Was I sold a bad stone?

[Looloo]

Hi there,

I bought my engagement ring on the spur of the moment and was satisfied I'd made a sound purchase as it came with a 'very good' GIA cut certification. Im considering an upgrade in diamond (size & quality) and, following some research, am now nervous about trading in/selling my stone so wanted to ask if there are any obvious problems with it or things to be aware of?

I paid about $2926 for the platinum ring with shoulder diamonds in 2013.

The proportions are:


Carat 0.51
5.18 x 5.20 x 3.08
Color F
Clarity VS2

TD 59.4%
TS 58%
CA 32.5%
CH 13.5%
PA 40.4%
PD 42.5%
SL 50%
LH 75%
Girdle med to stk
Faceted 3.5%
Culet none
Polish excellent
Symmetry very good
Fluorescence none

Thanks for your help!

 

[flyingpig]

The stone is graded "very good" for cut, mainly because of the 40.4 pav angle.
When the pav angle gets 40.4 or lower, you begin to see increased obstruction (black) and leakage
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-si1-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-3162156
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-f-color-if-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-2430353
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-3154704

The effect depends on the actual angles (GIA 40.4 = 40.3~40.5) and other proportion numbers (CA and Table)

In short, GIA "very good" and 40.4 PA are not good enough for PS users, and you may find it a difficult sell.
But, doesn't your original vendor have upgrade policy?

 

[Looloo]

Thanks for getting back to me.

I can't see any black on the diamond and it looks bright, sparkly and symmetrical but I don't have a microscope.

The jeweller doesn't have a policy so I guess I'd have to hope they will exchange as I'm planning on spending a lot more this time. It's a bit frustrating because now I'm more aware I'd rather choose a stone online where I can see all of the reports clearly to avoid making the same mistake.

I guess the moral is don't make a hasty diamond purchase. It was so unlike me too, my perfectionist nature is now kicking in...

 

[OoohShiny]

The jeweller should be able to call in stones that are available on the open market - you could search Blue Nile or similar for stones that hit the PS-recommended specifications and then ask him to call them in for inspection.

Alternatively, consign your ring (perhaps to the same jeweller) and get it sold, then take the money and put it towards a new ring. Will you lose some money? Of course, but think of it as the price of a lesson in life and then you can focus on getting a great stone with the forum's help

 

[foxinsox]

The jeweller doesn't have a policy so I guess I'd have to hope they will exchange as I'm planning on spending a lot more this time. It's a bit frustrating because now I'm more aware I'd rather choose a stone online where I can see all of the reports clearly to avoid making the same mistake.

Maybe find out what your jeweller would offer as a trade in - it may not be worth staying with them if it's not a good trade in and if they don't have a big range. Maybe see if you could sell on the secondary market or keep it and make it into a pendant or bracelet if your budget allows.
What are you looking to upgrade to? Post your budget and desired specs and I'm sure people here will be happy to help you find some great options to compare to whatever the jeweller has.

 

[Looloo]

Thank you!

To complicate things though my jeweller is in the UK so im not sure that applies internationally (open market access)?

I like the stones from Good Old Gold but am guessing they're cut in house.

I'm thinking I might just try sell ring somehow as you suggested, get a new stone independently and then ask original jeweller to set it in the original setting style which I'd like to keep.

 

[OoohShiny]

Here in the UK it is a struggle to find well-cut stones, so you certainly aren't alone in having a stone that hasn't had its full potential realised!

Rapaport lists all the stones available on the market, if I am correct in my thinking, and the majority of them are available to be called in by jewellers, but in my experience (and going from a lot of anecdotal evidence on here) most jewellers are keen to sell the stones they have in-house, presumably because they have chosen them themselves and think they can make a nice profit on them (which is fine, but I wish they would choose better quality stones!).

We in the UK can order stones/rings from any of the US-based vendors (Good Old Gold, White Flash, Brian Gavin, High Performance Diamonds, Victor Canera, etc) - we just need to pay 20% VAT when importing the loose stone and another 2.5% Import Tax if it is a complete ring or piece of jewellery. I have done this myself and would definitely do it again!

Selling the current ring as-is would be the simplest option IMHO - no need to stress about whether the jeweller is getting decent stones in for you and feeling obligated to buy from them, just pay them any commission due from the sale (if consigning) or haggle/accept their offer to buy the ring off you and walk away with the cash in your pocket/account. Then you would be able to purchase from the recommended vendors hassle-free

Can you post a picture of the setting you have / like? Someone may be able to identify a similar/identical style from one of the vendors or on Adwar.com (which casts rings that jewellers order in to use and sell on, as I understand it), which may be cheaper than the jeweller here would charge.

 

[Looloo]

Thanks for your help everyone. This is my ring and I'm looking for around a 1.5 carat with the best possible cut and similar color/clarity as my current one. Happy to pay the going rate but obviously want to get a good deal. I'm hoping to keep same setting for sentimental reasons so will try and get that from the same jeweller (as they are designed in house) but hopefully I can work something out regarding a better stone. I won't be purchasing for a few months at least so will ask for help with selection then

 

[rockysalamander]

Pretty ring. Can you post a picture from the side? I'm pretty sure the head can be replaced with a larger one, but the side view will show for sure.

What is your budget for a new diamond? Are you open to buying online from the US? EU? UK only?

At the cost of a 1.5 diamond and 20% VAT, would a trip to the US to visit a reputable vendor be worthwhile? Flights run about $1000 usd (London to new york...thinking ID Jewelery).

 

[AdaBeta27]

I don't think she'd need a trip to the USA to pick a diamond, unless that circumvents the 20% VAT on a $13,000 diamond (oops, make that more like $16,000 - $18,000 $US, based on Whitflash 1.5-1.6ct, F & G, VS1 & VS2, ACA only) 1.5ct is a *very* competitive carat weight, very popular with upgraders and also one of those pricepoints where price per ct jumps up. I was also looking ofor 1.5 ot 1.6 or whatever would get me about a 7.5mm RB diamond. I never could find an attractive deal. I "settled" for one in the 7.3ct range. But it's a superideal H&A from GOG, AGS 000, and it's not compromise whatsoever. I have small hands, short fingers, size 5 ring finger, and the diamond looks plenty large enough on my hand just set in a 6 prong head. You might find that staying just under the 1.5ct mark but close to it gives you more selection and more attractive prices. Otherwise, be prepared to put in a lot of work to find a bargain on a 1.5ct, and that could take considerable time!

You aren't going to net much for your diamond. Maybe just keep it and have it mounted to wear as a pendant. Or set in a bezel mounting for a right hand ring. Or other reuse. Wholesale is what a jeweler will give you for it, so for all practical purposes, you are buying a new diamond outright and having a jeweler change the head on your current setting. If the head is a peg type, you can easily swap it for another peg head of any style you like. If it's some other type that's soldered in, that's nearly as easy to change provided the new head is not so much bigger at the base that the shank has to be be spread, making it necessary to resize the ring.

 

[Looloo]

Here's the side view. Not sure if that can be altered or if I'd have to get a new ring made. I'm happy to have just under 1.5 carat or maybe even go a bit smaller as I only have size 4 fingers. Fingers crossed the jeweller wants to buy back then I guess. Open to buying from anywhere at the moment! But it won't be for a little while yet. Thanks again

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don't think you can use that setting to set a 1.5 ct diamond. If it had a plan shank, the head could be removed and replaced pretty easily. But in this case, it looks like the ring would best be remade because those diamond shoulders aren't going to allow for a larger head. It's a very pretty setting, regardless!

I'd surely recommend keeping your current stone and eventually making a pendant with it, because I think you will lose a lot on trading in or selling. I would not buy the new stone from the same jeweler because it won't be easy finding the stones we can access at the vendors here. Since your setting is antique style, have you considered an August Vintage Round (European Cut) from Good Old Gold? I think that would be gorgeous in that setting, even if it has to be remade.

 

[Looloo]

I have been considering an OEC as they look so pretty and I love the rainbow colors but am not sure if can go in the same setting, would have to ask the jeweller. The shoulder diamonds and the ones in my wedding ring are also RB which might clash... I've also only seen one very briefly in person in an antique ring so don't know if I'd miss anything about the RB day to day. I'm also not too sure how to pick a good OEC spec wise! Thanks for all the advice