Post # 1
Member
671 posts
Busy bee
Hi bees!! I’m just starting my research into what rings I like and don’t like, so I can eventually pass the information on to SO. At this point, I am very interested in eventually purchasing an antique cushion or old mine cut to be set in a ring. Any bees with these? I am open to a variety of colors, really D-O, I like warm colors so I’m definitely flexible on that. Size wise I’m thinking between 1-1.5 carats, though again, I’ll have to do more research on that.
If you happen to have any actual antique diamonds or newly cut diamonds in antique shapes, I would love to see them!! And, this may be a silly question, but do they really sparkle? I’ve heard conflicting reports…Thanks!!!
Post # 3
Member
1149 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: September 2013 - Ontario, Canada
I do! Mine is an antique old mine cushion (ca 1860). Its G colour, SI1 clarity and just over 2.5ct. It sparkles like crazy but in a different way to modern cuts as it has bigger facets so you get bigger flashes. Also it is more sparkly at night in candlelight or when I am walking in the city at night my little firecracker just explodes with sparkle!
I would reccommend you go and have a look at them in person though. I think it is personal preference at the end of the day.
Post # 4
Member
671 posts
Busy bee
@MrsGo: SO gorgeous!! I see you’re in the UK, did you use a local jeweler? I will hopefully be able to check some out in NYC shortly.
Post # 5
Member
1149 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: September 2013 - Ontario, Canada
It’s a funny story actually, I looked at rings literally everywhere abroad, locally, online etc. but couldn’t really find “the one” then we walked into a small independant store up the road from our home in London, as my SO was going to get a quote for a watch repair, and he said that we are also looking for an engagement ring and would they have anything suitable? The guy brough this out as he had just got it in. We both instantly loved it. I like to think it was faith :-).
Post # 6
Member
671 posts
Busy bee
@MrsGo: That’s amazing!! Definitely fate. I just recently discover a jeweler online who is blocks from my house and has mixed metals which I have been looking everywhere! Haven’t gotten to that point yet, but I’m hoping for a similar experience with her.
Also, just contacted an antique diamond dealer and he can see me in an hour! So I can’t wait to check all the stones out, even though we’re not quite ready to purchase.
Post # 7
Member
1149 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: September 2013 - Ontario, Canada
Oh how exciting! You have to let me know how it was! I certainly reccommend looking and researching in advance of purchasing – it’s a massive decision and you want to make sure you make the right one. I am really glad I did my research as it made it possible for us to get a good deal on a ring we both love.
Post # 8
Member
656 posts
Busy bee
Mine is old mine cut, and originally came from a different ring that was FI’s grandma’s. She got it from her mom (his great-grandma) and his mom was nice enough to offer him the stone as well as an even older ring with five smaller stones as the wedding band. (The wedding band was great-grandma’s.) So both rings have stones from sometime before they started using machines to cut diamonds, we just don’t know much more!
He had the jeweler design my ring to match the wedding band, and I just love the band – it’s a knife edge. The stone is round but was set as a square to match the wedding band setting. You can sort of see the small table and the pin point in the middle of the stone that are characteristics of old mine cut diamonds according to some of my research 🙂 The jeweler that designed the ring was in CT.
Post # 9
Member
1149 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: September 2013 - Ontario, Canada
Hoogirl05 that is gorgeous!! Can’t wait to see your wedding band as well, sounds amazing!
Post # 10
Member
656 posts
Busy bee
Aw, thanks! I’m such a sucker for history, I was fascinated by my antique stones!
Post # 11
Member
1571 posts
Bumble bee
Hooray! I have an antique cushion cut center stone. Mine is 2.5 carats (3.25 tcw), keep in mind that cushion cut stones look smaller than round stones, so if you are liking a 1.5 carat round stone, you might want to look at 2.0 in cushions. Now for the photos!
This is the jeweler’s photo of my ring before Fiance picked it up:
Post # 12
Member
1571 posts
Bumble bee
@MrsGo: Your cushion is beautiful! Your setting makes it look huge!
Post # 13
Member
671 posts
Busy bee
@LMD84: Gorgeous. Love Leon’s work.
I actually just walked over to an antique stone dealer who met with me for a while. I’m sold!! I loved almost every stone I saw! There were a variety of colors/tones, but they all sparkled like crazy! The seller was really relaxed as well and didn’t scoff at my lack of knowledge. I’m not super discerning about stone colors and clarity, which some people give you lip about.
So, I think I’m definitely on the right track, and would absolutely work with this seller if possible down the road. Thanks for the pics ladies and keep ’em coming!
Post # 14
Member
656 posts
Busy bee
I totally agree with MrsGo, the older stones sparkle in a different way than the more modern diamonds I’ve seen! So excited for you Heartly!
Post # 15
Member
2792 posts
Sugar bee
Me, me, me! Mine is an August Vintage Cushion from Good Old Gold and it is seriously the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! The cut is incredible.
Color J, 1.30 carats, SI1.
Post # 16
Member
671 posts
Busy bee
@hoogirl05: Gah, I’m excited to, though quite a bit preemptively. I don’t think we’ll really be purchasing for a while, but last time we spoke about it, SO seemed very lost, as did I. So I definitely wanted to narrow down the field. I’m getting there, and at some point I’ll just turn the information over to him and let him proceed as he chooses.
