Custom Ring Questions

[VivaVegas]

My boyfriend has a loose diamond given to him from his mother from her e-ring. His parents are divorced. Question 1: Is it odd/wrong/a bad idea to use a diamond that was once in a ring of two people who got divorced? I''m not particularly superstitious, just curious if others have done this or am I nuts?

Question 2: Anyone know a good place in Vegas to get gems appraised? How much should we expect to pay for this? I went to the AGS homepage (is this a good place to look) for a list of appraisers, and was thinking of just going to one of them (MJ Christenesen).

Question 3:.. we were shopping at a local jeweler here and found a setting we are in LOVE with, the problem is.. it is hearts on fire. We can afford the price, but it seems really marked up for a setting, and it''s kind of ridiculous to pay just for a name, particularly if we decide to use the diamond from his mother (which isn''t HOF). The ring is very similar to the one posted by Sundial on this thread https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/three-stone-rings.29445/ and the thing is, we can''t find any other setting similar to that anywhere. We love the very subtle half-bezel (not a huge fan of prongs or obvious bezels), and we love the three-stone look with the pave diamonds on the sides. I hate to overpay for a HOF piece, but I can''t find a design with the half-bezels like that anywhere! Anyone have a recommendation for someone in the Vegas area (or LA or Phoenix or whateveR) that is reputable that could make a custom design like that? Do you think we''d end up paying more for the custom design than just buying the HOF setting anyways? (the setting we were looking at was in the neighborhood of $5,000-$6,000).

We are still considering buying a new center stone (pending results of the appraisal of his mom''s diamond), and HOF is a possibility for the center stone depending on what we decide for the setting... I just hate wasting tons of money on a HOF ring if we can get what we want for less.

Thanks in advance for helping a newbie out! I appreciate it.

 

[mrssalvo]

Hi VivaVegas.

1) I personally do not think it would be wrong to use a pre-owned diamond. I actually purchased one a while ago. I ended up trading it b/c I wanted a different shape but would do it again if the right deal came along and it was what I wanted. Many vendors offer trade-up policy''s so you really don''t know if a stone you purchase from them was previously owned either. Some people do think it''s creepy, it''s personal.

2) you can look under the resources section for appraisers in Vegas.

3) I''m one that would suggest buying the real deal setting if you love everything about it. Custom can be an option and may or may not cost more, however you may or may not get exactly what you want and could end up disappointed. Custom can be an option for those who like certain things about a ring but want to make changes but if you are lucky enough to find your dream setting already being made to perfection, why mess with it? HOF settings are $$$ so I can understand wanting to explore some other options though.
here is a sholdt ring that is similar but doesn''t have all the pave. I don''t think pearlmans shows all of sholdt''s settings so they might make one that''s closer.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/sholdt-jewelry/rings/02ZZ1/12/

 

[denverboy]

just my personal opinion - I wouldn''t want to give my gf a diamond from anyone elses old ring, especially if they were divorced. A ring is a symbolic thing partly, and I like the idea of getting a new stone b/c me and my gf have our own unique relationship. I dunno... I''d just always be thinking *DIVORCE* in the back of my mind. I''m not superstitious really, but for some reason a stone from a engagement ring would just give me a bad "back of the mind" feeling that wouldn''t go away. But I''m sure there are plenty of ppl who like used stones just as much as new ones and totally don''t mind the stones history. Totally your personal opinion.

 

[cara]

To each their own, on the divorced diamond question. Many could care less, are not superstitious, see the diamond as a sparkly piece of carbon necessary to get engaged, etc. Others are sentimental, gushy types that see the engagement ring as primarily symbolic. Some are in between, would buy a used ring without knowing its history but shy away from this one knowing it is related to a divorce.

Kind of like getting a good deal on a house because a murder was committed there. You''ll get a 1000 opinions on that one. And the question, how good a deal? (can''t beat free!)

That is a lovely setting! I really like the half-bezel 3 stone! It cuts down on the prongage for a 3-stone ring, and those bezels are smooth and less noticeable.

If you really like the HOF ring, go for it (especially since you got a diamond on the cheap!) There is a certain amount worth paying to get what you want, and get it well done, which hopefully the HOF ring is. Certainly look around for other premaid settings that you like as much, and decide if you would be as happy with them. Or look at the Whiteflash half bezel settings, as well as their other custom work, to see if you think they are likely to produce something you like as much as the HOF, and if so, ask them for a quote to compare to the HOF piece. If they are similar, I would go with the one you can see and know you like, but if there are some changes that you want or the price difference is substantial, then maybe custom is for you. But there are definite advantages to getting a premade piece vs. a custom.