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Advice on pre-loved BGD lab e-ring

hoofbeats95

hoofbeats95

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
1,469
I have the opportunity to purchase a pre-loved e-ring from BGD.
It's a 2.5 "premium" E/VS1/Ideal set in a platinum tiffany classic setting
Apparently original price was 13K? I don't know when and I know prices have dropped. I also know the BGD Premium Labs definitely have a price tag.
Could someone suggest a fair resale price for this ring? Thanks!
 
Secondary market is between 30% and 50% off current retail value. Might be at the higher end for branded pieces like this, but I’d aim for 50% off retail.

Settings basically sell for a little over scrap value unless they are very unique or special. Like designer or antique. So don’t factor that into your offer at all.
 
I should clarify that she isn't asking 13K. That was the original purchase price.
She has slowly dropped the price to 5k. I still don't know if that's a good retail price given the drop in prices the last year?
 
hoofbeats95 said:
I should clarify that she isn't asking 13K. That was the original purchase price.
She has slowly dropped the price to 5k. I still don't know if that's a good retail price given the drop in prices the last year?
Click to expand...

That's more than I would pay - but it's probably in line with what BGD would command given the brand
 
Dreamer_D said:
Secondary market is between 30% and 50% off current retail value. Might be at the higher end for branded pieces like this, but I’d aim for 50% off retail.

Settings basically sell for a little over scrap value unless they are very unique or special. Like designer or antique. So don’t factor that into your offer at all.
Click to expand...

Using the closest listing on BGD site now - it's $6120. So 50% off of that?
 
musicloveranthony said:
That's more than I would pay - but it's probably in line with what BGD would command given the brand
Click to expand...

I didn't want to pay that either, but I didn't want to insult with a low ball.
 
hoofbeats95 said:
I should clarify that she isn't asking 13K. That was the original purchase price.
She has slowly dropped the price to 5k. I still don't know if that's a good retail price given the drop in prices the last year?
Click to expand...

In my opinion, 5k is not a good price, since you can get a brand new BG signature stone with opportunity for returns or exchanges for under $6,000, per @0-0-0 ’s post.

I’m sure the seller wants to recoup more of her original purchase price, but that’s just not where the lab market is right now.
 
mayaINaU said:
In my opinion, 5k is not a good price, since you can get a brand new BG signature stone with opportunity for returns or exchanges for under $6,000, per @0-0-0 ’s post.

I’m sure the seller wants to recoup more of her original purchase price, but that’s just not where the lab market is right now.
Click to expand...

Would you be comfortable sharing what you think is a good price?
 
hoofbeats95 said:
Would you be comfortable sharing what you think is a good price?
Click to expand...

Do you know who made the setting, and would you need to have it re-sized?
I’d say about $3,000, maybe up to $4,000 if it’s a nice/designer setting and already in your size. I think what you’re comfortable paying is a personal thing—but I’d want to save at least that much off of retail in exchange for the risk of buying person-to-person on the secondhand market.
Also wanted to add: I have paid more than 50% off retail in situations where it was a piece that I really wanted, or it was hard to find new at the time, and other factors like that.
 
mayaINaU said:
Do you know who made the setting, and would you need to have it re-sized?
I’d say about $3,000, maybe up to $4,000 if it’s a nice/designer setting and already in your size. I think what you’re comfortable paying is a personal thing—but I’d want to save at least that much off of retail in exchange for the risk of buying person-to-person on the secondhand market.
Click to expand...
BGD did the setting. Yes I'd need to get it sized up about a half size. I was thinking 3K is about the spot for this ring. It is local to me so I would get to see it in person.
 
hoofbeats95 said:
I didn't want to pay that either, but I didn't want to insult with a low ball.
Click to expand...

I'd pay what I think the stone is worth with no regard for the ring itself (unless there are the high quality melee stones that BGD used to use). For me, that would be somewhere around $3k
 
musicloveranthony said:
I'd pay what I think the stone is worth with no regard for the ring itself (unless there are the high quality melee stones that BGD used to use). For me, that would be somewhere around $3k
Click to expand...

Thanks. The setting is the tiffany classic knife edge - no stones. Basic platinum setting.
 
hoofbeats95 said:
Using the closest listing on BGD site now - it's $6120. So 50% off of that?
Click to expand...

Yes I would be aiming for half of that retail comparable. So around $k as others have mentioned. But I just realized this is a lab diamond. I am not sure the resale market is as strong for lab stones. I have noticed many sit on loupetroop for a long time, and sell for very low prices. This is a branded cut, so perhaps it holds a little more value, but I might be tempted to go even lower personally. But I am a very cheap buyer lol

Sellers usually don't realize how much diamonds depreciate in value after they buy them. I have noticed that lab diamonds in particular don't seem to hold value. So I'm not surprised that the seller is asking $5k. They compare that to what they spent (irrelevant), and even mentally compare it to the cost of a diamond now and think to themselves "well its $1k less than the diamond and a free setting! Isn't that a great deal?" Except that's just not how it works. As we have mentioned, mountings are basically scrap value on the secondary market. Some private sellers do some around quickly and realize the realities of the market. But it can take some time.

Finally, if you really love this ring and its exactly what you want, and saving 1-2k is worth it to you, then it could be worth paying more! Value is really up to you in this situation.
 
PS do you have a loupe and are you comfortable examining the diamond to ensure it matches the lab report and has no damage? Food for thought in this scenario.
 
hoofbeats95 said:
I have the opportunity to purchase a pre-loved e-ring from BGD.
It's a 2.5 "premium" E/VS1/Ideal set in a platinum tiffany classic setting
Apparently original price was 13K? I don't know when and I know prices have dropped. I also know the BGD Premium Labs definitely have a price tag.
Could someone suggest a fair resale price for this ring? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would go elsewhere. Prices on lab diamonds have dropped quite steeply from just a couple of years ago. Plenty of lab diamonds are ideal cut and that's a basic setting. You can get a very similar ring new for about $2,000 these days. For ex:

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Last edited:
Dreamer_D said:
Yes I would be aiming for half of that retail comparable. So around $k as others have mentioned. But I just realized this is a lab diamond. I am not sure the resale market is as strong for lab stones. I have noticed many sit on loupetroop for a long time, and sell for very low prices. This is a branded cut, so perhaps it holds a little more value, but I might be tempted to go even lower personally. But I am a very cheap buyer lol

Sellers usually don't realize how much diamonds depreciate in value after they buy them. I have noticed that lab diamonds in particular don't seem to hold value. So I'm not surprised that the seller is asking $5k. They compare that to what they spent (irrelevant), and even mentally compare it to the cost of a diamond now and think to themselves "well its $1k less than the diamond and a free setting! Isn't that a great deal?" Except that's just not how it works. As we have mentioned, mountings are basically scrap value on the secondary market. Some private sellers do some around quickly and realize the realities of the market. But it can take some time.

Finally, if you really love this ring and its exactly what you want, and saving 1-2k is worth it to you, then it could be worth paying more! Value is really up to you in this situation.
Click to expand...

I wasn't really sure how they hold their value either. My wedding set is BGD so I have experience with their quality. Although it's been 13 years. But really the reason I posted here is to get a feel for what people think the resale market is. It's possible she will get the 5K from someone that is just looking to save a buck. Rather than someone with actual market / resale knowledge.

Yes I have a loupe. I don't know if this one is laser inscribed or not but I would at least "try" to match it up. However I think I'm probably going to pass on it. I was initially shopping for an oval and came across this. I thought maybe if I could get it for a decent price I'd go with it and get the oval later. But I'll probably just pass at this point. It's possible she will drastically reduce the price as I think it's from a broken engagement. I'll just observe.
 
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