Loosegrown has gotten pretty good for OEC and inexpensive!

[Inked]

I just received a 3 carat and a 2 carat. I paid $300/carat!!!! I bought 1carat, a 1.5ct and a 2 ct from Alex a few weeks ago, but his price jumped for the 2 carat and 3 carat. I am making a bracelet, so they dont have to be perfect. I say NOT BAD for IGI cert at $300 a carat!! I dont have my samsung since i am at work but I will try to take more pics later.

Again, not perfect, but i think very nice - $930 for the 3 carat and $612 for the 2 carat, again both with IGI certs from loosegrown.

I had bought an uncertified 2 ct from Alex for $875 about 2 weeks ago, and this looks a touch better faceting to me and it was cheaper and its IGI certified.

3 carat IGI from loosegrown for $930, table 50%, depth 65% again, not bad for $300 a carat!! Oh, and it shipped overnight and i didnt pay for upgraded shipping.

I didnt clean them before the pics, whoopsie! lol
I'll take better pics later, but again for the price i am pleased!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

This is such a great timeline for buying beautiful lab diamonds. Your choices are gorgeous!

 

[Mooshi]

This thread was made for me, trying to decide between a 2ct or 3ct and how big the facets look on hand between the two. So thank you @Inked ! What a lovely world to hmm and ha between 2ct or 3ct lol

 

[Inked]

This thread was made for me, trying to decide between a 2ct or 3ct and how big the facets look on hand between the two. So thank you @Inked ! What a lovely world to hmm and ha between 2ct or 3ct lol

AGREE!! I’ll definitely take some better pictures for you tonight with the Samsung but hold on I’ll take a couple pictures that are further away on the hand and I’m wearing my 5.5ct so you can really get a good idea!! Pics Incoming in a few min

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yes these are pretty good! I think the 2 ct has better faceting than the 3. And I wish the 3 had a larger culet!

I still wish they would start cutting them a little more authentic to old proportions. A bit higher crown. A bit smaller table. Would go a long way.

 

[Inked]

Yes these are pretty good! I think the 2 ct has better faceting than the 3. And I wish the 3 had a larger culet!

I still wish they would start cutting them a little more authentic to old proportions. A bit higher crown. A bit smaller table. Would go a long way.

totally agree, and i wish they'd do lower color too.. The 2 carat is WAY better than the one i got from Alex and also YES, agree on both points, wish the culet was a bit bigger and the facets are better on the 2 ct... but for the price.. Im not mad!! LOL!!

 

[Inked]

Some comparison shots (still on my iphone at my office) but my assistant quite literally lent me a hand... hahaha

So you have my rachet old lady hand and her nice hand .. lol

 

[Mooshi]

Thanks @Inked ! But now.... now I think I need a 5.5ct instead. Hah! Or maybe all 3.. PS is not a good influence lol.

 

[maryjane04]

Hahaha @Inked I love this! I would have loved to be your assistant for a day. This would have been the highlight of her day lol.

 

[Inked]

I'm continuing a thread i hijacked over to here,,, LOL!

@Dreamer_D

I bought these 2 OMC from 47jewelers. i am planning a 3 stone OMC ring...

I want a 4.5 - ish center but i have a very specific pattern/ratio i want so i have a feeling i am going to wind up doing a recut to get it... we shall see!! I have seen some natural OMCs that look like it but never have a seen a lab like it






this is what i want, all 4 center mains to be small kite shaped and all go dark at the same time and smaller culet... believe it or not , its impossible to find... as a matter of fact the ones i purchased arent really ideal but since theyre the sides i am ok with it - below is a 1.75 natural



soooo.. this is what i dont want... lol



this is what i do want

 

[Inked]

So I now have an OEC bracelet project started with all my super cheap OECs (these 2 here and the other ones i purchased from Alex) I have been buying. I sent them all off the DK to do a bracelet.

...and I am considering a 3 stone OMC which is why i bought the 2 small ones, but I am in no rush, i am low on money for it at the moment! LOL! Maybe if I sell something. AND I have had zero luck finding the right faceting for the main OMC diamond

 

[SparklieBug]

this is what i want, all 4 center mains to be small kite shaped and all go dark at the same time and smaller culet...



this is what i do want

Why do you want the center mains to go dark at the same time? I realize that it's personal preference. Just curious whether the center mains would also go 'on/off' or if you would like them to be dark at all times? If the latter...black nail polish or a Sharpie pen might do the trick? [Where's a laughing angelic emoji when I need one?]

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yeah so far I haven’t seen very many lab OMCs that look very authentic in cutting style. Hard to find!

 

[Inked]

Why do you want the center mains to go dark at the same time? I realize that it's personal preference. Just curious whether the center mains would also go 'on/off' or if you would like them to be dark at all times? If the latter...black nail polish or a Sharpie pen might do the trick? [Where's a laughing angelic emoji when I need one?]

hahaha!!! weeeeellllll, i dont want them to be dark all the time, but when they go dark, i want all 4 dark! lol!!!! Just personal preference! I feel like OMC are ALL OVER the place in terms of how they look, like SERIOULSY all over... between the shape: square, rectangle, oval... to the faceting... they can look like a maltese cross or a flower... its just a tough cut and its definitely one that i am really struggling with finding the 'right' thing!

 

[Inked]

Yeah so far I haven’t seen very many lab OMCs that look very authentic in cutting style. Hard to find!

Agree. I have my preferred stats and my guy will cut for me but he wants me to order 2 and I dont need 2... And I will bite the bullet and buy the 2 if I have to, but hoping that I can just find one without having to do that. Which is why i am looking. If I didnt buy a new LV bag for myself I could swing it but since I did it will have to wait until I sell something or after tax season... hahaha

 

[luckygreen317]

Agree. I have my preferred stats and my guy will cut for me but he wants me to order 2 and I dont need 2... And I will bite the bullet and buy the 2 if I have to, but hoping that I can just find one without having to do that. Which is why i am looking. If I didnt buy a new LV bag for myself I could swing it but since I did it will have to wait until I sell something or after tax season... hahaha

Pretty sure you would sell the 2nd one to someone on here. In my opinion, you have done a great job with selecting and recutting lab stones.

 

[Inked]

Pretty sure you would sell the 2nd one to someone on here. In my opinion, you have done a great job with selecting and recutting lab stones.

Thank you! I am considering it... I just feel like i never see anyone ask for OMC .. many OEC but not really OMC!

I am going to try to be patient and see if anything comes along while I save.. maybe I'll buy a true antique for the center... I have zero issue with having a true antique center and lab sides.

I'm so impulsive, you never know with me... lol!

 

[Calliecake]

With your sleuthing skills @Inked, I have no doubt you will find exactly what you are looking for or find a way to have it cut to your satisfaction. I can’t wait to see your next finished project. You help make the lab diamond forum so much fun.

 

[Mooshi]

Hi hello @Inked , I am looking for a 4.5ct ish OMC incase you're curious about what to do with the 2nd unneeded omc. I'm not particular about facet pattern, just been browsing LGD for something like this for a while.

 

[jaqjaqjaq]

Yes these are pretty good! I think the 2 ct has better faceting than the 3. And I wish the 3 had a larger culet!

I still wish they would start cutting them a little more authentic to old proportions. A bit higher crown. A bit smaller table. Would go a long way.

What does a little more authentic to old proportions look like? I feel like a lot of the lab grown OECs I’m finding are too perfect? I want the wonkiness of an antique…which probably means I need to buy an antique

 

[Dreamer_D]

What does a little more authentic to old proportions look like? I feel like a lot of the lab grown OECs I’m finding are too perfect? I want the wonkiness of an antique…which probably means I need to buy an antique

Like I said, a little higher crown in the 18% range, a little smaller table closer to the 40% range, more depth overall closer to 68%. Many of these new old-style cuts just make bigger pavilion mains on an MRB shape. So depth around 60, table about 57, crown height about 13. But then you have to adjust all the other angles if you use the old proportions and I’m not sure all the cutters know how to do that. And so much of the mystique of old cuts is how each is unique because they had to work with the shape of the rough and that’s not a consideration with labs. I’d even forgive the lack of wonk if the facet patterning was more authentic. The masters who knew how to make the proportions I described made amazing stones like this though! One of my five stone suite, half carat. But I’m obsessed! This has a 42% table, 68% depth and nearly 20% crown. And wonk.

 

[maryjane04]

Like I said, a little higher crown in the 18% range, a little smaller table closer to the 40% range, more depth overall closer to 68%. Many of these new old-style cuts just make bigger pavilion mains on an MRB shape. So depth around 60, table about 57, crown height about 13. But then you have to adjust all the other angles if you use the old proportions and I’m not sure all the cutters know how to do that. And so much of the mystique of old cuts is how each is unique because they had to work with the shape of the rough and that’s not a consideration with labs. I’d even forgive the lack of wonk if the facet patterning was more authentic. The masters who knew how to make the proportions I described made amazing stones like this though! One of my five stone suite, half carat. But I’m obsessed! This has a 42% table, 68% depth and nearly 20% crown. And wonk.

Thank you so much for your explanation and sorry to hijack the thread. Ah no wonder why I love my lab oecs so much. I think very similar proportions to what you just described. I'll attach the cert. These were quite different to the mass lab oecs that we've seen.

And as for lab omc, I just saw Sin City finds on IG post some good ones that she's about to get.

https://sincityfinds.com/collection...30z8U7rHqWh_9VHxHQ_aem_aELXumXEcIZbiF2yh9Qo7A

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thank you so much for your explanation and sorry to hijack the thread. Ah no wonder why I love my lab oecs so much. I think very similar proportions to what you just described. I'll attach the cert. These were quite different to the mass lab oecs that we've seen.

And as for lab omc, I just saw Sin City finds on IG post some good ones that she's about to get.

https://sincityfinds.com/collection...30z8U7rHqWh_9VHxHQ_aem_aELXumXEcIZbiF2yh9Qo7A

Yes! Do you have a thread or pictures of these somewhere?

ETA never mind I see we already talked about them in depth in the projects thread!!

 

[maryjane04]

Yes! Do you have a thread or pictures of these somewhere?

ETA never mind I see we already talked about them in depth in the projects thread!!

Just in case you're wondering again here they are lol.

 

[jaqjaqjaq]

Like I said, a little higher crown in the 18% range, a little smaller table closer to the 40% range, more depth overall closer to 68%. Many of these new old-style cuts just make bigger pavilion mains on an MRB shape. So depth around 60, table about 57, crown height about 13. But then you have to adjust all the other angles if you use the old proportions and I’m not sure all the cutters know how to do that. And so much of the mystique of old cuts is how each is unique because they had to work with the shape of the rough and that’s not a consideration with labs. I’d even forgive the lack of wonk if the facet patterning was more authentic. The masters who knew how to make the proportions I described made amazing stones like this though! One of my five stone suite, half carat. But I’m obsessed! This has a 42% table, 68% depth and nearly 20% crown. And wonk.

Thank you for the information! I never knew that the old cutters worked with the shape of the rough but that makes a lot of sense. Probably why when I see the lab grown OECs it doesn’t capture my heart the way the antiques do.

Your stone is lovely - wonk, warmth, and chunky pastels!

 

[peppermintpatty]

Thank you so much for your explanation and sorry to hijack the thread. Ah no wonder why I love my lab oecs so much. I think very similar proportions to what you just described. I'll attach the cert. These were quite different to the mass lab oecs that we've seen.

And as for lab omc, I just saw Sin City finds on IG post some good ones that she's about to get.

https://sincityfinds.com/collection...30z8U7rHqWh_9VHxHQ_aem_aELXumXEcIZbiF2yh9Qo7A

I got one of the 2 OMC lab diamonds Sin City sold. I see she is taking orders though.

I’m happy to hear you like it too. I jumped on it so fast, I didn’t look at it as good as I probably should have!

I’m somewhat embarrassed since I recently sold my 4 carat OEC. This is 5 carats! I think with it being an OMC I can pull it off more easily. I’m really liking Zendaya’s engagement ring. I might do something like that.

I’m guessing it will be here Tuesday. I will try to take pictures.

 

[peppermintpatty]

Thank you so much for your explanation and sorry to hijack the thread. Ah no wonder why I love my lab oecs so much. I think very similar proportions to what you just described. I'll attach the cert. These were quite different to the mass lab oecs that we've seen.

And as for lab omc, I just saw Sin City finds on IG post some good ones that she's about to get.

https://sincityfinds.com/collection...30z8U7rHqWh_9VHxHQ_aem_aELXumXEcIZbiF2yh9Qo7A

Your numbers are very close to what Dreamer_D said! Such great information!

How did you know to look for those? They are beautiful! Are you keeping both? Do you have a favorite?

 

[maryjane04]

I got one of the 2 OMC lab diamonds Sin City sold. I see she is taking orders though.

I’m happy to hear you like it too. I jumped on it so fast, I didn’t look at it as good as I probably should have!

I’m somewhat embarrassed since I recently sold my 4 carat OEC. This is 5 carats! I think with it being an OMC I can pull it off more easily. I’m really liking Zendaya’s engagement ring. I might do something like that.

I’m guessing it will be here Tuesday. I will try to take pictures.

Oh yes I'm so glad a PS'er bought it. I only remember seeing it on SCF IG story and I thought it looked pretty good. I can't wait to see your photos of it and really hope that you like it. So I think she posted that 5ct omc is 10mm. How many mm was your oec?

Your numbers are very close to what Dreamer_D said! Such great information!

How did you know to look for those? They are beautiful! Are you keeping both? Do you have a favorite?

Haha yeah I'm actually quite fussy and I'm pretty sure that 98% of lab old cuts aren't to my taste. Maybe @Dreamer_D and I are alike that we value things that are difficult to photograph. Things like depth which results in a higher crown, smaller table, kozibe and chunky facets. I actually find that the most photogenic lab old cuts are actually the ones that don't behave like an old cut in videos.

I did keep both and made earrings out of them in the first pic lol. For once I can say they were probably a tad too big for my ears even though they were only 7.7mm (2ct) each. I didn't find them comfortable to sleep in. Maybe it's the setting? Should have stuck to a dormeuse type setting.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Back in 2011-2013 I spent so much time buying old cuts on eBay. It was my main hobby. And back then there were way more private sellers. I bout all my stones save my biggest one from private sellers. Anyway their pictures always sucked so I learned how to see past bad photography to see the faceting and I learned to judge from the angles and proportions and the actual facet patterns to distinguish what would look great. I’ve only returned one or two for being poorly cut. Anyway, your comment @maryjane04 that we like things that don’t photograph well made me think about that, even though I don’t think that’s exactly what you meant.

But here’s an example of what I was talking about looking for things you can’t see in a fugly picture. These are vendor pictures of my .52ct L VS2 and my .53cr K SI1 (both GIA) then my pictures on the same stones.

 

[peppermintpatty]

@maryjane04 I see I wrote SC and not SCF! I think I will like it, hoping I love it. My OEC was 10mm, the OMC is 11mm.

I missed that! Your earrings are beautiful! I can relate. I always sleep in my earrings. I do best with 1.50 tcw. My natural diamonds I just had David set are closer to 1.80. I hope I can sleep in them! I sent them right back to David for different backs. So excited to get them back and wear them.

I got a pair of OEC's from Alex. I think the dormeuse idea is a great one!!! Are you open to changing the setting? They should be worn and often!