A Traub Orange Blossom Tale

[YadaYadaYada]

Wow nice jewelry boxes, it's too bad that one is missing the ballerina. Will you sell it as is or fix it up first? I know I have seen vintage ballerinas on EBay but it would probably be more than you paid for the box!

Hey I wouldn't turn down that ring for $1. Sell it for $2 and you've doubled your money! I'm sure you can sell it for more than that!

I get the "what if" but I like to sleep in, DH likes to get out there early and I'm just like, let me have breakfast and coffee first lol!

 

[stracci2000]

I will fix the box. I really like to do "rehab" on old stuff like that.
Black nail polish is great for retouching chips on black lacquer.
I have a big box with many colors of wood stain, tools, brushes, glue, etc., that I use to fix up my old treasures!

 

[peacechick]

I feel guilty if I don't go out on Friday and Saturday. What am I missing out on if I don't go? Yes, obsessive I know. The old "what if?"
I found some old jewelry boxes, and a few rings.. I put my rings in them for the pic. I think the black lacquer box is missing her ballerina!
The close up ring is 14k and low quality tanzanite. The photo makes the stones look blue, but they are lilac color. No diamonds there, just bumps! An ugly ring for sure, but for $1.00, it was a deal! I will try to sell it.

You’ll turn a profit on that ring even if you sell it for scrap!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

And the story continues.....

I recently bought my holy grail ring which is very similar in style to a transitional I tried to buy earlier this year. Well I decided to have my recent acquisitions looked at by an appraiser I've used in the past. She told me that the diamond in the Traub ring was indeed transitional and about 1/3 carat F color VS1 clarity (and because it was set, color could come back higher). The HG ring also had a center 1/3 carat but it was more in the J range with SI2 clarity. The fact that they were almost the exact same size (4.3mm x 2.57 and 4.29mm x 2.61) meant I could swap the diamond out and put the transitional in my HG ring making it the absolute perfect (for me) ring. Mind you the setting is one where the main diamond is set into an illusion head with four small diamonds nestled underneath on each side, the chances of finding a diamond of the same size just by happenstance is so slim it's almost mind blowing.

I should have the ring back Tuesday, the prongs holding the main diamond will be completely replaced and the prongs on the side diamonds on the shank will be retipped and sizing heads put it to keep it from spinning.

Goes to show you sometimes you get what you wish for, just not all at the same time!

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Don't you just love it when a plan you didn't even have, all falls into place? This was meant to be and i can't wait to see the final ring.

 

[junebug17]

Wow, it's great that things worked out so well @StephanieLynn! I can't wait to see it!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

thanks @June and @natasha-cupcake definite karma at play there, it will be interesting to see the difference between the two diamonds.

 

[stracci2000]

I cant wait to see it!
I'm happy that you found such a great diamond for such a low price.
Now what will you do with the diamond from the HG ring?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, I'm thinking I might have it set into a pendant or something down the road, not anytime soon since I'm actually trying to thin my hoard a bit. Originally I was going to set it and gift it to my SIL but I gave her a diamond necklace already last year and she is only 25 so that might be a bit much since she's not a huge jewelry person you know?

I was astonished at what the appraiser said about the transitional, she gave it a wholesale value of $380 so that's when I knew I had to do something with it

 

[stracci2000]

That's the best thing ever!
Finding treasure for a pittance!
It's what keeps me going to the estate and yard sales.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

You know you are very dedicated going out every weekend like that. I just can't get myself out of bed that early to drag two kids in and out of the car all morning, just thinking about it gives me the shivers

Since we are on the subject did you find anything good out in the wild this weekend?

 

[stracci2000]

Yes, I am about to post them in
your other thread " haul for today"
See you over there!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

First the disclaimer, my hands are super dry so don't mind the dry skin.

Also by the time I was able to snap some pics there was very little sun.

It's amazing the difference switching the diamonds made, it actually makes it look bigger because everything is super white and blends together. There is even a little interesting tidbit about the jeweler who did the work, she actually contributed to an awards show swag bag last year with her line of jewelry designed to honor a rainbow bridge pet and she donates 40% of the profits to local animal charities. Neat right?

What do you guys think about the band with it? I'm up in the air about whether I love them together or not although I do love the band (it is 14Kt yellow and palladium).

I'll get some more pics when the sun is up again but at least for me this is a very happy ending.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I snapped this in the livingroom with just the sun coming in through the window, no light on in the room at all.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Forgot that I had a platinum half eternity. Still up in the air about the other band but this works together pretty well.

 

[elizabethess]

Lovely ring, and what a backstory. I like it with that platinum half-eternity

 

[junebug17]

It turned out beautifully @StephanieLynn! Love it I really like it with the platinum band. What a pretty set, enjoy it!

 

[stracci2000]

I love it! I prefer the eternity band.
The more diamonds, the better!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks @elizabethess @junebug17 and @stracci2000 for weighing in on the band!

I'm still kind of dumbfounded how this all worked out, really kind of crazy how all the pieces fit together so well!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

The sun came out for a little bit so I took a few pictures outside. The first and last one is with the ring facing the sun, loving the purple hues in the last one.

Okay I'm done now I swear! Lol!

 

[natasha-cupcake]

So pretty!! I love the eternity band with the ring! Looks spectacular together.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks @natasha-cupcake!

Did you ever decide what to do with your OEC that you bought or are you still thinking it over?

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Procrastination is my middle name! I haven't set my OEC yet, but I'll be doing so soon. I've spent some money setting my pad sapphire, which should be done within a few weeks. The OEC is up next...

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@natasha-cupcake, so exciting! Can't wait to see pictures of your completed projects.

 

[PreRaphaelite]

This is a brilliant happy ending and I’m thrilled for you! It looks amazing on its own and with the other bands too. Congratulations!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks @InsecureSweetGirl!