[Blue_StreakR]

Apologies in advance for the randomness of the question

My friend is trying to get rid of an older wedding ring. It is a pretty expensive ring, with several diamonds on it

Does anyone know a reputable shop that I should recommend to them?

Much appreciated.

[nma]

My uncle owns a shop behind some alley over on the east side, PM for details.

[BEEB]

There isn't any where you can sell it for what you paid for. Remove the diamond yourself and sell the ring for gold value. Try suncorpgold.com to see what they pay for per gram.

[Manic!]

Pawn shops will buy it.

[Ludepower]

Get it appraised then sell on craigslist.

[hchang]

Pawn shops will buy it.

They'll also lowball you though

[Timpo]

Get it appraised then sell on craigslist.

who would buy an used wedding ring?

most people will refuse to buy used wedding/engagement rings because they will just look at it as a "bad luck"

I would just sell it to gold smith for platinum/gold value and remove the diamond for jewelry dealer or again, gold smith.
Those custom jewelry shops will buy diamonds and put it on their next project.

[FerrariEnzo]

Get it appraised then sell on craigslist.
Dont man.. sounds pretty iffy



Doesnt Spence Diamond buy use weeding rings?

[flagella]

My uncle owns a shop behind some alley over on the east side, PM for details.

Sounds totally legit.

[twitchyzero]

Sounds totally legit.

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/94/f0/cb/94f0cb21bd56b93e42b4e712200eced6.jpg

[Presto]

Get it appraised then sell on craigslist.

Craigslist is the last place I would sell something small and high value. That's just asking to be robbed. On either side of the transaction.

[PeanutButter]

Dont man.. sounds pretty iffy



Doesnt Spence Diamond buy use weeding rings?

Spence only buys back their own rings.

[SpeedStars]

Pawn shops will buy it.

I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a lot more about rings than me. He says its worth 1500 but I'll give you tree fity :pokerface:

[SoNaRWaVe]

do they have papers for the diamond? if they do, appraise it and then shop around. i'm sure some shops will buy it, but of course much less than your appraised value so they can profit from it. but at least it gives you an idea how much you can get it for.

as for the band, do as suggested.

[winson604]

Get it appraised then sell on craigslist.

Reminds me of the guy who tried this and the guy who answered the ad killed him.

Engagement ring killer gets life in prison - British Columbia - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/engagement-ring-killer-gets-life-in-prison-1.1412189)

[dangonay]

who would buy an used wedding ring?

most people will refuse to buy used wedding/engagement rings because they will just look at it as a "bad luck"

I would just sell it to gold smith for platinum/gold value and remove the diamond for jewelry dealer or again, gold smith.
Those custom jewelry shops will buy diamonds and put it on their next project.

I bought a used engagement ring off Craigslist. I arranged with the seller to meet at an appraiser so they could verify the diamond was the same quality as what they claimed.

I found a branch of my bank that was close to the appraiser. I told the seller that if the diamond checked out that we could go to the bank together and I'd withdraw cash for him right there. Seller agreed and thought my conditions were very reasonable. No meeting in parking lots, after hours, shady neighborhoods or worse yet, your own residence.

What I actually did was bring the cash with me. As soon as the appraiser verified the diamond I talked to the seller and we agreed on a price. I gave him the cash in the office while waiting for the appraiser to print off the appraisal.


Selling a used ring is tough. You're going to take a hit on the value (which is why I bought mine this way). I got a very good diamond and saved about $2,000 off retail (meaning I got a ring appraised at $15,000, retail was probably more like $7,500, and I paid $5,500).

I took the diamond out and had a new ring/setting made in a different style. So only the diamond was "used", but since they don't wear out or get damaged, it's not really used.

A pawn shop or retailer is going to give you jack shit for your ring. They want to make money so are going to look at giving you wholesale (or likely less than wholesale since they'll have to remove the diamond and make a new ring).


Sell it privately, and be patient. Put your conditions for sale in your ad and make it clear you will not make any "deals" or sell it any other way. Do something similar to me (suggest meeting at an appraiser for security and then going to a bank to get cash afterwards). This will weed out a lot of scammers (although you'll still get the idiots who want to PayPal you to send the ring to them).

It's not hard selling something and keeping yourself safe. But it's going to take some time (probably months).

[Ludepower]

who would buy an used wedding ring?

most people will refuse to buy used wedding/engagement rings because they will just look at it as a "bad luck"


The whole diamond industry is a joke. But we gotta make the wife happy right? So why not save a bit and buy a used diamond and put it on a new band for her. What's so badluck about that?


Craigslist is the last place I would sell something small and high value. That's just asking to be robbed. On either side of the transaction.

Selling ur used car back to the dealership its almost highway robbery.
Same for jewellery shops buying back diamonds. Appraised value means nothing. You''re going to get lowballed.

My friend bought a 10k diamond appraised for 20k on Craigslist.
He met at a secured jewellery store where the transaction was safely verfied for both parties.
3 months later when the engagment was a bust.
He resold it on cragslist and barely lost since he originally bought it for a good deal.

That a first hand witness account. Dunno why I was failed for giving OP a suggestion

[CRS]

And now if you're buying a ring...

I've bought a few rings off this site and others. Quite successfully after doing all the necessary research. Had a few folks try running games on me, also inquired as to many that had bogus appraisals and opted not to buy when they couldn't be bothered to get a proper appraisal or provide legitimate information about their goods. I'm an automotive mechanic, not a jeweler. This information is for all the regular non-jewelry experts on craig's list looking for value for their $$ when it comes to used jewelry.

1. Don't believe the appraisal. A good number of them aren't worth the paper they are printed on. Take the information supplied about the diamond, go to a site like bluenile dot com and enter it. You'll quickly find out the ACTUAL retail value of the stone. There are people selling 1 carat rings with $20,000 appraisals, and when you check the diamond, it's a $2,000 dull piece of junk that'll drive your lady nuts and make you wish you'd taken a bit more time before wasting your money.

2. If It's a legitimate proper appraisal, it'll include all 4 C's. Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut (quality). Usually on the junk appraisals, the information on Cut is missing. Cut grade can be established 2 ways. By removing the stone and grading it loose, or by using special equipment to assess the cut in the setting. not all appraisers have this equipment. if you want your moneys worth, use an appraiser who can give you all the information, not just 75%. Also, digital imaging has been around for over a decade now. If there isn't a photo of the ring on the appraisal, it's likely a fake or a really old appraisal. All appraisals are dated, signed, and should include info on the qualification of the appraiser. Ask for a copy of the appraisal if it isn't already on the ad, clear enough for you to read on anything claiming to have precious stones/gold appraised at over $1000. Unless the main stone is extremely large and high quality, paying more than 50% of the appraised value is a total waste of money, unless the artistry of the setting makes you tingle. I recently bought a ring off another site for 6500 with full receipt showing the seller paid 10 grand for the center stone plus the cost of the setting. The stone appraised at over 15 grand. quality diamonds increase in price. crappy ones don't. Think of it this way, there are always lots of Chevy cavaliers or Honda accords for sale for a good price. but rarely do you see a good price on a decent Porche. Removing the diamond from a ring, appraising it properly, and resetting it, isn't that expensive (around $100). if the seller is asking big bucks for a stone you want, make this part of the deal. if the appraisal pans out and you agree to buy their used ring, you'll pay (seeing as you get the appraisal). if it's crap, let them pay the bill, after all, it's their diamond and whomever pays the bill gets the appraisal. they'll pay. after all, they want their ring back ;-)

3. Don't meet the seller at the jewelry store they bought it from. Of course they will back up their appraisal. You should pick your own store, someone you've dealt with in the past and trust. A 1 carat diamond can be worth just 1 grand, or 25 grand, depending on the quality of the stone.

4. A proper appraisal cost's about $50-$70 (it goes up based on the size and quality of the main stones). Yup, that's it. That's from the best in the business, someone certified by GIA. If you make an appointment with a store that has a gemologist on site, they can usually do the appraisal while you wait, and some will even include you and explain the whole process. It takes about 30 minutes and can save you a lot of money!

5. If the seller want's to meet you at starbucks instead of a jewelry store to complete the deal, let them know you are bringing along your friend the gemologist. They will quickly decide to back out of the deal. Cubics are quite sparkly but you'll be mightly unimpressed when you find out it's not the diamond you thought you were getting.

6. An appraisal is the best guess on fabricating a new ring from scratch for insurance purposes. If you buy an off the shelf ring for 2 grand, it'll come with an appraisal higher than you paid. Why? Because the one you bought was built in a mold. In a production line. Rebuilding it will obviously cost more. The engine in your car cost $1000 to make. But if you bought all the components separately today, it would cost much much more. So take the appraisal with a grain of salt. It has nothing to do with the actual retail value of the piece. And it's not a new ring, so why would you want to pay retail?

7. The size of the stones is actually the weight. A 1 carat diamond weighs precisely 200 mg or .2 grams. If the stone isn't removed from the setting to be weighed, the appraisal should mention that it is an estimate of carat size (weight). Otherwise, how could they possibly know? Dimensions can only tell so much when a diamond is in a setting.

8. All the factors of the stone make it's ultimate value. For example, "depth". A perfectly cut round brilliant diamond will have a depth of 55-57%. Anything outside of that range will effect it's value to the tune of a thousands of dollars on a 1 carat stone. An Excellent or Ideal Cut (different appraisers use different terms for the same thing) round stone will sparkle like it's on fire(also called hearts and arrows cut). Very good -- less sparkle. Good -- not much at all. Kind of like a dry bar of soap. I've also seen a "commercial" cut. only under jewelry store lighting will this cut sparkle. The sellers of these lower grades of cut are hoping you'll be impressed with bragging rights on the size of the stone. The best sparkle is achieved with a round stone. all other cuts have less because, well, they aren't round. It all has to do with how the light enters and exits the stone. round gives the best reflection quality. Princess cut, Emerald cut all reflect the light poorly. probably why they picked such wonderful names for them. old mine or European cut means it's old, very few facets (the number of cuts on the stone) and very poor light reflection. Generally, it takes a raw diamond of 1 carat or larger to be cut into a quality half carat round diamond. the cutter usually determines the best use of any given raw stone to get the most weight out of the original stone. The best cutters go for the highest quality of cut instead of total final weight. an 'excellent' cut 1/2 carat diamond is easily worth as much as a 'good' cut 1 carat diamond of the same clarity and color. the best cut on a round stone is "hearts and arrows". it's rare, but very well worth the money! To give a comparison, an "ideal or excellent cut" is like getting your car painted by the best painter in town. flawless attention to detail and the highest quality of finish. a "good cut" is equivalent to letting the kid next door paint your car with spray paint from a can. oh, and he didn't wash or sand the car first.

9. Clarity. Jewelry stores will tell you this is the most important aspect of any stone. And it is the #1 consideration for value of the stone when comparing stones of equal size. Yet with the naked eye, nobody can tell the difference between a flawless tone and one with a VS2 clarity. SI1-S12 clarity (S means Slight, I means Inclusion which is a fancy word for flaw), there will be a flaw in the stone that can be seen if you look carefully with some magnification. the flaw can still be so slight and small that these stones are still quite valuable and beautiful if cut properly. I1-I2 you can actually see dirt in the stone or cracks or other flaws under normal light with the naked eye. She wont be happy. It's a cheap way to buy a big stone, but she'll see it. These rings were bought by people looking for size, not quality. They aren't worth much at any size and are usually put in settings that wrap around the diamond like a cup so that you can't see the flaws. these stones are very disappointing if put into a claw setting. There are wholesale sites offering badly cut I2 clarity 1 carat stones for $1200. If you were to try selling it used to a diamond buyer, you'd be lucky to get $500 for it. And the "appraisal" for insurance purposes. . .good luck. They know their jewelry. The big appraisal wont float with them if it's a sub-standard stone. besides, it's replacement value. You only get what you had. They won't pay you out for it, so why waste your hard earned $ on junk to get more junk.

10. Color. Best color is rated at D. (100 years ago, they only had 3 color classifications. A, B, C. so with technology and the value of diamonds inflating, the gemologists came up with a more accurate, wider range of color grading. they scrapped ABC so there would be no confusion between an old appraisal and one using the new system). Anything below that goes down in the alphabet. Once you hit J, yellow starts to show up quite prevalently. If it's set in yellow gold, you can get a pretty good price on a yellow diamond that won't be noticed by the viewing public. The higher in the alphabet, the cheaper the price. When you get farther into the alphabet, the color actually becomes more valuable as a colored diamond. Green is at the end of the scale and is quite rare. But you'd have to want one to buy it for the price.

11. Perfect example on this site was the person selling the Tiffany's ring asking $25000. Appraised at $50,000. The core value of the parts is approximately $12,000, used for the diamond and the platimum. Here is the link. city of vancouver jewelry - by owner - craigslist (http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/jwl) show contact info html. No appraisal listed. No Cut quality listed (round brilliant is the type of shape, not the cut quality). The diamond, with the info listed might be worth $25,000 brand new. But it's still a used ring/diamond. The asking price is basically the replacement value. Unless you feel a tiffany setting is worth $25,000. It comes with a pretty bag and box. And I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. . .

12. Really good quality newer diamonds are always laser engraved with a serial number. why? because they are more valuable. if you buy a stone that has been engraved, once you get it appraised (the appraisal will include the engraving info), it will always be yours. if you lose it or it is stolen, it will be returned to you if it ever shows up in a store again (as long as you file a police report). the main diamond in the included photo isn't huge, it's .44 carat. But it's laser engraved and came with a passport. because it's a quality stone, not simply merchant quality. this type of detail is generally not bothered with on lower quality stones. why? because the stone isn't worth the extra cost. the original store would have had to pay an independent lab for the detailed description of the stone and engraving. it's all about the bottom line. if they didn't take the extra steps in the beginning, it's likely not a very valuable stone to start with.

the photo at the top of this ad shows a proper appraisal showing all 4C' that cost $55 + tx

here is a link to a very informative site that explains the differences in appraisals and appraisers, what you need to ask, what you want to see on an appraisal: The Appraisal - GoodOldGold.com (http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Appraisal/)

Buyers guide for used diamond jewelry on craig's list (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/jwl/4608802920.html)

OP could also follow the things listed to make sure it's good to go as the information provided is good both ways.

[Timpo]

The whole diamond industry is a joke. But we gotta make the wife happy right? So why not save a bit and buy a used diamond and put it on a new band for her. What's so badluck about that?


I was just saying about used wedding/engagement ring, not the diamond itself. Well, kind of same thing, I know.

When you're trying to sell used wedding band, obviously that just means the marriage ended or didn't work out, which just means bad luck.
If you're shopping an engagement ring for your future wife, would you buy from someone saying "hey, our marriage failed, so I wanna sell this ring, do you wanna buy it?" You know what I mean?

[Timpo]

I took the diamond out and had a new ring/setting made in a different style. So only the diamond was "used", but since they don't wear out or get damaged, it's not really used.

Yeah this is true, with exception of "new mined" diamonds, there are a lot of pre-owned diamonds from Royal families floating around in super high end jewelry stores.

A of diamonds have laser serial number just so that there's no previous history (if that matters to you) but who really knows where it's coming from.

[Spoon]

When you're trying to sell used wedding band, obviously that just means the marriage ended or didn't work out, which just means bad luck.

Hire an older and refined chap and sell the story that his wife passed away after their golden anniversary then. It's all in the marketing. :joy:

[asian_XL]

"My friend"

[Terwg]

If the ring is good condition and from well known brand, you might try an auction house in Canada. Rings in the 5 figure range sell for decent prices while rings in the 6 figure range sell for significant discount in Canada as most buyers are dealers and resellers so best to contact Sotheby or Christies auction in US to sell those.

If you can provide more info, that would allow us to help you. E.g. What is the size, clarity, cut of the diamond? Is there a GIA certificate for it? A princess cut diamond is much easier to sell than a pear shaped one. A top quality diamond is easier to sell than ones with high incisions and color typically found in mall jewelry stores.

[MG1]

Apologies in advance for the randomness of the question

My friend is trying to get rid of an older wedding ring. It is a pretty expensive ring, with several diamonds on it

Does anyone know a reputable shop that I should recommend to them?

Much appreciated.

Just happens to be that Able auctions is having free jewellery appraisal day tomorrow. Not sure about the details, but worth a try.

Flyer - Able Auctions (http://www.ableauctions.ca/flyer/?EventID=28CC99F1-D969-5BF3-77CA18686CFA95A8)

[multicartual]

Reminds me of the guy who tried this and the guy who answered the ad killed him.

Engagement ring killer gets life in prison - British Columbia - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/engagement-ring-killer-gets-life-in-prison-1.1412189)


Stabbed the guy 60+ times then a gunshot to the head.


Sick fuck

[Timpo]

If the ring is good condition and from well known brand, you might try an auction house in Canada. Rings in the 5 figure range sell for decent prices while rings in the 6 figure range sell for significant discount in Canada as most buyers are dealers and resellers so best to contact Sotheby or Christies auction in US to sell those.

If you can provide more info, that would allow us to help you. E.g. What is the size, clarity, cut of the diamond? Is there a GIA certificate for it? A princess cut diamond is much easier to sell than a pear shaped one. A top quality diamond is easier to sell than ones with high incisions and color typically found in mall jewelry stores.

I don't...unless it's in absolute mind condition, not many guys would want to give their women used Harry Winston rings..

[MG1]

I cringe every time I hear those dumbass Spence Diamonds ads. Want to punt that weirdo clear into yesterday.

Some girls are just glad to be with their man and the diamond doesn't have to shine. Twinkle in a happy woman's eye is worth more than any diamond. Then again there are those who measure shit with what they wear, drive, etc. Nuff said. Also, live within means - money problems always lead to unhappiness. Find a woman that is level headed and down to earth.


Yeah, pretty off topic, but those Spence Diamonds ads just piss me off so much, lol.

[saucywoman]

If whoever I decided to marry was able to get a smokin deal on an awesome ring I would be stoked, who cares if its previously owned. The bad luck you perceive it to have is in your own mind and that may cause the bad luck to follow you. Just see it as a beautiful thing for a great deal and the money saved can go towards a number of other things.

Think about it, spend $1000 for a smaller less fancy ring (I'd be fine with that too as its about the marriage, not the bling) or spend $1000 for a previously owned ring that's worth $2000.

Then again I'm not like a lot of women and don't care about the material things when picking a partner lol

[Spoon]

I cringe every time I hear those dumbass Spence Diamonds ads. Want to punt that weirdo clear into yesterday.


Went ring shopping there before with my brother in law. Looking at replica diamonds instead of the real thing absolutely spoiled the whole experience.

[multicartual]

Find a woman that is level headed and down to earth.


I had to date a woman 12 years older than me to find this

[underscore]

I cringe every time I hear those dumbass Spence Diamonds ads. Want to punt that weirdo clear into yesterday.

Some girls are just glad to be with their man and the diamond doesn't have to shine. Twinkle in a happy woman's eye is worth more than any diamond. Then again there are those who measure shit with what they wear, drive, etc. Nuff said. Also, live within means - money problems always lead to unhappiness. Find a woman that is level headed and down to earth.


Yeah, pretty off topic, but those Spence Diamonds ads just piss me off so much, lol.

My girlfriend would be more likely to break up with me than say yes if I spent a pile of money on a stupid rock (strange as it may sound I already know what she wants, no diamonds and it's sub $1k). It really shouldn't matter what you buy, back in the day people used to get engaged with basically anything, the whole diamond ring thing was just some bullshit ad 100 years ago that stuck. So is the 3 months salary thing.

[J____]

why sell it? just give it to the next one :considered:

[multicartual]

the whole diamond ring thing was just some bullshit ad 100 years ago that stuck. So is the 3 months salary thing.

Well no...

Marriage used to be more of a partnership for survival, providing children that would take care of the parents yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah

...

The 3 month salary thing was to help the woman support herself if the husband died, she could sell the ring and feed kids, etc etc blah blah

[Timpo]

ok so out of 7 billion people on this planet, how many percent of people actually have the notion of engagement ring with platinum/diamond?

[Timpo]

Well no...

Marriage used to be more of a partnership for survival, providing children that would take care of the parents yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah

...

The 3 month salary thing was to help the woman support herself if the husband died, she could sell the ring and feed kids, etc etc blah blah

ok fuck that shit, 3 month thing was probably jewelry companies trying to sell more expensive jewelries.

[Inaii]

ok fuck that shit, 3 month thing was probably jewelry companies trying to sell more expensive jewelries.

Why Engagement Rings Are a Scam - Adam Ruins Everything - YouTube

[saucywoman]

Well no...

Marriage used to be more of a partnership for survival, providing children that would take care of the parents yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah

...

The 3 month salary thing was to help the woman support herself if the husband died, she could sell the ring and feed kids, etc etc blah blah

Diamonds Are Bullshit (http://blog.priceonomics.com/post/45768546804/diamonds-are-bullshit)

Just gonna leave this here :p

[underscore]

Well no...

Marriage used to be more of a partnership for survival, providing children that would take care of the parents yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah

...

The 3 month salary thing was to help the woman support herself if the husband died, she could sell the ring and feed kids, etc etc blah blah

Nope, it was a De Beers ad from the 30's. The children caring for the parents I think is more of an Asian culture thing (but I could be wrong).

BBC News - De Beers myth: Do people spend a month's salary on a diamond engagement ring? (http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27371208)

The idea was embedded in popular culture in the West by an advertising drive from the De Beers diamond cartel that started in the lean years of the 1930s. The Depression was a disaster for De Beers, which controlled 60% of rough diamond output. De Beers embarked on what it now describes as a "substantial" campaign, linking diamonds with engagement.

Prior to the 1930s, presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring was not the norm. Even on the eve of World War Two, a mere 10% of engagement rings contained diamonds. By the end of the 20th Century, 80% did.

In the 1930s, at the start of the De Beers campaign, a single month's salary was the suggested ring spend. In the 1980s in the US, it became two months. One advert featured a pouting woman, a scarf, a finger, a diamond ring and the words: "Two months' salary showed the future Mrs Smith what the future would be like."

Another did away with the woman, the pout and the finger, leaving only a diamond ring against a black background and the question: "How can you make two months' salary last forever?"

[saucywoman]

^^ that's what I posted :p

[Inaii]

It's also in the video I posted :p lol

[Timpo]

Who started this engagement ring culture?

I know that engagement ring doesn't exist in Asia and Africa. I know in Japan they go give their wives engagement rings because they're very Westernized, but traditionally there wasn't engagement ring.

What about South America? probably not? Maybe somewhere in Europe?

[Timpo]

oh fuck looks like Egyptians and Greeks are to blame for starting this trend.
Engagement ring - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engagement_ring#Ancient_times)

[underscore]

The Irish are the ones that got this shit right (never thought I'd say that about the Irish), with the Claddagh Ring

The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer's romantic availability, or lack thereof.
Traditionally, if the ring is on the right hand with the heart facing outward and away from the body, this indicates that the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship, and may in fact be single and looking for a relationship: "their heart is open."
When worn on the right hand but with the heart facing inward toward the body, this indicates the person wearing the ring is in a relationship, or that "someone has captured their heart".
A Claddagh worn on the left hand ring finger facing outward away from the body generally indicates that the wearer is engaged.
When the ring is on the left hand ring finger and facing inward toward the body, it generally means that the person wearing the ring is married.

One ring takes care of the ladies from when they start dating through the rest of their lives. A friend of mine who dropped $10k on an engagement ring couldn't believe it when he heard of this.

[saucywoman]

Maybe that's why I'm not too concerned about flashing a big rock; my Irish roots come through :) :p

[MG1]

The Irish are the ones that got this shit right (never thought I'd say that about the Irish), with the Claddagh Ring



One ring takes care of the ladies from when they start dating through the rest of their lives. A friend of mine who dropped $10k on an engagement ring couldn't believe it when he heard of this.

That explains the song, "When Irish Eyes are Smiling."


So what's the scoop with the dot on the forehead of South Asian women? Is that a similar thing?

[Ronin]

Yeah, pretty off topic, but those Spence Diamonds ads just piss me off so much, lol.

And there's no way that that dude with that voice and is that excited about engagement rings is proposing to his "girlfriend". :lol