3.23 emerald cut estate ring

[gemtastic]

Hello
Have been a faithful lurker for six years now. I found the sight shortly after my husband proposed. I originally though diamonds came in two shapes: round and emerald cut. So I told him I wanted the square diamond, not the round one. I declined to go try on rings or show him pics of what I wanted and therefore ended up with a princess cut engagement ring. He did a great job of listening (I got a square diamond, it is large and sparkly 3.25 F VS1, EGL)

I have the need to fill my desire for an emerald cut. I had always thought that it would come in terms of an upgrade. I recently stumbled upon a 3.23 emerald cut estate ring at a local antique/estate jewelry store. It is the same size as my ring, same color F, SI1. I love it. However, it is not certified. I asked regarding this and was told that the store gemologists are GIA trained and grade the diamonds.
So I asked them to look at my diamond as a potential trade in value, just to see. I didn't tell them the stats, and they didn't ask, about my ring. She came back and basically said it was comparable to the one I was looking at in terms of color/clarity/size. The trade in price was lower than my husband paid.

My questions are basically, does anyone feel comfortable buying an estate piece without a certification? I was told they would send it to GIA for me, (I pay the $300). Or should I just have an independent appraiser look at it?

I have purchased uncertified diamond earrings, 4.08tcw, E-F range probably SI2, but fireballs, and have had no regrets with that purchase. But that purchase was less than this one would be.

My second "issue" is the size, DSS. Am not going up in size, just different look......unfortunately I dream of Grace Kelley"s 10ct emerald cut and need a reality check......my ideal would be 5-6ct, but unless I rob a bank or win the lottery, this ring seems like a do-able for me. Have people been satisfied with a cut change, but not a size upgrade? I realize that 3.23 ct is large, but I have man hands

Thanks in advance for any opinions

 

[gemtastic]

oops
posted my current ring
here are photos of the one I am considering

 

[gemtastic]

more pics

 

[Mrs.W 514]

Ok first WOW! I love both of your rings!! That EC looks amazing on your hand and IMO it looks bigger than your princess cut

I would totally have them send the stone to GIA. This is a large purchase and I would not be comfortable with it unless I knew exactly what I was buying.

The trade in value of your princess will be less than what your husband paid because he probably paid retail for that stone. I would make sure you have a recent appraisal value on your stone. Maybe get a few different opinions on the trade in value just to make sure that the jeweler isn't giving you a lower number so he gets more out of the trade.

I might also consider getting your stone GIA certified. It will increase the value and EGL tends to be less stringent in their grading so your F VSI might be actually be a G H Si1

 

[gemtastic]

Thanks Mrs. W

The emerald does look bigger than my current ER in real life. There was a 4ct emerald cut at the store that faced up the same as this stone.

In terms of sending the ring to GIA, does one first negotiate the price and then send it? I am assuming it won't be "upgraded" by GIA, but if in the event it is, do I lose bargaining power with a higher certified stone?
If I negotiate the price and the GIA comes back a lower grade, what then?

I don't actually think I would trade in my current ER. I do have sentimental attachment to it. I just was curious to see how they would grade it and value it since they do their "in-house" grading.

 

[yennyfire]

Welcome! I'm so glad you came out of lurkdom to share your gorgeous ring and the one you are considering! I am a sucker for emerald cuts, so that has my vote, hands down. However, I'd send both stones to GIA for cert. so that you can compare apples to apples in terms of your trade. I know that's a fair chuck of change, but if the emerald comes back G, SI2 (for example) and your radiant is F, SI1 EGL, they could easily say that your stone is worth less than the emerald. They have you over a barrel if you're in love with the emerald. If you get both stones certified, I feel that you have a better negotiating position. I'll be interested to hear what other folks suggest.

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

Wow that is gorgeous!! I love emeralds, they are so mesmerizing, especially the super big ones! I'd say go with what your eyes tell you. With the fancy cuts, I'm not sure if there's a set of objectives that make them look great to the eye.

Would there be a return policy with the ring?

 

[kenny]

I'd never buy a diamond not graded by GIA or AGS.
Too much money at stake to not be sure of the specs.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree, both stones need to go to GIA since EGL certs are not reliable. I will say that diamond values have increased greatly in 6 years, so they are likely giving you a lowball price if it was less than your husband paid 6 years ago, unless he really overpaid, which is always possible. So pay for both stones to go to GIA, BUT the deal should be that YOU pay for the emerald cut report if it turns out to be the grade they say it is and you decide to buy it, but if it grades lower in color or clarity than they say, they pay. You need to pay for your stone to go so you can get a fair value for it. You may be able to sell it somewhere else outright and do better. We can help you with general values once you have a GIA report for both stones. The only downside is that the stones will have to come out of their settings to be sent to GIA.

I adore the emerald cut ring and it would be worth it to me to trade/sell in order to get it if it the report turns out well!

****Sorry, just read the post where you said you wouldn't actually trade in your princess cut stone. Uncertified stones are almost always optimistically "graded" by the seller, so it is not likely that it will come back higher. So wait and negotiate price AFTER you know what the stone really is.

 

[gemtastic]

Thank you all for the advice. I am going to go back this week and "spend some more time" with the ring. I like to stalk/court my purchases for awhile. I wasn't expecting to find this stone, so need to start strategizing. I will try to take more pics as well. I think eventually she will be my precious, but these things take time!
In terms of sending off to GIA and timing of negotiating, I appreciate the feedback. I am going to email the sales associate tomorrow for any stats/measurements they have.