Best I can get for $20K?

[TheGeckoLady]

Anyone want to do some virtual shopping?

I think I’ve decided what to do with the ring my grandmother gave me. I’m going to keep the setting and have the marquise center replaced with a round. That way I get to keep the ring and actually wear it, just a RB with the tapered baguettes instead of the marquise. There’s a local jeweler with a great diamond inventory who is willing to trade diamonds and do the alteration but if it doesn’t work out and I sell the diamond outright I’ll be in the market for something around $20,000. It could be more but I do need to factor in the costs of altering the ring and having the diamond set and I don’t want to get my heart set on something unrealistic. I’d like something in a round over 2.7ct and at least 8.8mm. What are the best options you can find? I’m ok with color down to a K (GIA quality) and lower clarity as long as it’s eye clean. The baguettes are H/I color so I want something that will work with them. I would really appreciate any suggestions!

Here are pics of the setting - https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-a-very-large-diamond-value-sell-keep.189703/

 

[msop04]

Anyone want to do some virtual shopping?

I think I’ve decided what to do with the ring my grandmother gave me. I’m going to keep the setting and have the marquise center replaced with a round. That way I get to keep the ring and actually wear it, just a RB with the tapered baguettes instead of the marquise. There’s a local jeweler with a great diamond inventory who is willing to trade diamonds and do the alteration but if it doesn’t work out and I sell the diamond outright I’ll be in the market for something around $20,000. It could be more but I do need to factor in the costs of altering the ring and having the diamond set and I don’t want to get my heart set on something unrealistic. I’d like something in a round over 2.7ct and at least 8.8mm. What are the best options you can find? I’m ok with color down to a K (GIA quality) and lower clarity as long as it’s eye clean. The baguettes are H/I color so I want something that will work with them. I would really appreciate any suggestions!

Here are pics of the setting - https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-a-very-large-diamond-value-sell-keep.189703/

Hi GeckoLady,

Are you wanting an EX cut stone? If so, I've done the following searches using your criteria (2.7ct or 8.8+mm, K or better, SI2 or better, GIA EX or AGS 0 cut, $20K-ish)

James Allen:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...r&TabSelected=3&ps=15&DiamondID=231611,227248

Whiteflash: (had to use $22K to achieve more than 1 result)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-dia...31792,2868352,2891946,2967821,2967864,2968691

GOG:
(H&A and Ideal) None
"Traditional Cut" None

IDJ:
http://idjewelryonline.com/diamond_...pthto=&tablefrom=&tableto=&cut=Array&item_id=

 

[GoSounders]

This one is just over 20k and should be close to eye clean. Not quite 2.7ct, but almost 9mm in diameter.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.59-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-239612

 

[msop04]

This one is just over 20k and should be close to eye clean. Not quite 2.7ct, but almost 9mm in diameter.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.59-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-239612

Nice find, GoSounders! At 59+%, the table is a bit large, but it's a lot of finger coverage for that price and I'll bet it's knockout IRL too!! Considering OP doesn't mind the warmth, I think it's a winner!

 

[SB621]

Do you want an MRB or would you do an OEC?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good question, SB.

What I'd do with that stone is send it to Good Old Gold and have them cut an August Vintage Round as big as they could cut. Maybe an extra small stone could be cut from the remainder. I would rather have an old cut in the low color and actually wear the diamond my grandmother gave me but in a different cut. It's just not worth selling it for $20k, in my opinion.

 

[TheGeckoLady]

Those are some really good options, thank you! I don’t know that I’ve worn a really well cut diamond so don’t know how to answer as to its importance. We bought my 1ct engagement diamond 10 years ago from a B&M with no certificate so I really don’t even know its specifications. I just sold my setting so I sent it to GIA while I was deciding on a new one to get it graded. Hopefully I’ll get it back in a couple of weeks! How important is the difference between Ideal, Excellent, and Very Good?

I’m not going to sell this diamond for $20,000 but I don’t know yet how much it will cost to alter the ring so I don’t want to set my sights too high. $20K was just the safe zone. As far as having it recut, I had BGD look at it and he felt like cutting it into anything other than a better cut marquise would be a waste and it would not remove the needle right in the center that’s making it an I1. I tend to agree. I’m not sure putting out around $2000 to have it recut into a much smaller and still included stone would be the best path for me. I did think about it for quite a while though. I just don’t think I can’t spend money to end up in the same range I’m searching, if that makes sense. diamondseeker2006, your AVR is gorgeous though! I do love OEC’s I just haven’t found one that I’m in love with in the price range I’d be looking.

 

[luvmysparklies]

Hey,
What about this one? Not 2.7, but 2.52 and is 8.8mm, GIA EX/EX and a fair amount LESS than 20k
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-default&id=39

 

[RockyRacoon]

This one is smaller than the dimensions you had mentioned, but looks awesome, with a really great level of fluorescence:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.161-k-vvs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006025

 

[TheGeckoLady]

That 2.52ct seems like a good deal if it is eye clean!

The BGD stone looks beautiful but I did look at a 2ct ideal cut and it was smaller than I’d like to go.

 

[SB621]

That 2.52ct seems like a good deal if it is eye clean!

The BGD stone looks beautiful but I did look at a 2ct ideal cut and it was smaller than I’d like to go.

Awwwww someone after my own heart!

 

[luvmysparklies]

That 2.52ct seems like a good deal if it is eye clean!

The BGD stone looks beautiful but I did look at a 2ct ideal cut and it was smaller than I’d like to go.

Awwwww someone after my own heart!

I love bigger too!

Geckolady-
Wink goes on about him being a geezer/other people's eagle eyes and all, but his assessments are spot on. There is nothing like your own eyes though.
This appears to be a wonderfully cut diamond within the apparent size parameters you were looking at. The 1.04 F colored I1 that I raved about has since been sold. But really, the stone was very firey and the inclusions were not visible to the naked eye (and I am Wink's junior by let's just say a few years)! The stones are GIA graded, so it may be worth it call him and see if you can't take a peek at this great price level. No point in spending up your entire budget if you don't have to...might leave some room for some studs or maybe a halo to be built around it

I do like the idea that another poster had of suggesting having it re-cut as well... and an August vintage is whew!

 

[Niel]

Too low. In color?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GIA-Certified-3-48-CT-OLD-ANTIQUE-CUSHION-CUT-LOOSE-DIAMOND-HM1244-/251293576933

 

[TheGeckoLady]

It sounds so stupid saying a 2ct diamond is too small! But I’ve gotten so used to a halo set 1ct that I really would like something substantially larger if I’m going to let this stone go.

That cushion is really pretty! I hadn’t even thought to look for cushions on ebay.

 

[luvmysparklies]

It sounds so stupid saying a 2ct diamond is too small! But I’ve gotten so used to a halo set 1ct that I really would like something substantially larger if I’m going to let this stone go.

That cushion is really pretty! I hadn’t even thought to look for cushions on ebay.

It doesn't sound stupid at all! It's all relative.
You've got this huge rock and I don't blame you for wanting to go as large as possible. I am so excited to see how this turns out!

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Get three good offers from reputable dealers/jewelers then pick one. I would not factor in "remaking the setting" into any deal as a carrot for going with them. A substantisl size stone like this holds a lot of value. I would think of redoing the setting with your own money and the other deal with the diamond as your diamond money. Redoing it shouldn't be exorbitant. Proceed slowly to make sure you make a great decision, as you have been. This whole thing will hold a lot of emotion for you. Have you considered an older stone, possibly from the same era as this one ?

Btw, very good cut and up is all I would consider in a newer stone, but in an older stone if an expert gave it the okay as a good specimen from its era- It sounds like you need to see some more real life examples of great cuts, and old cuts.
I love the size you're after!

 

[TheGeckoLady]

What do you guys think of this one? It’s $25K but if I didn’t factor in the setting costs it might be doable. It seems like a pretty good price. It scores 1.0 on HCA with all excellents. http://www.brilliantearth.com/loose-diamonds/view_detail/324663/?sid=&first=&show_diamond_tab=true#

And yes, I’ve been trying to take my time. The thought of something to wear daily is exciting but I’m trying to make an educated and logical decision because I’m like a parrot and anything sparkly catches my eye. That said, I do want to find something I really fall in love with. I do like older cuts but I’m having a difficult time finding the finger coverage I would like without going into the lower color ranges. I’m definitely open to them though. I looked at a local store that specializes in high end vintage & antique jewelry but the prices were a LOT higher than I’ve seen online.