Investment/Future Value of Warmer Diamonds

[mausketeer]

Well something occurred to me today that I hadn''t really thought about before...... I started off looking for a square champagne cushion, 1.5+ carat. Have had ZERO luck on that front (I''ve seen many more Asschers than cushions for some reason. I like Asschers in colourless stones, not so much in fancies). Then I just happened to see a stone in a local store that I THOUGHT was a champagne but it was actually an "M" so I happily started searching for brownish low colour grade stones. THEN I found out about Old World Diamonds and I''ve always loved the old cuts, so tomorrow I will be looking at some stones from them (as well as some from I.D. Jewelry in the M grade. Told Yekutiel that I was interested in brownish stones only, not yellow)

So, when my boyfriend and I discussed the budget, he mentioned that it was an investment and he would be happy to pay a bit more for something that would increase in value. Well a lower grade stone probably wouldn''t, would it? I mean, there will ALWAYS be a demand for well cut colourless diamonds, but that''s not what I like. I''m assuming that if I went with an antique stone from Old World Diamonds, that that would be something that would be an investment (I mean, an antique is an antique and has inherent value in rarity, the history behind the stone, etc), and a TRUE champagne grade would too (especially the C1-C3 from what I''ve read), right? But then again, twenty years ago, before Argyle came up with the whole "champagne/cognac" colour grade marketing campaign, people didn''t want THOSE either, did they? I''m basically interested in light brownish stones that ALMOST made the champagne grade, but didn''t. Might they be sought after in the future as well?

Thoughts everyone?

- Jodie -

 

[neatfreak]

I mean this in the nicest way possible but DIAMONDS ARE NOT AN INVESTMENT. period.

Please don't buy them with the idea that they are an investment. They aren't. You'll lose money in the long run if you are trying to sell them. Even ideal cut stones in good color/clarity combos are not an investment. An individual will never come close to getting retail price for that stone should they want to sell in the future.

 

[Rhea]

No diamond, besides the very famous ones such as the Hope Diamond, should be considered an investment. It is really hard to sell a diamond and get more than 1/4-1/2 of what you paid for it if you are not a retailer.

 

[mausketeer]

Hmmm - oh no, I wouldn''t buy it just on that merit, no, no. I just meant, if I had to make a choice and the future value was a factor, should it sway me one way or the other? (IE: is it really STUPID to buy a lower grade if I ever want to upgrade?)

Do you know how many people I''ve told that I want an M or lower colour and they''ve told me "oh honey, save your money and buy a better stone when you can afford it!" (not a few of those replies have been on this forum either - it scared me off at first!) I told a saleslady what I was looking for and she said to me (this is a direct quote) "Oh no - you don''t want one of those!" lol.

I still want the LOOK I want, but all factors being equal, just wondered if an antique or a champagne was a better idea....... (I keep making the choices WIDER rather than SMALLER, had hoped to have SOMETHING to narrow it down!)

- Jodie -

 

[neatfreak]

Just buy what you love. That is the best investment.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I agree that diamonds aren''t an investment. My only criteria is to get a diamond that is worth passing onto my children. In terms of upgrade, find a vendor that has a good upgrade policy. That is your best bet. Good luck with your search and buy what you love!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/18/2009 6:40:15 PM
Author: mausketeer
Hmmm - oh no, I wouldn''t buy it just on that merit, no, no. I just meant, if I had to make a choice and the future value was a factor, should it sway me one way or the other? (IE: is it really STUPID to buy a lower grade if I ever want to upgrade?)


Do you know how many people I''ve told that I want an M or lower colour and they''ve told me ''oh honey, save your money and buy a better stone when you can afford it!'' (not a few of those replies have been on this forum either - it scared me off at first!) I told a saleslady what I was looking for and she said to me (this is a direct quote) ''Oh no - you don''t want one of those!'' lol.

If you want to upgrade, buy from a vendor with 100% upgrade policy.

"Better" is completely subjective. Focus on what you want and avoid the sales smack. Who cares what others think?

 

[mausketeer]

'Better' is completely subjective. Focus on what you want and avoid the sales smack. Who cares what others think?

Oh yes - that came out wrong - that was my point exactly! The saleslady (and everyone who has come down on me about my quest) just could not comprehend WHY on earth I would WANT a brown diamond! Gosh, this is so frustrating sometimes..... I have never given a crap what other people think about what I like (when you've got 12 piercings and 14 - or is it fifteen now? - tattoos, you get to a point where you pretty much expect to be disagreed with on your decisions.)

I am really just trying to base my (OUR! Sorry "I.S." - you're the one who's going to shelling out for this thing!) purchase of several thousand dollars on more substantial criteria than just "oh, that looks purdy!" you know? I mean, if we were buying anything else for that amount of money, I wouldn't just go with the one that I saw in the store, right? I'd try to research it as much as possible, etc.....

Sometimes I wish I HADN'T found this forum now...... my dear sister who got engaged last year and literally bought the first ring they liked in the first store they went into (a .75 carat, I1 round brilliant) is perfectly happy with hers! "Look - it sparkles in the sun!" If I hadn't read everything I've read on this forum, I think it would be a much easier decision!

- Jodie -

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/18/2009 8:29:27 PM
Author: mausketeer
If I hadn''t read everything I''ve read on this forum, I think it would be a much easier decision!


- Jodie -

haha You can say that again!