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Q&A: Looking for Vintage Engagement Ring for $10K Budget

By Mike Fried,

I really like the Vintage Engagement Rings, but I am not sure if this is the way to go for my engagement ring. My budget is $10000, and I would like a 1.50 to 2.00 center stone, I like the European Cut or Emerald (Step Cut). Could you please advise if it is wise to go with Vintage or purchase a new ring. We need some direction on reputable dealers and would love having your expert assistance in finding the diamond and ring.

I just want to clarify; are you looking for Vintage style rings or a specific brand.

I have been looking at Vintage rings, but we can’t decide if it is better to buy Vintage versus getting a new ring investment wise. I have attached some of the rings I have been contemplating, the size and dollar amount is on the name of the picture. I have been browsing your website and I see how you are helping people find diamonds that are the same size or bigger than the vintage diamonds I am looking at and have better clarity. What is your advice on purchasing vintage rings vs purchasing a new vintage style mounting with a new diamond? I really don’t have a specific brand, I am open to any suggestions.

1.04 E VS2 Step Cut Diamond EGL Certified set in Platinum Circa 1900 9920.001.38 I Vs2 Old European Cut Diamond set in Platinum 12800.001.53 K VS2 Old Mine Cut Diamond EGL Certified Platinum Setting Circa 1920 11600.001.54 H SI1 Old European Cut Diamand Platinum Circa 1920 17520.001.55 M VS Old European Cut diamond Platinum Mounting Circa 190 8800.001.60 Ct M-N SI1 in Platinum Setting 9995.001.61 I SI2 Old European Cut Diamond set in Platinum 12320.001.73 J Vs1 EGL Certified Vintage European Cut set in Plandinum Circa 19010 17200.00

The problem isn’t the vintage cuts/old miner cuts. Its the fact that you can’t get one with a decent certificate. Those diamonds are impossible to tell whether they are worth what they are charging. E.G. the last diamond has a J VS1 grade. There is no way to tell whether its really an L or M color.

That is exactly how I felt when I actually went to the store to look at the rings they had a yellowish tint and did not have certificates available. I want a certified diamond in the 1.50 to 2.00 range if at all possible with a setting that is similar to the attached file. Please let me know if this is possible find, I have a budget of 10000.00 and I am not real picky about the stone being a Brilliant, Princess, or Radiant cut..I am open to the Cut.

1.38 I Vs2 Old European Cut Diamond set in Platinum 12800.00

The most important aspect of a diamond is its cut. This is what makes the diamond beautiful and sparkly (fire and brilliance are the terms we use). The more brilliance there is, the more unique the diamond will look. Obviously you see that we like James Allen (they are our most recommended site), but when it comes to their best cuts (they call them the ‘True Hearts’) we find it a bit lacking. If you are purchasing from them, you may as well just buy a GIA EX cut and not waste your money on the ‘special’ ones.

I would recommend Brian Gavin’s Signature Signature Hearts and Arrows. Brian Gavin is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. I can tell you from experience. I worked for one of the largest suppliers of James Allen. I went to Brian Gavin with our 30 best cut diamonds in our inventory (of thousands) and he rejected them all. When he showed me his selections, I was blown away.

Take a look at this diamond:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.213-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104049676011

This is a far better value than the diamonds you are looking at. Additionally, Brian Gavin Diamonds has a great custom jewelry department. They should be able to craft that style ring without a problem. I suggest contacting X  and send her the photo of the ring you like the most. She can then work you through it.

What do you think?

I really love this diamond, I went on Brian’s website and I found a setting I like I am going to talk to my fiancee and I will contact X upon our return from vacation. Than you so much for steering me in the right direction, I hope it will be alright if I have any other questions regarding purchasing my ring your knowledge is so valuable.

My pleasure. I’d be happy to help you out. FYI X has been off this weekend (I’m assuming she was, as it was the Passover holiday), so don’t worry if they didn’t answer you yet.

I contacted you back in April, and I had to put my ring search on hold due to family medical issues. We are ready to solidify our ring choice, and I took your recommendation to use Brian Gavin but I don’t feel it needs to be from the signature collection. I decided on a Pear shape diamond, and I did a comparison on 5 loose diamonds and I would like your expert advice on which one you would recommend.

My fiancee is worried about buying online, would you recommend us flying to Houston or is it safe to work with X and purchase online. I have not chosen a setting yet, I was waiting to talk with X and get her expert opinion. Michael I really value your opinion this is a big moment in our lives and we want to make the right decisions. Also, is there a discount by mentioning Truth About Diamonds website?

I have shared My Diamond Comparison list with you from

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/.

My Diamond Comparison

TYPE SHAPE CARAT COLOR CLARITY LAB CUT GRADE PRICE WIRE

——————————————————————————–

17603631 Pear 1.420 D SI2 GIA – N/A $6,037 $5,977

——————————————————————————–

22874344 Pear 1.800 K SI2 GIA – N/A $5,004 $4,954

——————————————————————————–

23592842 Pear 1.520 G SI2 GIA – N/A $5,468 $5,414

——————————————————————————–

38249300 Pear 1.320 G SI2 GIA – N/A $4,813 $4,766

——————————————————————————–

38787976 Pear 1.420 G SI2 GIA – N/A $5,857 $5,799

——————————————————————————–

I would have X help you pick 1-2 and have her upload photos of the diamonds. Then I can help you chose between them.

I emailed X this morning, she had emailed me last night to set up a time we could talk by phone, I indicated to her I would like her help with narrowing my choice to two diamonds, and several setting recommendations. I am so excited about this entire process, Vincent is still apprehensive about paying online what is your opinion?

So long as you stick with respectable companies, you are fine. Brian Gavin does 10 million dollars + a year in business. They aren’t going to play games with a customer (it’s not worth the reputation they’ve built).

I just got off the phone with him discussing the very matter, and he is okay with wiring the money. I explained to him they do business with clients all over the world, and I don’t see a problem with transaction. We are set to move forward, just waiting for X’s call.

Thanks so much for your patience and help.

…….

X called and explained she is not sure about the diamonds I selected on my compare list, and she indicated she sent you a note detailing the process for Brian Gavin not actually having fancy diamonds or photos on hand and requesting them from suppliers.

My question for you Mike, do you think we should be using Brian Gavin or should we be using James Allen? X mentioned James Allen was in New York and had a wider variety of diamonds and it was your jeweler of choice. She also wanted me to be aware we would have to pay tax since her shop is in Texas and we live in Texas. In other words I felt as if she was steering us to James Allen though she said she would work with her suppliers to find a diamond that would pass the Truth About Diamonds criteria and would get back to me by noon tomorrow. I indicated I followed all the rules you had on your site for selecting a diamond and the information you had on Pear shaped diamonds when I put this list together.

As long as I stay with the $10,000 range for the total ring I feel comfortable, we could go higher if need be. I am the reasonable or frugal individual in this relationship not Vincent, he is only interested in my happiness and would pay whatever price as long as it makes me happy.

Just wanted to update you on our conversation, and my concerns.

X is correct. It is heartening to see that they will push you towards the best option (as opposed to their option). I originally recommended them to you, because you were looking for a very nice round diamond (which is their specialty). I know that they don’t own their own inventory of fancy shapes (except some princess cuts) but I thought they could get the pictures uploaded without them having to get the diamond in to their office (FYI, James Allen runs off the same virtual inventory. They just install cameras in their vendor’s office).

So your best bet will be to go with JA. Will you be getting the setting from them? Or will you get the setting from BGD (which was an initial draw to them for you I believe).

Yes,she was definitely pushing us towards JA. X also stated if she sends for the diamond and uploads the photo, and you don’t approve of the diamond we will be required to pay for the shipping to send the diamond back to the supplier. She gave me the impression she really did not want to look because as she stated our budget for the diamond was kind of low and if she found a diamond it would definitely have flaws or some inclusions. I could have taken offense to what she said, but I’m not that type of person. She was very polite and professional, because of my affiliation with you and The Diamond Pro.

I definitely want to get the setting and the ring from the same place, I only went to BGD because you recommended them and yes in April I was looking for a round diamond. I liked a couple of BGD’s setting, but I had not decided on which setting I wanted. If JA is a better suit for what I am wanting, I am open to this I just will need your help with selecting the Pear shape diamond and recommendations on the setting something simple but elegant. I will take look at JA’s settings sometime today, to get a feel for what they have to offer. Mike we are open to increasing our budget for the diamond for better quality if required so keep that in mind. I am really excited about finding the right ring, and extremely grateful to you for all your help!

I like the 1.50 H-SI1-Ideal-Cut Pear, will the strong blue fluorescence be an issue in anyway? What is the next process to make

sure I get this particular diamond?

I would contact JA and ask them to have a gemologist inspect the diamond and ensure that the fluorescence isn’t a hindrance at all.

I will give them a call and ask them to do this when I get to my office.

Thanks for keeping me posted. Please let me know how it looks when it arrives.

We are finalizing our order tomorrow, by sending the wire transfer. We chose the 1.5 carat H color Si1 Clarity Diamond with the Platinum Royal Antique Style Brilliant Diamond and Engagement Ring.

We are very pleased with the professionalism of the JA Customer Service section; Y called me several times with updates from the Gemologist and with information related to the settings I was looking at. I have nothing but high marks for JA’s attention to detail, professionlism,and knowledge of the different settings. I will definitely be writing a review on my experience with JA.

I look forward to seing how the ring turns out! We wanted to thank you for your help, and the very quick responses to our questions. This has definitely been a learning experience for Vincent and I. We will send you a photo of the ring once we receive it, I will defintely put a review detailing our great experience with The Diamond Pro website as well as our great journey to finding the right diamond with Michael Fried!!!!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!!!

Congratulations! I wish you and your partner a lifetime of health and happiness!

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