Feedback on round diamond purchase

[sixpoint0joe]

Hi Everyone,

I appreciate your time and feedback. I recently purchased this diamond at a big box retailer and wanted to get some opinions.
I know I could have purchased something comparable for less online but seeing the selection in person and the convenience of going to a local jeweler for cleaning and servicing if it ever needed to be resized weighed in on my decision.
The diamond was priced at $25,495 and the setting at $1,180.
After taxes/fees and a military discount, I paid $25,020 out the door.
Here are the specs: 1.7 Round Brilliant D VS1 Tripple Excellent. Photos attached.

After researching the PPC on this site I see that the average for 1.5-1.99 Carat for D VS1 is $10,823 x 1.7carat = $18,399. Am I upside down on this purchase $3-5k?

 

[TXwidow]

what is the return policy?

 

[sixpoint0joe]

It's 30 days from the date of purchase which was 12/2/2024 but they haven't received the setting yet and estimated having me bring the diamond to them on 1/16 to mount it.

 

[newtojewels]

Here's the Loupe360 of your diamond: https://loupe360.com/diamond/2458807502

The setting you chose is lovely and you were able to see the diamond in person, which counts for something. You now have a local jeweler you can work with for the future, as well. D/VS1 is incredible stats. The cut quality looks much better than the average GIA "Triple Excellent" but it isn't a 100% picture perfect "super ideal". You could try to get a "super ideal cut" instead or save some money, but sometimes a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. It just depends on the person and their priorities.

If you wanted to try the super ideal route, here's an option from Brian Gavin in Houston. A D and an E would be indistinguishable side-by-side for color and this diamond is perfectly symmetrical without "pavilion twist", which is the darkness in between the arrows on yours:

1.758 E VVS2 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 1.758 carat E VVS2 super ideal cut Black By Brian Gavin Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

in this setting: https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/collections/engagement-rings/products/eternal-grace


Another option that's a little lower in color but still very white is this G from Victor Canera in LA: https://www.victorcanera.com/diamon...ct-G-VVS2-hearts-arrows-round-natural-diamond

He hand-forges settings and is a pave master, though the setting you chose only has a little pave so this may not be super relevant to you. I like the idea of something being hand-forged, though, and you may as well.

Here's a video about what hand-forging means, though this setting is a bit of a clunkier shape than I would recommend. Pay attention to the manufacturing process, not the final outcome which is obviously custom:

Here are two lovely settings from Victor Canera but he makes a ton more. There may be flexibility in the diamond price, you could ask about the lowest price for that diamond in a setting of your choice from him, plus the settings are custom-made so you could pick and choose details:

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

There are obviously other jewelers and diamonds, I just wanted to show you two options.

 

[sixpoint0joe]

Thank you so much for finding that 360 view of my diamond and recommending those alternatives!

Hand-forging a ring from a local jeweler was something I considered before making my purchase. Originally, I had begun working with someone but felt like it would be a missed opportunity to design a custom piece that could have been a home run if I nailed it right or a missed opportunity without any input from my partner since I'd be surprising her. Her comments rang in my head of her only preference being a round classic solitaire so I just went with what I thought she would like.

I did ask the jeweler I ended up purchasing this from for a Euro shank and to remove the tiny diamonds that came with the setting on the bridge. I think there was a total of 0.08-carat worth of diamonds being removed and that is probably why I have to wait so long to get the diamond set.

I appreciate your response and do have one other question for you. How can I get images of the Heart Scope, ASET Scope, and Ideal Scope of my diamond?

 

[newtojewels]

Thank you so much for finding that 360 view of my diamond and recommending those alternatives!

Hand-forging a ring from a local jeweler was something I considered before making my purchase. Originally, I had begun working with someone but felt like it would be a missed opportunity to design a custom piece that could have been a home run if I nailed it right or a missed opportunity without any input from my partner since I'd be surprising her. Her comments rang in my head of her only preference being a round classic solitaire so I just went with what I thought she would like.

I did ask the jeweler I ended up purchasing this from for a Euro shank and to remove the tiny diamonds that came with the setting on the bridge. I think there was a total of 0.08-carat worth of diamonds being removed and that is probably why I have to wait so long to get the diamond set.

I appreciate your response and do have one other question for you. How can I get images of the Heart Scope, ASET Scope, and Ideal Scope of my diamond?

You could get those images if there's a local appraiser with the scopes, if your jeweler has those scopes, or if you buy the scopes yourself. There are also DIY approximations. I bought my ASET from here: https://www.datlas.com/blog/product-category/uncategorized/

They're probably custom-making the setting to order which is why it's taking so long. That means it should also fit the diamond well too. And again, a local jeweler and having a D/VS1 is great and the size is super classic but substantial, so it's all just a matter of priorities from here. You certainly didn't buy a dud.

 

[sixpoint0joe]

Thank you for the recommendations and link.