Buying a used diamond?

[mattylance]

Hello all, I have been browsing this forum quite a bit lately as I will be getting engaged in the next couple of months. I am Canadian and a student, so money is a major concern for me.

I went to the local jeweler the other day with my girlfriend and got the whole lesson and sales pitch. Unfortunately, the only stones that were remotely liked by my girlfriend where starting at $6000 (which is way too much for me).

She is a very understanding girl, but of course has to be competitive with our sibilings who just got engaged over the last year...

What I would like to do is find a ring from a failed proposal, divorce, or whatever and purchase it for the diamond. I can then take the diamond, have it polished and set in a new setting more custom to her liking.

The type I am looking for is .73 to about .85 (of course bigger is okay...), the color must be I or better, and the clarity in the SI1. She only liked the round brilliant cut, and from what the local jeweler said and showed to us, the Ideal cut seems to shine the best.

I realize when buying like this I have to be very careful, and I would only do it after getting it appraised independently and only if they offer a 100% refund. But my question is, would I be able to get such a stone for around $1000US? Any good suggestions besides just ebay for where to look? Do any online places sell used diamonds?

I know this isn''t the route everyone would take, but I don''t have a lot of money to spend, and at the same time I don''t want her to be embarrassed by the size or quality of the ring. The best part is that she won''t mind me doing this because she understands we simply can''t afford a $6000+ ring and be able to pay for a wedding!

Any help, advice, tips, etc would be appreciated!

 

[strmrdr]

My rule of thumb is 30%-50% on the second hand consumer level from a pawnshop so not likely to get a 6k diamond for 1k but who knows if you find someone that needs the money bad enough....
Hit the local pawn shops they are a better bet than ebay and safer.
I wouldnt go over 50% of area retail.

 

[EdSkinner]

On another chat room (diamond talk) they have a section for people selling jewelry, maybe you could find something there. I would be very cautious of anything on Ebay. I have seen some real nightmares there. Pawn shop is a good idea.

 

[eyesoftexas]

There is a beautiful Tiffany Lucida on Ebay right now. 1.25 carats VS1/G color with all of the proper documentation and certs for $9K. The guy seems to be legit (he even lists his work number which is a legit bank). You can always ask to do Escrow on such large purchases which will protect you. If you privately email me I also know of someone selling a .95 carat Tiffany Lucida that did not sell on Ebay and is willing to ship the ring to any Tiffany location or gemologist so that you can verify.

 

[mattylance]

Thanks for all of the emails, I love how quickly this forum responds!

As for the ebay ring at $9K... I mentioned that $6k was way too expensive for me so I guess $9k is way way way way too expensive for me...lol.

 

[mattylance]

Any other forums or classifieds to look at?

 

[glitz&glam]

Are there any antique shops that sell jewelry near you? Sometimes you can find real bargains at such places. I found a lovely diamond ring at one in the NY area. I wear it almost every day. (It’s my right hand ring!)

 

[bling]

HI there..i PMed you..did you check the link i sent you? hope it works out and you find what your looking for!

 

[GlitterGal]

Alexa,

Shame on you! Don’t hold out on us – please do share!

Post pics of your precious in the Show Me the Ring Forum. We’re always hungry for a taste of eye candy around here!

Kindest regards always,
Linda