Where to buy old mine cut diamond?

[baby nurse]

I'm looking for a round omc diamond, 1.5 to 2.5 cts, in a warmer color (approx K-M), max budget about $18000. I've seen beautiful ones on the JbEG site. Any suggestions on where else I can look? Does Leon carry them?

Sorry about the lack of education-- I spend most of my time on CS and am still learning about diamonds.

Thank you, in advance !

 

[marymm]

Another option is Single Stone - they have some gorgeous loose OMC and OEC diamonds on their website and may be able to source something for you http://www.singlestone.com/index.php?page=collections&catID=12&startRow=0. I have exchanged emails but haven't purchased from them (yet), but if you search PS you'll see others have been happy with stones and settings and rings. Good luck!

 

[LGK]

OldWorldDiamonds.com is another, they are not a virtual list but in fact can lay hands on the diamonds if you call and ask them to evaluate one for you- Adam is the owner, super nice & helpful. However, their prices recently have seemed a bit high to me.

DoverJewelry.com and also their ebay store is another vendor I buy from, they occasionally get *great* deals, but they are selling with high volume quick turnover, and thus their descriptions can be a little less than perfectly accurate. I always ask them for a no-questions-asked return period (their stated policy has a restocking fee involved), and so far they've always said OK to that.

ETA: Also I personally buy old stones off ebay frequently. Risky but you can definitely find good deals that way- it just takes time, patience, and there's no 100% sure way to make it perfectly as easy & smooth as an established vendor. Usually if I'm going that route, I look for a vendor with good feedback, and a return policy is an absolute must. Also I ask questions even if I know the answers, just to see how their communication is usually.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Or if you want a newly cut stone - August Vintage Rounds from Good Old Gold.

I actually had great successes finding OEC / OMC from eBay.

 

[MyDiamondSparkles]

I've also been on the hunt for a OMC or an Old European Cut diamond--we are looking for different things as far as carat weight, so I am no competition for you. I'm finding the OEC's are usally more round than the OMC's. Not sure if anyone else has found that is the case or not.

I ran across a post here that was made a few years ago that www.GoodOldGold.com was cutting new Old European cuts and they are gorgeous from the photos I saw. The August Vintage Cushion is gorgeous too but they are more squarish looking, but very absolutley beautiful.

I like that GOG and JBEG have videos of what their diamonds look like and tons of photos too. I think it is super helpful when you can't go look at the diamond in person.

I am about to hire LGK to find the diamond of my dreams for me....lol...just kidding but she sure knows her stuff about older cuts.

Anyway, make absoltuely sure the diamond you are purchasing has a GIA report and that it has a good return policy. I recently bought a diamond from an online acution site and it was the most beautiful and sparkly thing in photos, but when I got it it was the ugliest, black spot inlcluded diamond I ever saw--it must have had 500 back carbon spots! Thankfully I had listened, at least, to the advice of others here and insisted on a return policy form the seller...I returned the diamond immediatley. I posted about it here on the forum just as a learning experience for those shopping for diamonds online.

 

[baby nurse]

Another option is Single Stone - they have some gorgeous loose OMC and OEC diamonds on their website and may be able to source something for you http://www.singlestone.com/index.php?page=collections&catID=12&startRow=0. I have exchanged emails but haven't purchased from them (yet), but if you search PS you'll see others have been happy with stones and settings and rings. Good luck!

Thank you, marymm! I had looked at the semi-mounts (gorgeous!) on Single Stone's site a couple of months ago but wasn't aware that they also carried loose OMC and OEC diamonds. I will contact them to see what their prices are like.

Perhaps a bit of a dumb question, what is the difference between an OMC and an OEC diamond?

 

[baby nurse]

OldWorldDiamonds.com is another, they are not a virtual list but in fact can lay hands on the diamonds if you call and ask them to evaluate one for you- Adam is the owner, super nice & helpful. However, their prices recently have seemed a bit high to me.

DoverJewelry.com and also their ebay store is another vendor I buy from, they occasionally get *great* deals, but they are selling with high volume quick turnover, and thus their descriptions can be a little less than perfectly accurate. I always ask them for a no-questions-asked return period (their stated policy has a restocking fee involved), and so far they've always said OK to that.

ETA: Also I personally buy old stones off ebay frequently. Risky but you can definitely find good deals that way- it just takes time, patience, and there's no 100% sure way to make it perfectly as easy & smooth as an established vendor. Usually if I'm going that route, I look for a vendor with good feedback, and a return policy is an absolute must. Also I ask questions even if I know the answers, just to see how their communication is usually.

Thank you for the information, LGK! I looked at the sites you mentioned and will keep them in mind. Interesting tip re ebay. When I first read that, I thought "How could I possibly buy something so valuable off ebay when it's so easy to be scammed, especially when you aren't armed with a ton of know-how?!" But I see that a lot of people do have good luck there (thinking of AJ, and Pixies bezeled 3 stone from JbEG). I'll take a look there as well.

 

[LD]

Baby Nurse before you decide on an OEC or OMC, here's some information on both cuts you may find useful:

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/Beauty.php

OECs are typically much rounder than OMC that are more like a square/cushion.

 

[baby nurse]

Or if you want a newly cut stone - August Vintage Rounds from Good Old Gold.

I actually had great successes finding OEC / OMC from eBay.

Thank you, CharmyPoo! I wasn't certain whether all OECs and OMCs were "old" . It's good to know that having a new one cut is an option. Is either one cheaper?

 

[baby nurse]

Baby Nurse before you decide on an OEC or OMC, here's some information on both cuts you may find useful:

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/Beauty.php

OECs are typically much rounder than OMC that are more like a square/cushion.

Thanks for the link LD

Do OMCs have chunkier, fewer facets than OECs?

 

[chrono]

BN,
I’m a big believer in that a picture tells a thousand words so these pictures shown here will show you the differences between an OMC and an OEC. When it comes to OMCs, I prefer those that show a Maltese cross. Also note that some OMCs are quite roundish looking and not necessarily square/rectangular in outline.
http://www.khulsey.com/jewelry/old_european_diamond_cuts.html

 

[baby nurse]

I've also been on the hunt for a OMC or an Old European Cut diamond--we are looking for different things as far as carat weight, so I am no competition for you. I'm finding the OEC's are usally more round than the OMC's. Not sure if anyone else has found that is the case or not.

I ran across a post here that was made a few years ago that www.GoodOldGold.com was cutting new Old European cuts and they are gorgeous from the photos I saw. The August Vintage Cushion is gorgeous too but they are more squarish looking, but very absolutley beautiful.

I like that GOG and JBEG have videos of what their diamonds look like and tons of photos too. I think it is super helpful when you can't go look at the diamond in person.

I am about to hire LGK to find the diamond of my dreams for me....lol...just kidding but she sure knows her stuff about older cuts.

Anyway, make absoltuely sure the diamond you are purchasing has a GIA report and that it has a good return policy. I recently bought a diamond from an online acution site and it was the most beautiful and sparkly thing in photos, but when I got it it was the ugliest, black spot inlcluded diamond I ever saw--it must have had 500 back carbon spots! Thankfully I had listened, at least, to the advice of others here and insisted on a return policy form the seller...I returned the diamond immediatley. I posted about it here on the forum just as a learning experience for those shopping for diamonds online.

MyDiamondSparkles, I meant to respond to your post before this and completely spaced ! Thank you for all the information. I've done so much reading in the last 2 days! I've learned a lot but also realize that I've a ways to go before I can make a solid move ! And gosh, I'd love for LGK to find me a diamond, as well !

It's tempting to go back to the jeweler who sold us the diamond for my e-ring but I know we'll end up spending a lot more money with him than if I do my homework and then work with one of the online vendors who can provide a quality stone combined with a reasonable price.

I will definitely make sure there is a GIA report as well as a good return policy.

 

[baby nurse]

BN,
I’m a big believer in that a picture tells a thousand words so these pictures shown here will show you the differences between an OMC and an OEC. When it comes to OMCs, I prefer those that show a Maltese cross. Also note that some OMCs are quite roundish looking and not necessarily square/rectangular in outline.
http://www.khulsey.com/jewelry/old_european_diamond_cuts.html

Hi Chrono ! Those pictures really helped. I'll continue to look through that page.

Took me a bit to figure out what the "Maltese cross" was you were referring to. I do understand what it is, but to clarify, it is only seen in cushions, right (as opposed to a round)?

 

[LGK]

OldWorldDiamonds.com is another, they are not a virtual list but in fact can lay hands on the diamonds if you call and ask them to evaluate one for you- Adam is the owner, super nice & helpful. However, their prices recently have seemed a bit high to me.

DoverJewelry.com and also their ebay store is another vendor I buy from, they occasionally get *great* deals, but they are selling with high volume quick turnover, and thus their descriptions can be a little less than perfectly accurate. I always ask them for a no-questions-asked return period (their stated policy has a restocking fee involved), and so far they've always said OK to that.

ETA: Also I personally buy old stones off ebay frequently. Risky but you can definitely find good deals that way- it just takes time, patience, and there's no 100% sure way to make it perfectly as easy & smooth as an established vendor. Usually if I'm going that route, I look for a vendor with good feedback, and a return policy is an absolute must. Also I ask questions even if I know the answers, just to see how their communication is usually.

Thank you for the information, LGK! I looked at the sites you mentioned and will keep them in mind. Interesting tip re ebay. When I first read that, I thought "How could I possibly buy something so valuable off ebay when it's so easy to be scammed, especially when you aren't armed with a ton of know-how?!" But I see that a lot of people do have good luck there (thinking of AJ, and Pixies bezeled 3 stone from JbEG). I'll take a look there as well.

Yep, that's where I got my 3.5ct OEC- ebay. I wouldn't have risked it without: excellent pictures, a great return policy, good feedback, and responsive communication from the seller. I mean, I was sweating bullets anyway waiting for it, but it turned out to be a ridiculously good deal.

OMCs are the same number of facets as an OEC, and actually the same as a modern round brilliant; same basic cut design too. Just much different excecution! They typically are more... rustic looking, I guess is a good way to describe. Less precise cutting, often the center of the stone under the table looks more like those modern chunky cushions they cut now, with the maltese cross.

My personal taste is for OECs over OMCs, in larger sizes anyway- smaller OMCs like in earrings are *gorgeous*, but for a center stone I tend to prefer OECs. Partly that's just that OECs are a bit easier to find, especially well cut ones. OECs are the perfect balance of good light return (well, some of them anyway!) and antique charm. I'm sure a lovely OMC could change my mind though- but they can be somewhat wonkier in terms of performance... a really good one would be killer, but harder to find... they're a bit more likely to be really deep and kinda dark at the center.

Part of the reason I think OECs are easier to find is the timing- though OMCs were still being cut when the diamond mines in Africa were discovered, they weren't around for that long after. That discovery- diamonds mined in Africa- really meant that diamonds were way, way more common than they ever were before. (WAY more common!) So, prior to that when OMCs were cut mostly? Not nearly as many diamonds in existence. OECs came about fairly quickly after those mines were being worked, so purely by the numbers, there are way more OECs out there. That's my opinion anyway, judging by the timing- I could be wrong!

As far as I know GOG is the only place that's cutting modern OECs. You can find modern cut chunky cushions elsewhere, but they aren't really that close in look to an OMC, at least IMO.

(You guys are seriously making me ... if you're ever around Seattle I'd be more than happy to shop with you guys!) It can just be a matter of pure luck, finding the perfect old cut. The more flexible you are on your parameters like color & clarity, the better- more options to choose from.

 

[MyDiamondSparkles]

Right, the maltese cross is only seen in the OMC. The middle of the OEC has a flowery looking pattern. You can kind of "picture" these when you look at the cuts here: www.khulsey.com/jewelry/old_european_diamond_cuts.html... Look at the differences in the pavillion.

Then once you know what you are looking for, go look at the web sites with the real life photos of diamonds and you can really see it.

There's a huge difference to a modern round brilliant and an OMC or OEC. The OMC and the OEC have chunky flashes of light due to the way they are cut. I really prefer that look over a MRB, it's a matter of opinion. That being said it is soooo much easier to find a nice MRB than it is to find a nice OMC or OEC...I've been on the hunt for a while.

LGK your hired!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I chose the August Vintage OEC stones for my new earrings because I thought it would be easier to get a perfect match. I like it that the newly cut OEC's have no girdle chips or wear on the facets. The newly cut stones are fairly much in line with other well cut new stones, so it may be that you can get a better deal on an old one. Still, to me, to have a lifetime trade-in policy from Good Old Gold is a VERY valuable feature.

One more thing, GOG has their OEC's cut to maximum light perfomance, so they may be better cut than some of the old stones.

 

[JulieN]

1.5 M http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8851/

 

[denverappraiser]

He did indicate that if you took your finger nail and ran it on the side of the diamond you would feel a chip on the girdle. (very hard to find).

If it's got a chip it's not VVS2.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

1.5 M http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8851/

Year old thread, Julie.