upgrading my diamonds?

[SandraPaneczko]

I have a Leo diamond engagement ring and a Leo diamond enhancer. When my husband and I decided it was time to purchase wedding rings, I knew I wanted at least VS clarity and at least G color. We looked all over and I found many that I liked but my husband was being very picky. What we found were either two much or to little for his taste,I wanted him to be happy with our choice. We went into Kay jewelers, when I found these rings... they were the ones, but there was one problem. NO VS!!!! only SI. The lady informed me that I could order VS but it would take 6-8 months and she explained why. I was not about to go that long with no ring on my finger so we bought the SI with the intent to upgrade later on. Well recently I noticed a tiny black spec in one of my enhancer diamonds.It is very very small but I can see it. I was very displeased and I couldn't figure out how I missed it all this time. I can see it in dull lighting and when I tilt my ring but not in very bright florescent lighting. I tried to show my husband but he couldn't see it. I was frantic. I am fascinated by jewelery so I have been in many different stores that have offered to clean my rings but only one did not do it in front of me. I thought maybe the stone was switched because I couldn't figure how I overlooked it before buying. It just ran through my mind but I really didn't think that was the case. I decided to bring it to kays and mention what I saw. Before I did, I brought it to a place near by just to get an opinion from someone other than who I bought the ring from. She noticed it was there an reassured me that its normal in an SI stone and that if I could see that with my naked eye then I have great eyes. I felt much better, so then I took it to kays and the GIA/IGI certified gemologist who was the manager of Kays told me I should go into Marine Biology because there has only been one person in the last year go into the store who could see an inclusion in a SI stone. So I feel much better to know my diamond was not switched and I was not taken advantage of by Kays. Anyways I know its there and I can see it when I look at my rings and that's not what I wanted. This is why I wanted VS. My question is..... is it a good investment for me to upgrade my 5 stones to VS or VVS. I' thinking it will cost about $250 for my center stone and anywhere from $100-150 for each of the enhancer stones.I am sure that I will be much happier with a VS and a better color stone. SORRY FOR THE LONG POST

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/13/2008 4:15:50 AM
Author:SandraPaneczko
I have a Leo diamond engagement ring and a Leo diamond enhancer. When my husband and I decided it was time to purchase wedding rings, I knew I wanted at least VS clarity and at least G color. We looked all over and I found many that I liked but my husband was being very picky. What we found was either two much or to little for his taste,I wanted him to like what we ended up with. We went into Kay Jewelers and when I tried in these ring we both new that they were the ones, but there was one problem. NO VS!!!! only SI. They lady informed me that I could order VS but it would take 6-8 months and she explained why. I was not about to go that long with no ring on my finger so we bought the SI with the intent to upgrade later on. Well recently I noticed a tiny black spec in one of my enhancer diamonds.It is very very small but I can see it. I was very displeased and I couldn't figure out how I missed it all this time. I can see it in dull lighting and when I tilt my ring but not in very bright florescent lighting. I tried to show my husband but he couldn't see it. I was frantic. I am fascinated by jewelery so I have been in many different stores that have offered to clean my rings but only one did not do it in front of me. I thought maybe the stone was witched because I couldn't figure how I overlooked it before buying. It just ran through my mind but I really didn't think that was the case. I decided to bring it to kays and mention what I saw. Before I did, I brought it to a place near by just to get an opinion from someone other than who I bought the ring from. She noticed it was there an reassured me that its normal in an SI stone and that if I could see that with my naked eye then I have great eyes. I felt much better, so then I took it to kays and the lady told me I should go into Marine Biology because there has only been one person in the last year go into the store who could see an inclusion in a SI stone. So I feel much better to know my diamond was not switched and I was not taken advantage of by Kays. Anyways I know its there and I can see it when I look at my rings and that's not what I wanted. This is why I wanted VS. My question is..... is it a good investment for me to upgrade my 5 stones to VS or VVS. I' thinking it will cost about $250 for my center stone and anywhere from $100-150 for each of the enhancer stones.I am sure that I will be much happier with a VS and a better color stone. SORRY FOR THE LONG POST

Sandra,

I very much doubt your stone was switched - maybe you could try a good professional cleaning again just in case it is a bit of muck stuck on the diamond? Sometimes this can happen that all of a sudden an inclusion can pop out of a diamond you have had for a while if the lighting is right. However it wouldn't be a good investment financially to upgrade your stones to VS or VVS as diamonds are poor investments generally. But if it would make you happy and you can afford to do so, realizing that if you wanted to ever resell your ring that it wouldn't significantly increase the value then go ahead. It could be that changing the diamonds would be a good investment in your happiness and with diamonds that is what it is all about!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/13/2008 4:31:15 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/13/2008 4:15:50 AM
Author:SandraPaneczko
I have a Leo diamond engagement ring and a Leo diamond enhancer. When my husband and I decided it was time to purchase wedding rings, I knew I wanted at least VS clarity and at least G color. We looked all over and I found many that I liked but my husband was being very picky. What we found was either two much or to little for his taste,I wanted him to like what we ended up with. We went into Kay Jewelers and when I tried in these ring we both new that they were the ones, but there was one problem. NO VS!!!! only SI. They lady informed me that I could order VS but it would take 6-8 months and she explained why. I was not about to go that long with no ring on my finger so we bought the SI with the intent to upgrade later on. Well recently I noticed a tiny black spec in one of my enhancer diamonds.It is very very small but I can see it. I was very displeased and I couldn't figure out how I missed it all this time. I can see it in dull lighting and when I tilt my ring but not in very bright florescent lighting. I tried to show my husband but he couldn't see it. I was frantic. I am fascinated by jewelery so I have been in many different stores that have offered to clean my rings but only one did not do it in front of me. I thought maybe the stone was witched because I couldn't figure how I overlooked it before buying. It just ran through my mind but I really didn't think that was the case. I decided to bring it to kays and mention what I saw. Before I did, I brought it to a place near by just to get an opinion from someone other than who I bought the ring from. She noticed it was there an reassured me that its normal in an SI stone and that if I could see that with my naked eye then I have great eyes. I felt much better, so then I took it to kays and the lady told me I should go into Marine Biology because there has only been one person in the last year go into the store who could see an inclusion in a SI stone. So I feel much better to know my diamond was not switched and I was not taken advantage of by Kays. Anyways I know its there and I can see it when I look at my rings and that's not what I wanted. This is why I wanted VS. My question is..... is it a good investment for me to upgrade my 5 stones to VS or VVS. I' thinking it will cost about $250 for my center stone and anywhere from $100-150 for each of the enhancer stones.I am sure that I will be much happier with a VS and a better color stone. SORRY FOR THE LONG POST

Sandra,

I very much doubt your stone was switched - maybe you could try a good professional cleaning again just in case it is a bit of muck stuck on the diamond? Sometimes this can happen that all of a sudden an inclusion can pop out of a diamond you have had for a while if the lighting is right. However it wouldn't be a good investment financially to upgrade your stones to VS or VVS as diamonds are poor investments generally. But if it would make you happy and you can afford to do so, realizing that if you wanted to ever resell your ring that it wouldn't significantly increase the value then go ahead. It could be that changing the diamonds would be a good investment in your happiness and with diamonds that is what it is all about!

Ditto everything.
Also, just FYI - regarding what I have highlighted. This is not really true. First off, there can often be a big difference between SI1 and SI2, so not a great idea to lump them together
Secondly, not all SI1's are made equally - every one will have different types and sizes of inclusions - whether they are eye visible or not will depend on the grading Lab, cut (both shape and proportions), size of stone , etc..
If it is an accurately graded SI1 (ie. GIA or AGS), chances are its eyeclean and you do have good eyes. It is also possible though to get horribly included SI1's, or on the other spectrum eyeclean SI2's and even I1's.
I hope you don't mind me mentioning it, I just didn't want you to walk away from your discussion at Kays with the wrong impression.

As to whether you should upgrade your stones, Lorelei pretty much nailed it - if it bothers you then do so, but don't think of it in terms of a financial investment.

hth !

 

[SandraPaneczko]

The black spec I see is very small and under certain lighting, I cant see it. The stone still sparkles just the same. I figured, I already spent 6,299 on my rings. if 6-800 more will make me feel better then why not. I don''t want to have paid that much, just to think of that little spec every time I look at my rings. I will probably pay more than the value of my rings will increase butt... I don''t plan on getting new rings just as I don''t plan on getting a new husband he he. So selling is out of the question. When I do upgrade the stone there is no doubt that the quality will be better. VS is better than SI, am I on the right track?

 

[MMT]

If you can afford it then I would go for it. My first diamond had a visible inclusion and it drove me crazy. My eyes were drawn to it. I have a VS1 now and love it.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/13/2008 5:47:53 AM
Author: SandraPaneczko
The black spec I see is very small and under certain lighting, I cant see it. The stone still sparkles just the same. I figured, I already spent 6,299 on my rings. if 6-800 more will make me feel better then why not. I don''t want to have paid that much, just to think of that little spec every time I look at my rings. I will probably pay more than the value of my rings will increase butt... I don''t plan on getting new rings just as I don''t plan on getting a new husband he he. So selling is out of the question. When I do upgrade the stone there is no doubt that the quality will be better. VS is better than SI, am I on the right track?

Absolutely, it could be well worth it if it makes you happier! Just don''t think if you invest more money in higher clarity diamonds that if you trade the ring or diamonds in, that you might get the money back, it doesn''t really work that way unfortunately. As to VS being '' better'' than SI, VS is higher on the clarity grading yes but whether it is better is subject to opinion. If you would feel as part of the pleasure invested in your ring that VS diamonds would be better, then that is the right choice for you!

 

[SandraPaneczko]

with no light

 

[SandraPaneczko]

closer

 

[SandraPaneczko]

side

 

[SandraPaneczko]

pretty

 

[denverappraiser]

An agreeable upgrade policy is one of the reasons that people choose to do business with Kays and there’s really very little downside to participating. Whether it’s worth $250 will, of course, depend on your finances and what you actually get when it comes down to a specific stone but, conceptually, it’s a shoe in as long as you’re not really hurting for the money. There’s something about your ring that bugs you now and it could be fixed for a relatively low cost. Do it.

My only real issue would be to be careful about the craftsmanship in the setting. The prongs on a ring are cut to fit the girdle shape of a particular stone and your new stone may be sufficiently different that it requires some significant prong work or even a new setting in order to get first rate results. It may or may not be a simple job depending on the details of the stones and how it was done the first time. It doesn’t seem like they’ve budgeted for this although maybe their upgrade rules include this sort of thing under their standard warranty. This is largely their problem, not yours since they made the quote, but you should be aware that there is an issue and get it checked out by a pro after they’re done if you’re concerned. You are entitled to a first quality job when it’s completed, not something that’s been retrofitted.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[ImpatientOne]

Are you within the 90 day return policy? If not, then I believe the upgrade policy with Kays it you have to spend double on what your originally purchased. You might want to double check on that!!!

 

[SandraPaneczko]

If I brought my rings to another jewelery store as a trade in, than they would only give me around 1,500 for my engagement ring that I paid 4,299 an I would have to pay at least another 1,500 out of pocket towards a new ring. I don't dislike my Leo that much, to take a $2,799 loss. I just want VS stones an I do like my rings. If I bring it back to Kay Jewelers than I don't loose a penny of retail value. I get for my diamond what I paid for my diamond. I would only pay the difference between SI and VS.

I'm a Navy wife!!!

 

[ImpatientOne]

Really? I wonder if they changed their policy, because it''s always been you have to double what you originally paid. That''s great if they will let you just pay for the difference

 

[SandraPaneczko]

That''s what kays told me when I bought the rings, they knew I wanted VS stones.