Upgrade with GoG or cut my losses and start over?

[lovingdiamonds]

GoG sourced a diamond for us 9 years ago. (They called in 3, we picked one and I was super happy with the diamond) There was no plan for an upgrade, but 9 years later, and having lurked here since 2012 I do find myself wanting to upgrade. (Current diamond is a superior H&A, 1.4 K color and I'd really like to go slightly closer to 2C and whiter in color)

Unfortunately I am now realizing that my GoG upgrade only extends to existing inventory, and there's barely anything available. On top of that, I ended up at GoG because of Jonathan, and with him being gone I don't feel very confident I'm getting a diamond with super ideal optics. After lots of reading here, I'm contemplating cutting my losses with GoG and buying ACA from WF. What would you guys recommend?
I was also wondering if VC sets WF or JA stones. I'm thinking about having him do the setting, but noticed his Canera rounds are priced a decent amount higher than WF ACA for rounds that are very similar in stats. Also WF has a lot more diamonds to choose from, so I think I'd prefer WF diamond + Canera setting. Any tips? How should I go about all this?

 

[OcnGypZ]

Why don't you contact Jonathan and see what he can do for you?

 

[Kim N]

Why don't you contact Jonathan and see what he can do for you?

That's a great idea. I would also contact WF to see if they might let you trade in your GOG diamond for an ACA. They have done that on a case-by-case basis. And if VC won't set your stone, try Steven Kirsch as well.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

What I will say is that diamonds have likely gone up a lot since you bought yours, so trading in at the original vendor is going to be a huge windfall for them and not to your advantage. I also have similar feelings regarding Jonathan being gone. Could you keep this diamond for a pendant or three stone ring? If not, then try selling it yourself for around 20-25% lower than current retail. You can certainly ask if WF would make an offer on it, but they only make offers on stones that meet ACA qualifications and for specs they need in their inventory.

Victor rarely sets stones from other H&A vendors. If you think you'll be getting a forever stone, then ask him if he'd price match with WF if they have a similar stone to one he has that you like. That's the best way to be sure he'd set your stone.

 

[lovedogs]

If you want VC to set it, then I would order a stone from him as he typically doesnt set stones from competitors

 

[JSG2185]

If you’re feeling like an upgrade, and don’t see anything at GoG, then perhaps keep the stone and maybe reset it into something else while getting a new, upgraded stone from another vendor? Or you can sell the original stone yourself and put the money towards a new one.

If you want Victor Canera to set it for you, I’d ask him first because he doesn’t always take outside stones, or just buy a stone from Victor and have him set it. Victor may be priced a bit higher but I just had a ring made by him and it’s exquisite. His skills IMO are totally worth it.

My SO and I were recently in a (somewhat) similar situation where if I wanted to sell my original diamond I’d have to sell it myself (there was no upgrade policy). We ended up just resetting the original stone and then making a new ring from Victor Canera for our anniversary.

Let us know which route you end up going!

GoG sourced a diamond for us 9 years ago. (They called in 3, we picked one and I was super happy with the diamond) There was no plan for an upgrade, but 9 years later, and having lurked here since 2012 I do find myself wanting to upgrade. (Current diamond is a superior H&A, 1.4 K color and I'd really like to go slightly closer to 2C and whiter in color)

Unfortunately I am now realizing that my GoG upgrade only extends to existing inventory, and there's barely anything available. On top of that, I ended up at GoG because of Jonathan, and with him being gone I don't feel very confident I'm getting a diamond with super ideal optics. After lots of reading here, I'm contemplating cutting my losses with GoG and buying ACA from WF. What would you guys recommend?
I was also wondering if VC sets WF or JA stones. I'm thinking about having him do the setting, but noticed his Canera rounds are priced a decent amount higher than WF ACA for rounds that are very similar in stats. Also WF has a lot more diamonds to choose from, so I think I'd prefer WF diamond + Canera setting. Any tips? How should I go about all this?

 

[tyty333]

Have you talked to GOG. I know in one upgrade instance they brought in additional stones. Maybe they would be willing to do it for
you too. You do have to take into consideration what @diamondseeker2006 brought up as far as the current value of your stone
vs what you paid for it 9 years ago.

 

[KBM]

I would speak to Whiteflash. They let me trade-in a diamond that was bought elsewhere and no where near as good as the beautiful ACAs they sell...the only caveat was I needed to spend 2x that credit...which I was 100% happy to do seeing as they credited me almost the exact price that my husband had originally paid! I ended up with such a great experience and a beautiful sparkling ACA! Good luck!