Any buyer's remorse for lower color e-rings?

[WhoaNelly]

Just wondering because I see a few postings in the PreLoved section that indicates some folks want to change from lower to higher color e-rings. If this is you, would you share your experience? I think this thread complements the other topic on wanting whiter diamonds. Thanks in advance.

 

[Niel]

I know you wanted to hear from people who regret it, but I just wanted to say I do not.

 

[Smith1942]

I regret having an I stone as an e-ring. I was not involved with the purchase at all. However, if my husband offered me an upgrade, I'd leap at the chance - and it would be a much higher colour than an I.

 

[c-k]

My husband bought me a New wedding set for a 30 year anniversary ( I color VS2 Ideal cut) I love it...would never want to upgrade, he did his homework and he knew that an Ideal cut was most important. Put a G H I color in a setting on your finger, color is a non issue, it is in the cut of the stone. Heck my old set was a jewelry store special K/L - SI2 that I also loved.

 

[WhoaNelly]

Thanks Niel for chiming in on no regrets. Yup, should have included that in the responses too

I'm curious to hear from those who have purchased or received stones lower than K---like M or below. I see such beauties in those antique cuts and wonder whether people change their minds if the diamond is an e-ring? Thanks!

 

[ruby59]

Just wanted to say thank you for the thread. I was wondering the same thing, but was not sure it was appropriate to bring it up. There was a period where quite a few people were purchasing lower color and clarity diamonds (especially the older cuts) trying to maximize size. And now I am seeing them listed on preloved, DB, LT. Not to hijack, but I am also wondering if people are switching back to more modern cuts.

 

[Niel]

My e ring has Ks. My marquise is uncerted but I believe is under a k, as it was sold ti me from an ebay vendor as an k . Plus the look of it.

Again. Love it.

 

[lovebug1031]

I've had mine for a tiny smidge under a year now - it's an O-P and I still love the stone. My only "regret" is not have a bit more input on the setting - the prongs are way too bulky for my taste.

Other than that I have no regrets, that being said I don't think I would purchase a lower colored stone that was not an antique cut.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My eng ring is a G color but I do have an old cut stone that throws off incredible fire and it's amazing, but it's lower color and I couldn't imagine going that low for an eng ring. The lower colored stones/old cuts are really popular here on PS it seems, but I never see any in real life among friends. Everyone I know has white looking stones and they're modern cuts. I'm not sure what to do w/my older cut stone...

 

[iluvshinythings]

Mine is an EGL L and I love it. If I won the lottery and never had to worry about money again, I'd probably get a higher color (maybe an H-I) but I like a little color in an antique stone. I don't have any regrets though.

 

[SB621]

My orginal was an F MRB so I upgraded to an N/O antique cushion. I couldn't be happier about my change.

Edit- my personal preference I like lowered color antique stones. I'm not a fan of lowered colored MRB's so. So it really depends on cut for me.

 

[TC1987]

Just wondering because I see a few postings in the PreLoved section that indicates some folks want to change from lower to higher color e-rings. If this is you, would you share your experience? I think this thread complements the other topic on wanting whiter diamonds. Thanks in advance.

Pricescope has an unusual proportion of well-heeled consumers who have enough disposable income to be choosy. Or to change or upgrade rings. So where the general populace might "regret" a ring just a little but never ever do anything about it, PS people sometimes will change/upgrade/sell, and elect to not compromise at all. Also, diamond prices increased compared to 2003-2006 when a lot of PS regulars bought, and it's possible to make money selling those diamonds, so perhaps they decide to go up (or down) in color on the next purchase for whatever reason. I think deficiencies in light performance would bother me far more than tint, for any color M or higher. N or lower, I might get tired of the yellow. The first N/O big old antique OEC ring I ever saw was a shock, and kind of repulsive, because I wanted white white back then. I rarely tire of my jewelry or think I made a mistake, because I never bought in impulse. I also played with sim rings in colorless down to N/O yellow, and that might be a good strategy. They were stones from Wink.

To answer the question:
No regrets whatsoever about my G color e-ring. It was white enough, I never noticed any tint at all, and I wore it almost 12 years. I no longer own it.

No regrets with my I color OEC with strong or at least medium blue fluor, either. I've owned that one since 1993. It faces up very white. I never even saw any tint in it until after I found PS and learned how to really scrutinize things. Now I can see that tint from the side, but it doesn't bother me at all.

I know that I would be fine with H and higher in any size of OEC or modern H&A RB.

If it came down a choice between, say a 1ct J or K or .4ct D/E, I could live with the J/K in that instance. J and K are just are not my first choice. J & K and an and lower are the colors that I tend to not choose in a lineup. However, my everyday ring is a .8ct uncerted supposed J. It looks best in yellow gold, might look good in rose gold, but I didn't like in white metals at all. I bought it cheap from a pawn shop just to have a cheap ring to kick around in. If I had a $1000 diamond budget to work with, I'd still pick that stone because the cut is good enough for that price and it has size for low bucks.


HoF I color:
I wonder if there is something "soft" about how HoF stones are graded, or maybe it's the AGS vs. GIA color grading and HoF I is actually (or close to) a GIA J? I looked at one of their HoF princess stones that store owner showed me, and it was probably a 6.5mm stone measured across the straight sides, and I color. And that stone looked super tinted to me, from the side, and not quite white face up. Then Smith1924 says that her I color HoF RB looks dark. Seems odd to me, because I looked at I color RBs in the 1.5ct range elsewhere and they didn't look as tinted to me as that HoF princess did. And I would not describe them as dark or dim.

 

[pyramid]

I was wondering too why there were so many lower color diamonds around now, compared to years ago, whether it was recession or what. I think, in my opinion it is that on pricescope anyway, it has been said that bigger is what everyone wants, dss etc and people have become brainwashed maybe in a way, maybe not, to want these larger stones. The stones of M and below in large carat weights, like 4 and 5 carat are still expensive stones. Not many people would be able to afford a 5 carat F or G diamond I would think. I know that there will be those that can, but that diamond would be something like $170.000.00 or more.

Thanks Niel for chiming in on no regrets. Yup, should have included that in the responses too

I'm curious to hear from those who have purchased or received stones lower than K---like M or below. I see such beauties in those antique cuts and wonder whether people change their minds if the diamond is an e-ring? Thanks!

 

[Sakuracherry]

I had an I color stone and hated it. I just hated the side view so much. Now I have a high H, but would like to trade in for a G or a H someday. I'm not sure what to say about old cut stones. I bought a ring on ebay that is supposed to have E/F colored OECs. I'm expecting them to be like G-J. Let's see if I can love those stones even if they are like L/M.

 

[liaerfbv]

My e-ring is a N OEC and I do not regret it. My stone is not white - it has a noticeable tint and I've had people ask me if it was a yellow diamond. However, I have it in a halo with whiter stones because I wanted the contrast. I personally love it and this is my forever ring. My previous e-ring was a G MRB and I also loved it, but there is no comparison for me.

 

[WhoaNelly]

My eng ring is a G color but I do have an old cut stone that throws off incredible fire and it's amazing, but it's lower color and I couldn't imagine going that low for an eng ring. The lower colored stones/old cuts are really popular here on PS it seems, but I never see any in real life among friends. Everyone I know has white looking stones and they're modern cuts. I'm not sure what to do w/my older cut stone...

MC: you've certainly come to the right place for ideas; there are some awesome threads for old cut stones. Once you decide what you want e.g. rh ring, pendant, etc. with some sense of style, post and ask! That's what makes this forum so great---people are passionate about stones and jewelry. Have fun!

 

[liaerfbv]

I was wondering too why there were so many lower color diamonds around now, compared to years ago, whether it was recession or what. I think, in my opinion it is that on pricescope anyway, it has been said that bigger is what everyone wants, dss etc and people have become brainwashed maybe in a way, maybe not, to want these larger stones. The stones of M and below in large carat weights, like 4 and 5 carat are still expensive stones. Not many people would be able to afford a 5 carat F or G diamond I would think. I know that there will be those that can, but that diamond would be something like $170.000.00 or more.

I'm sure there are lots of people who pursued lower colored stones for size, but I also think that many of us were bitten by the old cut bug and they are just more available in lower colors. Do I enjoy having an 8.2mm stone? Sure. Would I have bought it at 7mm? Yes, because I was obsessed with the facet pattern. It happened to be larger than I was looking for in a lower color. It worked for me and I have not looked back.

 

[SB621]

I was wondering too why there were so many lower color diamonds around now, compared to years ago, whether it was recession or what. I think, in my opinion it is that on pricescope anyway, it has been said that bigger is what everyone wants, dss etc and people have become brainwashed maybe in a way, maybe not, to want these larger stones. The stones of M and below in large carat weights, like 4 and 5 carat are still expensive stones. Not many people would be able to afford a 5 carat F or G diamond I would think. I know that there will be those that can, but that diamond would be something like $170.000.00 or more.

I'm sure there are lots of people who pursued lower colored stones for size, but I also think that many of us were bitten by the old cut bug and they are just more available in lower colors. Do I enjoy having an 8.2mm stone? Sure. Would I have bought it at 7mm? Yes, because I was obsessed with the facet pattern. It happened to be larger than I was looking for in a lower color. It worked for me and I have not looked back.

Agreed. When it comes to old cuts facet patterns are king!!! You have to really search to find old cuts you love because so many have been recut into MRBs. When I started to look for an antique cushion the plan was to go in the 3-4ct range. I didn't have preference of color because i care more about the facet pattern. I ended up with my current AC because she is just dreamy when I look at her.

 

[heididdl]

I wear H on my ering and I am soooo okay with it. My 2.41 1.21 each studs are EGL F and G so I believe they are J in reality and I am so okay I wanted larger studs so I went for a better cut. I had them looked at by a independent appraiser and he agrees the cuts are accurate and ideal and hence sparkle, so the color if they are truly J or K is good with me......

 

[ForteKitty]

I have an 3.76ct L oec, and I still love everything about it. No regrets.

If I can find a higher colored OEC with the exact same pattern and size, I would probably buy it... but it's just not available. With old cuts, you take what you can get, and facet pattern trumps everything else. I'm extremely color sensitive with modern cuts and have several in the D-E range, but I'm fine with a little color in my old cuts. Maybe because they face up whiter? My L looks as white as an H/I mrb most of the time.

 

[Circe]

There have been a few (really tempting to me!) lower-colored old cuts on Pre-Loved recently, but I think it's less a function of people going off lower colored stones, and more a function of the PS population and the methods of acquiring lower colored stones.

For the first point ... PS gets less traffic than it used to, but it still gets a fair amount. From lurking in RT recently, I'd say it's, what, 90% modern cuts? So if/when that 10% decides to sell, it stands out a lot more.

And on the second ... vendors of new cuts have great trade-up policies. I think JBEG and OWD will do trade-ins, but I'm not 100% sure ... and where at least some of the modern vendors have actual buy-back policies, I've never heard of an antique dealer doing that. So, selling it yourself is often the only avenue if/when you want a trade-up.

As for remorse ... nope! I'm currently rocking an EGL J, and loving it - if anything, having seen a gorgeous N AVC, I'm wondering if I should have gone lower! But I had such odd requirements for faceting, fluorescence, etc., I think I was lucky to find a match, even if it's at a higher color than I could have tolerated.

 

[swtnsxy7]

My original E-ring was a J -- I upgraded to a L - OMC and now I really REALLY want a O,P,Q - I just love with the older cuts the champagne/lace-y soft antique color that the lower color stones give off - I definitely don't regret a lower colored stone! LOVE THEM!!

 

[Blessed1]

I have an L color ags0 diamond as my ering and I love it!!!
For me cut was the most important and my diamond sparkles more than any diamond I have seen irl. I know people with stones that are whiter in color but my stone looks much whiter and has more fire. I don't regret it at all!!! I would do the same in an upgrade in a heartbeat!!

 

[msop04]

I have a 2.43 ct MRB in a J color... I have it set in a halo (avatar) and it's very white face up and in this setting. If I were to go larger or in a more "open" setting, I wouldn't go lower than an I for MRB. Now, if ya give me a big honkin' old cut stone, I'd go pretty dang low!! I love the pastels the lower colors throw off!!

 

[smilligan]

I definitely don't like warmer colors in MRBs and the only OEC I've seen is my SO's mom's ring. It's gorgeous. Very chunky, white, and massive fire. I have no idea what the color is, though. I'm sure she doesn't, either. I just picked up my SO's e-ring and it's an I color center with G/H sides and melee. I think it's a high I because it looks totally white to me. I might notice a difference next to a D, but idk. Here's a side pic.





Both were taken using an iPhone and a loupe. Idk why the first is upside down. I don't have time to fix it, ATM. And I know these aren't the best representations, but it's all I have right now. I can assure you that the center is totally white from all angles.

 

[marymm]

I bought a loose GOG M-color AVC and returned it - I did not like the color (and I did not like the prominent Maltese cross).

I bought an estate ring off eBay and the description had said it was I/J OEC, but later when I decided to sell I had David Atlas evaluate it, and he said it was an M color. (Sold it because I did not like the color)

I have a J-VS2 rose-cut diamond and though beautifully cut, that for me is also too low.

eta: Forgot I bought a J-color Quadex from BGD and a small I-color BGD H&A from BGD (two separate transactions) and returned both due to color.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I have had a lot of diamonds come through my hands in the past 6 years. I won't list them all, people are welcome to peruse my threads if they want the story!

Anyways, early in my diamond buying I was wearing MRBs and color did bother me. My preference in an MRB was G color or better. I upgraded to a K color MRB at one point and did not like it after a year. I suppose that could be "regret". I upgraded that diamond to a borderline I/J MRB and wore it over a year, then sold it when prices went up. That diamond was still more tinted than I preferred in an MRB.

Then I tried out an AVC in an M color, and it was not my preference at the time. To middle ground for color.

I also had an O/P OEC at one point and it also was to middle colored for me, and the tone of the tint was not my favourite -- it was a greeny grey at times like dirty dishwater. So body color matter A LOT with tinted stones. More than the actual letter grade IMO.

My current old cut ring was sold to me as a G color, and when I first saw it I fell in love and didn't know the true color. G seemed possible to me! My jeweler said "I" color when he saw it mounted. When I unset the stone, we were shocked to see it was more like a K color, perhaps L. Anyways, I was fortunate to love it before I knew that, and so I don't care about its tint. When I compare to a higher colored diamonds I can see the difference and I don;t like contrast so I choose not to wear my diamond ring with melee size small stones. But it doesn't bother me overall. I like the LIFE I see in my diamond because of the tint. I have become more que sera sera about diamonds. I am less picky -- still won't stomach eye visible inclusions though I love my ring. I know I am the only human who can see the body tint. And its all good! All anyone notices is size anyways.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd pretty much agree with Dreamer's thoughts. All my modern round brilliants have been G-H and I love that color range. I have seen and also can manage I color in top cut quality stones. My current stone is I color and an AVR (2.3 cts.), which is a newly cut OEC with ideal optics. I would have gone for an H color, but the highest color they had in stones 1.8 cts and above was I color. If they ever got in an H color stone similar to the one I have, I don't know what I'd do. I guess the price difference might make the decision for me!

That said, if I am ever able to buy an antique cushion/AVC, I will likely go much lower in color (light yellow) because I will halo the stone to accentuate the color contrast. It was just important to me to have near colorless for my e-ring, and I really start seeing the tint face up in J and lower.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I'd pretty much agree with Dreamer's thoughts. All my modern round brilliants have been G-H and I love that color range. I have seen and also can manage I color in top cut quality stones. My current stone is I color and an AVR, which is a newly cut OEC with ideal optics. I would have gone for an H color, but the highest color they had in stones 1.8 cts and above was I color. If they ever got in an H color stone similar to the one I have, I don't know what I'd do. I guess the price difference might make the decision for me!

That said, if I am ever able to buy an antique cushion/AVC, I will likely go much lower in color (light yellow) because I will halo the stone to accentuate the color contrast. It was just important to me to have near colorless for my e-ring, and I really start seeing the tint face up in J and lower.

This is also a dream of mine, but will likely never be achieved So you need to do it and let me live vicariously! lol

 

[Laila619]

I've owned Hs (one graded by IGI so probably not a true H), I and J. No regrets. And soon I will be getting a K color with strong blue fluor, so I'll be curious to see that. I like getting more diamond for my buck.