by amoline » Mar 11, 2019 Hi all, Was wondering if you all could give me any suggestions/advice. I got bored today and went around to some of our local pawn shops looking for things. I came across the ring in the picture at the bottom... it's a very pretty ring. The store employee insisted, of course, that they are all trained well and know their gemstones, and also claimed this was not an emerald, because "emeralds are darker". He said his "best guess" was a peridot. I'm not a gemologist but I am 99% sure this is not a peridot. It looks very emerald like, and it did have a nice appearance in the store. The mounting is 14k gold, and that's about all I know. It looks well crafted. I'm sorry for not having better photos. I guess my question is - is there anything I can do as a non-expert to tell or figure out anything about it in terms of authenticity, etc? They wanted just over $200 for it. I know that some emeralds are treated beyond belief, so I suppose this could either be a great deal or a total ripoff. Curious to see what the good folks here at PS have to say. Is something like this worth the chance?
by voce » Mar 11, 2019 It's possible that it's synthetic emerald. Doubt it's a peridot, but if they tested the density maybe it could be an imposter stone? Also possible it's natural tsavorite garnet. I think it looks a bit too clean to be a natural emerald. If you were to wear this as-is, then you should buy it. If you're looking to get a good deal out of it by reprising the stone, I would suggest you get a presidium tester to help you identify it rather than by replying on pictures. Even a completely natural looking emerald could be a lab emerald, and I don't think prices are well-established for what lab emeralds should cost.
by amoline » Mar 11, 2019 I had similar thoughts Voce. It looks pretty dang clean to be a natural emerald. I am not sure what store's policies are regarding testing things in store. I have never tried before Thanks for your (as always) great thoughts!
by TheGarnetGirl » Mar 11, 2019 For $200, In my humble opinion, the gold and diamonds (they should be able to test those in store) are worth the price alone. For me personally I would nab it and then have fun identifying the gemstone. My gut says that its natural but voce is correct, at that price point thats a really clean emerald making it highly dubious. I say purchase only if youre ok with the gemstone being synthetic! In that case you can always switch out the stone (:
by seaurchin » Mar 11, 2019 I'm not an expert either but it looks like an emerald to me too. I don't think you'd be getting ripped off at only $200, regardless. I'd simply go by if you like it and want it.
by arkieb1 » Mar 12, 2019 My guess is emerald or created emerald. Peridots are not that colour. What is the metal 9K, 14K, 18K, generally the lower the gold content the more chance it will be a synthetic the higher ie if it's 18K the greater the chance it could be something like a real emerald or a Tsav or something decent.
by partgypsy » Mar 12, 2019 I ditto what others said, the setting alone is worth $200. My guess is a lighter emerald. It's pretty and I'd keep it in the setting. The inclusions look typical for an emerald. Lighter emeralds are often cleaner than more saturated emeralds. It could also be a synthetic (i.e. don't buy it just for the stone).
by prs » Mar 12, 2019 The store may not have a presidium gem tester, but they may have a device that can identify diamonds vs glass. If the "diamonds" are diamonds and not glass, it's a buy.
by voce » Mar 12, 2019 That setting is only worth $200 if you're going to use it as a setting and not taking it apart for the gold and the gems set into it. That setting is not sure to appeal to everyone, and the "diamonds" don't look particularly colorless or sparkly. My guess, given the 14k gold, and the look of the ring, would be lower quality diamonds, which would be worth <$50 at estimated 2mm size. The melt price of the gold, depending on the size of the ring, I estimate at $60-$100. So if you're OK paying $50 for a synthetic emerald, or want the setting, or want to take a gamble in hopes it's a tsav, then it's worth it. Otherwise, I'd personally skip this "deal".
by partgypsy » Mar 12, 2019 That's a good point. I think it may only be a deal if you like the ring as is to wear or sell, versus being disassembled for parts.
by Bluegemz » Mar 12, 2019 Me too. I have seen emeralds that clean, and it still has an internal world ..it might also be a Tourmaline as I’ve seen some which look a lot like emeralds. Regardless, it’s a lovely ring
by junebug17 » Mar 12, 2019 I am no expert by any stretch, just a hobbyist, but it looks like a genuine emerald to me. I can see inclusions in it. I really don't think it's a peridot. Imo it's a gorgeous ring! Very different. I'd buy it at that price, no question.
by missy » Mar 12, 2019 Ohh it is so pretty. I would not think twice at that price (if you adore it).
by pokerface » Mar 12, 2019 I have an apatite that looks similar to this. I can't tell from the pictures if there are some inclusions or if it's just a reflection of the setting. I would need better pictures for a good educated guess.
by sapphiremomma » Mar 12, 2019 I think it’s lovely!!! Maybe see if you can talk them down a bit more and snatch it up!!!
by lovedogs » Mar 12, 2019 Not sure what the stone is, but it's certainly not peridot. My guess is created emerald. It's only a good deal if you'll wear it as it is vs scrapping it, swapping the stone, etc. And if you want it, I'd offer like $145 and see what they say.
by T L » Mar 12, 2019 I respectfully disagree with others here that it’s too clean for an emerald. It looks moderately included to me, and while it’s almost impossible to judge emerald color from photos, the color itself is pale. Paler emeralds tend to be cleaner than deep vivid ones. There are many emerald stimulants out there if one is concerned by that, and doublets or triplets, but if you love the ring, $200 seems a fair price. It’s not a huge risk for a purchase.
by voce » Mar 12, 2019 When I said too clean for a natural emerald, it was in the context of the price range the ring is going for. Obviously very lightly included emeralds exist, but would cost far more. $200 is not that much to spend on a gamble for many people, but it totally depends on one's hopes and expectations, whether or not one should take a risk.
by GliderPoss » Mar 12, 2019 I think it looks like emerald or maybe tsav garnet but at that price, I too would snap it up!
by Crystal_Dreams » Mar 13, 2019 Not peridot would be my guess! Emerald or lab emerald would be my top picks
by amoline » Mar 19, 2019 I picked it up! it hadn't been there for long, so I was only able to haggle about 20% off the original price, but still not a bad bargain The diamonds are real, and very very sparkly for their size - there are about .3 ctw of diamonds in the setting. I took it to the local jewelry store and the owner took a look at it and said that it seems like it's an emerald, and from the inclusions she saw it seems it's not lab created. It's not a top shelf emerald but it's very pretty and does have some nice glow to it. Also, the gold isn't hall marked, but at the store it was testing at 18K, so that's a plus!! It's not a certain conclusion however. In any case, it's a cool piece and I didn't have to pay a ton for it.
by amoline » Mar 19, 2019 It's just under a size 4, which means it's my mother's size. When she wears it for the first time, I'll grab some hand shots!
