Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Very expensive engagement ring returned. Should I sell or hold it?

S

StevenL

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 22, 2023
Messages
13
Hello all, I am new to this forum and shamelessly looking for advice. If I am breaching any forum etiquette please ignore this post & I will not repost my question. However If this is permitted, here it goes. I recently had an engagement ring returned to me I purchased almost two decades ago. I of course could would not give it to any future lady in my life, so my question involves if I should sell it or hold it as part of my estate? It is a very large yellow diamond (slightly above 10 carat) and by all accounts it is a phenomenal ring and setting.
So my question is sell or hold? Will the value of this type of piece typically rise commiserate with other types of assets? Thanks in advance for any input. If pics would be helpful I will post a few.
 
GIA graded?
Whats the color grade?
Shape?
 
I apologize, I hit reply before I added this text. I will be getting back the GIA cert this weekend. I bought the ring in 2006 so I do not remember the specifics except that is was slightly over 10 carat and it was a quality diamond with no major flaws. I also remember it was not flawless, but it was a quality stone or I would not have purchased.
Thank you for inquiring and I will post the GIA report this weekend when it arrives.

The coin is a nickel for scale.
 
StevenL said:
I remember we shopped for a few months to find the stone. Primarily using a jeweler we use in LA, he found the stone and he and my girl somehow chose/designed the setting.
Click to expand...
Are there any hallmarks in the ring?
 
Sounds like you are familiar with the LA jeweler.
my guess is that even after almost two decades they remember you/this stone.

ask them if they will take in on consignment, or help you sell it, and give you a ballpark idea $ of those two scenarios.

then compare that ballpark to what you originally paid. I think that will give you a very good idea whether to hang on to it further for investment purposes in comparison to your other assets.

best wishes!
 
Karl_K said:
Are there any hallmarks in the ring?
Click to expand...

I am not sure what a Hallmark is Karl. I looked it up and it vaguely seems like an identifier? If there is some type of database I will be the buyer in 2006.
 
Rfisher said:
Sounds like you are familiar with the LA jeweler.
my guess is that even after almost two decades they remember you/this stone.

ask them if they will take in on consignment, or help you sell it, and give you a ballpark idea $ of those two scenarios.

then compare that ballpark to what you originally paid. I think that will give you a very good idea whether to hang on to it further for investment purposes in comparison to your other assets.

best wishes!
Click to expand...

I do have the Jewelers name and company name. He would remember me he was a friend and my ex was a client of his before I made this purchase. I have had dinner with him and his wife multiple times, even though it was a decade ago he would 100% remember me fondly and remember the purchase. I never even thought of reaching out to him as part of the process of making a decision. Ty for the insights Rfisher.
 
StevenL said:
I am not sure what a Hallmark is Karl. I looked it up and it vaguely seems like an identifier? If there is some type of database I will be the buyer in 2006.
Click to expand...

The hallmark would be the designers signature or "stamp" beyond just the metal content. Most higher end jewelry designers will use a distinct hallmark, especially in a large piece like this.
 
StevenL said:
I do have the Jewelers name and company name. He would remember me he was a friend and my ex was a client of his before I made this purchase. I have had dinner with him and his wife multiple times, even though it was a decade ago he would 100% remember me fondly and remember the purchase. I never even thought of reaching out to him as part of the process of making a decision. Ty for the insights Rfisher.
Click to expand...

IMO you absolutely should.
 
Is there a backing plate right behind/under the center stone, and did you just attempt to clean it right before the photos?

it looks like I see water droplets on the side pic, and I’m trying to figure out if there is water between the partially unmounted center stone and the backing plate. the center region of the stone looks really odd, and not doing it any favors.

not that this all matters in your questions ( besides be careful with that missing main prong)
I’m just nosy.
 
Rfisher said:
Is there a backing plate right behind/under the center stone, and did you just attempt to clean it right before the photos?

it looks like I see water droplets on the side pic, and I’m trying to figure out if there is water between the partially unmounted center stone and the backing plate. the center region of the stone looks really odd, and not doing it any favors.

not that this all matters in your questions ( besides be careful with that missing main prong)
I’m just nosy.
Click to expand...


Ty all for the input. I will check for any markings or backplate. I actually did just quickly wash it before I took a pic and put in safe. It was sitting in a box for years and I do not have any thing to clean a diamond. I just used a touch of soap and water before I took the photo. I see it was a bad idea LOL.
 
StevenL said:
Ty all for the input. I will check for any markings or backplate. I actually did just quickly wash it before I took a pic and put in safe. It was sitting in a box for years and I do not have any thing to clean a diamond. I just used a touch of soap and water before I took the photo. I see it was a bad idea LOL.
Click to expand...

nothing wrong with dishwashing liquid (the one without the mositurizer) and water and a soft tooth brush
but be careful re, that missing prong
good luck
 
Daisys and Diamonds,

Thank you I have the ring in my safe but I will be mindful of the missing prong when taking it out. I do not even know where the missing prong is, I very much appreciate your warning.


Gia arrived

Cut cornered Rectangular Modified Brilliant
Color Natural/Fancy Yellow/Even
Slightly over 10 carats
VS1
Polish Good
Symmetry Good
Fluorescence None

Not sure how specific I should get on a public forum, This seems sufficient. So do I hold for another five years and then reevaluate, or sell now? If I sold I would probably look for partial payment in gold.

Thanks to all that have chimed in.
 
If you have children this would make a lovely estate piece to leave for posterity. Maybe to a daughter or daughter in law?

Otherwise I would definitely speak to the original jeweller you dealt with on what you might be able to a consign it for.

You’ve had the stone 20 years. Generally diamond prices have appreciated over that time but they have not quite kept pace with inflation. As a defensive play you’d be better with gold. On total return you’d have done way better to invest in the FTSE.
 
This is not financial advise just my thoughts.
Interesting its kinda between,
To expensive for many dealers to buy and hard to do consumer to consumer yet fancy yellow is on the low side for many auctions even at 10ct.
Getting a decent price for it will not be easy today or in the future.
lot of the mines that produced large rough are getting shut down or have already which might raise prices.
What would I do?
See if I could get a decent price for it now and if not roll the dice and leave it to the future.
 
StevenL said:
I just used a touch of soap and water before I took the photo. I see it was a bad idea LOL.
Click to expand...
Not a bad idea. No.
I just think some standing water under the center stone is doing some not so flattering things to how the photo represents it. I would have also (wrongly) guessed one or two modifiers to the yellow.

Best wishes in what you choose to do!
I also wouldn’t let someone talk me into fixing/rehabbing the setting /replacing missing stones to get abetter price. This size and fancy yellow with GIA shouldn’t hinge that much on the setting. Unless it’s a really known/covered designer. JMO.
 
Thank you all very much. I am leaning towards hold but a key factor is I have no clue what would constitute a fair price.

Ionysis, I do have a daughter in law. She has been in the family only two years. If I hold the ring and God willing they stay together she is the person that would get this ring down the road. Unless I end up with a lone granddaughter then maybe it goes to her. Ionysis,, I appreciate you taking the time.

Karl is there anyway I could send you a direct message on this forum? I would be able to be more specific about the ring. Essentially the exact specifics & you could give me what you feel generally would be a fair price. As you all know far better than I do diamond value is far more difficult to quantify than a house or car.
 
StevenL said:
Karl is there anyway I could send you a direct message on this forum? I would be able to be more specific about the ring. Essentially the exact specifics & you could give me what you feel generally would be a fair price. As you all know far better than I do diamond value is far more difficult to quantify than a house or car.
Click to expand...
For that you really need an expert on values which is not really my area in the large sizes.
It wont be free but I strongly recommend:
Dave Atlas
Or
Neil Beaty
americangemregistry.com

The American Gem Registry

The American Gem Registry is Denver’s most experienced Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser, providing diamond, gold and jewelry appraisals since 2001.
americangemregistry.com americangemregistry.com
 
Yes, such things are going up. Whether they will continue to go up is an interesting question. Diamonds are in a very volatile time right now and predicting the future can be tricky. The big issue to wrap your mind around is "up from what?" Selling diamonds is not easy in any case and selling expensive diamonds is even more difficult of late. You are going to be paying some ‘grease’, and possibly quite a bit of it. The auction houses, for example, typically take 40% (15% from the seller, 25% from the buyer). If you bought from a jeweler, they charged a premium as well, no matter what they told you. That’s how they make a living. If you're looking at how much you can take home, you almost certainly took a substantial haircut on the first day. The bright side is that you’ve probably done ok since then. Even that is going to depend on the details of the stone. Not all FYs are the same.

I haven’t read through all of your posts here but, failing a specific brand like Cartier or Harry Winston, your value is 98%+ in that center stone. The ring itself is a side issue at best.

Did GIA examine the stone loose? Has it been reset? If not, hold off until you’ve got answers to a few more questions.

The usual way these sorts of things change hands is by consignment with a trusted broker. They don’t just sell themselves. If you haven’t found a partner yet, I would start there, and I would start with the dealer who sold it to you. Be prepared for it to take some time.
 
denverappraiser said:
Yes, such things are going up. Whether they will continue to go up is an interesting question. Diamonds are in a very volatile time right now and predicting the future can be tricky. The big issue to wrap your mind around is "up from what?" Selling diamonds is not easy in any case and selling expensive diamonds is even more difficult of late. You are going to be paying some ‘grease’, and possibly quite a bit of it. The auction houses, for example, typically take 40% (15% from the seller, 25% from the buyer). If you bought from a jeweler, they charged a premium as well, no matter what they told you. That’s how they make a living. If you're looking at how much you can take home, you almost certainly took a substantial haircut on the first day. The bright side is that you’ve probably done ok since then. Even that is going to depend on the details of the stone. Not all FYs are the same.

I haven’t read through all of your posts here but, failing a specific brand like Cartier or Harry Winston, your value is 98%+ in that center stone. The ring itself is a side issue at best.

Did GIA examine the stone loose? Has it been reset? If not, hold off until you’ve got answers to a few more questions.

The usual way these sorts of things change hands is by consignment with a trusted broker. They don’t just sell themselves. If you haven’t found a partner yet, I would start there, and I would start with the dealer who sold it to you. Be prepared for it to take some time.
Click to expand...


Good morning I came on to give Karl & all the other people who were nice enough to reply a recap of the events and was pleasantly surprised to see your post.

Thank you for your very informative and detailed reply. I did have the diamond taken out of the setting and I had it cleaned. I am not sure if it is because it is out of the setting, because of the cleaning, or the combination of the two but even a layman like myself can see the difference. It really is a beautiful diamond. My picture off my phone does not do it justice. Yesterday I went to six reputable dealers in the NY Diamond District & received a three offers that were substantially below what I expected and three others that wanted me to give them a call after I received my highest offer. The highest offer I received was 110k the lowest was in his words "50-75k". I will make a couple efforts today but I may have to explore the auction route or attempt to find a broker I can trust. I did not go to the jeweler I purchased the diamond from only because he & his wife had a very very close relationship with my ex. We used to go out as a foursome to dinner sometimes. This would all be much easier if I just had a daughter because the just keep the diamond for now option is getting more likely.

I do have one quick question if I may, what would be the best auction houses to consider? I assume some specialize in larger pieces but as you accurately stated, my diamond is not from a Harry Winston or Cartier type brand. Auction, broker, or keep seem to be my only routes as I can not justify taking 55% of what I paid for a diamond over 15 years ago without at least pursuing every option,


Again I very much appreciate you taking the time to reply, I noticed the link to your site and I plan on calling your office today.



Screenshot_2023-06-28-06-42-44-39_92460851df6f172a4592fca41cc2d2e6.jpg
 
It’s nice to see your new picture that shows faceting in the entire middle of the stone - compared to the previous picture.
I know pictures/monitors don’t always portray the truth - but in none of the pictures it looks like what one expects a fancy yellow with no modifiers to look.

We love eye candy.
If you ever have time - hold it on the back of your hand nestled inbetween two fingers, and stand in indirect sunlight for some pictures?

Best wishes
 
Rfisher said:
It’s nice to see your new picture that shows faceting in the entire middle of the stone - compared to the previous picture.
I know pictures/monitors don’t always portray the truth - but in none of the pictures it looks like what one expects a fancy yellow with no modifiers to look.

We love eye candy.
If you ever have time - hold it on the back of your hand nestled inbetween two fingers, and stand in indirect sunlight for some pictures?

Best wishes
Click to expand...

I OF COURSE will do that when my host returns in about an hour. It is the very least I could do for all of you taking the time to share your insights and knowledge.
 
Rfisher

I just remembered I snapped a quick pic when the jeweler that cleaned it had it on his hand. I will send one with a newer phone later. I am not exactly a new tech wizard so my Samsung is probably sub par. Have a great day.

PART_1687888938622_image000001.jpg
 
I'm sure you've done something like this- but if not, here are a few comps!

The first link is a Fancy intense yellow VS just fancy yellow- this seems to create a huge price jump. Someone else can jump in if I am off on this, but $110,000 doesn't seem too bad of a starting point, as the second one I posted is 176k brand new.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...hion-cut/10.08-carat-vs1-clarity-sku-12228110

www.jamesallen.com

10.18 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 10.18 carat Fancy Yellow color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

www.jamesallen.com

12.45 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 12.45 carat Fancy Yellow color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

GIA Certifed 10 Carat Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Ring For Sale at 1stDibs

For Sale on 1stDibs - GIA Certifed 10 Carat Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Ring
www.1stdibs.com www.1stdibs.com

Below are ones from Sotheby's that have sold- of course slightly different shapes, but will post for you to look at nonetheless!


Sold for 210k (fancy intense) https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auc...ncy-intense-yellow-diamond-and-diamond-ring-2


Sold for 177k (cartier 12 carats)
 
IMO consider consignment! It might take awhile but it seems like you've got time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top