Upgrade to Shane classic or start over with PS vendor?

[wennie]

Hi everyone! I have a round solitaire from Shane Co. It came with a cert from IGI (I know, not the best).

0.40 ct
Color: H
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Ideal (not!)
Finish: VG / VG
Measurements: 4.76 - 4.79 x 2.92 MM
$1,145

I realize this is not enough information to give an opinon, and I don''t have a very good camera either. From everything I have read here on this wonderful site, I know that my diamond has leakage. In certain lighting, it is like someone turned down the dimmer switch on the outer edges of the stone. It has some fire and a little sparkle, but nothing spectacular. Also, I can see a little cloudiness in the middle. The clarity plot shows a spot in the middle of the stone. I''m not sure if it is a feather or a cloud and there is no explanation of the symbol used (red dotted line in an oval shape).

I would like to have an ideal cut stone, 0.25 - 0.33, G/H and VS or SI1 clarity. I think I could find something in this range for $1,000.00 online. Or I could spend the $1,000 to upgrade to a Shane Classic stone which start at $2,000 for 0.50 ct. I don''t know what color or clarity a stone in this price range would have. The cut is the most important thing to me.

I am not too thrilled about the job they did setting the stone. It is a plain 4 prong setting. It seems a little crooked. Again, I wish I could show you a picture. I wanted the diamond set low, and the prongs seem to overpower the stone and one of the prongs is higher. I guess I don''t like the workmanship. This is what is prompting me to look elswhere.

I wish I had known about pricescope before. There is such a wealth of information, and lovely pictures of fabulous gems! Thanks for your advice!

 

[jstarfireb]

Take that stone back and buy online! You''ll get a much better cut stone for the price. And in fact, you can get a bigger stone for the price. Consider the $2k that you would spend on a half-carat from Shane Co. You could get this stone for a tad less. Or this one. If you limited your budget to $1000, you could get 0.44 carats with your desired specs. And for $500 you could get this one. All of these stones promise to be more sparkly and beautiful than the Shane Co. stones because they''re AGS ideal cut. And they''re all less expensive! WF also has a nice 4-prong Tiffany solitaire for only $250 in WG, and their workmanship is excellent.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/1/2008 1:43:53 AM
Author: jstarfireb
Take that stone back and buy online! You''ll get a much better cut stone for the price. And in fact, you can get a bigger stone for the price. Consider the $2k that you would spend on a half-carat from Shane Co. You could get this stone for a tad less. Or this one. If you limited your budget to $1000, you could get 0.44 carats with your desired specs. And for $500 you could get this one. All of these stones promise to be more sparkly and beautiful than the Shane Co. stones because they''re AGS ideal cut. And they''re all less expensive! WF also has a nice 4-prong Tiffany solitaire for only $250 in WG, and their workmanship is excellent.

Ditto Jstar!

 

[wennie]

Date: 8/1/2008 1:43:53 AM
Author: jstarfireb
Take that stone back and buy online! You''ll get a much better cut stone for the price. And in fact, you can get a bigger stone for the price. Consider the $2k that you would spend on a half-carat from Shane Co. You could get this stone for a tad less. Or this one. If you limited your budget to $1000, you could get 0.44 carats with your desired specs. And for $500 you could get this one. All of these stones promise to be more sparkly and beautiful than the Shane Co. stones because they''re AGS ideal cut. And they''re all less expensive! WF also has a nice 4-prong Tiffany solitaire for only $250 in WG, and their workmanship is excellent.

Thanks so much for the advice. I have had my diamond for quite a while, so I can only upgrade. You have helped convince me to buy online. I know I will be much happier with a smaller, a cut above stone, expertly set. Thanks!!

 

[swingirl]

Do what many of us have done. Put the original stone in a pendant (Whiteflash has a nice selection) and buy something new from one of the trusted PS vendors for your finger. What you would be spending on the Shane upgrade is too much and you won''t get anything much better than what you already have.

 

[marcy]

Wennie, I have a .53 Shane Classic AGS0 and love it. Yes, you can get something as nice online cheaper. I will be anxious to see what you get.