Opinions from oec experts, please and thank you

[sweetpea&babycorn]

@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!

I agree with this 100%, especially the bolded part. At the end of the day, the only person who’s opinion matters is yours. The beauty of an old cut is that there’s one for everyone and it’s completely in the eye of the beholder.
I took a huge risk and bought my HG with just videos and pictures. I asked for tons of opinions here and was encouraged to go with my eyes and heart, and it paid off huge. I love my diamond. It’s not perfect and didn’t come from a well known vendor here but whenever I look at it, I still can’t believe it’s mine.

 

[AnnaH]

Hey June. You are correct. I don’t live anywhere near NYC. You won’t see old cuts in central TX. There are a couple of shops in Austin with antique diamonds, but there’s not a big inventory. We depend on what we can see online.
I have seen her in various light, but because I was busy and now out of town, I’ve had little time to spend with her. I’ll have time next week.
You are also absolutely right about the Collins jewelers. I will keep looking there. Thanks for the tip.

 

[AnnaH]

Sweetpea, I hear you. The old gals are different, right?
I have not given up on her. I’ll spend more time viewing her in various light. Will also have my jeweler take a look. And will try to take more pics.
I appreciate all input, cautionary, everything. I want to hear all the downsides, please. And those stories about finding your diamond against odds, too. Love hearing about your finds.
What‘s that old country song? Can I trust my lying eyes? Ha! Maybe.

 

[bright&shiny]

@yssie, you are amazing! I just learned a lot, especially the shallow split indicator and the girdle reflection. Thank you!

 

[yssie]

I’m all for choosing by eye too The only catch is to make sure your eyes have seen lots of diamonds of different flavours! To make sure that those eyes know what they like and don’t like, and are making confident and educated choices. Vs. that initial wow everything’s beautiful stage of the learning journey where all of us start out! Confident eyes making personal decisions according to personal preferences and priorities leave no room for regrets - now or in future

 

[yssie]

Here are my own #CompromiseOECs. One is more nicely cut than the other - the other has a fish-eye that’s clearly visible in-person, on very slight tilt. Visible in these photos too. But this pair still exceeded all my expectations for budget, and I was totally comfy with the compromises that I made! And I still love and enjoy these earrings - zero regrets.

 

[AnnaH]

Beautiful!

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

FYI @AnnaH that OEC with ruby sides from SinCityFinds is still available!

 

[AnnaH]

Right, SP. Lulu spotted it. I left a message. They are on vacation. I started a new thread if you are interested. A little update.