Gift to Self Diamond…branded vs estate vs Aether

[60sChic]

I am a diamond enthusiast not enlightened or knowledgeable. I received a claim paid for a lost diamond ring (was an engagement ring) years ago and now considering buying a replacement from me to me - no engagement no time frame. (Is it dumb to wear an engagement style ring at my age if I’m unmarried and not engaged ?! )

I love diamonds! I have a relaxed unfussy lifestyle. I love some of the Lucida rings, I’m considering for example this fully documented ring

Huge Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond VVS1 F Solitaire Engagement Ring $64,900 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Huge Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond VVS1 F Solitaire Engagement Ring $64,900 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Versus something uniquely different:

ANTIQUE 2.60CT ROSE CUT PEAR DIAMOND – GIA FANCY LIGHT BROWN-YELLOW RING (SZ 5) | eBay

GIA Report Number: 6167812191. GIA INCLUDED CLARITY: VS2 NATURAL, FANCY LIGHT BROWN- YELLOW, UNEVEN. RING SIZE: 5. If the gold content is stamped on the item, we will list the item as the stamped gold karat.

www.ebay.com

But then I think the future might be more prudent to consider Aether diamonds https://helena.org/projects/aether/

I love this concept but if I’m honest I’m not moved emotionally to buy these, I love that they exist in the World. It seems a bit gimmicky but maybe I’m generationally short sighted and I might be embarrassed about wearing a big earthmined diamond in the future.

I keep coming back to the discontinued Lucida I like the chunky juices thickness of the diamond and I like the setting too. I have never actually tried one on in person I feel it’s wooing me toward it. I think I want a fully documented second hand Lucida because if I want to later sell it then that would be a good package, but maybe not worthwhile - I have seen some nice Lucida without the Tiffany papers for a lot less.


Pictures - Lucida currently on offer at eBay - and the estate ring I’m interested in (plus a picture of the insured ring I lost years ago - it was a little over 1ct round brilliant IF, E color in a custom platinum (partner designed as a complete surprise)

 

[lovedogs]

Don't fall for the gimmick of the aether diamonds. They're lab diamknds, which I personally like, but the idea that they are "completely ethical" is honestly nonsense. There's lots of info about how lab diamonds aren't actually "ethically superior" in the way some marketing folks try to make us think.

I like lab, I like natural, but I dislike gimmicks.

I love the lucida cut, it's cool and unique.

 

[mayaINaU]

I am a diamond enthusiast not enlightened or knowledgeable. I received a claim paid for a lost diamond ring (was an engagement ring) years ago and now considering buying a replacement from me to me - no engagement no time frame. (Is it dumb to wear an engagement style ring at my age if I’m unmarried and not engaged ?! )

I love diamonds! I have a relaxed unfussy lifestyle. I love some of the Lucida rings, I’m considering for example this fully documented ring

Huge Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond VVS1 F Solitaire Engagement Ring $64,900 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Huge Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond VVS1 F Solitaire Engagement Ring $64,900 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Versus something uniquely different:

ANTIQUE 2.60CT ROSE CUT PEAR DIAMOND – GIA FANCY LIGHT BROWN-YELLOW RING (SZ 5) | eBay

GIA Report Number: 6167812191. GIA INCLUDED CLARITY: VS2 NATURAL, FANCY LIGHT BROWN- YELLOW, UNEVEN. RING SIZE: 5. If the gold content is stamped on the item, we will list the item as the stamped gold karat.

www.ebay.com

But then I think the future might be more prudent to consider Aether diamonds https://helena.org/projects/aether/

I love this concept but if I’m honest I’m not moved emotionally to buy these, I love that they exist in the World. It seems a bit gimmicky but maybe I’m generationally short sighted and I might be embarrassed about wearing a big earthmined diamond in the future.

I keep coming back to the discontinued Lucida I like the chunky juices thickness of the diamond and I like the setting too. I have never actually tried one on in person I feel it’s wooing me toward it. I think I want a fully documented second hand Lucida because if I want to later sell it then that would be a good package, but maybe not worthwhile - I have seen some nice Lucida without the Tiffany papers for a lot less.


Pictures - Lucida currently on offer at eBay - and the estate ring I’m interested in (plus a picture of the insured ring I lost years ago - it was a little over 1ct round brilliant IF, E color in a custom platinum (partner designed as a complete surprise)

I love the Lucida, too. If at all possible, I would suggest you see if you can find one pre-loved at a store near you to try on. There are usually a couple available across jewelry stores that deal with estate pieces. I say that because I read, and if you dig through the threads here you will probably find it, that there were different iterations of this cut over the years before it was discontinued. You may like one personality better than another. I tried one on at a local estate jeweler and the cut didn’t captivate me the way I thought it would. I still love the ring and the idea of the ring, but it would be good if you could see a couple in person and see if they look the same to you, if they differ, what you like and don’t like.

 

[lovedogs]

I love the Lucida, too. If at all possible, I would suggest you see if you can find one pre-loved at a store near you to try on. There are usually a couple available across jewelry stores that deal with estate pieces. I say that because I read, and if you dig through the threads here you will probably find it, that there were different iterations of this cut over the years before it was discontinued. You may like one personality better than another. I tried one on at a local estate jeweler and the cut didn’t captivate me the way I thought it would. I still love the ring and the idea of the ring, but it would be good if you could see a couple in person and see if they look the same to you, if they differ, what you like and don’t like.

Good point. I wanted a lucida for a while and spent a long time on ebay looking for one w paperwork, etc. I realized that I love the cut on *some* of them, but others don't appeal to me at all. Definitely critical for OP to figure out what iteration of the cut she likes

 

[60sChic]

I love the Lucida, too. If at all possible, I would suggest you see if you can find one pre-loved at a store near you to try on. There are usually a couple available across jewelry stores that deal with estate pieces. I say that because I read, and if you dig through the threads here you will probably find it, that there were different iterations of this cut over the years before it was discontinued. You may like one personality better than another. I tried one on at a local estate jeweler and the cut didn’t captivate me the way I thought it would. I still love the ring and the idea of the ring, but it would be good if you could see a couple in person and see if they look the same to you, if they differ, what you like and don’t like.

I have seen the variety of Lucida is remarkable, some sparkle some don’t but alas I am in New Zealand and there seem to be few-to-no examples for in person viewing. But we at least have a Tiffany shop to service.

The Lucida can look a bit dead some of them have a flatter affect. What I like about the one in the auction link I posted is that the full Tiffany original report and papers stand behind it - for some one like me - also since I am looking for myself, I want something I can I sure and something I can sell at a later time if I tire of it. Which the Lucida tics those boxes.

If anyone sees any, link me up!

I also worry about fakes.

Even though I’m not a huge Tiffany fan in general when these come on the second hand market with full papers it feels like a safer choice. Although on the other hand Tiffany customer service is wonderful and they will sell you a hunk of coal in the blue box if it’s what you can afford.

Omg and PS so sorry my photo uploads went in duplicates I didn’t do that well at all so sorry.

 

[lovedogs]

I have seen the variety of Lucida is remarkable, some sparkle some don’t but alas I am in New Zealand and there seem to be few-to-no examples for in person viewing. But we at least have a Tiffany shop to service.

The Lucida can look a bit dead some of them have a flatter affect. What I like about the one in the auction link I posted is that the full Tiffany original report and papers stand behind it - for some one like me - also since I am looking for myself, I want something I can I sure and something I can sell at a later time if I tire of it. Which the Lucida tics those boxes.

If anyone sees any, link me up!

I also worry about fakes.

Even though I’m not a huge Tiffany fan in general when these come on the second hand market with full papers it feels like a safer choice. Although on the other hand Tiffany customer service is wonderful and they will sell you a hunk of coal in the blue box if it’s what you can afford.

Omg and PS so sorry my photo uploads went in duplicates I didn’t do that well at all so sorry.

What's your budget? I have a Lucida search saved on my ebay app so I'm happy to help

 

[60sChic]

What's your budget? I have a Lucida search saved on my ebay app so I'm happy to help

What's your budget? I have a Lucida search saved on my ebay app so I'm happy to help

I have seen some in the 10-15k range I think might be nice and I have the idea of a 2ct in mind - the current link I had inserted is 35k for a 1.7 ct which is more than I’d like to pay for that ring. My insurance allowed for about 25k in the replacement of the lost ring. - I’m a bit all over the place and I’m selling some other pieces and things I don’t wear to pile on to the budget. I have the advantage of not being in a hurry. I hope I can negotiate a great price - I find I don’t wear things if I feel like I over paid.

 

[mayaINaU]

I have seen some in the 10-15k range I think might be nice and I have the idea of a 2ct in mind - the current link I had inserted is 35k for a 1.7 ct which is more than I’d like to pay for that ring. My insurance allowed for about 25k in the replacement of the lost ring. - I’m a bit all over the place and I’m selling some other pieces and things I don’t wear to pile on to the budget. I have the advantage of not being in a hurry. I hope I can negotiate a great price - I find I don’t wear things if I feel like I over paid.

This is a reputable seller of pre-loved Tiffany on eBay and he has a few :https://www.ebay.com/str/bluechipje...uid=mjrlowkzsce&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[mayaINaU]

I have seen some in the 10-15k range I think might be nice and I have the idea of a 2ct in mind - the current link I had inserted is 35k for a 1.7 ct which is more than I’d like to pay for that ring. My insurance allowed for about 25k in the replacement of the lost ring. - I’m a bit all over the place and I’m selling some other pieces and things I don’t wear to pile on to the budget. I have the advantage of not being in a hurry. I hope I can negotiate a great price - I find I don’t wear things if I feel like I over paid.

Discussion of different Lucida cut styles based on year. There is a 1999 patent and a 2002 patent. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/lucida-look-alike-and-cut-differences-over-time.274004/
This is the comment I was looking for earlier. Might bet better to look for one of the earlier Lucida cuts. See @diagem post in this discussion:
Post in thread 'Will you buy this 20 year old Lucida diamond ring?'
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...r-old-lucida-diamond-ring.247417/post-4510393

 

[lovedogs]

I love this one (and diamondten is a reputable seller to my knowledge, plus you can ask for a pic of the inscription on the diamond itself)

Tiffany & Co Lucida Engagement Ring 2.03ct F VS Diamond Platinum MSRP $63,500 | eBay

Tiffany & Co. Hallmark/Indication:Tiffany & Co., LUCIDA™, PT950, 2.03ct, D54853, Pat 5970744. Tiffany Lucida Diamond Solitaire. Featuring a GIA Certified Tiffany & Co. 2.03ct F VS1 Lucida Cut Natural Diamond Center.

www.ebay.com

Another reputable jeweler and this one has a pic of the inscription:

Tiffany & Co Platinum 2.16 ct Lucida Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring G/VVS2 | eBay

The Lucida Cut is a specialty cut diamond that is only sold by Tiffany & Co. The ring is stamped " © TIFFANY & CO.LUCIDA Ⓡ PT950.". 5970744 et al", and "1950 2.16CT". The diamond information is from Tiffany's sale records.

www.ebay.com

You can afford much larger, but I've coveted this ring FOREVER bc it's so sleek and gorgeous.

Tiffany & Co Rare Lucida Bezel Diamond Ring .75 Gorgeous & Unique | eBay

Crafted with the highest quality, this pre-owned ring is in excellent condition and is a rare find. This exquisite ring from Tiffany & Co features a stunning white, rectangular shaped diamond. 75 carat set in platinum.

www.ebay.com