Suggestions welcomed - My e-ring upgrade

[lesco]

Hi all,
I am dying to hear your opinions. After discussions with my DH, these are my options, regarding my e-ring upgrade. I thank you all before hand for your responses. Our budget for this is $4,000. Which option will you go for:

Option #1: Get a tiff upgrade, trading in my current e-ring:
My original e-ring was purchased from t&co. So I went there searching for info. here is what I was quoted:
.59 Round Brilliant
VS1
G
Classic tiff setting - Platinum
( I assume cut is decent)
$5,900
Based on the trade -in value of my current e-ring ( which I am not THAT THRILLED to give back), this will fit my budget. Is this a good deal or am I being ripped off?

Option #2: Keep current e-ring ( for sentimental reasons) and use the $4,000 for a new ring purchase.
If so, what would be the average carat size I could purchase with 4,000. Ideally, I would not like to go below a VS2 and G in color. Hopefully, I would like to buy a basic setting (pla) with this budget.

I will also appreciate any comments regarding this question. What are your suggestions regarding ideal carat size for a size 5.5 finger. I am hoping for an ideal size.... not too big, not too small.


Thank you so much for all the information and your opinions.

 

[swingirl]

Sorry, I don''t understand what the $5,900 is for. A new ring from Tiffany? What size?

 

[lesco]

$ 5,900 is the price I was quoted for the following ring:
.59 carat
VS2
G
Classic tiff setting in platinum.

 

[ImpatientOne]

There is no way I'd pay $5900 for a .59 stone! Do a PS search and you'll see for that price you can get a much larger H&A stone Ideal cut stone!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2237/ - GOG .704 VS2 H for $2894

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636727.htm - WF .713 VS2 H ACA for $2886

And the list goes on!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Hi Lesco,

My vote is for option# 2. This way you get to keep your original e-ring/diamond and maybe you can make it into something sentimental like a pendant AND you can get way more bang for your buck!

Given your finger size and your budget, I think that an "ideal carat size" would be around the .75 mark or so, which is quite a bit larger than the .59 that you would be able to upgrade to if you went with option # 1 and the Tiffany's upgrade.

I found to seemingly gorgeous diamonds, via the PS Diamond Cut Quality Search Tool, for you that are right within your stated range. Click the links below if you would like to check them out.

0.81 G/VS2, $3,858 (bankwire price)

0.753 G/VS2, $3,531 (bankwire price) *note, this one is presently showing as "reserved", however, you can always contact Whiteflash to let them know you are interested if someone doesn't purchase it?

This one is a branded ideal cut - A Cut Above diamond.

**eta - The following links are to some settings which might interest you as well.

WF Sleek Lines
6-Prong Tiffany Style

Good luck with your upgrade!

 

[3shebabes]

Hey there! Congrats on getting the go-ahead from your hubby for an exciting upgrade. I am curious, however, what your original e-ring is like. You said it was from Tiff's, but what was it? (shape, size, color, clarity, etc) --

Also -- I am no where near as knowledgeable about these matters as many of the regulars on PS, but here is my 2 cents: I would seriously consider NOT going with Tiffany's this time. I know that Tiffany's offers beautiful well-cut diamonds and very sturdy, beautiful settings, but honestly..so do many other vendors that are regularly mentioned on PS.

My hubby gave me a 10-year upgrade stone iin September (which is just now being set, finally...) - but while we were shopping for my upgrade stone, we visited Tiffany's to compare stats on actual stones and price them. To make a long story short, we ended up buying my new stone from James Allen online and it is a G SI1 AGS Triple 0 ideal cut round brilliant. So we know the cut is fabulous and it is a beautiful stone. When we went to Tiff's, we priced a stone that was nearly identical in color, clarity and slightly smaller in size than mine and the cost difference was nothing less than STAGGERING. They wanted approx. 66% more for the same thing. My husband was floored.

For an upgrade, especially, when you want to get plenty of flash for your cash, I would seriously think about looking for a GREAT stone (maybe an AGS Ideal 0 cut! I can vouch for their beauty!) from one of the vendors on PS. Our James Allen experience was great...and my new stone truly impressed the independent appraiser we used.

Tell us what your original e-ring is like -- so we'll know what you would consider an upgrade. I assume it was smaller than the .59 Tiffany's quoted you on -- but it would help to know what you are upgrading from...

 

[lesco]

Well, my original e-ring is a .29 carat, VVS1, F, Classic tiff knife edge.
I guess this will be alarmingly small for most PSers.

 

[lesco]

Thank yo so much... WOW, I can get a lot more for my $$$. I''m happy.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/9/2008 12:22:18 AM
Author: lesco
Thank yo so much... WOW, I can get a lot more for my $$$. I''m happy.

Great!

Please keep us updated or let us know what you decide to go with.

 

[lesco]

Sure I will. I am showing my hubby this post as I write. We are very thankful for all the advice.
BTW, I think it''s safe to say that option #1 is OUT. We might be able to visit good old gold HQ in Long Island. Unfortunately, I don''t think my other half will go with an online purchase on this. ( I know, it sucks).

I will keep you all posted.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/9/2008 12:40:29 AM
Author: lesco
Sure I will. I am showing my hubby this post as I write. We are very thankful for all the advice.
BTW, I think it''s safe to say that option #1 is OUT. We might be able to visit good old gold HQ in Long Island. Unfortunately, I don''t think my other half will go with an online purchase on this. ( I know, it sucks).

I will keep you all posted.

Make the trip to GOG, you won''t be sorry. I have bought from them twice now, and am thrilled. Make an appointment to see Jonathon, he''s great to work with!!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/9/2008 12:40:29 AM
Author: lesco
Sure I will. I am showing my hubby this post as I write. We are very thankful for all the advice.
BTW, I think it''s safe to say that option #1 is OUT. We might be able to visit good old gold HQ in Long Island. Unfortunately, I don''t think my other half will go with an online purchase on this. ( I know, it sucks).

I will keep you all posted.

Good stuff! A visit to Good Old Gold would be great ... from what I understand, they are fantastic, incredibly knowledge, carry top notch diamonds and settings and will treat you well! Now, if you are interested in that particular GOG diamond I posted for you ... you really should call them and ask them to put it on hold for you before someone lurking swipes it out from under you. There is no charge to "reserve" a diamond while you consider it''s purchase. I think that they will only do it for 24 hrs though but I may be wrong.

I love that you are sharing this thread with your hubby and that option# 1 is out ... maybe hubby is getting bit by the Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome (DSS) bug as well?? Hubby, repeat after me ... Upgrades are good ... very good!

If it helps hubby with the online purchasing at all ... If you buy online from WF, for example, if you are in NY and they are in TX, you may not have to pay sales tax as sales tax is not applicable many "out of state" purchases. How''s that for a bonus?

 

[3shebabes]

If your husband can't stomach the thought of an online purchase (which I can understand, but I have done it online myself now twice with great results) -- I think it would be great if you could make a trip to Good Old Gold. I've never dealt with them but tons of people on Pricescope have and they have a great reputation here. Wow! With $4k to spend, you can definitely get a terrific upgrade from your original e-ring! Bear in mind, too, though - that most of the popular vendors on Pricescope have great return policies. James Allen's return period is 30 days!

One thing to consider: I never thought I'd consider an SI1 clarity stone, but was told by Dave at James Allen diamonds over the phone that my stone (an SI1) was totally eye-clean and he wasn't kidding! My appraiser actually remarked that he would have graded it as a VS2 because the tiny inclusions were so invisible to the naked eye and so minor. I am very sensitive to color, so I only felt comfortable going down to a G color-wise, much like you, but I'm here to tell you, there are some seriously eye-clean and gorgeous SI1 clarity diamonds out there and dropping one level in clarity would allow even more bang for your buck...as long as you find one that is eye-clean. Seeing diamonds in person at Good Old Gold would allow you to see some SI1 stones up close and personal and if they happen to have some nice, clean SI1's on hand that may fit the bill for you...I think you'll see what I mean.

As for the "perfect" carat size for a 5.5 finger, I can't answer that. No one can. It is a totally personal decision and completely a matter of taste. I can tell you thought that a stone in the range you're likely to find with your paramaters & budget (say between .65 and .80 carat perhaps) - will look very nice and substantial on a finger your size!

Good luck! How exciting and fun! You're in for such a nice increase in size -- I am sure you'll find a stone you'll be thrilled with!

 

[honey22]

Just a thought? Maybe the others can chime in here with the answer, is there any chance that the old setting could be used, maybe even just the shank and get a new head? That way you could keep some of your old ering for sent. reasons and maybe save some $$$ to go to the stone ?!

 

[monarch64]

Date: 3/9/2008 6:59:18 AM
Author: honey22
Just a thought? Maybe the others can chime in here with the answer, is there any chance that the old setting could be used, maybe even just the shank and get a new head? That way you could keep some of your old ering for sent. reasons and maybe save some $$$ to go to the stone ?!

Exactly...then put a meaningful colored stone into the old mount! Voila! Brand new ring.

Good luck, honey22. Sounds like you have a wonderful upgrade coming. Congrats!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/9/2008 12:22:18 AM
Author: lesco
Thank yo so much... WOW, I can get a lot more for my $$$. I''m happy.

Yes, you sure can.

And I''m not shocked at your original, I wore about the same size for 24 years.

If you can get to GOG, PLEASE go. Not only will they take great care of you, you can actually look at different colors and clarities. What you might find is that you can easily go down from your current specs, and get even bigger.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I have to agree that I would go with option 2 as well...not just because it is a way better deal, but because I am very sentimental and would want to keep the ring my DH proposed with. I would also not change anything about your original e-ring (reset stone, use original setting) because, well, it''s a Tiffany piece! That is your choice, though

. I think that visiting GOG is a great idea, and how lucky for you that you are able to do so! Good luck in your search, and have fun!

 

[lesco]

Thank you for all of your responses.

Regarding using the current setting, My e-ring has a lot of sentimental value to me, especially because my hubby has NO CLUE about anything having to do with jewerly, let alone diamonds. All things considered, he did a hell of a job picking it up for me. I would like to keep it as is.
After months of drooling over everyone else''s e-rings, I''ve discovered I LOVE DIAMONDS and yes, I am excited about this purchase.

The paradox is that I work really close to the diamond district in NYC, yet, I''ve been so aprehensive in finding out info. from vendors in the area. I would love to hear recommendations regarding reputable vendors in NY. I am so afraid of getting ripped off.

I took at some of the settings offered by GOG. I''m in love with this setting by Mark Morell. Jeez, I have a feeling this is a pricey one. Does anyone know the price of this setting? Although I am hoping to visit GOG some time soon, I am just eager to know if I can afford it:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/MM-Flame-NoDiamonds/

Thank you all

 

[ImpatientOne]

Bot Good Old Gold and Signed Pieces ( www.signedpieces.com ) are in the diamond district. Both have great reputations here. Engagment Rings Direct (ERD www.engagementringsdirect.com) are in NY as well and come highly recommended by the folks here...

 

[marcy]

You appear to be very attached to your original ering so I would definitely keep it. I thought I would wear mine after I upgraded but soon found that wasn''t likely to happen so I had the .15 solitaire and 2 side stones mounted in a heart shaped pendant. I wear it quite a bit and enjoy knowing where the diamonds came from. Have fun shopping for your new ering.