LGK
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2007
- Messages
- 2,975
... a 3.40 carat Old European Cut in a super extra extremely blingy custom setting. I know, I know- I need another pet rock like a hole in the head (or wallet). But sometimes you find a once in a lifetime deal, and this certainly was that. Yeah, I just got a beautiful 1.22 N colored OEC, and finally set it in my perfect, dream antique setting. The 1.22 ct was a gift from my husband to replace my lost wedding set and was given with much love. This was purchased simply because we have been looking for more antiques to invest some cash in, with it devaluing so fast- we’ve already got an insane amount of antiques of all sorts, so this is not so much a “forever gift” but more of a “wow, this is a screamingly good deal, it is likely to be able to resell for bare-minimum what we paid” so it might just be visiting my finger for a while. Kinda depends, you know? I’ll enjoy every second I spend with it, but frankly, I never conceived of owning such a large stone. (Um, quickly changing my mind on that though
) Who knows, maybe I''ll convince him we should keep it rather than resell but that was the angle I worked to get it!
It was completely insane of me to get this. I got it off of, for god sakes, eBay. I did do research, pestered the seller, jewelswebuy, incessantly. They were super helpful, had lots of info on the stone, and had a great return policy- in fact, I have until next Wed to "decide" to keep it. Also they are actually a company that manufactures settings, and they have a real world storefront with phone # and stuff, which helped set me at ease. Still... I was sweating bullets until the package came! I was picturing an empty package, no ring in sight. I was SO GLAD it came safely! I was worked up into a fine frenzy
by the time it arrived late afternoon, quite certain I’d done something Really Really Expensively Stupid. I just about kissed the FedEx girl in sheer relief, but restrained myself.
The seller listed the center stone was an uncerted M/Si1. Like most diamonds on eBay, its color and clarity wasn’t as described in the auction- however, it’s actually *better* than they described
, which is impossibly unlikely! It is quite noticeably higher in color than my N 1.22 OEC; it could be an M, but considering the size difference and how larger stones show more color, I''m leaning towards thinking it''s L. Also, the clarity is not just eye clean but *loupe clean*. It has some minor polish issues- one small girdle chip and two light, parallel scratches on a pavilion main that mirror around in the stone... nothing unusual in an antique stone though, and I’m sure it would not result in much weight loss to fix. So I would say it’s definitely a VS something at least- no matter how I stare, there is not a single flaw besides the polish issues. I’m more used to lower clarities though, I admit, and with the lint I tend to get on rings, it’s tough to tell if it has any pin prick inclusions. I’m kinda tempted to get it repolished, to get rid of the scratches and nick, to show off the amazing clarity better- however, you can only see them through a loupe or a macro lens, so it''s no big deal.
The symmetry looks pretty darn good- it forms that flower/snowflake pattern that is the, y''know, “pre-arrow” thing.
So, it’s at bare minimum an M VS2, but I’d guess it’s most likely an L VS1. I definitely need to get it appraised!
The setting is totally crazy
- it’s not just over the top, but down the other side and up the next hill! Someone decided a 3.40 carat diamond needed not just a halo, but two .31 ct (each) side stones also with halos. The thing doesn’t just cover my entire finger, it protrudes off to the sides by a good few millimeters. Then there’s yet another .68 ct in melee. Subtle, it is not. Trust me, I will not be offended if anyone says the "g-word" (gaudy). Surprisingly the center stone is so flashy it actually holds its own, despite the busy setting, somehow. I’m not a fan of round halos, or three-stone halos, I must admit. The workmanship on this one is so amazing, though, I’m almost converted.... The millegrain is microscopic like antique (yay!) and the two side stones match the center stone in color. Also it has a cool undergallery. And all the accent stone are very firey, even the halo ones and I do like me some sparkle... nevertheless I feel a bit like Mariah Carey with this sucker weighting down my finger, and I''m not thinking that''s a good thing!
Eventually, if I keep it long enough, I think I want it ultimately in a rosebud setting like the Daniel K, but with three sided micropave (cuz why have less when you can have more?) Much, MUCH later, though... for now, I think it will go into a pretty but cheap repro filigree setting that I happen to have that should fit it. I could wear it as is, but honestly I think I would enjoy it more set solitaire style; the halos have been growing on me but not THAT much! Also I *know* it is looking like it is fake, it is so big and showy (not helped my my age, young looking 31, or personal style, goth-y).
Oh, and it scored a 1.1 in the Firey Ideal Cut range on the HCA, which is cool- I think HCA works on OECs? The cut on this one is frigging amazing though, HCA 1.1 or no HCA 1.1. With a big stone like this the HUGE chunky fire flashes are beautiful and blinding, really it could damage retinas in the sun. (The sun came out for exactly five minutes today at 7PM- I raced outside with my camera like a crazy person, LOL.) Plus the cut makes it look miles deep. You just have to tip it the tiniest bit to get the Kozibe effect, since the table is pretty small- I love it! So many of the bigger size OECs seem to have wonky cuts (incredibly deep or shallow, or just plain really asymmetrical). I feel like I really lucked out with this baby.
The pure clarity is just beautiful, and for my taste the L(?) color is my sweet spot, my favorite; it is right on that edge where it hovers between warm/hint-o-yellow and steely when face up, with no brown at all.
Center Stone Measurements = 9.68 X 9.53 x 5.96mm
Depth Percent = 62.0%
Table Diameter Percentage = 53%
Pavilion Percentage - 42
Crown Percentage – 17
I’m usually not a price-sharer but I must add that I paid $10500 for it including the elaborate custom setting. I suspect the setting would have to be around $1500-$2000. Which is why I couldn’t pass it up. I suspect I could resell it for more than that. It came with a price tag from their B&M store of $51K on it, actually, undoubtedly one of those nutty overinflated prices though. For now, though, I’m going to stare at it some more. Wow, this thing is like a flashlight on my finger. And guess what? A 3.4 ct halo ring does a great job of making one’s fingers look smaller! (I’m a size 5.5, but the ring is a 6 with a fat shank).
I’ve got a few questions: One, should I reset it temporarily in a solitaire style or leave it as-is? Two, would a rosebud setting be as nifty with it as I’m thinking, or a bit distracting? And three, did I really get as good a deal as I am thinking I did? (My research shows yes, but I want reassurance I guess!)
Now: pic overload, anyone?
It was completely insane of me to get this. I got it off of, for god sakes, eBay. I did do research, pestered the seller, jewelswebuy, incessantly. They were super helpful, had lots of info on the stone, and had a great return policy- in fact, I have until next Wed to "decide" to keep it. Also they are actually a company that manufactures settings, and they have a real world storefront with phone # and stuff, which helped set me at ease. Still... I was sweating bullets until the package came! I was picturing an empty package, no ring in sight. I was SO GLAD it came safely! I was worked up into a fine frenzy
The seller listed the center stone was an uncerted M/Si1. Like most diamonds on eBay, its color and clarity wasn’t as described in the auction- however, it’s actually *better* than they described
The symmetry looks pretty darn good- it forms that flower/snowflake pattern that is the, y''know, “pre-arrow” thing.
So, it’s at bare minimum an M VS2, but I’d guess it’s most likely an L VS1. I definitely need to get it appraised!
The setting is totally crazy
Eventually, if I keep it long enough, I think I want it ultimately in a rosebud setting like the Daniel K, but with three sided micropave (cuz why have less when you can have more?) Much, MUCH later, though... for now, I think it will go into a pretty but cheap repro filigree setting that I happen to have that should fit it. I could wear it as is, but honestly I think I would enjoy it more set solitaire style; the halos have been growing on me but not THAT much! Also I *know* it is looking like it is fake, it is so big and showy (not helped my my age, young looking 31, or personal style, goth-y).
Oh, and it scored a 1.1 in the Firey Ideal Cut range on the HCA, which is cool- I think HCA works on OECs? The cut on this one is frigging amazing though, HCA 1.1 or no HCA 1.1. With a big stone like this the HUGE chunky fire flashes are beautiful and blinding, really it could damage retinas in the sun. (The sun came out for exactly five minutes today at 7PM- I raced outside with my camera like a crazy person, LOL.) Plus the cut makes it look miles deep. You just have to tip it the tiniest bit to get the Kozibe effect, since the table is pretty small- I love it! So many of the bigger size OECs seem to have wonky cuts (incredibly deep or shallow, or just plain really asymmetrical). I feel like I really lucked out with this baby.
The pure clarity is just beautiful, and for my taste the L(?) color is my sweet spot, my favorite; it is right on that edge where it hovers between warm/hint-o-yellow and steely when face up, with no brown at all.
Center Stone Measurements = 9.68 X 9.53 x 5.96mm
Depth Percent = 62.0%
Table Diameter Percentage = 53%
Pavilion Percentage - 42
Crown Percentage – 17
I’m usually not a price-sharer but I must add that I paid $10500 for it including the elaborate custom setting. I suspect the setting would have to be around $1500-$2000. Which is why I couldn’t pass it up. I suspect I could resell it for more than that. It came with a price tag from their B&M store of $51K on it, actually, undoubtedly one of those nutty overinflated prices though. For now, though, I’m going to stare at it some more. Wow, this thing is like a flashlight on my finger. And guess what? A 3.4 ct halo ring does a great job of making one’s fingers look smaller! (I’m a size 5.5, but the ring is a 6 with a fat shank).
I’ve got a few questions: One, should I reset it temporarily in a solitaire style or leave it as-is? Two, would a rosebud setting be as nifty with it as I’m thinking, or a bit distracting? And three, did I really get as good a deal as I am thinking I did? (My research shows yes, but I want reassurance I guess!)
Now: pic overload, anyone?
First pic shows the flower/snowflake pattern well.
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