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»  » Diamond Prices and Grading »
 » RockyTalky
»  » Switching diamonds in a signed piece
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Switching diamonds in a signed piece |
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| P: 5/3/2007 4:46:14 PM | |
Independent Gal Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,471 Last Post: 1/3/2009 Member Since: 11/12/2006 |
Both FF and I are smitten with a second hand Bulgari ring and excited that, second hand, we can actually afford it. Thing is, the diamond doesn't have the best stats (see my Dud? thread: http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=61676). So now I'm wondering if it would be possible / stupid to switch the stone for one of the same size, but better cut. Does anyone know: 1) Would this make the piece worthless as a 'signed piece'? 2) Might Bulgari do the switching for us, even if we had bought it second hand? 3) And who does good value 'diamond trade-ins' if we are switching like for like in terms of every 'c' except 'cut'? Thanks! |
| Posted: 5/3/2007 4:46:14 PM | |
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There are 15 replies to this message. There are 15 replies on this page. |
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| P: 5/3/2007 5:27:45 PM | |
mrssalvo Ideal Rock Total Posts: 16,859 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/3/2005 |
HI IG- I'm no expert but my guess is by removing the diamond you would be messing with the designer peice and it wouldn't be worth as much as if left alone.. 2) you'd have to ask Bulgari 3) James allen, pearlmans, wink jones (winfields) and i *think* GOG will all take trade in's do keep in mind that you are buying a ring not a paper and the numbers aren't everything. have you seen surfgirls ring over in the smtr forum. the number's aren't ideal but her stone is amazingly beautiful and her thread is up to 5 pages so others agree. So, if you saw the ring and you like it, I say leave it as is 
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 5:27:45 PM | |
| P: 5/3/2007 5:36:37 PM | |
winternight Cut Rock Total Posts: 365 Last Post: 10/26/2009 Member Since: 11/13/2006 |
You can call and ask them but I really doubt that they'd switch a diamond out of their own piece for one of yours. Personally I don't think I'd want a piece with a removed diamond - actually I worry about that when buying second hand jewelry. As a buyer you would be trusting that the new diamond was up to par. But if you really want the setting and you'll keep the ring then I don't see why not. Although I just can't imagine the diamond on this being of such quality that its worth the bother.
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 5:36:37 PM | |
| P: 5/3/2007 7:47:19 PM | |
diamondseeker2006 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 17,609 Last Post: 11/18/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
I would not switch out a diamond on a designer piece. I'm sure it's not a dud if it's Bulgari. Tiffany diamonds are not always as nice as the H&A stones here, but you wouldn't buy a Tiffany ring for the setting and sell the diamond.
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 7:47:19 PM | |
| P: 5/3/2007 8:14:58 PM | |
kcoursolle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,344 Last Post: 10/14/2009 Member Since: 1/21/2006 |
I would ask Bulgari if there are any options to switch the center stone.
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 8:14:58 PM | |
| P: 5/3/2007 8:25:16 PM | |
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Independent Gal Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,471 Last Post: 1/3/2009 Member Since: 11/12/2006 |
I e-mailed the lady who has helped me at Bulgari and she said: Nope! no upgrades, no switching, no bringing in your own diamond and having it set... nada. She said it NICELY of course. And replied ASAP. Great service there, and not snotty by the way. I wonder about them selling a 'dud'. I think Bulgari's focus is on good design rather than on the gems themselves, but still, it seems weird. Maybe in person the diamond is still quite pretty! I haven't seen it yet.
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 8:25:16 PM | |
| P: 5/3/2007 8:28:59 PM | |
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Independent Gal Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,471 Last Post: 1/3/2009 Member Since: 11/12/2006 |
Oh, and if anyone is curious, GOG does trade-ins and Jonathan was VERY nice on the phone and found me just the perfect stone, but I wouldn't get a lot for the stone that's already in there. I suspect this will push things well over budget.  But we shall seeeee!
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 8:28:59 PM | |
| P: 5/3/2007 8:52:10 PM | |
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kcoursolle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,344 Last Post: 10/14/2009 Member Since: 1/21/2006 |
Date: 5/3/2007 8:25:16 PM Author: Independent Gal I e-mailed the lady who has helped me at Bulgari and she said: Nope! no upgrades, no switching, no bringing in your own diamond and having it set... nada. She said it NICELY of course. And replied ASAP. Great service there, and not snotty by the way. I wonder about them selling a 'dud'. I think Bulgari's focus is on good design rather than on the gems themselves, but still, it seems weird. Maybe in person the diamond is still quite pretty! I haven't seen it yet. Bummer!!! At least they were nice about it! do you care about someday re-selling the piece? If so, then definitely don't swith it. If you don't care though...then I don't see why not except that someday you might change your mind or something.
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 8:52:10 PM | |
| P: 5/3/2007 8:56:56 PM | |
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Independent Gal Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,471 Last Post: 1/3/2009 Member Since: 11/12/2006 |
I don't think I would sell it, although as you say, you never know. Also, even if I didn't sell it, it's possible that decades and decades (hopefully) from now, one of my progeny might want to sell it. But I don't think I should make a decision based on that. One thing is, we don't have to switch the stone NOW. I could live with the ring as is for a while, see how it feels. Switch for a first anniversary or some such. I suppose the first thing I should do is just have a look at the stone. Maybe it's quirky but loveable.
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| Posted: 5/3/2007 8:56:56 PM | |
| P: 5/4/2007 10:12:52 AM | |
Nicrez Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,230 Last Post: 10/21/2009 Member Since: 1/21/2004 |
Have you seen the ring???? I personally would not want to switch out a stone on a signed piece. I agree that generally thedesign housewill focus on design rather than stone. That is the point of a designer, even the greats like JAR (who are known to set AROUND the stone they love) are not getting stones that are H&A, or perfectly cut with Ex Ex. Oddly, in the luxury end jewelry, it's not really such a demand, but that the stone be of a good size, a good color and clarity. Cut is not really overlooked, but many luxury deisgners know there are cut variations and will choose a stone for it's life, not it's numbers. Way before Sarin came out, people only used their eyes, and if a diamond spoke to you, then it was chosen and set. I have to say I have (so far) NEVER seen a "dog" stone in a signed piece. Cartier, T&Co, Bulgari, H Stern, Van Cleef, etc none of these guys buys bort. They buy from high end cutters, because clearly if they sell a ring at their prices, they can afford to spend a bit more on the quality of the materials going into it. That said, PS stones are a new thing with precision cuts that are determined by very small leeway in numbers. Not only would I not expect an older piece to have such a stone, but I would likely NEVER expect such a stone to be in a signed piece. The point of a signed piece is unqiueness and exclusivity, even in the stone they use as a center stone. To me, if it is cut by a craftsman, there will be tolerances to follow of course, but they are also given license to cut as they feel the rough warrants, even if there's a higher crown than standard. It is easier to follow directions and cut measurements when processes are standardized. Designers buy their stones from craftsmen cutters. Craftsmen cutters take more design liberties with their rough as they work with usually higher quality and larger rough. In an atempt to retain value and craftsmanship they are called to individualize their cuts to the rough. To me the variations are what give us choice, and break up the monotony of the same look over and over. Who knows, your stone might just be a lost work of art, sitting in a setting carefully designed to showcase it.... I hope you love it!!! 
"Sometimes it's OK to throw rocks at girls...as long as they sparkle! |
| Posted: 5/4/2007 10:12:52 AM | |
| P: 5/4/2007 11:36:57 AM | |
angeline Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,942 Last Post: 11/14/2009 Member Since: 7/23/2006 |
Great reply Nicrez, really well thought out and expressed. I found it very informative. a
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| Posted: 5/4/2007 11:36:57 AM | |
| P: 5/4/2007 11:43:51 AM | |
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Independent Gal Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,471 Last Post: 1/3/2009 Member Since: 11/12/2006 |
Yes, thank you so much Nicrez! I trust your experience, expertise and taste, so reading this makes me feel much more confident, comfortable, and excited. If FF says it's a go, we'll order it this weekend and have a look. There's a good return policy, so we'd only be out the FedEx costs if the little guy doesn't 'sing' to me when he arrives.
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| Posted: 5/4/2007 11:43:51 AM | |
| P: 5/4/2007 12:16:47 PM | |
widget Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,254 Last Post: 12/20/2008 Member Since: 11/12/2004 |
IG....I'm SO GLAD you're going to order and look at this ring! I have to say...sometimes the dependence on 'numbers' seen on these boards drives me a little bonkers. I can understand using them when sifting online through virtual piles of loose stones, but ... I simply cannot fathom a major design house like Bulgari mounting a 'dud' in one of their pieces! One of the reasons people go with designer jewelry is that they've already done the sifting! widget
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| Posted: 5/4/2007 12:16:47 PM | |
| P: 5/10/2007 1:01:03 PM | |
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Independent Gal Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,471 Last Post: 1/3/2009 Member Since: 11/12/2006 |
The ring is here and we're having a look at the diamond under different lighting conditions. It looks sparkly under most and is wickedly fire-y - constant bursts of colour every time I move my hand - but then I think 'a less deep diamond would be even SPARKLIER'. From certain angles, it looks dark in the center, from others, not. I take it the 'dark' is from the deep cut. That doesn't bother me, but I would like MAXIMUM sparkle since I'll be looking at this for the rest of my life! We have several weeks to decide whether to keep the ring. Phew. And I'm pretty freaking smitten with the setting. Do you think I should go to a jeweler and have a look at a similar size and colour, but excellent cut diamond to see the two side by side? Would it make a difference that one is set and one is not? thanks!
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| Posted: 5/10/2007 1:01:03 PM | |
| P: 5/10/2007 1:48:51 PM | |
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kcoursolle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,344 Last Post: 10/14/2009 Member Since: 1/21/2006 |
Date: 5/10/2007 1:01:03 PM Author: Independent Gal The ring is here and we're having a look at the diamond under different lighting conditions. It looks sparkly under most and is wickedly fire-y - constant bursts of colour every time I move my hand - but then I think 'a less deep diamond would be even SPARKLIER'. From certain angles, it looks dark in the center, from others, not. I take it the 'dark' is from the deep cut. That doesn't bother me, but I would like MAXIMUM sparkle since I'll be looking at this for the rest of my life! We have several weeks to decide whether to keep the ring. Phew. And I'm pretty freaking smitten with the setting. Do you think I should go to a jeweler and have a look at a similar size and colour, but excellent cut diamond to see the two side by side? Would it make a difference that one is set and one is not? thanks! If it's going to make you dislike your current diamond...I say no. There is always going to be a better stone, better ring, better whatever out there. If you enjoy your ring right now, that's what counts and I wouldn't do anything to ruin the love you have for your ring right now!
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| Posted: 5/10/2007 1:48:51 PM | |
| P: 5/10/2007 3:33:48 PM | |
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mrssalvo Ideal Rock Total Posts: 16,859 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/3/2005 |
i agree with Kcoursolle, the grass will always be greener, if you love it now and the setting is the one, I'd be inclined to not do any more research and just enjoy it
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| Posted: 5/10/2007 3:33:48 PM | |
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