Antique ring purchase, or not?

[Ara Ann]

Hello PSers.

So, I've always wanted an antique ring/OMC-OEC and I found something intriguing last night online...it's for sale at a jewelry store in North Carolina. I want to run this past some experts to see if this is worth it.


It's an OMC, the diamond is an SI2/G in color, and .65ct. It is set in a rose gold 6 prong antique solitaire setting. The setting has some damage on the side, waiting to hear if that can be repaired...but it would need to be sized UP, a LOT, it's a size 2 now, I wear a 5.75 and that's if I keep the original setting.

I have also asked about chips and why it is graded an SI2, but from the close up shots they sent, it looks eye clean.


The asking price is $800.00.

What do you think? Go for it or pass it up?


It is a bit on the smaller side for what I wanted in an e-ring, I want to save toward at least a 1 carat OMC at some point. Just not sure what to do!

 

[stone-cold11]

Who graded the stone?

 

[Ara Ann]

Not sure, probably the store...since it's an antique, I'm sure it's not GIA graded.

I received this reply about the diamond:

"We recommend our clients to stay within the SI1/SI2 to VS range. This is a beautiful stone and within a range that we would recommend. There are no feathers, cracks, or chips. .... The stone is a very clean, bright stone."


And sizing, if I wanted to keep the original setting, would be another $100.

ETA, the mm size is: "The diameter of the diamond is approximately 4.9 – 5.5mm. The depth is approximately 3.92mm."

 

[Dreamer_D]

Any diamond can be sent to GIA, I don''t think age matters at all.

I would wait and get the size you want. Have you seen the diamond in person? If you think it is too small now you will really think it is too small when you get it.

Also, for my comfort it would need to be appraised by a truly independent appraiser to make sure it was what it is purported to be: A diamond of those specs. But for the price maybe you are willingto take a risk? I wouldn''t be, but it is your money.

 

[clgwli]

Do you have pictures of the ring that you can share? I love antiques but I wonder if a damaged white gold ring with that size of a diamond is worth it. There are some lovely antique pieces out there worth the time and effort to repair IMO and then there are absolute ugly pieces out there. That goes the same for the diamonds. I''ve seen beautifully cut old diamonds and really bad ones.

I was given my grandmother''s ring that was handed down to her from the aunt who raised her. I have had to do work to fix part of the filigree, broken shank and I still am missing two side stones that I will have to replace. So far I have put about $200 into fixing this ring up. I am sure the stones will be a few more hundred to replace when it is all said and done.

I am rambling but I don''t know if $800 is worth it for a stone that size. Have you priced any OMC or OEC diamonds yet? You can find some beautiful stones for that price and obviously more than that price too. All depends on what you are looking at.

I would be wary of an SI2 that is graded by a store. I''ve seen some and honestly a lot of times they are not at all close to what I feel is eye clean enough for me.

Are you drawn to the setting at all? I am asking only because I just hit the jackpot in my eyes at an estate sale. For just over $100 I got a beautiful 1/2 carat stone set with 1 small melee on either side. I don''t have the estimated weight on those yet but will shortly. I really got lucky with that price, but unless this is something you love I would keep waiting. I''m not one who buys things that will be just "okay" and you already said the stone is too small.

A lot of talking but I just figured it might give you something to think about.

 

[Ara Ann]

Thanks for the replies!

Yeah, after thinking it over a bit and reading your opinions, (which were in agreement with my gut instinct) I think I am going to pass on this ring. I think DSS would have sunk in pretty quickly.

It is a clean stone and it is pretty, from the close up pics, but it is on the smaller side, for the money.

And they said there is no damage to the shank, it is a reflection in the pic, but although it is rose gold which is what I am looking for, it is on the plain side, so I wouldn''t want to invest $100 for resizing, unless I was 100% in love with it.

Oh well. I am going to be ordering an antique reproduction setting, one I do love and will have to wait a while longer to find my forever diamond to set in it!

Thanks for ''talking me through'' this!

 

[clgwli]

Good luck with creating your ring! I had a typo there and said white gold, but I did read that it is rose. I do know that is harder to find, but still wouldn''t be worth it to me to fix. It can take a lot of patience to find the right antique ring for you. Do you mind sharing the reproduction you will be getting? I love all types of antique settings, even if a reproduction!

 

[Sizzle]

Date: 12/22/2009 12:59:06 PM
Author: Ara Ann
Thanks for the replies!

Yeah, after thinking it over a bit and reading your opinions, (which were in agreement with my gut instinct) I think I am going to pass on this ring. I think DSS would have sunk in pretty quickly.

It is a clean stone and it is pretty, from the close up pics, but it is on the smaller side, for the money.

And they said there is no damage to the shank, it is a reflection in the pic, but although it is rose gold which is what I am looking for, it is on the plain side, so I wouldn't want to invest $100 for resizing, unless I was 100% in love with it.

Oh well. I am going to be ordering an antique reproduction setting, one I do love and will have to wait a while longer to find my forever diamond to set in it!

Thanks for 'talking me through' this!

I'm glad to hear you passed on this one. Quite honestly, I have found some beautiful antique pieces on ebay. Generally being sold by people who have NO IDEA what they're selling. My most recent find, that I might be sending back to fund an upgrade, is over 1 1/2 carat OEC solitaire VS clarity, and J color.. They called in an OMC And had HORRIBLE photos, but a return policy so I took a chance and scored. Ive also purchased 1/2 carats-3/4 carats for less than 1K for relatives & friends on ebay. You just have to spend some time, know what you're looking for, check feedback and ensure they have a return policy (mandatory for me)!. Good luck!

 

[Ara Ann]

Thanks Jean!


I love antique pieces too, but the main reason I am going for a repro is to get exactly what I want, with the look of the antique ring...I know not everyone likes this approach, but I''m a bit of a control freak, LOL and I want to know what I am getting.

I have tried authentic antique rings previously and had to return them because they were daintier than what I was looking for. I am just concerned about wear-ablility and durability issues with old pieces. I want to wear my rings, not have to keep them tucked away in a box for fear of breaking something! But because I LOVE antique rings, I''d love to own an authentic setting at some point, but it would have to be sturdy.

Here is a link to the ring I''m going to order...it looks HORRIBLE in the pics, LOL, but will be done in the rose gold and I will have my local jeweler buff out any rough spots, if I see any.

I have NO idea what kind of ICKY stone they have set in this setting either...it is BAD whatever it is...and I am ordering from a different company, but this site has better pictures. the ring holds a 7mm round.


http://www.engagement-ring-mountings.com/antique_ring_settings_info_1890.htm#more_pictures

 

[Ara Ann]

Date: 12/22/2009 1:26:28 PM
Author: Sizzle

Date: 12/22/2009 12:59:06 PM

Author: Ara Ann

Thanks for the replies!


Yeah, after thinking it over a bit and reading your opinions, (which were in agreement with my gut instinct) I think I am going to pass on this ring. I think DSS would have sunk in pretty quickly.


It is a clean stone and it is pretty, from the close up pics, but it is on the smaller side, for the money.


And they said there is no damage to the shank, it is a reflection in the pic, but although it is rose gold which is what I am looking for, it is on the plain side, so I wouldn't want to invest $100 for resizing, unless I was 100% in love with it.


Oh well. I am going to be ordering an antique reproduction setting, one I do love and will have to wait a while longer to find my forever diamond to set in it!


Thanks for 'talking me through' this!

I'm glad to hear you passed on this one. Quite honestly, I have found some beautiful antique pieces on ebay. Generally being sold by people who have NO IDEA what they're selling. My most recent find, that I might be sending back to fund an upgrade, is over 1 1/2 carat OEC solitaire VS clarity, and J color.. They called in an OMC And had HORRIBLE photos, but a return policy so I took a chance and scored. Ive also purchased 1/2 carats-3/4 carats for less than 1K for relatives & friends on ebay. You just have to spend some time, know what you're looking for, check feedback and ensure they have a return policy (mandatory for me)!. Good luck!

Thanks Sizzle!

yep, I've been checking e-bay, for the better part of a year and a half, but it's sure slim pickens right now...has been the last several months. Maybe after Christmas things will pop up again. But I think a lot of people are turning in old jewelry locally, due to the economy, so the random good deals like you mentioned aren't showing up as often on e-bay like they had been.

 

[clgwli]

That is a neat setting, but OMG, what a horrid stone they put in it!

I have noticed that ebay is missing some of what it used to have. I do think people are selling them for "scrap" instead of selling. Ebay is great in general though for antiques. Many have no clue what they are really selling. The estate sale I spoke of was actually on ebay too. I had been looking literally daily for about 3 months to see if I could find what I wanted. I had a ring and the seller flaked out and finally found one that was even better. I am going crazy just waiting for it to be resized for me.

I would wait to buy the setting until you have a stone though. You never know what you can find in the mean time

 

[Ara Ann]

Date: 12/22/2009 1:42:46 PM
Author: clgwli
That is a neat setting, but OMG, what a horrid stone they put in it!


I have noticed that ebay is missing some of what it used to have. I do think people are selling them for ''scrap'' instead of selling. Ebay is great in general though for antiques. Many have no clue what they are really selling. The estate sale I spoke of was actually on ebay too. I had been looking literally daily for about 3 months to see if I could find what I wanted. I had a ring and the seller flaked out and finally found one that was even better. I am going crazy just waiting for it to be resized for me.


I would wait to buy the setting until you have a stone though. You never know what you can find in the mean time

Well, I have a ''place holder'' to use in it, until I can get the diamond of my dreams. Probably not for a couple of years, as a big anniversary gift, or SLT.

And I need a ring, like soon! It''s a long story, but my old wedding ring was stolen two years ago, we didn''t get an insurance payment on it, which is an even longer story....so last year at this time, I ordered a new diamond halo-semi mount and a really pretty light champagne diamond to go in it, as my temporary e-ring... but the setter did a bad job with it and the diamond now has a crack in the table, so I''m not wearing it...and in fact my best friend wants to buy that setting from me, for her upcoming anniversary (she''ll get it re-set with another stone of some kind)...so I am without a ring and want something to wear! I think this will fit the bill.

 

[clgwli]

Awww so sorry about your set being stolen and the crack in the other. I totally get why you want to get something to wear. Makes total sense to me. What kind of stone will you be using? My current ring I wear with my anniversary is citrine and diamond. I like a little bit of color now and then so I am glad to have a couple options to wear. I bet with a beautiful stone that ring you are going to order will look gorgeous. I really do love the details on the ring you have chosen. When you get it you should post pictures of it on your hand!