Photo Credit: My Diamond Zone
0.6 Carat Fancy Yellow Old European Cut Diamond
Buy It Now Price: $895 (price as of 2018; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This half carat plus fancy yellow old European cut diamond drips with the elegance of pre-1930s Belle Époque/Art Deco high-society.
-This antique cut diamond weighs 0.6 carat, giving it a spread (diameter) of about 5.5 mm. As a result, it would make the perfect center stone in a one-of-a-kind engagement ring or anniversary ring.
-The old European cut dominated the diamond trade from the 1890s through the 1920s. It was characterized by a small table, deep pavilion and large culet. These proportions give the cut exceptional fire and charm, but at the cost of reduced brilliance compared to modern-cut stones.
-With a clarity grade of VS2 (Very Slightly Included), there are no eye-visible inclusions in this gem. In fact, it is difficult to find any flaws in this diamond under a 10x loupe!
-This old cut diamond has glorious color – a factor that could potentially boost its long-term value. Although light yellow is the dominant hue, subtle bronze and green overtones combine to grant the gem a gorgeous champagne-color effect.
-This fancy yellow old European cut diamond has been certified by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) – the most respected diamond grading authority on the planet.
-This gem was undoubtedly hand-cut by a skilled, old-world craftsman in one of the traditional diamond cutting centers of Europe – most likely either Antwerp or Amsterdam. Although Antwerp is still a diamond trading center today, most stones are now machine-cut in India, China or Israel.
-I believe that old mine cut and old European cut diamonds are compelling investment vehicles. But this stone is particularly interesting because it is not only an old European cut diamond, but is also a colored diamond.
-The asking price for this yellow old European cut diamond is only $1,492 per carat, which represents exceptional value for such a stunning vintage stone. Many old cut diamonds of this size and quality sell for $1,800 a carat or higher. Although they are tough to find, I did feature another lovely old mine cut diamond selling for a similar per carat price some time ago.
-This straw-yellow old European cut diamond has fairly good symmetry, a desirable attribute that is somewhat unusual for a hand-cut stone from the early 20th century.
-The buy-it-now price of $895 is eminently reasonable for such a charming and beautiful antique gem, especially considering that a modern-cut, colorless diamond of the same size might trade for $1,200 to $2,800.
Cons:
-This diamond is cut a bit shallowly for an old European cut stone. Its depth is only about 60%, while we would normally expect a value of 65% to 80% for this type of antique cut. However, the overall look of the gem is paramount, and this fancy yellow old European cut diamond is simply dazzling, regardless of its theoretically-imperfect proportions.
-Although this diamond is definitely light yellow, its color is not nearly intense enough to be considered canary yellow – also known as “Fancy Vivid” in the industry. Large canary yellow diamonds are extremely desirable and expensive in today’s gemstone market.
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