So when I got engaged I really really wanted a sapphire. My hubby couldn't find one so he bought me a 1 1/2 ct round solitaire as a "placer" ring, until we could find my sapphire. Well, four years later we finally found one. It is 4 1/4 cts and virtually flawless with almost perfect color. We went to the jeweler to look at the settings and they also have a gorgeous emerald cut F color VS1 diamond, about 1 3/4 cts. After reading some threads about diamond price increases i'm second guessing the sapphire. It is stunning, but i'm unsure what trends will be later on in sapphire prices. Which would you choose? Thanks for the opinions!
Sapphire v. Diamond?
- Thread starter lilmountaingirl
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Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but are you buying your dream ring or are you simply making an investment? If it is the latter, you can get a better return on a different investment than a piece of jewelry. I guess if I loved one kind of stone, the price trends of another wouldn't concern me much. You already have a 1.5 ct diamond, so if I were you I would go with my dream ring - the sapphire.
I always thought the sapphire was my dream ring. But over the past couple years my taste has been changing and i've started loving emerald cut diamonds. But i didn't actually consider buying one until i saw this one at the shop. I don't think it is an investment aspect to me, the diamond is less expensive than the sapphire. But i do worry that if ten years down the road i decide i want a diamond again, i might not be able to get what i want if my sapphire doesn't hold its value. I have big commitment issues. Lol.
It's so hard. Diamonds are beautiful too, i just love color so much. And of course diamonds are such a popular choice so i feel like i should have one too... It's hard to spend so much on a stone that isn't that popular and that i know nothing about and that isn't "graded" and "rated." I guess i just feel anxious.
It would have to be an EXCEPTIONAL Sapphire to hold it's value enough to trade for a larger stone. However, unless you're getting full value plus any value increases over time from whoever you trade it back into, it won't matter what you're trading. Diamonds don't resale well on the secondhand market unless they're branded, say HW or Tiffany's or Cartier. They just don't hold their value to a dealer unless they're spectacular. They don't want to pay you what you think it's worth when they can go buy one on the free market from a dealer/cutter for less.
Personally I think you should get something you'll be happy with for a decade, and maybe get a smaller sapphire right hand ring or something. That way you have both the EC/Round and the Sapphire. They just might not be as big as you might think you want.
Personally I think you should get something you'll be happy with for a decade, and maybe get a smaller sapphire right hand ring or something. That way you have both the EC/Round and the Sapphire. They just might not be as big as you might think you want.
Which stone don't you know anything about, and what's not graded/rated? The Sapphire? That's why you get an independent appraiser to review it, especially one good in colored stones, and not just take a jewelers word for it.
Diamonds are pretty amazing, and you can find well cut fancy shapes (ie pear, emerald cut, anything not "round brilliant") as well, you just have to do a little more research. It really is worth educating yourself in this stuff. You'll make better selections that you love, and you know what you're paying is the right price.
Thank you for the opinions and great advice! That's exactly why i'm so anxious, because a sapphire's value is pretty much just determined by what you are willing to pay for it. A diamond has a pretty universal grading system so you know exactly what you're paying for. And unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of info that i can find. The only thing i know for sure is i'm just not into my round brilliant diamond. I like the fancy shapes! I am willing to get a smaller sapphire, but they're so few and far between it is pretty much take what you can find.
I can see where you have a bit of a tough decision. I ended up finding my sapphire when I wasn't even shopping for one...funny how it happens that way. I was actually shopping for a diamond at the time and saw the most beautiful sapphire I had ever seen, and forgot all about my diamond search. Now I am returning to my diamond search four years later and am so happy I got my sapphire then because I am getting a better deal on a diamond now than I would have then. I guess everything happens for a reason. I see you have been given some good advice so far, good luck with your choice!
It depends if its pure love or viewed as something that might be turned over. Colored stones are very poor investments compared to diamonds unless they are certified, untreated and of desirable provenance
Diamonds prices are already way up as compared to a couple of months ago, I was looking at tennis bracelets but I missed out on the window of opportunity and I am def. not buying now with the prices up so much. Diamond prices fluctuate too though they try to keep them up by holding back supply. I would say now is not the time to buy a diamond if you can choose. I would pick the sapphire but it depends on your taste. I personally prefer colored stones but then again it is totally up to you. Go with what fits your style the most. Have you considered other colored gems too or maybe pink sapphires or perhaps yellow diamons? You have a lot of options to pick from.
I really appreciate everyone's great advice, thank you. I think i'm going to pass on that gorgeous sapphire and gorgeous emerald cut diamond, and keep my diamond "placer". I am so thankful for TPF! I had no idea the values increased that much. I know it isn't quite the increase you ladies are seeing in your 2-4 carat heirloom rocks, but mine increased 40%! I just don't think i want to lose that 40%. I am most likely going to reset it for a fresh new look. Now, any suggestions?
I do love halos!! I went in today and i would get what my hubby paid for it in Jan of 2008. They did a new appraisal and it came out 39% more than what he paid. In the grand scheme, monetarily it isn't a huge loss, but considering i would lose 39% plus have to pay whatever the increase was on the new stone, which means in actuality i'd lose more in the 45% range, probably more, it just didn't make sense for us. Now, i could eat the cost and just get the emerald cut, and later on if the values decrease again, it's just higher credit towards something even more incredible...