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Harry Winston 8.44ct... slight yellow... should I buy?

asforhim

asforhim

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 4, 2009
Messages
81
This is a harry winston 8.44ct pear without certificate. It comes from an estate of a fairly well known dignitary from NY. It is authentic HW but is thought to be graded in the J/K color range. It faces up white but as you can see from the pics, it is slightly yellow from the side.

I have been looking for a pear as a pendant, although I must admit I have not been looking in the 8ct range.

Do you think this would look nice as a pendandt? Would the yellow be less obvious up against my skin?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

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How do you know for sure it is HW?
 
It has authenticity from HW stating that it was purchased by the dignitary and is on file at HW.
 
I should say too, I think it is beautiful. I think it would look great as is or in a pendent, and not too yellow. I think the price would depend on taking a risk with a stone w/ no cert. Is there a return policy? Can you get it appraised or send it to get certified? I''m sure with a rock of this magnitude it is a big investment, and the worth the price of finding out what you are getting. Unless the price is so low you don''t mind risking it.
 
Is that bowtie?
 
That is some ring! Bowtie or no, it''s incredible and I would say if you were looking for a big honkin pear *ring* to go for it absolutely. But a pear pendant can''t be that hard to come by and this ring''s uniqueness and value are wrapped up in the total package. Seems a shame to take it apart.

To answer your original question, I tend to think that since pendants are mostly seen in the face-up position they hide warmth better than a ring.
 
Date: 4/6/2010 5:22:41 PM
Author: Lurchie
That is some ring! Bowtie or no, it's incredible and I would say if you were looking for a big honkin pear *ring* to go for it absolutely. But a pear pendant can't be that hard to come by and this ring's uniqueness and value are wrapped up in the total package. Seems a shame to take it apart.

To answer your original question, I tend to think that since pendants are mostly seen in the face-up position they hide warmth better than a ring.
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Ditto all of this. I would hate to see a piece with historical provenance, even if it is just the name brand, taken apart.

ETA How much are they asking for it by the way? Is there a large premium for the HW name even on the second hand market?
 
It is a very large bowtie, but if neither that nor the fact that it''s a little yellow doesn''t bother you, go for it!!!
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I like the colour, and the stone is huge! It would make a fabulous pendant
 
I would never turn away from a HW but that''s just me. Its a beautiful stone and I can only imagine the history and the story that only the stone knows! Very cool!
 
I know its over 8CT, but that bowtie would drive me batty.
Nonetheless, it is a gorgeous diamond. Most of the color in a pear can be found in the tip, and this beauty is no exception.

Tough call!
 
Really gorgeous, especially for a pendant. If you don''t mind my asking, how are you working with the estate? Through a dealer, auction house or private sale? I am looking for a resale "brand" diamond for my upgrade and it seems to be a challenge to find them at reasonable prices.
 
Guess I''m wrong but I thought HW only deals with D-F colour main stones?
 
Date: 4/6/2010 4:26:17 PM
Author:asforhim
This is a harry winston 8.44ct pear without certificate. It comes from an estate of a fairly well known dignitary from NY. It is authentic HW but is thought to be graded in the J/K color range. It faces up white but as you can see from the pics, it is slightly yellow from the side.

I have been looking for a pear as a pendant, although I must admit I have not been looking in the 8ct range.

Do you think this would look nice as a pendandt? Would the yellow be less obvious up against my skin?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Although it appears to have a substantial bow tie, static images aren't the best method of judging them. I think it would make the most incredible pendant, as to the colour I think the only thing you can do is to view it in person. Pears can show more warmth in the tip, I can notice it in my 2ct GIA H graded pear, so it is possible this stone might show some definite warmth in this area, viewing it in person would be best. Is it for sale through auction?
 
Thanks for your opinions. I have not seen the stone in person. Apparently the bowtie is not nearly as big as it appears in the photo and the stone is quite beautiful.

Yes, the stone is currently on consignment at an auction house. It is a reputable house and I trust their impression of the stone. My bigger concern is the color as opposed to the cut.
 
Who graded it J/K? As I'm sure you know this is a big deal.
Did they also grade the clarity?

It’s straightforward enough to shop this sort of thing on price, just ask your favorite dealer what they would charge you to get something like that. Chances are they can find something although 'matching' that set of specs will be difficult. The ‘premium’ associated with the Harry Winston brand, to the extent that you're willing to pay one at all, is a more difficult thing to pin down and, in your case, doesn’t seem to be of great import anyway since you plan to take it apart and use the pieces to make something else (the HW provenance will be effectively destroyed by restyling the piece unless you have HW do the work). Whether that's worth more to others at the auction will become clear on auction day. I presume the task at hand is to set your own upper limit before the bidding starts. How long have you got before auction day?

In answer to your question, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with a K color, or any other color for that matter. It’s a question of getting something that appeals to you for competitive pricing. Most auction houses will be happy to arrange to give you an opportunity in advance to inspect the piece if you can convince them that you’re a credible buyer. That'll answer the question of whether you want it at all. The right price on the wrong thing is no bargain after all. Beyond that, talk with your jeweler, perhaps a trusted appraiser,decide what your limit will be and hope you can get it for less on auction day.

By the way, judging a bowtie from a photograph is fraught with trouble. It has to do with the lighting and the distance to the camera lens as well as the geometry of the stone. Since we don't know any of these variables, we basically know nothing.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Date: 4/7/2010 9:35:45 AM
Author: denverappraiser
Who graded it J/K? As I'm sure you know this is a big deal.
Did they also grade the clarity?

It’s straightforward enough to shop this sort of thing on price, just ask your favorite dealer what they would charge you to get something like that. Chances are they can find something although 'matching' that set of specs will be difficult. The ‘premium’ associated with the Harry Winston brand, to the extent that you're willing to pay one at all, is a more difficult thing to pin down and, in your case, doesn’t seem to be of great import anyway since you plan to take it apart and use the pieces to make something else (this premium will be effectively destroyed by restyling the piece unless you have HW do the work). Whether that's worth more to others at the auction will become clear on auction day. I presume the task at hand is to set your own upper limit before the bidding starts. How long have you got before auction day?

In answer to your question, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with a K color, or any other color for that matter. It’s a question of getting something that appeals to you for competitive pricing. Most auction houses will be happy to arrange to give you an opportunity in advance to inspect the piece if you can convince them that you’re a credible buyer. That'll answer the question of whether you want it at all. The right price on the wrong thing is no bargain after all. Beyond that, talk with your jeweler, perhaps a trusted appraiser,decide what your limit will be and hope you can get it for less on auction day.

By the way, judging a bowtie from a photograph is fraught with trouble. It has to do with the lighting and the distance to the camera lens as well as the geometry of the stone. Since we don't know any of these variables, we basically know nothing.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
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It bears repeating, don't go by photos to judge the bow tie as they aren't any reliable indication. Also as it is with an auction house it might be worth asking an appraiser to go with you to view the stone prior to sale, this will give you a much better idea of whether you like the diamond and price estimates.
 
Judging by photo is pointless (IMO) as photos can''t always capture color as well as computer screens can influence how a stone looks.

Best thing is to see it in person.

An 8 ct sounds very substantial for a pendant. Another reason to see in person to see if the size would provide the look you''re after.
 
Wondering if you got/bid on this stone? I think I saw this at an auction preview I went to recently. I remember it being quite nice in person.
 
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