Good old Gold Policy Question

[Ms_Lovely]

I have a very small budget for my engagement ring; I'm talking $2,000 or less ($2,500 if I found something amazing). I found a setting that's $1,100 and is very close to my dream setting, the Tiffany Round Brilliant Ribbon Ring. However, the diamond selection Liza sent me is unimpressive. I know my budget really limits my stone choices but I've seen some better (initial assessment based on stats) options on other websites. I'm looking for as close to .75 as possible and then as sparkly (to the naked eye) as I can get.

I'm wondering if GOG will set a stone purchased from a different vendor?

Here are the diamond options I was sent:

Page 1 of 1.

Items per page:
Shape Carat Weight Color Clarity Price Expand View
Round 0.30ct Fancy VVS1 $609
Round 0.31ct Fancy SI1 $629
Round 0.31ct Fancy SI1 $633
Round 0.31ct Fancy VS2 $633
Round 0.42ct I SI2 $660
Round 0.31ct G SI1 $693
Round 0.35ct Fancy SI1 $708
Round 0.29ct F SI2 $710

Round 0.48ct G SI2 $719
Length: 4.79mm
Depth: 3.10mm
Optical Symmetry: Traditional Table Percentage: 67.00%
Depth Percentage: 63.20%
Fluorescence: Strong
Culet: None
In House: Yes Bank Wire Price: $695
Width: 5.05mm


Round 0.63ct M I1 $720
Length: 5.33mm
Depth: 3.38mm
Optical Symmetry: Traditional Table Percentage: 64.20%
Depth Percentage: 64.00%
Fluorescence: Medium
Culet: None
In House: Yes Bank Wire Price: $696
Width: 5.23mm

Round 0.23ct F VS2 $758
Round 0.32ct G SI2 $795
Round 0.32ct G SI2 $795
Round 0.46ct I VS2 $802

Round 0.65ct L I1 $802
Length: 5.47mm
Depth: 3.54mm
Optical Symmetry: Traditional Table Percentage: 47.40%
Depth Percentage: 65.30%
Fluorescence: None
Culet: Medium
In House: Yes Bank Wire Price: $775
Width: 5.36mm

Round 0.31ct K SI1 $807
Round 0.27ct D VS2 $867
Round 0.27ct D VS2 $867

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamondR...iceMax=900&inHouse=1&resultsColumns=268435471

 

[JulieN]

I don't think this will work. If your budget is $2000-2500, and your setting is over $1000, you are not getting .75 cts. Aim for more like .5/.6 cts.

I'm sure GOG will find you something suitable in your budget if you ask them to.

The other thing is if it is the Ribbon-inspired by Stuller, maybe you can do this:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2892588.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2829789.htm
http://www.stuller.com/products/121995/?groupId=113518

 

[Ms_Lovely]

I don't think this will work. If your budget is $2000-2500, and your setting is over $1000, you are not getting .75 cts. Aim for more like .5/.6 cts.

I'm sure GOG will find you something suitable in your budget if you ask them to.

The other thing is if it is the Ribbon-inspired by Stuller, maybe you can do this:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2892588.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2829789.htm
http://www.stuller.com/products/121995/?groupId=113518

Will GOG set a Whiteflash stone? I've seen some .7 and .73 stones in the $900 - $1,000 range on other websites, so I know it's doable, but I'm not sure if they are as trustworthy as GOG

0.70 K VS2 60.0% 60.0% GIA VG VG X N N 1.7-EX $1074
0.70 K VS2 62.6% 57.0% GIA X X X N N 5.5-GD $1074
0.70 K VS2 59.6% 59.0% GIA X X X M N 1.0-EX $1093
0.74 K SI1 63.8% 58.0% GIA VG VG VG M N 5.2-GD $1068
0.73 K SI2 62.3% 59.0% GIA X X X N N 6.1-FR $1096
0.70 K SI2 64.2% 56.0% GIA VG VG X N N n/a $1052
0.70 K SI2 63.5% 58.0% GIA VG VG X N N n/a $1052
0.70 K VS2 62.7% 56.0% GIA X X VG N N 5.4-GD $1035
0.71 K SI1 64.5% 56.0% GIA VG VG X N N 3.2-VG $1061
0.70 K SI1 61.6% 60.0% GIA VG VG VG N N 4.6-GD $1085
0.70 L SI2 63.0% 58.0% GIA X VG VG S N n/a $1070
0.70 L VS1 67.7% 56.0% GIA F VG VG S N n/a $972
0.76 L SI2 62.7% 60.0% GIA G G VG M N n/a $1077
0.70 L SI1 62.7% 56.0% GIA X VG N N n/a $1011
0.76 L SI2 60.0% 67.0% GIA F G N N n/a $1039
0.73 L SI2 65.0% 57.0% GIA G G G M N n/a $1003
0.71 L VS2 62.7% 60.0% GIA X X N N n/a $902
0.70 L VS1 67.7% 56.0% GIA VG VG S N n/a $1050
0.71 L VS2 64.2% 56.0% GIA VG VG N N n/a $985
0.76 L SI2 59.9% 64.0% GIA P P G M N n/a $1089
0.71 L SI2 61.3% 60.0% GIA VG VG S N n/a $1076
0.71 L SI2 61.3% 60.0% GIA VG VG S N n/a $1076
0.73 L SI2 65.0% 57.0% GIA G G M N n/a $1082
0.71 L SI2 62.7% 56.0% GIA VG VG VG N N n/a $1086
0.70 L SI1 63.5% 62.0% GIA VG VG N N n/a $941

 

[JulieN]

The only GIA .7s under $1000 are L color, and poorly cut, on the PS search.

I think Whiteflash has a Stuller account; you always want to do the setting and stone at the same place if at all possible.

 

[Ms_Lovely]

The only GIA .7s under $1000 are L color, and poorly cut, on the PS search.

I think Whiteflash has a Stuller account; you always want to do the setting and stone at the same place if at all possible.

Okay, that makes sense...

But the only decent sized stones on the GOG search were poorer color, L and M. Some of these are K, fewer inclusions, and excellent cut? The Stuller setting is the one I was going for through GOG.

 

[Julia_SD]

Hi Ms. Lovely, Welcome Back!

Trusting in this business is hard right!? I think people go to GOG for very special stones, like cushions in a variety of flavors etc. They aren't known as a "bargain" spot really, and the "poorer" color stones of L-M etc perhaps are intentionally sourced maybe for people who want warmer colored stones to set in warmer metals. Whiteflash is always coming up as a place where you get a highly competitive price for excellent cut modern round brilliants (just what you need!) coupled with upgraded settings compared to James Allen. Whiteflash is easy to reach on the phone, and if you give them your parameters they will help find the right setting...They had excellent customer service when I called, though in the end I went to their competitor. They also do online chat with their sales team so you can start the process that way...

They definitely do deal with Stuller (I read it in a testimonial on their site), and the offer a lifetime upgrade policy on their in-house certified stonres. http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/jewelry/lifetime-upgrade.htm So if you decide in a few years or ten to go for a carat+ you won't lose your original money.

I'm no expert, but just someone like you looking for good value. BTW I really found this article to be helpful in regards to talking about best color for your dollar etc. ( truthaboutdiamonds.com/diamond-education/) Its basically stuff you hear here, but its all in one place. The writer does have an agenda (to make commissions) but his articles helped me personally.

 

[Jax172]

I've always heard that IDJ is really the place to go when on a super tight budget .

 

[Christina...]

Jax made a good suggestion, I would contact IDJ. Another option you might consider is putting most of your budget into the stone for the time being and on your first anniversary upgrading the setting to the ribbon ring. This will allow you a larger better color stone now that you can be thrilled with and work toward adding it to the setting you want. You can pick up an inexpensive solitaire for a few hundred dollars...


Have you considered purchasing your stone on the secondary market, you can find deals there if you didn't mind that route.

 

[jmarshall]

Hi Ms. Lovely, Welcome Back!

Trusting in this business is hard right!? I think people go to GOG for very special stones, like cushions in a variety of flavors etc. They aren't known as a "bargain" spot really, and the "poorer" color stones of L-M etc perhaps are intentionally sourced maybe for people who want warmer colored stones to set in warmer metals. Whiteflash is always coming up as a place where you get a highly competitive price for excellent cut modern round brilliants (just what you need!) coupled with upgraded settings compared to James Allen. Whiteflash is easy to reach on the phone, and if you give them your parameters they will help find the right setting...They had excellent customer service when I called, though in the end I went to their competitor. They also do online chat with their sales team so you can start the process that way...

They definitely do deal with Stuller (I read it in a testimonial on their site), and the offer a lifetime upgrade policy on their in-house certified stonres. http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/jewelry/lifetime-upgrade.htm So if you decide in a few years or ten to go for a carat+ you won't lose your original money.

I'm no expert, but just someone like you looking for good value. BTW I really found this article to be helpful in regards to talking about best color for your dollar etc. (truthaboutdiamonds.com/diamond-education/) Its basically stuff you hear here, but its all in one place. The writer does have an agenda (to make commissions) but his articles helped me personally.

I have been "shopping" for a diamond for a month now... Just looking around, not looking to buy until May or so..... GOG's prices are not out of line with the rest of the industry, at least not on stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good Old Gold will price match virtual stones elsewhere if you don't care about the extra testing they do. But you are looking at no more than about a half carat if you want a I-J SI1 to SI2 excellent cut diamond, and that is the lowest I'd go for an engagement ring unless you are wanting a visibly tinted stone.

You can look at virtual stones on almost any site that gives the GIA report # and they can call it in. But again, at under $1000 for the stone, I think you are looking a half carat or less.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just wanted to add that what you need to do is to call GOG and say that you want a stone at .5 ct, GIA Excellent cut, J SI1-SI2 and that you don't care for any testing on the stone other than an idealscope image because you want to keep the price around $1000-1200. I think the original request was far too open ended. I have bought 3 diamonds from them and have found that they can get me what I want at a fair price. But I specify the budget and the color/clarity range I will accept. This makes it far easier.

 

[babs23r]

I agree with Christina. Concentrate on getting the best and biggest stone for your money and upgrade your setting later.

 

[ame]

I don't believe the vendors are the issue here.

I think your wants and expectations are unrealistic for the budget you have. You either need to focus on the best stone for the majority of the budget with a simple solitaire that is inexpensive and save up for the setting you want and get that later or get the setting you want and a smaller but great stone and upgrade the stone later.

GOG has been pretty on par for pricing, especially considering the amount of data you get with the stones, compared to their competition.

 

[TC1987]

All jewelers in the USA can get a Stuller mounting. Or Stuller findings to put a ring together. It's a widely-known casting supplier in the USA.

Since you are looking at smaller stones, perhaps what you should do is go to actual stores and look at the finest-cut RB diamonds in that price range. Then go look around at local upscale pawn shops and jewelers that buy used diamonds and jewelry. You won't find a top-notch hearts and arrows diamond, but you can find many diamonds in the .5ct - .7 or .8ct range that a jeweler might sell low enough to make the mounting plus the diamond fit your price range. But be sure to look at the ideal and super-ideal RBs first so that you have a good idea of the performance benchmark you want to compare a nonideal used-jewelry diamond to to see if the performance is good enough.

Asking I.D Jewelry to look for something to fit your budget is another great suggestion. A L or M diamond in a modern H&A cut will still look attractive. They are more of a candlelight ivory white. J and K in non-ideal or older cut will probably also look candlelight ivory. If you don't mind a light yellow tint, then those colors still look very beautiful.

But in that total price range, you have to decide whether your priority is the center stone, or getting that mounting. I personally would go for the larger diamond now and just wear it in a plain setting and then reset when I had the cash later.

 

[jmarshall]

I think your wants and expectations are unrealistic for the budget you have.

From all of the looking that I am doing, I agree with this statement.

 

[Laila619]

I would contact IDJewelry. Ask for Yekutiel. They have access to Unique Settings, and Unique has a Ribbon ring. Yekutiel will be able to find you a good stone + that setting.

 

[heididdl]

My opinion also is spend the money on your stone and save pennys to change setting later. You admitted it is your Dream setting so dreams are something to look forward to ...Spend the money on a nice .65 GIA I SI stone.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3059748-0.64-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-SI2-clarity.aspx

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=NavDiaSea#diamonds_pid=LD03157878

you do have to compromise but you can get a nice maybe not ideal or excellent but nice eye clean .70 stone and a simple setting


http://www.bluenile.com/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

http://www.bluenile.com/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

 

[Ms_Lovely]

All jewelers in the USA can get a Stuller mounting. Or Stuller findings to put a ring together. It's a widely-known casting supplier in the USA.

Since you are looking at smaller stones, perhaps what you should do is go to actual stores and look at the finest-cut RB diamonds in that price range. Then go look around at local upscale pawn shops and jewelers that buy used diamonds and jewelry. You won't find a top-notch hearts and arrows diamond, but you can find many diamonds in the .5ct - .7 or .8ct range that a jeweler might sell low enough to make the mounting plus the diamond fit your price range. But be sure to look at the ideal and super-ideal RBs first so that you have a good idea of the performance benchmark you want to compare a nonideal used-jewelry diamond to to see if the performance is good enough.

Asking I.D Jewelry to look for something to fit your budget is another great suggestion. A L or M diamond in a modern H&A cut will still look attractive. They are more of a candlelight ivory white. J and K in non-ideal or older cut will probably also look candlelight ivory. If you don't mind a light yellow tint, then those colors still look very beautiful.

But in that total price range, you have to decide whether your priority is the center stone, or getting that mounting. I personally would go for the larger diamond now and just wear it in a plain setting and then reset when I had the cash later.

These are all great suggestions. I'm going to try the pawn shops! I really just want a happy medium between a beautiful setting a nice looking stone that gives me good finger coverage ( I wore a size 10 when I checked years ago).

 

[heididdl]

My opinion also is spend the money on your stone and save pennys to change setting later. You admitted it is your Dream setting so dreams are something to look forward to ...Spend the money on a nice .65 GIA I SI stone.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3059748-0.64-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-SI2-clarity.aspx

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=NavDiaSea#diamonds_pid=LD03157878

you do have to compromise but you can get a nice maybe not ideal or excellent but nice eye clean .70 stone and a simple setting


http://www.bluenile.com/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

http://www.bluenile.com/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

I know its not your dream but you have many years to enjoy a beautiful stone that you didn't have to compromise on

 

[Ms_Lovely]

Re: Good old Gold and other online vendor Policy Question

A lot of people have suggested that the money be spent on a great stone and upgrade later. I think I still have it in my mind to upgrade in a few years but I would really like to enjoy my setting sooner as opposed to later. Maybe we could sell my ring or trade it in and upgrade the entire ring? With our budget, I realize it may be difficult or less than ideal but I don't think my expectations are unreasonable. I'm not looking for a perfect .7 stone but I know that we can get one that's perfect for our budget (if that makes sense). So, I saw some options in the pricescope search that sound like they could work, I saw a setting that is reminiscent of the most beautiful ring I've ever seen (though it really does pale in comparison) and in our price range. I just wanted to know if I could merge the the options I found even though they are from competing vendors. Thanks for all of your advice. I'm excited about some of the suggestions I've gotten thus far

 

[ame]

Before you make plans to sell in the future---You need to know that you are not going to get anywhere NEAR what you paid for it if you resell. We are telling you to sink the majority of your budget NOW into the best and biggest you can get stonewise now and buy from a vendor like GOG or similar with a good upgrade policy. Then you can trade that stone in later to the same vendor for minimal loss (the setting at most) and get a larger/better one AND hopefully then afford the setting of your dreams as well.

We know you love that setting, but it might not be realistic or financially prudent to sink the majority of your whole ring budget into that setting right now, and then get a stone that isnt permanent, since that setting might be scrapped later when you upgrade--you might not be able to reuse it when you upgrade the stone. Settings like that are built to a specific stone size. You're not going to get anything for the setting when you upgrade, the jeweler isn't going to take that, they may if anything scrap it.

 

[CharmyPoo]

For $2500, you can get a pretty sweet second hand ring off ebay.

 

[Ms_Lovely]

Before you make plans to sell in the future---You need to know that you are not going to get anywhere NEAR what you paid for it if you resell. We are telling you to sink the majority of your budget NOW into the best and biggest you can get stonewise now and buy from a vendor like GOG or similar with a good upgrade policy. Then you can trade that stone in later to the same vendor for minimal loss (the setting at most) and get a larger/better one AND hopefully then afford the setting of your dreams as well.

We know you love that setting, but it might not be realistic or financially prudent to sink the majority of your whole ring budget into that setting right now, and then get a stone that isnt permanent, since that setting might be scrapped later when you upgrade--you might not be able to reuse it when you upgrade the stone. Settings like that are built to a specific stone size. You're not going to get anything for the setting when you upgrade, the jeweler isn't going to take that, they may if anything scrap it.

Thanks for letting me know I was thinking we'd resell it for a good price then put that money on a Tiffany RBR down the road.
... Marie from GOG is suggesting a $2,059 .61ct I VS1 Ideal Excellent (everything). She says this one will get 100% trade-up value.

 

[ame]

Before you make plans to sell in the future---You need to know that you are not going to get anywhere NEAR what you paid for it if you resell. We are telling you to sink the majority of your budget NOW into the best and biggest you can get stonewise now and buy from a vendor like GOG or similar with a good upgrade policy. Then you can trade that stone in later to the same vendor for minimal loss (the setting at most) and get a larger/better one AND hopefully then afford the setting of your dreams as well.

We know you love that setting, but it might not be realistic or financially prudent to sink the majority of your whole ring budget into that setting right now, and then get a stone that isnt permanent, since that setting might be scrapped later when you upgrade--you might not be able to reuse it when you upgrade the stone. Settings like that are built to a specific stone size. You're not going to get anything for the setting when you upgrade, the jeweler isn't going to take that, they may if anything scrap it.

Thanks for letting me know I was thinking we'd resell it for a good price then put that money on a Tiffany RBR down the road.
... Marie from GOG is suggesting a $2,059 .61ct I VS1 Ideal Excellent (everything). She says this one will get 100% trade-up value.

Is there a link to the stone?

You will almost definitely not recoup what you paid on a resell. So don't hinge any plans on that. If you get half of what you paid you'd be lucky.

 

[jmarshall]

Good old gold will give 100% on a trade up, and 75 percent of original purchase price on a buy back (stone only)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Did you see this ring? It reminds me of the ribbon ring and Good Old Gold sells it. I thought of you when I saw it. It also comes with a round head.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6966W44JJ

 

[Ms_Lovely]

Did you see this ring? It reminds me of the ribbon ring and Good Old Gold sells it. I thought of you when I saw it. It also comes with a round head.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6966W44JJ

Bravo! This is a great option. I passed it on to my honey and I think he's strongly considering it. Marie from GOG said they could change the head but that she can't show it to me unless I order it So I talked to a Rep from Gabriel and they gave me the name of a local jeweler who could customize the head and do a CAD image. The Gabriel setting seems much more finessed than the Stuller but it's not as close to the Tiffany Ribbon. Also, one of the main things I love about the Tiffany is the way the center stone looks like it's floating So, I'm not sure if I could give up on that detail. Then again, i gasped when I saw the gabriel So, I'm going to let my honey decide an I will be happy with whatever he chooses

 

[Niel]

I don't know how far along you are in the process but I'll pass this along. Probably could offer 2500
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330892726117?redirect=mobile

 

[Ms_Lovely]

I don't know how far along you are in the process but I'll pass this along. Probably could offer 2500
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330892726117?redirect=mobile

Whoa mama! The setting looks exactly like the Stuller one which runs about $1100! This means they only want $1800 for a 1.45 ct. stone That's insane! How can they sell it so cheap??

 

[SMC]

I don't know how far along you are in the process but I'll pass this along. Probably could offer 2500
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330892726117?redirect=mobile

Whoa mama! The setting looks exactly like the Stuller one which runs about $1100! This means they only want $1800 for a 1.45 ct. stone That's insane! How can they sell it so cheap??

I'm not an old cut expert, but it looks like those inclusions are quite visible. Have you looked at the video?