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lavenderdragonfly23 said:
@archaeopteryx … you can find what you are looking for, but it’s going to take two things.

#1: Patience
#2: Auction

It’s going to take a while, and a lot of looking. You won’t find a beautifully cut stone, at that size, color and price through a reseller… but, if take your time, educate yourself and train your eye to spot a quality stone, you can cut out the middle man by watching auctions- you’ll find your stone. Watch for pendants, brooches, loose stones… they tend to go for less than rings.

When Covid hit, a lot of people panicked and listed anything of value, jewelry being one of them. I watched a ton of beautiful pieces, sell for half than the should have. One in particular I would have bought in a heart beat if I had the funds… a to die for 6.5ct I/SI1 oec in its original Edwardian setting. Sold for $96k. Grace later sold it for close to $200k. With the market right now, you may get lucky… most auction pieces, the bigger 4-6ct’s tend to be warmer, and the less than 4ct you can find higher colors, you just have to dig. Ask for pics and lots of videos. Be specific how you want the videos taken so you can analyze the cut… 99.9% of the time the videos that come back are hilarious- so be very specific. Facing a window downing the day, close up with a loupe, slow movement. If it’s not GIA cert, make sure you add 3-4 colors of warmth - if you can, see it in person. Auctions are non returns, so you need to know what you are looking at.
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Yess! Thank you! I thought that it could be possible, and I love the thrill of the hunt.

I have patience and I’m willing to do the work. I’m both dying to find a diamond but looking forward to the whole learning and searching process. It’s just so fun!

I would definitely do auctions, I agree about the resellers. I love and would have reached out to Dolly but I didn’t want to waste her time, or other vendor’s time, with a difficult ask and a small budget.

With auctions, I only know eBay. I’ve had good luck there and my e-ring is an eBay find. Tried a few auctions on liveauction but the pieces seemed to be selling for over retail and I couldn’t figure it out. I’ll need help on navigating auctions, I’m ready to learn and up to the challenge. I’d be willing to go in person (Midwest area) or online, but I couldn’t find those types of auctions on my own. Also, great tip on looking at brooches and pendants, I haven’t been doing that, and will start immediately.

Your note on the JbG diamond during Covid - wow!! I wondered if now would be a bad time to buy due to economic uncertainty but you make a good point, perhaps that could work in my favor.

I’m going to start a thread on RockyTalky as suggested, and all the feedback I’ve had so far gives me a little more confidence. Thank you for your help.
 
archaeopteryx said:
Yess! Thank you! I thought that it could be possible, and I love the thrill of the hunt.

I have patience and I’m willing to do the work. I’m both dying to find a diamond but looking forward to the whole learning and searching process. It’s just so fun!

I would definitely do auctions, I agree about the resellers. I love and would have reached out to Dolly but I didn’t want to waste her time, or other vendor’s time, with a difficult ask and a small budget.

With auctions, I only know eBay. I’ve had good luck there and my e-ring is an eBay find. Tried a few auctions on liveauction but the pieces seemed to be selling for over retail and I couldn’t figure it out. I’ll need help on navigating auctions, I’m ready to learn and up to the challenge. I’d be willing to go in person (Midwest area) or online, but I couldn’t find those types of auctions on my own. Also, great tip on looking at brooches and pendants, I haven’t been doing that, and will start immediately.

Your note on the JbG diamond during Covid - wow!! I wondered if now would be a bad time to buy due to economic uncertainty but you make a good point, perhaps that could work in my favor.

I’m going to start a thread on RockyTalky as suggested, and all the feedback I’ve had so far gives me a little more confidence. Thank you for your help.
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I love a deal as much as the next person but I don’t junk your expectations are realistic for your budget and I’m not willing to support a fantasy lol. It takes a lot of practice to get expert enough in diamond cut to buy high risk from auctions, and it will likely cost you in the end. Your budget will buy you a gorgeous 2-2.5ct, 8mm in a low color from a scrap or pawn seller on eBay. I strongly suggest you go that route.

ETA: I helped char my butcher diamond. But that was 12 years ago and the market has changed. She also bought about 10 old cuts prior to train her eyes and learn about cut. I don’t think her journey is typical and would not model after her!
 
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Let me also say: RealReal once in a while has these crazy large or fantastic antiques. You must buy them to check them out. Easy to return.
 
@archaeopteryx

Just to get a feel for the flavor of oec you are looking for… I personally like a small table not super deep, but around a 62-67% depth… but everyone’s preferences is different.

This is a pendant at an auction, color wise? Size? Facets? What do you think?

Curious if your eyes prefer this or a true transitional/ circular brilliant…. Both pretty but different feel.
IMG_5413.jpegIMG_5414.jpeg

If you are in love with this, let me know how to send the link to you, lol
 
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lavenderdragonfly23 said:
@archaeopteryx

Just to get a feel for the flavor of oec you are looking for… I personally like a small table not super deep, but around a 62-67% depth… but everyone’s preferences is different.

This is a pendant at an auction, color wise? Size? Facets? What do you think?

Curious if your eyes prefer this or a true transitional/ circular brilliant…. Both pretty but different feel.
IMG_5413.jpegIMG_5414.jpeg

If you are in love with this, let me know how to send the link to you, lol
Click to expand...
Thank you!! This looks really pretty - to be fair, I am not 100% sure of proportion preferences, I like transitional cuts a lot, I do tend to like spreadier not too deep stones, but I cannot rule anything out at this stage. I thin kthe mm size is on the smaller side but I know this will be all hard to get.

The color/clarity looks great on this - hmm can email me: mediumarchaeopteryx (gmail).

I also started a proper thread on RockyTalky: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/search-for-biggest-oec-for-10k.289269/
 
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Some old cuts at Pawn America:
www.pawnamerica.com

1.30ctw Round Cut Diamond Solitaire w/ Accents Engagement Ring Platinum Size 3.5

KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS : Metal: Platinum Metal Purity: 900 (tested) Metal Weight: 2.3dwt / 3.57 Grams Type: Engagement Ring Setting Style: Solitaire with Accents Ring Size: 3.5 Ring Face Height: 6.6mm Department: Women Main Stone: Diamond Main Stone Shape: Round Main Stone Creation...
www.pawnamerica.com www.pawnamerica.com

This I actually quite like without the surrounding rings? Would honestly split this entire set and wear separately.
www.pawnamerica.com

1.16ctw Round Diamond Wedding Set Rings 14k White Gold and Platinum Size 6.25

KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS : Metal: White Gold (Bands) & Platinum (Engagement Ring) Metal Purity: 14k (Bands) , 800 (12.8% Palladium & 6.6% Iridium) (Engagement Ring) tested Metal Weight: 4.1dwt / 6.37 Grams Type: Engagement/Wedding Ring Set Setting Style: Solitaire with Accents Ring Size...
www.pawnamerica.com www.pawnamerica.com

I got this for myself for a RHR, separately….what do you all think? Could the band be French cuts? Returnable and curious to see what it might look like cleaned up. https://www.pawnamerica.com/Product...dding_Set_Rings_Platinum_Size_5_5_23221049103
 
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persimmonfan said:
Some old cuts at Pawn America:
www.pawnamerica.com

1.30ctw Round Cut Diamond Solitaire w/ Accents Engagement Ring Platinum Size 3.5

KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS : Metal: Platinum Metal Purity: 900 (tested) Metal Weight: 2.3dwt / 3.57 Grams Type: Engagement Ring Setting Style: Solitaire with Accents Ring Size: 3.5 Ring Face Height: 6.6mm Department: Women Main Stone: Diamond Main Stone Shape: Round Main Stone Creation...
www.pawnamerica.com www.pawnamerica.com

This I actually quite like without the surrounding rings? Would honestly split this entire set and wear separately.
www.pawnamerica.com

1.16ctw Round Diamond Wedding Set Rings 14k White Gold and Platinum Size 6.25

KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS : Metal: White Gold (Bands) & Platinum (Engagement Ring) Metal Purity: 14k (Bands) , 800 (12.8% Palladium & 6.6% Iridium) (Engagement Ring) tested Metal Weight: 4.1dwt / 6.37 Grams Type: Engagement/Wedding Ring Set Setting Style: Solitaire with Accents Ring Size...
www.pawnamerica.com www.pawnamerica.com

I got this for myself for a RHR, separately….what do you all think? Could the band be French cuts? Returnable and curious to see what it might look like cleaned up. https://www.pawnamerica.com/Product...dding_Set_Rings_Platinum_Size_5_5_23221049103
Click to expand...

Yes those definitely look like Frenchies. Nice find!!
 
persimmonfan said:
Some old cuts at Pawn America:
www.pawnamerica.com

1.30ctw Round Cut Diamond Solitaire w/ Accents Engagement Ring Platinum Size 3.5

KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS : Metal: Platinum Metal Purity: 900 (tested) Metal Weight: 2.3dwt / 3.57 Grams Type: Engagement Ring Setting Style: Solitaire with Accents Ring Size: 3.5 Ring Face Height: 6.6mm Department: Women Main Stone: Diamond Main Stone Shape: Round Main Stone Creation...
www.pawnamerica.com www.pawnamerica.com

This I actually quite like without the surrounding rings? Would honestly split this entire set and wear separately.
www.pawnamerica.com

1.16ctw Round Diamond Wedding Set Rings 14k White Gold and Platinum Size 6.25

KEY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS : Metal: White Gold (Bands) & Platinum (Engagement Ring) Metal Purity: 14k (Bands) , 800 (12.8% Palladium & 6.6% Iridium) (Engagement Ring) tested Metal Weight: 4.1dwt / 6.37 Grams Type: Engagement/Wedding Ring Set Setting Style: Solitaire with Accents Ring Size...
www.pawnamerica.com www.pawnamerica.com

I got this for myself for a RHR, separately….what do you all think? Could the band be French cuts? Returnable and curious to see what it might look like cleaned up. https://www.pawnamerica.com/Product...dding_Set_Rings_Platinum_Size_5_5_23221049103
Click to expand...

Definitely looks like it!! Great find!! Looking forward to your thoughts once you receive it.
 
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