Value for vintage aquamarine

[Astaroth]

Afternoon all

My wife is wanting a large semi-precious stone ring on a white setting. Whilst randomly out shopping I stumbled across a vintage 16.5 cts aquamarine ring. No other stones, a rectangular cut, no inclusions visible to the eye and medium to high colour saturation but certainly not the bluest I have ever seen.

They advise that their initial test didnt identify if the mount was 18c white gold or platinum but are guaranteeing it is at least 18c white gold. There are no hallmarks inside the ring at all.

This is a high end independent jewellers with many/ most of their diamond rings being £20,000($30,000) and above so I am slightly concerned that they will have added a big margin on the value of this ring.

Googling hasnt helped much coming back with a massive variance of ideas of values and inevitably are for new rather than vintage.

Can anyone give a guestimate of a valuation - ideally in the UK market as we inevitably pay more for things than our US side cousins.

Many thanks

 

[Lula]

I can't answer your question, but I'd suggest that you ask the moderators to move your thread to the Colored Stones forum where you'll likely get more responses. You can contact the moderators by clicking on "report concern" and typing your request into the text box that opens up.

 

[Astaroth]

Many thanks for the suggestion

 

[minousbijoux]

You might check out place like Lang Antiques for rings that are remotely comparable; that's all I can think of doing.

 

[chrono]

Firstly, I'd check if it is a natural or synthetic since synthetics were once very popular and widely accepted in a particular historical period. Secondly, do you have any pictures? Or at least pictures of other aquas that might be of similar colouration? I am asking this because slight nuances in colour can make a big difference in pricing.

 

[Astaroth]

It is a natural stone, or so they said. Didnt know about things like heat treatments at the time (plus I was more distracted by the shiny watches at the time) so didnt ask

Below is the photo they emailed me after asking, isnt the best quality photo in the world but the colour reproduction is close to what I remember

 

[chrono]

I would first find out if it is synthetic or natural. Heating aside, the stone is cut terribly. I can see through the entire stone, which is not a good thing. Worse yet, the black background really amps up the colour of the aquamarine.

http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=2450
http://www.ajsgem.com/beryl/aquamarine/aquamarine-13.44-carats.html

 

[txgreeneyes]

You might check out place like Lang Antiques for rings that are remotely comparable; that's all I can think of doing.

oh dear! I think I'm in love with that website!

 

[Astaroth]

I would first find out if it is synthetic or natural. Heating aside, the stone is cut terribly. I can see through the entire stone, which is not a good thing.

They are selling as natural

Apologies for my ignorance but wouldn't even a well cut large emerald cut allow you to see through it?

 

[chrono]

Yes, but it should not be that bad (totally see through).
http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=3326
http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=1757
http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=3743
http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=3655

 

[0-0-0]

Apologies for my ignorance but wouldn't even a well cut large emerald cut allow you to see through it?

They may have tilt windows, but well cut ones don't have visible windows face up.

I think a good example is Sarahbear621's aqua cut by Barry: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-version-of-princess-diana-bracelet-round-two.176634/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-version-of-princess-diana-bracelet-round-two.176634/[/URL]

 

[ChrisA222]

Is there anything Barry can't cut well?? I have already acknowleged him as the master of the round...seriously, WOW!

 

[chrono]

The example by thbmok is for precision cutting, which of course, should be perfect. Rarely are vintage stones going to be precision cut, hence my links are to well cut non-precision cut stones with the added bonus of videos, which I think are helpful for those who are viewing stones in person.

 

[0-0-0]

Absolutely! I just wanted to point out an example of what a truly well cut emerald cut can look like, given OP's question. OP, FWIW I wouldn't call the color medium to high saturation either if the vendor's picture is accurate.

 

[chrono]

Absolutely! I just wanted to point out an example of what a truly well cut emerald cut can look like, given OP's question. OP, FWIW I wouldn't call the color medium to high saturation either if the vendor's picture is accurate.

I came back to check on this thread and went through my prior comments, not liking the tone of my post. I did not mean for it to sound condescending; my apologies if it came across that way. I agree with you though that the saturation of the antique aqua isn't that great but then again, most aquas aren't well saturated. Then again, for a 16 carat stone, you'd think it'll be a lot darker and stronger coloured...

 

[0-0-0]

No worries Chrono! I understand your intent and ignore tone in online discussions.

OP, we just want to make sure you understand what you are looking at, as any difference in color and cut can have a huge impact in price. It's perfectly OK to look for light to medium color saturation, as I would call the aqua in the vendor's picture, if that is in fact what you and your wife want. My wife actually dislikes super saturated / neon looking colors so I stick with stones with medium color saturation.

 

[chrono]

That's kinder to your budget and easier to find though, right? So you have nothing to complain about.

 

[colorluvr]

I have done a LOT of looking at aquamarine rings/stones because I am once again considering selling mine.

Nice aquas in a larger size are going for $400 a ct and up and usually closer to $700 a ct like the nice ones on Africagems.

If the setting adds to the value a lot, then you need to take that into consideration. The stone in your photo looks to be quite light and doesn't appear to be very "aqua" in color, but that could just be their picture.

 

[0-0-0]

That's kinder to your budget and easier to find though, right? So you have nothing to complain about.

Yes, but I'll change her mind eventually (when I have deeper pockets ) as I prefer to look at super saturated / neon looking colors!