- Joined
- Apr 22, 2010
- Messages
- 1,645
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!


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!

