Hello, PSers! Question for you: I have the opportunity to have my recuts become branded stones. Please share your thoughts. Is there any downside?
Hello, PSers! Question for you: I have the opportunity to have my recuts become branded stones. Please share your thoughts. Is there any downside?
The only downside I would say is a cost to have your stones become branded. You got your stones recut so they have excellent performance. Personally I wouldn't bother makes no difference to slap a badge on them.
I guess what I'm saying/asking is... is it really just a "badge"? There is the value in having the upgrade option, as well as the stone being designated as not just "garden variety" lol AGS0. Also, I think it makes a diff when you are considering insurance replacement. Do I make any good points here???
@jp201845 Thanks for your input... that's what my husband said. But I do feel that they are not just AGS0 stones. I think there are 0s... and then there are a step above, do you see that? So I sort of felt like it would be getting a Mercedes but without the nameplate... in which case I could get a VW (nothing against VWs!). Also, with the branding I would get the upgrade benefit. I don't think I would ever use it but I think it would be good to have the option??? It's like for a "nominal" cost, I'm getting a large value to use toward something else. Thoughts?
@matt_k Thanks for your input. It isn't with HPD, it is with someone else....
@OdetteOdile Great memory!!! Yes, I could upgrade with this vendor. However, I don't know if I ever would because they were given to me by my father as the earrings belonged to my grandmother. My father passed away 16 months ago and so now the thought of trading them is something I don't know if I could ever do. Maybe with time? My hope is that my husband will buy me new studs in the size and color I want (the inherited stones are too large for my preference as studs). But I thought it would be good to have the option.
I understand about the family history. I have a diamond that belonged to my husband's grandmother, and I would not trade it in. However, I agree with you - I think it would be good to have the option.
Hello, PSers! Question for you: I have the opportunity to have my recuts become branded stones. Please share your thoughts. Is there any downside?
Thank you @nala I don't know if it is appropriate to mention the cost but suffice it to say it isn't anything outrageous and most certainly a pittance when considered in the context of the value of the stones in question. I just think that I'd be stupid to not keep all my options open but, I'm thinking more importantly, that their full value won't be acknowledged without the branded lab report and when it comes to insurance replacement I think this is very important. Heaven forbid something happens, they need to be replaced with the top, top, top of their class. And what if I want to just outright sell them (after throwing around money here, money there, lol, I may need to liquidate lol!), I think that having them branded certainly couldn't hurt.
I think you actually just made your case right there--- and for all of those reasons. It's very good to have the option of upgrading. And if you were lucky enough to have HPD do your re-cuts it wouldn't be a matter of IF on an upgrade--- you wouldn't be able to resist with such an amazing upgrade policy(your upgrade Diamond can literally be only a dollar more than the old one, and @Wink is totally cool with it).
For instance, as much as I love my amazing 1.64 K SI1 that I received about 2 weeks ago, I've already upgraded to a stone 2 color grades higher that was simply too much of a bargain to pass on.
I'm guessing BGD and I would do it!@matt_k Thanks for your input. It isn't with HPD, it is with someone else....
I'm guessing BGD and I would do it!
If the stones were yours (recut), then the cutter gets to put their name on diamonds they have not paid for as rough material; it is such a small perk, it might not be obvious if they were giving or getting! [attempted humour]
It is darn hard to talk about things without a name. AGS is also a brand & all I see / hear is GIAGIAGIAGIAGIA; a house brand is something else.
As best I recall, BGD did your recuts.
There are a few factors to consider. First, the cost of the branding and what I assume means updated certs with their branding and sending your stones back to have the girdle laser inscribed with the logos as well. It seems I recall reading this being about $500 per stone.
The second part is the trade/purchase value that BGD places on them. Being a family heirloom and factoring in recut costs, I could see how this would create conflict. But at the end of the day, that value has to match what you feel it's worth and hopefully that feeling is partially based on market research saying BGD/WF/CBI/VC super ideals of near identical size and same color & clarity is worth X. Seems easy enough, but add sentimental value into the mix and it may be tough to agree.
Speaking of trades, you also need to consider the upgrade program. I like BGD, that's where I purchased my wife's stone, but it's no secret their program is more restrictive than others. You must spend $1 more and upgrade 2 of the following 3 C's: color, carat or clarity. Depending where you start, this may not seem like a big deal but it catches you quickly and makes upgrading harder as you go along.
Where you are in that chain and how likely it would be to effect you is something only you can determine. Obviously you need to factor in the sentimental aspect also. Some other food for thought, you could likely trade in with another super ideal vendor with or without the branding. You get dinged a bit as you don't get that 100% value but depending how you plan to upgrade it may be money ahead. Awhile back I had talked to Wink about such an option for us, but other unexpected stuff got in the way.
If you resell in the open market, the branding could go either way. Educated buyers may appreciate and pay a premium. The masses likely won't care. Your best bet would be a fellow PS'er but at that point I'm not sure the branding would lure a PS buyer as they are already techy and would appreciate the recut, images, etc. The upgrade program dies with the original owner so that is of no benefit to a second party buyer.
Lastly, for insurance I think it makes life easier. There is zero discussion about what you get if you experience a loss, assuming you document the stones properly. Also this has value only if you insure through a provider like JM or similar. If you self insure like some PS folks, it has no benefit as you will replace as you see fit. Also, while losses do occur, the odds are pretty slim.
As you can see, I'm torn. Depending on exact costs and values I might consider it but for me it takes the right situation.
@headlight I so get what you are saying! I remember that a long time ago when I was not in this trade but always loved jewelry my grandma gave me a small sum of money to spend on something I wish to. It was a small inheritance when her aunt passed away. I bought what I thought was a really beautiful citrine and diamond ring in 18 K. How I loved it. I later traded it. Today I want to cry about it. She passed away, I was very close to her and I wasted the only tangible thing I had from her. These are things we realize when we get older how much this sentimentality means and I feel I let her down. I think my love for yellow diamonds is partially due to my irresponsibly losing this ring with a yellow stone. I will feel forever guilty about this. Today I want to make sure I do right by all heirloom pieces or jewelry contributed to in any way by my family. I too have a special Marquise. I understand how losing yours hurt more over time. I think that getting a special Marquise is something you should do for your piece of mind as well. I am sure you will take great care of it.
Based on your last comments, I think you know exactly what to do and for you I believe the right answer is getting them branded.
It is a way you can further honor your father, while still providing you some flexibility for the future.
Plus I think it makes you happy to do it, and that is very important.
A few months prior to getting married, the wife and I took guardianship of our teen "daughter". It was unplanned and turned our world upside down, but in so many ways J has blessed our lives in ways we couldn't imagine. Of course, talks of our own "blood" kids are now in-play. Of course, I told her I was more than willing to start practicing anytime she wanted.
My point being I now think about leaving stuff to my wife and kids, should something happen to me. Each of those thoughts always involve me thinking about how those things would bring them happiness and joy and/or set them up in life somehow. For me, I am less worried about them keeping the item exactly as it was passed on, but rather I want it to be useful to them. And if they get jammed up and need to sell to get past a difficult part then that's a way I can be there for them even if I'm not available in the physical sense.
I have no idea how your dad thought, but I know me and my buddies I've discussed this with feel it's less about the "stuff" and more about their happiness level and how those things would enhance them.
Hi, @AV_ It is not a GIA... It is BGD. Does that change your view?