Thoughts on this OEC?

[mabillon]

Hi everyone, long time lurker here! Appreciate all the experience and wisdom on here.

The setting on my original engagement ring recently broke and it’s prompting me to explore other options as a replacement... namely OECs. I’m a beginner at this but have fallen in love with the beautiful OECs on this forum!

I came across this uncerted OEC in an Art Deco setting. According to the vendor, specs are 1.13ct J VS2.

My hubby and I both like the setting - which is surprising since we often have different taste!

That said, the centre stone is key and so would love to hear your thoughts on it, particularly on the cut and facet pattern.

In particular, wondering if I should totally steer clear given it’s an uncerted stone (on the other hand, the vendor seems well-regarded on PS).

Thanks in advance!

Photos and video are below.

 

[LLJsmom]

From the video alone, it doesn't look that much like an OEC. Maybe others can comment. To me, it looks more like an MRB. In the still pics, I can see the OEC flavor. But maybe I prefer a lightly larger culet. But if you love the ring, then don't rule it out. If you are set on a more traditional looking OEC, I think there are others out there that fit the bill better. My 2c. Best of luck.

 

[lurkie91]

It's really tough to evaluate OEC optics/faceting from the video they've provided. I&R does have an excellent return policy so there's that, but it's also difficult to know what you're getting if you're buying an OEC in the setting without a grading report. You can find a recent discussion on buying OECs uncerted/sans grading report here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/would-you-buy-an-uncertified-oec.265508/

Opinions vary, but there are some common threads and caveats.

If you like I&R's art deco settings, maybe you could buy a loose, graded OEC and have it set into one of their semi-mounts? Personally, I would feel much more comfortable doing that, and you would probably come out pretty close from a cost perspective. Plus you would have way more options, both for OECs and settings. In any case, I would suggest asking them to send you a video of a few OECs side-by-side so you can judge which is most pleasing to your eye.

 

[caolsen]

Ivy and Rose have a load of settings to choose from and loose stones - so don’t feel compelled to buy a finished ring. I just bought an Asscher and Art Deco inspired setting from them, they set the stone & it turned out super. So that’s a great option with this vendor.



OECs really vary widely from the flowery, to the checker board, to ones more like this that if certified might be called a circular brilliant. I have an OEC from Ivy and Rose that is a D VS, looks like an OEC but is off by one degree per the GIA and was graded as a circular brilliant, below.

In agreement that the stone you are looking at isn't the classic flower patten but that doesn’t mean it’s not an OEC, could be a late one as they were moving to a more transitional, early round brilliant cut.

There aren’t definitive rules outside of GIA and EGL - and they don’t agree on what a OEC is! Unlike a round, you’re going to have to buy on your eye as much as on the numbers with an old cut.

 

[missy]

The video is not great quality (480) and it is difficult to make out the faceting pattern and on and off scintillation etc. Having said that from what I can see in the video and photos I am not in love with what appears to be random faceting. It's not (to my eye) pleasing. Of course seeing more videos can be helpful in determining if it is pleasing to your eye and to better evaluate the faceting. Right now, given this info I would pass but getting more video could help determine if it is the stone for you. I love the setting. But you can have that recreated if you wanted to.

And fwiw without a grading report you just don't know the true color and clarity. I would guess it is lower than stated.

 

[Mreader]

From the still picture it looks like a transitional more than OEC. It has more the checkerboard rather than the flower pattern. But in the video it seems to sparkle like MRB. I find (personally) that the pattern is hard to see irl in a smaller stone and it’s the light throw that can make the difference.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

@mabillon Look what just popped up on the Preloved subforum!

Sold - 1.16ct GIA L VS2 OEC

Uhh... yea... decided to go bigger again so this beauty is up for sale. She is stinking gorgeous! 6.57 x 6.68 x 4.11mm $3300 https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-16ct-gia-l-vs2-oec

www.pricescope.com

Super pretty faceting and very similar specs to the OEC you were looking at originally.

 

[mabillon]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I’m so grateful to hear everyone weigh in. It sounds like this may not be the best option... will keep looking!