Might buy this transitional cut ring!

[firstlady]

First time poster...
After visiting 7 jewelry stores, I walked into a store specializing in antiques and estate rings, and instantly knew that one of these would be the rings for me. I fell in love with the history of the jewelry in the store and just felt really *comfortable* with them. Sounds kind of weird, I know.

I tried on many, many rings before trying on this 1.17 carat transitional cut. It''s described as 1.17 carats, H color, SI. It''s probably been reset into a mid-century setting, but I was told that the center stone is a transitional cut stone, probably from the 1930''s. The price is $6,950.

All the research and price comparison I''d done were on new diamonds, and I''m wondering how I can research if this is a fair price. I''m slightly concerned that there is a feather right on the edge of the diamond, which is barely visible to the naked eye, but i can feel if I run my nail along the edge. Also, I can''t remember from looking at it in person, but in the picture in the website, the top looks a little flatter - as though the diamond weren''t completely round.

What do you think? In person, the ring appears to have great fire, and I couldn''t detect a difference in color between that and an F color ring I was also looking at.

Thanks so much!

 

[LegacyGirl]

That is really pretty

 

[purrfectpear]

The price seems high to me unless that''s a platinum setting and you plan to keep it?
I''d expect to pay $5k to $5500 for a stone that size. It does look out of round in the photo but that may only be the angle of the picture?

 

[LGK]

I think if you''re OK with paying a bit of a premium to get a look at the stone in person & buy from a B&M store, go for it. Also, if you decide to go ahead on it, BE SURE TO ASK FOR A DISCOUNT. Most antique stores will be able to lower the price some. I''d recommend asking if they can do a 15%-20% discount, which is more than they''d probably do on a higher priced item, but that''s what you want- you want them to counter offer, meaning you got the lowest price they were able to do. If you just ask for their "best price", you''re likely to get a number that isn''t actually the best price, just what they hope you''ll take. I would suspect they could and would take anywhere from 5-15% off, if they''re anything like the estate jewelry dealers I work with... occasionally you''ll find some that will do a 20% discount even on some of the higher end jewelry so you might start with that number. Worst you can get is a "no, price is firm", and trust me, they''re used to being asked, they will not be taken aback by the question. Good luck! I think it''s lovely.

 

[firstlady]

Thanks everyone!

This ring is at Lang Antiques in San Francisco, which many people on PS seem to have had good experience with. I''ll definitely ask for a discount when I go in on Thursday.

The setting is platinum, and admittedly, I''m not totally in love with it, only because it''s so thin. I''d keep the setting for at least a few years though, before thinking about changing it.

Would the feather on the edge affect the integrity of the stone later on? The person at Lang thought that the prongs were at the best location they could be as to not put extra pressure on the stone, but also admitted that if I banged it around a lot it could affect the stone. i don''t know if I''d rally be that rough on the stone. Would a bezel setting (down the line) be protective?

Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions! This forum has been so helpful in this search

 

[Gypsy]

I love Langs. I'd get it appraised, INDEPENDENT appraisal, before buying it. The feather would worry me if I could feel it, it's breaking the surface.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/8/2008 7:12:15 PM
Author: Gypsy
I love Langs. I''d get it appraised, INDEPENDENT appraisal, before buying it. The feather would worry me if I could feel it, it''s breaking the surface.

Ditto. Good luck.

 

[ringster]

well i'm completely biased b/c i got a transitional from langs so i love the stone. i agree about the setting - not that crazy about it.

can they tell you about the polish and symmetry? that might also help you determine the pricing but really since you have seen it first hand that is the best indicator. also if you have seen other similar cuts and their prices then you will be able to discern if the pricing is fair. it is hard to judge these stones just based on paper specs.

definitely ask about a discount - couldn't hurt and they are used to being asked. they were able to give me a little off ~5% if IIRC.

and i agree with getting independent appraisal from someone who does not also sell jewelry and preferably someone with experience with these old cut stones.

 

[firstlady]

I do love your ring, ringster! your experience made me very comfortable working with Lang. Can you tell me the name of the appraiser you used? I''m having a hard time finding an independent one. I know Nancy Stacy is well regarded, but then, that means appointments with her are hard to come by!

 

[ringster]

aw thanks firstlady - glad that my experience was helpful for you!

i used nancy stacy and she was good but she is not as experienced with old cuts so i don''t know that she is as aware of the pricing for them. i just wanted to make sure that i got a basic appraisal as to the state of the diamond and i just worked with her to make sure the appraisal was for the amount that i bought the ring. since you seem to be more interested in whether the pricing is ok, i was hesitant to recommend her as an appraiser for you.

but she is suprisenly available. just call her ahead of time and give her a heads up of when you are going to be buying the ring and when you need to return it. also let her know that you are a pricescoper

good luck!

 

[firstlady]

Thanks! I will give Nancy a call. My partner went to talk to someone there today and was told the polish is VG and symmetry G to VG. For the past day or so, the open feather has been bothering me, so I think that this might not be the stone for me, although I think the stone is beautiful overall.

I''m still going to go in tomorrow, and will also look at the ring below. I was originally told the setting was new, but today someone at Lang said it was old as well, so...we''ll see! I do love the detail though, and hope it really is an antique setting. Here''s the description from the website:

A high quality transitional cut diamond is simply and elegantly presented in an original Art Deco setting, with a smattering of of six old mine diamonds on the shoulders, in pristine condition. Superb.

The Diamonds are described as follows:
One Transitional Cut Diamond
Weight: .90 carat
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Six Old Mine Cut Diamonds
Weight: .10 carat total weight
Color: I-J
Clarity: SI

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would be concerned about an open feather at the girdle. In any event, I wouldn't buy any uncertified stone without getting an independent appraisal. I think the price of that first one is too high. The rings look beautiful, though!

 

[ringster]

Date: 4/9/2008 5:19:27 PM
Author: firstlady
Thanks! I will give Nancy a call. My partner went to talk to someone there today and was told the polish is VG and symmetry G to VG. For the past day or so, the open feather has been bothering me, so I think that this might not be the stone for me, although I think the stone is beautiful overall.


I''m still going to go in tomorrow, and will also look at the ring below. I was originally told the setting was new, but today someone at Lang said it was old as well, so...we''ll see! I do love the detail though, and hope it really is an antique setting. Here''s the description from the website:


A high quality transitional cut diamond is simply and elegantly presented in an original Art Deco setting, with a smattering of of six old mine diamonds on the shoulders, in pristine condition. Superb.


The Diamonds are described as follows:

One Transitional Cut Diamond

Weight: .90 carat

Color: I

Clarity: SI1

Six Old Mine Cut Diamonds

Weight: .10 carat total weight

Color: I-J

Clarity: SI

that''s a pretty one as well! good luck and have fun tomorrow!

 

[swingirl]

What does IIRC mean? I was just at Lang's and asked them about any discount for cash. I got a, "we never do that." If might have to do with the piece and how expensive it is. But I wonder...

 

[arjunajane]

Hi, I would have to agree about the feather in the first one - not good if you can feel it, Means it is surely breaking the surface and therefore, yes could impose structural issues down the road. When they said "SI" did they tell you if its SI1 or SI2?
I personally like the look of the second one better, but agree that an appraisal could be in order before any purchase?
hope you have fun at the store!

 

[firstlady]

I called to clarify and they said it was an SI2. I think that since it is bothering me/I am worried about it, it''s a sign that this isn''t the diamond for me.

 

[ringster]

Date: 4/10/2008 1:46:38 AM
Author: swingirl
What does IIRC mean? I was just at Lang''s and asked them about any discount for cash. I got a, ''we never do that.'' If might have to do with the piece and how expensive it is. But I wonder...

IIRC = if i recall correctly

yep, i asked the same thing and they said that to me as well. but they did give me a tiny discount because they knew my budget and the ring was over budget and my SA was really nice.

i think you are right that if you don''t feel 100% about the diamond, don''t go for it. it''s too much money to have second thoughts about it.