Antique Jewelry Dealers - Willing to remove diamonds from original settings?

[heyjudes]

I''ve been on the prowl for an antique diamond and have looked at the PS vendors. I''ve also done a general search from antique shops, etc., but it seems like most of the dealers sell the full ring (diamond + setting). I like the antique diamonds, but do not want an antique setting.

Does anyone know if dealers are willing to remove the diamonds from their original settings and sell them separately?

 

[Andelain]

I don''t think they''ll take a ring apart, but Jewels by Erica Grace (www.jewelsbyericagrace.com) has been known to have nice loose stones.

 

[clgwli]

Most places would rather sell a whole piece I have found since it is more valuable that way. Many places hate breaking up pieces and I agree with that. I''d rather see a whole piece intact than take it apart unless there is a lot of damage to setting or a stone.

In addition to Jewls by Erica Grace, http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/index.php has an excellent selection of just stones.

 

[princesss]

Date: 4/9/2010 11:32:40 AM
Author: clgwli
Most places would rather sell a whole piece I have found since it is more valuable that way. Many places hate breaking up pieces and I agree with that. I''d rather see a whole piece intact than take it apart unless there is a lot of damage to setting or a stone.

In addition to Jewls by Erica Grace, http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/index.php has an excellent selection of just stones.

I just wanted to second the suggestion of Old World Diamonds - I bought a pair of OECs and was very happy with their service and my stones. I know other PSers have had good experiences with them as well (I believe PurrfectPear got the stone in her av from OWD).

 

[denverappraiser]

Most I suspect will be willing to take it apart for you, but I wouldn’t expect much of a discount for taking only the center diamond. The resultant ring without the stone is basically worth it’s weight in scrap metal. If it’s an antique store or the like, they probably don’t have a bench on site and may need to find someone else to do the work, which may take a day or two, but I don’t see a reason why they wouldn’t accommodate you if the numbers otherwise work out. It's usually a fairly easy job. Even if they don't, selling scrap gold is usually fairly easy so you could just find someone to take it apart yourself. Presumably you are going to be having it set into something else and whoever you're planning on using to do the setting is a likely choice for where to look.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[heyjudes]

I have an appointment with Old World set up but since diamonds, especially the antique cuts. Just checking things out.

I thought that *perhaps* it might be easier in some cases to sell the stone separately. Or am I in the minority?

 

[D&T]

Date: 4/9/2010 2:24:52 PM
Author: heyjudes
I have an appointment with Old World set up, but since diamonds, especially the antique cuts. Just checking things out.

I thought that *perhaps* it might be easier in some cases to sell the stone separately. Or am I in the minority?

No you are not in the minority, when I was looking to resale, a few places basically offered me the same price whether my diamond was in a mounting or loose - the setting to them was not valuable. I figured if I wanted to sell my diamond, that I could sell my semi mount at later time or put another gemstone in it. My mounting isn''t relatively cheap either so it felt like I was giving it way with the diamond when I was inquiring a while back.

 

[denverappraiser]

I suppose it depends on the details of the item but I’m guessing that they see the tricky part as selling the mounting without the diamond rather than the reverse. There's nothing left in the world where selling is easy(if there ever even was such a thing). Often selling stones in mountings is used as a way to conceal the grading as well: ‘Approx. 1 carat’ is importantly different from ‘1.00cts.’ for example.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[D&T]

Date: 4/9/2010 2:32:44 PM
Author: denverappraiser
I suppose it depends on the details of the item but I’m guessing that they see the tricky part as selling the mounting without the diamond rather than the reverse. There's nothing left in the world where selling is easy(if there ever even was such a thing). Often selling stones in mountings is used as a way to conceal the grading as well: ‘Approx. 1 carat’ is importantly different from ‘1.00cts.’ for example.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

I definitely agree with this Neil especially with uncerted stones.
With my example i had an actual lab report that already showed them what the diamond really is and they just needed to authenticate, then they showed me the rappaport and we discussed pricing. It was painful

to hear that the setting meant nothing to them

I must have been emotionally attached to it

Awwww luckily nothing came about it...

 

[heyjudes]

Is it possible for stones to be certified while they are in a setting?

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 4/9/2010 2:40:36 PM
Author: heyjudes
Is it possible for stones to be certified while they are in a setting?

No. At least not by a credible lab. It’s possible for an appraiser to make a pretty good estimate of the grading but this will not result in what would be normally called a certification. (Note: GIA and AGSL don’t call their documents ‘certificates’ either and both actively oppose that usage. The preferred term is ‘lab grading report’ or something similar. They do not 'certify' anything.)

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[lovemybling]

Have you looked at Single Stone?

 

[heyjudes]

Date: 4/9/2010 2:49:52 PM
Author: denverappraiser

Date: 4/9/2010 2:40:36 PM

Author: heyjudes

Is it possible for stones to be certified while they are in a setting?

No. At least not by a credible lab. It’s possible for an appraiser to make a pretty good estimate of the grading but this will not result in what would be normally called a certification. (Note: GIA and AGSL don’t call their documents ‘certificates’ either and both actively oppose that usage. The preferred term is ‘lab grading report’ or something similar. They do not ''certify'' anything.)


Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver

So, an appraisal of the ring (diamond + setting) would not be accurate?

 

[denverappraiser]

It depends on the appraiser and their methodology as well as your objectives. At a minimum, the appraiser is estimating the weight based on the dimensions, clarity grading is limited in what they can see underneath the prongs, and color grading is affected by reflections of the metal. That’s the reason that the labs refuse to grade mounted stones. With some grades and weights, a tiny difference can be a BIG deal. Most appraisals are done for insurance purposes and the objective is to define the item for purposes of replacement in the case of a loss. They tend to give the benefit of the doubt towards the best option and this is fine. It keeps the cost of the appraisal service down and everyone seems to like it when their stuff grades better or if the value conclusion is higher anyway. This is not what you’re doing when you using it as a buying tool.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver