How do you know?

[ihy138]

This is mostly for those who buy antique/vintage/pre-owned: How do you know which pieces to buy and which to pass on?

I have been struggling lately with this. I just found a unique ring that I don't want to let slip through my fingers, but I also don't want to tie up my funds in case I find a piece that I can't live without in the near future. How do you make a decision?

 

[Calliecake]

In my opinion it's so much harder with the antique rings because once they are sold they are truly gone. More so with unique looking rings. I learned the hard way that if I find something that I absolutely fall in love with to ask myself how I will feel if it's gone and I never see the same ring again. I still think about one I hesitated on. I called back two days later to purchase it and it had already sold. I still think about that ring multiple times a week.

 

[ihy138]

In my opinion it's so much harder with the antique rings because once they are sold they are truly gone. More so with unique looking rings. I learned the hard way that if I find something that I absolutely fall in love with to ask myself how I will feel if it's gone and I never see the same ring again. I still think about one I hesitated on. I called back two days later to purchase it and it had already sold. I still think about that ring multiple times a week.

I'm sorry that you missed out. It's happened to me a few times, too. I've also been impulsive and had buyer's remorse. The problem is I fall in love with EVERYTHING. There is an antique ring that I am about to pull the trigger on. I almost have twice before, and it is on sale. However, it's most of my bling budget for right now and it would tie up my funds for a while.

 

[junebug17]

I'm in a similar boat ihy - I have some money in the bling budget that's burning a hole in my pocket - I'm dying to buy something but at the same time afraid to make the final plunge - also debating on whether to splurge on one expensive piece, or buy several less expensive items. And, like you, I love everything I see! I set out to purchase a yellow diamond ring and have been sidetracked by other things - so I guess I'm not much help but I know how you feel. Sometimes I think I'm over -thinking lol - I guess we'll know that special thing when we see it.

eta- sounds like you love the ring you have your eye on - maybe you should go for it! If you keep thinking about it, maybe it's a sign it's meant to be yours.

 

[ihy138]

I'm in a similar boat ihy - I have some money in the bling budget that's burning a hole in my pocket - I'm dying to buy something but at the same time afraid to make the final plunge - also debating on whether to splurge on one expensive piece, or buy several less expensive items. And, like you, I love everything I see! I set out to purchase a yellow diamond ring and have been sidetracked by other things - so I guess I'm not much help but I know how you feel. Sometimes I think I'm over -thinking lol - I guess we'll know that special thing when we see it.

eta- sounds like you love the ring you have your eye on - maybe you should go for it! If you keep thinking about it, maybe it's a sign it's meant to be yours.

No, that was helpful! It's good to know I'm not alone. Total first world problem, I know. I ALWAYS get sidetracked. I have long-term bling goals (setting stones I have lying around, etc.), but will probably never reach them because I buy smaller pieces pretty frequently.

 

[Calliecake]

In my opinion it's so much harder with the antique rings because once they are sold they are truly gone. More so with unique looking rings. I learned the hard way that if I find something that I absolutely fall in love with to ask myself how I will feel if it's gone and I never see the same ring again. I still think about one I hesitated on. I called back two days later to purchase it and it had already sold. I still think about that ring multiple times a week.

I'm sorry that you missed out. It's happened to me a few times, too. I've also been impulsive and had buyer's remorse. The problem is I fall in love with EVERYTHING. There is an antique ring that I am about to pull the trigger on. I almost have twice before, and it is on sale. However, it's most of my bling budget for right now and it would tie up my funds for a while.

IHY138,

Are you sure we aren't the same person???? Junebug and I have had this same discussion multiple times before. I also find no matter how large my budget is I always fall in love with something over the budget!

Callie

 

[missy]

A great question to which there really is no one answer fits all. There are concrete characteristics one looks for and then the no so concrete i.e. more abstract qualities. You can compare it to finding a partner in life. You might be looking for certain qualities but then you cannot always follow a checklist. When you fall in love you fall in love and sometimes there is a certain je ne sais quoi about someone or something that you just cannot verbalize.

For antique pieces I agree with what Junebug and Callie wrote. Once a true vintage piece is gone you may not find another just like it. However there are many gorgeous antique diamonds out there and sometimes if you are unsure you should not go for it. You have to see lots of pieces to get to know what you love and want from a diamond. The more you see the more you find out about your preferences. What is important to you and what is not so important to you.

My requirements for a vintage diamond are one that the stone must be lively, bright and flashy with even light play i.e. most of the facets on most of the time. Two there should be no big switch in facet size from the outer to inner areas of the face. And three the faceting must be chunky and gorgeous i.e. what is appealing to me. Just some of what I look for in an antique diamond and then of course that je ne sais quoi.

Good luck and remember enjoy the search. Never feel so pressured as that you have to make the decision on the spot and always make sure you have a return period within which you can change your mind so that relieves some of that pressure you might be feeling at the time. It's a diamond and as you wrote it's a first world problem so remember it is not earth shattering by any means. If you look at it that way you are sure to have more fun with this whole search and end up with something you love and adore.


ETA: Just want to address the one big piece vs several smaller less "important" ones. Of course that is only something you can decide but I will say get that one "important piece" if you can and then you can add several smaller pieces as time goes on. From personal experience I will say my OEC ER brings me great joy and while I love my smaller jewelry pieces it is not the same thing. So my vote is for one major piece first that you will love and enjoy and you can add smaller pieces with time. JMO.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

If it's love at first sight, buy it. You'll be kicking yourself for the rest of your life if you don't.

 

[ihy138]

IHY138,

Are you sure we aren't the same person???? Junebug and I have had this same discussion multiple times before. I also find no matter how large my budget is I always fall in love with something over the budget!

Callie

We might just be! Without fail I end up spending more than I intended. Oy!

 

[ihy138]

A great question to which there really is no one answer fits all. There are concrete characteristics one looks for and then the no so concrete i.e. more abstract qualities. You can compare it to finding a partner in life. You might be looking for certain qualities but then you cannot always follow a checklist. When you fall in love you fall in love and sometimes there is a certain je ne sais quoi about someone or something that you just cannot verbalize.

For antique pieces I agree with what Junebug and Callie wrote. Once a true vintage piece is gone you may not find another just like it. However there are many gorgeous antique diamonds out there and sometimes if you are unsure you should not go for it. You have to see lots of pieces to get to know what you love and want from a diamond. The more you see the more you find out about your preferences. What is important to you and what is not so important to you.

My requirements for a vintage diamond are one that the stone must be lively, bright and flashy with even light play i.e. most of the facets on most of the time. Two there should be no big switch in facet size from the outer to inner areas of the face. And three the faceting must be chunky and gorgeous i.e. what is appealing to me. Just some of what I look for in an antique diamond and then of course that je ne sais quoi.

Good luck and remember enjoy the search. Never feel so pressured as that you have to make the decision on the spot and always make sure you have a return period within which you can change your mind so that relieves some of that pressure you might be feeling at the time. It's a diamond and as you wrote it's a first world problem so remember it is not earth shattering by any means. If you look at it that way you are sure to have more fun with this whole search and end up with something you love and adore.


ETA: Just want to address the one big piece vs several smaller less "important" ones. Of course that is only something you can decide but I will say get that one "important piece" if you can and then you can add several smaller pieces as time goes on. From personal experience I will say my OEC ER brings me great joy and while I love my smaller jewelry pieces it is not the same thing. So my vote is for one major piece first that you will love and enjoy and you can add smaller pieces with time. JMO.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I agree that there is a je ne sais quoi about certain antique jewelry that I am drawn to. I definitely know what I like - those pieces that make my heart skip a beat. I have been looking at mostly dinner rings lately. I like big and elaborate, lots of finger real estate. The problem is that they are each unique and beautiful, and I just can't have all of them! I think you're right, that I should take my time and figure out what really speaks to me and what doesn't about larger purchases. I also have long-term bling goals that I will probably not reach for a while because I get sidetracked. I have on rare occasions gotten bored with old pieces and sold them to make room for the new. This is rare. Once I have it, I don't want to let it go!

 

[ihy138]

If it's love at first sight, buy it. You'll be kicking yourself for the rest of your life if you don't.

I like how you think!

 

[Calliecake]

If it's love at first sight, buy it. You'll be kicking yourself for the rest of your life if you don't.

Truer words were never spoken madam Bijoux! There is one piece I know I will be kicking myself over for many more years to come.

 

[ihy138]

If it's love at first sight, buy it. You'll be kicking yourself for the rest of your life if you don't.

Truer words were never spoken madam Bijoux! There is one piece I know I will be kicking myself over for many more years to come.

Do you mind sharing what it was?

 

[Calliecake]

IHy138, Mine was an antique diamond and ruby dinner ring. The OEC's and rubies were gorgeous and I had never seen a ring like. The part that I struggle most with is it was only $3,500. I have no Idea why I didn't buy it. I called my husband and he said "do you really need another ring?" The next day I thought "Of course I need another ring!". When I called first thing Monday morning it has already sold.

Madam Bijoux, What did you let slip away????