diamond ring

[weswife]

Hi I am interested in purchasing a diamond ring. I have been looking at The Jewelery Exchange stores. They have awesome prices!!!! Everything looks great! I would like to know if anyone has purchased jewelery there? If so were you happy with it? Do you have a pic.? Any info. would be great! I am interested in a 1.75 - 2 cart ring!!!! I have my eye on one here at the local jewelery store with a price of $9000!!! Yikes!!!!! The Jewelery Exchange could sell me one for about $4000! Much better! I know the diamond would not be the same quality but thats ok. Just as long as its "prettty"! Thanks!

 

[brergnat]

I used to work as a Diamond Grader at GIA in Carlsbad, CA. I saw a LOT of diamonds every day!!!

I am also completed GIA's education program for Diamonds and Diamond Grading, which is recognized outside of the Institute (i.e. in the retail world).

A good quality diamond should cost around $4000-5000 per carat weight.

The Jewelry Exchange tends to buy the lower quality diamonds that other buyers pass over. If you will, they are the "Marshalls" of the diamond world.

Occasionally, you will find a nice stone there, but not often. If you are not concerned about the value of your diamond, any future resale value, and the actual quality of the stone, it's a good place to buy jewelry. Just know that in order for a diamond to "look pretty" it usually has to be of high quality. The look of a diamond is all about the 4c's. If one is severely low on the scale, the entire look of the stone suffers.

 

[prncess674]

I would look at local high end pawn shops. Engagement rings are commonly found and can be had for a fraction of the price.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I used to work as a Diamond Grader at GIA in Carlsbad, CA. I saw a LOT of diamonds every day!!!

I am also completed GIA's education program for Diamonds and Diamond Grading, which is recognized outside of the Institute (i.e. in the retail world).

A good quality diamond should cost around $4000-5000 per carat weight.

The Jewelry Exchange tends to buy the lower quality diamonds that other buyers pass over. If you will, they are the "Marshalls" of the diamond world.

Occasionally, you will find a nice stone there, but not often. If you are not concerned about the value of your diamond, any future resale value, and the actual quality of the stone, it's a good place to buy jewelry. Just know that in order for a diamond to "look pretty" it usually has to be of high quality. The look of a diamond is all about the 4c's. If one is severely low on the scale, the entire look of the stone suffers.

I bought my current engagement/wedding ring at the Jewelry Exchange and I'm incredibly happy with it. My first one was taken from me at gun point 30 days after our wedding so we hadn't even insured it yet. The price was right and I know the flaws, but they can't be seen without a loop. I have a half-carat (well... .48 but no one knows the different except me and you) and the color, carat, and cut is fine, but it does have an inclusion on it that looks like a scratch. I'm sure you know the terminology better than I do!

I do like your analogy, though. The Marshall's of diamonds! Ha!


Is it still true that the price goes up a lot when you have a true carat weight of 1.0 + vs. something that is .95 -.99? Most people can't tell the difference by sight by such a little amount.

 

[neatokimmo]

I have a 1.65 carat one that sold for 4K. Now that I am liquidating an estate, I can't get an offer for more than $1800 for it.

So I guess what I am saying is, don't buy a dirty diamond, put more money into it so it will hold its value.

 

[weswife]

Thanks for the replies! Alot of different answers! Intresting!

I guess I should stay with my original plan. I can trade my surrent 1 ct. in on the new 1.5. I paid $4000 for mine and can trade it for a $10 000! To me thats ALOT of money! Some may think crazy! I guess I can make it seem ok by telling myself its only $6000! LOL! If I went to The Jewlery Exchange I would be able to keep my 1ct. and have a "pretty" new ring!

I understand some of the 4C. I also understand looking with a loop. I am ok with an inclusion as long as the naked eye can not see it.

Thanks Again!

 

[Evi]

Thanks for the replies! Alot of different answers! Intresting!

I guess I should stay with my original plan. I can trade my surrent 1 ct. in on the new 1.5. I paid $4000 for mine and can trade it for a $10 000! To me thats ALOT of money! Some may think crazy! I guess I can make it seem ok by telling myself its only $6000! LOL! If I went to The Jewlery Exchange I would be able to keep my 1ct. and have a "pretty" new ring!

I understand some of the 4C. I also understand looking with a loop. I am ok with an inclusion as long as the naked eye can not see it.

Thanks Again!

Look at it with a 10x loop then you will see all the imperfections then look at it with a 5x loop if you see any carbon with a 5x it may be visible with the naked eye. Also look for fractures in the stone you'd be surprised how many people didn't know a diamond could break. I also say go and check out stones at high end shops using a 10x and 5x loop then once you know what your looking for hit a pawn shop and do the same 10x and 5x. You can also ask the pawn shop to show you loose stones and then have it reset in the setting of your choice at a jewelers. You should be able to get at least a 1ct d quality stone with no to very few inclusions for around 2k for 4k look for something in the 1.75 -ct stones.

 

[MaryKLady]

I don't wear my real rings much because they're not really my style anymore but they have a ton sentimental value to me. They are very good quality and are probably worth more than what we paid all those years ago But, I just can't part with them. So I got a really nice eternity band I paid around $100 for and I get compliments all the time. The best part is my heart doesn't skip a beat when I think I've lost or damaged it. The gold is real but the stones are not. Just a thought

 

[marie1203]

There is usually a huge difference between a $6,000 diamond and a $9,000 one. I usually can tell the difference just looking at it.

 

[weswife]

There is usually a huge difference between a $6,000 diamond and a $9,000 one. I usually can tell the difference just looking at it.

I agree. I would be trading my current 1 ct value of $4000 for a $9000 thus giving me a $6000 price tag.

 

[CinRell]

If you found a ring you really like and you think it's pretty... and it's in your price range... go for it!

My bf recently bought a ring I fell in love with on ebay (shh. I'm trying to forget). The appraisal was for over $5,000 ... I am sure it has imperfections but I *love* this ring (which I'm trying to forget). The price was under $1,000. Buy it now was over $3,000.... he lucked out.

My point is many people might think it's a "cheap ring"... I think it's about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and minor imperfections don't bother me and now we'll have more money to put toward making his house our home. So... you found a ring you really like? That you keep going back to looking at? It's in your price range? GO FOR IT

 

[weswife]

Thanks Cin Rell !!!!

You made me think?

Congrats! on your ring ( sorry to remind you if you forgot) Enjoy!

 

[brergnat]

Like I said, if this ring is for your enjoyment, buy it if you can afford it.

However, know that it isn't an "investment" or anything like that. Appraisals really mean nothing...market value is what commands what anything is "worth". It's "worth" what people will pay for it.

 

[weswife]

Like I said, if this ring is for your enjoyment, buy it if you can afford it.

However, know that it isn't an "investment" or anything like that. Appraisals really mean nothing...market value is what commands what anything is "worth". It's "worth" what people will pay for it.

 

[CinRell]

Thanks Cin Rell !!!!

You made me think?

Congrats! on your ring ( sorry to remind you if you forgot) Enjoy!

I was a big "NEVER buy an engagement ring on ebay.. how tacky! How risky!!!"

Never say never

 

[PartyFromSaturn]

I have a 1.65 carat one that sold for 4K. Now that I am liquidating an estate, I can't get an offer for more than $1800 for it.

So I guess what I am saying is, don't buy a dirty diamond, put more money into it so it will hold its value.

I agree. I have a really nice diamond engagement ring that I have been trying to sell for a year and I can't get anything out of it! It seems like the gold setting is almost worth more than the stones right now.

 

[hipchickie]

Like I said, if this ring is for your enjoyment, buy it if you can afford it.

However, know that it isn't an "investment" or anything like that. Appraisals really mean nothing...market value is what commands what anything is "worth". It's "worth" what people will pay for it.

ITA
This is an old article, but interesting

http://www.wisebread.com/the-greatest-story-ever-sold-is-a-fantasy-covered-in-blood

 

[weswife]

I read the link, interesting for sure!

 

[brergnat]

Every single thing in that article is true.

That is why, after working at GIA and grading thousands of diamonds, I swore off ever buying another piece of diamond jewelry! I have my engagement ring (which, btw, my husband bought ONLINE for a very good price...it was accurately described online, so he paid what it was truly worth) and my wedding band. But, that's it. I am "over" diamonds. When you see so many under a microscope every day, they lose their appeal. They truly are, "just a pretty rock" and not "worth" anything, unless you make them so with sentimental value.

 

[patsal]

DH just bought me my pie in the sky, dream ring...$14,000. He waited 20 years to buy it for me--we used my biological parents rings when we got married.
When he took me to the store I thought he was just getting an idea for design and setting, so when I tried on this ring I never thought he'd get it for me. To my surprise I am now wearing it!