tonyjlopez
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2013
- Messages
- 41
4 1/2 years ago, with the help of a number of very gracious people at these forums, I bought my wife a beautiful 2.05 carat AGS 0 Princess diamond ring from James Allen for our 20th anniversary. The diamond is absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, we also got a setting with channel set diamonds and without a halo - which was a very popular style at the time - and remains popular. And now our tastes have changed. We want to change to a halo setting.
If you look through my history the specifics of the diamond and images are posted.
Let me add that James Allen absolutely rocked in helping us with choosing a perfect diamond.
Strangely enough, no one ever notices the ring when she wears it, despite the incredible light action of the diamond. The channel set setting was probably already dated at the time that we purchased it, so we are guessing that is why I part it goes unnoticed. I think that the setting itself is not as impressive or noticeable as the halo settings, but regardless, 4 1/2 years later, my wife and I have both caught up with popular fashion and indeed prefer a halo setting. So I am thinking of an upgrade on the setting for our 25th anniversary which comes up in February 2018. and while I am at it, why not an upgrade on the size of the diamond as well? So I have a number of questions relating to this before we move forward.
1) What is the usual policy at internet retailers like James Allen when it comes to changing settings and upgrading diamonds? We were extremely satisfied with James Allen, and would want to use them exclusively for the upgrade. Do they give any credit for the return of the diamond and setting? What is the usual credit? We also bought a new wedding ring with channel set princess diamonds. Will they allow a trade in on that too so we can get something that matches the new setting?
2) At the time that we bought the diamond, everyone here recommended that we stick to an AGS 0 and put less emphasis on clarity and a little less on color. Incredibly wonderful and sound advice as you all know. I don't remember all of the other diamonds characteristics offhand, but I believe it was it is a VS1 H color. Our criteria in looking for a diamond at the time was at least AGS 0, VS2, and I color. And an ideal sized table - not too large. The diamond we bought was personally picked out by James Schultz using our criteria- and he did not disappoint us. In hand it has incredible light reflection, and 95% of it glimmers brightly. We have absolutely no regrets about following everyone's advise - the diamond is gorgeous. My plan for the upgrade is to stay with an AGS 0 as an absolute criteria if that is still a valid strategy. Has anything changed in the diamond grading standards since we bought our diamond in 2013? What do we need to know now to get another stunning sparkly diamond?
3) I have periodically checked the diamond listings at James Allen. I notice that when I look for a "true hearts" Princess cut diamond over 2 carats - there have generally been zero listings. Right now there are none Occasionally one will be listed, but nothing over 2 1/2 carats ever. If I switch the style to Cushion cut - a bunch of listings appear. Is there a reason why Princess diamonds that are > 2.0 carats are never listed? Is it because it is difficult to find larger AGS 0 Princess cut diamonds vs. other cuts? Or is it just that Princess cut diamonds are unpopular, so they make less of them? We still prefer the Princess cut over all others, and the plan is to get a 2.5 carat + AGS 0 Princess cut and put it in a Halo setting. If a larger Princess that is equally stunning compared to what we have now can be found.
4) Has the marketplace/prices changed significantly since early 2013 when we purchased our diamond? Up or down and by what percentage?
Thanks for any input. It is very much appreciated!
If you look through my history the specifics of the diamond and images are posted.
Let me add that James Allen absolutely rocked in helping us with choosing a perfect diamond.
Strangely enough, no one ever notices the ring when she wears it, despite the incredible light action of the diamond. The channel set setting was probably already dated at the time that we purchased it, so we are guessing that is why I part it goes unnoticed. I think that the setting itself is not as impressive or noticeable as the halo settings, but regardless, 4 1/2 years later, my wife and I have both caught up with popular fashion and indeed prefer a halo setting. So I am thinking of an upgrade on the setting for our 25th anniversary which comes up in February 2018. and while I am at it, why not an upgrade on the size of the diamond as well? So I have a number of questions relating to this before we move forward.
1) What is the usual policy at internet retailers like James Allen when it comes to changing settings and upgrading diamonds? We were extremely satisfied with James Allen, and would want to use them exclusively for the upgrade. Do they give any credit for the return of the diamond and setting? What is the usual credit? We also bought a new wedding ring with channel set princess diamonds. Will they allow a trade in on that too so we can get something that matches the new setting?
2) At the time that we bought the diamond, everyone here recommended that we stick to an AGS 0 and put less emphasis on clarity and a little less on color. Incredibly wonderful and sound advice as you all know. I don't remember all of the other diamonds characteristics offhand, but I believe it was it is a VS1 H color. Our criteria in looking for a diamond at the time was at least AGS 0, VS2, and I color. And an ideal sized table - not too large. The diamond we bought was personally picked out by James Schultz using our criteria- and he did not disappoint us. In hand it has incredible light reflection, and 95% of it glimmers brightly. We have absolutely no regrets about following everyone's advise - the diamond is gorgeous. My plan for the upgrade is to stay with an AGS 0 as an absolute criteria if that is still a valid strategy. Has anything changed in the diamond grading standards since we bought our diamond in 2013? What do we need to know now to get another stunning sparkly diamond?
3) I have periodically checked the diamond listings at James Allen. I notice that when I look for a "true hearts" Princess cut diamond over 2 carats - there have generally been zero listings. Right now there are none Occasionally one will be listed, but nothing over 2 1/2 carats ever. If I switch the style to Cushion cut - a bunch of listings appear. Is there a reason why Princess diamonds that are > 2.0 carats are never listed? Is it because it is difficult to find larger AGS 0 Princess cut diamonds vs. other cuts? Or is it just that Princess cut diamonds are unpopular, so they make less of them? We still prefer the Princess cut over all others, and the plan is to get a 2.5 carat + AGS 0 Princess cut and put it in a Halo setting. If a larger Princess that is equally stunning compared to what we have now can be found.
4) Has the marketplace/prices changed significantly since early 2013 when we purchased our diamond? Up or down and by what percentage?
Thanks for any input. It is very much appreciated!