Search for biggest OEC for 10k

[archaeopteryx]

Hello!

I'm new to posting but been around PriceScope for many years to learn about diamonds. Never dug too far into the forums though, and I love how active it is here and the general vibe is so good.

I already started this discussion in SGBTP, kind of on accident, but several PSers have told me I need to post here to carry on the discussion. I am late to getting to it, so there's a lot in SGBTP already. I want to thank @Mreader @lavenderdragonfly23 @LightBright @Grymera @Dreamer_D for already jumping in. Please find that thread here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/somebodys-gotta-buy-this-piece.245723/post-5407849

I'll summarize some of that discussion below:

I've been wanting a large OEC for years. This diamond will be set into a RHR to symbolize an important work/life accomplishment. I want to tell you how big a deal this is for me but you'd have to know my whole life story and who has time for that lol.

I've been afraid to post because I know what I'm looking for is not going to be easy and didn't want you all to just laugh me right back out of here. I found some stones that were in my budget that gave me hope and seemed like reasonable contenders. I think it's doable, but I need your help!

I am looking for the largest OEC I can get for around $10k. I am not looking for perfection, in any parameter. I want the biggest possible diamond without compromising too much on cut. I don't mind shallow stones if they are still pretty. I ideally want to get as close to 9 mm as possible. I love OECs for their romantic broad flashes and pastel colors, but I also like Transitional/American Cut patterns. I prefer rounds but a lil wonk is fine too. Love character! I don't have strict requirements for puffy crowns or petals. Those elements are so beautiful and charming so I would love a stone with petals but it's not required.

I like warm leaning stones, but not brown tones in most cases. I have tolerance for warmth, comfy at O-P, but untested below this color range.
Inclusions do not offend me, I prefer eye clean but I can handle small visible inclusions that do not detract from the diamond's beauty, or compromise the diamond's structural integrity.

I love fluorescence from a physical chemistry point of view, this natural phenomenon is just so cool, and I appreciate that strong fluorescence can lower price.

At this price point, I know it will be difficult, but I like buying from auctions and pawn shops. My engagement ring is from eBay and I buy on TRR regularly. I follow the usual suspects on Instagram, and I've purchased from many of them.

I purchased 2 diamond rings from TRR today thanks to the discussion in SGBTP. Surprisingly, I have had these in my watch list for months but just couldn't pull the trigger. I felt empowered to try due to the recommendations of @Mreader, @lavenderdragonfly23 and @LightBright.

https://www.therealreal.com/product...-ring/14k-3-90ctw-diamond-cocktail-ring-o8fc0

2.76ct Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring

14K White Gold.

www.therealreal.com

There are other contenders, and I will be updating this post with the two rings from TRR when they arrive with a lot of pictures and videos so they can be properly assessed here. I am unsure if either of these diamonds will work for me, so please, send me your suggestions! I so appreciate it and I want to see all the diamonds! I will be stopping by Ivy & Rose in a couple weeks when I'm in Chicago, so I have some stones picked out there too if I return everything from TRR.

I'm sooo excited about how this develops, and thrilled to be able to make a purchase like this!

Thank you!

 

[lovedogs]

I looooove the 2.76

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yeah that 2.76 has potential though can’t see anything more than the teaser picture. Can you post some pics? Doesn’t have a lab report?

What is the other one you bought?

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Im so excited you grabbed the 2.76! That stone definitely has potential- and if it’s not the one, it should give you some direction in your search.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I’m not sure I would bother too much with retailers like I and R. They will give you a chance to view lots of stones I suppose. But retail price points will be too steep. Like, I regularly buy smaller old cuts on eBay for about 1/3 to 1/2 what I and R charge. EBay and TRR are nice options. Higher priced options don’t tend to move as fast and the smaller options so it makes for a slightly more open pool. I feel pretty confident we can help you find something you love as long as you are a little flexible in size. I also would be willing to accept a small visible inclusion for size if it was off to the side or otherwise not offensive (black eg). I think that may be your best bet compromise. I’d prefer a less tinted stone all else equal and compromise on an inclusion, though you may need to make both to get the size you want.

For color tinted stones are echos unique. I’ve seen a fair few and some are very unappealing to me. I’ve learned too I’m not wild about brown tint. I prefer yellow. But each their own and you need to see the very tinted stones in person to know how you feel. It’s impossible to judge in pictures or video as they change sooooo much with lighting and environment. Unlike near colorless which are more stable that way.

The one thing I would not counsel is looking for a “spready” stone. I’ve never seen that kind of prioritizing lead to a nicely cut stone. Transitional usually have a bigger spread than OECs and old miners. But in the end I think really great faceting is going to affect your appreciation more than and extra 0.2mm, especially in an already big rock. Cut cut cut! It will pay dividends in appreciation over time and a well cut stone retains value better IMO.

 

[LightBright]

I think the 2.76 is an M or lighter, at least from the photos. I don’t see any brown or green tint only yellow. And it might be spready. I think that one has potential. I love the culet. 9.7x10.1 =10mm “ish” is going to look fantastic. Ok, I’m an optimist.

 

[archaeopteryx]

Yeah that 2.76 has potential though can’t see anything more than the teaser picture. Can you post some pics? Doesn’t have a lab report?

What is the other one you bought?

Here's the second one: https://www.therealreal.com/product...-ring/14k-3-90ctw-diamond-cocktail-ring-o8fc0

The OEC is listed as a 2.5 L-M, SI2-I1. It looks like it has inclusions, the description notes some "minor chips at table fact" so I'm not too confident this will be great but I had to see it in person, because, what if???

Neither of these come with lab reports. I'd want to have them certified out of my own curiosity.

Attached TRR photos:

 

[vitona526]

I’m your huckleberry! I try to check out every OEC - OMC on TRR haha. Here are some photos of the 2.76 from a sales associate … not the greatest quality photos either. It’s definitely spready. I think you’ll be happy with the face up dimensions.

 

[LightBright]

I’m your huckleberry! I try to check out every OEC - OMC on TRR haha. Here are some photos of the 2.76 from a sales associate … not the greatest quality photos either. It’s definitely spready. I think you’ll be happy with the face up dimensions.

Thanks for sharing these. The blackout could be deceptive (I’ve seen superideal MRBs and Transitionals black out in LED overhead lights). Where that fire is coming from I don’t know. Fire is there! But what is all that “dust”, which doesn’t show up in the still photo close ups? Clouds and Graining? I’m really curious to see OPs photos and hear how this stone looks like in different lighting situations.

 

[archaeopteryx]

I’m not sure I would bother too much with retailers like I and R. They will give you a chance to view lots of stones I suppose. But retail price points will be too steep. Like, I regularly buy smaller old cuts on eBay for about 1/3 to 1/2 what I and R charge. EBay and TRR are nice options. Higher priced options don’t tend to move as fast and the smaller options so it makes for a slightly more open pool. I feel pretty confident we can help you find something you love as long as you are a little flexible in size. I also would be willing to accept a small visible inclusion for size if it was off to the side or otherwise not offensive (black eg). I think that may be your best bet compromise. I’d prefer a less tinted stone all else equal and compromise on an inclusion, though you may need to make both to get the size you want.

For color tinted stones are echos unique. I’ve seen a fair few and some are very unappealing to me. I’ve learned too I’m not wild about brown tint. I prefer yellow. But each their own and you need to see the very tinted stones in person to know how you feel. It’s impossible to judge in pictures or video as they change sooooo much with lighting and environment. Unlike near colorless which are more stable that way.

The one thing I would not counsel is looking for a “spready” stone. I’ve never seen that kind of prioritizing lead to a nicely cut stone. Transitional usually have a bigger spread than OECs and old miners. But in the end I think really great faceting is going to affect your appreciation more than and extra 0.2mm, especially in an already big rock. Cut cut cut! It will pay dividends in appreciation over time and a well cut stone retains value better IMO.

I agree with you, I want to stop at Ivy & Rose since I want to see a bunch of stones in person, but to your earlier point my budget won't allow for much there. I got a parcel of carré cut diamonds from I&R ages ago and never did anything with them.

They do have one stone that's a contender:

https://ivyandrose.com/products/2-5...t-diamond-o-p-vs2-loose-vintage-natural-2-5ct also was shared with me by Grymera

I appreciate the emphasis on better cut. I do know that cut is king, in reality I would enjoy a nicely cut diamond, and you're right I'd be happier in the long run. I don't want to compromise much on size. I'm already compromising on color and clarity (tho it doesn't feel like a compromise since I do enjoy warm diamonds and inclusions are fascinating).

I do like transitional cuts a lot, perhaps that's the style I'll end up wanting in the end.

 

[archaeopteryx]

I’m your huckleberry! I try to check out every OEC - OMC on TRR haha. Here are some photos of the 2.76 from a sales associate … not the greatest quality photos either. It’s definitely spready. I think you’ll be happy with the face up dimensions.

THANK YOU!!! This is great, look how white it looks! wow!

 

[lulu_ma]

This one is more of a tranny but pretty…

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[LightBright]

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that looks like an L. From the profile it looks very light. Photo could be deceptive though!

 

[Mreader]

Thanks for sharing these. The blackout could be deceptive (I’ve seen superideal MRBs and Transitionals black out in LED overhead lights). Where that fire is coming from I don’t know. Fire is there! But what is all that “dust”, which doesn’t show up in the still photo close ups? Clouds and Graining? I’m really curious to see OPs photos and hear how this stone looks like in different lighting situations.

I’m also very curious! Because it doesn’t look great in those photos from the sales person. It looks better in the TRR pictures lol. It does look a lot whiter in the sales associate pictures.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I’m not liking the 2.76 based on these images. Very large black inclusion in the table. And the faceting looks flat and glassy in the pictures Vitonia posted. I guess you’ll see in person but proceed with caution.

The octopus diamond looks to have a huge black chip or cavity on the table.

These aren’t compromises I would make but you will see them in person and make up your mind.

 

[Dreamer_D]

This one is more of a tranny but pretty…

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Cut looks great. Naturally spready style of cut so no compromises there.

EDIT: no shade I don’t know this seller other than knowing PSers but from them but it’s weird to pull it and recut it (she says “cleaned it up” but it’s a recut when you add a culet so it looks more antique rather than a generic early modern brilliant) but opt not send it to GIA for grading IMO. There’s no good reason for that other than it was more profitable not to…

 

[Dreamer_D]

I agree with you, I want to stop at Ivy & Rose since I want to see a bunch of stones in person, but to your earlier point my budget won't allow for much there. I got a parcel of carré cut diamonds from I&R ages ago and never did anything with them.

They do have one stone that's a contender:

https://ivyandrose.com/products/2-5...t-diamond-o-p-vs2-loose-vintage-natural-2-5ct also was shared with me by Grymera

I appreciate the emphasis on better cut. I do know that cut is king, in reality I would enjoy a nicely cut diamond, and you're right I'd be happier in the long run. I don't want to compromise much on size. I'm already compromising on color and clarity (tho it doesn't feel like a compromise since I do enjoy warm diamonds and inclusions are fascinating).

I do like transitional cuts a lot, perhaps that's the style I'll end up wanting in the end.

How many old cuts have you seen in person?

 

[LightBright]

I’m not getting a sense of the faceting in overhead LED light. Historically on PS there are comments that say that the blackout of the faceting that only shows intense fire is normal in direct overhead LED light. But yes I have no idea how the faceting will perform from the photos. It does look possibly mushy or leaky but let’s see, there could be redeeming qualities as well.

Here’s a thread on the overhead LED phenomenon.

Thread 'Why your diamond goes dark or blue in direct sunlight'

Dec 23, 2018

There has been another discussion about this topic, and the idea that Fluorescence plays a part. So I did a small test today with various different cuts.

Shaded daylight at 11am, close to the solstice, in Melbourne taken just now on 24th December. The shade is from my body. My hand was vertical and you can see me in the wedding ring and the blue cloudless sky. Its a hot day +30C 90F.

Note in direct sunlight the ideal-cut...

• Garry H (Cut Nut)
• Replies: 75
• Forum: RockyTalky (Diamond Discussion)

• 

 

[Dreamer_D]

I’m not getting a sense of the faceting in overhead LED light. Historically on PS there are comments that say that the blackout of the faceting that only shows intense fire is normal in direct overhead LED light. But yes I have no idea how the faceting will perform from the photos. It does look possibly mushy or leaky but let’s see, there could be redeeming qualities as well.

Here’s a thread on the overhead LED phenomenon.

Thread 'Why your diamond goes dark or blue in direct sunlight'

Dec 23, 2018

There has been another discussion about this topic, and the idea that Fluorescence plays a part. So I did a small test today with various different cuts.

Shaded daylight at 11am, close to the solstice, in Melbourne taken just now on 24th December. The shade is from my body. My hand was vertical and you can see me in the wedding ring and the blue cloudless sky. Its a hot day +30C 90F.

Note in direct sunlight the ideal-cut...

• Garry H (Cut Nut)
• Replies: 75
• Forum: RockyTalky (Diamond Discussion)

• 

Even in black out a well cut stone shows its faceting. But yeah, in person is essential.

 

[archaeopteryx]

This one is more of a tranny but pretty…

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Very pretty, already sold! I do like the transitional cut on the diamond and the warmth was sunny yellow, clarity was good! This is about as warm as I think I’d like. Boucheron is *chefs kiss* but I’d want to spend more to get a little larger, without allocating dollars to the designer setting. This ring was really pretty, and seems like a great value.

How many old cuts have you seen in person?

Not enough, and not recently. I have a 1.4ct OEC for my ering, and 3 smaller OECs in various pieces. Went through the diamond search for ER 10 years ago. I worked in a pawn shop and fine jewelry in my 20s, but I left the industry 15 years ago. From those experiences I have seen many old cut diamonds but I don't have expertise in antique cuts. This will be my first substantial diamond purchase and I could tell I needed some help, and here we are!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Very pretty, already sold! I do like the transitional cut on the diamond and the warmth was sunny yellow, clarity was good! This is about as warm as I think I’d like. Boucheron is *chefs kiss* but I’d want to spend more to get a little larger, without allocating dollars to the designer setting. This ring was really pretty, and seems like a great value.


Not enough, and not recently. I have a 1.4ct OEC for my ering, and 3 smaller OECs in various pieces. Went through the diamond search for ER 10 years ago. I worked in a pawn shop and fine jewelry in my 20s, but I left the industry 15 years ago. From those experiences I have seen many old cut diamonds but I don't have expertise in antique cuts. This will be my first substantial diamond purchase and I could tell I needed some help, and here we are!

See as many as you can in person and don’t get set on a particular look based on pictures because real life viewing can be quite different.

 

[LightBright]

Correction - Sorry I meant halogen spotlight not LED overhead light that turns some diamonds dark.