I''m in a bit of a bind!

[adam81]

Okay so... I''m new to the forum, and new to the engagement process!

I have been doing a lot of research lately on diamonds and whatnot and this seems to be like a very reputable forum and wanted to ask you all for some advice..

Recently I was informed that a co-worker of mine was divorced and was selling her engagement ring.. I decided to talk to her and get more info.. So she brought in all the documentation for the ring (EGL certificates, appraisal, etc.) More recently she brought in the ring itself and I got to take a look.. It looks beautiful but on the other hand I only looked at it for a brief time, and wasn''t going to stick it up to my eyeball while we were chit chatting away...

From what I remember from the documentation the diamond was 1.21 carat, G color, ideal cut, H&A.. I just can''t remember the clarity. It was either an SI1 or VS1/2...

Anyways, the appraisal said the ring was worth $10,200 and of course at first I was like woah. Because my price range is much, much lower than that.. So after taking a quick look at the specs (comparing to prices on blue nile and whatnot) I declined and thanked her for the offer but didn''t want to barter her with price since I knew it was out of my range..

A week or two passed and she came back politely asking me what my price range was and I let her know I was looking in the range of 4-5k max (with everything).. She said that was definately doable.. Now I guess this is where my questions start..

I know that all appraisals are not created equal.. I also didn''t really take a good look enough at the certs since the price just seemed way too high off the bat.. I also don''t know which EGL lab it was certified by.. Should I ask her again for the documentation to get a better idea?

I dunno I just don''t want to seem like an idiot asking her for stuff I had days to look at already.. Plus, I don''t know whether or not the appraisal she had was accurate or by someone who knew what they were doing..

I dunno, I''m kinda confused right now and don''t know what to do.. for the longest time I was just looking at diamonds on bluenile and figured that''s what I would end up going with but now this kind of fell in my lap and I don''t know whether its a fantastic deal, mediocre or if I would be getting ripped off.. eh..

Any advice appreciated..

 

[kelpie]

Gracefully decline her offer. This is not the time to be getting second hand goods unless you''re going vintage or design house.

 

[IronMikey]

#1 - I don''t like buying/selling things to friends or coworkers. Things can just get weird

#2 - I wouldn''t want to give my GF someone elses E-ring. That just feels weird

Seems like only you can make this call. For me it would be an easy pass.

 

[Kaleigh]

Hmmm, well first I have to ask did you love what you saw? Was it pleasing to you? If so, ask to take it to an independant appraiser. You can find PS approved appraiser under resources at the top of PS.

My own 2 cents is to skip this "great deal" and buy from a PS vendor. I like those that have upgrade policies, BN does not, btw... Just saying.

EGL is known for being soft in their grading. EGL USA has made great strides recently. But if this was graded years ago, you could be looking at a stone that is off by a grade or two in color and clarity. Buying from a co worker, is not something I would do. If it turns out to be a lot worse than it is proported to be, then what do you say. Thanks, but no thanks?? I''d pass....

For me it would be a difficult and awkward situtation. Not one I''d want to rehash by the water cooler.

Take a look at www.whiteflash.com and www.goodoldgold.com. I have bought from both, they have upgrade policies and am very happy with the service I have received from them. GOG has awesome tutorials, great info for a newbie.

I am remiss as I didn''t mention in the beginning to say welcome to PS!! UGHH where are my manners. Anyway, we are here to help you along the way. HTH, Lisa

 

[adam81]

Wow.. Quick responses..

I appreciate all your advice.. And I agree with most of it.. Now I just have to figure out how to "back out gracefully" after already declining once and expressing interest again...

But to a couple of you saying that it''s weird giving someone a used e-ring.. I mean I wouldn''t be using the band itself, just using the stone obviously.. A rock is a rock, it''s the quality and what price you can get that quality that matters right?.. I personally do not believe in all the voodoo of being a stone of a divorcee and whatnot

Kaleigh - I have checked out some of the vids on GOG, very nice.. High quality vids..

I guess I was just kind of like wow, I could get a 1.2 carat stone or a .7 carat stone for the same price you know? I guess I was just getting lured into a good deal but who knows if it is actually a good deal or not.. oh well

 

[bling addict]

I agree with everyone, I'd pass on this one. Kaleigh has offered great advice if you seriously want to consider it, definitely take it to an independent appraiser etc. But if it was me, I'd as Kelpie said gratefully decline your colleague, and select something specifically for my girlfriend.

ETA: Sorry, I just saw your post....if the stone is a great stone (verified by independent appraiser), it could be nice option if you had it reset.

ETA2: Agreed, cut is key, and if you decide to declined just say thank you, but you have found something else. I'm sure she'd understand.

 

[Kaleigh]

Remember it''s all about the CUT. Cut is key here. You can just say, you''ve found something else, but thanks anyway.

Or say whatever is comfortable for you.... Best of luck.

 

[adam81]

Thank you all for your help I will be taking a pass and going with something a bit more modest (but for sure higher quality) on one of the good vendors listed here

 

[bling addict]

I saw this one at whiteflash
0.9 H si, -- I believe it scored 1 HCA, Ex, Ex, Ex, VG ~ $3800 (sorry don''t have the exact price with discounts, having issues with my internet when trying to use the sift took) http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-684415.htm

You''d need to ask if it''s eyeclean. It''s a decent size, and would leave you room in your budget for a nice setting.

 

[rte]

Date: 5/1/2008 1:02:37 AM
Author: adam81
Thank you all for your help I will be taking a pass and going with something a bit more modest (but for sure higher quality) on one of the good vendors listed here

I too am looking for a deal (just so happends to be in a G color and about a 1.2ct)

With the economy going the way it is......some people are looking to off load their jewelry.
That being said, the color and size are good.
Here's a thought?
She is seriously trying to sell her ring, you could help her out (even if you prefer to take a pass)
How about posting the EGL report here
And what other information you have.

As you can see from my post count.
I'm a newbe also, looking for some insight before the $$ start to flow.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 5/1/2008 1:23:58 AM
Author: rte

Date: 5/1/2008 1:02:37 AM
Author: adam81
Thank you all for your help I will be taking a pass and going with something a bit more modest (but for sure higher quality) on one of the good vendors listed here

I too am looking for a deal (just so happends to be in a G color and about a 1.2ct)

With the economy going the way it is......some people are looking to off load their jewelery.
That being said, the color and size are good.
Here''s a thought?
She is seriously trying to sell her ring, you could help her out (even if you prefer to take a pass)
How about posting the EGL report here
And what other information you have.

As you can see from my post count.
I''m a newbe also, looking for some insight before the $$ start to flow.

There is no selling here....

 

[rte]

Date: 5/1/2008 1:29:20 AM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 5/1/2008 1:23:58 AM
Author: rte

Date: 5/1/2008 1:02:37 AM
Author: adam81
Thank you all for your help I will be taking a pass and going with something a bit more modest (but for sure higher quality) on one of the good vendors listed here

I too am looking for a deal (just so happends to be in a G color and about a 1.2ct)

With the economy going the way it is......some people are looking to off load their jewelery.
That being said, the color and size are good.
Here's a thought?
She is seriously trying to sell her ring, you could help her out (even if you prefer to take a pass)
How about posting the EGL report here
And what other information you have.

As you can see from my post count.
I'm a newbe also, looking for some insight before the $$ start to flow.

There is no selling here....

Ok
Didn't want to over step my bounds.

It didnt look like HE was looking to sell anything??
He was just looking for advice.

No harm in posting the report to see what that will tell us about the diamond.
I Prefer a GIA over EGL.
But ( 1.21 carat, G color, ideal cut, H&A )
I would be interested in looking at the EGL report.
After all isnt this site all about helping out?

 

[Sharon101]

Re. buying someone elses stone. There is NO negative stigma involved at all, because when you buy from a shop, it could very well be someones trade in from last week!!!! All diamonds may as well be second hand because that bit is not disclosed. According to the venders here there are no such thing as second hand diamonds.

 

[anarosa02]

I agree! IF you can get this appraised AND you decide that this is the one, I would take it. There is still work involved. I would treat this stone just as I would any other stone I was considering.
I personally would not mind having a used stone.

 

[denverappraiser]

Recycling is not a bad thing. Diamonds hold up extremely well in most circumstances and a previously owned diamond is not, by it’s nature, any worse than a recently mined one. It is what it is.

Therein lies the problem. What is it? ‘Appraisals’ supplied by sellers as part of the advertisement are notoriously unreliable and I recommend putting no stake on that at all. If you weren’t the client, and you didn’t have the opportunity to ask the appraiser questions that relate specifically to your needs, the report simply doesn’t apply.

What questions? Here’s some examples:

Is this the stone described on the accompanying report?
Is it damaged?
Is the information provided on the lab report accurate?
Is their more information that may be useful in my decision that’s NOT contained on the report?
What should I expect to pay in the alternative marketplace that I’m considering (Internet, local store, pawnshop, etc.) for the parts of this that are of interest to me?
What can the seller realistically expect to get if they sell to someone other than me?
Will the components I’m considering (presumably the diamond) work well in the design that I’m considering for the remainder of the ring?
What other benefits, like trade in, financing, warranties etc. am I missing by buying this way that might be of interest to me?

If you’re serious about buying a secondhand ring, hire your own appraiser to inspect the piece in person, not just based on the lab documentation, and ask them the questions you really want to know. Some ‘pie in the sky’ price that could theoretically be asked by an unspecified jeweler in an unknown location and under unknown circumstances is of no help at all.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Muss]

Buying from family/coworkers is always a slippery and scary slope. That being said, that is a great price for that stone (assuming it passes muster with the stats). If I was going to buy it I would first take it to an independent appraiser and have it re-graded, than you can find out with the stone is really worth.

Good luck with this one...

 

[rte]

So adam81 didn''t check back in on us.
Is there any way to check back in on him (via PM or email?)

 

[rte]

Date: 5/3/2008 11:43:15 AM
Author: rte
So adam81 didn't check back in on us.
Is there any way to check back in on him (via PM or email?)

adam81

Adam?
Paging Adam??


Thanks,

 

[diamondfan]

It is not as bad if you reset it, as you do not really always know the path of your stone from other sources but you know she got divorced and I can be superstitious. Not the best juju and unless it is an amazing stone and deal I would pass. Plus that is someone you work with, she might have a weirdness if she sees it, albeit in a new ring, on your fiancee. Just food for thought! Would you tell your fiancee about where it came from?

 

[rte]

Well I guess Adam still with 3 is not going to return to check his post.

 

[adam81]

Sorry RTE I have been really busy as of late I did take a pass on the stone, I believe she said she was going to try and craigslist it or something.. If there''s something specific you wanted to ask me about, send me a PM or something..

 

[purrfectpear]

There are no PM''s on PS. If rte wants to buy it he''s going to have to figure that one out for himself. No selling on PS either.

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 5/1/2008 12:05:00 AM
Author: kelpie
Gracefully decline her offer.

Wow, yes. You did the right thing IMO.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/12/2008 9:20:16 PM
Author: rte

Date: 5/10/2008 6:26:39 PM

Author: adam81

Sorry RTE I have been really busy as of late I did take a pass on the stone, I believe she said she was going to try and craigslist it or something.. If there''s something specific you wanted to ask me about, send me a PM or something..

Yes Adam81

I just got back from the Movado boutique in Vegas (found the ring I''m leaning toward)

If you could shoot me an email with your email address to XXXXXXX

I do have a few questions about your friends ring/stone.

Thanks Rick

Dude, seriously, there is NO selling here and NO passing out info. You agreed to it when you signed up. You are going to get yourself kicked off...

 

[rte]

Must have missed the no info part in the regs
I''ll go back and do a re-read
rte

 

[surfgirl]

adam, glad to hear you declined this one. I was going to say, before I realized that you''d declined, that in the future, think about how your gf would react if she knew you bought her an ering off of your divorced colleague. If she would say "great! I''m glad you got a deal!" then it''s not a bad way to go. That said, I dont know many women who''d react quite that way so good for you for passing...

 

[rte]

Date: 5/12/2008 10:09:39 PM
Author: rte
Must have missed the no info part in the regs
I''ll go back and do a re-read
rte

Do not post any private information including emails,

ok? I read this line as posting someone elses email address.
I hardly think my email is private.
rte

 

[risingsun]

Date: 5/12/2008 10:35:41 PM
Author: rte

Date: 5/12/2008 10:09:39 PM
Author: rte
Must have missed the no info part in the regs
I''ll go back and do a re-read
rte

Do not post any private information including emails,

ok? I read this line as posting someone elses email address.
I hardly think my email is private.
rte

This includes your own email. You appear to be interested in adam''s coworker''s ring. You can''t make that kind of transaction on PS

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 5/12/2008 10:35:41 PM
Author: rte

Date: 5/12/2008 10:09:39 PM
Author: rte
Must have missed the no info part in the regs
I''ll go back and do a re-read
rte

Do not post any private information including emails,

ok? I read this line as posting someone elses email address.
I hardly think my email is private.
rte

Read the forum policies again and again till it sinks in.....

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 5/10/2008 7:16:46 PM
Author: purrfectpear
There are no PM''s on PS. If rte wants to buy it he''s going to have to figure that one out for himself. No selling on PS either.

Hellooooo, repeated for accuracy. It was obvious what you were trying to do from the way you kept bumping the thread.

DUDE, you CANNOT buy the ring via Pricescope.