Repolishing a burnt diamond

[HopeDream]

Hi,
If I got a fairly bright 5mm ish RB diamond for less than $350, that happens to be a bit torched on the table, would it be worth it to have it sent away to be repolished (and graded?) or should I send it back?

How much does repolishing cost? I know GIA grading is about $125 or so.

Any recommendations on who to work with if I decide to go ahead?

Thanks for your help!

 

[AN0NYM0US]

I'm not sure if there is a huge difference between repolish and recut, but I do know Brian Gavin does recuts. I believe a recut costs min $350

 

[HopeDream]

reference pictures

 

[diamondloveaffair]

You might want to send it in to BGD. Besides touching up the surface, this diamond could do with a recut. The table is too large to make it into a GIA Excellent cut grading as it is now.

 

[Christina...]

Can you send the stone off to Brian and have him determine if its even a good candidate for a re-cut before you purchase it? I would definitely want to know before hand that it was an option and what the potential weight loss might be. Sounds like it could be a good deal though.

 

[HopeDream]

Anonymouse - a polish involves minimal weight loss (usually) they just touch up the existing facets. A recut involves cutting all the facets to new angles - much more extensive work.

diamondloveaffair - In this case, because it is a vintage is peice, I'm not nescessarily looking for an ideal cut diamond - just one that isn't cloudy. I'm not sure what the angles on this stone are, but I imagine if I did an entire re-cut o ideal specs. I'd end up with a .20ct melee stone

Christina - This is a ebay special that I'm trying to decide whether to return or not. I have to decide ASAP whether it's a keeper (with a minimal fix up) or if I should send it back and start again. hmmm...

Bling on a shoestring budget is fraught with peril.

WWPSD?

 

[NashvilleNights]

Brian recut a stone for me, he did an excellent job and I had him send it to the GIA. The GIA cost is $200 if my memory is correct.


Maybe a local jeweler could give it an acid bath if you don't want to mail it to BGD.

 

[maccers]

I had no idea this could happen! Learn something new every day. Looks like the burn isn't too bad - I hope repolishing does the trick.

For those that didn't know what a burnt diamond was (I had it look it up)
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-burned-diamonds.29911/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-burned-diamonds.29911/[/URL]

 

[GemFever]

I had no idea this could happen! Learn something new every day. Looks like the burn isn't too bad - I hope repolishing does the trick.

For those that didn't know what a burnt diamond was (I had it look it up)
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-burned-diamonds.29911/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-burned-diamonds.29911/[/URL]

I just found that same thread and learned about burned diamonds. Fun stuff! I always wondered what would happen to diamonds in a fire... and now I know PS is awesome

HopeDream, I posted in your Antique & Vintage thread. Let us know what you decide to do!

 

[CharmyPoo]

It's not a huge diamond and it has a really big table that is not appealing. To make a smaller table will likely result in a big loss in ct weight especially for a smaller diamond. To just clean it up may or may not be worth it depending on how you feel about the table size. I know recutting and repolishing is around $150 - $300 per ct.

I have also recently acquired an ebay burnt diamond. It is cut nicely and just under 7mm. I am going to invest in fixing up the diamond. Too bad I am in NYC but forgot to bring it with me. Based on what I read, just repolishing the burnt stuff off won't lose too much weight.

 

[Hera]

I would send it back. The table isn't just a little large, it's HUGE. There's too many ifs and the time/money may not yield a payoff. It's better to start over.

 

[denverappraiser]

It’s hard to tell much in a picture but if that black pepper looking stuff is internal, we’re talking about a half carat I1 or I2 with marginal cutting and unknown color after you get done messing with it. The polish job is going to cost you a couple of hundred plus some shipping so, at the end, you’ll have about $700 in it. You can check the database for comps but that seems like quite a bit of work for not all that much gain.

 

[AN0NYM0US]

Anonymouse - a polish involves minimal weight loss (usually) they just touch up the existing facets. A recut involves cutting all the facets to new angles - much more extensive work.

I knew that. I meant price wise. Let us know. I'm curious as to the price difference, if there is one at all.

 

[HopeDream]

Thank you everyone for your wisdom and experience!

I've posted it back. The refurb cost is higher than I can afford at this time, and There are other stones out there just waiting to be discovered.

NashvilleNights - yes I've worked with BGD on other projects ad been quite pleased. As it turns our even just a repolish is $350 plus shipping etc.

Maccers and GemFever - Yeah, I'm suprised we don't have more postings about burnt diamonds - it does happen from time to time. It seems like something the diamond community should be more aware of.

CharmyPoo - I hope your fix-up project goes well and that you will post before and after pics - exciting!

heraanderson - Yes the table is a bit too large for it to be a worthwhile fixer-upper.

denverappraiser - You make a good point - there are much nicer peices I could sink $700 in to.

Anonymouse - BGD cutting or polishing starts at $350. There is no price difference.

So that was a fun little adventure! I wonder what will happen next?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Good decision my dear I think Denver Appraiser made a good point -- your investment is likely not much of a deal after all that. I once almost bought a G SI1 GIA Ex from $1000 with a 5.2mm spread -- not much more for a much better stone. So I suspect this one would not have been such a deal after all the work.