Having a moment of neurosis... feedback on my stone?

[sugarski]

Hello everyone, I recently asked a question about a setting: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newbie-with-richard-landi-setting-question-sorry-long.181753/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newbie-with-richard-landi-setting-question-sorry-long.181753/[/URL]

Up till today, I've been pretty sure I wanted to hang on to the not-great family stone I inherited, and just put it in a nice setting. Knowing myself and my lifestyle (I'm not a blingy person at all and will probably wear this ring a few times a month at most), I wanted to be practical and not upgrade the stone. However, I'm starting to worry that the stone is *really* not-good and I was hoping to get opinions.

I had the ring appraised by a reputable local jewelry store. The appraiser is a Graduate Gemologist, GIA and AGS. HIs report states the following:

round brilliant cut, 0.80 carat, F, VS2
measurements: 5.84 x 5.88 x 3.72
depth: 63%
table: 59%
girdle: medium to thick, frosted
culet: none
polish: good
symmetry: very good
fluorescence: none

Thoughts? Perusing Bluenile, it seems like stones similar to this would go for about $3600 (although my appraisal, for insurance purposes, values the whole ring at $5900). My dream stone would be a 1-ct-ish OEC for about $5000. I am just not sure I want to get involved in a long and possibly expensive process to try to sell this stone and get a new one, although some of you have kindly offered tips on doing so.

I am not normally a big perfectionist about things like this. Jewelry is not really a big priority in my life and there are LOTS of other ways I could be spending money- in fact, I wonder if I should just sell the family stone and put the proceeds toward my daughter's college expenses in 2 years. Yet... I've become kind of addicted to this site and learning about diamonds, and part of me would really like a nice ring. Then again, maybe the family stone in a pretty halo will be nice *enough*. Y'know?

Thoughts and input much appreciated.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think many of us can relate to this problem. I got a 1 ct diamond from my mother that was not particularly well cut. It bugged me because I had been here long enough to appreciate well cut stones. I ended up having it recut and had it set in a pendant. I decided I'd rather have a beautiful smaller stone than a larger poorly cut one.

In your case, that stone is a little deep at 63 and faces up a little smaller than it should (a .80 should be 6mm, .75 is around 5.8mm). It might benefit from a recut and you might not lose too much diameter if they mainly have to work on the pavilion. It costs about $350 for stones one carat or less. F VS2 is very nice, so I think it is worth keeping.

So I'd recommend keeping this stone and using it, preferably with a recut to give it a make-over. If you think you want another diamond for a ring, then set this one in a less expensive pendant or something to keep as an heirloom. Or, you most certainly can make a lovely halo ring out of it!

 

[sugarski]

Diamondseeker, thanks so much for the support and for helping me once again. I never even thought about doing a recut, I guess because I assumed it was way too small for that. You really think it might not lose too much size? A really well-cut diamond "helped" in size by a halo setting might be exactly what I want!

Any suggestions for who might be able to do the work for me? Would I ask my local very reputable jeweler, or does this call for seeking out a specialist?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Are you bothered by the appearance of the diamond? Do you plan to keep it forever?

You could send it to Brian Gavin for a recut evaluation, that might be worthwhile. The color and clarity are very desirable so I agree its worth keeping.

 

[sugarski]

Hi, Dreamer_D! No, I wouldn't say I'm bothered by its appearance. It's sparkly and nice. Several jewelers have seen it now and they all said something like "Hey, nice diamond!" so I don't think it's ugly or anything. However, when I look at the ring pictures on PS and see the dramatic fire and color flashes some of the diamonds have, it's like they are living things, mesmerizing, and it's like I suddenly "get it" about diamonds. You know?

I wonder if the halo would do something to kind of camouflage the relative weakness of the center stone?

In any case, sending it to BGD seems like a fabulous no-risk idea. I am not in any hurry to get the ring done. My jeweler might be annoyed that this process is taking me so long, but... I guess he'll have to get over it.

 

[sakari_8]

I agree with Dreamer D, sending to Brian Gavin for a recut evaluation is worthwhile

 

[TC1987]

If that diamond has mostly brilliance, you could halo it with something H&A RB in a fairly large point size and that would provide the fire. If your .8ct has a big table, low crown angle, and more brilliance than fire, it would be the "table" and the halo diamonds are acting as the star, kite, and upper girdle facets, sort of.

 

[stci]

I agree with Dreamer D, sending to Brian Gavin for a recut evaluation is worthwhile

I agree too!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hi, Dreamer_D! No, I wouldn't say I'm bothered by its appearance. It's sparkly and nice. Several jewelers have seen it now and they all said something like "Hey, nice diamond!" so I don't think it's ugly or anything. However, when I look at the ring pictures on PS and see the dramatic fire and color flashes some of the diamonds have, it's like they are living things, mesmerizing, and it's like I suddenly "get it" about diamonds. You know?

I wonder if the halo would do something to kind of camouflage the relative weakness of the center stone?

In any case, sending it to BGD seems like a fabulous no-risk idea. I am not in any hurry to get the ring done. My jeweler might be annoyed that this process is taking me so long, but... I guess he'll have to get over it.

Recuts are not "no risk". A stone can be damaged in the process.

If you think the diamond is pretty I vote just keep it as it is. The photos on pricescope are not how diamonds look in person. To know how you feel in person, take your diamond to a Hearts on Fire store, or even a Tiffany location, or Jared's that seels AGS0 graded stones (their peerless line I think). Compare a similarly sized ideally cut stone to yours and see what you think. THAT is the comparison that matters, not comparing your diamond to macro sexy PS photos.

You can likely also find a store with halo mounts and pop your stone into the settings and see what you think.

My only caveat: If you will upgrade at some point don't spend a fortune on a setting. There are many very nice halo options for under $2k that are nice quality.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sorry I am just now seeing your reply back. I sent my stone to Brian Gavin and he evaluated it for the recut. They are pretty much able to tell you what needs to be done and show you a model of how the stone will turn out. That way you can decide if it is worth doing. The last I heard, recut price was $350 a carat, so under a carat should still be $350 as I understand it.

Here are my threads on that diamond:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-re-cut-and-milgrain-bezel-pendant-redesign.160887/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-re-cut-and-milgrain-bezel-pendant-redesign.160887/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/details-on-a-diamond-re-cut.160957/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/details-on-a-diamond-re-cut.160957/[/URL]

 

[sugarski]

Thanks for your feedback, sakari_8!

 

[sugarski]

If that diamond has mostly brilliance, you could halo it with something H&A RB in a fairly large point size and that would provide the fire. If your .8ct has a big table, low crown angle, and more brilliance than fire, it would be the "table" and the halo diamonds are acting as the star, kite, and upper girdle facets, sort of.

Hi TC1987- Yes, that's kind of what I was wondering/thinking, but without having a clue how to express it. Thanks so much for the help!

 

[sugarski]

I agree with Dreamer D, sending to Brian Gavin for a recut evaluation is worthwhile

I agree too!

 

[sugarski]

Hi, Dreamer_D! No, I wouldn't say I'm bothered by its appearance. It's sparkly and nice. Several jewelers have seen it now and they all said something like "Hey, nice diamond!" so I don't think it's ugly or anything. However, when I look at the ring pictures on PS and see the dramatic fire and color flashes some of the diamonds have, it's like they are living things, mesmerizing, and it's like I suddenly "get it" about diamonds. You know?

I wonder if the halo would do something to kind of camouflage the relative weakness of the center stone?

In any case, sending it to BGD seems like a fabulous no-risk idea. I am not in any hurry to get the ring done. My jeweler might be annoyed that this process is taking me so long, but... I guess he'll have to get over it.

Recuts are not "no risk". A stone can be damaged in the process.

If you think the diamond is pretty I vote just keep it as it is. The photos on pricescope are not how diamonds look in person. To know how you feel in person, take your diamond to a Hearts on Fire store, or even a Tiffany location, or Jared's that seels AGS0 graded stones (their peerless line I think). Compare a similarly sized ideally cut stone to yours and see what you think. THAT is the comparison that matters, not comparing your diamond to macro sexy PS photos.

You can likely also find a store with halo mounts and pop your stone into the settings and see what you think.

My only caveat: If you will upgrade at some point don't spend a fortune on a setting. There are many very nice halo options for under $2k that are nice quality.

Hi Dreamer_D, yes, I was unclear in my post- I was trying to say it would be "no risk" to just send the stone to BGD for evaluation. Although there is still a risk of losing it in the mail, I guess! (I wouldn't cry if my insured stone got lost in the mail, btw. It has no sentimental value for me, because it belonged to my grandfather's mean second wife, not my nana. So I might actually be secretly happy if it was lost and I got the cash to replace it. Is that bad? )

I love the term "macro sexy"- it's perfect. I appreciate your comments. They carry HoF at my local jeweler's. I think I will do exactly as you suggest, and try to compare my stone to the ideal stones there, and see if there is really a difference I can appreciate. Many thanks!

 

[sugarski]

Sorry I am just now seeing your reply back. I sent my stone to Brian Gavin and he evaluated it for the recut. They are pretty much able to tell you what needs to be done and show you a model of how the stone will turn out. That way you can decide if it is worth doing. The last I heard, recut price was $350 a carat, so under a carat should still be $350 as I understand it.

Here are my threads on that diamond:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-re-cut-and-milgrain-bezel-pendant-redesign.160887/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-re-cut-and-milgrain-bezel-pendant-redesign.160887/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/details-on-a-diamond-re-cut.160957/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/details-on-a-diamond-re-cut.160957/[/URL]

Diamondseeker, again, my thanks! Can't wait to read through these threads!