Opinions from oec experts, please and thank you

[AnnaH]

What do you think? Uncerted, 2.37, SI, L, 8.5mm

 

[lulu_ma]

Well, I’m not an OEC expert, but I am an OEC lover…

What’s the depth? A video would helpful.

Does the vendor have any GIA certed stones that are L that they can place not to the stone?

Eye clean? What's the return policy?

 

[foxinsox]

What are the proportions? The middle looks a bit odd but that might be the pictures.
Also how much are they asking? Is there any reason they wouldn’t cert it? L is generally a good colour in OECs so they’d maximise their profit if they could confirm it.

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks for replying, Lulu. Your diamond ring is amazing!
I have no other reliable info at this time. Will have my local jeweler take a look.
Under my loupe, I can see flaws. But, to me, it appears eye clean. Someone else might see something, but I can’t. I have a k diamond and think the L rating is accurate.
I can’t take good photos like others here can do, but she sparkles in every lighting. Not sure I know how to post a video but will try.

 

[AnnaH]

Yes, fox, pics aren’t good.

 

[lulu_ma]

Thanks for replying, Lulu. Your diamond ring is amazing!
I have no other reliable info at this time. Will have my local jeweler take a look.
Under my loupe, I can see flaws. But, to me, it appears eye clean. Someone else might see something, but I can’t. I have a k diamond and think the L rating is accurate.
I can’t take good photos like others here can do, but she sparkles in every lighting. Not sure I know how to post a video but will try.

Thank you! Do you have calipers? I am curious as to the depth.

It's good that it's eye clean. You can upload a vid to youtube or imgur and paste the link here.

 

[AnnaH]

I don’t have calipers, but can ask my jeweler to measure. The girdle looks good, but I need her to look at that, too. I haven’t been able to get a good video.

 

[AnnaH]

 

[AnnaH]

 

[AnnaH]

 

[Dizzie]

This picture reads fairly warm to my eyes. More like N-O-P than an L. It might be wise to compare to GIA certified stones, as this would have a massive impact on fair price

 

[natasha-cupcake]

It looks shallow and spready to me, and I think I see hints of a possible fisheye. It's hard to tell from the pictures, though.

 

[tyty333]

It looks shallow to me with a lower crown compared to most OECs. I dont see any fish eye.

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks Dizzie, Natasha and Ty.
Faces up white. I don’t mind the color.
A little spready, I think, but crown is somewhat high. Can’t see fisheye.
I‘m going to try again for a good video. I know you need better pics in order to help.

 

[yssie]

Photos aren’t good but they tell me enough to say pass unless it’s for a… I’ll call it a less important project.

1. Stone is too shallow. So shallow that you’re seeing half the under table go black and the other half stay white. This sort of half and half look is always indicative of watery scintillation IRL. A nicely proportioned stones will look like a chessboard, with an even distribution of crisp-edged black and white patterns all over the face up of the stone that “turn on and off” as you rock it.





2. Girdle reflection is clear on even very slight tilt. Another common issue with overly shallow stones. This stone definitely has a problem, as prior posters have indicated - but the girdle is faceted, and in good condition (either not an antique or an antique that’s had a face lift pretty recently), so it doesn’t look as quite mushy as a bruted or natural or well-worn girdle would. So some might call it fish eye, some might not - same cause but somewhat mitigated presentation. But still not something you’d want to see in a nice stone because it’ll still look like a grey halo around the exterior of the under table IRL.




Ditto prior posters - what’s the return policy? Any upgrade or trade in options? Have you been able to compare this one with differently proportioned stones in-person?

 

[AnnaH]

Yssie, thanks for your thoughtful analysis. It’s a 30 day return. May sell my present stone once it‘s replaced.
Yes, I was surprised by the polished girtle.
I will try to post a video later today. I crazily bought a diamond when I had little time for it.
Haven’t successfully posted what I am seeing in person. She really sparkles with the checkerboard pattern in all lights. I don’t know how.

 

[AnnaH]

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Here is the listing with a video that’s at least better than mine. Just not so representative.

 

[yssie]

Oh have you already purchased it?

In that case I would say try to look at as many old stones as you can within your return period. You may love this stone or you may decide you’d prefer something different - either way you’ll have that much more confidence in your choice!

I have some stones that fail pretty much every quality metric imaginable, and I genuinely love them for what they are. My personal requirements - and budget! - for different projects (engagement ring vs. occasional-wear earrings, for example) can also vary quite a bit.

 

[AnnaH]

Yes I bought it at a reduced price. But plenty of time to return. When I purchased it, I told the seller that it was 50/50 that I would keep it, given no cert.

 

[lulu_ma]

Can we see some pics of the stone next to the K color from top and bottom?

I did some leg work today and IF the stone is a true L then you got a good price. But I suspect, as @Dizzie said, that it may be warmer. Which is ok. I have been shopping old cuts for the last 16 mos and I have seen some amazing N+ colored stones. Here's a pic of a OP (in the ring) next to an N.



@yssie it right--see as many old cuts that you can locally during the return window.

Also, reach out to Adam at OWD and see what he has in the M/N/O/P range. It doesn't hurt to get comp pricing from him and you never know what he might have!

It's best to get as many points of comparison as you can so you can make an informed decision.

 

[lulu_ma]

@AnnaH

I don’t know if this beyond your budget, but is gorg!

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

There’s something about it that I don’t love but I can’t quite describe it. The center looks a little off to me and while I appreciate the wonkiness of old cuts this one doesn’t speak to me. And this is all just personal preference.

Do you follow sincityfinds on IG? She just posted this insane 2.5 OEC with (I think) ruby side stones. $13k wire. She has a story with a video and I think it’s pretty

on Instagram: "Update: All sold, or pending sale. Having a little sell a ton on my stories!. I'm gonna be headed out of the country and not sure if I'll be posting or not so come and get it! . I will be back in July! #sincityfinds #jewelrycollectors

1,091 likes, 27 comments - sincityfinds on June 12, 2022: "Update: All sold, or pending sale. Having a little sell a ton on my stories!. I'm gonna be headed out of the country and not sure if I'll be posting or not so come and get it! . I will be back in July! #sincityfinds #jewelrycollectors...

www.instagram.com

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

@AnnaH

I don’t know if this beyond your budget, but is gorg!

Hhahahaha omg, I didn’t refresh the thread before I posted and there it is!

 

[lulu_ma]

Hhahahaha omg, I didn’t refresh the thread before I posted and there it is!

Great minds, shop alike

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks to everyone for your opinions; the more input, the better.
I won’t be able to post any more pics until the weekend as we are leaving on vaca. But I will still eagerly watch for any more input in the meantime.
I know nothing about that sight, sincity. That is a beautiful diamond and looks like a fair price. Can’t say I have a set budget, but 13k is okay.
I do know Adam. Bought my present diamond from him, as well as earrings. I did recently contact him, but, not being in a rush, I didn’t stay on it.
The input certainly gives me pause, and I’ll likely keep looking. I haven’t decided for sure because in person, the diamond looks so lively and fairly white.

 

[lulu_ma]

Sin City really has the best prices and a great eye. She normally posts only 1 item a day and it gets snapped up in minutes-no exaggeration. I have even seen her pieces bought and resold on retailers’ sites.

I searched on 5 or 6 of the main old cut seller sites today, and I’m telling you won’t do better that this stone at this price point.

It’s too bad the timing is off because she does have a 3 day review period.

ETA: I think the ring already sold. It’s is no longer in her stories.

 

[Karl_K]

Some oec stones just dont photograph well because of the high obstruction but can look fine in person with less obstruction.
That said the 1/2 bright half dark under the table is concerning as a "potential" issue.

 

[AnnaH]

Hi, Karl. Yes, I have learned here that the old cuts don’t always follow the rules. Maybe this one is a unicorn, but I’m certainly doubting her, given the input.

I understand what you are saying, yssie; standards for many of us are different depending on the piece of jewelry. When I purchased my earring from OWD, I did not need certified stones. I just wanted fairly white with lots of sparkle. Of course, Adam delivered. They sparkle with those big old girl flashes we love.
Overall, I have lower standards than many, if not most, PSers. I’m part of the fringe community. Ha! Although my present ering diamond is very nice.

And, Yssie, I do wonder if she was rehabbed somewhat. Not only considering the girtle, but she seems quite round, the width and length matching. Maybe that explains comments on the “off” center.

Lulu and Sweetpea, I will certainly take a look at Sincity. Maybe she should be added to the list of vendors on the antique forum.

 

[AnnaH]

Lulu and Sweetpea made me open an instagram account. Ha!
Wow, amazing pieces! But I don’t know if I could ever be fast enough.

 

[junebug17]

@AnnaH, I'm going to throw out another IG vendor - Collins Family Jewelers. They carry old cuts on occasion and have some pretty good prices imo. Can't hurt to look!

This is just my opinion, but trying to find a nice looking OEC can make one's head hurt lol. They're all just cut differently and you really do have to go case by case. And it's hard to see other old cuts in person somethimes because not many B and M's carry them...at least that's true for my area.

I can't add much to the discussion but since you have the stone in hand I would just say to check it out in many different lighting situations (apologies if this has already been said lol) I ordered a ring recently and in bright lighting it was very pretty, but in low light conditions it went completely dark in the center and had dark arrows. It was shallow and it had a shallower crown than the diamond you have. The one I bought was probably closer to a transitional. I guess every diamond is going to look better in some lighting than others, I would just check to see if you can live with whatever you see!

Going by your comments, it sounds like you like what you see...nothing wrong with that!