Input on ring purchase . . .

[andla]

Hey,

I am considering purchasing this ring from an ebay seller (I know risky, but I have verified that the return policy is no questions asked, so it should be okay). The ring is an estate piece, though the actual date is unknown. The specs I have received are as follows:

ANTIQUE 18K WHITE GOLD COCKTAIL RING
AAA SAPPHIRE IS 1.95 CARATS (I have been told with no heat treatment or other enhancement)
DIAMONDS ARE F/G COLOR, VS / SI CLARITY, .65 CARATS

Apparently the ring will come with an insurance appraisal, but they will also have an independent appraisal done for $70.

Pictures can be seen at the link below:

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/sho ... 0&format=0

Anyway, the asking price is $1800 which seems steep to me. What do you all think would be a reasonable price, and is it worth getting them to appraise it or should I just find someone locally?

 

[Nashville]

If that ring is genuine on all counts, then no, $1800 is nowhere near a steep asking price. Which is why I'm skeptical. Snag it, get it appraised by a reputable lab and return if it's not what was promised.

 

[andla]

Thanks so much for the reply. Is there any particular lab that anyone here would recommend? I haven't had to do this before, so I am new to the whole appraisal process. How long does it typically take? I want to make sure I have the return period open long enough to get that done.

 

[Upgradable]

Please don't buy that ring! It is not being represented accurately. The mounting is a modern mounting with looks like has poor detailing. The stone is funky! And not in a good way. The cut is nothing like anything I've seen before. It is not round, or regular in any discernable way. I sincerely do not believe it is untreated either.

You have three real options here:
1) Do some research, read up on what makes a good sapphire, and go from there.
2) Find a reputable jeweler and depend on their expertise to find you something.
3) Ask the folks here at Pricescope to help you find something that fits within your esthetic and budget.

Good luck!!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

The setting does seem like the chinese mass produced ones (nothing against them - there is one on my finger right now - but they are inexpensive). The stone seems to sit awkwardly on the setting, as though a nearly round stone had been plunked on a setting meant for a square. The sapphire also seems rather greyish to me.

I think you can do better.

 

[FrekeChild]

Yeah. Don't buy it! The milgrain is horrible. You can see some carbon spots in the diamonds, I can see color in some of the diamonds (and I'm terribly color insensitive), and it really looks like a Chinese setting...=cheap. And that stone? Eesh. I think it was maybe supposed to be a cushion?

 

[iLander]

Ummm . . . maybe pass on this one . . .

I didn't see any shots of the stone facing front, it could be windowed or included.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Another vote to pass on this. Setting is poorly made and the stone is just blah. Stone and setting don't fit nicely together.

 

[T L]

It's not a well made setting and all sapphires should have a lab report that can test for diffusion. Appraisals on sapphires are worthless without a reputable lab report indicating the full extent of treatment, which a standard appraisal lab cannot detect.

 

[andla]

Okay good. So glad I asked you all. Definitely going to pass on this one.

 

[soberguy]

Too late lol, but I would have liked to have seen a picture straight at the table also.

 

[LD]

There is a picture head on. Click on number 1 and it'll show. For some reason it doesn't when you just press the arrows!

For what it's worth, I would agree with everybody else i.e. mass produced setting, some poor finishing on it, suspect diamonds and it's fitting a round(ish) stone into a square setting. The prongs would never hold that stone in place for long and one thing for definite is that it's NOT an estate piece.

Bearing in mind how poorly it's being represented, I would then question the information you've been given re treatment to the sapphire.