Mine-cut diamond value help needed

[Joeg]

How much is a 1.2 carat, N-VS2 mine-cut diamond ring worth? I am looking at purchasing this, as an engagement ring, from its owner. She has appraisals that give the details I've mentioned as well as a price, but they are years old and I know the market for mine-cut diamonds has changed significantly. What would this ring currently be worth? It is platinum, and also has 4 side-gems about .04 carat each.

 

[winternight]

Part of the answer depends on how accurate for color and clarity that appraisal is. An "N" could actually be a lower color depending on who appraised it. Then there is the quality of the ring and the quality of the cut of the diamonds.

You can look here or on ebay to get some idea of the market.

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/

 

[Joeg]

Thanks, that website is wonderfully helpful.

Another of the appraisals she has puts the color at K, so if anything, I'm guessing the quality of the color is likely actually a little better rather than worse.

As for the cut:
6.80x6.51x4.08mm
Depth 61.31%
Table 46.6%
Culet large

(I have no idea exactly what those measurements mean, but if it helps anyone estimate better, great!)

 

[winternight]

Are these appraisals from somewhere like GIA? That is a big difference in color. Btw. how does the stone look in person, in various light? Can you see the tint of yellow? Also, does your fiance like that tint of color? Some do, some don't.

Other people here know more about angles and such, perhaps one of them will chime in.

 

[Joeg]

The latest appraisal is from the Commonwealth Gemological Laboratory, somewhere in Virginia, I think. That's where I got the details I mentioned initially. The others are appraisals from jewelers.

I haven't yet seen the ring in person. The seller lives somewhat far away, and we haven't met yet. I have the appraisals and photos by email. Here are two of the photos:

 

[Christina...]

I'll let the experts chime in as far as the cut and value go, but I thought that its worth mentioning that as far as appraisals go, there can be a huge discrepancy in value. Many appraisals are for insurance purposes and carry an inflated value, others are prepared for people who are looking for fair market value of the stone. Often you will see ebay sellers listing stones and attaching an appraisal for a wildly inflated price to make their auction price look like a bargain, when in fact their price is still above market averages.

I agree with Wintersnight that the best thing that you can do is to get an idea of what prices of similar stones are selling for. On the secondary market a seller can expect to receive 30-50% off the retail price.

 

[Gypsy]

IMO, a lot depends on the faceting and what the stone looks like face up. Do you have pics of it head on? Those would be the most valuable.

I sold an OEC a few weeks ago. It was an L VS ish stone 1.25 carats. It had been re-polished and had a safe girdle put on it (so it didn't have chips or any unsafe girdle issues). 6.7 mm and I sold it for 4800 and the rapport for it was 5800.

So... I'd pay less than that for an N. Is it a round stone being called a mine diamond? Or is it cushiony. Cushiony ones are not worth as much per carat as round ones. Round old cuts are rap priced per carat at the same price as Round Brilliants and cushiony ones are priced per carat like cushions (which cost less per carat) Faceting on the stone matters therefore not only to decide whether to use the RB pricing or the Cushion pricing but also because how pretty the stone is matters. If it's a very pretty stone well... you can get more. Also if it's a roundish one it's pretty significantly out of round from the measurements, if it's a cushiony one then the measurements are fine. The condition of the girdle matters as well.

I can't tell from the pics if it's a roundish stone or a cushionish stone or something in between.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Ask for pics looking directly into the table of the stone to show faceting. And another profile for the crown height. Make sure there is a return period and you buy from a site with some assurances regarding returns (ebay, or follow all the rules with paypal). You can also have it sent to an appraiser who can act as an escrow for you both too.

Recently there was a mine cut stone about that weight that sold for $3000 or something. I think it was L-M color and it had a lab report. Does everyone know the one I mean? There was also a cushion like that on ebay that sold without a lab report for under $2000 I think, but it had a small chip in the girdle.