My Dream Ring: 8.1mm European Cut Diamond

[Dreamer_D]

Sounds as though you don't really need the EGL report for insurance since your jeweler can just write up an appraisal so that's good.

Though I don't know if I'd exactly call the report useless just because they would term it a MRB, because if you insured it, and something happened, and they replaced it with a 'like' MRB, you could just sell that stone and go back on the hunt for another extremely late transitional-borderline-MRB. And probably pocket some $ along the way. That doesn't sound so bad to me!!

I am not particularly sentimental about diamonds, usually I am fairly logical and economical. I mean, I have been basically operating on the assumption that anything I buy I need to be able to sell and recoup because I have changed my mind in the past. But in this case I don't feel like that! I know this style of old cut is not everyone's cup of tea, but for *me* it is truly special and has captured my heart Cheesy as that sounds. I let my jeweler ship the diamond to EGL and when I gave the stone over I almost panicked because I thought, If it was lost it would be SO hard to replace!! This style of old cut is pretty uncommon for whatever reason. I've only seen a few examples on PS. The setting is also really lovely in person, and it was nice it came together with the diamond as a package since settings are my nemesis. And its nice and big!

Anyways, not everyone likes reports for the same reason I do: I like them *just because* it is fun to have more information about my diamond and its all part of my enjoyment. Like when people order a family tree off the internet or something That enjoyment is ruined for me if the report is wrong. Like with another stone I had where this same guy indicated no culet on the report, when the stone obviously has a large culet. Errors like that totally tick me off. ETA: I trust my own knowledge of old cuts more than I trust that particular grader's opinion at this point.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well, I"m totally glad to hear it's still your dream ring and that you're not letting the MRB label keep you from loving it!

Labels are way overrated, and I always think it's a shame when mind-clean issues keep someone from loving a stone.....but I could totally see it in this case. You went into this (I thought) really wanting a classic old cut......well-cut, but distinctly old cut, and I can fully see where that might not cut it on a mind-clean front.

But, since you're happy with the stone regardless of its MRB status, that's a win. Congratulations again for finding the stone for you.

Its not an MRB Alj. I think Coati covered the correct labelling of this diamond a few pages ago.

 

[Dreamer_D]

How frustrating! I am glad that your jeweler is able to give you a detailed appraisal for your insurance.

I bet you are going nuts waiting for it to be back on your finger and I don't blame you, it is insanely gorgous! I can't wait to see how the new prongs look!!

I am pretty eager to have it back! I am nervous to see how the refurbishment turns out but I don't think it can be worse that it was. But I am trying to be trusting and optimistic.

 

[aljdewey]

OH.......my bad. I haven't read the whole thread, was just skimming but saw your update that EGL is adamant that it's an MRB and thought that was the final word.

Regardless of what it is, I'm glad that you're thrilled with it. Sounds like it performs just as nicely as a MRB, which seems to be a priority for you, and I'd be happy to see you get a stone you could feel happy with. It's tough to search and search and search for the right fit, and it's always nice to see when someone finds it.

 

[yssie]

One person? Yikes... if there's a spike up or down in grading trends from this particular lab first thing to check would be the coffee machine, I guess!

I'm glad you still love it, whatever the guy behind the desk says it's awesome that your jeweller is so excited!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, if they have a transitional label, that is what I would have expected, too. No point in getting the report otherwise.

 

[aljdewey]

Yes, if they have a transitional label, that is what I would have expected, too. No point in getting the report otherwise.

DS, I'm not sure if the EGL lab in Canada runs differently than the U.S. lab, but I do know in the US they do have a "transition round brilliant" label. I have a certificate for my tranny, and that's what the cut is referred to, so it's puzzling they won't budge unless they have parameters that limit the designation?

 

[Dreamer_D]

EGL is better than GIA at labelling old cuts, but they have made mistakes before that we have seen here on PS. I have seen stones on JBEG with incorrect labels -- or at least labels that JBEG disagreed with -- and I believe that another PSer with a similar cut stone to mine that also got the RB designation? I can't recall who but I remember it being discussed.

*shrug* It doesn't really matter, this isn't really that big a deal. I had already had an experience with them that made me doubt the reliability of reports they issue: On another stone I had, the grader told me that "no culet" meant "medium culet" for old cuts -- that there was a different scale than is used for RBs. Later I saw that this is not how EGL-LA or EGL-NY reports look, so either EGL Canada uses different grading rules than EGL_LA/NY, or he was wrong, or he made a mistake and was covering up afterwords rather than fixing the report. I just lost faith. And I'm not so interested in a report that I want to send the stone to EGL-LA or another lab. This lab was close and it would only take a day or two, so I thought "why not? Fun to have?" But the appraiser's report will be enough for my needs.

 

[Demelza]

EGL is better than GIA at labelling old cuts, but they have made mistakes before that we have seen here on PS. I have seen stones on JBEG with incorrect labels -- or at least labels that JBEG disagreed with -- and I believe that another PSer with a similar cut stone to mine that also got the RB designation? I can't recall who but I remember it being discussed.

*shrug* It doesn't really matter, this isn't really that big a deal. I had already had an experience with them that made me doubt the reliability of reports they issue: On another stone I had, the grader told me that "no culet" meant "medium culet" for old cuts -- that there was a different scale than is used for RBs. Later I saw that this is not how EGL-LA or EGL-NY reports look, so either EGL Canada uses different grading rules than EGL_LA/NY, or he was wrong, or he made a mistake and was covering up afterwords rather than fixing the report. I just lost faith. And I'm not so interested in a report that I want to send the stone to EGL-LA or another lab. This lab was close and it would only take a day or two, so I thought "why not? Fun to have?" But the appraiser's report will be enough for my needs.

Yes, Grace told me once that a stone they thought was clearly an OEC was labeled by EGL as an OMC. I think they were going to contest it. I saw that stone in person and it looked nothing like an OMC to me. In addition, EGL labeled my stone as a transitional cut. Dave Atlas appraised the stone and said that it was NOT a transitional cut, but a "standard OEC cut." So, all of that is to say that I would take these EGL designations with a very large grain of salt. Honestly, their designations seem pretty random to me.

 

[TravelingGal]

Ha, that's the fun thing about old cuts...so many flavors to taste and love!

I get what Dreamer is saying about the EGL report being useless. If she's going to KEEP it (which she is! ) then she needs a report that will have insurance say it's an old cut to replace it with something similar. If she were to sell it, then I think the MRB with a good cut wouldn't be a bad thing, since aren't MRB pricier in comps?

Whatever it is, it IS old. Do you gals remember the Mara's old cut thread?

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cut-nuts-have-you-switched-from-rb-to-old-stone.175538/page-7']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cut-nuts-have-you-switched-from-rb-to-old-stone.175538/page-7[/URL]

I remember you saying this Dreamer, but I had to figure out which thread it was. Basically that the stone DS liked (jjc's one cut similarly to yours) is a MRB with chunky facets (on page 7 of the page of that thread). So it's interesting to me that EGL would call demelza's similar cut stone a transitional, while Dave calls it standard OEC.

The answer? Everyone disagrees, so love it, wear it, stare at it, and call it George!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Ha, that's the fun thing about old cuts...so many flavors to taste and love!

I get what Dreamer is saying about the EGL report being useless. If she's going to KEEP it (which she is! ) then she needs a report that will have insurance say it's an old cut to replace it with something similar. If she were to sell it, then I think the MRB with a good cut wouldn't be a bad thing, since aren't MRB pricier in comps?

Whatever it is, it IS old. Do you gals remember the Mara's old cut thread?

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cut-nuts-have-you-switched-from-rb-to-old-stone.175538/page-7']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cut-nuts-have-you-switched-from-rb-to-old-stone.175538/page-7[/URL]

I remember you saying this Dreamer, but I had to figure out which thread it was. Basically that the stone DS liked (jjc's one cut similarly to yours) is a MRB with chunky facets (on page 7 of the page of that thread). So it's interesting to me that EGL would call demelza's similar cut stone a transitional, while Dave calls it standard OEC.

The answer? Everyone disagrees, so love it, wear it, stare at it, and call it George!

Indeed! When I heard what they were going to label my stone I talked to Demelza and was like: What are the proportions on your stone? 50% table -- check. 60% depth -- check. LGF in the 60% range -- check. Medium culet -- check. Crown and Pavilion similar to MRBs. Check. The only differenc between our stones is the outline, with hers having a slight cushiony shape. So Dave says hers is an OEC, EGL says it a transitional, Al Gilbertson would call it an American Cut. Mine would be too I guess. And I showed my pics to Grace at JBEG and she also thought later OEC (using the term broadly of course). All I know is its not an MRB -- it was cut about 90 years ago so it ain't modern

And while I do so love having mlyself quoted especially when I have changed my mind it is interesting to see my comments in that thread. I do still adore cuts like yours Tgal. I also recall when I saw Demelza's stone it took my breath away too. And when I saw mine -- on the street outside the fedex depot in a small podunk US town -- I started dancing a little jig it was so awesome. I think beyond liking any particular type of old cut, I just really like a really well cut diamond. I have never changed my tune about that, I like precision and I like a cutter who was a little ODC This is the one I found, and this is the one I like. No matter what people "thought I wanted"

ETA: Oh, and Dem's and my stones do look "decidedly different than MRBs" in person and in photos I think. She and I are going to meet up again next week when I get my diamond back so we can do another comparison! I'll get some nice shots of her stone, mine, and her MRB!

 

[TravelingGal]

Ha, that's the fun thing about old cuts...so many flavors to taste and love!

I get what Dreamer is saying about the EGL report being useless. If she's going to KEEP it (which she is! ) then she needs a report that will have insurance say it's an old cut to replace it with something similar. If she were to sell it, then I think the MRB with a good cut wouldn't be a bad thing, since aren't MRB pricier in comps?

Whatever it is, it IS old. Do you gals remember the Mara's old cut thread?

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cut-nuts-have-you-switched-from-rb-to-old-stone.175538/page-7']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-cut-nuts-have-you-switched-from-rb-to-old-stone.175538/page-7[/URL]

I remember you saying this Dreamer, but I had to figure out which thread it was. Basically that the stone DS liked (jjc's one cut similarly to yours) is a MRB with chunky facets (on page 7 of the page of that thread). So it's interesting to me that EGL would call demelza's similar cut stone a transitional, while Dave calls it standard OEC.

The answer? Everyone disagrees, so love it, wear it, stare at it, and call it George!

Indeed! When I heard what they were going to label my stone I talked to Demelza and was like: What are the proportions on your stone? 50% table -- check. 60% depth -- check. LGF in the 60% range -- check. Medium culet -- check. Crown and Pavilion similar to MRBs. Check. The only differenc between our stones is the outline, with hers having a slight cushiony shape. So Dave says hers is an OEC, EGL says it a transitional, Al Gilbertson would call it an American Cut. Mine would be too I guess. And I showed my pics to Grace at JBEG and she also thought later OEC (using the term broadly of course). All I know is its not an MRB -- it was cut about 90 years ago so it ain't modern

And while I do so love having mlyself quoted especially when I have changed my mind it is interesting to see my comments in that thread. I do still adore cuts like yours Tgal. I also recall when I saw Demelza's stone it took my breath away too. And when I saw mine -- on the street outside the fedex depot in a small podunk US town -- I started dancing a little jig it was so awesome. I think beyond liking any particular type of old cut, I just really like a really well cut diamond. I have never changed my tune about that, I like precision and I like a cutter who was a little ODC This is the one I found, and this is the one I like. No matter what people "thought I wanted"

ETA: Oh, and Dem's and my stones do look "decidedly different than MRBs" in person and in photos I think. She and I are going to meet up again next week when I get my diamond back so we can do another comparison! I'll get some nice shots of her stone, mine, and her MRB![/quote]


That would be awesome..and I'll take Demelza MRB any day...LOVE that stone and ring!

btw, I think we've already established around here that you're allowed to change your mind. Like I said, plenty of styles and cuts to love...I'll take one of each please (and serve me divorce papers while you're at it because my husband would kill me for spending so much on diamonds!)

 

[Mara]

Don't worry TG... I'll watch you get that huge honker rock AND stay married. Just give me time.

DD, I think your stone and Dem's are decidedly differently looking in pics, but it will be interesting to see comparison shots when you guys are together. So much old cut goodness...NOM.

 

[TravelingGal]

Don't worry TG... I'll watch you get that huge honker rock AND stay married. Just give me time.

DD, I think your stone and Dem's are decidedly differently looking in pics, but it will be interesting to see comparison shots when you guys are together. So much old cut goodness...NOM.

Ha Mara! If you had said 8 years ago that we would still be around here together and friends, I would have said you were crazy. So yeah, you may have a point.

Dreamer, I look forward to seeing the rehab on the setting. If they nail it, I think you'll have yourself a jeweler for life!

 

[MyDiamondSparkles]

EGL is plain undependable. My 4.46 OMC is noted as a Cushion Modern Brilliant, with a small culet. My jeweler who specializes in old cuts says it has a large culet and is an Old Mine Cut. Go figure.

Dreamer, I was curious as to what the color came back as? I know these old cuts can face up deceivingly white and that your jeweler thought it was more like a K when unset. Did EGL call it a K or lower than that???? Or heck, even higher than that???? And what did EGL call the clarity? With EGL ya' just never know......sigh.

 

[Dreamer_D]

MDS I did not get a report from EGL. We opted not to bother after an initial conversation with them about the cut type. I lost faith.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Some nice things to report.

I got a significant partial refund from the ebay seller of my ring because of the color discrepancy from their advertised color

I got my ring back from the jeweler and the refurbishment looks phenomenal. The prongs are perfect and the milgrain they added to the bezel really delicate and lovely. I am glad I took the leap of faith because it is SO worth the time and expense. I a dore this setting, it is perfect.

Had a really fun GTG with Demelza yesterday and she is super jelous of my ring This was a nice turn of events after ME being so jealous of HER rings las time we met. We took a lot of photos and she will post them later.

Th bezel of my setting makes my diamond look basically the same size as Demelza's 2.5ct rocks, so that was nice to see and has made me a convert of bezels -- though I personally still prefer prong-set styles like mine to true bezels that cover the girdle.

Here is one teaser shot showing the new prongs on my ring, but also for Charmypoo and others who wanted to see my diamod compared to an MRB, here is a good comparison, though the angle makes my stone look a little darker than it might otherwise look. Both my old cut and Dem's give her MRB a run for the money optically in *any* lighting environment. I have not found a "flaw" yet in the performance of my own stone.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Here is a before pic of the mount. I'll post some more before and afters later. The profile is much inmproved too because the old globby prongs stuck up over the plane of the bezel but these are flush.

 

[miraclesrule]

What a dramatic difference the "refurbishment" has made! The prongs are lovely and the milgrain is back and beautiful!

It is amazing!

 

[Enerchi]

Beautiful "after" the setting refurbishment! Looks stunning! You must be so happy - not that you weren't before! - but it just looks so much more perfect - what an awesome ring you found

 

[armywife13]

The setting looks amazing!!!!! The delicate milgraining and prongs are absolute perfection!!!!!! Congratulations again on your ring, it is stunning.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Dreamer I commented in Demelza's thread that your stone seems to 'fit' much better now that the rework has been done. It was a great call on your part - I think it makes a huge difference in the way that stone looks in the setting now.

You've got your big rock now - and it's beautiful! Congrats!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh wow, they did a great job on the prongs and milgrain! It looks so much better even though I loved it as it was!

 

[pregcurious]

Dreamer, George is beautiful! I learned a lot from this thread (e.g. leakage under the table), and I love the collage you made with the PS transitionals. JJC's checkerboard is one of my favs, and I noticed that it was on sale on DB. Do you know who bought it? Just curious.

The refurb on your setting is amazing too! If I lived near you in Canada, I'd be asking you for the name of your jeweler.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Congrats Dreamer! It's beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont forget to post it in the eye candy thread.....we should start a tran thread!

 

[Tuckins1]

Fabulous!

 

[TravelingGal]

they did a great job on your rehab (I meant to post that earlier, then thought I'd post on the other thread, then got lazy!).

Welcome to the octagon bezel setting with pointy prongs club! Wear George in good health!

 

[junebug17]

The prongs and milgrain look fantastic! I loved your ring before, but I love it even more now!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

YUMM to the YUMM YUMMS! How's your ring doing today? Are you getting tired of George? Is George getting to heavy? Let me lighten your burden!

 

[vinjewels]

Thanks for posting the before and after. Just amazing! I would have never thought the milgrain rework would be that good. It looks like new!