Not sure what to do regarding an OEC purchase

[Kim N]

I have been searching for a "deal" for an OEC around 2.5 cts. I have an opportunity to buy a huge OEC locally for a deal. However, this is way bigger than I've been looking for, almost 4 cts, and it's lower color than I've wanted (N color GIA). I think this is a lot bigger than what my lifestyle and comfort zone would indicate. So I hate to pass up on this deal, but there is such a thing as too big, right?

I also have a secondary question. If I got this and decided later on it was too big, it seems like it would be pretty difficult to sell considering the size and possibly considering the color. The return policy is only 4 days, so I don't have long to change my mind if I got it. But if it's not too difficult to sell later on, then I won't have to feel like whatever decision I make now is final. I guess my question is, how hard would it be to sell if I changed my mind down the line?

 

[Missy]

Hi Kim, I do think there is such a thing as "too big" depending on your preferences and lifestyle. So I wouldn't say the bigger the better. I also wouldn't take a chance that you can sell it down the road. Too risky IMO unless you are in the business and you also haven't even seen the stone in person. If you get it you have 4 days to decide with your own eyes how you like the color etc and if you want to keep it. If you decide no I suggest returning it vs keeping to to sell later.

The saying "a deal's a deal only if you are getting what you want" comes to mind...

 

[Enerchi]

"Too BIG"? really? you are on a diamond forum! - we can't understand these words you speak.... ???

There have been quite a few interested PSers cruising for OEC's in all sorts of sizes. I know this is a honking humongous diamond you are looking at, but always remember, there is a buyer for everything - it just might take a little longer to sell. Who knows -we can't predict the future, but since the "dawn of sparkle" (tee hee!) diamonds are still instyle.

IMO, if you can afford it and you love it and you are going to enjoy it now for what it is... then why not? Its kind of like buying a house for the resale value - buy the house for what it is and enjoy living in it NOW!

And... I wouldn't worry about the N - some stones show colour differently than others and as Kenny says, "people vary" - just as you like it, so will the next person!

(go for it!)

 

[Kim N]

Haha, missy and Enerchi, I like how your responses are almost opposite each other's! I know I need to think about this carefully before I decide. I do have a few days while it's on hold.

 

[Enerchi]

"people vary"!! Boy, that Kenny is so clever with his phrase, isn't he??

You have to be comfortable with your decision. We are all just posters with ideas - you have to live with the financial aspect and the final decision of looking at it every day thinking 'OMG! I am soooo in love!" or "OMG, why did I ever think this was the one??"

Sleep on it - you do get 4 days of assessment...

(see - proof that I CAN be practical, too!)

 

[Missy]

Haha, missy and Enerchi, I like how your responses are almost opposite each other's! I know I need to think about this carefully before I decide. I do have a few days while it's on hold.

I am very risk adverse and very conservative in general Kim so that's where I am coming from. You have a return period so see it with your own eyes and then you can decide because it's hard to judge an OEC online if you kwim. Only in person can you see if the color/size will bother you or if you will fall in love with it. I personally draw the line at buying thinking I will sell later on down the line. You could always consign with one of the PS vendors but that is no guarantee you will realize your money back let alone a profit. I say only end up keeping it if you love it! Good luck!

 

[Missy]

"people vary"!! Boy, that Kenny is so clever with his phrase, isn't he??

You have to be comfortable with your decision. We are all just posters with ideas - you have to live with the financial aspect and the final decision of looking at it every day thinking 'OMG! I am soooo in love!" or "OMG, why did I ever think this was the one??"

Sleep on it - you do get 4 days of assessment...

(see - proof that I CAN be practical, too!)

practical with the right mix of adventure! I like I like

 

[Enerchi]

practical with the right mix of adventure! I like I like

who knew, eh???

(in my own life, making a decision for myself is an insane process... agonize over every aspect for daaaaaaaaaays!! Some have used the word "obsessed" but I say pshaw to them! Making a decision for someone else - now that's a snap!)

 

[armywife13]

I say go for it! It sounds like it is a great size and value for the money. When you see it in person, you can determine if the color is acceptable to you and if you are comfortable with the size. in MY opinion, you can't go too big-I prefer to curb DSS ahead of time!

 

[kenny]

I assume it has no lab report.
Price depends on what its grades are.
You don't know the grades I would not trust the seller's word, or any "appraisal" he/she paid for.

This 4-day thing is BS and NOT in your favor.

I'd return it and tell the seller to send it to GIA for grading.
Then, you'll reconsider buying it for the same price plus the price of grading.
If you decide to not buy it you'll pay for the GIA grading.

 

[Missy]

I'd return it and tell the seller to send it to GIA for grading.
Then, you'll reconsider buying it for the same price plus the price of grading.
If you decide to not buy it you'll pay for the GIA grading.

Kenny, I think the diamond is graded by GIA...

 

[kenny]

I'd return it and tell the seller to send it to GIA for grading.
Then, you'll reconsider buying it for the same price plus the price of grading.
If you decide to not buy it you'll pay for the GIA grading.

Kenny, I think the diamond is graded by GIA...

Why do you think that?
The OP did not say so.

"N color GIA" can mean a person (GG or not) says it is N per GIA's standards.
This is quite different than an actual GIA report stating N.

 

[Missy]

practical with the right mix of adventure! I like I like

who knew, eh???

(in my own life, making a decision for myself is an insane process... agonize over every aspect for daaaaaaaaaays!! Some have used the word "obsessed" but I say pshaw to them! Making a decision for someone else - now that's a snap!)

LOL I know what you mean. I seem to have a much easier time telling other people what to do.
Though I will say when it comes to buying jewelry I am ridiculously slow. We bought our houses much more quickly I think than the time it takes me to decide on a new piece of jewelry!

 

[Kim N]

missy, in most big purchases, I'm risk-averse and conservative too, so I totally get what you're saying.

Enerchi, I know, isn't it so much harder to make a decision for yourself than for others?

armywife, yes, DSS was the reason for this upgrade in the first place! But I've always thought that a 2.5ct would be enough for me. It's just that this one popped up all of a sudden.

kenny, it's already GIA-graded.

 

[Missy]

I'd return it and tell the seller to send it to GIA for grading.
Then, you'll reconsider buying it for the same price plus the price of grading.
If you decide to not buy it you'll pay for the GIA grading.

Kenny, I think the diamond is graded by GIA...

Why do you think that?
The OP did not say so.

She wrote it was a GIA graded N.

I have been searching for a "deal" for an OEC around 2.5 cts. I have an opportunity to buy a huge OEC locally for a deal. However, this is way bigger than I've been looking for, almost 4 cts, and it's lower color than I've wanted (N color GIA). I think this is a lot bigger than what my lifestyle and comfort zone would indicate. So I hate to pass up on this deal, but there is such a thing as too big, right?

I also have a secondary question. If I got this and decided later on it was too big, it seems like it would be pretty difficult to sell considering the size and possibly considering the color. The return policy is only 4 days, so I don't have long to change my mind if I got it. But if it's not too difficult to sell later on, then I won't have to feel like whatever decision I make now is final. I guess my question is, how hard would it be to sell if I changed my mind down the line?

 

[kenny]

I'd return it and tell the seller to send it to GIA for grading.
Then, you'll reconsider buying it for the same price plus the price of grading.
If you decide to not buy it you'll pay for the GIA grading.

Kenny, I think the diamond is graded by GIA...

Why do you think that?
The OP did not say so.

She wrote it was a GIA graded N.

I have been searching for a "deal" for an OEC around 2.5 cts. I have an opportunity to buy a huge OEC locally for a deal. However, this is way bigger than I've been looking for, almost 4 cts, and it's lower color than I've wanted (N color GIA). I think this is a lot bigger than what my lifestyle and comfort zone would indicate. So I hate to pass up on this deal, but there is such a thing as too big, right?

I also have a secondary question. If I got this and decided later on it was too big, it seems like it would be pretty difficult to sell considering the size and possibly considering the color. The return policy is only 4 days, so I don't have long to change my mind if I got it. But if it's not too difficult to sell later on, then I won't have to feel like whatever decision I make now is final. I guess my question is, how hard would it be to sell if I changed my mind down the line?

No.
She wrote, "N color GIA".
That is a very different statement than GIA-graded N.

Says whom? GIA itself? a GG? An appraiser paid for by the seller? other.

If she says it has a GIA report, I'm satisfied.

 

[ariel144]

I'm with Enerchi..."too big?" ummm...not unless you have size 3 finger...lol...anyway, If i recall correctly, your budget is $11,000 for the stone, so if that is a GIA N and almost 4c. then I doubt you would have much trouble getting your money back out of it. You can always have it recut for better light performance and lose some of the size. Anyway hope it's the one for you Kim.

 

[Kim N]

My post may have gotten lost above, but it's already graded by GIA as an N.

 

[Kim N]

ariel, this is more than my budget. The only reason I'm considering it is the size.

 

[kenny]

My post may have gotten lost above, but it's already graded by GIA as an N.

Thanks for clarifying Kim.

Still, my point was valid.

Often Joe Shmoe (even if Joe is a GG) "says" it's color is so and so per GIA, which is not the same as GIA itself saying so.
I'm glad it has been clarified.

 

[Kim N]

I agree completely, Kenny. I would not want to go on their word that it's an N. What would your recommendation be now that you know it's GIA-graded?

 

[kenny]

I agree completely, Kenny. I would not want to go on their word that it's an N. What would your recommendation be now that you know it's GIA-graded?

Rereading your original post I'd say don't buy it.
You say it's too big for you to feel comfortable wearing and we read here again and again that non-pros can't make money buying and selling diamonds.
If this pro is willing to sell it at such a low price what price would YOU get? Almost certainly less.

So, you don't want to wear it and likely will lose money reselling it . . . so that makes it NOT a good deal.
It sounds like it will be a good deal for someone who wants to wear a 4 ct N-colored diamond.
That person's just not you.

Also, that 4-day return policy is suspicious.
What is the seller afraid of you learning if you had more time to have pros evaluate it?

This is my opinion.

 

[Kim N]

Thanks, kenny, those are good points. I guess I want to be someone who wants to wear a 4c N-colored diamond.

 

[kenny]

Thanks, kenny, those are good points. I guess I want to be someone who wants to wear a 4c N-colored diamond.

That's an entirely different matter.
One for your therapist.

Take two of these and you will be that person, and you'll be able to buy the diamond tomorrow morning and wear 4 cts without regrets.
Seriously, it's all in your head.
Think about it and make up your mind.
We can't help.

 

[Kim N]

Take two of these and you will be that person, and can buy the diamond tomorrow morning.

 

[ariel144]

Thanks, kenny, those are good points. I guess I want to be someone who wants to wear a 4c N-colored diamond.

That's an entirely different matter.
One for your therapist.

Take two of these and you will be that person, and you'll be able to buy the diamond tomorrow morning and wear 4 cts without regrets.
Seriously, it's all in your head.
Think about it and make up your mind.
We can't help.

LOL!

 

[vinjewels]

Hey Kim! That sounds like a great deal! Since I have recently been thru the process....
If the dealer/seller is local and B & M, he may not or may not want to mess with the online market and the time it takes to find an old cut buyer. Many I have found, have no interest. They just want the stones that are higher in color. These they can sell easier to a regular person walking in the store who doesn't know the value of old cuts and who may not understand the value of even the lower colored stones. I tried to explain what one store owner was missing out on and he just said that his business wasn't based on the old stuff. The money makers were the modern cuts.

There are several well known sellers of antique jewelry in Dallas/Ft. Worth who buy from him and flip the diamonds because he isn't interested in the marketing that goes along with old diamonds. He makes what he considers a fair profit and sees it as a win (because that inventory isn't sitting in his store). So it is possible. Whether or not others agree, that is just what I have seen in my little corner of the US.

Have you seen it in person? He is local. So I assume you have seen it. If so, what do YOU think? I would have never bought my 2.41 J OEC because I would have never thought I would wear something that big either. I know there's a big diff. between 4c. and 2.4, but just go see it. Spend a couple of days with it, if there's a question or doubt...I wouldn't do it. Make sure there is no fee for restocking or catches.

One thing to consider (and it got me) is, are you that particular about what you set it in? I spent so much on diamonds, I found (after shopping around) that I couldn't afford the settings I wanted to put it in. It all worked out as I am now selling the extra, but it is something to also consider!

Good luck!!

 

[Kim N]

Thanks for the input, vinjewels! They're local but about a 2-hour+ drive away, so I haven't seen it in person yet. I'll need to go see it, of course, but I didn't want to make the drive if I wasn't actually going to buy it. It's above budget and lower than I was looking for in color, so I'm only considering it because of the size. But this is an upgrade after all--just way bigger than I intended! Good point about the setting! I was just going to put it into a simple solitaire, so hopefully the setting costs won't be high.

 

[Lotus99]

I have a feeling that once you see it, you'll know if it's the right stone for you (or not).

 

[Mayk]

I totally get what you are saying.... About lifestyle... But you gotta love PS. We are not well!

Just curious what are the dimensions... oEC's face up smaller in my brief history here... And what are your setting plans? With a halo...it might be huge! just the first things that come to mind... But we need pictures. We must see it!!!