Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. thanks!

[Rubies-R-Me]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120747756395&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I have the strangest story about this ring and it's matching earrings..
I was in Las Vegas last week on vacation and since I love estate jewelry I went into a few pawn shops to look at what they had. I saw this ring and earring set! I'm sure it's the same one.. the ring is a size 4 (which is my size) and that's so unusual. The prices they had marked were $3000 for the ring and $2000 for the earrings. I looked but since I knew nothing about the type of stones (even whether they were real or not) I didn't buy. 2 weeks later they both show up on Ebay! How funny is that? What is the most I should pay for the ring and the earrings? I don't know the value of colored stones at all so I really appreciate the help.

 

[T L]

Re: Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. tha

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120747756395&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I have the strangest story about this ring and it's matching earrings..
I was in Las Vegas last week on vacation and since I love estate jewelry I went into a few pawn shops to look at what they had. I saw this ring and earring set! I'm sure it's the same one.. the ring is a size 4 (which is my size) and that's so unusual. The prices they had marked were $3000 for the ring and $2000 for the earrings. I looked but since I knew nothing about the type of stones (even whether they were real or not) I didn't buy. 2 weeks later they both show up on Ebay! How funny is that? What is the most I should pay for the ring and the earrings? I don't know the value of colored stones at all so I really appreciate the help.

Blue and blue/green tourmaline, even very dark material, has risen in value quite a bit because of all the paraiba tourmaline hype. Honestly, I don't think dark, extinct indicolite or verdelite, with a lot of grey, such as the stone shown in the ebay listing, is worth the prices being asked. I suspect much of the price for the ring are in the setting.

It's also being shown against a dark background to make the color look brighter. It's a very mediocre stone IMHO. It also has a closed c-axis which is apparent in the video. While I think $3K is a fair retail price for the ring, I just don't like it that much. If you like it, see if you can win it for a low bid.

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Re: Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. tha

Now I know why I love this website and it's forums! Thanks for the info on the stone.. I really knew nothing about it. If I do decide to bid on it.. what do you think the maximum price is where it's still a "good buy?'

 

[T L]

Re: Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. tha

Actually now that I know the setting is 12 grams of platinum with slightly under one carat of diamonds, than $3K is a fair retail price for the setting, and think of the stone for free. I don't like the stone, but I would see if I could get a deal on this at $1500, $2K tops.

You may like the stone though, and it might be worth it to you to get it for more. It's got a lot of bids on it already and 8 days left, so I suspect it will end up high. I personally wouldn't go over $1500 for it, and that's because I think like a pawn shop owner. LOL!

ETA: The Smithsonian comment the seller made in the listing made me chuckle.

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Re: Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. tha

Thanks TL! I was looking for "what to spend" guidelines and you were kind enough to give me your opinion.. I appreciate that.
I thought the stone in person was actually very pretty.. a really clear and deep green/blue. I agree with you that the set will go up a lot in price from where it is. There is an awful lot of interest in it for sure. I need the ring and earring set like a "hole in the head" so I'm going to pass on it. Thanks again..

 

[T L]

Re: Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. tha

Thanks TL! I was looking for "what to spend" guidelines and you were kind enough to give me your opinion.. I appreciate that.
I thought the stone in person was actually very pretty.. a really clear and deep green/blue. I agree with you that the set will go up a lot in price from where it is. There is an awful lot of interest in it for sure. I need the ring and earring set like a "hole in the head" so I'm going to pass on it. Thanks again..

Most people would think it's really pretty, unless you've been collecting for years. I used to think that color was pretty too. Sorry, just not a fan as I've seen beautiful blue green tourmaline that puts that to shame. However, if YOU like it, then don't listen to me.

 

[tyty333]

Re: Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. tha

Thanks TL! I was looking for "what to spend" guidelines and you were kind enough to give me your opinion.. I appreciate that.
I thought the stone in person was actually very pretty.. a really clear and deep green/blue. I agree with you that the set will go up a lot in price from where it is. There is an awful lot of interest in it for sure. I need the ring and earring set like a "hole in the head" so I'm going to pass on it. Thanks again..

Most people would think it's really pretty, unless you've been collecting for years. I used to think that color was pretty too. Sorry, just not a fan as I've seen beautiful blue green tourmaline that puts that to shame. However, if YOU like it, then don't listen to me.

I'm one of those people that think its really pretty (but I'm not a CS collector).

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Re: Help please on this Ebay Verdelite Tourmaline ring.. tha

Did you see the matching earrings? It's such a nice set! Too fancy for me to wear to the supermarket though..and that's what I do most days! LOL