Re-Setting Antique Diamond Ring

[Win04ever]

hello,

I’ve realized my budget for a diamond ($3000) best lends itself to purchasing a used-diamond/antique diamond ring.

I’ve been browsing some sites online and have noticed some diamonds greater than 1 ct - graded I/J in some setting that aren’t exactly my type.

Would it be wise to purchase an antique stone and have it set in a simple rose gold setting? Could I purchase the ring and go to my local jeweler for a setting?

Any thoughts/advice/recommendations would be much appreciated. Thank you!!

 

[Bron357]

You might find that most “pre loved” rings won’t come with a GIA or similar lab report. Usually the “best” supporting documentation is a jewellers appraisal for insurance purposes and that is just an estimate, in the setting, of the diamond carat, colour and clarity. It is sufficient normally but a long way short of a GIA report.
I wouldn’t buy any diamond or ring without at least a jewellers appraisal for carat, colour and clarity.
You will find a diamond with a colour lower than I will look yellow (further down the alphabet more yellow) and avoid any clarity S12 or any I or P gradings. These are full of crystal flaws and carbon spots which are likely to be eye visible. Avoid any diamond called “clarity enhanced” and read any descriptions fully and very carefully. People often refer to CZ or Moissanite as “diamonds” but in the fine print mention “man made”.
A “stock setting” is most price friendly. Depending on the shape of the diamond ie a Round brillant there are literally hundreds of ring mounts that you could buy and have a bench jeweller set your diamond into. Other less common shapes ie pear or oval shape will mean less choice for a stock setting.
A simple 6 prong setting in 14kt gold will be around $400, a jeweller will charge another $50 - $100 to set your diamond. Ring settings go up in cost once they get “fancier” and have diamond accents / halos etc.
If you are buying online you need to make sure there is a return policy if you don’t like the diamond once you receive it.
Happy hunting!

 

[elizat]

Do you prefer a modern cut stone or an antique stone? I'm not good with modern stones, but this stone below is in your budget and I think it is pretty. You could do a simple setting likely from Stuller and stay close in range:

https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/83ct-oecut-diamond-gia-i-vs2

This is a modern stone and I am clueless on whether it's a good price because I don't purchase modern cuts, but it's close to budget and Erica may work with you on price a bit. She also could help with a mounting:

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/0-74ct-triple-ex-round-brilliant-cut-diamond-gia-d-w-sbf-si1/

 

[Bron357]

Looking on eBay if you want to have a 1 carat diamond, the standout issue is the clarity. A lot of them are I 1 or I 2. That’s very poor. You’d be expect to be able to easily see inclusions and the level of inclusions is likely to affect sparkle.
I think a diamond for around $2,500 (allowing for a new ring mount and setting fee) is likely to be be closer to .80 carat to get a H /I colour and SI clarity.
Man made or Lab grown diamonds ie Lightbox by De beers (and not to be confused with CZ or Moissanite which are diamond look alikes) might mean bigger for a better colour and clarity but that’s not natural, from the earth

 

[Win04ever]

Looking on eBay if you want to have a 1 carat diamond, the standout issue is the clarity. A lot of them are I 1 or I 2. That’s very poor. You’d be expect to be able to easily see inclusions and the level of inclusions is likely to affect sparkle.
I think a diamond for around $2,500 (allowing for a new ring mount and setting fee) is likely to be be closer to .80 carat to get a H /I colour and SI clarity.
Man made or Lab grown diamonds ie Lightbox by De beers (and not to be confused with CZ or Moissanite which are diamond look alikes) might mean bigger for a better colour and clarity but that’s not natural, from the earth

Thank you for your response. I’m not completely sold on the idea of lab diamonds, but thank you. For instance, I found this ring (through recommended vendors). https://ivyandrose.com/products/1-1...engagement-ring-white-gold-solitaire-band-1-2

I am not a fan of the band- would it make sense for me to snag up this ring and swap out the setting?

Edit to add other option: https://ivyandrose.com/products/1-6...ut-round-engagement-ring-white-gold-solitaire

 

[Bron357]

Ivy & Rose are recommended vendors here, in fact I bought one of their pre loved rings and they set my sapphire into it.
There are many happy buyers here on Pricescope.
Although the diamond grading is I 1, their comment can be trusted.
It is a very good price.
You should contact them and ask for them to make you a 4 or 6 prong Rose gold setting (they manufacture as well) and ask if they can take the original setting you don’t like and give you its scrap value off the overall price.
It’s always cheaper and more fluid to do everything with the one vendor.
Their pieces do tend to go quickly so if you’re keen on that diamond don’t delay too long.
Here’s my ring from them.

 

[tyty333]

Some suggestions...JA has a trade in policy. You have to spend 2X so someday if you/she wants to upgrade to better color/clarity/size you can.
Not our favored angles but still ok. Etched channel for inclusion. Like I said, gets you size for now and trade up policy for future.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5882752

I* would rather see you get a Super Ideal that allows trade up for just spending more than what your original stone cost (instead of 2x). These
stones will have edge to edge brilliance and may look bigger than some of the stones you are looking at. They may not be the size she wants but
the sparkle she gets from these stones (vs some of the others) will knock her socks off.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4045340.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4027059.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4019083.htm

 

[MakingTheGrade]

You may also want to browse loupetroop. Many pricescopers post there and I’ve made purchases of over 5k with no issues from well known posters

Personally I’d get this:
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...er/cbi-three-stone-ring-18k-white-gold-size-6

The super ideal cut and being a 3 stone mean it will have very admirable presence and finger coverage. I suspect it might even be more note worthy than a mediocre cut 1 cut solitaire.

 

[Win04ever]

Ivy & Rose are recommended vendors here, in fact I bought one of their pre loved rings and they set my sapphire into it.
There are many happy buyers here on Pricescope.
Although the diamond grading is I 1, their comment can be trusted.
It is a very good price.
You should contact them and ask for them to make you a 4 or 6 prong Rose gold setting (they manufacture as well) and ask if they can take the original setting you don’t like and give you its scrap value off the overall price.
It’s always cheaper and more fluid to do everything with the one vendor.
Their pieces do tend to go quickly so if you’re keen on that diamond don’t delay too long.
Here’s my ring from them.

Great, that’s good to know. I’ll let my SO know they can do this. Thank you!

 

[elliefire99]

If you are liking the look of the antique diamonds, it's worth noting that some 1ish-carat plus diamonds are within your price range with August Vintage diamonds. Many of them are lower in color that your H-J qualification, but since the light return is so incredible, they will face up waaay whiter.

All the in-house diamonds have been 15% off for the last few months, plus a current extra 5% off the sale price for cyber week/the holidays. Puts a lot more of them in budget

Hopefully the filters stay on with this link:
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...=Carat_1.00-1.19ct&pf_t_carat=Carat_.90-.99ct

If you are into ovals, special shout out to the K, 0.91 ct Opulence Oval With all the sales, it comes down to $2726.
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/collections/diamonds/products/0-91ct-k-vs2-august-vintage-oval