Hello everyone,
It has been a really tough few years and hubby has tentatively agreed to upgrade my MRB engagement ring. This will definitely be the last upgrade for life so I want to get it right and am calling upon your wisdom and help.
My current ring is a 2.15 carat I color VS1 purchased from a B&M store in Australia where I live. Here is the certificate: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=1172993038
I am very happy with this ring and the color so I definitely don't need a higher color. Clarity wise as long as it is eye clean then I am happy. I have J and K color earrings from BGD and although I can't tell them apart I definitely do see a tint in them compared to my I color ring. I also have H color earrings from tiffany and I can't really tell the color apart from my I color.
My requirements for the upgrade are:
1. Size (must face up >10mm)
2. Budget (pricing seems to vary wildly from $70k AUD to $90K AUD - I would like to keep it as low as possible while still having good performance)
3. Color (Happy with I color however I've never seen a large J color stone. Much prefer the J color prices however I don't want an obvious tint as it will be set in platinum)
4. Clarity (as long as it is eye clean with no 'dangerous' inclusions)
I am in no rush to buy the diamond and don't mind waiting for the right stone
I have a few questions for the experts :
1. I've had a look online and there seems to be a HUGE price difference between J and I color diamonds in the 4 carat size range. I don't want to get something that I will regret as it is a pretty big purchase however is there a bigger discrepancy between H-I color vs I-J color? I need to justify the massive price jump from J to I. To my eye my I color looks white.
2. I've contacted HPD to get a price estimate on I color 4 carat. They have advised pricing is unstable due to covid and there is a worldwide shortage of I color 4 carat rough however will do a search for me. Has covid driven prices up or down? Would a worldwide shortage mean I color 4 carat rough would be trading at a premium?
3. How much premium would I expect to pay at an ideal cut vendor compared to a triple ex GIA with a good HCA score? Is the difference very noticable between an ideal cut and ex/ex/ex GIA with good angles?
4. The B&M store has given me the following two options. Are they too deep?
Option 1. Cost to upgrade = $83,800.00 to pay final.
Shape: ROUND
Certificate / Reference No.: GIA / 6214014684
Carat: 5.01
Colour / Clarity: I / VS2
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT
Fluorescence: NONE
Shade / Luster: NONE / EXCELLENT
Measurement: 10.81 - 10.88 * 6.81
Table: 56
Total Depth: 62.8
Media Link: https://pck2.azureedge.net/stone-mu...ia.htm?stoneId=9834570259&showMediaType=Video
Option 2. Cost to upgrade = $92,300.00 to pay final.
Shape: ROUND
Certificate / Reference No.: GIA / 6207902235
Carat: 4.01
Colour / Clarity: G / VS1
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT
Fluorescence: NONE
Shade / Luster: NONE / EXCELLENT
Measurement: 10.02 - 10.09 * 6.38
Table: 55
Total Depth: 63.5
D/R: 10.06
Media Link: https://pck2.azureedge.net/stone-mu...ia.htm?stoneId=7834200187&showMediaType=Video
5. I have considered the option of trading in the current 2 carat to keep prices low. Is it worth trading in or is the trade in amount usually so little that it is not very worth it?
6. I can't even find any I color 4 carat stones on the ideal cut vendor websites. Whiteflash only has J (around $50k USD) or H (around $90k USD). Would the price of an I fall somewhere in the middle?
If you've read this mountain of text thank you
It has been a really tough few years and hubby has tentatively agreed to upgrade my MRB engagement ring. This will definitely be the last upgrade for life so I want to get it right and am calling upon your wisdom and help.
My current ring is a 2.15 carat I color VS1 purchased from a B&M store in Australia where I live. Here is the certificate: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=1172993038
I am very happy with this ring and the color so I definitely don't need a higher color. Clarity wise as long as it is eye clean then I am happy. I have J and K color earrings from BGD and although I can't tell them apart I definitely do see a tint in them compared to my I color ring. I also have H color earrings from tiffany and I can't really tell the color apart from my I color.
My requirements for the upgrade are:
1. Size (must face up >10mm)
2. Budget (pricing seems to vary wildly from $70k AUD to $90K AUD - I would like to keep it as low as possible while still having good performance)
3. Color (Happy with I color however I've never seen a large J color stone. Much prefer the J color prices however I don't want an obvious tint as it will be set in platinum)
4. Clarity (as long as it is eye clean with no 'dangerous' inclusions)
I am in no rush to buy the diamond and don't mind waiting for the right stone
I have a few questions for the experts :
1. I've had a look online and there seems to be a HUGE price difference between J and I color diamonds in the 4 carat size range. I don't want to get something that I will regret as it is a pretty big purchase however is there a bigger discrepancy between H-I color vs I-J color? I need to justify the massive price jump from J to I. To my eye my I color looks white.
2. I've contacted HPD to get a price estimate on I color 4 carat. They have advised pricing is unstable due to covid and there is a worldwide shortage of I color 4 carat rough however will do a search for me. Has covid driven prices up or down? Would a worldwide shortage mean I color 4 carat rough would be trading at a premium?
3. How much premium would I expect to pay at an ideal cut vendor compared to a triple ex GIA with a good HCA score? Is the difference very noticable between an ideal cut and ex/ex/ex GIA with good angles?
4. The B&M store has given me the following two options. Are they too deep?
Option 1. Cost to upgrade = $83,800.00 to pay final.
Shape: ROUND
Certificate / Reference No.: GIA / 6214014684
Carat: 5.01
Colour / Clarity: I / VS2
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT
Fluorescence: NONE
Shade / Luster: NONE / EXCELLENT
Measurement: 10.81 - 10.88 * 6.81
Table: 56
Total Depth: 62.8
Media Link: https://pck2.azureedge.net/stone-mu...ia.htm?stoneId=9834570259&showMediaType=Video
Option 2. Cost to upgrade = $92,300.00 to pay final.
Shape: ROUND
Certificate / Reference No.: GIA / 6207902235
Carat: 4.01
Colour / Clarity: G / VS1
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT
Fluorescence: NONE
Shade / Luster: NONE / EXCELLENT
Measurement: 10.02 - 10.09 * 6.38
Table: 55
Total Depth: 63.5
D/R: 10.06
Media Link: https://pck2.azureedge.net/stone-mu...ia.htm?stoneId=7834200187&showMediaType=Video
5. I have considered the option of trading in the current 2 carat to keep prices low. Is it worth trading in or is the trade in amount usually so little that it is not very worth it?
6. I can't even find any I color 4 carat stones on the ideal cut vendor websites. Whiteflash only has J (around $50k USD) or H (around $90k USD). Would the price of an I fall somewhere in the middle?
If you've read this mountain of text thank you