Another Idea I Think Is a Good One (and one most of the work is all ready done for)
What is the point of that data on stats for items that you start on higher stars?
Well it's good for improving the game by letting you go beyond current levels in upgrading.
White, green, blue, purple, orange, (copper, silver, gold, platinum, shiny colors and /or borders-which can start back at white(going jumping star levels to the same as original level start for balancing might be necisary) ).
Imagine if you up the color while keeping the base stat levels. Sure, the bonus might reset, but you can have better stuff. I don't know what to do about the equip increase, but letting people have another increase each time should probably be fine at the level they can up a color.