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Help with old european and sapphire ring

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pothos

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
45
Normally, I'm a luker but have a question for the PS world. I always enjoy reading everyone's informative and helpful responses, so here goes:

I recently graduated with a doctorate degree and my husband took me on a trip to our favorite local estate jeweler to find something to celebrate the occasion. I fell for a ring with a 3/8 carat old european diamond and blue sapphire in 14k white gold. I don't know the specs of the diamond, but it sparkled a lot and showed a bit of a warmth from the side. I liked the significance of the colors (my school colors are blue and white) and how low set the ring was. My only reservation was the price as it is over our budget. They were asking $1785 for the ring and I have no idea how to tell if this is a fair price. They are holding the ring for us for a few days while we decide. Thanks for any and all help!
 
If you can get us a picture that would help. Otherwise take the ring to an independent (that's important) appraiser. https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers My main concerns would be the condition of the stone (girdle chips, cracks anything) and the condition of the setting.
 
It sounds a little high to me but it would be impossible to say without pictures. I have an antique ring with .55 center diamond and 18k white gold that I have listed less than that, so it seems high unless the setting is really special. I think you need to offer something like $1200 and see what they say.
 
Thank you all for your replies! I think that the ring probably is too expensive (though if I get a chance to go back and see it again I will try and get pictures!). I love the ring from the preloved section, but think it might be a bit too much for me as I tend to wear very little and more subtle items. I'll just have to keep looking for a diamond and sapphire ring. Darn, more jewelry shopping ;)
 
pothos|1335831730|3184421 said:
I wasn't able to get pictures of the actual ring but found a similar ring online for those that might be curious. The basket is more intricate on the one I was thinking about, but the general idea is there.Thanks again for the responses!

http://eragem.com/antique-twin-blue-sapphire-and-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum.html
Click to expand...

That's lovely. Yes, the original price is too high in my opinion if that's what you are looking at. Unless they can say with certainty that the sapphire is a no-heat or treatment natural blue. AND that the diamond is high color (F or better) and in perfect (no chips, mousebites or visible inclusions). Then I might be willing to consider it. But I would still TRY a price reduction. Ask them to negotiate. I'd be fine with 1500 if it's perfect for you and you love it. It's not a popular style, though it is lovely, so they probably want to move it.
 
Thanks so much for your advice Gypsy. I know they have had this ring in their estate section for a while. They did offer to knock off $150. Even if we offer 1500 it is still a bit more than we were planning on paying. I think we just got caught up in the sparkle of the jewelry store and the ring did make my heart sing! We'll keep looking and hopefully find something a little more affordable. Otherwise, once my last clinical rotation is up and once I find a job we'll check back to see if they still have the ring and make them an offer. I really appreciate everyone's advice. PS is an amazing site!
 
Okay sweetie. You deserve a really lovely ring. Why don't you tell me your 'comfortable' budget and I'll see if we can find anything nice for you. If we can't... then you might need to save for a while.

I have an alternate suggestion though. I would ask them about a lay way program. That way you can pay what you can now, it gets put away for you, and then you pay the rest off in a set time period.

I want you to get a ring you love, and it sounds like you love this one.
 
definitely take Gypsy up on her offer to help. She is amazing at what she can find!

Also, I do think you should try to offer them what you can afford. Seriously, $150 off an estate piece that has been sitting isn't much. The fact that you can and did walk away is good. If you really do love it and it sounds like you do, I'd go in and say look, I'm still in school etc. and this is the absolute most I can afford and see if they take it. You might be surprised. If they say no, well then it's not meant to be and you will only find something even more fabulous!
 
Thanks again for the replies! They do offer a lay-away program (10% down and 10 months to pay in full... you can change your mind within the first 3 months and get a full refund). I was very tempted, but have trouble spending so much on myself, especially since I'm not graduating 'officially' until August and would like to have a job lined up before deciding to make a large purchase.

I think that we're going to look around a bit more to see what is out there as this was really the first place we looked at. Hopefully this will help us figure out a reasonable budget since I think we're kind of lost in that area at the moment! I'll definitely let you know if we do find something! Otherwise, once things are a little bit more concrete I may just take you up on your offer of help, Gypsy! Thanks again everyone!
 
Let us know when you are ready honey, and we'll be happy to help!
 
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