Need tips on shopping for used diamond engagement rings

[AlexiaCARA]

Since I'm more web search savvy than he is, I am in charge of doing most of the research when it comes to my ring. I think I've exhausted research on diamonds, but I've went from assuming that we would pay full retail price to considering the used market. I've search websites such as idonowidont.com, tradesy.com, eBay, haveyouseenthering.com but I haven't read real reviews of these places. I did see a review of an eBay vendor here but my search has come up short other than that.

What are you thoughts when it comes to the above mentioned sites?

 

[heididdl]

the general thoughts are unless they come with a GIA certification I would not consider any of the rings on any of those sights. That being said why have you decided that you have exhausted your on line search. also as a ps you get discount and the price you pay for online diamonds is better value than B&M stores most of the time....you get what you pay for truly

what is your budget what shape are you looking at and how do you invision it being set.

I've search websites such as idonowidont.com, tradesy.com, eBay, haveyouseenthering.com

I have been shopping on line for a million years and have never heard of these sights.

Etsy, ebay, Ruby lane, Pricescope preloved jewelery, diamond bistro are other sights with preloved jewelery which are sometimes sold by PS..

But the only way to be sure your getting what you are getting is to have a certified stone.

So keep looking have you tried all the online PS vendors. Goodoldgold, Jamesallen, b2c, blue nile, idj ,diamonds by lauren, white flash . These are all sights that PS recommends and there are diamonds for every budget.

 

[TC1987]

idonowidon't operates like an escrow service and one of the appraisers on here wrote something about it recently.

Used semimounts are pretty hard to come by and more likely to be yellow gold styles that are not the antique / vintage styles and pave and filigree styles and white metals that in style now.

There are some used rings out there, but most of what I see that's decent are listed here, on LoupeTroop, sometimes on DiamondBistro. Pearlman's and Jewels by Erica Grace and Good Old Gold sell consignments and estate pieces. Good Old Gold, see the Steals & Deals section. There are places like Lang's Antiques and Dover, too. Today's upgrade policies mean that a lot of stones get traded back in on upgrades and are not sold outright.

Most used rings that I see locally are poorly cut diamonds of I2 to I1 or Si2 clarity at best. Most of the mountings and used rings here are yellow gold from '80s and '90s.

 

[AlexiaCARA]

the general thoughts are unless they come with a GIA certification I would not consider any of the rings on any of those sights. That being said why have you decided that you have exhausted your on line search. also as a ps you get discount and the price you pay for online diamonds is better value than B&M stores most of the time....you get what you pay for truly

what is your budget what shape are you looking at and how do you invision it being set.

I've search websites such as idonowidont.com, tradesy.com, eBay, haveyouseenthering.com

I have been shopping on line for a million years and have never heard of these sights.

Etsy, ebay, Ruby lane, Pricescope preloved jewelery, diamond bistro are other sights with preloved jewelery which are sometimes sold by PS..

But the only way to be sure your getting what you are getting is to have a certified stone.

So keep looking have you tried all the online PS vendors. Goodoldgold, Jamesallen, b2c, blue nile, idj ,diamonds by lauren, white flash . These are all sights that PS recommends and there are diamonds for every budget.

Thanks for the heads up about GIA certification.

I guess I feel that I've exhausted my online search for "new" diamonds/jewelry since I know buying diamonds new are like buying new cars - you lose much of the value the minute you drive it off the lot. We just don't want to pay full-price even at places like James Allen, Blue Nile, etc. I actually haven't looked at Etsy, Ruby Lane, etc yet...

Budget is ~$2000 for a simple solitaire set.

 

[heididdl]

Here are some ideas

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100069788/filigree-milgrain-cushion-cut-halo?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_query=diamond+solitaire+ring&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto3&ga_search_type=all

What about this its 2000 and there is a discount as PS ....do you want larger stone https://www.jamesallen.com/shop_bag_billing/

What you are saying isn't so if you buy a certified stone you have a much better chance of having a better resale or upgrade value than you do buying preloved diamond.

Been there done that I have 27 years of experience.

 

[SB621]

I would put more faith in:

diamondbistro.com
loupetroup.com
PS preloved section
jewels by Erica Grace
Pearlmans (they have closeouts and consignment)

As menioned make sures it comes with some type of lab report (not appraisal) and you should be fine.

In the preloved section of PS you might want to post a "WTB" want to buy ad.

 

[Gypsy]

Honestly, I would tell us what you are looking for and what your budget is, and have us help you.

Biggest tips are:
Find a great local independent appraiser and have them on standby.
Return policy in writing, no question asked, at least 3 days, but 7 or more preferred.

Try on as much stuff as you can before shopping to get an idea what looks best on you.

Learn to understand color and clarity. And cut quality.
And, this is important, learn your personal color tolerances.

Do not trust an online vendor's word for color and clarity without a certificate from AGS or GIA (not EGL or any other lab). You need an appraiser, a good one, for that.

 

[AlexiaCARA]

Here are some ideas

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100069788/filigree-milgrain-cushion-cut-halo?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_query=diamond+solitaire+ring&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto3&ga_search_type=all

What about this its 2000 and there is a discount as PS ....do you want larger stone https://www.jamesallen.com/shop_bag_billing/

What you are saying isn't so if you buy a certified stone you have a much better chance of having a better resale or upgrade value than you do buying preloved diamond.

Been there done that I have 27 years of experience.

Thanks for the Etsy link, that definitely gives us some ideas and choices. The James Allen link didn't have anything in it. If you give me the SKU #, I can look it up there.

 

[Gypsy]

Not a simple solitaire.

But lots of potential.

If you negotiated a return policy with them, this one might be worth a look.


EDITED TO FIX LINK:
This is the correct link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/18K-WHITE-GOLD-DIAMOND-ENGAGEMENT-RING-SIZE-7-EUROPEAN-CUT-/121118777101?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item1c333ddf0d

 

[AlexiaCARA]

Honestly, I would tell us what you are looking for and what your budget is, and have us help you.

Biggest tips are:
Find a great local independent appraiser and have them on standby.
Return policy in writing, no question asked, at least 3 days, but 7 or more preferred.

Try on as much stuff as you can before shopping to get an idea what looks best on you.

Learn to understand color and clarity. And cut quality.
And, this is important, learn your personal color tolerances.

Do not trust an online vendor's word for color and clarity without a certificate from AGS or GIA (not EGL or any other lab). You need an appraiser, a good one, for that.

Budget is around $2K for a simple solitaire. I did try on as much as I could tolerate at B&M stores though its been a couple of months and my memory of what I really liked is a bit foggy though I am drawn to more simple settings.

 

[Gypsy]

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/dot-53ct-e-slash-vs-oec-slash-transitional-in-rg-bezel-solitaire . Beautiful, and you can afford a lovely band.

 

[AlexiaCARA]

Not a simple solitaire.

But lots of potential.

If you negotiated a return policy with them, this one might be worth a look.


EDITED TO FIX LINK:
This is the correct link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/18K-WHITE-GOLD-DIAMOND-ENGAGEMENT-RING-SIZE-7-EUROPEAN-CUT-/121118777101?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item1c333ddf0d

Great set! Thanks for the link!

 

[Gypsy]

What I recommend though:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-round-center-item-3251 Setting.

Diamond: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-194859 There is a PS discount. Ask about it.

And band: http://loupetroop.com/listings/bands/bgd-bezel-18k-white-gold-half-eternity-band


Why?

Total is 2,350. At budget. For all three. (and with a PS discount at JA it will be less).
Gives you a classic and elegant solitaire with a bezel which will increase the hand presence.
A lovely setting. And a gorgeous diamond. 60 day return policy if you aren't thrilled. With shipping both ways paid by the vendor. Later on if you want to upgrade, JA will let you as well.

That band is just fabulous. And is offered at a great price too. And it is sizable.

 

[AlexiaCARA]

What I recommend though:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-round-center-item-3251 Setting.

Diamond: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-194859

And band: http://loupetroop.com/listings/bands/bgd-bezel-18k-white-gold-half-eternity-band


Why?

Total is 2,250. At budget. For all three.
Gives you a classic and elegant solitaire with a bezel which will increase the hand presence.
A lovely setting. And a gorgeous diamond. 60 day return policy if you aren't thrilled. With shipping both ways paid by the vendor.

That band is just fabulous. And is offered at a great price too. And it is sizable.

Perfect! Thanks for searching for me. I definitely need to look a little harder. I'm a size 7.25 and though my fingers are lean, it would be helpful to have the hand presence the bezel would give.

 

[heididdl]

oops...

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.60-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-217364

simple setting http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7990

 

[AlexiaCARA]

oops...

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.60-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-217364

simple setting http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7990

^^
Definitely a good price.

One thing I overlooked with JA is their upgrade policy which would be work purchasing from them.

 

[ScorpioLove]

Wedding set for sale by PS'er

Hi Alexia. A fellow PS'er, arcticcatmatt, is looking to sell a wedding set.
The engagement ring is a solitaire with diamonds on the shank. The center stone is a round GIA-graded, G-SI1.

The asking price is a bit over $2k. However, you will be able to get the e-ring and wedding band for a little over your initial budget.


This is the link to the ring:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/must-sell-engagement-ring-and-wedding-band-gia-64-t189863.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/must-sell-engagement-ring-and-wedding-band-gia-64-t189863.html[/URL]

I've also attached a few pics of the ring that were posted on PS.



~ScorpioLove~

 

[Niel]

have you seen this?

http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/34596/Three-stone-diamond-ring-in-14k-white-gold.html

a ps'er is selling it.

 

[Niel]

or this leaves you plenty for a lovely diamond band
http://www.ross-simons.com/products/799627.html

http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_137&products_id=57676