Process of my custom pendant- inputs appreciated!

[itzme]

So the story here goes like this: I am in my first job in my career and want to treat myself to a jewelry piece. I had my eyes set on a round halo pendant for the longest time, so I went to a jeweler to get their input. On their display was a 10 ct halo pendant that can also be worn as a ring . Inspired by that piece, I asked them to custom make me a piece except for some details to accomodate the size of the center round diamond that I want. The total cost would have been hefty if I got the center solitaire diamond from them. I wanted the solitaire to be at least a 0.7 ct which I was getting a quote of $2000 or so. I seeked out other options, and bought a second hand 1 ct solitaire ring with an outside appraisal for $1300. My jeweler was kind enough to verify the diamond to the appraised details before I purchased the ring. However, after I purchased it she said the specs of the ring was not that great. Ok, so here is my dilemma.

I have since contemplated to get my diamond recut. I looked into Brian Gavin and it would cost me a few hundred dollars. I can send it to him for a consultation before anything is done. He told me if I recut it, I'd probably end up with a 0.75 ct. I've admired his cuts and would love it if my diamond can transform through his hands. I just don't know if it's necessary for me to spend this extra money and to enhance the quality of the diamond.

So far my diamond is measures 6.03-6.13 by 4.2 mm. 69% depth, 63% table, very thick to extremely thick girdle, no cutlet, good polish, good symmetry, color grade of H-J with no fluorescence, clarity grade of SI-2. These are all approximated because the appraisal was done with the setting.

I've learned more these few months and regret that I implusely jumped the gun without really thinking long and hard before investing this money in this diamond. Now I just want the greatest value with what I have. Apologies for the lengthy story. I'd really appreciate your advices!

 

[exotikittenx]

I think it's better to have a smaller and more stunning diamond if the cut will make a difference for a few hundred more if you can afford it. .75 is still a nice size, and if the cut will only enhance it's beauty for your pendant, then it would make sense to do it.

On the other hand, are you happy with the way the diamond is now? Just because of what the "specs" say, though, I think if you are happy with the diamond's appearance, then keep it as is. Maybe you can look at a similar quality diamond in one of Brian Gavin's cuts and compare it to your own and see if you can note a major difference.

 

[ame]

BG recuts are EXTREMELY reasonable, it's worth it for a better looking stone. If you end up using it for something other than a pendant later, you'll appreciate having a much nicer cut quality.

 

[Christiflora]

I undertand your situation very well, because I had a similar experience, except that my diamond is much more costly. Based on my own experience, here is what I would do in your case
1. Conclude that I get what I paid for. Do not expect much from $1300 for a ring with 1 ct diamond. Tell myself to LIMIT my loss and do nothing to sink more money into something that can never be perfected.
2. Start over with a new ring and with a killer daimond that I shall enjoy for life and have no regrets. Save money and wait patiently, so I can get my dream diamond ring. In the meantime, do more research and educate myself about diamond spec and vendors, so I shall have an informed and worthwhile purchase.
3. As for the existing ring, you can wear it in the meantime or later set it in a simple (no frill and inexpensive setting) solitaire pendant. Note that cut reqirement for diamonds in pendants is not as stringent as in rings.

More comments about recut by Brian - Relatively speaking, the recut expensive ($350-$400 for recut, $25-$30 for sending in the stone, and $60 for mailing back stone to you) for your $1300 non-certified, low color & clarity diamond is not worth it (both expense and trouble). In my opinion, a recut is more worthwhile if the diamond is more expensive and higher color/clarity quality. Lastly, even if the expense makes sense percentage-wise, you cannot be guaranteed to convert your diamond to a perfectly cut stone. Brain's estimate of 0.75 ct will no doubt improve the cut a bit, but it may end up even smaller if you want perfect, ideal cut.

I had mine recut by Brian. Considering the expensive/trouble and minute difference in appearance, I would not have had my stone recut if I could start over.

Although your diamond is not well cut, 1-ct size is great, especially for a solitaire pendant.

 

[itzme]

EK, ame thanks for your advice. The price is quite reasonable and I can afford it, it's just if I add the few hundred into the cost of the diamond, I'll feel horrible thinking for a similar price I could have just stuck with buying the same sized diamond from my jeweler. KWIM? I guess doing it this way I'm still getting a "deal". I am still very new to diamonds, so just by looking at my diamond the way it is I still see a shiny rock. I just don't know how well enhanced it will be afterwards, hence I don't know if it's worth investing.

The diamond will also be set as a bezel in the center, so in terms of benefits versus cost, I'm unsure how evident the enhanced cut will be. I hope I'm making sense here.

 

[itzme]

I undertand your situation very well, because I had a similar experience, except that my diamond is much more costly. Based on my own experience, here is what I would do in your case
1. Conclude that I get what I paid for. Do not expect much from $1300 for a ring with 1 ct diamond. Tell myself to LIMIT my loss and do nothing to sink more money into something that can never be perfected.
2. Start over with a new ring and with a killer daimond that I shall enjoy for life and have no regrets. Save money and wait patiently, so I can get my dream diamond ring. In the meantime, do more research and educate myself about diamond spec and vendors, so I shall have an informed and worthwhile purchase.
3. As for the existing ring, you can wear it in the meantime or later set it in a simple (no frill and inexpensive setting) solitaire pendant. Note that cut reqirement for diamonds in pendants is not as stringent as in rings.

More comments about recut by Brian - Relatively speaking, the recut expensive ($350-$400 for recut, $25-$30 for sending in the stone, and $60 for mailing back stone to you) for your $1300 non-certified, low color & clarity diamond is not worth it (both expense and trouble). In my opinion, a recut is more worthwhile if the diamond is more expensive and higher color/clarity quality. Lastly, even if the expense makes sense percentage-wise, you cannot be guaranteed to convert your diamond to a perfectly cut stone. Brain's estimate of 0.75 ct will no doubt improve the cut a bit, but it may end up even smaller if you want perfect, ideal cut.

I had mine recut by Brian. Considering the expensive/trouble and minute difference in appearance, I would not have had my stone recut if I could start over.

Although your diamond is not well cut, 1-ct size is great, especially for a solitaire pendant.

Christiflora, I appreciate you sharing your experience and your input. I understand what you're saying and I'll definitely put your thoughts into my consideration. I'm not so sure about pouring more money into another diamond though. I will find it very hard to justify having this 1ct diamond sit in the shelf until who knows when. The ring itself is not worth only $1300. It was orginally purchased on sale for $2800. Given the mediocre color and clarity, can the diamond still be very shiny after the depth is cut shorter to help with light refraction?

 

[Christiflora]

Christiflora, I appreciate you sharing your experience and your input. I understand what you're saying and I'll definitely put your thoughts into my consideration. I'm not so sure about pouring more money into another diamond though. I will find it very hard to justify having this 1ct diamond sit in the shelf until who knows when. The ring itself is not worth only $1300. It was orginally purchased on sale for $2800. Given the mediocre color and clarity, can the diamond still be very shiny after the depth is cut shorter to help with light refraction?

Sorry, I meant $1300 for the diamond. A top cut, 0.70-0.75ct diamond of I color Vs2/Si1 clarity costs about $2600. This is why I do not expect much of a cut from a $1300, 1-ct diamond.

Looking at the spec in your original email, although there are no crown and pavillion angles (which are critical information for cut), I can guess your diamond has a great deal of leakage and lots of wasted weights. 69% depth (ideally between 61%-62%) and thick/extremely thick girdles (prefer thin/med/thick, and no extremely thin or extremely thick) mean lots of wasted weights. I am guessing that your diamond is uncertified (jeweler not likely to shell out $150-$200 for the GIA/AGS certification), the color and clarity grades can be off by quite a bit. For example, SI2 may mean I1-I2, and H-J color can mean no better than J.

Given that the current cut spec (69% depth), 63% table (prefer 53%-58% for great fire), and thick to extremely thick girdles, I suspect the stone to be not good looking, although all diamonds sparkle and look good especially to layman (no offense). It is not difficult for Brian to recut the stone to make it look appreiciably better. The only reservation if I want to sink more moeny into a stone that has a relatively low color/clarity grade to begin with and will be of significant less carat weight after recut.

 

[alliemia]

can you sell the diamond you bought and put the money toward the better one through your jeweler?

i don't think getting a mediocre or average diamond recut is money well spent. just my opinion.

do you have any sketches of your idea for the pendant?

 

[HermesFSH]

Do you mean a halo pendant like this one (from De Beers)?

 

[achicken]

Itzme,
You were obviously attracted to the stone, that's why you purchased it. I don't think you should let whatever your jeweler said sway you from your original plan. I wouldn't have it re-cut, I would go ahead and have it set in your pendant.