Help! Is it worth it?

[IndigoDime]

Hi, everyone! First post here looking for any opinions on a potential engagement ring purchase. I'm so new to this, but was drawn to an vintage/antique ring due to the history and design, and have been lurking around the forum to learn so much from you all. The ring in question is a vintage late Victorian engagement ring, solitaire with really nice engravings in 10k antique gold, with a 0.74 OEC O-P color and SI1, that is relatively shallow in depth and top width at 6.3mm. It's being sold for $4,000. It's really checks a lot of the boxes for us, but would appreciate any second opinions and thoughts. Thank you!!!

video:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

(was being sold in July 2022 for $3,600, but they've since increased the price)

 

[YadaYadaYada]

IMO, Pebble and Polish is very overpriced. You could find something similar with better color for a lot less elsewhere.

 

[Rfisher]

You’ve already bought the ring?

It’s really hard to judge/give you the advice you are asking for in what’s ‘worth it’
Without knowing what boxes this ring checks for you.

I haven’t bought an OEC for awhile to comment on current pricing - but I think this price for this ct size/stats and a 10k mounting would give me pause.

You are paying a premium with going to a vendor like you have - sometimes it’s worth it - sometimes not. Situations vary.

Do you happen to have any photos of this ring that are clear so we can see the details of the stone and setting? Can’t see much detail on that Instagram link.

 

[lulu_ma]

Here's a comp on a stone that is larger and 2 color grades higher for $3250.

1.10ct GIA CERTIFIED L SI1 OLD EUROPEAN CUT DIAMOND VINTAGE LOOSE NATURAL 1ct

This stunning 1.10ct old European cut GIA certified diamond is 100% eye clean and dazzlingly brilliant. Cut by hand a lifetime ago, it is completely unique, guaranteed to be 100% conflict free, and full of old world charm. Historied and full of life, this diamond will make an engagement or right...

ivyandrose.com

 

[IndigoDime]

Thank you all so much for the replies and thoughts! It's really helpful to get a sense of the price and what is behind it. I had suspected that was the case based on what I have read in various past discussions here, but wasn't sure, and am not sure of where to look further, so appreciate suggestions and comparisons on other websites. We are not in any rush to buy anything at the moment, and are happy to continue looking around.

You’ve already bought the ring?

It’s really hard to judge/give you the advice you are asking for in what’s ‘worth it’
Without knowing what boxes this ring checks for you.

I haven’t bought an OEC for awhile to comment on current pricing - but I think this price for this ct size/stats and a 10k mounting would give me pause.

You are paying a premium with going to a vendor like you have - sometimes it’s worth it - sometimes not. Situations vary.

Do you happen to have any photos of this ring that are clear so we can see the details of the stone and setting? Can’t see much detail on that Instagram link.

I haven't purchased the ring yet. I really like how it is low profile, and it fits the price range of being less than 5k, I really like the design of the setting, and that it looks good on my finger! More novice "boxes" but happy to learn from all of your expertise to make a good decision. Here are some additional photos:

 

[lulu_ma]

There is also a promising diamond at Old World Diamonds. It is a .92 ct M/SI1 for $2422.

I would reach out to Adam. He may have an antique setting that is perfect for you. Or he can have the setting made, if you are not set on an antique setting.

 

[lovedogs]

I am not a huge fan of it and think its overpriced at 4k, especially in a 10k zetting

 

[emmy12]

The great thing about Pebble and Polish is they keep their listings for sold rings available for viewing and have great photographs for references. If you love the setting, you can take it to another jeweler for re-creation with a different stone.

 

[IndigoDime]

There is also a promising diamond at Old World Diamonds. It is a .92 ct M/SI1 for $2422.

I would reach out to Adam. He may have an antique setting that is perfect for you. Or he can have the setting made, if you are not set on an antique setting.

Thanks so much for this specific guidance and also for sharing with me about the ivyandrose website. It's super helpful in figuring out what to do next (of which pursuing those two avenues you mentioned are what I am actually going to do Would you mind elaborating on what you mean by that diamond you specified as being promising? Does it have to do with the shape of the diamond in the report?

 

[lulu_ma]

Thanks so much for this specific guidance and also for sharing with me about the ivyandrose website. It's super helpful in figuring out what to do next (of which pursuing those two avenues you mentioned are what I am actually going to do Would you mind elaborating on what you mean by that diamond you specified as being promising? Does it have to do with the shape of the diamond in the report?

The Old World Diamond stone has a 48% table and 61% depth. Roughly speaking, those numbers could be a good combo. Unfortunately, there was no video available. But you could ask Adam for a vid and post it here for others to analyze

 

[IndigoDime]

The Old World Diamond stone has a 48% table and 61% depth. Roughly speaking, those numbers could be a good combo. Unfortunately, there was no video available. But you could ask Adam for a vid and post it here for others to analyze

Thanks so much for your advice!! I ended up having an appointment with Adam and saw many other similar diamonds. He told me he did the hard work for me (as you did) and chose all the ones with a good combo in my price range that would look good with a gold setting. I was also relieved by how easy it was to trust him with his demeanor! I realized that after seeing the diamonds though, with some having visible nicks, I don’t really have an eye for appreciating the nuisances outside of color and size. They all looked beautiful, and obvious imperfections don’t bother me much.

With that being said, I’m starting to be more curious about lab created versions of vintage cuts. It’s for an engagement ring that I don’t plan to resell and just have forever. I think what makes me lean towards antique is the romance of having a 100+ year old diamond! But does it really matter? I’m somewhat more of a values driven person, and like the ethics of weighing antique versus lab created, and appreciate any thoughts and insight on this!

 

[lulu_ma]

Oh, every person will give you a different answer. I prefer the romance of natural antique diamonds.

 

[IndigoDime]

Oh, every person will give you a different answer. I prefer the romance of natural antique diamonds.

Thank you! After sitting on it, I decided to explore the lab diamond route as it would be easier to get what I want at a price that was more "mind clean" for me.

I'd appreciate your help in evaluating this diamond! It is a 1.56 ct lab I VVS 2 OEC, 51% table, 42% depth. Videos here and here. It's being sold for $2600.

 

[Kim N]

Thank you! After sitting on it, I decided to explore the lab diamond route as it would be easier to get what I want at a price that was more "mind clean" for me.

I'd appreciate your help in evaluating this diamond! It is a 1.56 ct lab I VVS 2 OEC, 51% table, 42% depth. Videos here and here. It's being sold for $2600.

That stone is beautiful. Is there a typo in the depth you've posted?

 

[IndigoDime]

That stone is beautiful. Is there a typo in the depth you've posted?

Thank you! No the table is larger than the depth, which seems to break a big piece of advice I've found browsing this forum.

 

[lulu_ma]

Thank you! No the table is larger than the depth, which seems to break a big piece of advice I've found browsing this forum.

The depth is 60.5%. Best to start a new thread in the Lab Forum

 

[IndigoDime]

Hahaha, thanks. Oh, it's the top and bottom added together

 

[Kim N]

Hahaha, thanks. Oh, it's the top and bottom added together

Yes, the depth is actually a little more than that because you have to add the depth of the girdle too. The full report probably has the accurate depth %.

 

[IndigoDime]

I'm so glad I have you @Kim N, @lulu_ma, and everyone else to help me with all of this.

 

[DejaWiz]

Yep... pavilion depth plus crown height plus girdle thickness (probably 3.5-4%) = around 64% overall depth.