Old European cut vs round cut

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Gator bag lady

Gator bag lady

O.G.
Jan 4, 2009
360
1
#1
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!!
 
#2
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 :heart: the look of a nice OEC.

Good luck!!
 
#4
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/view.asp?topicID=94179

http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?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!
 
#11
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!
 
#15
I LOVE OEC's :yes: 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?
 
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