Quote:
Originally Posted by nabwong
I'm also looking at upgrade options. I've read that quality stones will retain their value irregardless of size. So you know, maybe in the 10th or 25th year, i can upgrade to a bigger stone.
Anyone with experience with online purchases? Retail stores seem to mark up 300% or something...
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I have a bunch of experience with diamonds
First husband bought me a flawless 1/2-carat round stone set in gold. It had cost him $1800 (back in 1985).
When we divorced (1992) I needed money and had it appraised for resale. Best offer was $300. This was because the jeweler could get the same quality/size diamond new from a broker for $300. I did not sell it, but had it made into an earring.
After I started making more money where I could buy luxuries for myself (late '90s), I bought a diamond earring on ebay to match. It was described as 1/2-carat, slightly colored, with minimal flaws not visible to the naked eye. (I figured this would be OK because the earrings would be separated from each other by the width of my head
) Well, this guy must have been blind, because I could SEE the inclusions from a distance of about 18"! I had it appraised and they were in fact diamonds (part of my fear was that they were not), but the appraiser said it wasn't even worth the $90 I paid for it.
My ex-brother-in-law bought his fiancee a very nice diamond at a store we have here called Service Merchandise (maybe out of business by now - the store's image was kind of like a Costco for jewelry). He got a good deal on it; it was a great-quality diamond, 1/2-carat, beautiful setting, and she went ballistic on him because of where he bought it. She wanted one from a proper jeweler. So that might be something to consider. (He said, "If you don't like it, we won't get married." She kept the ring.)
So I would probably go to a store if I were in your shoes - at least you get to see the actual stone and make sure it's up to your standards, not something yellowy with flaws in it. Yeah, you may pay more than if you shopped online, but imho the money's worth it to make sure of what you're getting.
On the other hand I have a friend who majored in geology and he decided to get his fiancee a different kind of ring. He designed a ring with a center stone of Alexandrite (? been a long time since we discussed it) flanked by 2 flawless diamond trilliants. Cost him a little less than a diamond, pleased the fiancee because he'd put some artistic thought into it instead of just running to the jeweler for a plain old "typical" diamond ring, and everyone who sees it continues to praise him for his artistry and unique ideas, even though they've been married 15 years.
Edit, forgot to mention I have had both a white gold and a platinum ring. The platinum definitely has the "cool factor" but only my husband and I know it. They look identical, they wear the same (I'm comparing the two now).
Oh, and get an ultrasonic cleaner for it
so nice to just drop the gems in, let it vibrate for a bit, and come out beautifully clean! Just cleaned mine and they look great.