A Few Questions...

[MyDiamondSparkles]

Hi fellow Pricescopers. I wonder if you would share your knowledge with me? I am new here and I have a few questions...

I've been shopping around for an OEC. I found one that is 4.06 carats, but it needs repolishing. If I have the polishing done I "think" I understand that it will loose a few points. So here's my question: If the polishing doesn't improve the clarity of the diamond (it's a VS2) and it looses say .08-.10 on the polishing. What kind of difference will it make in the value of the diamond since it will now be under 4.00 carats. Is this somehting to be concerned about? And the of course, the flip side, if the polishing does improve the clarity, and it goes to a 3.96 with a VS1 would that make up for the lost carat wieght or not. Or are there just too many variables to say whether it would or not?

Then I was reading up on the Kozibe effect (not sure I spelled that correctly). I know siome people like this and some people don't. Is this effect due to the only the culet? Or is it do to the cut of the stone, being very syjmetrical. Like, would a poorly cut stone not have this effect?

Then, while reading up on the Kozibe effect, I ran into a thread that talked about GOG cutting new OEC's. I know they have the AVC but I haven't seen an OEC on their web site. The posts were old, like from 2 or more years ago, so I am wondering of GOG decided not to cut the OECs? Sorry, if this is old news I spent a few hours here at the fourm trying to find any info I could on this subject. Can anyone give me an update on this?

Finally, and I know this is totally personal, but I am just curious on your thoughts about your own purchases. How did you decide on how big of a diamond was big enough? It seems like last year I thought a 2 carat was huge, this year it doesn't seem all that big to me. Funny how that happens. So I started off looking at a 2 carat and when it seemed small to me I jumped up to a 2.5. Now when I try those on they seems small, so all of a sudden I am looking for a 3 to 4 carat. Geesh! I know that a 2 carat is more diamond that most will ever own and I would consider myself fortunate to own that size. BUT, I want this to be my last upgrade and I don't want to end up with even the slight chance that I wish I would have gotten a larger diamond. You know? Has anyone been in this boat before? I also don't want the diamond to be too big...like I would be embarrassed to wear it. But seeing as how I work from home that probably isn't going to be a problem, 'cuz no one ever sees me anyway....lol.

If you need some background: So like I said, I work from home, so have very little chance to see anyone else's diamonds. So it's not a keeping up with the Jonses thing because I am making this purchase based on my own likes. In fact, I can't even tell you if my neighbors have big diamonds, because I've never noticed! Lol! So it's not that. The big big diamond is in the budget for sure, house paid off, cars paid off no credit cards, tons of investments and a savings account, kids college is paid for. I saved my money for most of my life and I just feel like it is time to do something really fun. But in the same breath I am second guessing myself. Should I spend this kind of money? Or just keep it in the bank? Anyone with these same thoughts?

Geesh! For the first time in my life I feel like I can't make a decision for the life of me, so your thoughts on your own experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Well, regarding deciding on size...I became engaged in my early 20s and my DH was still in school, so part of the decision was based on what we could afford. The other was based on my style and personality. I'm not into big bling. I would NOT be comfortable wearing a large diamond. Regardless of financial security, my preference would still be for smaller diamonds (everyone has their own definition of this, but mine is under 1 ct.).

If you want a 4-ct and can afford it, go for it. Maybe try on and wear around some "fun" rings for a few weeks to see how you feel. Also, see how comfortable a larger diamond is for daily wear.

 

[oldminer]

Polishing just the crown of a very slightly abraded diamond of this size would not bring the weight under 4ct. If there are nicks and tiny chips to be fixed, then it is a bit more than re-polishing and the weight may dip below the 4ct size. It isn't so much a big deal on the value if the price is correct as-is, then the proper fix is already assumed in the value. If the price is inflated by the 4ct+ weight now knowing that it will go below 4ct when repaired, then you are being asked a bit too much. This is a finely tuned issue that a consumer really can't be asked to know the answer to. You need some expert assistance if you only want to buy based on knowledge. If you wing it, then you may get a very good deal or maybe not. Some consumers can't live without understanding their position, but others sort of enjoy the risk taking aspect. A 4ct diamond is a bit of a good sized rock for daily wear. If it fits your lifestyle and you understand what wearing it entails, then I would not anticpate you finding it too large to comfortably wear it. You are the best judge if it is good for your daily wear. Most initial engagement rings are a lot smaller, but we don't know enough about your specific situation to say much more.

 

[decodelighted]

1. Don't think polishing will take the stone under 4cts ... OR improve the clarity ... OR change the value enough to be significant.
2. Kozibe effect -- not sure how it is affected by symmetry
3. Good Old Gold ... they do cut "new" OECs. I forget the brand name though. Its something like their "August Vintage Cushions" though. Can't remember if their final prototype ended up having an open culet or not.
4. Shrinkage --- "DSS" or Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome is very common around here & discussed often. There is no way to guarantee you won't wish you had something larger in the future. People USUALLY want something larger as their eye gets accustomed to what they already have. But going BIGGER than you currently want isn't the answer either. Some folks have also DOWNSIZED because their rings didn't ultimately suit their lifestyle. If I were you, I'd get what I love & can comfortably afford. A four carat stone is quite large and lovely. Personally, even though I have large fingers/hands -- I feel like round stones get cumbersome much larger than three, 3.5, four. I generally prefer different shapes in the over 3 ct category. Cushions. Emerald cuts. Asschers. Though I've seen a few antique rounds that I'd make an exception for.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi MDS,
In terms of re-polishing: There's no way anyone can say how much weight the diamond will loose without seeing it first hand- even then, I'd want the cutter to see it before making any predictions.
You have mentioned the diamond is VS2- was this a grade issued by GIA?
I ask because any other grade is suspect- therefore useless again in trying to advise you.
Also the location and nature of imperfection can affect the advice.
As a rule, a 3.90 compared to a 4.00 will have a greater difference than the 2.5% weight difference.
Here again, the accurate grading makes a huge difference.
If the stone is an M/VS2, the actual dollar difference may be insignificant.
If it's a D/VS2 the difference, in real dollars, may be substantial.

The kozibe effect will be more symmetrical on a symmetrical diamond- basically its the open culet reflected, and repeated around the diamond.
A slight re-polish for repair should not affect this.

 

[MyDiamondSparkles]

Re: A Few Questions...update is this normal??

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I really appreciate your time.

I totally wasn't even thinkiing of this diamond being fit for daily wear. I wear my e-ring all of the time...I never take it off. I really wonder if a 4 carat diamond is even "wearable" on a daily basis...especially if it's an OEC/ older diamond. Hmmmm...I'm glad you all brought that up because honestly I was even thinking about that.

The diamond is an O-P. Of course I was told if another well known appraisal place did the report it would be a K...lol. I know the O-P is going to have some yellow, but I like that in OEC, don't like it so much in in RB though. I "thought" the diamond had a GIA appraisal, but it does not. They use a colorometer on it to get the color, and who knows how they come up with the clarity???

So of course I asked for a GIA. Is it normal for the seller to have the diamond shipped to GIA then ask me to pay for the appraisal?

The price seems low to me, but I'm new at this so I really don't know all the intricacies of pricing--other than I thought this diamond was well priced for what they said it was. Of course we all know how my previous online ourchased turned out and I have no wish to repeat thast experience.

The price WAS $16,000 a few days ago, then I noticed the price went up to $19,000--so of course I asked about it. I was told that an investor bought it, then paid a relisting fee and they put it back on their web site as a new product. Along with that came an explanation of the cost of gold against the dollar and yadda, yadda--which I know nothing about the price of gold or the price of tea in China for that matter, so the explanation was over my head. Simple explanation: "Diamond flipping". Hmmm... I just kind of thought this was weird, but maybe it's completely normal--I don't even know. It's a well known web site.

Ughh! I think I know enough about diamonds, to know I don't know enough about diamonds to make a purchase. Sigh...I think that is what I am the most nervous about.