Market Prices: 2.02 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Ring

GIA DIAMOND GRADING REPORT DETAILS

• Shape and Cutting Style: Cushion Brilliant
• Carat Weight: 2.02
• Color Grade: H
• Clarity Grade: SI1
• Polish: Very Good
• Symmetry: Very Good
• Fluorescence: None

CASH OFFER ESTIMATE (DIAMOND ONLY): $7000 – $8000

RING(S) DETAILS:

• Metal: Platinum
• Gram Weight: 11.6 grams
• Total Diamond Weight: 0.92 carats

CASH OFFER ESTIMATE (RINGS ONLY): $400 – $600

About the diamond: The Cushion Shaped diamond is all about shape and outline. Some of the most beautiful diamonds I’ve ever seen have been Cushions, but at the same time some of the least attractive diamonds I’ve seen have also been Cushions. It is one of those shapes that when it is just right looks spectacular, and this particular diamond tends to fall at least close to that. All said, this diamond has a fairly strong demand in the market today.

About the rings:  As far as current fashion goes, this is definitely one of the most popular style of rings among brides to be these days. Big brand names like Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston are still offering this type of styling in their latest collections, which has to tell you something. Additionally, this particular set was in fairly good condition, which meant that after our jeweler tightened up the stones, rounded the shank again, and gave it a good polish, they could be resold without having to break them down for parts. That’s the good part. The bad part is that it can be really tough trying to resell used engagement rings and wedding bands. Unless they’re ultra vintage chic (from before 1930 for example), or iconic Tiffany or Harry Winston, the majority of couples prefer to go with brand new never used, or custom. Therefore we had to make a cash offer for full materials value only, in hopes that we could re-purpose them somehow: maybe the band becomes a stackable (for the right hand) that accents other non-bridal; and the halo solitaire could be set with a semi-precious color stone like Aqua or Pink Tourmaline for a fun color stone ring that can be sold as an estate piece which wouldn’t carry the uncertain vibe of someone else’s marriage history.

Conclusion: Because of the larger sized melee diamonds, excellent design execution, and very fine labor that went into making this ring set, the difference between original purchase price and final cash offer was quite far, in terms of percentages. If this client had chosen a very simple Tiffany style 14K white gold plain 4-prong setting and plain band, her retail cost would have fallen closer to $800, instead of $4000. But that type of design is not for everyone, and as you will hear me say many times again in this blog, people tend to buy what they love, not necessarily what is the most financially practical. Otherwise we would all be shopping at Marshall’s and driving Priuses.