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Would you buy a used ring and/or diamond?

BeachGirlG

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
110
Maybe I'm just too practical, but I have no problem with a used/preloved/antique ring. I think it's a great way to maximize the budget if you know what to look for. And really...you might be buying a used diamond anyway...who can tell if if was a trade-in that got an updated cert???? ;)
I guess the problem is, the guy has to find out if his fiance-to-be feels that way.
 
I haven't bought a used ring, but I've bought loose diamonds and a bracelet (or two...) preloved. I have no issues with that at all. Now, if I were getting engaged for the first time, I don't know if I'd be as completely comfortable with it, but for where I am now in my life, I'm quite happy to buy preloved, if the right thing came around!

I'd rather maximize my dollar & get a bigger bang for my buck, so to speak.
 
I prefer used.
 
My current future ering was a preloved purchase from here, so I have no qualms about it. Like you said, how would you know for sure that your "new" stone was not from a previous trade in, unless you personally had the rough commissioned for you? Definitely helps to save on costs. With the "bad juju" association, I don't believe in that, and if there is any bad "spirit" associated with it, I'd like to think that I would be giving the stone a new purpose!
 
I would never purchase pre-loved unless the piece was exactly what I wanted, it represented a substantial savings over new, and I was fine with giving up the guarantees that a vendor offers.

You give up a trade-up policy, you have no one to turn to if the ring has issues, and there likely is no return guarantee if she says no to the proposal (or she wants to swap out something).

I have seen items listed on pre-loved with no return available that were the same price as purchasing new from a vendor. :wacko:
I would not purchase pre-loved in this case.
 
There are some great deals to be had, but you need to know what to look for, and have patience. My AGS 000 1.19 H&A was a Craigslist find, but I haven't seen a deal like that since. I like the story behind it, and it's a ring I could never justify for retail. I got it at a little over 35 percent of retail..which is great, because I yearned for that setting, but I'd never pay 12k for any setting. You take a risk buying a second hand, but I'd do it again in the right circumstance. I'm a bargain shopper:) I've been looking since for my next second hand purchase and I have found a couple beauties, but they got scooped up pretty quickly. That said, i never thought of it as an option the first time I was engaged. Now I'd rather save the difference for a basement remodel or a fun trip.
 
pandabee|1361220689|3383393 said:
My current future ering was a preloved purchase from here, so I have no qualms about it. Like you said, how would you know for sure that your "new" stone was not from a previous trade in, unless you personally had the rough commissioned for you? Definitely helps to save on costs. With the "bad juju" association, I don't believe in that, and if there is any bad "spirit" associated with it, I'd like to think that I would be giving the stone a new purpose!
does this mean we will see an announcement and pics soon?
 
To me its not an issue of new or used as many loose stones are "used" and you would never know it. Its an issue of whom do you buy it from? An ebay seller with no ratings? Never. An established jeweler that gives a 30 day right to return? Definitely. I'd never buy a diamond from someone on Craigs list unless we met at a jeweler and the jeweler authenticated the diamond.
 
I love vintage jewelry (esp 1920's) so I have no problem buying used/preloved. SO didn't feel the same way and didn't really want to go antique for my ER, so we ended up with something new. However, I am constantly looking here on LT or DB listings for other jewelry or RHRs. I also agree with what other posters have said, even when you buy "new" you don't really know if your stone has been worn by someone else before. I also agree, though, with the idea of going new for an ER (specifically with the setting, like if you had a family stone or something) because then you have a jeweler to help you with any possible issues. We got our stone through GOG but went locally for a setting because I wanted someone close by for free cleaning, inspections etc (don't want to part with my ER long enough to ship it cross country :bigsmile: )
 
When I got engaged in 1997, I would not have liked getting a used ring. (I knew the diamond had probably been worn before.) Knowing what I know now due to PS, I would have no problem with pre-loved. With that said, I would want to know it was pre-loved and not a secret kept from me, if that makes sense.
 
ame|1361223861|3383464 said:
pandabee|1361220689|3383393 said:
My current future ering was a preloved purchase from here, so I have no qualms about it. Like you said, how would you know for sure that your "new" stone was not from a previous trade in, unless you personally had the rough commissioned for you? Definitely helps to save on costs. With the "bad juju" association, I don't believe in that, and if there is any bad "spirit" associated with it, I'd like to think that I would be giving the stone a new purpose!
does this mean we will see an announcement and pics soon?

Depends on your definition of soon ;)) may be quite different than his definition! Although I will say it will be before the end of this year... :halo:
 
My stone now is definitely not "new", as it was most definitely a trade in from somewhere down the line, and I am pretty sure any of the ones prior to that were at some point a trade in as well. That concept to me is not of any issue. As long as the stone is in perfect condition and is of the make I expect and require, whether it was preowned or not doesn't matter to me. Settings I don't know that I could handle having preowned tho, I am far too anal retentive. These little pebbles are millions of years old. So as far as I am concerned they're all used.

pandabee|1361228044|3383535 said:
ame|1361223861|3383464 said:
pandabee|1361220689|3383393 said:
My current future ering was a preloved purchase from here, so I have no qualms about it. Like you said, how would you know for sure that your "new" stone was not from a previous trade in, unless you personally had the rough commissioned for you? Definitely helps to save on costs. With the "bad juju" association, I don't believe in that, and if there is any bad "spirit" associated with it, I'd like to think that I would be giving the stone a new purpose!
does this mean we will see an announcement and pics soon?

Depends on your definition of soon ;)) may be quite different than his definition! Although I will say it will be before the end of this year... :halo:
JEEEEEZ. NOT. FAIR. Though in the great scheme of life...that is soon considering how long we're alive, despite how fast it flies by.
 
I haven't bought a used ring before, but why not? In my opinion you can't see that diamond ring was used before or that it's old, diamond is still a diamond i think and it's even better if it's much cheaper only because it was used before by random girl - Who cares.
 
Many modern diamonds are recut from older stones and then re-certified and you would never ever know - besides all diamonds are a few million years old.

And antiques are green - good luck!
 
I have bought several used rings and diamonds. In fact, only one ring is new with what is probably/possibly a new diamond. The other new ring is an antique cut oval, so definitely a "used" diamond, set in a new custom setting. Every other ring I've bought in the last year or so has been vintage.

liz
 
FoundCollected|1361229080|3383561 said:
Many modern diamonds are recut from older stones and then re-certified and you would never ever know - besides all diamonds are a few million years old.

And antiques are green - good luck!

I think the OP is asking about used diamonds is because she is looking to save some money. Buying a recut, recerted diamond from a jeweler doesn't save money. It is exactly the same as buying a new diamond from that jeweler. As you point out.

The way to save money on a "used" diamond is to buy it privately. And then, you lose out on the guarantees that purchasing from an established vendor provides.
 
If the price was right I would buy used in a heartbeat.
 
i wouldn't mind a pre-loved diamond but i want it in a new setting.
 
No problem whatsoever, if you know what you are looking for. I wish my hubby had bought my ering preowned...I refuse to pay retail for any of my fine jewelry. I just take my purchases to my jeweler for a rhodium dip, sizing, etc. and good as new!
 
Okay, I came back here bc I saw another thread. I prefer to buy used FROM SOMEONE ELSE. I would be livid if my SO proposed using an ex's diamond. Or a family or friend's broken relationship diamond. If I don't know the couple and the story, fine and dandy! I JUST DON'T WANT TO KNOW!
 
I would happily buy a preloved/used ring.
 
I have no issue with pre-onwed pieces. In fact my wedding band is pre-owned. But it was exactly what I wanted, literally... right down to the exact mm I was looking for, and the price was one I couldn't say no to.

I have no issue with vintage as long as the item is exactly what I want and the price is right. In fact,I prefer it. The key though is... 'exactly what I want'... it's hard to find.
 
I would. It was one of my first ideas for an engagement ring but my fiance didn't like it. NOW he has come around, after seeing the good prices I have paid for the things I have bought used from preloved/ebay/the local jeweler, and seeing that I wear and love them just as much as entirely new things. (And yes, I agree the key is that you only buy if it's exactly what you want. I have been very lucky in that regard so far!)
 
There are very few things (being reasonable!) that I wouldn't buy second hand.
 
Nope, no problems at all buying used. My pear was an estate pear from GOG and I had it polished and it was brand new to me. I saved a lot of money that way.
 
I prefer pre-owned, if at all possible. Especially when items are coming from other PSers - I know they have great taste, take excellent care of their belongings, and I love the idea of keeping things in 'the family,' so to speak. :))

I would not want a pre-owned engagement ring from a family friend/relative though. I draw the line when it comes to such a sentimental piece knowingly coming from a near-and-dear breakup. I don't know why...but it makes a difference when I know personally know the person and their heartbreak.
 
I have no problem buying used or preloved. The necklace that I wear all the time was a DBTY from BEG, and the wedding band I wear was also a pre-loved purchased. The price was right and I really like the pieces. Overall I'm pretty happy and will probably continue to but pre-loved pieces as I feel I get the most bang for my buck.
 
Absolutly! You get way more for your money, plus I love old cuts and they are all preloved :-)
 
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