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Where to buy diamonds?

DiamondsNPearls

DiamondsNPearls

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Mar 7, 2013
Messages
507
That are "used". I'm not looking for BlueNile, James Allen, IDJ or David Klass..

I've seen a few mentions like Loop Troup, DiamondBistro, & loveaffairdiamonds...does anyone else have any recommendations? I don't necessarily think buying from these sites is bad luck as opposed to creating a brand new diamond...but then again I could be wrong..
 
Pre loved diamonds are usually still set in rings. The usual source is from people upgrading, changing style or needing the $$$$ (not all diamond rings are ex engagement ex married rings). People might try selling themselves on eBay, Gumtree, Loupe Troop, Diamond Bistro or the might sell at a Pawnbroker, via Auction or even on consignment.
The most important thing is certification. Diamonds are valued according to their size, colour, cut and clarity and without this information and appreciation of what those details mean you could pay $5,000 for a diamond really only worth $3,000. You might also buy mistakenly a Cubic Zirconia or Moissanite, they can all look white and sparkly, set in gold, but these “gemstones” are not worth anything near what diamonds and that’s not a mistake you want to make.
Also looking to buy preloved you have to have patience. It might take a while for a diamond in the shape, size, price point etc to come up for sale. There may be compromises to be made, most pre loved diamonds are still in rings so the price will include a value for the setting even though you don’t want or like it.
It can also be harder to find a jeweller happy to work with a diamond that you provide. Often they will say “all care taken but no responsibility for damage during setting accepted”.
If you do find something you like and want an opinion on, the diamond gurus here can offer their opinion / advice.
I personally always buy pre loved but it does require knowledge and patience. It’s taken me close on 30 years to hone my skills and I still can get it wrong!
 
I’ve bought diamond off eBay before. You can find some great deals if you know what to look for.
 
I have had mountings created by different jewelers many times and many times provided my own diamond and never had an issue... they've all been happy to provide/create and my diamond was always covered under their insurance.
With regard to buying something already mounted and you just want to "trash" the mounting, you can usually get "trade in credit" for the gold/platinum that the mounting is made from... it's not a lot of $ but better than 0!
 
The drawback to buying a diamond from a private seller on, e.g., Loupe Troop & Diamond Bistro is that, typically, the stone cannot be returned. Less problematic if you're looking for a round brilliant & the seller has the GIA or AGS report that provides independent assurance of color, clarity, etc -- and have a more informed idea of its performance, etc. But I gather from your other, recent post that you're looking for an emerald/step-cut diamond? Those vary so much; even when well cut, not every faceting is likely to appeal to you. So I myself definitely would not purchase an emerald/step-cut -- from anyone -- that could not be returned for a refund after viewing it for myself in real life.

Many sellers on eBay have a 30-day or 14-day return policy, but eBay does not require them to do so (although I think eBay gives incentives to sellers who do).

ETA: @headlight 's experience -- that a jeweler will cover any damage to, or loss of, an "outside" diamond that you've asked them to set -- is unusual, not the norm. Many people don't think to ask about that, but you'll want to get clarification. Don't be surprised if they say No; indeed, you may be asked to sign a written waiver of liability.
 
Last edited:
MollyMalone said:
The drawback to buying a diamond from a private seller on Loupe Troop & Diamond Bistro is that, typically, the stone cannot be returned. Less problematic if you're looking for a round brilliant & the seller has the GIA or AGS report that provides independent assurance of color, clarity, etc -- and have a more informed idea of its performance, etc. But I gather from your other, recent post that you're looking for an emerald/step-cut diamond? Those vary so much; even when well cut, not every faceting is likely to appeal to you. So I myself definitely would not purchase an emerald/step-cut -- from anyone -- that could not be returned for a refund after viewing it for myself in real life.
Click to expand...
I'd go further on the point that you want a full-refund inspection window where you can take it to an independent appraiser (not just a random jeweler but someone who specializes in appraisals) because even if you get a stone with a report, the stone could have incurred some damage between the time the report was created and the time you are acquiring the stone.
I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing to search for your step cut if you see one that looks pleasing to you as long as you have a full-refund return policy included with it.
So the key here is, as @MollyMalone has stated, make sure you have a return period where you will get 100% refund if you don't like the appearance of the stone and/or the stone doesn't get verified to your satisfaction by a reputable, experienced, and specially-trained appraiser.
 
Bron357 said:
Pre loved diamonds are usually still set in rings. The usual source is from people upgrading, changing style or needing the $$$$ (not all diamond rings are ex engagement ex married rings). People might try selling themselves on eBay, Gumtree, Loupe Troop, Diamond Bistro or the might sell at a Pawnbroker, via Auction or even on consignment.
The most important thing is certification. Diamonds are valued according to their size, colour, cut and clarity and without this information and appreciation of what those details mean you could pay $5,000 for a diamond really only worth $3,000. You might also buy mistakenly a Cubic Zirconia or Moissanite, they can all look white and sparkly, set in gold, but these “gemstones” are not worth anything near what diamonds and that’s not a mistake you want to make.
Also looking to buy preloved you have to have patience. It might take a while for a diamond in the shape, size, price point etc to come up for sale. There may be compromises to be made, most pre loved diamonds are still in rings so the price will include a value for the setting even though you don’t want or like it.
It can also be harder to find a jeweller happy to work with a diamond that you provide. Often they will say “all care taken but no responsibility for damage during setting accepted”.
If you do find something you like and want an opinion on, the diamond gurus here can offer their opinion / advice.
I personally always buy pre loved but it does require knowledge and patience. It’s taken me close on 30 years to hone my skills and I still can get it wrong!
Click to expand...

What is a preloved diamond?
 
A ring that was previously owned! As in, not a ring that went from the jeweler store directly to the owner.
"Pre-loved" is often an engagement ring of a couple that chose to not go through with the wedding, or a married couple that parts ways.
OR, sometimes it isn't either of those... it is a happy couple who decide to upgrade to a completely new diamond and mounting.
Irregardless, a "pre-loved" should never be a negative, IMO. Some people are "superstitious" about these things. However, the way I see it, it is sort of the "greater universe" doing it's work by making that gem available to someone else for joy and appreciation.
Even if a ring symbolized the union of a couple that chose to part ways, that couple was, at one time, in love. Should a couple decide it's best to separate, the ring was not to blame!
 
Bron357 said:
A nicer term for “Second hand”.:kiss2:
Click to expand...
LOL... yes, I should say that "pre-loved" is definitely nicer.
But let's think about "second hand".. sometimes that doesn't have a negative connotation. It can also be something that's passed down. And that is something really special... an heirloom.
So, I guess you can "frame" things as you want lol!
 
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