Old Mine Cut discovery!

[stracci2000]

I just discovered this .40 OMC pendant at another local pawn shop.
This is the 3rd pawn shop I've been in recently, and this shop had loads of fine jewelry.
After interrupting the guy's lunch, he was not overly enthusiastic about pulling rings out of the showcase for me. But, too bad, it's his job, so I made him pull out many trays of diamond rings.
I soon discovered this OMC, and got 20% off, too!
I'm not crazy about the yellow gold solitaire setting, so that will change soon.
The stone is white and clear. No trace of yellow. I removed it from the setting to check color and weigh it. There are a few needle-like inclusions, so maybe SI2.
Setting ideas are swirling around in my head!

 

[the_mother_thing]

Lovely find!

 

[stracci2000]

Lovely find!

Oh, gosh. Now I'm obsessed with old cuts!
The one in your avatar is scrumptious!

 

[Bluegemz]

Great find, Stracci!

 

[the_mother_thing]

Oh, gosh. Now I'm obsessed with old cuts!
The one in your avatar is scrumptious!

Thank you! GIA called it an OEC, but it’s really more ‘old miner-ish’ (I think) with the imperfect, chunky faceting, fat ‘ol culet, and kozibe for days.

I can’t wait to see what you decide on with your pendant reset. I’d be inclined to reset that pretty in a ring with a couple small colored stones so I could enjoy it’s beautifully twinkling with every move of your hand. But that’s just me.

 

[stracci2000]

Great find, Stracci!

Thanks, Bluegemz! I am finding a few treasures down here in "Burque!

 

[Bluegemz]

Thanks, Bluegemz! I am finding a few treasures down here in "Burque!

There must be so many great places there! I don’t know of any of them other than Southwestern gem and mineral on Central.

 

[stracci2000]

There must be so many great places there! I don’t know of any of them other than Southwestern gem and mineral on Central.

Southwestern Minerals is my all-time favorite place. But thanks to inspiration from @StephanieLynn, I have been trying pawn shops. Real variety there.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I'm glad you got some inspiration from me! Seriously though you don't really need it, these beautiful old diamonds are just drawn to you!

ETA: I vote for a setting like mine with split prongs so we can be twinsies since my mine diamond is the same size

 

[stracci2000]

I'm glad you got some inspiration from me! Seriously though you don't really need it, these beautiful old diamonds are just drawn to you!

Next, I'm gonna stop wearing bras and pants!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, you will be one sexy blinged out beast then! Just to clarify though, I do wear pants around my house, just nothing fit for the outside world (like the sweatpants I'm wearing right now with a huge tear on the right hip). No bra in the house though, that means I can't take a corner to fast or I could knock out my three year old lol!

So tell more about this visit, was there anything else that caught your eye or this was really the diamond in the rough?

 

[stracci2000]

@stracci2000, you will be one sexy blinged out beast then! Just to clarify though, I do wear pants around my house, just nothing fit for the outside world (like the sweatpants I'm wearing right now with a huge tear on the right hip). No bra in the house though, that means I can't take a corner to fast or I could knock out my three year old lol!

So tell more about this visit, was there anything else that caught your eye or this was really the diamond in the rough?

I have a retail job where I drive to different locations.
It just so happens that yesterday I was passing by a pawn shop that I hadn't yet visited.
So I was actually on company time.(sssshhhhhhh!)

Anyway, I walked in and several guys and a dog were sitting around talking. They all turned around when I walked in, like when you walk into a corner bar. One of them said "Looking for something special?" and I replied "Antique or vintage jewelry." No response.
So I saw this huge jewelry display and I start looking. They all ignore me. So after a few impatient minutes, I said to the one guy with fried food in his mouth, "Can I see some of these things in the case?" So he puts down what looked and smelled like like a chimichanga. I started pointing out some vintage styles and he was bringing them out one at a time. Which I hate, cause I like to compare.
I guess he got tired of me pointing and him trying to reach the ones I wanted to see, so he began pulling out whole trays.
There was only one OEC ring and the tag said 'European cut'. He says "That's a European cut."
I said "Yeah, that's what I'm looking for." I said "Do you have any more?" He said "No, that's it."
Not much of a conversationalist, this guy.
The stone was small, and the prongs looked like they were about to give out.
But I figured that with all that jewelry, there had to be at least one more..and I found it!

There was an interesting pear shaped light brown diamond solitaire, possibly 1 ct. or so.
It was kinda nice, marked 975.00. So many engagement rings! All shapes and sizes. The prices were OK, too. Definitely way below retail.

But really, I *shouldn't* be buying jewelry. Retail work hardly pays well!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I give you credit, that attitude when I'm looking to buy something is something I don't tolerate, ain't nobody got time for that. Paid off for you though! I love that stone, can't wait to see what you decide to do with it!

Thanks for sharing the story too! Love a good backstory to a great deal. And retail may not pay great but we only get one trip around so you might as well indulge a little and keep things interesting

 

[missy]

I just discovered this .40 OMC pendant at another local pawn shop.
This is the 3rd pawn shop I've been in recently, and this shop had loads of fine jewelry.
After interrupting the guy's lunch, he was not overly enthusiastic about pulling rings out of the showcase for me. But, too bad, it's his job, so I made him pull out many trays of diamond rings.
I soon discovered this OMC, and got 20% off, too!
I'm not crazy about the yellow gold solitaire setting, so that will change soon.
The stone is white and clear. No trace of yellow. I removed it from the setting to check color and weigh it. There are a few needle-like inclusions, so maybe SI2.
Setting ideas are swirling around in my head!

WOW! What an adorable OMC Stracci! OMG to your OMC. LOVE.
You are on fire girl. Amazbling stones and amazing prices. I need to take you with me shopping for bling. So happy for you finding this gorgeous OMC. And so white too. That is one of a kind.

I cannot wait to see what you do with this!

 

[Marissa Stewart]

I have a retail job where I drive to different locations.
It just so happens that yesterday I was passing by a pawn shop that I hadn't yet visited.
So I was actually on company time.(sssshhhhhhh!)

Anyway, I walked in and several guys and a dog were sitting around talking. They all turned around when I walked in, like when you walk into a corner bar. One of them said "Looking for something special?" and I replied "Antique or vintage jewelry." No response.
So I saw this huge jewelry display and I start looking. They all ignore me. So after a few impatient minutes, I said to the one guy with fried food in his mouth, "Can I see some of these things in the case?" So he puts down what looked and smelled like like a chimichanga. I started pointing out some vintage styles and he was bringing them out one at a time. Which I hate, cause I like to compare.
I guess he got tired of me pointing and him trying to reach the ones I wanted to see, so he began pulling out whole trays.
There was only one OEC ring and the tag said 'European cut'. He says "That's a European cut."
I said "Yeah, that's what I'm looking for." I said "Do you have any more?" He said "No, that's it."
Not much of a conversationalist, this guy.
The stone was small, and the prongs looked like they were about to give out.
But I figured that with all that jewelry, there had to be at least one more..and I found it!

There was an interesting pear shaped light brown diamond solitaire, possibly 1 ct. or so.
It was kinda nice, marked 975.00. So many engagement rings! All shapes and sizes. The prices were OK, too. Definitely way below retail.

But really, I *shouldn't* be buying jewelry. Retail work hardly pays well!

That is so annoying! I hate when people act like that. Your job is to help me, I am not just wasting your time. At least you ended up finding great stuff! If the prices and items are good enough, I guess it is worth the awful service LOL. I am excited to see what you do with that diamond. Are you thinking keeping it a necklace or turning it into a ring?

 

[stracci2000]

That is so annoying! I hate when people act like that. Your job is to help me, I am not just wasting your time. At least you ended up finding great stuff! If the prices and items are good enough, I guess it is worth the awful service LOL. I am excited to see what you do with that diamond. Are you thinking keeping it a necklace or turning it into a ring?

I'm thinking of a pendant. I already have several old cut rings. So I am researching vintage pendant styles.
The metal has to be white. I love yellow gold with colored stones, but I think it gives diamonds a warm tint.

 

[Bron357]

Excellent find there.
An expensive but fulfilling hobby searching around pawn shops and the like for treasures that lurk unloved, just waiting for a new owner!

 

[stracci2000]

Excellent find there.
An expensive but fulfilling hobby searching around pawn shops and the like for treasures that lurk unloved, just waiting for a new owner!

Yes, I feel like I am rescuing them from obscurity, and giving them a forever home!

 

[Bron357]

Yes, I feel like I am rescuing them from obscurity, and giving them a forever home!

You just gave me a thought....
Perhaps I’ll explain to DH that my jewellery purchases are actually charity work.
Like you I will rescue them from a cold, heartless jewellery case and give them a kind, loving forever home.
Hee hee!

 

[LorettaB]

Picture this....my husband and I in the pawn shop last Saturday....

I got finished picking up a ring they had resized for me and found him in the firearms section looking at another gun to buy.

Him: "How much was that ring?"
Me: "Why do you want to know?"
Him: "Because what you spend in jewelry, I should be able to spend on guns."

Several seconds of silence while we looked at each other....

Me: "That is NOT how this works....at ALL."

I thought the man helping him was going to fall out laughing.
(He got to put a gun on layaway.)

 

[Marissa Stewart]

Picture this....my husband and I in the pawn shop last Saturday....

I got finished picking up a ring they had resized for me and found him in the firearms section looking at another gun to buy.

Him: "How much was that ring?"
Me: "Why do you want to know?"
Him: "Because what you spend in jewelry, I should be able to spend on guns."

Several seconds of silence while we looked at each other....

Me: "That is NOT how this works....at ALL."

I thought the man helping him was going to fall out laughing.
(He got to put a gun on layaway.)

That sounds like something my husband would say

 

[Marissa Stewart]

I'm thinking of a pendant. I already have several old cut rings. So I am researching vintage pendant styles.
The metal has to be white. I love yellow gold with colored stones, but I think it gives diamonds a warm tint.

I agree, if the stone does not have any warmth to it then it should not be in yellow gold! Showing off that white color is worth it!

 

[LorettaB]

I now have a new quest in my pawn shop visits. That diamond is just simply beautiful!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

See obviously you have found a good source,around here the pawn shops have absolute crap, I do have a gold and coin place that is great except they have a Russian diamond buyer that scoops up all the good stuff. So I just resort to Ebay and wine lol!

 

[stracci2000]

See obviously you have found a good source,around here the pawn shops have absolute crap, I do have a gold and coin place that is great except they have a Russian diamond buyer that scoops up all the good stuff. So I just resort to Ebay and wine lol!

I told two of my friends about the pawn shops.
Now they're all "I wanna go with you!"
And I'm all "Maybe I don't wanna share my source with you!"
But they know NOTHING about diamonds except that they're sparkly, so I'm not worried.
Most people around here couldn't care less about fine jewelry. I think I'm the only one! LOL!
Except for @Bluegemz, my neighbor!!

 

[LorettaB]

South Mississippi has casinos and people DO go in and pawn and sell jewelry for gambling money so we have some with a good selection around here. One ring I bought is a custom made flower design in 18kt gold with diamonds in the center. It’s etched by the hallmark on on the inside of the band and the year date is either 76 or 96. It’s a fine statement ring. I find a LOT of 18kt gold when I go...and I go a LOT. They know me when I walk in. Ha!

 

[Bluegemz]

I told two of my friends about the pawn shops.
Now they're all "I wanna go with you!"
And I'm all "Maybe I don't wanna share my source with you!"
But they know NOTHING about diamonds except that they're sparkly, so I'm not worried.
Most people around here couldn't care less about fine jewelry. I think I'm the only one! LOL!
Except for @Bluegemz, my neighbor!!

I know of all the places in Santa Fe, and other cities in the Bay Area, California...but have no knowledge of great places Albuquerque except for a few....every time we drive through, I attempt to ‘explore’ but it’s hard to get enough time lol! I recently ventured into a pawn shop in SF. There wasn’t anything good..many chip diamond rings and such.

 

[stracci2000]

Yeah, I think some pawn shops might be selling the "good stuff" to a local jeweler or individual. Rats!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I would just ask them if they sell to one particular person, the guys I deal with are very upfront about it, then at least you will know and maybe try your luck at a different shop

 

[Marissa Stewart]

See obviously you have found a good source,around here the pawn shops have absolute crap, I do have a gold and coin place that is great except they have a Russian diamond buyer that scoops up all the good stuff. So I just resort to Ebay and wine lol!

That sounds like an amazing time. Wine and ebay would get me into trouble LOL