalent to a GIA L or even M