For $3,650 is this a good value or could I do better?

[miagracie]

I'm looking at this ring set (bridal set) for $3,650 (my max budget), is this a good value? It's 14k, not platinum. The center stone is 1.30 SI2 color F I'm not overly picky about clarity and color, as long as it looks decent, I'm more about size and setting. About 1.10 in other stones. What do you ladies think? Is this a good value for $3,650 or could I do better, if so any suggestions? Any suggestions for similar sets that are cheaper, perhaps with 1 ct centers? Is there that much different size wise with 1.30 & 1 ct?
Thanks
Mia

 

[Dreamer_D]

Where is that from? Is it on the secondary market or new? That price is ridiculously low for retail, which makes me think the diamond has no lab report, right?

A correctly graded F SI2 diamond would be closer to $10k. A setting like that another $1500 or more. There are no real steals in diamonds anymore, so if it sounds to good to be true it likely is.

Please post information form the lab report if you have it on the crown and pavilion angles and the table and depth percentages.

Without a lab report I would paaaas. It is very likely a very poor quality diamond for that price at that size.

 

[yssie]

Ditto.

The only way for you to find out if it looks decent to your eyes is to see it in-person - be sure to get an idiot-proof return policy in writing first, though! Realistically there is simply no way that it is an F SI2 by GIA/AGS standards in a setting of the quality of make I personally would require, given the price and the fact that as Dreamer says there really are no great deals in this industry's primary market. But I am not you.

I would also ask what their maintenance policy is, if they have one - that setting has a lot of melee.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Ditto.

The only way for you to find out if it looks decent to your eyes is to see it in-person - be sure to get an idiot-proof return policy in writing first, though! Realistically there is simply no way that it is an F SI2 by GIA/AGS standards in a setting of the quality of make I personally would require, given the price and the fact that as Dreamer says there really are no great deals in this industry's primary market. But I am not you.

I would also ask what their maintenance policy is, if they have one - that setting has a lot of melee.

Yssie I usually agree with you about a buyer setting their own priorities and choosing what pleases them, but in this case I heartily disagree. That price is just too low for the ct weight for the diamond to be anything other than terrible quality. And I do not want to see the OP waste her hard earned money on such poor quality goods, no matter how blinded she is by the size it appears she can get for her money. She has a good budget, but unfortunately it will not realistically stretch to what she has posted above, not with a hald decent diamond.

Miagracie it is the sad truth for all of us sparkly lovers that diamonds are very expensive when they are well cut and reliably graded fro color and clarity. If you want a truly well cut stone, that sparkles and has life, you will need to settle on a much smaller rock, perhaps around .50ct and lower color in a simple solitaire. That is what you can buy in your budget and know you are getting the best cut and quality.

If size is your primary consideration, for your budget you could set your sights on a well cut (not necessarily ideal) diamond with a reputable lab report from GIA in the .70ct range, perhaps more if you go for a J SI2 with inclusions that are slightly eye visible (as the stone you are considering most likely has eye visible inclusions anyway), and perhaps look for a less ornate setting. This is not something I would choose to do with my own money, but at least this way you will get a stone with a little life and sparkle!

Or you could try the secondary market, it has *some* deals left. But even there you will not get a 1.3ct stone for your budget.

 

[miagracie]

Okay, it is graded (should have mentioned this, sorry!) by Accredited Gemological Institute (AGI). The store has a very good return policy and my credit card company has my back if there's an issue. So I do feel safe that if it's not up to par I won't be stuck with it.

I don't have the angles, etc from the report, it looks to be a more general report. Again, I'm not overly picky about specs as long as it looks good.

I hadn't thought about maintenance on the set. I would be very careful with it and not wear it working, etc. But true, the more stones, the more to fall out potentially.

If the grading were inaccurate (don't know if it is or isn't at this point) would I have overpaid for the ring? If I skip it, what would you reccomend, any good places or rings?

 

[miagracie]

For me honestly, and I understand most would strongly disagree (and I respect that and no offense to those who feel differently), I would chose size over quality-as long as it looked good to the eye. But that's just me. I don't mind seeing some imperfections to the naked eye, as long as it sparkles nicely and isn't overly cloudy and the color is good (not champagne or yellow)-I'm happy.

I have .50 ct (I have tiny ears) diamond solitaire earrings that are I1-I2 & a 0.75 ct solitaire pendant that's I3 (to be fair, I think to the naked eye they look more like a low grade I2) (not cloudy, a touch carbony but lovely and not cloudy or overly dirty looking) & my original e-ring (family heirloom diamond) 0.25 ct I1 maybe I2 & my upgrade set 0.50 center that's I2 (can't remember the colors) and have tons of fire and sparkle and I love them all.

Now under a loupe, they look a bit rough I agree but to the naked eye (untrained and going more for color and sparkle, not arrows, etc) I think they are lovely and for the price I paid, I wouldn't have paid more for higher quality or the same amount for better quality but smaller. But that's just me.

Don't get me wrong, some diamonds are just junk and so cloudy they look like opague pasty rocks-that's unacceptable to me as is so much carbon (I kind of like a little) that it looks like it's dirty to the naked eye, chips, no sparkle, etc...not acceptable. And I don't care for champagne or too yellow diamonds. I actually prefer a touch of a gray tint to the overly white ones.

So I don't expect perfection in this set IF I end up trying it.

Okay, so the setting is worth about $1,500 correct?

IF the center diamond was actually mis-graded and was not SI2, and more like I1 or I2 for 1.30 would it be worth the price of $3,650 for the set considering the value of the setting? Or would that still be overpaying?

I'm fine with I1-I2 and a good I3, I'm more focused on size, setting and sparkle. With those thoughts...any better options for me than perhaps this one?

 

[yssie]

For me honestly, and I understand most would strongly disagree (and I respect that and no offense to those who feel differently), I would chose size over quality-as long as it looked good to the eye. But that's just me. I don't mind seeing some imperfections to the naked eye, as long as it sparkles nicely and isn't overly cloudy and the color is good (not champagne or yellow)-I'm happy.

I have .50 ct (I have tiny ears) diamond solitaire earrings that are I1-I2 & a 0.75 ct solitaire pendant that's I3 (to be fair, I think to the naked eye they look more like a low grade I2) (not cloudy, a touch carbony but lovely and not cloudy or overly dirty looking) & my original e-ring (family heirloom diamond) 0.25 ct I1 maybe I2 & my upgrade set 0.50 center that's I2 (can't remember the colors) and have tons of fire and sparkle and I love them all.

Now under a loupe, they look a bit rough I agree but to the naked eye (untrained and going more for color and sparkle, not arrows, etc) I think they are lovely and for the price I paid, I wouldn't have paid more for higher quality or the same amount for better quality but smaller. But that's just me.

Don't get me wrong, some diamonds are just junk and so cloudy they look like opague pasty rocks-that's unacceptable to me as is so much carbon (I kind of like a little) that it looks like it's dirty to the naked eye, chips, no sparkle, etc...not acceptable. And I don't care for champagne or too yellow diamonds. I actually prefer a touch of a gray tint to the overly white ones.

So I don't expect perfection in this set IF I end up trying it.

Okay, so the setting is worth about $1,500 correct?

IF the center diamond was actually mis-graded and was not SI2, and more like I1 or I2 for 1.30 would it be worth the price of $3,650 for the set considering the value of the setting? Or would that still be overpaying?

I'm fine with I1-I2 and a good I3, I'm more focused on size, setting and sparkle. With those thoughts...any better options for me than perhaps this one?

Inclusions affect both light return and durability. There is no way for any I2/I3 to sparkle as a true SI or higher ("true" as in, by GIA/AGS standards) would - the inclusions are simply much more pervasive. It's not just a matter of how visible those inclusions are.

A stone's proportions determine how (if) it sparkles nicely - without more information we have no idea if this stone's proportions are promising or disastrous.

As for price - here's a GIA H I1 for $3900, so it certainly is lower in specs than a "GIA-worthy" H I1 of Fair cut.

I agree with Dreamer that there's no way it's worth your money, but YOU are the one with the wallet.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Unfortunately without a reliable lab report, and that is not one, we cannot even begin to guess at the value. As I said already, you need to *assume* the stone is a dull and included and bad looking diamond for that price and with a lab report like that. That price is sort of like buying a brand new car for $3500, it is *that* low compared to others on the market. I hope that analogy helps to put it into perspective a little. It is shockigly low for a diamond that size and setting like that.

You want a stone that sparkles, so you really need to focus on the cut quality. You want value you need to focus on a reliable lab report so you can be sure of what you are getting.

For example, this diamond here will look about one zillion times better than the one you are considering: http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=488 Yes, it is an N color *by AGS* and if I had to guess, less colored than the one you are considering! You can likely find similar colors and perhaps lower clarity grade by GIA and Excellent or Very Good cut grade within your budget. And then the stone will actually have life and sparkle. At least do yourself the favour of seeing a really well cut stone that is lower in color and or clarity to compare with this one you are consdiering and make an informed choice.

 

[miagracie]

Agreed, the I2/I3 isn't going to be as sparkley as a better diamond. I must be fortunate with the ones I have, because to me they are pretty sprakley to me, but obviously not as sparkley as a higher grade diamond. But for me, they're lovely and I'm thrilled with them, though I understand others might not care for them for themselves.

Thanks so much for the link! I would be happy with this diamond (the linked one). My I3 looks to the naked eye, probably about 25% less carbony than this one.

I see what you mean though, that the value of the set and the diamond (as they state it is) (and also the value of a lesser diamond than stated but the same size) doesn't match the price. It is a clearance price, I should add. But even that doesn't really add up.

I'd really like to get the most ring for my money size & setting wise without spending a fortune.

However, if the stone turned out to be an I1 (as linked and valued at $3,880) and the setting worth appx $1,500 I would still come out slightly ahead, but not a super value by any means. But if it's an I2 or a lower grade color, I come out behind.

It may not be worth the gamble at all, even with a good return policy, etc...

Any suggestions for a bridal set in a vintage setting with the center stone min 1 ct and a total weight of 1 1/2 -2 cts min counting the side stones/band?

 

[miagracie]

Thanks for the analogy, it puts it in perspective. I don't think I quite realized.

Thanks for the link! It's a lovely diamond, and it is cut better and sparklier than any of mine (though I'm still satisfied, so that's okay), very lovely.

I really need to get the whole set for about $3,700 or so (preferably under).

This one was my second choice, what do you think?
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=178734&variance=Size+6.5

 

[Dreamer_D]

I doubt that one is any better than the first. I really would not recommend buying a diamond that way. Most people do not know much about diamonds, makes sense you only buy a couple in your life. But most sellers of diamonds prey on the lack of knowledge to sell people diamonds that are poorly cut and so do not look good. Cut, which is the angles and proportions of the stone, it what differentiates a lifeless dull looking stone from the one I linked for you that sparkles like mad! Owning a truely well cut stone is a pleasure that I want you to experience if you have not to date. It is special. And you have a great budget and can afford a nicely size well cut stone, especially if you are content with an N color or SI2 clarity, even I1 clarity, stone.

I totally hear you and support your priotities. I just wonder: If you had a stone that looked like the N color stone I linked, don't you think you would be so amazed by the sparkle that you would love it as much or more than a larger more lifeless and dull looking stone? I bet you would.

What about buying a diamond now in a simple setting and getting a halo and pave setting later for an anniversary?

 

[Dreamer_D]

OHOHOH!!

I have the answer for you!

This link about half way down is a ring being sold by a PSer, the roud brilliant in the cushion halo. It has inclusions that are eye visible from about 12 inches, but the cut looks very good from the photos. The setting is gorgeous and it is on consignment for only $3550:

http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_jewelry_page_2

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...nt-Diamond/17172774_SKcnsx#1301925998_pXSk2G9

 

[yssie]

Thanks for the analogy, it puts it in perspective. I don't think I quite realized.

Thanks for the link! It's a lovely diamond, and it is cut better and sparklier than any of mine (though I'm still satisfied, so that's okay), very lovely.

I really need to get the whole set for about $3,700 or so (preferably under).

This one was my second choice, what do you think?
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=178734&variance=Size+6.5

We again run into the trouble of not knowing any of the specifics of the centre - besides the certainty that IGI in the USA does not grade to GIA's standards, so colour and clarity are certainly inflated.

Certainty comes with a price. GIA, AGS report to get the unbiased authorities' opinion? High cost. Excellent photos showing the details from various angles, faceting pattern, etc.? High cost. Gemologist's review? High cost. Quality of setting manufacture? High cost. Promising proportions that don't utilize as much of the rough as less promising proportions might? High cost. If you want certainty (about inclusion visibility, sparkle quality and quantity) you're going to have to eat that cost - there's really no way around that.


Some rings/stones I found w/ a quick search that may be worth investigating if you are interested, since you mentioned vintage -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180689128282?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
http://oakgem.com/Products/Antique_Deco_18k_Gold_1.06ct_Diamond_Engagement_Ring_4747.aspx
http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-719/95-Carat-Diamond-Edwardian-Ring
http://www.westonjewelry.com/victorian-era-antique-old-mine-cut-diamond-pendant-solid-platinum.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400244438939?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2661


ETA: Dreamer nice find!!

 

[Amys Bling]

OHOHOH!!

I have the answer for you!

This link about half way down is a ring being sold by a PSer, the roud brilliant in the cushion halo. It has inclusions that are eye visible from about 12 inches, but the cut looks very good from the photos. The setting is gorgeous and it is on consignment for only $3550:

http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_jewelry_page_2

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...nt-Diamond/17172774_SKcnsx#1301925998_pXSk2G9

Yes!! Great size and quality for that price!!

 

[miagracie]

Thanks for all your help. I avoided this set and a few other bad ones and ended up with this:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/did-i-get-a-good-deal-on-this-vintage-ring.166310/?uid=51490']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/did-i-get-a-good-deal-on-this-vintage-ring.166310/?uid=51490[/URL]