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Re-cutting a diamond

J

jmarshall

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 17, 2012
Messages
249
I've been in the process of ring shopping for the (future) Mrs. Marshall...... and have a question.

My uncle, whom I was very close to, passed away at the beginning of August. Among his possessions were his wedding ring, which I am getting... He also had another ring. 4 Smaller diamonds in the corners of a square, with a large one in the middle. By the best guess of a local jeweler, and myself (going off diameter only), the center is a 2.5-3 carat round......

Considering purchasing it from his estate.... And having it turned into an engagement ring.... Only problem is, she wants a princess.

So, my question is, how much carat weight would be lost in the transformation, and how much would it cost to have it (re) cut?
 
Oh please don't cut an old round into a princess cut! You will lose a lot of weight and someone might LOVE to have the old ring or old diamond as it is! Just sell it and start over if you are certain she wouldn't want a round. Can you take a picture and post it?
 
Its getting appraised for the estate right now. They'll be selling it for fair market so if I'm not turning it into what she wants, I might as well not buy it.
 
You have to post the picture below by clicking upload attachment.

I was asking because a lot of people here like old diamonds! But no, you would lose too much weight cutting a princess from a round. It would be a waste to do that. You are better off buying her a new diamond

Ideal cut princess stones can be found at WhiteFlash and Good Old Gold. That is your best bet in getting a well cut princess stone.
 
Sorry for your loss.

We don't want to have broken links on PS so all pictures are supposed to be uploaded to the forum.
 
I know you said she wants a princess. And I want to honor that.

But I also want to encourage you to ask her if she might be okay with a setting that makes the round look square. She might not be okay. But it might be worth an ask.

Here are some examples.

_1381.jpg

_1382.jpg

3005-05d.jpg

r437-07ad.jpg
 
Again its a very poor quality photo, to give an idea of size perspective, my ring finger is a 14.

And, I'll have to talk to her. She understands sentimental value, so if this is an option, she might be perfectly happy with it.

imag0517.jpg
 
That doesn't look like a 2 carat stone.

eng430.jpg
 
I was just guessing, based on diameter.... The square that it is set in is approx .5x.5 inches
 
jmarshall|1350510259|3287323 said:
I was just guessing, based on diameter.... The square that it is set in is approx .5x.5 inches
Click to expand...

How many milometers would you estimate the diameter of the stone at. The square metal area thing is meaningless.
 
Looks to be about 1ct or smaller to me?
It will be a very small princess if you recut it.

do you need to use it for an Ering?
keep it and start afresh
 
I"m going to take a stab that it's a little over half the size of the square. 1/2 inch is 12.7mm so half of that is 6.35. That would be a little under 1 carat, not 3.

By the way, the weight loss to cut a round to a princess will be WAY too much to consider it for economic reasons. If you're looking for sentimental issues it IS possible but you're looking at a half carater or less and the cost of cutting is quite likely to be more than the value of the stone.
 
Gypsy|1350509316|3287311 said:
I know you said she wants a princess. And I want to honor that.

But I also want to encourage you to ask her if she might be okay with a setting that makes the round look square. She might not be okay. But it might be worth an ask.

Here are some examples.
Click to expand...

Gypsy, I gotta know: where is the setting in the 3rd photo from the top from? I love those prongs and the engraving on the top of the shank! :love:
 
I will try and get better photos and measurement tomorrow.
 
rubybeth|1350514765|3287363 said:
Gypsy|1350509316|3287311 said:
I know you said she wants a princess. And I want to honor that.

But I also want to encourage you to ask her if she might be okay with a setting that makes the round look square. She might not be okay. But it might be worth an ask.

Here are some examples.
Click to expand...

Gypsy, I gotta know: where is the setting in the 3rd photo from the top from? I love those prongs and the engraving on the top of the shank! :love:
Click to expand...

I adore it too. I was like :love: http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=3932
 
jmarshall|1350506882|3287276 said:
Its getting appraised for the estate right now. They'll be selling it for fair market so if I'm not turning it into what she wants, I might as well not buy it.
Click to expand...
The appraisal report should contain this information as well as the grading data to the extent that the mounting will allow. Tiny details make big differences in this business and it's far better to use data from a pro, especially since you've already hired one, than to try and guess at it.
 
Get her the princess cut. It is her ring-she has to wear it. If you can't afford a big princess, tell her she can have this diamond or a smaller princess. I would keep the old diamond and have it mounted in a pendant and give it to her for a special occasion-like the birth of your first child-thus keeping it in your family and honoring your relative. I was not a fan of old cuts UNTIL I found this website and the posters here have swayed my opinion :appl: .
 
I talked to her last night, she said that she understands it has a high sentimental value, and as such, would be honored to wear it if that is what I would choose to do. I guess now it will come down to finding out what the appraised value on it is, and making a decision from there as to whether I want that or something else....... Plus, just because I want it, that doesn't preclude someone else from the family from wanting it too...... :|
 
Be aware that 'fair market value' is actually a decently complicated concept and most people don't understand it. It should be explained in the report but if you don't understand, ask the appraiser. It usually does NOT mean the amount that the estate will be able to realize on resale. Read the entire appraisal report, not just the value conclusion.

I agree, if some other family member 'outbids' you, they should get it. Allowing this to happen on a more-or-less level playing field where everyone involved is reasonably aware of the relevant facts is part of the reason for estate appraisals in the first place.
 
Here's a better photo

by my best measurement with a ruler it is 6.5-7mm range, which i guess is 1-1.25 ct.

imag0518.jpg
 
On my screen the diamond diameter is 35% of the penny. A real life penny i have is 19 mm and 35% of that is 6.68mm, so .... let's say 1.1 cts.
 
Just an update... I did not end up getting the ring, the rest of the family wasn't ok with me dismantling it......I was ok with that though.

I did, get one of his rings though, his wedding ring. Way more important to me anyways.


Here's a pic. Diamonds are 25 pts each.

imag0516.jpg
 
Very nice! And it is good you can start fresh and get her what she really wants!
 
It needs cleaned. I don't actually have it in hand yet, its still in the safe deposit box..... but I'm pretty thrilled to have it.
 
congrats- that looks like a great piece to hold close and remember your uncle- sorry for you loss.
This is a very personal thing- a ring like that- he must have loved it.
 
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