Advice on upgrading diamond

[Leah011]

Hi all,

I am seeking assistance identifying a diamond and setting that would be an upgrade of my original diamond engagement ring. My original ring (both the diamond and the setting) was purchased from Blue Nile. Under Blue Nile’s upgrade policy, if I spend at least double on the upgrade then I can apply the full original purchase price to the upgrade.

I’m really not sure whether I should buy my upgrade from Blue Nile. Ideally I’d like to maximize the value of my original stone, but I’ve been reading such wonderful things on PS about Whiteflash and Brian Gavin diamonds that I’m wondering whether it makes sense to sell my diamond and buy my new one from one of those two vendors.

Some basic information about this purchase:

· My original diamond is a .95 RB, F color, SI1; its GIA number is 1169569204.

· My husband paid $5,399 for the stone. I could sell it for $3,200 and apply it towards the upgrade.

· I will need to buy a new setting if the new diamond is larger than 1.2 carats. I’d want to spend as little as possible on that, as I can upgrade that later. I would be happy with a simple white gold solitaire setting.

· My budget, including the setting, is $7,000. That means either:

o $12,399 at Blue Nile ($7,000 plus $5,399) OR

o $10,200 elsewhere ($7,000 plus ($3,200)

· Ideally I’d like to get as large a stone as possible so I will feel like the upgrade was “worth it”.

· I’m willing to go to an I color diamond but prefer little to no fluorescence.

Any advice on how to proceed with the upgrade, including diamond recommendations, would be much appreciated!

 

[MissGotRocks]

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947706.htm

This stone comes in close to your price point but you would have to get a new setting too. You could choose a simple solitaire setting for the time being. I would put as much of the money that I had to spend on the diamond rather than the setting. This would be a hefty carat increase if you could sell or trade your current stone for the 3200.00 and then you would have the upgrade option for future stones without having to fulfill a 'double' requirement.

 

[Leah011]

I'd love to get a 1.5 carat diamond, but realize that might not be feasible if I don't upgrade through Blue Nile.

 

[Leah011]

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947706.htm

This stone comes in close to your price point but you would have to get a new setting too. You could choose a simple solitaire setting for the time being. I would put as much of the money that I had to spend on the diamond rather than the setting. This would be a hefty carat increase if you could sell or trade your current stone for the 3200.00 and then you would have the upgrade option for future stones without having to fulfill a 'double' requirement.

Thanks!! It is not 1.5 carats but is close enough.

 

[MissGotRocks]

That is a super ideal cut stone so other than going to an SI1 in clarity, that just about maxed out your budget. You might find a stone at BN that you like as well but I think I would only trade with BN if it was going to be my last and final stone. Otherwise, their upgrade policy becomes rather cost prohibitive in terms of trading again. For me personally, I would rather get a very well cut stone with a great upgrade policy even if it meant sacrificing a bit of carat weight. As funds are available, you can always go larger paying just the price difference between the two stones. However, having said all of that, we are all different and have different criteria for our choices and yours might be totally different than mine.