Transitional Stone Input

[_diamondsovercoffee]

I've been living a life over in lab grown looking for a 3 ish carat OEC . I've decided though to explore some true antique stones in a smaller size, and I really enjoy transitionals with the lovely checkerboard pattern. I'm hoping the PS antique cut lovers aren't sick of me yet. What are your thoughts on these few stones? I have a favorite but would like to hear some feedback if possible. Again - super appreciative of everyone's input and feedback in my other threads.

I am most unsure about inclusions. Theoretically these should all be eye clean, but the antique world is a different world and I recognize that.

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com

 

[Dreamer_D]

Three has the best cut for this type of late transitional. It looks like my diamond in my avatar. Some would call it an American cut. The first two are interesting, but I think the table is very large and that could have a negative impact on optics. You would need to see them in person to fully assess.

 

[_diamondsovercoffee]

#3 looks like it doesn't have much of the checkerboard pattern, as least in comparison to the others. Do you disagree or know why that may be? The more central facets don't look blocky enough to me.

 

[Dreamer_D]

#3 looks like it doesn't have much of the checkerboard pattern, as least in comparison to the others. Do you disagree or know why that may be? The more central facets don't look blocky enough to me.

The checkerboard pattern is something that is mostly apparent in photographs and it’s not necessarily something that you see in daily life. At least that’s my opinion. Also, the checkerboard pattern tends to happen when there is a more chaotic facet pattern rather than a more symmetric facet pattern and that chaos may or may not translate into nice light play. More often than not it translates into leakage, which is what I see happening in the first two examples you have chosen.

I think the interest in a checkerboard pattern among people who are new to all cuts is mostly driven by photographs on pricescope and not necessarily driven by experience owning old cuts. Perhaps there are old cuts out there that legitimately show a checkerboard pattern all the time in daily wear, but I’ve never seen one and I’ve had dozens of old cuts come through my hands over the years. I don’t even think any of the old cut connoisseurs around these days own one, and that should tell you something. If that’s what you’re really hunting for then you’re looking for a needle inside a needle inside a needle in a haystack. Or perhaps a unicorn.

If you haven’t already checked, I think you can get much better value purchasing all cuts from antique vendors on Instagram. There’s quite a few small scale operations who take beautiful photographs so you know exactly what you’re getting and you can get a setting to boot. I think it’s a much more economical option than trying to find an old cut on a website that specializes in modern cuts and then making your own setting, which will cost you $2000 to $3000 these days.

 

[_diamondsovercoffee]

That is incredibly informative and probably the reality check I needed, haha. I have lurked on insta sellers/ebay sellers silently for awhile and agree they usually have beautiful pieces and stones at good prices!

I'm having a setting made by my jeweler, whatever that may end being at this point, but am resigned to sourcing a stone myself. I'm set on an old cut, I've just been trying to find one I love, whether that be lab or natural.

 

[Dreamer_D]

As I’m sure you figured out buying a true old cut natural diamond is very different than buying a lab diamond. There’s fairly limited stock, you can’t really order up a particular facet pattern because every single one is unique. You have to have a bit of an open mind about your preferences and then hope you just find one that you fall in love with. You could probably narrow it down to a transitional cut, but I wanna warn you that those were only cut for like a 15 year period so they’re really rare. Old European cuts are far more common. They were being cut for about 30 to 60 (depending how you define what an old euro cut is). Old mine cuts start being ridiculously rare again because even though they were being cut for quite a long time, they’re just super old and not many of them have survived till today.

Basically what I’m saying is that the approach you would take to buying a lab diamond and the approach that you would take to buying a natural old cut diamond are about as far opposite as you can get in the spectrum of diamond buying experience so I really think you should choose what you’re after.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Also, have you done a custom setting before? With your jeweller or with another? It’s also something that I think can be really difficult the first time around. There can be a steep learning curve about how to communicate what you want to someone, how to evaluate the quality of their work, how to have realistic expectations.

 

[_diamondsovercoffee]

That’s super fair, i’m just exploring what’s out there and weighing pros and cons. I have had two rings custom set, so that part is more familiar to me.

 

[Un_Petit_Rayon_de_Soleil]

I love my transitional diamond. I ran across it by pure luck. I wear it over all of my other rings these days. Even more then my 4.37 OEC that has beautiful petals. Going to go look at your links.

 

[Un_Petit_Rayon_de_Soleil]

I love my transitional diamond. I ran across it by pure luck. I wear it over all of my other rings these days. Even more then my 4.37 OEC that has beautiful petals. Going to go look at your links.

Mine is different than the ones you posted. More of a checkerboard. If one grabs your eye.....it's worth a closer look. It's so subjective to one's personal taste. I never knew that I wanted a transitional so I was shocked when I purchased immediately. I haven't taken it off since.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I am not sure what your budget is, but I’ve been here for the past two years learning the ropes. For the longest time I was looking for a transitional stone. The one I was planning on purchasing is still available… it’s a gorgeous stone. It’s currently listed on eBay, and is priced very well with a trusted seller people here have used.

If you would like the link I’ll post it here and then remove the link once I know you have it. I would hate to have someone else grab it.

It’s a K, but it’s bigger than what you’ve posted - so it might be more than you’re looking to spend… hence why I asked what your budget is

 

[_diamondsovercoffee]

@Un_Petit_Rayon_de_Soleil - I love yours! Have been looking for a pattern similar. I feel like the ones I linked give blocky flashes but not in a super uniform way. The N color one is my favorite of the three. I'm beginning to think I just like chaotic and weird diamonds lol. Those all are from 47 Jewelers, but I have been looking at auction/ pawn, eBay, and ig sellers. In perfect world what I buy will have a return policy.

@lavenderdragonfly23 I think I may know which stone you're talking about.... and if it's the same, it's sadly out of budget. 6k would be my max.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Darn it! Exquisite Jewelers has it… it’s such a pretty stone. $6k, gotcha! Have you looked at 47 Jewelers? We met with them last month, they are so nice and helpful… and their prices are very reasonable. If you find something close to your budget, they are open to negotiations and will offer a small discount for wire payments.

 

[_diamondsovercoffee]

Darn it! Exquisite Jewelers has it… it’s such a pretty stone. $6k, gotcha! Have you looked at 47 Jewelers? We met with them last month, they are so nice and helpful… and their prices are very reasonable. If you find something close to your budget, they are open to negotiations and will offer a small discount for wire payments.

Yep - we are thinking of the same one. There is only so much I can explain away to my husband All of the ones I've posted are from 47!! Their selection is wonderful. Just wish more had actual pics instead of the sample images.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Too funny you knew which one I was talking about, lol! That’s such an incredible stone, I want someone from here to buy it! I’ll keep my eye out for you!

I would reach out to Fred from 47 and have him send you a couple videos! I believe all/most of the loose stones on his site are his, so the photos in the site should be the actual stone… he doesn’t need to pull them from another dealer (aka: price savings for you) … he has a ton that aren’t listed too… so I would let him know what you are looking for, he might have it!

In the mean time I would keep an eye on Guilded Lane from IG. She had some *beautiful* tranny’s this past year… but you need to be lightening fast with her postings - they go FAST…. Like less than 5 minutes fast.

 

[_diamondsovercoffee]

I've been chatting with 47 this morning - likely with Fred lol. I asked about the N color one and they say it's now in an earring. I ask about the M one, and apparently that is the earring match to the N hoping its a PSer and I can see them together photos.

I have alerts on gilded lane and I'm still not fast enough. I've tried to buy a few pieces in the past.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I've been chatting with 47 this morning - likely with Fred lol. I asked about the N color one and they say it's now in an earring. I ask about the M one, and apparently that is the earring match to the N hoping its a PSer and I can see them together photos.

I have alerts on gilded lane and I'm still not fast enough. I've tried to buy a few pieces in the past.

Hey… it’s a start though! At least your consistent Fred is awesome!

Keep an eye on TRR and the Someone Should Buy This thread… we will keep an eye out for you!

 

[_diamondsovercoffee]

Hey… it’s a start though! At least your consistent Fred is awesome!

Keep an eye on TRR and the Someone Should Buy This thread… we will keep an eye out for you!

Thanks so much! Like I said in the original post, I still may end up with a lab for this project and swap it to a natural later when I find a perfect one and/or have more funds.