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Gator bag lady · Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:05 PM

Please help me understand the difference between these two cuts.

I have an H color round brilliant 2.3 stone that I am considering setting between two European cut L color 1.88 each. I found this setting at an estate jewelry store and currently the center stone is a OLE 2.3.

Do you think setting a round brilliant H color between two OLE L colors will look weird? Especially since all three diamonds are close in size 2.3 vs 1.88. I am obsessed with this setting but I am wondering if it is because I am in actuality liking the OLE cuts. Do OLE and round brilliant cuts look THAT different?

Any help on this is greatly appreciated!!

R0lyaT390 · Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:29 PM

OEC's have bolder, chunkier flash than modern round brilliant diamonds, which tend to have more pin-fire. The contrast between the side diamonds and your own should make the center diamond appear whiter in comparison. It all depends on whether or not you like them together. Why not take your diamond into the store and see how they look together? That should make the decision much easier.

Also, You didn't specify what metal the setting is, but if it is yellow gold, maybe you could have the basket for the center stone customized in white gold or have it plated. Yellow gold usually offsets a slight warmth in lower colored stones.

Personally, I

the look of a nice OEC.

Good luck!!

Gator bag lady · Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:47 PM

^^ metal is platinum

EricaD · Jun 22nd, 2009, 11:43 PM

OEC (Old European Cuts) look very different than modern round brilliants - they have a more checkerboard or flowery facet pattern, can have open culets and may not be as symmetrical as your RB. I sell antique diamonds and would choose the chunky fire and "lit from within by candleight" OEC any day of the week - they are spectacular (I could go on for days about this)!

But only you can decide if you like the look of them mixed with your RB.

There are some good examples here:

http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/vi...?topicID=94179

http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/vi...topicID=112178

Also, even though the OECs are close in weight to your RB, they may be significantly smaller in millimeter size, since old cuts are deeper and tend to face up smaller. But antique 3 stones often featured stones of similar size - it's a very authentic look that I personally love!

As for H center stone next to L sides, a lot depends on the manner in which they were all graded. By a reputable lab of jeweler's appraisal? Even EGL versus GIA will vary on color. The only way to know how you like it is to look at your stone next to the OECs and compare color in various lighting (natural daylight, store lighting, etc.) Color grading is very subjective and you can't rely on stats alone.

Good luck - I'm so thrilled you're considering old cuts!

Gator bag lady · Jun 23rd, 2009, 04:00 PM

R0lyaT390, thank you for info!
Erica, thank you for the info and helpful links!

I will post pics of the ring i'm considering later...

R0lyaT390 · Jun 23rd, 2009, 05:40 PM

Can't wait to see it!!

Gator bag lady · Jun 24th, 2009, 12:29 AM

Gator bag lady · Jun 24th, 2009, 12:30 AM

Gator bag lady · Jun 24th, 2009, 12:33 AM

Honest thoughts please? I can take it...

R0lyaT390 · Jun 24th, 2009, 07:29 AM

It's hard to tell from the pictures but I think the setting is really beautiful. Serious finger coverage!

What do you think of it in person? Does the color difference bother you?

Gator bag lady · Jun 24th, 2009, 01:01 PM

yeah lots of finger coverage. I've always really liked chunkier jewlery.

The center stone is its current OEC J color. I am thinking of replacing it with my own round brilliant H color. Two side stones are OEC k/L color. I need to go in to the store to see if the color variation between H center stone and K/L side stones is too much. The store is far though. ugh!

yslalice · Jun 24th, 2009, 01:08 PM

seeing the pic, i love it. very old world. i'm a huge fan of old-style cuts.

ahertz · Jun 24th, 2009, 01:51 PM

Lovely ring and I think it would be nice with your own center. Personally, though, I would want to have all of the cuts the same.

R0lyaT390 · Jun 24th, 2009, 02:21 PM

I actually think the mixed cuts could look really unique and beautiful. Let us know what happens when you get to the store!

Swanky Mama Of Three · Jun 24th, 2009, 04:16 PM

I LOVE OEC's

Is that the setting or exact ring?
It looks photoshopped. . . I have over-contrasted and over-sharpened photos and that's what they look like. Have you seen it IRL?

Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:05 PM	#1
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	Old European cut vs round cut Please help me understand the difference between these two cuts. I have an H color round brilliant 2.3 stone that I am considering setting between two European cut L color 1.88 each. I found this setting at an estate jewelry store and currently the center stone is a OLE 2.3. Do you think setting a round brilliant H color between two OLE L colors will look weird? Especially since all three diamonds are close in size 2.3 vs 1.88. I am obsessed with this setting but I am wondering if it is because I am in actuality liking the OLE cuts. Do OLE and round brilliant cuts look THAT different? Any help on this is greatly appreciated!!
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	__________________

Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:29 PM	#2
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	OEC's have bolder, chunkier flash than modern round brilliant diamonds, which tend to have more pin-fire. The contrast between the side diamonds and your own should make the center diamond appear whiter in comparison. It all depends on whether or not you like them together. Why not take your diamond into the store and see how they look together? That should make the decision much easier. Also, You didn't specify what metal the setting is, but if it is yellow gold, maybe you could have the basket for the center stone customized in white gold or have it plated. Yellow gold usually offsets a slight warmth in lower colored stones. Personally, I the look of a nice OEC. Good luck!!
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	__________________ I want to fly and never come down. And live my life, and have friends around.

Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:47 PM	#3
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	^^ metal is platinum
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	__________________

Jun 23rd, 2009, 04:00 PM	#5
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	R0lyaT390, thank you for info! Erica, thank you for the info and helpful links! I will post pics of the ring i'm considering later...
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	__________________

Jun 23rd, 2009, 05:40 PM	#6
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	Can't wait to see it!!
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	__________________ I want to fly and never come down. And live my life, and have friends around.

Jun 22nd, 2009, 11:43 PM	#4
EricaD Member Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 308	OEC (Old European Cuts) look very different than modern round brilliants - they have a more checkerboard or flowery facet pattern, can have open culets and may not be as symmetrical as your RB. I sell antique diamonds and would choose the chunky fire and "lit from within by candleight" OEC any day of the week - they are spectacular (I could go on for days about this)! But only you can decide if you like the look of them mixed with your RB. There are some good examples here: http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/vi...?topicID=94179 http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/vi...topicID=112178 Also, even though the OECs are close in weight to your RB, they may be significantly smaller in millimeter size, since old cuts are deeper and tend to face up smaller. But antique 3 stones often featured stones of similar size - it's a very authentic look that I personally love! As for H center stone next to L sides, a lot depends on the manner in which they were all graded. By a reputable lab of jeweler's appraisal? Even EGL versus GIA will vary on color. The only way to know how you like it is to look at your stone next to the OECs and compare color in various lighting (natural daylight, store lighting, etc.) Color grading is very subjective and you can't rely on stats alone. Good luck - I'm so thrilled you're considering old cuts!

Jun 24th, 2009, 12:29 AM	#7
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	__________________

Jun 24th, 2009, 12:30 AM	#8
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	__________________

Jun 24th, 2009, 12:33 AM	#9
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	pics!! Honest thoughts please? I can take it...
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	__________________ Last edited by Gator bag lady; Jun 24th, 2009 at 12:38 AM.

Jun 24th, 2009, 07:29 AM	#10
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	It's hard to tell from the pictures but I think the setting is really beautiful. Serious finger coverage! What do you think of it in person? Does the color difference bother you?
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	__________________ I want to fly and never come down. And live my life, and have friends around.

Jun 24th, 2009, 01:01 PM	#11
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	yeah lots of finger coverage. I've always really liked chunkier jewlery. The center stone is its current OEC J color. I am thinking of replacing it with my own round brilliant H color. Two side stones are OEC k/L color. I need to go in to the store to see if the color variation between H center stone and K/L side stones is too much. The store is far though. ugh!
Gator bag lady OP Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 194	__________________

Jun 24th, 2009, 01:08 PM	#12
yslalice on the avenue Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,974	seeing the pic, i love it. very old world. i'm a huge fan of old-style cuts.
yslalice on the avenue Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,974	__________________ green is the new black....eco-chic.

Jun 24th, 2009, 01:51 PM	#13
ahertz Member Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,256	Lovely ring and I think it would be nice with your own center. Personally, though, I would want to have all of the cuts the same.
	__________________

Jun 24th, 2009, 02:21 PM	#14
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	I actually think the mixed cuts could look really unique and beautiful. Let us know what happens when you get to the store!
R0lyaT390 Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	__________________ I want to fly and never come down. And live my life, and have friends around.

Jun 24th, 2009, 04:16 PM	#15
Swanky Mama Of Three Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Area Posts: 42,765	I LOVE OEC's Is that the setting or exact ring? It looks photoshopped. . . I have over-contrasted and over-sharpened photos and that's what they look like. Have you seen it IRL?
	__________________ Tweet http://twitter.com/PBSwanky

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