4.79ct Tiffany Lucida
- Thread starter Phoenix
- Start date
- Status
Nicrez
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2004
- Messages
- 3,230
Hey Lien!
Not sure if you are still having issue with reaching the right people at Skinner. Try asking for Sheila Barron Smithie. She''s always been super helpful. Also, when bidding I personally prefer to do the bidding myself, in person is clearly the best, but I prefer the control over large ticket items even if by phone. Internet bids to me are not helpful. Also, having a bidder on your behalf is not my personal style. Solange is absolutely correct that the speed at which the hpone bids go, it''s dizzying. I have bid on pieces erroneously, based on the speed and confusion. It''s not fun dealing with the consequences. But in the end, one has to be alert, in a quiet place and concentrate very hard on hearing the room. Ask them to leave you on the line if they can to hear the other bids before yours. So you get a feel of the pace of the auction.
I hate being the underbidder on any item, and I can''t tell you how often I have ended up being just that! The trick is to allow the last moment to pass before placing a competing bid. Also, the person on the phone with you should be someone expereienced. Be upfront and ask that they give you someone who is very communicative and tells you each transaction and who has the bid at each moment. Before the hammer falls they MUST ask you if you would like to rebid. I can''t tell you how often I have had poor phone bidders who just stay mute or can''t keep up. It''s usually the newer folks. Ask for someone more senior.
As for the price, again, I will venture to say that it may go over estimate if there is intense personal interest. The dealers will not like this stone as it will price above a resellable value to them. It may likely go to a private who''s cap is higher, as their only other avenue would have been the TCo store with the retail price. This could be against your bidding... hard to say.
Also, be warned that Christie''s just increased their buyer''s premium to 25% as of 9/1/07 for all items under $20K, so verify that Skinner''s premium is what it is. If it goes over $80K it''s 10% but otherwise you are looking at 17.5% if i remember correctly.
Being perfectly honest, I have tremendous respect for Skinner and their staff, however I would not personally base a sight unseen purchase on their specialists word. An original TCo piece should have the stone marked as such. If you win and verify it at a store, you can likely return the item if purchased as a TCo and if it doesn not clear as real. Many people don''t know that, but in all honesty, their job is to verify the information on catalogue and if they write TCo, it should be verified or the bid should reverse. It has happened at other houses and I have seen it done.
Rest assured that a stone with a TCo qualification and a GIA proving as such should be a no-brainer bid, but verify the stone matches the report, the conditon of the stone has not changed since the report, the setting is authentic and the stone has not been replaced, as well asn the general condition of the setting. From a 6 to a 41/2 there is a lot of work to be done on that, and if you consult a TCo rep they should be able to tell you if the integrity of the setting should be OK. The Lucida setting at that carat weight is fairly hefty and thick, so I assume (although I am not metalsmith) that it will be fine just a bit more work.
There are other auctions during this time period. Take a look at Sotheby''s, Christie''s, DuMouchelle, Doyle, Bonham''s & Dupuis. If this ring does not work out, you can have bids on other rings waiting. When bidding by phone you have no upper bid to declare, so when you apply for the auction phone bids, if you don''t want to bid, they will call and you can say that you will not bid and they often let you remain on line to see what the hammer falls at. Or you can bid to the last price if you are moved by the item.
Keep congnizant of the pace, the demand and your upper limit. Don''t get swept up in the rush or the fight. Listen carefully, total silence, don''t do anything BUT listen and I would literally write down your final number as a reminder of where you can not go over. And do your homework. Even if that means calling antique sellers and requesting some prices for a similar ring. See what the market pays second hand for it so you don''t over pay. To me, the estimates are not always correct. I have seen things not sell, things sell at the mark, or most times (and lately in this luxury fueled market) things are purchased at a much higher price than they are estimated...
So good luck!
Not sure if you are still having issue with reaching the right people at Skinner. Try asking for Sheila Barron Smithie. She''s always been super helpful. Also, when bidding I personally prefer to do the bidding myself, in person is clearly the best, but I prefer the control over large ticket items even if by phone. Internet bids to me are not helpful. Also, having a bidder on your behalf is not my personal style. Solange is absolutely correct that the speed at which the hpone bids go, it''s dizzying. I have bid on pieces erroneously, based on the speed and confusion. It''s not fun dealing with the consequences. But in the end, one has to be alert, in a quiet place and concentrate very hard on hearing the room. Ask them to leave you on the line if they can to hear the other bids before yours. So you get a feel of the pace of the auction.
I hate being the underbidder on any item, and I can''t tell you how often I have ended up being just that! The trick is to allow the last moment to pass before placing a competing bid. Also, the person on the phone with you should be someone expereienced. Be upfront and ask that they give you someone who is very communicative and tells you each transaction and who has the bid at each moment. Before the hammer falls they MUST ask you if you would like to rebid. I can''t tell you how often I have had poor phone bidders who just stay mute or can''t keep up. It''s usually the newer folks. Ask for someone more senior.
As for the price, again, I will venture to say that it may go over estimate if there is intense personal interest. The dealers will not like this stone as it will price above a resellable value to them. It may likely go to a private who''s cap is higher, as their only other avenue would have been the TCo store with the retail price. This could be against your bidding... hard to say.
Also, be warned that Christie''s just increased their buyer''s premium to 25% as of 9/1/07 for all items under $20K, so verify that Skinner''s premium is what it is. If it goes over $80K it''s 10% but otherwise you are looking at 17.5% if i remember correctly.
Being perfectly honest, I have tremendous respect for Skinner and their staff, however I would not personally base a sight unseen purchase on their specialists word. An original TCo piece should have the stone marked as such. If you win and verify it at a store, you can likely return the item if purchased as a TCo and if it doesn not clear as real. Many people don''t know that, but in all honesty, their job is to verify the information on catalogue and if they write TCo, it should be verified or the bid should reverse. It has happened at other houses and I have seen it done.
Rest assured that a stone with a TCo qualification and a GIA proving as such should be a no-brainer bid, but verify the stone matches the report, the conditon of the stone has not changed since the report, the setting is authentic and the stone has not been replaced, as well asn the general condition of the setting. From a 6 to a 41/2 there is a lot of work to be done on that, and if you consult a TCo rep they should be able to tell you if the integrity of the setting should be OK. The Lucida setting at that carat weight is fairly hefty and thick, so I assume (although I am not metalsmith) that it will be fine just a bit more work.
There are other auctions during this time period. Take a look at Sotheby''s, Christie''s, DuMouchelle, Doyle, Bonham''s & Dupuis. If this ring does not work out, you can have bids on other rings waiting. When bidding by phone you have no upper bid to declare, so when you apply for the auction phone bids, if you don''t want to bid, they will call and you can say that you will not bid and they often let you remain on line to see what the hammer falls at. Or you can bid to the last price if you are moved by the item.
Keep congnizant of the pace, the demand and your upper limit. Don''t get swept up in the rush or the fight. Listen carefully, total silence, don''t do anything BUT listen and I would literally write down your final number as a reminder of where you can not go over. And do your homework. Even if that means calling antique sellers and requesting some prices for a similar ring. See what the market pays second hand for it so you don''t over pay. To me, the estimates are not always correct. I have seen things not sell, things sell at the mark, or most times (and lately in this luxury fueled market) things are purchased at a much higher price than they are estimated...
So good luck!
luckystar112
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
- Messages
- 3,962
Lien, did you ever post your yellow diamond drop earring that you were having DBL make for you?
Did I totally miss it?
Did I totally miss it?
decodelighted
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
- Messages
- 11,534
Oooooh ... I just figured out how to search all of Skinner''s completed items from today''s auction! YUMMO! The antique platinum setting I found for Mrssalvo went for 1K with many, many bidders ... these precious ruby/diamond Tiffany beauties I had my eye on went for WAY more than the estimate .. and it looks like there were some bargains had by OEC & OMC e-ring shoppers!
But what about the jumbo LUCIDA??? Inquiring minds ....
But what about the jumbo LUCIDA??? Inquiring minds ....
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9,975
Very disappointed!
Thank you so much to everyone who''s helped, particularly Nicrez, Solanage and DS. Your advice has been incredibly helpful. I think I am going to stick to this route for my next one, and you''re right, Nicrez, there are quite a few more auctions coming up. So who knows, I should get a Tiffany or even a HW on my grubby little finger at some point!
Thank you so much to everyone who''s helped, particularly Nicrez, Solanage and DS. Your advice has been incredibly helpful. I think I am going to stick to this route for my next one, and you''re right, Nicrez, there are quite a few more auctions coming up. So who knows, I should get a Tiffany or even a HW on my grubby little finger at some point!
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9,975
No solid plan at the moment, only that I will stick at it. Christie''s has an important/ magnificient jewels sale coming up, but did you say their prices and of course the exquisite pieces?Date: 9/18/2007 9:06:52 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:
Bummer!!Any other plans?
cheers--Sharon
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2006
- Messages
- 58,547
Aww, I am sorry to hear this, Lien! But I am betting it means that there is a better one out there waiting for you!
I was very tempted seeing some of the Skinner items, but honestly, I felt like it was a huge ordeal to try to bid on anything. I agree with Nicrez, it would help to be there.
We''ll have fun watching your next project, Lien!
I was very tempted seeing some of the Skinner items, but honestly, I felt like it was a huge ordeal to try to bid on anything. I agree with Nicrez, it would help to be there.
We''ll have fun watching your next project, Lien!
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9,975
I didn't actually get them after all. Thought I was saving the money for this purchase, but recently I've bought a new Tiffany silver bracelet, several small yellow diamonds - loose stones to be set into drop earrings, a coloured diamond bracelet and a 10ct garnet to be set into a pendant with diamond halo.
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2004
- Messages
- 25,741
HI:Date: 9/18/2007 9:10:18 PM
Author: lienTN
No solid plan at the moment, only that I will stick at it. Christie''s has an important/ magnificient jewels sale coming up, but did you say their prices and of course the exquisite pieces?Date: 9/18/2007 9:06:52 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:
Bummer!!Any other plans?
cheers--Sharon
Not yet!
cheers--Sharon
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9,975
Thank you, DS. I really hope there''s a better one out there for me!
It was a bit nerve-wracking (sp?) waiting for the results, but it was night time for me so that helped. I definitely would have preferred to have been there but Arthur deMello did such a wonderful job, esp. at such short notice, that I felt somewhat at ease.
Yes, it''s going to more work for you all when I pester you again with my next project!
Ellen
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2006
- Messages
- 24,433
I totally believe in this.Date: 9/18/2007 9:06:07 PM
Author: Shay37
Oh, no, Honey. I am so sorry for you. That is such disappointing news. However, that means something better is coming your way; right?That''s the way I try to look at things that don''t work out the way I had hoped.
shay
I AM sorry though, for you lien.
However, I can''t wait to see what it is you DO get!
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9,975
I''ve taken the advice of fellow PS''ers and decided not to go that route (I think it''s still available and it is a beautiful piece, just not something that I think I will treasure "forever and ever" and not marketable like a Tiff or a HW).Date: 9/18/2007 9:15:26 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:Date: 9/18/2007 9:10:18 PM
Author: lienTN
No solid plan at the moment, only that I will stick at it. Christie''s has an important/ magnificient jewels sale coming up, but did you say their prices and of course the exquisite pieces?Date: 9/18/2007 9:06:52 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:
Bummer!!Any other plans?
cheers--Sharon
Not yet!I have never bid at auction but follow Dupuis Auction sales routinely. Is the Princess no longer of interest to you (or sold)?
cheers--Sharon
So for my next purchase (whever that is), I''m pretty sure it''s going to be either a Tiffany Lucida or a HW (preferably an emerald or an Asscher).
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9,975
Thank you, Widget. I was really hoping I would too.Date: 9/18/2007 9:27:44 PM
Author: widget
Oh, phooey!!!!I was REALLY hoping you'd won it.
Oh well, as Shay said: Something even better is out there waiting for you...
widget
My DH thinks I "did myself in" by "advertising" about it on PS, generating too much interest. But there was no way I was going to bid for that item without help from you all. Oh well...
Lien,
Sorry you did not get the ring.I doubt that another Pricescope bidder bought it.
However, it was not meant to be and often these things work out for the best. I am sure another beautiful ring is waiting in your future. There are many jewelry auctions and since you want to go that route, I am sure something great will come up. I''ve had good experiences with Christie''s jewelry department. Usually, Sotheby''s has a jewelry sale around the same time but you are apt to get better service at Christie''s.
To look at it from the bright side, you have a big budget and still have something to look forward to. Best of luck.
Sorry you did not get the ring.I doubt that another Pricescope bidder bought it.
However, it was not meant to be and often these things work out for the best. I am sure another beautiful ring is waiting in your future. There are many jewelry auctions and since you want to go that route, I am sure something great will come up. I''ve had good experiences with Christie''s jewelry department. Usually, Sotheby''s has a jewelry sale around the same time but you are apt to get better service at Christie''s.
To look at it from the bright side, you have a big budget and still have something to look forward to. Best of luck.
decodelighted
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
- Messages
- 11,534
You know, Lien ... I was thinking about this more & realized .... did you ever get dimensions of the Lucida in mm? I have a hunch that it might be about the size of the 3 ct round you say you're experiencing shrinkage with. That would be NO GOOD! It would be small to you before you even enjoy it! Lucidas are just so very very deep ... and 3ct rounds are, what, 9.5mm??
I dunno -- when I saw that you're having severe shrinkage in relation to a 9++mm stone & that a LUCIDA would be your new purchase -- didn't compute. I do think you'll be better off with an elongated stone, like an EC ... to scratch your SIZE itch.
ETA:
Yeah ... um ... here's the 4.79 ct Lucida's dimensions: 9.79 x 9.74 x 6.77 mm and the approx dimensions of the stone that's giving you shrinkage issues are: 9.23 x 9.28x5.79. Can you IMAGINE if you'd gotten that home for 65K & been
I dunno -- when I saw that you're having severe shrinkage in relation to a 9++mm stone & that a LUCIDA would be your new purchase -- didn't compute. I do think you'll be better off with an elongated stone, like an EC ... to scratch your SIZE itch.
ETA:
Yeah ... um ... here's the 4.79 ct Lucida's dimensions: 9.79 x 9.74 x 6.77 mm and the approx dimensions of the stone that's giving you shrinkage issues are: 9.23 x 9.28x5.79. Can you IMAGINE if you'd gotten that home for 65K & been
Ellen
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2006
- Messages
- 24,433
deco raises an excellent point lien. I never even thought about the diameters, as I just naturally assumed (never compared) there would be a good bit if difference. And that would be a good bit, in a stone under a carat, but not at this size!
She''s absolutely right, I think you could have been dissapointed....
She''s absolutely right, I think you could have been dissapointed....
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9,975
I logged onto PS and guess what I saw?!!! LOL!
Deco, Ellen and Lorelei, I WAS aware of all the dimensions, but I reckoned the extra corners of the Lucida (that my RB doesn't have) would make it look much more spready. The dimensions of the princess stone I mentioned are only a little bigger than the Lucida's and yet it looks HUGE compared to my 3.02ct RB. Plus the depth of the Lucida actually makes it *look* bigger too, it seems to have much more of an impact than my RB. I tried on tons and tons of Lucida at various Tiffany's and even a 3.5ct-ish one looked much bigger and seemed to have more of a presence than mine. It could all be psychological - because it IS a Tiffany and it's something I've always always wanted, for several years now - but I swear by what I saw and perceived!
Solange, I too doubt if it was another active PS'er, might have been a lurker though, but of course I don't know for sure. Doesn't matter now, I guess. Thanks, I will look out for other auctions. I am lusting after a couple of items on the Christies' magnificient auction coming up in October, but those prices!! I feel faint just thinking about them!
- Status
Did You Miss The Throwback Thursdays For April 2024?
Did You Miss The Throwback Thursdays For April 2024? - 04/25
300x240.png)