Should I return this antique ring because of I1 clarity?

[riplakk]

(Photo from seller’s listing)

I bought this antique old european cut diamond ring that was listed as 1.45 ct, L color, and VS1 clarity.

When I went to get a private appraisal, it was given an I1 clarity, mainly because of a feather. It’s between two of the prongs and definitely visible to the naked eye, but it doesn’t bother me much. There weren’t any other significant inclusions that the appraiser noted and that I could see.

The diamond’s appraised value was equal to the amount paid for the whole ring, with the overall replacement value coming in higher than the appraisal provided by the seller.

I love everything else about this ring, but don’t know if I should consider returning because of the drastic difference between the listed clarity and what my appraiser pointed out.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I like it. I also would ask for a discount, first. There is a monetary difference between grades that is significant.
Appraisals are high for insurance purposes and don't reflect the reality of a secondary market.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Ditto with what @ItsMainelyYou said.

If you love her, and the price is fair, keep her. It’s important to know what you are paying for, but its also important to remember - antique diamonds are like art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So if you think she is beautiful, I think you should keep her and be her next caretaker and love her as she was meant to be. What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic, and every Jane Austen book is my favorite

And honestly, I’m almost at the point where I welcome some inclusions … beauty marks… because it proves that your diamond came from this earth and has history and that makes them incredibly special in my eyes… especially with lab stones being nearly perfect today …. Don’t get me wrong. I will absolutely will rock an antique lab pear pendant someday

 

[Dreamer_D]

I usually consider the grading estimates by most sellers to be interesting tidbits but I always assume they are wrong. And frankly I feel the same about appraisers! So you have two unreliable sources there. If you can see the feather with the naked eye I think it’s fair to say it’s not a VS1 though! So I would also ask the seller for a price adjustment on that basis. I have asked for an received such adjustments for both of the old cut rings I own! I received 5% back on one purchase and 15% on the other.

A completely separate issue is whether you paid a fair price. Carat weight is really the only easily-identified parameter. And you know or suspect it’s in the SI1-I1 territory. What color range are you being told? It looks nicely cut. And what did you pay?

Finally, should you keep and I1 (potentially) stone? I would if the inclusions didn’t seem to pose an issue for longevity. And with a stone that’s survived 150 years already (judging from the cushiony OEC cut style), I thinks that’s a pretty safe bet. I’d keep it unless I paid a full retail price for a VS1 and felt ripped off.

 

[Lookinagain]

I usually consider the grading estimates by most sellers to be interesting tidbits but I always assume they are wrong. And frankly I feel the same about appraisers! So you have two unreliable sources there. If you can see the feather with the naked eye I think it’s fair to say it’s not a VS1 though! So I would also ask the seller for a price adjustment on that basis. I have asked for an received such adjustments for both of the old cut rings I own! I received 5% back on one purchase and 15% on the other.

A completely separate issue is whether you paid a fair price. Carat weight is really the only easily-identified parameter. And you know or suspect it’s in the SI1-I1 territory. What color range are you being told? It looks nicely cut. And what did you pay?

Finally, should you keep and I1 (potentially) stone? I would if the inclusions didn’t seem to pose an issue for longevity. And with a stone that’s survived 150 years already (judging from the cushiony OEC cut style), I thinks that’s a pretty safe bet. I’d keep it unless I paid a full retail price for a VS1 and felt ripped off.

This!

 

[LilAlex]

What was the actual appraisal standard? Fair-market value? Replacement value? Insurance appraisal? Estate division? Often for estate stuff it is the first -- looking for sales comparables online.

I ask because for some of these insurance objectives it should have come in way over your recent purchase price so a "value" that matches what you paid is a potentially worrisome sign. It has been a long time since I did a deep dive into the non-linearity in how increments/decrements in color and clarity grades impacted value at a given carat-weight (I did this with the entire PS data set) but I1 is in never neverland for most buyers.

 

[Mreader]

Basically everything Dreamer said lol!

 

[lulu_ma]

It all boils down to price. If you are willing to share the price, we can tell you if you got a fair deal.

 

[marymm]

You probably already know this, but there can be diamonds graded VS1 clarity that have feather inclusions.

Here's a PS thread where someone bought a VS1 cushion but could see the faint feather at the girdle, for example,
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-with-feather-at-girdle.275984/

Have you checked the listing to see if the feather is visible in any of the photos?

If none of the photos show the feather, regardless of whether it is VS1 or I1, not disclosing a material fact like a visible inclusion in the listing makes it a misrepresented item, which puts you in a better position to request a discount or partial refund IMO.

It does look like a pretty stone!

 

[riplakk]

What was the actual appraisal standard? Fair-market value? Replacement value? Insurance appraisal? Estate division? Often for estate stuff it is the first -- looking for sales comparables online.

I ask because for some of these insurance objectives it should have come in way over your recent purchase price so a "value" that matches what you paid is a potentially worrisome sign. It has been a long time since I did a deep dive into the non-linearity in how increments/decrements in color and clarity grades impacted value at a given carat-weight (I did this with the entire PS data set) but I1 is in never neverland for most buyers.

From the seller: “appraised value” of the ring based on “the current retail value” is $6700 USD
From my insurance appraisal: “replacement value (comparable)” is $7500

Purchase Price: All in, it was just shy of $5600

All other ring specs from the appraiser were comparable to the listing. 1.46 old european cut, L-M color, and ~4.1 g of 14k gold for the setting.

 

[riplakk]

It all boils down to price. If you are willing to share the price, we can tell you if you got a fair deal.

All in, paid just a little under $5600 USD! The 14k gold setting is ~4.1g as well. I appreciate everyone’s comments and would love to know your thoughts on the purchase price!

 

[lulu_ma]

I don't know if you like this setting, but this is a bigger, whiter, cleaner GIA stone for a smidge more:

Vintage Old European Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 1.72 ct 18k Rose Gold GIA | eBay

The diamond. The ring is stamped "18K". ~The ring can be seen in person at Exquisite Jewelers in Palatine, IL 8 47 202 7889~. Top Thickness (Height). Your happiness is our priority and we strive to provide you with the best quality products and service.

www.ebay.com

 

[newtojewels]

I don't know if you like this setting, but this is a bigger, whiter, cleaner GIA stone for a smidge more:

Vintage Old European Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 1.72 ct 18k Rose Gold GIA | eBay

The diamond. The ring is stamped "18K". ~The ring can be seen in person at Exquisite Jewelers in Palatine, IL 8 47 202 7889~. Top Thickness (Height). Your happiness is our priority and we strive to provide you with the best quality products and service.

www.ebay.com

wow, this is lovely!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

A thousand dollars off would be fair.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

As long as it’s stable, and you love it and don’t feel you spectacularly overpaid for it, keep it! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying something that’s “lower quality” than the highest standard!

 

[LightBright]

I don't know if you like this setting, but this is a bigger, whiter, cleaner GIA stone for a smidge more:

Vintage Old European Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 1.72 ct 18k Rose Gold GIA | eBay

The diamond. The ring is stamped "18K". ~The ring can be seen in person at Exquisite Jewelers in Palatine, IL 8 47 202 7889~. Top Thickness (Height). Your happiness is our priority and we strive to provide you with the best quality products and service.

www.ebay.com

This.

 

[Mreader]

I don't know if you like this setting, but this is a bigger, whiter, cleaner GIA stone for a smidge more:

Vintage Old European Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 1.72 ct 18k Rose Gold GIA | eBay

The diamond. The ring is stamped "18K". ~The ring can be seen in person at Exquisite Jewelers in Palatine, IL 8 47 202 7889~. Top Thickness (Height). Your happiness is our priority and we strive to provide you with the best quality products and service.

www.ebay.com

This company also has a storefront; you could contact them directly and the price would probably be lower.

 

[caf]

I don't know if you like this setting, but this is a bigger, whiter, cleaner GIA stone for a smidge more:

Vintage Old European Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 1.72 ct 18k Rose Gold GIA | eBay

The diamond. The ring is stamped "18K". ~The ring can be seen in person at Exquisite Jewelers in Palatine, IL 8 47 202 7889~. Top Thickness (Height). Your happiness is our priority and we strive to provide you with the best quality products and service.

www.ebay.com

This one is really pretty!