New OEC 5-stone, have 24 hours to decide

[alene]

I started a thread in Antique Stones but it's not visited often and I really could use some help with making a decision.

I won a ring on Ebay, my first antique anything, really. There are 5 stones, which, according to the seller, are G-H, VS2, 4.58mm, 4mm, 4 mm and 2 15-pointers. Total estimated weight 1.25- 1.5 cts. The ring arrived today and initially I was psyched but I do have some reservations/concerns now. After getting a nice soak (thanks Dreamer for your suggestion!), I louped and tried to measure all the stones. They all look completely eye clean and I see no tint next to my GIAI-rated I. Apparently, using digital callipers is not my forte because I'm getting different measurements each time but I'm pretty sure the center stone is a bit smaller than described, I'm getting between 4.3 and 4.4. I very much doubt the total weight is even close to 1.25, I suspect it's closer to a carat but I'm not sure. One of the stones next to the center is a bit darker than the rest and has a lower crown. The smallest stones are visibly different in size and one of them has a small chip on the girdle. There are also two prongs missing and the setting is actually rather unattractive, which is not a huge deal as I'd want to eventually reset the stones if I keep them. Of course it would be nice to wear it now as resetting would be months away.

The chip is really my biggest concern at this point. Does the stone have to be repolished if it's chipped? Is it a bad idea to wear a ring with a chipped stone in general? Also, is it pretty typical to have not very well matched stones in an antique ring? I think it kind of adds to its charm but again, I'm not sure. Would it be pretty much impossible to replace the flatter stone with a better match? I have no idea how I'd go about doing that but I suspect Ebay may not the best route?

I should mention that this ring was a good deal if it's even close to the seller's description and I'm taking it to the jeweler tomorrow to see what he has to say. But I do have to decide by tomorrow night whether I'm keeping it or sending it back. So, any help? What would you do? Also, if I do keep it, any idea where I could take it for an inexpensive appraisal in New York (a full one would probably cost more than the ring itself).

I tried to take pictures and my camera died. Will have to replace the batteries tomorrow to take more but this is all I have so far. Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

What was the price. A lot depends on what you paid for me.

 

[alene]

Gypsy, I paid just over $600.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That is a good price to me, but I wouldn't be able to deal with chips unless the stones were going in bezels. Not sure how much it would cost to polish out chips in a small stone. Keep it if you love the stones, return it if you don't.

 

[Gypsy]

That is a good price to me, but I wouldn't be able to deal with chips unless the stones were going in bezels. Not sure how much it would cost to polish out chips in a small stone. Keep it if you love the stones, return it if you don't.

Yeah, that's about where I am too. It's a good price, not great though so if you don't love the center and you aren't into bezels I'd pass.

 

[alene]

Thanks! 3 out of 5 I love, including the center. If the chipped one can be fixed, it would be great too. I can definitely live with the other 4mm one, though it's not as great as the others. A bezel setting would actually be great, I've been thinking about that. Is it safe to set a chipped stone though or would it have to be polished first?

 

[Gypsy]

I sold an OEC with gorgeous faceting but a substantial chip (at a discount that reflected it's condition) to another poster who sent it to BGD for a Barbara pendant and they were able to set it without any rehab and you can't even see the chip anymore.

If the jeweler is as skilled as BGD, I'm sure it would be okay.

 

[Dreamer_D]

There is no point polishing a 4mm stone IMO, you can buy a new one for $150 on ebay If you like 3/5 stones it means you paid $600 for one 4.5mm stone, one 4 mm, and one 3.5mm (say). For me that is too high, especially since you might need to replace two mates, which is hard to do.

 

[alene]

Thanks again! Just wanted to give a quick update - I took the ring to a jeweler at a little antique jewelry shop. He said the ring was in good shape, the little chip was too small to be an issue and offerred to fix the missing prongs for $50. The darker stone, he said was likely put in later to replace one of the original ones and was also lower in color than the rest. The ebay seller paid for the repairs and I'm keeping the ring. When I have the budget for it, I'll take the stones out and reset them and hopefully replace the one that's not as nice as the others but for now I should be able to wear it as is.

 

[Enerchi]

Thats great news Alene! It looks lovely on you and it seems like you found a decent vendor as well - willing to pay for the claw repair. Enjoy it for now... then we can't wait to see what you do with it in a little while...

 

[stargurl78]

I think its a very pretty ring for that price and its great that you were able to get the repairs at no cost!

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks again! Just wanted to give a quick update - I took the ring to a jeweler at a little antique jewelry shop. He said the ring was in good shape, the little chip was too small to be an issue and offerred to fix the missing prongs for $50. The darker stone, he said was likely put in later to replace one of the original ones and was also lower in color than the rest. The ebay seller paid for the repairs and I'm keeping the ring. When I have the budget for it, I'll take the stones out and reset them and hopefully replace the one that's not as nice as the others but for now I should be able to wear it as is.

Perfect. Good solution!

 

[alene]

I wanted to update this because this purchase, unfortunately, didn't end well. About a week ago I was contacted by another ebay buyer who had previously purchased the ring and returned it upon finding substantial damages. The biggest one was a signficant chip to the center stone, which my jeweler somehow didn't notice. Once she pointed it out, I louped the ring more carefully and there it was. I contacted the seller, who first claimed that she had replaced the stone but then agreed to issue a refund. I only got a partial refund as she decided to keep the $50 I paid for fixing the prongs for her. I guess I should be happy I'm only $50 out (actually, another $25 I paid the jeweler for his "appraisal"). Think I should probably stay away from Ebay and get myself a new jeweler.

 

[tuffyluvr]

I think that's a great price, and the ring is very pretty! I'd say you made out like a bandit!!!

 

[Enerchi]

I wanted to update this because this purchase, unfortunately, didn't end well. About a week ago I was contacted by another ebay buyer who had previously purchased the ring and returned it upon finding substantial damages. The biggest one was a signficant chip to the center stone, which my jeweler somehow didn't notice. Once she pointed it out, I louped the ring more carefully and there it was. I contacted the seller, who first claimed that she had replaced the stone but then agreed to issue a refund. I only got a partial refund as she decided to keep the $50 I paid for fixing the prongs for her. I guess I should be happy I'm only $50 out (actually, another $25 I paid the jeweler for his "appraisal"). Think I should probably stay away from Ebay and get myself a new jeweler.

Man! That sucks! Yes, I think get a new jeweller -- why didn't he notice the chip??? I guess its a small loss overall, if you are able to return it. I'm glad the seller is allowing it - good luck on the next search (if there is one!) or - if not ebay, how about the preloved/diamondbistro route??

 

[alene]

Thanks Enerchi,
Yes, I still don't get how the jeweler missed the chip, I think he just didn't look all that carefully and it was on the pavilion side. I paid him specifically for the appraisal too, so not happy about that at all. I think I"ll have to find a new jeweler before I venture out buying old stones again, I really don't want to end up in this situation again even though it is a rather small loss.