Well... the engagment didn't take. What now?

[joefrog003]

Try as we might, the time just isn't right for the girlfriend and I to take the next step. In the meantime I'm left with what I think is a stunningly beautiful ring that I would like to sell. Problem is, I have no idea how to go about it without losing my @ss. Would someone be so kind as o share what I should and should not expect when reselling an engagement ring. Are any places (ebay, cl, please don't say the pawn shop) better than any other? Thanks in advance!

I would be happy to post pics if that would help further the discussion.

 

[Enerchi]

I'm sorry to hear that, joe. I hope things work out for you over time...

Any chance it is still within the return period? Could you approach the vendor to work out a return (of course, it will be at a bit of a $$ loss...) but maybe that's an option?

Otherwise, lots have success w listing on www.diamondbistro.com and www.loupetroop.com

 

[joefrog003]

Thanks Enerchi.

My dilemma is that I had the ring designed and made at a jeweler here locally and bought the diamond from Blue Nile; so a return in the traditional sense isn't possible. I know what I have invested in the ring and also what it appraised for, is there any magic formula that would tell me what percentage I could expect at resell? Would I perhaps be better off just selling the stone separately?

 

[IE_Princess]

I'm sorry things didn't work out for you.

If this is the oval you bought earlier this year then it appears you are outside of the return window. Unfortunately, selling a diamond ring on the secondary market almost always results in a rather significant loss unless you got an incredible deal to begin with or are selling a remarkable diamond (AGS 000, GIA ex/ex/ex, a branded cut, etc.). With so few posts here I'd try ebay or diamond bistro rather than loupe troop.

Good luck in the future!

 

[arkieb1]

Hi,

What are the stats of the centre stone, size, colour, clarity and the setting it is in?

 

[WinkHPD]

Thanks Enerchi.

My dilemma is that I had the ring designed and made at a jeweler here locally and bought the diamond from Blue Nile; so a return in the traditional sense isn't possible. I know what I have invested in the ring and also what it appraised for, is there any magic formula that would tell me what percentage I could expect at resell? Would I perhaps be better off just selling the stone separately?

You will take a beating on the ring, and maybe on the diamond. Does Blue Nile not have a buy back policy?

If not, you may be better of holding on to the diamond and trading up, depending on their trade up policy.

Wink

 

[joefrog003]

I was worried about losing my hind end on this one, sounds like that may be the case. I don't know if it would be considered a "remarkable" diamond or not; but yes, it is the oval I posted about some months back. Here's a few pics for the curious, adding the appraisal since it speaks to the sapphires and such.

 

[GoSounders]

Looking at Blue Nile's upgrade policy online:

"The price of your new diamond must be at least 100% greater than the price of your original diamond."

That only makes sense if OP for sure wants to get a much larger diamond in the future.

Looks like BN has no buy-back policy.

It's a beautiful ring, though very unique, so it would be difficult to find someone who thinks it's exactly what they want.

 

[arkieb1]

Wow, that is a really pretty & unique setting. Contact Blue Nile and see what they say, it can't hurt. You might end up getting more if you sell the stone and the setting separately anyway. Also post it here in the preloved jewels section and on DiamondBistro if you have no luck with BlueNile. Ebay as a last resort because the ebay fees are high. You never know you might find a pricescoper that loves it, its a pretty ring!!!!

 

[marymm]

I agree it may be worth your while to split up the diamond and the setting, if it doesn't sell quickly on the secondary market (i.e., DiamondBistro, LoupeTroop, eBay, etc.). The diamond looks to be a very nice oval, and although the setting was custom-made, the head should accommodate almost any 7x5mm oval gemstone so it may sell more quickly than a setting that requires non-standard mm dimensions. Good luck!

 

[momhappy]

I also agree that you might be better off splitting up the diamond and the setting. Although it's a beautiful ring, it requires a specific buyer, so that makes it even more difficult.
I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you - it looks like you put a lot of money, thought, and effort into it...

 

[SB621]

In general the appraisal value is inflated so I woudlnt go off of that. I would post on LT and DB at 25% off and see if you hve any takers. Another route is co-signment with Jbeg or pearlmans but then you have no idea of timeline etc. I'm sorry your egagement didn't work out and I wish you the best with you sale.

YOu might find that splitting the diamond from the setting also might help. Many ppl are always looking for a setting for CS's and I think yours would sell well.

 

[joefrog003]

Thanks everyone! I'll try the websites and see if I get any bites. Any idea percentage wise (of original cost) what a good starting point is for either the stone, the setting, and/or both would be?

If someone says 25% I may cry a little bit...

I don't expect to recoup everything obviously, I just don't know where to start. And thanks for the compliments on the ring, it was 4 month project of love from concept through to the final cad design.

 

[SB621]

Thanks everyone! I'll try the websites and see if I get any bites. Any idea percentage wise (of original cost) what a good starting point is for either the stone, the setting, and/or both would be?

If someone says 25% I may cry a little bit...

I don't expect to recoup everything obviously, I just don't know where to start. And thanks for the compliments on the ring, it was 4 month project of love from concept through to the final cad design.

All most everything I have sold on DB, LT or cosignment has been in the 30-50% off retail and if I got that it was considered good. However, with a diamond that has a GIA report I would do a search to see what others are selling that are close in specs to yours and yes then take 20% off. I think most diamonds I have seen sold on LT, DB and Ebay are around 20% off. However, I'm not an expert and this is my own experience from what I have sold and seen sold.

 

[Tekate]

Pardon me for jumping in, I'm just a lurker but if you and your G/F are still dating then why not hold on to it till you both feel it's the right time? Sorry for the set back btw.

 

[momhappy]

^I was actually wondering the same thing

 

[joefrog003]

Pardon me for jumping in, I'm just a lurker but if you and your G/F are still dating then why not hold on to it till you both feel it's the right time? Sorry for the set back btw.

Well... she is in her last year of PA school at the top ranked PA school in the country (Duke), and also volunteers with an organization that takes her to medically devastated countries (think Haiti, Rwanda, etc) to provide medical care and develop teaching models to help teach them to care for each other. Two weeks after I proposed, and after she had returned from one of those trips, she received multiple job offers to move overseas and further develop her curriculum. It is an opportunity neither of us imagined would ever be possible. She also is starting to receive offers of residency at other wonderful medical institutions around the country and is also considering those.

She is a person who truly wants to save the world and is be given that opportunity to do so. My career is very specialized and relocation is frowned upon because of the nature of my work. I would never ask her to give up her dream for me and I'm encouraging her to explore all of her options.

So to make a short story long...we both generally know what's going to happen this time next year. But I am the only one working in the house right now and would never consider moving out or leaving her while she is in school. At the same time, I don't really want the ring around as a reminder of what almost happened. (She said yes when I asked, but as things began to pile on, we knew what was happening)

Whew, we haven't even told our families yet, so it's been a cathartic experience to get to write that down. Thanks for asking, I needed to tell someone.

 

[Rosebloom]

I'm so sorry. What a tough time.

 

[marcy]

I am sorry to hear what happened. Hopefully Blue Nile is agreeable to buying it back. Good luck!

 

[momhappy]

Pardon me for jumping in, I'm just a lurker but if you and your G/F are still dating then why not hold on to it till you both feel it's the right time? Sorry for the set back btw.

Well... she is in her last year of PA school at the top ranked PA school in the country (Duke), and also volunteers with an organization that takes her to medically devastated countries (think Haiti, Rwanda, etc) to provide medical care and develop teaching models to help teach them to care for each other. Two weeks after I proposed, and after she had returned from one of those trips, she received multiple job offers to move overseas and further develop her curriculum. It is an opportunity neither of us imagined would ever be possible. She also is starting to receive offers of residency at other wonderful medical institutions around the country and is also considering those.

She is a person who truly wants to save the world and is be given that opportunity to do so. My career is very specialized and relocation is frowned upon because of the nature of my work. I would never ask her to give up her dream for me and I'm encouraging her to explore all of her options.

So to make a short story long...we both generally know what's going to happen this time next year. But I am the only one working in the house right now and would never consider moving out or leaving her while she is in school. At the same time, I don't really want the ring around as a reminder of what almost happened. (She said yes when I asked, but as things began to pile on, we knew what was happening)

Whew, we haven't even told our families yet, so it's been a cathartic experience to get to write that down. Thanks for asking, I needed to tell someone.

Oh, wow - what a difficult situation. I'm sorry that it worked out that way. I can see why you want to sell the ring.

 

[arkieb1]

I am really sorry for you, that is a tough situation. Contact Blue Nile and explain the situation see if they could give you a full or partial refund first and list the setting separately on here and via DiamondBistro. Also contact the people that made the setting and see if they would do a partial refund setting only, or if they might be interested in the whole ring for their store. It's worth trying the original vendors first, you won't know unless you ask..... If Blue Nile refuse, then try Diamond Bistro, Loupetroop, then Ebay or on consignment at Jewels By Erica Grace or Good Old Gold might be other options.

 

[joefrog003]

Thanks everyone, I spoke with Blue Nile and they offered to take the stone back. She also submitted a request to waive the restocking fee and I should have an answer on that in a couple of days. That is about the best I could have hoped for I believe. Thanks again!

 

[arkieb1]

That is great news!!!! I hope that it works out and they take it back. Contact the people that made the setting next and see if they could give you a partial refund as well and put it into their store. If not list the setting in the preloved on here and on DiamondBistro, I am sure you will be able to sell it....

 

[Enerchi]

Thanks everyone, I spoke with Blue Nile and they offered to take the stone back. She also submitted a request to waive the restocking fee and I should have an answer on that in a couple of days. That is about the best I could have hoped for I believe. Thanks again!

Oh!fingers crossed and a lot of PS good luck dust sent your way! Here's hoping BN will refund the stone for you.

 

[Christina...]

I'm so sorry that you find yourself in this situation, you both sound like incredibly kind and caring people. What you are doing demonstrates your enormous love and respect for her. Best wishes and lots of dust to you both.

I am pleased to hear that BN will take the stone back and wish you luck with the sale/return of the setting.

 

[SB621]

Thanks everyone, I spoke with Blue Nile and they offered to take the stone back. She also submitted a request to waive the restocking fee and I should have an answer on that in a couple of days. That is about the best I could have hoped for I believe. Thanks again!

That is fabulous news! I agree you should try now with the vendor who made the ring but I doubt they will take it back as it was custom. Like I said before though it is a beautiful design and I think it would sell on DB or LT if you list it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.