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Opinions on this sapphire ring?

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4bugzinarug

Shiny_Rock
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Jan 23, 2006
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Could we get some thoughts on this setting & sapphire? We are thinking of purchasing this ring from Ebay (aaaagh, I know ... we must be crazy!). If we manage to win this for a good enough price, we may just take out the sapphire and use the diamond/gold setting for a tourmaline stone we just purchased. That being said .... do you think it's possible that this "genuine" sapphire could be a decent enough stone to hold onto? Are there any red flags you see about the diamond setting? The diamonds are described as G/VS and the seller has very good feedback (not an importer - but an estate jewelry seller).

I really love this design. What do you all think? Thanks!

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P.S. If I am being clueless and posting in the wrong forum please let me know

sapring1.jpg
 

surfgirl

Ideal_Rock
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Honestly, as someone who loves a great quality sapphire, I dont see that this is it. It looks very dark, I cant see the "velvety" royal blue quality that I find in really wonderful sapphires. I go through Bangkok alot for business and I see alot of Thai/Cambodian sapphires there and this looks like its from that area of the world because its more of a dark navy blue, which is typical of a Thai area sapphire. Personally, I prefer the more rich Ceylon sapphires that have more of a silky royal blue/slightly purpley undertone. However, if you like the dark Navy blue look, you might be happy with this one. That said, I''d never make a significant purchase via ebay...Can you return it for a full refund if you dont like it?

Try looking at this site to see a ton of really lovely sapphires. It''ll give you a good idea of the color range of a really nice stone.

http://thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/stones.aspx?stonecategory=Blue
 

zoebartlett

Super_Ideal_Rock
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I agree. The setting is really pretty, but I think you could find better sapphires elsewhere. It looks too dark to me. Would you consider having this ring made with better quality stones? I''ve never bought from eBay and it just seems like a risky thing to do.
 

Madam Bijoux

Ideal_Rock
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I love the setting, but the color of the sapphire looks too dark.
 

starryeyed

Ideal_Rock
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Nov 6, 2006
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Hi 4bugzinarug. Do you have information about the diamonds? The setting is nice, as long as the diamonds are clear and white. It wouldn''t be so nice of the diamonds have that"frozen spit" look.

Here is a really useful link for checking negative feedback without having to read through hundreds of pages: Toolhaus.org Be sure to check out the vendor. If they have a lot of feedback that says that the diamonds wre not the quality stated, stay away!
 

Catmom

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I agree with the others on the sapphire being very dark. That said, I really do like the setting. But it seems like one that you could have made pretty easily. I would not buy from Ebay myself, but I do know that others have and have been happy. Have you done your due dilligence on the vendor?
 

4bugzinarug

Shiny_Rock
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Jan 23, 2006
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Wow, thank you for all of your responses! I really appreciate the feedback
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The seller has no negative or neutral feedback, everything is very positive ... and they are not a powerseller. The pictures seem to be very clear (there were more pics than what I posted) and the idamonds look clear/white ... not like the frozen spit diamonds we see most of the time
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After looking at tons of sapphire pics here and at the link provided, I can see your point regarding the sapphire - even the tiny sapphires in my ring by Quest sparkle more than that one!

The bidding is at $178 right now ... perhaps if we can win it for less than $300 the setting alone might be worth it. My budget for setting the tourmaline is $500, and I would prefer to spend slightly less. Most brand new settings with side diamonds & at least 4 grams in gold are substantially more than that, which is why we have been looking for estate settings.

BTW, here is a picture of the tourmaline, thanks again for your comments! Best,

Jennifer

NeonDblBarEm[1].JPG
 

RockDoc

Ideal_Rock
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Are the millimeter measurements the same for the stone being offered and the stone that you have?

Judging from the photos ( which is not accurate ) I don''t think your tourmaline would fit in the ring. Even if it is the same measurement, the prongs have seats cut to fit the edge and crown angle of the sapphire, and to set the tourmaline the prongs might have to be replaced, and the seats recut. Pricey labor sometimes.

Rockdoc
 

kcoursolle

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Jan 21, 2006
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Rockdoc has a good point. You really have no idea whether your stone will fit in this setting. Since you are on a budget I would suggest checking out an adwar catalog or other casting company and working with a local jeweler who can tell you whether the settings willl work or not. I''ve never ordered from adwar, but everyone says here that they are very reasonable.
 

Richard Sherwood

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The ring is priced way too cheap for what it appears to be. I'm very suspicious of those "diamonds'. The one on the left in the second picture has way too much "see thru effect" for the average diamond.

The sapphire looks "so-so", but even as just a diamond semi-mounting it looks too cheap for what it is pictured as.

What is the weight on the sapphire and the diamonds? What metal is it purported to be?

God, Ebay has so many rip-offs.....
 

Kaleigh

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Date: 4/10/2007 10:28:51 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood
The ring is priced way too cheap for what it appears to be. I'm very suspicious of those 'diamonds'. The one on the left in the second picture has way too much 'see thru effect' for the average diamond.

The sapphire looks 'so-so', but even as just a diamond semi-mounting it looks too cheap for what it is pictured as.

What is the weight on the sapphire and the diamonds? What metal is it purported to be?

God, Ebay has so many rip-offs.....
Oh I saw the same thing Richard and was afraid to say it. But the diamonds well are suspicious to me as well. It also looks like the metal is sterling silver??? I am not a negatiive nancy, just looking out for the OP.
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Pandora II

Ideal_Rock
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Aug 3, 2006
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I buy a lot on ebay, but where jewellery is concerned I stick to the antique stuff that I know is real. I''m not going to find $$$$ bargains but I have had some very pretty pieces.

I don''t know if the US ebay is very different from the UK one, but I just don''t trust most of the modern jewellery/gemstone dealers on there unless I know them from other sources (gemmology online etc)
 

4bugzinarug

Shiny_Rock
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Jan 23, 2006
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128
We have pretty much decided against the setting. You all have brought up many good points ... and even though I would gladly wear the ring exactly as shown (if it turns out to be real/etc.), we have too many other projects to finish without spending $$ on a guessing game.

As far as my tourmaline, we are looking at Stuller, Adwar and Overnightmountings.com. I just hope that our stone can be accommodated without having to do a custom piece ... it is roughtly 7x6 (I thought it was 7x5!!). I was really hoping for a simple setting with side baguettes ... doubtful we will find that for under $500. But I guess it is better to spend a little more on doing it right the first time :)

We have found many estate pieces on Ebay that look really nice ... the trouble is knowing which vendors to stay away from (lack of negative feedback does not always tell you everything you need to know). I wish there was a list of "tried & true" estate specialists on Ebay.

Anywho, thanks again for all your help with this, I learned a lot!

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The Joker

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