Is this a good or bad time to upgrade?

[meesmom]

Hi all, haven't been here in a while, but I've been getting the upgrade itch as of late. I love my 1.5 ct. round, but would like something in the 1.9 range. The dealer I originally bought my diamond from has drastically changed their upgrade policy, so that I would need to spend at least 10k with the trade in, and there's no way I'm doing that. Are their any better options? Should I wait? Or am I stuck with my current stone?

 

[Jax172]

Personally I would keep my 1.5 and buy a larger lab diamond. That is what I have done with my original 1.34. My lab diamonds are indistinguishable from my original e-ring diamond and are sooo much more affordable.

 

[meesmom]

Personally I would keep my 1.5 and buy a larger lab diamond. That is what I have done with my original 1.34. My lab diamonds are indistinguishable from my original e-ring diamond and are sooo much more affordable.

I have considered this, and am looking into it. I know, they look amazing! Not sure if it would be "mind clean" or not, tho. Also, I wonder if I would ever wear my natural diamond again. What size did you end up getting?

 

[Jax172]

I have considered this, and am looking into it. I know, they look amazing! Not sure if it would be "mind clean" or not, tho. Also, I wonder if I would ever wear my natural diamond again. What size did you end up getting?

I have several now. That’s the danger is they can be addicting. I have a 1.85 set in a custom setting by David Klass that is my everyday look now. I still break out the original 1.34 earth mined some days too.

I also have a 3.10 carat warm colored K set in yellow gold and a 2.82 E set in white gold for when I want to be extra fancy and I also have some fancy shapes that I wear as right hand rings.

I thought I might find them to feel fake at first because Moissanite or Asha stones back in the day never did it for me but as soon as I saw my first lab diamond I was hooked. I will never buy a mined diamond again. What I love about diamonds is that sparkle that no other stone can quite mimic and lab diamonds are diamonds so I can get that sparkle without a ton of money. I have jewelry I never thought I’d have like a tennis bracelet, an eternity ring, large studs, etc.

I would buy yourself an amazing cut lab diamond (ask the lab forum for help finding one) and just see what you think. If you can’t do it then you can return it but I think you will be super happy with it and then you can use the rest of the money you saved on something else.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Depending on the specs of your current diamond, and one you might upgrade to, you could easily spend 10k on the upgrade. The diamond markets have been in quite a state since the pandemic. The war in Ukraine (because sanctions have been imposed on Russian diamonds), the decrease in diamond mining and the economy in general have all had negative effects on the diamond market. No way to know if things will get better or worse. As someone said in another thread, if you find something you like and can afford it, go for it. Just no way to know if pricing will get better or worse.

 

[meesmom]

Depending on the specs of your current diamond, and one you might upgrade to, you could easily spend 10k on the upgrade. The diamond markets have been in quite a state since the pandemic. The war in Ukraine (because sanctions have been imposed on Russian diamonds), the decrease in diamond mining and the economy in general have all had negative effects on the diamond market. No way to know if things will get better or worse. As someone said in another thread, if you find something you like and can afford it, go for it. Just no way to know if pricing will get better or worse.

Thanks for the response. I know I really could spend that much!! But I was looking and actually found one that I love for $13,000. My diamond cost me $8,400, but I'm aware I wouldn't get that for it now. But I was wondering if there was anywhere else that might take it in trade that doesn't have a policy that is that high. My dealer used to have it set at 50% higher, now it's 100%, plus a 20% restocking fee. I'm leaning now to keeping what I have for now, unless I can find a company that would be easier to work with.

 

[meesmom]

I have several now. That’s the danger is they can be addicting. I have a 1.85 set in a custom setting by David Klass that is my everyday look now. I still break out the original 1.34 earth mined some days too.

I also have a 3.10 carat warm colored K set in yellow gold and a 2.82 E set in white gold for when I want to be extra fancy and I also have some fancy shapes that I wear as right hand rings.

I thought I might find them to feel fake at first because Moissanite or Asha stones back in the day never did it for me but as soon as I saw my first lab diamond I was hooked. I will never buy a mined diamond again. What I love about diamonds is that sparkle that no other stone can quite mimic and lab diamonds are diamonds so I can get that sparkle without a ton of money. I have jewelry I never thought I’d have like a tennis bracelet, an eternity ring, large studs, etc.

I would buy yourself an amazing cut lab diamond (ask the lab forum for help finding one) and just see what you think. If you can’t do it then you can return it but I think you will be super happy with it and then you can use the rest of the money you saved on something else.

Lab diamonds are so great for this!! I'm kinda a one ring girl tho. If I bought a lab, I would feel like I had to choose one and stick with it. It's still on tjr table for consideration. Considering the instability of the diamond market, I would hate to spend thousands and have their value tank.

 

[tyty333]

Thanks for the response. I know I really could spend that much!! But I was looking and actually found one that I love for $13,000. My diamond cost me $8,400, but I'm aware I wouldn't get that for it now. But I was wondering if there was anywhere else that might take it in trade that doesn't have a policy that is that high. My dealer used to have it set at 50% higher, now it's 100%, plus a 20% restocking fee. I'm leaning now to keeping what I have for now, unless I can find a company that would be easier to work with.

You should be able to use the upgrade policy that was in effect at the time you bought your stone. If you upgrade through them then
the newer/current upgrade policy will be in effect for your new stone. Have you tried arguing that with the jeweler?

 

[Lpsl]

I have considered this, and am looking into it. I know, they look amazing! Not sure if it would be "mind clean" or not, tho. Also, I wonder if I would ever wear my natural diamond again. What size did you end up getting?

I did this. Our original is a 1.5 natural mined stone. We did an anniversary upsize (not necessarily upGRADE) with a 2.08 lab grown.

At first, I loved the larger one - the finger coverage, etc. Something about 2 ct felt important to me and we now had one.

After a while, i felt a strong sentimental calling of the original natural stone. Instead of a larger center stone, i went with a different setting -- originally a solitaire, now the halo in my avatar photo.

I will at some point probably swing back -- and appreciate having the option to wear wither one, yet have been loving the original natural stone (the finger coverage of halo does not hurt, and the halo setting brings this stone to life - the scintillation and fire are just beyond). The lab stone also has a specific sentimental meaning for us, yet it is not feeling so mind-clean for me these days.

Then again, our bank account remains very mind-clean for not having splashed out for an upgraded natural mined stone. At this point - with fluctuations in the diamond market for natural mined and lab grown, I am feeling not so compelled to consider more purchases/upgrades.

(for now anyway ...).

 

[Dreamer_D]

I’m not sure I will ever spend big money on a natural diamond again. The only exception would be a large, very very tinted (Like S-T kind of range) true antique cushion. But who knows if I would ever have the money for that scale or purchase again. With lab diamonds being so inexpensive, and visually indistinguishable from natural, some of the gild has come off the diamond lily for me. I haven’t experimented with lab stones yet but I do plan to in the coming years. I’m waiting for the prices to hit rock bottom lol But I will be spending my jewelry money on natural colored gemstones for the most part going forward.

All this is to say that no, I would not put a lot of money into a diamond upgrade right now. Especially because 1.5 to 1.9 would be barely noticeable. I would invest in a gorgeous new setting, maybe a very high quality halo or three stone, maybe with natural diamond sides (smaller sides are not so painfully expensive) and I would consider my gorgeous natural diamond to be a kind of legacy of a bygone era.

And if I wanted big I’d just get a lab diamond in an unusual cut I could never afford in an earth mined!

 

[meesmom]

You should be able to use the upgrade policy that was in effect at the time you bought your stone. If you upgrade through them then
the newer/current upgrade policy will be in effect for your new stone. Have you tried arguing that with the jeweler?

You should be able to use the upgrade policy that was in effect at the time you bought your stone. If you upgrade through them then
the newer/current upgrade policy will be in effect for your new stone. Have you tried arguing that with the jeweler?

I went thru all the paperwork just now...it doesn't have the trade in policy anywhere on it. I guess I should've printed it out from the website? Honestly not really interested in using the original dealer, anyway. I used brilliance.com, simply because they were giving me an excellent price on my outside trade in. It took me forever to find a decent stone, most of them were not nicely cut. I was wondering if anyone else might take it. Afraid to ask if whiteflash would, their standards are pretty high...

 

[meesmom]

I did this. Our original is a 1.5 natural mined stone. We did an anniversary upsize (not necessarily upGRADE) with a 2.08 lab grown.

At first, I loved the larger one - the finger coverage, etc. Something about 2 ct felt important to me and we now had one.

After a while, i felt a strong sentimental calling of the original natural stone. Instead of a larger center stone, i went with a different setting -- originally a solitaire, now the halo in my avatar photo.

I will at some point probably swing back -- and appreciate having the option to wear wither one, yet have been loving the original natural stone (the finger coverage of halo does not hurt, and the halo setting brings this stone to life - the scintillation and fire are just beyond). The lab stone also has a specific sentimental meaning for us, yet it is not feeling so mind-clean for me these days.

Then again, our bank account remains very mind-clean for not having splashed out for an upgraded natural mined stone. At this point - with fluctuations in the diamond market for natural mined and lab grown, I am feeling not so compelled to consider more purchases/upgrades.

(for now anyway ...).

Ok, I TOTOALLY get you. I also have a 1.5, and while I love it, I always envisioned ending up with a 2 ct. somewhere down the road. Our 20th anniversary is coming up, so I figured now might be the time. Also, I love my setting (CVB jovyn) so I would've used the same setting and had caysie change the head. It's strange, while I love jewelry a LOT, I actually have very little. I only own like 6 rings (solitaire and bands, that's it), 2 pairs of earrings, and about 10 necklaces. One bracelet. I don't know if I could mentally have more than one solitaire. It's weird, I know.
Im feeling that I'm getting the advice I needed. I think I will stay put for now. I love my diamond so much. I just wish it would stop looking smaller every time I look at it!!

 

[meesmom]

I’m not sure I will ever spend big money on a natural diamond again. The only exception would be a large, very very tinted (Like S-T kind of range) true antique cushion. But who knows if I would ever have the money for that scale or purchase again. With lab diamonds being so inexpensive, and visually indistinguishable from natural, some of the gild has come off the diamond lily for me. I haven’t experimented with lab stones yet but I do plan to in the coming years. I’m waiting for the prices to hit rock bottom lol But I will be spending my jewelry money on natural colored gemstones for the most part going forward.

All this is to say that no, I would not put a lot of money into a diamond upgrade right now. Especially because 1.5 to 1.9 would be barely noticeable. I would invest in a gorgeous new setting, maybe a very high quality halo or three stone, maybe with natural diamond sides (smaller sides are not so painfully expensive) and I would consider my gorgeous natural diamond to be a kind of legacy of a bygone era.

And if I wanted big I’d just get a lab diamond in an unusual cut I could never afford in an earth mined!

This is exactly what I needed to hear. I was considering doing a 3 stone, but i love my jovyn so much, its absolutely perfect in my eyes. I wouldve set my new stone in it with a new head. But, i am hearing all of you, I will stay put and ride it out. I am still going seriously consider a lab. I love the August vintage cushions good old gold makes, maybe....

 

[Dreamer_D]

Maybe you could get a wrap? Caysie has made at least one gorgeous halo wrap that snaps onto the setting. And another PSer has a wrap that makes her solitaire into a three stone! Both look totally seamless.

The three stone is also with a Jovyn!

Many if you know that I’d been wanting a three stone forever, but just couldn’t pull the trigger… because I couldn’t part with my Jovyn solitaire. So a few months ago I had DK make me a whole new set in 18K YG with platinum baskets. Overall, I loved it, but there were… issues. The wrap wasn’t perfectly lined up, and the sides didn’t quite match (one was larger). The solitaire had 3 prongs that had lifted. One had even gotten so lifted that my center stone’s girdle had become unseated from the prong. Also, the YG seemed to give the stones a yellow cast. After going from an I (which I thought was white) to a G upgrade, I wasn’t having that. Nope.

So after a lengthy email to David and Amy, they agreed to remake the ring with perfectly matched sides, in platinum, and using my Jovyn solitaire. David and Amy were very understanding, patient, and accommodating. I told them I was in no rush, but that I basically wanted perfection this go round.

They delivered.

I am so very happy with this set. My stones look sooo white against the platinum, and the set is HEAVY! I also had them add a very low profile bar so that the wrap wasn’t completely open, and I so glad I did!

Here are some pics from David and Amy.




This shot taken from below makes the sides appear higher, but they are perfectly angled IRL.

There are some twists and turns as to how this whole piece came about so feel free to skip to the pics!

There is an antique ring that has lived in the “ring inspo” folder in my phone for 8 years. That ring is actually the one that lead me to create the folder in the first place and the first pic was screenshot in July of 2014 according to my iPhone.

Since then, there have been many life changes both personally and professionally. In the beginning of 2022, I started thinking more seriously about getting this ring finally made as a RHR. It involved an OMC as the center stone so I started looking for an OMC around 8mm. I thought I had found it when I bought a beautiful OMC (2.81 ct GIA N) from Alex Park. Once I had the diamond in hand, I started having second thoughts about the setting. I think sometimes, especially with old cuts, the stone dictates the setting. While I didn’t mind the warmth of this OMC per se (it throws out all kinds of romantic pastels), it felt too warm for the setting I had in mind and its faceting almost too neat. The inspo setting I had in mind required bezeling the center stone and this particular stone screamed out for prongs to me. I needed a touch whiter and more rustic (perhaps one with a bigger culet with more prominent kozibe) OMC for the original setting. I still loved its brightness, the squarish pillowy shape, the chunky crown and the crispness of the faceting so I decided to keep it and figure out a different setting for it.

So then came the dilemma. I didn’t want a solitaire as this will be a RHR and I have SO many inspo rings in my trusty folder and wanted so many different rings, I couldn’t make up my mind!

- Do I want a 3 stone? I’ve always wanted one!

- A heart shaped cluster? It would be perfect for the romantic feel of this stone but perhaps too much for something I intend to wear almost daily?

- Something with pearls? Pearls would be a great complement to the warm pastel tones of this OMC but once again, perhaps not great for daily wear.

Then a lightbulb went off and I remembered that Caysie of CVB ID had come up with the brilliant idea of halo clips a few years back. Why choose one when I can have all 3 with halo clips!?! I had reached out to her for a quote on the original setting so I contacted her again to see if she was still making the clips. She replied, “Absolutely I’m creating the halo clips. What do you have in mind?”

I summarized my ideas with inspo pics and sent it to her like so:


I also sent her a pic of an antique starburst diamond/pearl brooch I had and asked if the stones and the pearls can be repurposed for #3. She said her bench would have to take a look first but that she would try.

That very day, I sent off the OMC and the brooch to Caysie and got in queue for her design process.

EDIT: or have you considered a massive five stone? Bling mania might scratch the itch for coverage.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I also want to say that if you truly want a two carat and you have the budget then you should do it! The heart wants what it wants and as someone who also only owns one significant natural diamond, I totally understand treasuring your one and only precious.

You don’t need to decide now anyway. You could casually explore your options. Sounds like the original vendor is out. But many vendors will buy diamonds towards an upgrade. Maybe it’s worth calling around just to see the lay of the land? Then you wouldn’t have any “what ifs”.

 

[Godrick]

I went thru all the paperwork just now...it doesn't have the trade in policy anywhere on it. I guess I should've printed it out from the website? Honestly not really interested in using the original dealer, anyway. I used brilliance.com, simply because they were giving me an excellent price on my outside trade in. It took me forever to find a decent stone, most of them were not nicely cut. I was wondering if anyone else might take it. Afraid to ask if whiteflash would, their standards are pretty high...

Hey there - I just went through this process of upgrading. WF does not take trade-in's nor does BG or the like unless it is a special circumstance. I had the best luck with a small-mid size regional family owned jeweler chain (they have 3-5 locations, are fairly large but not nation wide like Kay's or anything like that - just in my region) and I would suggest looking into a place like that in your area! They typically are able to swing the best trade in value and have so much selection, but still at a higher quality than the diamond farm huge corporate types! They gave me over 80% of my original ring's purchase price as trade-in value (original ring was purchased elsewhere at a very small jewelry retailer)

 

[meesmom]

Hey there - I just went through this process of upgrading. WF does not take trade-in's nor does BG or the like unless it is a special circumstance. I had the best luck with a small-mid size regional family owned jeweler chain (they have 3-5 locations, are fairly large but not nation wide like Kay's or anything like that - just in my region) and I would suggest looking into a place like that in your area! They typically are able to swing the best trade in value and have so much selection, but still at a higher quality than the diamond farm huge corporate types! They gave me over 80% of my original ring's purchase price as trade-in value (original ring was purchased elsewhere at a very small jewelry retailer)

This is a great idea. Yeah I don't think whiteflash would be interested in my stone. It's nice, but def. not "a cut above" in cut.

 

[meesmom]

I also want to say that if you truly want a two carat and you have the budget then you should do it! The heart wants what it wants and as someone who also only owns one significant natural diamond, I totally understand treasuring your one and only precious.

You don’t need to decide now anyway. You could casually explore your options. Sounds like the original vendor is out. But many vendors will buy diamonds towards an upgrade. Maybe it’s worth calling around just to see the lay of the land? Then you wouldn’t have any “what ifs”.

Thanks! Nothing is off the table, to be sure. I just have to be careful. I really do love my current diamond. I will keep all options open!

 

[meesmom]

Maybe you could get a wrap? Caysie has made at least one gorgeous halo wrap that snaps onto the setting. And another PSer has a wrap that makes her solitaire into a three stone! Both look totally seamless.

The three stone is also with a Jovyn!




EDIT: or have you considered a massive five stone? Bling mania might scratch the itch for coverage.

I think the 1st ring you quoted is msop04's? Funny because my solitaire is basically a copy of hers!! It was totally my inspiration. I must admit, I'm not really into wraps. My mom had one, and she hated it. It never stayed in place, and it chewed her solitaire up so bad she had to do a reset. I wonder if they are made differently now?

I actually just got the tiffany forever band (3.5mm, 7 stone) over the summer. It's for my 50th birthday. still have a hard time admitting it, lol. And it's super sparkly!!I think that's what kinda started me on about upgrading tho. It's so sparkly and blingy that it kind of upstages my solitaire. It's an endless cycle!!!!

 

[msop04]

I think the 1st ring you quoted is msop04's? Funny because my solitaire is basically a copy of hers!! It was totally my inspiration. I must admit, I'm not really into wraps. My mom had one, and she hated it. It never stayed in place, and it chewed her solitaire up so bad she had to do a reset. I wonder if they are made differently now?

I haven’t been on PS in forever, but I just popped on and saw your comment. I was never a fan of guards or wraps… hated the idea. They were sort of a generic-looking mass produced “one size fits most” kind of thing that didn’t fit anything well. My DK wrap clicks right into place and doesn’t move. It’s been perfection and hasn’t messed with my beloved Jovyn setting whatsoever. I think the key is having one made by an experienced bench to fit your setting perfectly.

 

[meesmom]

I haven’t been on PS in forever, but I just popped on and saw your comment. I was never a fan of guards or wraps… hated the idea. They were sort of a generic-looking mass produced “one size fits most” kind of thing that didn’t fit anything well. My DK wrap clicks right into place and doesn’t move. It’s been perfection and hasn’t messed with my beloved Jovyn setting whatsoever. I think the key is having one made by an experienced bench to fit your setting perfectly.

Hey @msop04!! Yeah it's been a long time for me, too. I thought I was 100% happy with my set, until I recently purchased the 3.5 forever band from tiffany. It makes my 1.5 ct. look so small, even tho it's a rhr!! I know you posted about your 3 stone, I didn't know it was a wrap!! That blows my mind. Did you happen to post a video or pictures of how it works (as far as clipping in, does it have some sort of mechanism or does it just fit)? I really dont want to destroy my jovyn, I think you understand, haha!!

 

[LLJsmom]

I would be very careful about going for a lab in place of an upgrade to your EGD. If you are not completely mind clean about it now, you may not become mind clean about it later. I got two labs for studs that are just jewelry to me but nothing special. However labs are so relatively economical compared to EGD of the same stats that even if you decide its not mind clean after you can always use a two carat lab for other purposes. Use it for a travel ring, or put it in a pendant.

 

[kenny]

Past price trends don't predict the future.
Now may be the beginning, middle, or end of a price trend.
They may suddenly shoot up because of X, or fall because of Y, or stay the same.

That's why I say, as long as you have the funds, and you want to upgrade, ANY time is a good time to do so.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

who has a crystal ball?
no one knows the future
if you can afford it right now and can justify the spend to yourself and it will make you happy
get it now
its not like buying a diamond is an investment in most instances

 

[meesmom]

I would be very careful about going for a lab in place of an upgrade to your EGD. If you are not completely mind clean about it now, you may not become mind clean about it later. I got two labs for studs that are just jewelry to me but nothing special. However labs are so relatively economical compared to EGD of the same stats that even if you decide its not mind clean after you can always use a two carat lab for other purposes. Use it for a travel ring, or put it in a pendant.

Yeah, no I'm going to stay put for now I think. I don't think I could ever replace my egd for lab now that I read this...

Are Engagement-Ring Shoppers Paying Too Much For Lab-Grown Diamonds?

The diamond trading and information services group Rapaport has alerted consumers to high retail prices, as lab-grown diamond trading prices crash.

www.forbes.com

Could this even be true???

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Yeah, no I'm going to stay put for now I think. I don't think I could ever replace my egd for lab now that I read this...

Are Engagement-Ring Shoppers Paying Too Much For Lab-Grown Diamonds?

The diamond trading and information services group Rapaport has alerted consumers to high retail prices, as lab-grown diamond trading prices crash.

www.forbes.com

Could this even be true???

You have to do what makes you comfortable, that's always the smart way to go.

Sure. It also happens for mined diamonds, as well.
There are segments of industry that are pretty resentful of labs. They upended everything. There's a lot of money riding on an unsubstantiated cache of status quo. Influence peddling is happening, as it does with every innovation. You just have to shop around, are there some establishments out to take advantage before the public is better informed of their options and the price structure stabilizes? Yes, there are. This was an example.

 

[LLJsmom]

Yeah, no I'm going to stay put for now I think. I don't think I could ever replace my egd for lab now that I read this...

Are Engagement-Ring Shoppers Paying Too Much For Lab-Grown Diamonds?

The diamond trading and information services group Rapaport has alerted consumers to high retail prices, as lab-grown diamond trading prices crash.

www.forbes.com

Could this even be true???

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing. That was my theory about the end place for labs. It will be essentially a different market from EGD. But I don’t want to detail your thread. Just be honest with yourself and go with what you are comfortable and can live with. If I could redo it knowing what I know now about how I feel about the labs, I would not have purchased them. But hindsight is 20/20 and I’m stubborn and wanted to experience for myself to be sure.

 

[seaurchin]

10k minimum, yikes. I'd go with a larger lab diamond, but not trade in the mined diamond to get it. You could halo the mined diamond to make it appear larger (as a right hand ring or just have two wedding sets to alternate between). Or have it re-set in a pendant or bracelet, for ex.

 

[MissGotRocks]

The lab market is still evolving so no one can say with certainty where it will end up. It seems to me that with anything that can be made in plentiful supply, the prices will continue to fall. Again, that is just my guess. As the article stated, Timex didn’t bankrupt Rolex so there is that comparison. Price and value are two totally different things, so only you can determine what is right for you - now or in the future.

 

[LLJsmom]

The lab market is still evolving so no one can say with certainty where it will end up. It seems to me that with anything that can be made in plentiful supply, the prices will continue to fall. Again, that is just my guess. As the article stated, Timex didn’t bankrupt Rolex so there is that comparison. Price and value are two totally different things, so only you can determine what is right for you - now or in the future.

That was so funny and everyone knows there are super fakes of Rolexes out there, that are kinda expensive, some up to a few hundred dollars. Those super fakes did not bankrupt Rolex either, and have not at all reduced the waiting lists. Hmmmm…