Antique or repro? Need help :(

[crumbs]

Hello everyone! I'm a new member, but I've found PS to be invaluable in my search for an engagement ring ^_^. My FH proposed after 5 years of dating a few weeks ago<3.

I came across this http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg2176.htm and fell in love with it. I managed to track it down on another site which listed as sold but found out the seller was going to relist. I admit I bought hastily as I didn't get extra opinions on it. The highly reputable jeweler by my house (doesn't know anything about antiques though) said he knew the owner of topazery and trusted her judgement.
The thing is, the more I look at the pictures and study them, it seems like it could be a reproduction or replica? I've done so much research on antique rings over the past week (between semesters so I have a lot of free time right now) and I'm starting to think it was a poured reproduction . Here is a picture I came across last night in google images.

I feel like this is the style they were trying to reproduce. I just wanted some other opinions from people that know about jewelry more than I do.
I admit I'm new to jewelry as I've never worn any before. I did end up purchasing after I saw it but if I write to the owner today, I can cancel my order. I didn't take the gravity of the situation seriously until recently. Please help I'm such a newb at this it's almost embarrassing

 

[rubybeth]

If you love it, why would it matter if it's a reproduction?

 

[crumbs]

Because for almost the same price, I could have it custom made with the family diamonds from my boyfriend. Also, the center stone is cracked so I would have to have it replaced.

I loved it when I knew nothing about jewelry. I still like the style of it, but after coming across the other picture, I can't help but wonder. And if it is a repro, I wouldn't pay the price that we put down on it.

 

[TitanCi]

Perhaps you can clear things up so I can understand better: are you thinking it's a recent repro of something from the 1930's? Or is the ring you just posted up the original, and the link is to a ring from the 1930's but it's just similar to the other one?

 

[crumbs]

Hi, thanks for the reply

The link I posted states it's from the 1930s, and the picture in my post is just a random picture I came across. It was listed as an antique cluster ring in an auction catalog. I'm trying to figure out if the ring in the link is really from the 1930s or a reproduction. The more I researched antique rings, the more the nagging voice in my head started to speak up.

 

[rubybeth]

You seem really unhappy with it, and with a cracked stone and needed repairs, it could get expensive. I would cancel the order, and we can help you find something different, or recommend a jeweler for a custom setting with your family diamonds.

 

[crumbs]

Hi, thanks for replying!

I think I will
I know it only matters how I feel about it, but if this will be one of 2 pieces of jewelry I'll wear for the rest of my life, I don't want to wonder. I could get an appraisal after I receive it, but the site it's listed on has an awful return policy. I wanted other people's opinion on whether they think it's a repro as a last ditch effort to convince myself to go through with the purchase. If it is actually from the 1930s, I would buy it, but I'm really starting to think it's not.

 

[Rhea]

What makes you think that it's a reproduction? Just because you found it on another site or is there something else?

 

[mandasand]

In the terms at the bottom, it states that the ring listed has not been appraised but they will have it appraised for a fee. You may want to go ahead and do that. Then, you will have more information about what you are buying and then make a determination based on that.

You could always use your SO's family diamonds for a wedding band or for earrings, etc. Just an idea.

 

[denverappraiser]

There’s not a scientific test for the age of either metal or stone. It’s done by looking at the other clues available. In the case of reproductions, the manufacturer is sometimes deliberately trying to conceal some of the clues and it becomes a problematic question. There’s not much you can do with a picture but the things to look at are the style, the manufacturing techniques used, the materials used, the manufacturers marks, known history of the piece, etc.

I’ve found the Topazery folks to be pretty straight up people and my understanding is that every piece they have is inspected in person by a pro who gives them an opinion on exactly this kind of details. You may or may not be able to access this but you might want to call and ask. Someone looked at it and made the determination that it’s from the 30's. It’s possible they can tell you more about how they decided if you ask.

 

[Mike R]

The ring looks like it has some age to it, I can see slight flat spots to the side of the basket where it has been worn away by a wedding band.
Also I can see that the band has been replaced, again probably due to wear. In one of the pictures you can see the solder joins from the repair, it looks like possibly they didn't use platinum solder for the repair. So at least half of the ring isn't of the stated age, but it's not the important part. (for antique experts does restoration affect the value?)

If your thinking of having a damaged diamond replaced I would get quotes ASAP, I'm guessing finding a matching diamond is going to be a real pain and because of that it might get costly.

 

[crumbs]

Wow, thanks for all the advice and words of wisdom!

Yes, the setting is platinum and the shank(?) is 14k.
I think, in all honesty, that I was having a case of buyers remorse with a huge load of self doubt. This is my first time picking out jewelry and I was worried I made a spur of the moment decision without any real research. I should have left it at that, but I kept looking and looking and I think I wanted to convince myself it was too good to be true to find a ring so quickly. I read about people looking for months!

I went to a few jewelry stores that carry antique rings and it helped put my mind at ease. The ladies at both stores were so helpful and understanding. I'm 29, but everyone mistakes me for 18/19 so most higher end jewelry stores don't take the time to help me and are usually really rude to me. They picked out a few rings that were similar size and shape so I could get an idea of how the ring would look on my hand which made me fall in love with the ring all over again.

I really appreciate everyone taking time to reply to my post!

 

[LibbyLA]

crumbs,

If that is a platinum ring with gold added to the shank, I would think long and hard about getting it. I am dealing with just that issue right now. According to my jeweler, it is not uncommon for older platinum rings to have gold repairs because heat high enough to work with platinum damages the diamonds. If the gold isn't at least 19K, the joints may not be strong. Do be absolutely sure that the shank is strong or include the price of reshanking in your budget.

I have one platinum band that I wanted resized and two attempts have failed. The only option now is reshanking, which is not cheap. I just picked up another ring that was sold as 14K gold but the jeweler thinks there's a good possibility that the ring is platinum but the bottom of the shank is gold. Regardless, it needs reshanking, too.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Won't know for sure until I have a price, but I got both rings at really great prices and I love them both so I'll probably reshank them. They should be good for several more decades, probably longer than I'll wear them.

liz