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»  » I found a E-ring! Need honest/expert opinions...
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I found a E-ring! Need honest/expert opinions... |
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| P: 11/16/2006 9:08:26 PM | |
Dyman Rough Rock Total Posts: 13 Last Post: 1/27/2008 Member Since: 9/29/2006 |
Here's an update to my previous post (the better sapphire). I'm still hunting for a great sapphire and diamond engagement ring and may have found it. I was just about ready to buy a sapphire online from the natural sapphire company or cherry picked, but would'nt you know it...I'm in the mall shopping for eyeglasses and happen upon a one-day only sale on select jewelry at Macy's. I look at all their sapphire/diamond combo rings and find one that looks really great, with excellent color and sparkle on all the stones, and is also priced 3k more than the next cheapest ring. The tag said it was worth $7000, and at 60% off I can get it for $2800. So naturally I buy it thinking I'm getting a great deal and knowing I have more than a month to return it for a full refund. I'm still not sure exactly why it was priced so much more than the others I saw at Macy's and the other mall stores - lots of junk out there. It came with no paperwork - just an assurance that all the stones were natural. All I can hope is that the diamonds and sapphire prove to be high quality, and that my appraiser does a good job. I hope it get's appraised at least for $4000 or better. But I am still wondering if I might do better for the same price buying my sapphire and setting seperatly online. I noticed It doesn't have as much richess as some of the stones I've seen online (going for about $1500 per carat). It has a more electric blue sparkle, instead of the violet tones I often see - both seem good to me. Tomorrow I'm getting it appraised by a local independent appraiser listed on the pricescope list - Harry Cannon (anyone know of him?). Will be interesting to hear what he says. I was also suprised they 14k white gold instead of 18k - though that was a bit cheap. I'm told the sapphire is 1ct, and the diamonds total 1 ct. Take a look and let me know your honest opinion. Thanks! 
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| Posted: 11/16/2006 9:08:26 PM | |
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There are 18 replies to this message. There are 18 replies on this page. |
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| P: 11/16/2006 9:10:55 PM | |
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Dyman Rough Rock Total Posts: 13 Last Post: 1/27/2008 Member Since: 9/29/2006 |
Another pic of the setting:
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| Posted: 11/16/2006 9:10:55 PM | |
| P: 11/16/2006 9:13:56 PM | |
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Dyman Rough Rock Total Posts: 13 Last Post: 1/27/2008 Member Since: 9/29/2006 |
These pics don't have very good light unfortuantely
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| Posted: 11/16/2006 9:13:56 PM | |
| P: 11/16/2006 9:33:00 PM | |
Kaleigh Ideal Rock Total Posts: 26,647 Last Post: 2/9/2010 Member Since: 11/18/2004 |
Department stores like Macy's always have high prices on their tags so when they have a 60% off sale you think you are getting a bargain. I have yet to see a high quality sapphire and diamond ring at Macy's. Those diamonds are probably heavily included, and not well cut. If you want to spend the money to have it appraised, then do so, but no way will come close to being worth $7000. I'd rather you return it and get a high quality sapphire from the online vendors you mentioned. As the wise mrssalvo says in her tag line, A deal is only a deal if you get exactly what you want. Good luck, HTH. Lisa
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| Posted: 11/16/2006 9:33:00 PM | |
| P: 11/16/2006 9:47:56 PM | |
JulieN Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,358 Last Post: 2/9/2010 Member Since: 7/25/2005 |
I love the classic design. There seems to be an odd quality about the diamonds...a haziness (seems to be from inclusions) and slight yellow color. Well, that's what's showing up on my screen. It is true that Macy's markup is very high, and they hold these 50-70% off things fairly frequently. In my experience, the sale price is not a good price, but not bad, either, and they have a very good return policy.
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| Posted: 11/16/2006 9:47:56 PM | |
| P: 11/16/2006 9:56:33 PM | |
widget Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,254 Last Post: 12/20/2008 Member Since: 11/12/2004 |
Well, it will be interesting to hear what the appraiser has to say. I agree with Kaleigh....I suspect you could get a higher quality stone/ring going through one of the vendors mentioned. I'm not sure I've EVER been in Macy's when their jewelry isn't "drastically reduced"... Regarding the style...that's what I would call a "cluster ring" which is pretty, but to me is more like a right-hand-ring than an Ering. Is your girl going to wear a wedding band with it? If so, a simpler ring, with either a solitaire or perhaps two side diamonds, is more traditional, and IMO, more attractive One question...if you don't mind...what exactly is your budget? In your other thread you mentioned a budget of $2500 for the stone. If this is the case, I really do think you can do better. These are all my personal opinions and taste, of course...you need to get what YOU love, and even ore important, what she'll love! Curious to hear what the appraiser says....maybe he'll make liars of us all!! LOL widget
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| Posted: 11/16/2006 9:56:33 PM | |
| P: 11/16/2006 10:01:40 PM | |
RockDoc Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,509 Last Post: 6/17/2007 Member Since: 8/16/2000 |
When you take it to the appraiser, ask about origin, and treatments. There are a lot of saphirres in the marketplace that are more enhancements than just heat. Not every gemologist has all the equipment to do check that. As I've said here over and over " Appraise the Appraiser". Rockdoc
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| Posted: 11/16/2006 10:01:40 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 1:05:31 PM | |
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Dyman Rough Rock Total Posts: 13 Last Post: 1/27/2008 Member Since: 9/29/2006 |
Thanks for the great advice everyone - sometimes the truth hurts a bit. I'm off to see Harry Cannon - the appaiser. Will be interesting to find out what he has to say. I shot the pics in early morning sunlight - so they are darker and a bit yellow than reality. The diamonds and sapphire look very clear and brilliant in better light, and the cuttting looks very crisp and exact. It's probably a fake sapphire! We won't have a wedding band, are quite non-traditional, so the design fits us. She wants "diamonds around a center sapphire" said something about it representing the circle of life. Widget, I kind of lowered my total budget to $3000-$3500 recently.
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 1:05:31 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 2:04:35 PM | |
SanDiegoLady Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,630 Last Post: 2/9/2010 Member Since: 7/6/2005 |
Personally, I love it. I love the color, I love the setting, everything. I was (am) a huge Princess Diana admirer, and loved her ring.. Its lovely, really. The sapphires in my engagement ring are not a light blue color, they are more of a rich hue. I prefer them this way. Pretty.. thanks for sharing. :)
 “The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present." Barbara De Angelis |
| Posted: 11/17/2006 2:04:35 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 2:21:04 PM | |
nejarb Cut Rock Total Posts: 324 Last Post: 9/28/2008 Member Since: 8/3/2006 |
this is a replica of princess di's (much larger) e-ring that prince charles gave her. this style was very popular in the 80s but I think mainly as cocktail rings. personally, i think it's a little kitschy and dated. of course, if she likes it then that's all that matters. but i would be careful with a ring like that if you're going to suprise her with it and haven't gotten any indication from her in the past that she's like that style.
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 2:21:04 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 2:34:47 PM | |
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nejarb Cut Rock Total Posts: 324 Last Post: 9/28/2008 Member Since: 8/3/2006 |
here's another ring, kind of like the one you posted. http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=3856 
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 2:34:47 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 2:46:26 PM | |
innerkitten Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,072 Last Post: 2/8/2010 Member Since: 8/2/2003 |
I'd be curious to know what the appraiser says about the treatments too. Macy's says use heat treated stones no diffusion treatments or anything like that.
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 2:46:26 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 3:28:56 PM | |
Pyramid Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,915 Last Post: 1/3/2010 Member Since: 11/10/2002 |
Date: 11/17/2006 2:21:04 PM Author: nejarb this is a replica of princess di's (much larger) e-ring that prince charles gave her. this style was very popular in the 80s but I think mainly as cocktail rings. personally, i think it's a little kitschy and dated. of course, if she likes it then that's all that matters. but i would be careful with a ring like that if you're going to suprise her with it and haven't gotten any indication from her in the past that she's like that style. In the UK in the 80s that was a very popular style as an engagement ring, not cocktail rings which may have been in the USA. I had an engagement ring in that style in 1986 from a previous relationship.
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 3:28:56 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 3:41:52 PM | |
path914 Rough Rock Total Posts: 41 Last Post: 2/1/2007 Member Since: 8/1/2005 |
Could you get nicer, higher quality gemstones if you took the time to look around and buy them individually and then get them custom-set?.............. Almost certainly. However, if you like how the ring looks and it is already the style that your girl requested, I see nothing wrong with taking advantage of the opportunity as you did. You can always upgrade the diamonds for a later anniversary/birthday/etc... I think it is a very nice example of the "Princess Di" style. Good luck  Paul G.J.G (GIA) www.dercodiamonds.com
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 3:41:52 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 3:46:50 PM | |
Bertrand Ideal Rock Total Posts: 622 Last Post: 8/17/2009 Member Since: 7/13/2004 |
Well - you are using a recommended independent appraiser! Great! Like the others I hope you post back with the results. --------------------------- |
| Posted: 11/17/2006 3:46:50 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 6:48:37 PM | |
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Dyman Rough Rock Total Posts: 13 Last Post: 1/27/2008 Member Since: 9/29/2006 |
Well, Harry Cannon has spoken. I think he did a great job as a very honest appraiser (and I was charged reasonably - under a Benjamin for his hour of time). I haven't received the full appraisal yet - which comes in the mail - but I can tell you what he basically told me. He valued the ring at $2600 - $700 for the sapphire, about $200 for each diamond and around $200 for the setting. So much for the $7000 tag - what a joke! He thought the sapphire was of pretty good quality (I think he gave it a 5-6 grade), with a good cut, color, very little windowing. He did'nt see many flaws in the ring, besides a couple small cavites in a few diamonds. Whether I keep it or not I haven't decided. I do like the style though. I think the dimensions of the diamonds to the sapphire are just right - eight .125ct diamonds around a 1ct sapphire. I'd love to find a similar setting only a bit larger in scale - perhaps with eight .187ct diamonds, in which I could get a 1.5ct sapphire, mounted between them. Nejarb, I like that setting you found, but it might be a little too busy for my taste. And I think .12 ct diamonds are about as small as I care to have on a ring. Any other links like that would be appreciated. Thanks everyone! I'll post a better picture soon.
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 6:48:37 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 7:02:23 PM | |
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widget Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,254 Last Post: 12/20/2008 Member Since: 11/12/2004 |
Thanks for getting back to us, Dyman! Did he estimate the color/clarity grades of the diamonds? I'd be curious to hear what quality diamonds are sold are in Macy's jewelry... widget
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 7:02:23 PM | |
| P: 11/17/2006 11:52:40 PM | |
diamondseeker2006 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 17,686 Last Post: 2/7/2010 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
Dyman, I was just looking at your other thread and saw an absolutely gorgeous setting from the Natural Sapphire Company. That ring would blow the one from Macy's out of the water. You are looking at two totally different quality levels of rings. I really, really would recommend choosing a fine sapphire with high quality diamonds for an e-ring.
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| Posted: 11/17/2006 11:52:40 PM | |
| P: 11/18/2006 7:20:24 AM | |
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Bertrand Ideal Rock Total Posts: 622 Last Post: 8/17/2009 Member Since: 7/13/2004 |
Whew! I am glad you used a good appraiser. Please do give us the details when he mails you the report. You know - if you like that exact ring setup (macy pictures) you could just take the "easy route" - send those pictures in an email along with the sizes of the sapphire and diamonds your want - and your $3500 budget - to anyone of the good guys often mentioned here (natural, cherry, wink, whiteflash, etc....) and you can trust that they will deliver the best ring your budget will allow. --------------------------- |
| Posted: 11/18/2006 7:20:24 AM | |
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