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Vintage shopping, help me find the one.

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Mooga1120

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 19, 2013
Messages
14
I have several rings saved on ebay, etsy , and rubylane. I have never bought a diamond before so now looking at things that have no garrantee, return option, or certificate is panic enducing. How do I determine which sellers are reputable? how far can rings be resized? I don't know that there is a particular style I have to have. I'm just finding it more enjoyable to look at the truly vintage settings and their uniqueness. I would like to have at least a 3/4 center stone, white gold or platinum, finger is a sz 5.

Budget is 2500 including shipping, taxes and resizing.
 
Is it that she wants a vintage ring or are you shopping second hand because your on a budget?
I just bought a. 8ct ring from JA for under 2100, so if your uncomfortable shopping for preloved rings, you can still get what you want new.

Just a thought.
 
I'm shoppong for myself. lol. We have been together for 8 years, but we've done it all backwards, we had children, then bought a house, now it's time for the ring. (but on a reasonable budget, since we already have the house and kids) I like the idea of vintage because they are more unique and more bang for the buck. I love the worn in look of old platinum too.
 
It was recommended that I post a similar request to the A&VJ sub forum (I haven't done so yet), so you might want to try there.

I'm rather new to the process of buying antique/vintage jewelry online and so far I have stuck to pieces that are under $700. Some of the advice I have received regarding a more substantial online purchase are to get good photos and also to know that I will probably need to see the ring in person, so a good return policy is important. Certain sellers have been recommended as honest and knowledgeable: Lang (but they charge a premium), Jewels by Erica Grace, and GeorgianJewelry.com are a few of them.

I also check Ross-Simons estate department daily; just last weekend I picked up a Van Craeynest set at a fantastic price so they do get quality items sometimes, and they have a good return policy. However, I wasn't particularly interested in the diamond which they say is a VS1 G .45MRB. If I don't leave it in the setting I am sure I can do something with it, but I was mostly interested in the setting, to get a VC set that I know was die struck during the period of time that Larry Van Craeynest owned the company. While the new owner is still using die striking (I've been in the new factory) I have read that the plan is to move to casting to reduce pricing.

Two of my antique pieces have come from RubyLane; they require their vendors to accept returns and many of them don't charge restocking fees. I've yet to send anything back though.

So far in my search I am really paying attention to diamonds that have certification, preferably GIA. The cut information is less helpful on antique stones, but color and clarity are important to me. I was able to rule out a ring this week by posting numbers and photos here and getting some good advice. I'm glad of it too; just last night someone posted a very large antique cushion in a halo and I remembered how much I love the older halo styles; combined with a huge old mine cut it was breathtaking. So I might see if I can tweak the budget to save more money and add to what I can spend. I'm funny though; I might spend big for a once in a lifetime ring but I also love to buy less expensive vintage pieces on a near-monthly basis, lol.

So far I haven't gotten into having anything resized, not at the price points I am buying at. I did buy one ring off ebay that needs rehabbing and I might eventually have it sized but I could tell that the ring would be fine if I have that done, and it wouldn't be more than a full size change anyway.

Good luck!
 
I'm definitely not an expert on diamonds or even old cut diamonds, so hopefully someone will chime in. I do know that with a grading I1 clarity that you are going to see the imperfections in the diamond, especially since the I1 seems to be this seller's opinion vs. having been graded by any company, even a lax one. I'd definitely ask for better photos. And ask about the sizing, but maybe someone here can help since the seller might not really know.

That seller has a "Make Offer" button so you can offer less than the BIN price at any point during the auction. There is a also a return policy.


Mooga1120|1366988899|3434975 said:
So I am in LOVE with this...but it's not certified. Do I dare? Any other questions I should be asking the seller? Does it look like it will resize to a 5? Can or will a seller negotiate to sell for less than "buy it now" before the auction is over? HELP!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/23096863199...84.m1438.l2649#ht_1755wt_912&autorefresh=true
Click to expand...
 
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