Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Whiteflash ACA vs OEC/OMC

LittleRed

LittleRed

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 3, 2018
Messages
548
Hello all! I need a bit of education and perhaps comparison pictures. :rolleyes2:

What is the difference between a modern ACA cut and an old cut diamond? I mean, besides the cut shape..... What characteristics do they both hold? Do those who prefer vintage jewelry prefer OEC/OMCs? Does one sparkle more than the other? How do they compare price wise for the same ct weight?

What is your preference?
Thanks!
 
OEC:

https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/0-58ct-old-european-cut-gia-i-vs1

OMC:

https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/0-99ct-old-mine-cut-gia-m-si2

ACA:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3956897.htm

OEC/OMC: more rainbow flashes of light, broader facet patterns. Usually has a snowflake or flower petal pattern in the center with a culet of some size. Many have small tables with higher crowns, and deeper depth %.
OMC’s shape can vary (not always perfectly round).

ACA: more scintillating flashes of light with smaller rainbow flashes. Precision cut, for light performance, no culet, usually comparable larger table surface area vs. old cuts. Lower color grades do not typically show their body color as much as Old cuts of the same color grade due to the cut.

Which you gravitate to relies completely upon preference, and which speaks to you.

I am an old cut lady. I absolutely ADORE them.

Another example of OEC, of similar size & specs:
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/91ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-i-vs2
 
I bought an ACA (1.83ct) last month and returned it just two days later because I realized that I preferred the look of my 1.15ct OEC over the ACA. The reason for me was simply the big chunky facets of the OEC was more appealing to me. That’s not to say the ACA wasn’t stunning, because it was! It just wasn’t my preference.

I have the 1.15ct OEC and a 2.16 AVC (which is like an OMC, just a recently cut super ideal version, as I understand it). I LOVE (yes, I need caps for that) the faceting and big rainbows vs the glittery MRB cuts.

Here are my three beauties (L-R: OEC, MRB but not the ACA I returned, AVC)

1DC870B8-67CE-4E4A-A050-292F9F32490E.jpeg

The ACA I returned:

D84EC963-2125-4846-8830-90CFB73E30E8.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I have all three kinds...ACAs, antique diamond, and newly cut antique stones with great light return (see augustvintageinc.com).

As Matthews said, only you can determine what you love the most. But whatever you choose, go for the best possible cut, because if you find something else you want more later, you'll have a much easier time selling a great stone. Or you can be like some of us who just add diamonds over time because we love different kinds! :bigsmile:

(Ohsomethingshiny's new stone is also one of the newly cut August Vintage stones. Victor Canera also sells antique style stones.)
 
Last edited:
diamondseeker2006 said:
(Ohsomethingshiny's new stone is also one of the newly cut August Vintage stones. Victor Canera also sells antique style stones.)
Click to expand...

Yes! My August Vintage Cushion (AVC) is my newest. It’s in my avatar (and far right in the trio pic I posted).
 
If you want to compare a modern cut to older cuts, you should compare similar cut qualities. For example, an ACA to August Vintage or Victor Canera' s old cuts. Or a generic OEC or OMC to a non-branded MRB.

Judging an ideal cut MRB against an unknown quality (and possibly mediocre) old cut won't give you a fair evaluation of the differences.
 
I guess I should have mentioned that my diamond in my avatar picture is also an August Vintage OEC (also known as AVR, August Vintage Round).
 
All of your replies are so helpful! It is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for! =)2 I have read everything and followed all links and.....

I know for certain I want an OEC/OMC/AVR type diamond! :love: Without a doubt! Just to make sure I got this correct- AVR is a newly cut diamond in and older style of cut, correct?

When I save enough pennies for exactly what I want, I’ll want a white looking diamond. What is the color “letter” that would give an OEC a white look? And what “letter” for an AVR (after reading they appear whiter than OECs)? I’m not looking for brilliant white, just white.

Finally, I got all the acronyms except for MRB. (?) Round Brilliant?

Thanks so much! I posted mostly to learn but suddenly I’m raring to go!!! :lol-2:
 
LittleRed said:
All of your replies are so helpful! It is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for! =)2 I have read everything and followed all links and.....

I know for certain I want an OEC/OMC/AVR type diamond! :love: Without a doubt! Just to make sure I got this correct- AVR is a newly cut diamond in and older style of cut, correct?

When I save enough pennies for exactly what I want, I’ll want a white looking diamond. What is the color “letter” that would give an OEC a white look? And what “letter” for an AVR (after reading they appear whiter than OECs)? I’m not looking for brilliant white, just white.

Finally, I got all the acronyms except for MRB. (?) Round Brilliant?

Thanks so much! I posted mostly to learn but suddenly I’m raring to go!!! :lol-2:
Click to expand...

“White” ranges between D-F (colorless), and G-I (near-colorless). Tint is personal, and subjective.
You’d have to be the judge of what’s “white” to your eyes, and what’s not.

“MRB”: Modern Round Brilliant.
“OEC”: Old European Cut
“OMC”: Old Mine Cut
“AVR”: August Vintage Round
“AVC”: August Vintage Cushion

To be clear, you’re right: August Vintage, Inc. has designed the Old Cuts with new technology
 
Matthews1127 said:
“White” ranges between D-F (colorless), and G-I (near-colorless). Tint is personal, and subjective.
You’d have to be the judge of what’s “white” to your eyes, and what’s not.

“MRB”: Modern Round Brilliant.
“OEC”: Old European Cut
“OMC”: Old Mine Cut
“AVR”: August Vintage Round
“AVC”: August Vintage Cushion

To be clear, you’re right: August Vintage, Inc. has designed the Old Cuts with new technology
Click to expand...

Thanks so much! Generally with MRB, H to I is pleasing to my eye, so that’s what I’ll aim for.

One more question (at least I think ;))) - is there a purist thing between OEC/OMC and AVRs? I do love a vintage gem, but can see how modern technology could be an asset.

I can see this slope is slippery and how collections start! :lol-2:
 
LittleRed said:
Thanks so much! Generally with MRB, H to I is pleasing to my eye, so that’s what I’ll aim for.

One more question (at least I think ;))) - is there a purist thing between OEC/OMC and AVRs? I do love a vintage gem, but can see how modern technology could be an asset.

I can see this slope is slippery and how collections start! :lol-2:
Click to expand...

I dunno about the “purist thing”, but there’s a definite difference between a stone that was cut circa 1890’s-1930’s and the AVR.
I’m a History buff, and I love Old Cuts that date back to the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. I love them even more, if they carry a story. ;)2
 
Matthews1127 said:
I dunno about the “purist thing”, but there’s a definite difference between a stone that was cut circa 1890’s-1930’s and the AVR.
I’m a History buff, and I love Old Cuts that date back to the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. I love them even more, if they carry a story. ;)2
Click to expand...

I am interested in the story too.... so.... one of each! ;)2
 
@LittleRed - the main difference between an OEC and an AVR is the ideal light performance. OECs cut 'back in the day' often had poor light performance. AVRs have been graded by the AGS and have guaranteed ideal light return.

They are by far your best bet if you want a beautiful OEC style of cut.
 
I have a side-by-side comparison video in the thread linked below of my GIA OEC diamond & WF expert selection ideal cut diamond, if it helps to see them that way in terms of how the facets behave differently. I love both so I change out which ER I wear based on my mood that day. I hope I never have to choose between these two - it'd be like someone asking to choose your favorite kid. :mrgreen2:

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...deal-cut-love-has-come-along-❤️.241049/page-2
 
I love the flowery facet pattern of old cuts but I also love the precision of modern cuts. So one day, I’d love to get an AVR. I feel like it’s the best of both worlds.
 
LittleRed said:
Thanks so much! Generally with MRB, H to I is pleasing to my eye, so that’s what I’ll aim for.

One more question (at least I think ;))) - is there a purist thing between OEC/OMC and AVRs? I do love a vintage gem, but can see how modern technology could be an asset.

I can see this slope is slippery and how collections start! :lol-2:
Click to expand...
I am not sure about the purist aspect, I am sure that there are some out there, however, the AVR's and Victor's OEC's are very highly regarded here on the forum. The newly cut versions certainly carry a high premium, but they also are a guaranteed performer, while a well cut older stone is more of a treasure hunt. For me that is part of the appeal and romance of the older stone, knowing that you found a needle in a haystack and envisioning it's past.

The older cut stones and there modern cut cousins tend to be more forgiving when it comes to color and often the slight creaminess of a lower color adds to the appeal of an OEC. There are so many things that factor into why some stones face up far whiter than there true color grade, but my guess is that the large facets acting like mirrors reflecting light back tend to hide some of the warmth and the rainbow reflections also just enhance any tint. Believe it or not my avatar stone is an L.

I think if you are going with an AVC you can choose any color you desire, but might find that your tolerance will be much higher(lower in color) than you would have thought, which certainly helps with the budget. In a true OEC, most stones that were higher in color have been recut somewhere along the way, so unfortunately higher colors are much harder to find.
 
You are all so helpful! I’m super eager to finish up some other projects so I can get started with an AVR. :rolleyes2:

I’ll be looking at as many pictures of AVRs and OECs as I can to get ideas on color that would suit me.

@the_mother_thing Your rings are both so beautiful! Thanks for sharing the video.
 
How exciting for you!!!
Do you have local (antique) jewelry stores that perhaps carry OEC’s? It would be nice if you could see them in real life.
Personally I am a huge old cut lover. The bold facets are just mesmerizing and fascinate me every day. The fact that my stone is about 100 years old add to the charm. I also love the vintage lace creamy look of my U-V coloured OEC, although in some lighting it looks much much whiter.

During your search it will be good to include CER’s: Canera European Rounds by Victor Canera.
 
I just took this video at lunch today. The girls (AVC up first and then the OEC) were showing off big time! These big “confetti” flashes are what made me go from being a modern cut girl to an old cut one. :love:

 
Heads up regarding color.

I had an F in an MRB and I went with a K in an OEC. IMHO, the old cuts reflect light differently from MRBs. They "look" very different to my eyes. I can see the actual facets of an OEC much more easily with the naked eye than I can see the facets of an MRB. The color of the whole OEC stone looks different from the color of an MRB, even if you are comparing two Fs, or two Hs. Not good or bad, just different. You are truly comparing apples and oranges. For example, you want an apple to be crunchy, not soft like an orange. If you had a soft apple, it would be mealy and probably dry. You certainly don't want crunchy orange.

l would not make a decision before seeing both IRL.

Not to make things more complicated, if you go with an actual OEC, not a newly cut antique style diamond, then you may like one beautiful OEC more than another. When I was choosing mine, I went with an another old cut veteran, @missy and she preferred an L with slightly blockier facets and I chose one with more rounded floral facets. Both were beautiful. Eventually another PSer bought the L. And one of my holy grail stones was a very blocky J that Single Stone had. My point is that because all OECs are different, you should see and choose the one that speaks to you. Good luck!
 
ohsomethingshiny said:
I just took this video at lunch today. The girls (AVC up first and then the OEC) were showing off big time! These big “confetti” flashes are what made me go from being a modern cut girl to an old cut one. :love:

Click to expand...

Your rings are beautiful! :love: I particularly love the first one, the AVC. I was originally thinking AVR, but now..... so many options! Thanks for sharing!
 
LittleRed said:
Your rings are beautiful! :love: I particularly love the first one, the AVC. I was originally thinking AVR, but now..... so many options! Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...

The AVC will be cut deeper and face up smaller than the AVR, but the AVC costs less per carat so you can go bigger.
 
Acinom said:
How exciting for you!!!
Do you have local (antique) jewelry stores that perhaps carry OEC’s? It would be nice if you could see them in real life.
Personally I am a huge old cut lover. The bold facets are just mesmerizing and fascinate me every day. The fact that my stone is about 100 years old add to the charm. I also love the vintage lace creamy look of my U-V coloured OEC, although in some lighting it looks much much whiter.

During your search it will be good to include CER’s: Canera European Rounds by Victor Canera.
Click to expand...

There are a few antique stores around here. I’m going to look around for sure.

I actually do have a diamond from 1932, which was my grandmothers. It’s quite small but does pack a punch. I don’t know much about it, or the particular cut, other than she didn’t like it and hardly ever wore it. So I’ll only need two more and I’ll have a collection.

D13DB7E1-4D7A-4FE9-AD5F-823BDC37626B.jpeg
 
LLJsmom said:
Heads up regarding color.

I had an F in an MRB and I went with a K in an OEC. IMHO, the old cuts reflect light differently from MRBs. They "look" very different to my eyes. I can see the actual facets of an OEC much more easily with the naked eye than I can see the facets of an MRB. The color of the whole OEC stone looks different from the color of an MRB, even if you are comparing two Fs, or two Hs. Not good or bad, just different. You are truly comparing apples and oranges. For example, you want an apple to be crunchy, not soft like an orange. If you had a soft apple, it would be mealy and probably dry. You certainly don't want crunchy orange.

l would not make a decision before seeing both IRL.

Not to make things more complicated, if you go with an actual OEC, not a newly cut antique style diamond, then you may like one beautiful OEC more than another. When I was choosing mine, I went with an another old cut veteran, @missy and she preferred an L with slightly blockier facets and I chose one with more rounded floral facets. Both were beautiful. Eventually another PSer bought the L. And one of my holy grail stones was a very blocky J that Single Stone had. My point is that because all OECs are different, you should see and choose the one that speaks to you. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. It really does help and I know I need to see some in person. The thing is, “just looking” might be really hard. ;)2

The one I posted above is quite small and very much hidden in its setting, so it’s hard to see what it is I have, shape and color wise, as a starting point.
 
ohsomethingshiny said:
The AVC will be cut deeper and face up smaller than the AVR, but the AVC costs less per carat so you can go bigger.
Click to expand...

Interesting! Why are AVCs cut deeper? ..... As I think of it, the shape must dictate the needed depth.
 
Is this “windmill” look typical for AVCs?

D195559B-0A9A-493E-8614-FAF16DE6C0B3.jpeg

I’m pretty much looking around the house seeing what I can sell to support this new hobby of mine but I love to decluttering and have come up with nothing.:lol-2:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top