The little things that drive you nuts... thanks to Pricescope

[anangel]

So, Pricescope is a great place to hangout- learn about diamonds and gems, look at some pretty jewelry, become an educated buyer, etc, etc but at a certain point the little things that used to be totally acceptable start to drive you crazy
The ad below popped up on my phone this morning. When it was just an itty bitty thumbnail of a picture I’m like, “Ohhhh, love that color, what kind of stone is that?” Then I click the ad... THE PRONGS! All I can see are bulky, poorly positioned prongs. I’d like to think in person it’s not so bad, and no doubt it’d be pretty typical for maul quality jewelry, however, after spending so much time on here, my expectations have been raised exponentially.

What little details do you pick up after spending some time around here?

 

[Wewechew]

So, Pricescope is a great place to hangout- learn about diamonds and gems, look at some pretty jewelry, become an educated buyer, etc, etc but at a certain point the little things that used to be totally acceptable start to drive you crazy
The ad below popped up on my phone this morning. When it was just an itty bitty thumbnail of a picture I’m like, “Ohhhh, love that color, what kind of stone is that?” Then I click the ad... THE PRONGS! All I can see are bulky, poorly positioned prongs. I’d like to think in person it’s not so bad, and no doubt it’d be pretty typical for maul quality jewelry, however, after spending so much time on here, my expectations have been raised exponentially.

What little details do you pick up after spending some time around here?

I believe that’s an estate ring, so you can’t judge those prongs too harshly.

 

[anangel]

@Wewechew I think you’re right about it being an estate piece, but even so, wouldn’t you adjust the prongs before glamour shots?

 

[Wewechew]

@Wewechew I think you’re right about it being an estate piece, but even so, wouldn’t you adjust the prongs before glamour shots?

Eh, some people prefer estate pieces to be authentic. I can see arguing for fixing and also not fixing.

 

[diamondnewbieny]

@Wewechew I think you’re right about it being an estate piece, but even so, wouldn’t you adjust the prongs before glamour shots?

Also, is it possible these prongs were done like this for a reason? I would question if there are chips or imperfections they are trying to hide?

 

[Karl_K]

Also, is it possible these prongs were done like this for a reason? I would question if there are chips or imperfections they are trying to hide?

Prongs/head is slightly undersized for the size of that stone so it was set like that.

 

[motownmama]

What’s different for me now is that I have little things fixed that bother me, vs just trying to forget about it. Example (of several): i had a diamond/ruby eternity I bought. When it was sized to my 4.25 it was oval. Wore it a long time. After PS I took it in. Said I just don’t want it oval! It’s true they had to remove a diamond from each end, but they were then able to make it round - yeah!

 

[Tekate]

All my jewelry bothers me since I found PS.. I found wonderful people, fantastic jewelry at what I consider great prices, but I have a bunch of different rings, necklace's that I have accumulated over 30+ years that look crappy, I have a tennis bracelet I hate at the tune of 5K! truth.. but on the other hand, now I know it's crappy..So the ups are ever so much better than the down really, but it does bug me that prior to PS I was a dumb buyer.. avoid mall stores and avoid local shops unless you learn enough to spot a good stone ring etc.

(sorry about the wanking).

 

[anangel]

Prongs/head is slightly undersized for the size of that stone so it was set like that.

And now I know! But it still bugs me

 

[JPie]

Thanks to PS, I now notice gemstones with windows, crappy prongs, and bow ties/fish eyes in poorly cut stones.

 

[stracci2000]

Yes, windows!
I agree with @JPie, I hate the windows.

 

[MamaBee]

If you’re looking at it like it is in the photo..the right bottom prong is elevated and not symmetrical..Actually the whole left side..which looks like the right in the photo is elevated...I don’t know why that shouldn’t be fixed..That would make me crazy..

 

[rockysalamander]

Eh, some people prefer estate pieces to be authentic. I can see arguing for fixing and also not fixing.

I would highly doubt that is authentic. I've seen many "vintage" rings on Brilliant Earth get sold and re-appear over and over with different colored stones or the like.

 

[Wewechew]

I would highly doubt that is authentic. I've seen many "vintage" rings on Brilliant Earth get sold and re-appear over and over with different colored stones or the like.

That’s disappointing

 

[TreeScientist]

Thanks to PS, I now notice gemstones with windows, crappy prongs, and bow ties/fish eyes in poorly cut stones.

This. I can see a beautiful colored stone on someone and be like "Oh wow, that's beauti...", but as soon as I see that it is badly cut with a huge window, it's completely ruined for me.

Probably the biggest thing I notice though is just how many women are walking around with E-rings that are absolutely filthy. I'd say that the proportion of women who regularly clean their rings is far smaller than the proportion that never cleans them at all, or maybe cleans them once a year at the jeweler. I've seen some women who have really nice rings, that I'm sure cost a lot of money, that look worse than a $10 CZ because they have a 1cm thick layer of muck and grime built up on the diamond(s).

My fiancé cleans her ring once per week in the ultrasonic, and we're suprised every single time by how different it looks after coming out of the US. Granted, she's always wearing medical gloves that have a thin layer of powder to make them easy to slip on, so I'm sure that contributes to the layer of muck on her ring after only one week, but it's still crazy to see it go from grimy to spotless and shiny after 3 minutes in a cheap ultrasonic.

I think it would be weird to be Evangelical about this, but I really want to start pulling women aside and saying, "You know, your ring would look 1000% better if you just dropped it in a cheap $30 Ultrasonic for 3 minutes once per week."

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Windows here too, also prongs on vintage and antique rings that are so worn down the stone looks like it will fall out any minute!

I have much higher expectations of settings now than before when they were just a means to hold a stone, now a setting is as important as the stone it holds.

Oh and dirty jewelry, like seriously clean that $h*t, don't be a slob lol!

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

Ha! It's not just me! I see someone advertising a maybe nice colored stone, see what they have the nerve to price it at, bragging about the SI quality side stones and I'm looking through their photos like:
"Well hello, window".
"Oh, and look crooked prongs ! Such a deal"

 

[pearaffair]

Anything crooked. Prongs, the way a diamond is set... omg drives me crazy!!!

Before PS I think I would’ve just let it go, because it’s all so tiny.

 

[secretagentlaura]

Seeing diamond jewelry out in the wild that came from a chain shop in the mall ...

 

[HappyNewLife]

the thing that bugs me the most are dirty diamonds. Like, HELLO, that thing doesn't even sparkle!

 

[sledge]

 

[Wewechew]

ROTFL

 

[ac117]

Seriously, @slegde? On a stone that someone is considering as an engagement ring upgrade in another thread? What if I, or someone else, were to post this? Maybe you'd care, maybe you wouldn't...but at least try to consider how someone else might feel about what you post. Way to be insensitive and rude!

 

[Wewechew]

I apologize for laughing... I was following the other thread and then came over here and saw his post. I was laughing at the situation, not the stone.

 

[sledge]

I'm sorry I have left @ac117, or any of you, with the impression I am an insensitive and rude person. That has never been my intention and I will strive to do better. More so, I am sorry if the (potential) new owner of this stone is offended by my prior post. Once alerted this caused a problem, I was going to delete it but the time option to do so had elapsed.

I am not defending my actions, but I am including the prior messages from the original thread that was referenced, as I hope they convey my true feelings on the matter.

Can he give you a hearts image?

The arrow at 11 o'clock is particularly odd. Not only does it not align with the arrow head but its shorter than the others as well. Also the horizontal spacing between them is visibly off.

I know your budget is tight. But this would likely drive me bonkers.

I read back over your 1.52 JA thread as I lost track this weekend. I see you posted the idealscope image of the JA stone.

Hands down the IDJ stone is better. The light return images and proportions on this stone are much better and more balanced. I think it will be closer in performance to your existing stone.

I also missed the part where your husband nixed the WF trade in and purchase. Is by chance IDJ working with you on a trade for your existing stone?

I actually spoke with Yuketiel yesterday and had a great conversation. He's passionate about his craft and helping people so I think you are in good hands.

I'm sorry if my comments about the arrow spooked you. That wasn't my intent. The light return images prove it doesn't cause any significant issues so I'm not worried from that perspective. I just found it peculiar is all. Considering all variables I am not certain you will do any better so if you are happy I'd move forward.

Best of luck with the process. Please post pics of the finalized ring!

 

[ac117]

I'm sorry I have left @ac117, or any of you, with the impression I am an insensitive and rude person. That has never been my intention and I will strive to do better. More so, I am sorry if the (potential) new owner of this stone is offended by my prior post. Once alerted this caused a problem, I was going to delete it but the time option to do so had elapsed.

I am not defending my actions, but I am including the prior messages from the original thread that was referenced, as I hope they convey my true feelings on the matter.

It's not an impression - it is what it is. And yes, I read your follow-up post where you conceded that the stone was a good choice and gave yet another empty apology.

 

[GliderPoss]

Yeah I now notice windows in stones, bad prongs, chunky gold (in a bad way), crooked settings, DIRTY rings, inclusions and honestly the thing that bothers me the most? Lack of variety. Seriously there are so many amazing options out there, why does everyone's e-ring (locally) look the kinda the same to me?!?

 

[prinsad]

Seeing diamond jewelry out in the wild that came from a chain shop in the mall ...

This! And it kills me to think of the money we wasted from getting my first e-ring from a chain shop. I could’ve gotten something much nicer had I known!