What would you do? Hankering for a RB...

[Dreamer_D]

(Grrr PS ate my post!

... trying again)

Since joining PS I have started really hankering for an ideal cut, AGS-0 RB. I love my three-stone EC diamond and sapphire ring, but I am lusting for fire and sparkle in the worst way! One day I want to trade-up to a really big stone, but what I am wondering is when I should enter the diamond "property ladder"? I could probably swing a .50ct this summer, but would need to save until at least next Christmas for a .70 and until next summer or longer to reach the 1.00 level. I think at 1.00 I would be happy for a few years. So, should I start up the ladder sooner with a smaller stone, or save my pennies longer to enter the ladder with a larger stone? I guess I am wondering if having a "little" fireball on my finger (.50ct is still bigger than many of my friend''s e-rings!) will help keep me from going mental while I save for a larger stone, or will DSS kick in too soon?

What have your experiences been? No one around here has even heard of "ungrades" so you are the only people I can ask who will understand!

DD

 

[Elmorton]

Honestly, I''d save for the 1ct - why choose something you don''t want when you can wait just a touch longer and have what you do? Is there a smaller RB item that you could purchase now just for a little extra bling, like a pendant or earrings while you save for the ultimate perfect ring?

 

[neatfreak]

I would buy in now as diamond prices just seem to keep rising. A .5 carat could be much more expensive next year and if you buy now with a trade in policy it will ultimately cost you less assuming prices do rise.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

What are your long-term plans for the 1 ct stone? A RHR or a pendant, or other? If you get a smaller stone now and have it set as a ring, that setting may not accomodate a larger stone when the time comes for you to trade in the stone, so that is something to consider. Possibly get a stone just under the .50 ct mark and have that set as a pendant and then take things from there since pendant settings are usually under $300 and you can find a diamond just under the 1/2 mark for less than $1K. That is what I'd do

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks for the comments, folks! My plan for the stone is to set it in a ring, and enjoy staring at the sparkle all day long! I''m wondering if I buy a setting with a head that is easily changes, whether that will make the cost of trading-up less extreme. But either way, I plan to get a very simple solitaire for the stone until I manage to get to my dream size, then I will get a fancy-schmancy setting.

So one vote for "wait until 1ct" and 2 votes for get the .5ct... I''m just not sure how long I''ll be happy with he .5ct, and so I would lose a lot of money from shipping and re-setting costs relative to the price of the .5ct. That makes it more compelling to wait a while, I guess...

DD

 

[iheartscience]

I''d go for the .5 carat now and upgrade later. In reality, you probably won''t lose much money. Most vendors do free shipping when they send the diamond to you, so you wouldn''t have to worry about shipping that way. And shipping back by certified mail is positively cheap-I shipped my engagement ring back to WF insured for about $25.

If you go with a plain solitaire setting, you might be able to use it again for a smaller upgrade, like up to the .70 mark. And if not, you''d probably only be out about $200 for the setting if you go for an inexpensive white or yellow gold setting. I''m an instant gratification kind of girl, so it wouldn''t bug me that much to lose $200 if I got to stare at a sparkly diamond for a year!

 

[Maisie]

I started off with a .55 round brilliant. After a few weeks of wearing it I sent it back to upgrade the stone to .72. Then after another few months, I upgraded again to a carat.

I kept the same setting and just changed the head.

I say go for it if you really want to get on the ladder!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

good points thing2of2. I''m sensing some enabeling going on here!

Maise I was hoping you would chime in! I had noticed that you upgraded fairly quickly over an 8 - 10 month period. You have the setting I want, the legato sleek line... so you were able to just change out the head? If you don''t mind me asking, was that very expensive each time? That is probably the one big thing in my way from starting the process, but if changing the head is possible from a .50 to a 1.00 and only a few hundred each time then it is worth it. I also wonder about importing costs... when you upgraded I assume you only had to pay duty/customs on the extra amount you paid? I have another questions: Could you really enjoy your .55 and .72, or were you just pining fora bigger stone to whole time?

DD

 

[Maisie]

I think the cost of changing the head was $150. I did have to pay some customs duty on the diamond when it came back. I obviously had to pay the postage costs too, both ways.

I did enjoy my .55, it was my first ACA diamond. However I worked out that for about $700 extra I could have the .72.

I also enjoyed that diamond but I really hankered after a full carat. Now I have that I am really happy and will never upgrade it. I am looking at a forever setting for it as I love halo designs.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks Maise that''s great to know! I think that is totally affordable.

I am thinking I might wait until I can get a .75ct for my first stone... then I can upgrade to a 1.2ct and then 1.8, my goal... maybe... we''ll see when I cave in! For better or worse, I get paid twice a year in lump sums. Worse is that I have to be the master budgeter. Better is that I aquire 6 months worth of diamond budget on a single day, so I might start climbing that diamond ladder in just a few months!

Oh the indulgence of it all...

DD

 

[Maisie]

I can''t wait to see what you get!! I used to want a 1.5 but I went and fell in love with my diamond. I don''t know why I got so mushy over it, but it means I can just choose a different shape for my next big purchase!!

 

[coatimundi_org]

I too can't wait to see what you get DD!
I just read about your "desires" over on your buddy's thread, and lo and behold--I see you're seriously contemplating!

I know how PS can make anyone a round brilliant lover. It happened to me!(sounds like an expose from Jane magazine or something

er, um, not that I've read that or anything, ahem)

I'm late to this thread, but I really love your incremental idea. That is what I would do(am doing).

I also wanted to say, I reallyreallyreally love your sapphire three stone ring. I know the round would be an additional, but I was worried that she might feel left out.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 2/18/2008 12:00:36 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

I am thinking I might wait until I can get a .75ct for my first stone... then I can upgrade to a 1.2ct and then 1.8, my goal... maybe... we''ll see when I cave in!

DD - I LOVE your plan. This sounds like a great idea.
If you go with a vendor that has an upgrade policy ... Why not start sooner than later, right?
Good for you ... How exciting!! Can''t wait to see what you come up with?!!