AGS000... should I pay for the branding/upgrade options?

[BlingDreams]

For those not familiar, I had some mediocre diamond studs recut by Brian Gavin; you can see the before and afters as well as read all about the process and the results here.

I just got word that AGS has rendered their verdict and both of my diamonds are now AGS000 for cut, polish, symmetry, and light performance ! What a HUGE change, and fantastic work by BG and his team!! Brian has also said that they qualify to be two of his signature cut diamonds and I can elect to have them engraved with the logo. Choosing to do so also allows me to use them as a trade-in in the future. The catch is that I have the pay a premium to have the stones branded, and it's not cheap (in my case, it's around $1700). I would then have roughly 8K trade-in value to put towards my new pair.

I do know that eventually I'll want to have studs around 1.25ct. My question is if I should have them qualified as BGS stones to secure the trade-in value or just hope that I can sell them for at least $6300 when the time comes.

As I'm typing this out I think I'm leaning towards NOT certifying them, but would like a sanity check before I make a final decision. All thoughts welcome. Thanks!

 

[ohsomethingshiny]

Given what you paid this far for studs, recut, cert, etc.. plus the $1,700 for branding, would you be at or under $8,000?

 

[LLJsmom]

I’m super conservative so I would pay it now to have the guaranteed trade in value. I would treat that as my loss that I would probably realize upon sale if I tried to sell on my own in the future.

 

[BlingDreams]

Given what you paid this far for studs, recut, cert, etc.. plus the $1,700 for branding, would you be at or under $8,000?

DH paid more than 8K initially (local B&M store), so I'm already in the hole by several thousand. It's more of "how far down the rabbit hole do I want to go with this?"

 

[soxfan]

$1700 for branding?

I'd pass.

 

[ohsomethingshiny]

DH paid more than 8K initially (local B&M store), so I'm already in the hole by several thousand. It's more of "how far down the rabbit hole do I want to go with this?"

Given that, I’d be reluctant to pay more.

 

[BlingDreams]

$1700 for branding?

I'd pass.

Yeah... it’s $100 per 1/10 carat.

 

[BlingDreams]

Given that, I’d be reluctant to pay more.

That’s what I’m thinking too. Plus it would lock me in to trading with them, and I might have a better option elsewhere.

 

[soxfan]

That’s what I’m thinking too. Plus it would lock me in to trading with them, and I might have a better option elsewhere.

Agree. AND if you ever sold them on here, it's easily proven that the stones are now AGS 000 even without the branding

 

[HappyNewLife]

I think that's too steep, personally.

 

[mrsgreeneyes]

NOPE.

 

[BlingDreams]

Ok, done deal. Agreed that I’d rather not sink more money in to this project and just proceed with enjoying them! Who knows... maybe the bezel will cure the desire for bigger studs (yeah right - ha! )

Thanks for the help

 

[flyingpig]

I say no.

Next time when you are upgrading, just ask them nicely. They may allow upgrading, depending on the cost of the new stone and market conditions. I rather take that chance than paying $1700 upfront. You never know.

 

[PintoBean]

At the time of trade in I don't think that $1700 will be worth much if you end up trading in with a different vendor.

 

[HDer]

I hate to say this but 1,700 to laser engrave a diamond feels like highway robbery.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Are you getting AGS certs for the stones or is the 1700.00 for the certs AND the branding?

If it is just for the branding, no way.

 

[BlingDreams]

Are you getting AGS certs for the stones or is the 1700.00 for the certs AND the branding?

If it is just for the branding, no way.

The $1700 would be in addition to what I paid for AGS certs. It would be noted on the AGS cert as well as engraved on the diamond.

At this point, I’m super excited that they’re AGS000 and am content just knowing that they qualify to be BG Signature diamonds.

 

[MissGotRocks]

No, the certs will speak for themselves. $1700.00 to brand them BGD is just crazy money!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You have made a very wise decision!

 

[kindred]

ILikeShiny, Congrats on the results of your recuts! You must be so thrilled.

I think you are making a wise decision not to pay $1,800 for branding. It would be nice to have the option of a guaranteed trade-in, but the price that they are asking is a real turn-off to me!

I am curious, though - Why did you have these diamonds re-cut if you know that you want to upgrade them? I'm just wondering since I am so torn about what to do about my own diamond.

 

[BlingDreams]

I hate to say this but 1,700 to laser engrave a diamond feels like highway robbery.

Yeah, for me it came down to math:

Original price DH paid (no matter how inflated by the local B&M, it was still money spent).

Then subtract how much it cost to send them insured mail, re-cut the diamonds, re-certify the diamonds, and then take a look at comps of the “new” diamonds to determine what they’re worth.

From there I also need to re-set the diamonds, so subtract that money too.

When all is said and done, the diamonds are now worth about 2K less than what my DH paid for them (even though a much better cut, the size reduction makes a big difference).

Then throw in the money paid for the re-cutting, re-certifying, and re-setting...

So, the idea of contributing another $1700 to this project was just too much to swallow

 

[BlingDreams]

ILikeShiny, Congrats on the results of your recuts! You must be so thrilled.

I think you are making a wise decision not to pay $1,800 for branding. It would be nice to have the option of a guaranteed trade-in, but the price that they are asking is a real turn-off to me!

I am curious, though - Why did you have these diamonds re-cut if you know that you want to upgrade them? I'm just wondering since I am so torn about what to do about my own diamond.

Hi! Happy to answer.

I did it because it will be a while (if ever) before I upgrade them; truthfully, the sentimentalist in me keeps wondering if I can really part with them, since they were the first big gift my DH ever gave me (but the size-hog in me cries out for "MORE" ). In the meantime, I wanted to have diamonds that I knew were of a top-notch cut and their performance was maximized. It's what my DH thought he was giving me, but he just didn't know better and trusted the jeweler; plus, to him, D/E color was super important so that's where he really focused. And truthfully, I do love how blindingly white they are! But, once I realized how important cut was, it was only a matter of time before this conversion happened . So to satisfy both sides of me I had them recut AND put them in bezels, which should bring them to around a 7mm (or 1.25ct) appearance

 

[kindred]

Thanks for the reply! I can't wait to see the finished earrings. I hope that the bezels will give you that little bit of extra size that you are looking for. They will be stunning, I am sure!

 

[BlingDreams]

Thanks for the reply! I can't wait to see the finished earrings. I hope that the bezels will give you that little bit of extra size that you are looking for. They will be stunning, I am sure!

Thanks! Fingers crossed!! And good luck on your journey too

 

[marcy]

I see you already decided but I would also say it’s not worth it. What a deal though ending up with AGS0 stones.

 

[BlingDreams]

I see you already decided but I would also say it’s not worth it. What a deal though ending up with AGS0 stones.

Thanks for chiming in Marcy. And yes, I’m still in a bit of disbelief that they went from, well, almost Rorschach images to AGS000

 

[Rpb]

@ILikeShiny you could get diamond jackets made / bought to cure the in-between urge for upgrade, maybe that will help. IDJ has some real nice ones.... instead of spending on branding efforts

 

[Snowdrop13]

If BG knows that these qualify as Signature cuts maybe he’d trade them in anyway at some point, just for a lower price? I think you’ve made the right decision, though!

 

[Austina]

$1700 saved to put towards your future upgrade

 

[Matthews1127]

I’m Team “no”. The cert will speak for itself, as mentioned.
Plus, you had them recut by BG. The fact that they qualify to be BGD Signature guarantees you have Top cut.
If you brand them, you are obligated to BG. Keeping your options open to other vendors for trade-in or sale is wise. Don’t limit yourself; you’ve already taken a good hit to do this. Of course, I believe you made the right choice by recutting, but I know it was a financial loss to some degree.
At least, now you have the top of the line studs, and you will have options, if/when you decide to upgrade.