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#JOTW 2 Carat Natural Green Diamond Ring

mewing

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
59
@mewing,
That's a very special rock you have there. Congrats!

It totally blows my mind that someone's first diamond is a 2ct fancy green!!!

How did you come to be so intrigued with fancy color, and green in particular, that you would be willing to make such a significant purchase?

Sorry to be nosy, but it's a highly unusual case. Even with so many diamond mavens here. :)

I'm a millennial. I don't speak for all millennials, just for me and my friends.

I think the concept of a white diamond is quite unappealing to us for several reasons. Many of my friends find the "a diamond is forever" tagline really cheesy. We also don't like the idea that we are paying through our noses for something that is actually plentiful in nature. But most importantly, we feel like a white diamond is relatively commercialised and it cannot quite express our personalities?

More specifically to myself, I never had the urge to purchase a white diamond. But I do believe that I am still affected by the 'myths' surrounding diamonds at a subliminal level. As such, a coloured diamond was the perfect compromise. It's truly rare and it has colours.

As to why I chose green, it was really by accident. I originally wanted to purchase a good Argyle pink diamond as an investment. I'd like to believe that the closure of the mine in 2021 would surely drive up prices. I found one and even negotiated the price, but I pulled out at the very last minute because I really cannot imagine myself wearing hot pink anywhere. As a result, I swung the other way and went for a colour that I felt reflected my personality a little better. My friend swopped in to buy the pink diamond and I think it was definitely a better investment than my green diamond. That said, I think green diamonds have good potential in Asia given our obsession with jade and emeralds, but it definitely needs more publicity given that the normal, average consumer has no idea they even exist.
 

mewing

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
59
When considering the pricing of green diamonds:
If we compare Fancy Green ( obscenely expensive), to Fancy Yellowish Green ( more like a F/VS)
Adding any modifier with grey could easily take 25% off that price.
That makes this stone even more amazing, IMO.
I adore stones that have modifiers that trash the price, yet, the stone looks......green.

A GIA graded "Fancy Green" might even look less green - because the color green itself is such a subtle color. Sometimes the modifiers help in that regard- which definitely seems to be the case here!

Wow! That's very informative. Spoken like a true expert. My vendor was good, but I don't think he would be capable of providing such nuanced analysis. I am most appreciative of your sharing!
 

AV_

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 5, 2018
Messages
3,889
@mewing, I am surprised @Texas Leaguer is surprised by your starting with such a stone. The concerns of value & expression, It all makes sense. I have met at least one other buyer of jewels who started as you have, with a paragon (or two). For me, thinking this way meant ending with zero diamonds in the house for a decade [to be revised.]
 

RunningwithScissors

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Apr 29, 2019
Messages
3,699
Beautiful diamond! I love that color! And the setting you chose really shows it well. Congrats!
 

AV_

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 5, 2018
Messages
3,889
Digressing,

You have me thinking of deeper vivid yellows - with or without orange & 'who would have a series of color samples', but of course www


-

digressing

I am a little obsessed with pairing the color of gold & diamonds, & it took seeing many diamonds to feel I have a taste, without ever being offered such a parcel of reference; a pelasure, sure enough, but it would have been good to start with such a ready made array. [ ...I do not know, in fact, if these stones are still in house; there are often a few yellows worth seeing in 'sample' sizes]
 
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mewing

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
59
@mewing, I am surprised @Texas Leaguer is surprised by your starting with such a stone. The concerns of value & expression, It all makes sense. I have met at least one other buyer of jewels who started as you have, with a paragon (or two). For me, thinking this way meant ending with zero diamonds in the house for a decade [to be revised.]

Maybe it's how I work. For example, I lead a relatively restraint lifestyle. But when I buy something, I tend invest a sizable amount in hopes of purchasing something that could possible retain its value a little better overtime.
 

mewing

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
59
@AV_ I too did start my own collection with higher value items, actually FCDSs. Happy to meet a fellow orangy lover! One day I would love to own a pure orange, a true Fanta!!!:love:

Oh yes! Those are quite hard to come by! Most usually come with a brownish modifier.
 

mewing

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
59
Digressing,

You have me thinking of deeper vivid yellows - with or without orange & 'who woudl have a series of color samples', but of course www


-

digressing

I am a little obsessed with pairing the color of gold & diamonds, & it took seeing many diamonds to feel I have a taste, without ever being offered such a parcel of reference; a pelasure, sure enough, but it would have been good to start with such a ready made array. [ ...I do not know, in fact, if these stones are still in house; there are often a few yellows worth seeing in 'sample' sizes]

I'm quite tempted to explore yellow diamonds eventually, but I am a little confused over what is a good investment size and colour grading to go for. Fancy intense at least? 2 or 3 carats at least?
 
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AV_

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 5, 2018
Messages
3,889
I feel that all yellows have become much higher priced over the last five years - from the non-'Fancy' Light Yellow, to some astonishing asking prices for the rarefied Fancy Vivid intensities. I am not at all sure what I would dare show up with as a seller today: if I fealt the item is so beautiful it must be shouted about from rooftops, sure enough, I'd shout; else, I'd underwrite the inventory of a good shop & hardly ask what they bought.

naively

___

adding re. carats: I used to think that five applies to yellows as to whites, but this must have been wrong for a long time
 
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Rockdiamond

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
9,711
@mewing you are touching upon a subject that I am quite passionate about- investing in diamonds.
Here's what you need to ask whoever is suggesting that diamonds make a sound investment if the primary goal is the retention of capital: Are they willing to buy diamonds, and if so, at what price compared to current retail?
The point is- diamonds are an investment in yourself in many ways. Financial instrument? No.
Yes, compared to other things you buy, they hold value better.
If you bought $10,000 worth of shoes, how much will they be worth in ten years? Especially if you wore them.
Say, hypothetically, the diamond you paid $10k for ten years ago is now retailing for $15k ( not close to reality, but for the sake of discussion)
How much can a retail consumer expect to recover if the retail price is $15k. $11k?
Even then, selling an eleven thousand dollar item is not such a simple matter.
But closer to reality, if the retail price was the slightly higher- or the same, a consumer would be losing a fair percentage of their $10k investment.
So- buy it if you love it!!!
They're awesome to own, and the fact you could- in a worst-case scenario- pawn the $10k diamond for $5k. Again, better than shoes, or most other things you buy ( except guitars (I bring this up in the rare case my wife reads this))

eta- certain "Gazildiamonds" have made good investments- you know, buy it for 1.5Mil and sell for a gazilion more. large Argyle diamonds- red diamonds.....
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
Digressing,

You have me thinking of deeper vivid yellows - with or without orange & 'who would have a series of color samples', but of course www


-

digressing

I am a little obsessed with pairing the color of gold & diamonds, & it took seeing many diamonds to feel I have a taste, without ever being offered such a parcel of reference; a pelasure, sure enough, but it would have been good to start with such a ready made array. [ ...I do not know, in fact, if these stones are still in house; there are often a few yellows worth seeing in 'sample' sizes]
Digressing... hehe.

here is a 0.41ct FVOY in platinum on a leather cord.
3FC5B39C-BC17-48E2-A9FB-AEF8400B8BA0.jpeg
 

mewing

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
59
@mewing you are touching upon a subject that I am quite passionate about- investing in diamonds.
Here's what you need to ask whoever is suggesting that diamonds make a sound investment if the primary goal is the retention of capital: Are they willing to buy diamonds, and if so, at what price compared to current retail?
The point is- diamonds are an investment in yourself in many ways. Financial instrument? No.
Yes, compared to other things you buy, they hold value better.
If you bought $10,000 worth of shoes, how much will they be worth in ten years? Especially if you wore them.
Say, hypothetically, the diamond you paid $10k for ten years ago is now retailing for $15k ( not close to reality, but for the sake of discussion)
How much can a retail consumer expect to recover if the retail price is $15k. $11k?
Even then, selling an eleven thousand dollar item is not such a simple matter.
But closer to reality, if the retail price was the slightly higher- or the same, a consumer would be losing a fair percentage of their $10k investment.
So- buy it if you love it!!!
They're awesome to own, and the fact you could- in a worst-case scenario- pawn the $10k diamond for $5k. Again, better than shoes, or most other things you buy ( except guitars (I bring this up in the rare case my wife reads this))

eta- certain "Gazildiamonds" have made good investments- you know, buy it for 1.5Mil and sell for a gazilion more. large Argyle diamonds- red diamonds.....

I totally agree with you. It's easy to purchase something but it is far more challenging to attempt to sell something later on. But I like this idea of my item appreciating in price after 10 years. It's just the kick I get out of it even if I have absolutely no intention of selling it.

So if I'm interested in purchasing a yellow diamond in hopes of watching it appreciate over time, is there a specific minimum colour grading (e.g. minimum fancy intense yellow), carat weight and clarity that I should focus on? I like orangey yellow, but from an 'investment' point of view would a straight yellow be better?
 
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gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
Wow! That's a pretty colour and a very innovative design! How much did you pay for it?
Thanx!!!
I will have to dig that up. It was done nearly 10yrs ago????? But I think the entire project was about Usd $5k. The platinum is quite heavy.
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
I totally agree with you. It's easy to purchase something but it is far more challenging to attempt to sell something later on. But I like this idea of my item appreciating in price after 10 years. It's just the kick I get out of it even if I have absolutely no intention of selling it.

So if I'm interested in purchasing a yellow diamond in hopes of watching it appreciate over time, is there a specific minimum colour grading (e.g. minimum fancy intense yellow), carat weight and clarity that I should focus on? I like orangey yellow, but from an 'investment' point of view would a straight yellow be better?

from what I have inferred - I think for yellow- fancy intense is best. And around the 2ct mark for what you are looking at. Clarity most likely VS1. But am sure rock diamond will be best to guide.
 

Sunstorm

Brilliant_Rock
Trade
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Messages
1,789
Completely agree with @Rockdiamond! Touched on just about all major factors. But then this is why I do consider them a decent investment for me, better than if I was hoarding up shoes which I still do to a much lesser extent :bigsmile:.

Ooh @gregchang35 that is so yummy! It is a color I love and yeah prices were very friendly 5-10 years ago.
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
@Sunstorm thanx! and your PEAR! oh my world!!!!
yes, everything 5-10yrs ago was friendlier.. even my body shape! LOLOLOL
 

mewing

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
59
Completely agree with @Rockdiamond! Touched on just about all major factors. But then this is why I do consider them a decent investment for me, better than if I was hoarding up shoes which I still do to a much lesser extent :bigsmile:.

Ooh @gregchang35 that is so yummy! It is a color I love and yeah prices were very friendly 5-10 years ago.

Oh yes. Now that you mention it, I do recall 12 years ago a 1 carat pink diamond was offered to me at 8k usd
 

Begonia

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
3,214
It's really a calming color. Very very mesmerizing!
 

Rockdiamond

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
9,711
So if I'm interested in purchasing a yellow diamond in hopes of watching it appreciate over time, is there a specific minimum colour grading (e.g. minimum fancy intense yellow), carat weight and clarity that I should focus on? I like orangey yellow, but from an 'investment' point of view would a straight yellow be better?

Elephants can't fly.
I agree- but if they did would they use their ears as wings?
Having said that......

I don't know, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Internally Flawless seems to be one of the categories in yellow that are.....somewhat untouchable ( till they are)
 
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AV_

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 5, 2018
Messages
3,889
I don't know, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Internally Flawless seems to be one of the categories in yellow that are.....somewhat untouchable ( till they are)

One carat?
 

Rockdiamond

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
9,711
One carat?

So this is - although elephants can't fly- how high might they fly if they flapped those ears long and hard enough:)

No- one carat ain't gonna be important enough...as long as we're playing.... the entrance level for these sorts of stones is -.......at the very very least, $100k.
Really 1/4 million.
 

partgypsy

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
Messages
6,622
When considering the pricing of green diamonds:
If we compare Fancy Green ( obscenely expensive), to Fancy Yellowish Green ( more like a F/VS)
Adding any modifier with grey could easily take 25% off that price.
That makes this stone even more amazing, IMO.
I adore stones that have modifiers that trash the price, yet, the stone looks......green.

A GIA graded "Fancy Green" might even look less green - because the color green itself is such a subtle color. Sometimes the modifiers help in that regard- which definitely seems to be the case here!

This is really an example of how green (as well as other colored) diamonds can really vary so much in their actual color. In this case the modifier descriptors probably gave you a discount while it is a definite (and appealing!) green color. Congratulations!
 

Texas Leaguer

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
3,760
I'm a millennial. I don't speak for all millennials, just for me and my friends.

I think the concept of a white diamond is quite unappealing to us for several reasons. Many of my friends find the "a diamond is forever" tagline really cheesy. We also don't like the idea that we are paying through our noses for something that is actually plentiful in nature. But most importantly, we feel like a white diamond is relatively commercialised and it cannot quite express our personalities?

More specifically to myself, I never had the urge to purchase a white diamond. But I do believe that I am still affected by the 'myths' surrounding diamonds at a subliminal level. As such, a coloured diamond was the perfect compromise. It's truly rare and it has colours.

As to why I chose green, it was really by accident. I originally wanted to purchase a good Argyle pink diamond as an investment. I'd like to believe that the closure of the mine in 2021 would surely drive up prices. I found one and even negotiated the price, but I pulled out at the very last minute because I really cannot imagine myself wearing hot pink anywhere. As a result, I swung the other way and went for a colour that I felt reflected my personality a little better. My friend swopped in to buy the pink diamond and I think it was definitely a better investment than my green diamond. That said, I think green diamonds have good potential in Asia given our obsession with jade and emeralds, but it definitely needs more publicity given that the normal, average consumer has no idea they even exist.

Thank you for providing insight into your purchase. I think your thought process is solid. And, as green is arguably the rarest color in diamond, I think you have something of exceptional value. Not to mention extremely attractive!
 
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