Buying used rings/stones? : Price Guidance

[smartdriver]

Hey everyone.

Like most people here, I've been trying to look for the perfect ring for the perfect one person in my life. I've enjoyed reading and learning on this forum because it brings value to my new knowledge for diamonds. I'm so grateful that I finally found this site, at first I though this was a diamond price lookup site, lucky I was linked here again and I took a second look to find out what I've been missing.
Any woo, sorry for my rambling.

I want to propose to my lucky gal before the end of the month. I had been looking for a brand new engagement ring and taking suggestions from members. Then came along came, (makhro82 ), who showed me a used ring for sale that I do adore and want to find out more about because it fits my budget. I believe she said she already had it appraised, but wanted to get it appraised again by Jonathan at GOG. The seller is currently still looking for a good price to sell her ring for, so I thought I should do my own research and find out what is a good price I should buy a used ring for. I'm thinking to myself, SMART idea!
*********************************************************
Seller thread: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/ritani-endless-love-platinum-1-01ct-diamond-t170311.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/ritani-endless-love-platinum-1-01ct-diamond-t170311.html[/URL]
“Ritanti endless love platinum diamond engagement ring, set with a 1.01ct GIA graded H color SI1 (eye clean) diamond.”

I’m looking up some diamonds that may match the sellers, but because I don’t have any hard measurements numbers to look at, it’s hard to guesstimate.(not that I know what the numbers mean anyways, but at least I have something to compare it to.) So I’m just using Lowest price to Highest price I found on BrainGavin site.

GIA 1.01 H/SI1, VG or EX is ($6100-6700)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.000-h-si1-round-diamond-gia-35340320
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.010-h-si1-round-diamond-gia-33347760

Ritani classic platinum Setting used ($950)
http://diamondbistro.com/category/196/Rings/listings/25753/Ritani-Classic-Engagement-Ring-Setting-Only.html

Other cost to size /polish /shipping/ insurance, etc???

********************************************************
I would like to stay under $5,000 and the price was perfect. It seems that the used buying process might take weeks or a month of time to complete because of risk of not knowing the buyer and vice versa. I wouldn’t want to be chasing this ring if I have to put a lot of investment into it after buying and be over budget, every bit of cost counts. I came up with some questions at the bottom that I hopefully can get answered here.


1) What is the rule-of-thumb to calculate used items?
2) What considerations do I need to include in price negotiation?
3) Should I get it looked at by the 3rd party?
4) What is the typical cost to have an expert look at the ring and who would you all recommend? I live in Los Angeles.
5) Any other cost or considerations I should consider when buying used, so I can include it into my purchase price and bargaining considerations?
6) Will the ring look brand new after it’s been cleaned, how much does it cost to clean/polish?
7) Is this ring resizable, what’s a typical cost to resize it correctly and professionally? (The reason I say correctly and professionally is because I took the ring to a small dealer that charged $20, but the band didn’t come out like it was originally.)
8.) Would I be able to get the ring within my budget?
9) The heck with it, she deserves a new engagement ring and start making babies?

THANK YOU ALL! PRICESCOPE ROCKS MY WORLD!

 

[slg47]

Hey everyone.

Like most people here, I've been trying to look for the perfect ring for the perfect one person in my life. I've enjoyed reading and learning on this forum because it brings value to my new knowledge for diamonds. I'm so grateful that I finally found this site, at first I though this was a diamond price lookup site, lucky I was linked here again and I took a second look to find out what I've been missing.
Any woo, sorry for my rambling.

I want to propose to my lucky gal before the end of the month. I had been looking for a brand new engagement ring and taking suggestions from members. Then came along came, (makhro82 ), who showed me a used ring for sale that I do adore and want to find out more about because it fits my budget. I believe she said she already had it appraised, but wanted to get it appraised again by Jonathan at GOG. The seller is currently still looking for a good price to sell her ring for, so I thought I should do my own research and find out what is a good price I should buy a used ring for. I'm thinking to myself, SMART idea!
*********************************************************
Seller thread: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/ritani-endless-love-platinum-1-01ct-diamond-t170311.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/ritani-endless-love-platinum-1-01ct-diamond-t170311.html[/URL]
“Ritanti endless love platinum diamond engagement ring, set with a 1.01ct GIA graded H color SI1 (eye clean) diamond.”

I’m looking up some diamonds that may match the sellers, but because I don’t have any hard measurements numbers to look at, it’s hard to guesstimate.(not that I know what the numbers mean anyways, but at least I have something to compare it to.) So I’m just using Lowest price to Highest price I found on BrainGavin site.

GIA 1.01 H/SI1, VG or EX is ($6100-6700)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.000-h-si1-round-diamond-gia-35340320
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.010-h-si1-round-diamond-gia-33347760

Ritani classic platinum Setting used ($950)
http://diamondbistro.com/category/196/Rings/listings/25753/Ritani-Classic-Engagement-Ring-Setting-Only.html

Other cost to size /polish /shipping/ insurance, etc???

********************************************************
I would like to stay under $5,000 and the price was perfect. It seems that the used buying process might take weeks or a month of time to complete because of risk of not knowing the buyer and vice versa. I wouldn’t want to be chasing this ring if I have to put a lot of investment into it after buying and be over budget, every bit of cost counts. I came up with some questions at the bottom that I hopefully can get answered here.


1) What is the rule-of-thumb to calculate used items?
usually 30-50% off retail but variable.

2) What considerations do I need to include in price negotiation?

3) Should I get it looked at by the 3rd party?
yes!!!

4) What is the typical cost to have an expert look at the ring and who would you all recommend? I live in Los Angeles.
an appraisal is around 100-200 depending on how detailed/who is doing it/etc.

5) Any other cost or considerations I should consider when buying used, so I can include it into my purchase price and bargaining considerations?
include cost for polishing which will be around $40 depending on where you go.

6) Will the ring look brand new after it’s been cleaned, how much does it cost to clean/polish?
it should!

7) Is this ring resizable, what’s a typical cost to resize it correctly and professionally? (The reason I say correctly and professionally is because I took the ring to a small dealer that charged $20, but the band didn’t come out like it was originally.)
this setting appears to be not resizable.

8.) Would I be able to get the ring within my budget?
I think so?

9) The heck with it, she deserves a new engagement ring and start making babies?
up to you! I would only consider used/secondhand if you can find /exactly/ what you want/what you think she would want. otherwise build her perfect ring!

THANK YOU ALL! PRICESCOPE ROCKS MY WORLD!

 

[NTave]

First, I would find out if she is ok with a "used" engagement ring. Some people are, some people arent. Chances are the diamond may have been someone elses before, but some people dont like the juju or whatever that comes with it. I am not one of those people. In fact I enjoy the hunt and the bargain of whatever Im searching for at a good price, whether new or "used." My engagement ring was a second hand craigslist transaction, and it took quite a bit of time to find what I was looking for (Yes, I picked out my own ring.) and I have not seen anything close to it before it and since. Finding a perfect diamond thats AGS 000/GIA ex/ex/ex or heck anything with a GIA AGS cert at all is sort of finding a needle in a haystack on CL..they just dont happen every day..or month. I dont recommend going that route unless you know what you are doing, I just got totally lucky and I had a good jeweler back up..much better safer deals to be had on consignment at jewelery stores. People upgrade stones/sell old rings all the time. Some settings can be resized, some cannot, it depends on the ring..general rule is 2 sizes up or down. Your jeweler should be able to tell you if they can do something with it, so the setting may be a moot point unless its the size you are looking for. As far as negotiation, it looks like she has set her price already. Only you know if thats worth it to you. It looks like you would be getting a little more than 2k off a new one of the exact same...but its not a deal unless thats the setting/diamond style she wants/size you need or the ring can be resized to the size you need and you are willing to pay to get it resized. You should also find a great jeweler to do any bench work. A ring generally looks new after resizing and professional clean/polish/refurbishment..Im unsure of Ritani and their procedure for resizing "their" rings. It might be a good idea to find a middle man jeweler to do consignment transaction for you/resize it etc.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

For reference sake, here is another Estate ring--EGL cert.

http://oakgem.com/Products/EGL_Cert_Ritani_1.00ct_Diamond_Platinum_Engagement_Ring_2131.aspx

cheers--Sharon

 

[smartdriver]

@ canuk-gal. The seller says it's GIA certified but has not mention angles on the rock yet, i'm not sure if it would be fair to compare with EGL USA. Thanks for the comparison, every bits of info helps!

@NTave. I was going to get a solitare because of my budget, didn' t know I couldn't afford a fancy channel/pave setting because I was busy looking up the stone, but my girl really wants side stones. I would say we are frugal people and would not mind a used ring, but if I can't resize it, then that would be the biggest issue. But I haven't recieved a reponse form the seller about my questing, if I am able to resize the ring or not.

Thank you again, slg47 for chiming in.

Waiting for appraisal... Sigh.

HI:

For reference sake, here is another Estate ring--EGL cert.

http://oakgem.com/Products/EGL_Cert_Ritani_1.00ct_Diamond_Platinum_Engagement_Ring_2131.aspx

cheers--Sharon

 

[Ravinmad]

check the ring makers site to see if you can or cannot resize this mounting, or if it has to be sent to them and remade, etc.

 

[makhro82]

What do you think of this one: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/101ct-Round-Brilliant-Diamond/17832376_km4FXs#!i=1363373344&k=ssxC9QP

 

[smartdriver]

Thanks makhro82 for the link, I'm don't feel comfortable compramising quality by buying uncertified stone. It looks a bit yellow from the video. How do you see the price of the stone? I been to the site a couple of time but I don't know how to see the price.

What do you think of this one: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/101ct-Round-Brilliant-Diamond/17832376_km4FXs#!i=1363373344&k=ssxC9QP

 

[smartdriver]

Does the numbers on this stone seem to be a good to buy? If CUT is is VG but POLISH and SYMMETRY is EX, is this consider to be a VG or EX stone?

https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2106125849&weight=.72

 

[slg47]

Re:

Does the numbers on this stone seem to be a good to buy? If CUT is is VG but POLISH and SYMMETRY is EX, is this consider to be a VG or EX stone?

https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2106125849&weight=.72

look for Excellent cut...polish/symmetry can be VG.

 

[smartdriver]

I was afraid you'd say that. Thanks SLG!

 

[GlamMosher]

Thanks makhro82 for the link, I'm don't feel comfortable compramising quality by buying uncertified stone. It looks a bit yellow from the video. How do you see the price of the stone? I been to the site a couple of time but I don't know how to see the price.

What do you think of this one: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/101ct-Round-Brilliant-Diamond/17832376_km4FXs#!i=1363373344&k=ssxC9QP

That site always confuses me as I can't find a link back to the price page either! The only way i find it is by starting again at the home page and looking for it. It would be much easier if they linked back to the price from the photo page.

Anyway, the ring is on this page, second one down:

http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_rings_page_2

 

[smartdriver]

Thanks GlamMosher, I thought I only had that problem. ha.

Thanks makhro82 for the link, I'm don't feel comfortable compramising quality by buying uncertified stone. It looks a bit yellow from the video. How do you see the price of the stone? I been to the site a couple of time but I don't know how to see the price.

What do you think of this one: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/101ct-Round-Brilliant-Diamond/17832376_km4FXs#!i=1363373344&k=ssxC9QP

That site always confuses me as I can't find a link back to the price page either! The only way i find it is by starting again at the home page and looking for it. It would be much easier if they linked back to the price from the photo page.

Anyway, the ring is on this page, second one down:

http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_rings_page_2

 

[periwinklegirl]

First, I would find out if she is ok with a "used" engagement ring. Some people are, some people arent. Chances are the diamond may have been someone elses before, but some people dont like the juju or whatever that comes with it..

Another option to get a new setting for the stone. That way you don't overpay for the stone and she gets a new ring.

My personal opinion to get "used" and save the 40%. My engagement ring was new, but almost everything else I own (including my wedding ring) is secondhand because I just hate to pay the extortionate B&M markups.

Good luck!

 

[slg47]

smartdriver what style of ring do you think she would prefer?

 

[smartdriver]

@periwinklegirl: I would love to find something used, but now I am worry about the idea of not being able to upgrade as easily and the time frame for my plan proposal is by this month, I would think I'm going to have to wait another month to find something I like on the 2nd market. Time is getting short.

@slg47: She wanted a pave or channel settings, but staring at halos make my eyes go that direction now I will keep looking at the e-ring picture thread to get more ideas. Thanks.

First, I would find out if she is ok with a "used" engagement ring. Some people are, some people arent. Chances are the diamond may have been someone elses before, but some people dont like the juju or whatever that comes with it..

Another option to get a new setting for the stone. That way you don't overpay for the stone and she gets a new ring.

My personal opinion to get "used" and save the 40%. My engagement ring was new, but almost everything else I own (including my wedding ring) is secondhand because I just hate to pay the extortionate B&M markups.

Good luck!

 

[winternight]

Well you should pay careful attention to what she wants. Not everyone wants a halo setting for their e-ring!! They are very popular now, but not the only look. Good luck!