is it worth recutting a .70 good cut stone??

Date: 6/26/2009 9:42:36 AM
Author:loveloveloveit
does anyone know what the value difference would be, say for a .70ct princess of good cut, if it became ideal cut? I know there are a trillion other factors such as colour etc, but wondering if anyone could say whether it's really worth it for that size stone? I suspect I already know the answer ... but this seems like a relatively inexpensive way to improve a diamonds performance before being able to upgrade it altogether.

I would contact Brian Gavin at www.briangavindiamonds.com  he will be able to give you a better idea love, also it depends on what standards you want it recut too, possible a top cut might cost more weight than an excellent cut so to speak, Brian should be able to give you better advice.  It might be possible a partial cut or tweak might bring out the performance you desire, so ask Brian.

I believe you are aussie? Check with Garry, of Halloway Diamonds, then?

Don''t consider doing it.  There is always a distant chance that re-cutting will end up with a broken diamond and you will not find anyone willing to be responsible for cutting damage.  It is very difficult to obtain an AGS0 princess cut grade and doing it as a recut will be more difficult than planing to do it from the very beginning.  Even after it is cut, it might mistt eh grade anywayand then you have an AGS1 or AGS2 and have spent money and lost diamond weight with less than the planned improvement.  No one will promise the outcome.

It is far better for a consumer to upgrade, trade-in or buy a new stone than to recut an existing princess cut of this size.  It may cost more to avoid the recut, but the safety of the outcome outweighs the added expenses.

Thanks everyone - Stone cold, I can go to Holloways although that''s where I had my ER reset and from the very brief discussion I had with them about recutting they didn''t really entertain the idea.  From many of the posts I''ve seen here on PS I figured there is perhaps more expertise in the US.  Personally I feel diamonds are extremely expensive here, as is Tiffany jewellery etc etc and therefore I figured even to upgrade through Holloways I probably wouldn''t get anywhere near a fair price, on either trade in value or the price of a new diamond.  Also, I haven''t been completely happy with their valuation of my existing diamond which has been valued twice previously as a much better colour than what they believe it to be.  I don''t quite understand that part, but it means they obviously would give me less again for my trade in diamond.  Unfortunately my decision to remake with them was a very emotional one at the time, and the setting I chose is because that''s what my husband had originally chosen, but it just isn''t the best design for my particular stone (I would have done well to remember that at the time!).  I am happy with the setting though, so now I just need to get the right stone to make it work!

Lorelei, I am very comfortable with Lesley and Brian at BGD, and I have already started the process of inquiry with Lesley but it would involve me getting the ring or diamond across to the US and back again, with some tax implication issues so I thought I''d ask whether it''s worth it before going down that path.  I have two kids at home so I don''t have time to run around to a dozen jewellers here to try to find out what they think - I find it easier to do it all on the net at what is practically midnight here!!!  Plus, I think I can get better value through PS.  I wish I''d found this forum BEFORE getting a handmade ring done here in Melbourne ... 

So, thanks oldminer for your opinion and advice there.  I should probably get over the whole thing and just save up for an upgrade in the future ... but I am desperate to do something fun RIGHT NOW!!!!! 

Back to the drawing board ;-)

hmm... best of luck. :)

But I find your definition of fun, weird... Is that an Aussie thing? :P

ok stonecold, let''s make it frivolous then.  is that better?

Date: 6/26/2009 8:37:54 PM
Author: loveloveloveit
Thanks everyone - Stone cold, I can go to Holloways although that''s where I had my ER reset and from the very brief discussion I had with them about recutting they didn''t really entertain the idea. From many of the posts I''ve seen here on PS I figured there is perhaps more expertise in the US. Personally I feel diamonds are extremely expensive here, as is Tiffany jewellery etc etc and therefore I figured even to upgrade through Holloways I probably wouldn''t get anywhere near a fair price, on either trade in value or the price of a new diamond. Also, I haven''t been completely happy with their valuation of my existing diamond which has been valued twice previously as a much better colour than what they believe it to be. I don''t quite understand that part, but it means they obviously would give me less again for my trade in diamond. Unfortunately my decision to remake with them was a very emotional one at the time, and the setting I chose is because that''s what my husband had originally chosen, but it just isn''t the best design for my particular stone (I would have done well to remember that at the time!). I am happy with the setting though, so now I just need to get the right stone to make it work!

Lorelei, I am very comfortable with Lesley and Brian at BGD, and I have already started the process of inquiry with Lesley but it would involve me getting the ring or diamond across to the US and back again, with some tax implication issues so I thought I''d ask whether it''s worth it before going down that path. I have two kids at home so I don''t have time to run around to a dozen jewellers here to try to find out what they think - I find it easier to do it all on the net at what is practically midnight here!!! Plus, I think I can get better value through PS. I wish I''d found this forum BEFORE getting a handmade ring done here in Melbourne ...

So, thanks oldminer for your opinion and advice there. I should probably get over the whole thing and just save up for an upgrade in the future ... but I am desperate to do something fun RIGHT NOW!!!!!

Back to the drawing board ;-)

I have found the same thing re. the reluctance of jewellers here to recut diamonds. I also agree on the diamonds here being soooo expensive! Especially the ones with the better cut, they are significantly more pricey. 

Thanks Sharon - I''m glad it''s not just me.  If only I knew all these things before! 

Im a Melb gal myself and I have been to all the important shops and then some!

I also asked various jewellers about getting my stone recut and was quickly talked out of that route, even in Garry`s store (a setter there said my stone was very nice as it was which made me happy!!!!!).

The general opinion of jewellers around here is lto leave well enough alone and `dont go there`!!!!!

Btw, when I was in Garry`s store I was expecting the diamonds to come out and bitch slap me around with their sparkle over and above other diamonds that Im assuming are normal ones in other stores. I cant say I didnt see some wowsers, but if I didnt know about the diamonds being a special top cut, they wouldnt have jumped out at me as being different to other ones I see all the time. And yes, I left empty handed because those babes were out of my price comfort zone!