What do you think of this ring?

[whitechedderpopcorn]

Hi all,

I am thinking to purchase this ring for my mother to wear as a day-to-day ring; https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/294285531/sky-blue-topaz-diamond-ring-14k-white.... She lost a similar ring in a recent house fire and I would like to replace it for her.

I read the intro guide but still have a few questions, hoping you guys won't mind:

- For a ring at this price, should I take it to be appraised? Or it is over kill? Her original ring isn't expensive, but it was a family heirloom. I would like to at least ensure the ring advertised as "genuine blue topaz" and really 14K gold as it claimed.

- What are your experience buying jewelry online? I suppose the previous question equally applies when I buy in person, since how I am pretty new to buying gemstone jewelry.

- Is the type of setting fairly secure? Should I worry if any stone falling out due to poor craftsmanship?

Sorry guys if I have too many questions and have no clue how this works. I am just finishing up my degree and started working, I don't have a lot of money and would like to make sure she gets a good ring.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lovedogs]

Unfortunately I think you'll be really disappointed with this ring in real life. A few big red flags for me include: the diamonds look completely "dead" in the photo, and the topaz isn't very saturated. That means that even in the BEST lighting the diamonds don't look very good, and the stone is lackluster.

Is that the style of ring she wants, and if so, what is your budget? I promise we can find you something better that you'll be happier with! I think this is a super thoughtful and sweet idea, but I strongly recommend against that particular ring.

 

[whitechedderpopcorn]

Thanks for the helpful information; her original ring is actually a sky blue topaz, so it is meant to be light colored, if I understand correctly. The diamond doesn't need to be good quality as her original one had sapphire instead.

My budget unfortunately is a bit of a joke, $500 Canadian ...

 

[Niel]

Thanks for the helpful information; her original ring is actually a sky blue topaz, so it is meant to be light colored, if I understand correctly. The diamond doesn't need to be good quality as her original one had sapphire instead.

My budget unfortunately is a bit of a joke, $500 Canadian ...

Please take this as nicely as I'm trying to put it. Your budget is nicer than that ring. You can do better if you do a bit of looking. I promise

 

[whitechedderpopcorn]

But that is the problem, I don't really know where to look and even I find one, I would have no clue ... There are many at chain jewelry stores here in Canada, such as People's but I heard their craftsmanship is poor.

Is it acceptable to did what I just did, post something I found and get people's opinion? Or, maybe you can point me to an example so I have some comparison?

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks for the helpful information; her original ring is actually a sky blue topaz, so it is meant to be light colored, if I understand correctly. The diamond doesn't need to be good quality as her original one had sapphire instead.

My budget unfortunately is a bit of a joke, $500 Canadian ...

Please take this as nicely as I'm trying to put it. Your budget is nicer than that ring. You can do better if you do a bit of looking. I promise

+1, exactly!

It's definitely find to post things you find on here and we can take a look for you. I don't know if you'd consider something like this:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/47796499/aaaa-170-ct-swiss-blue-topaz-diamond-14k?ga_search_query=blue+topaz&ref=shop_items_search_4

But this one is much nicer in terms of color/cut and also has cleaner diamonds. I've spoken to this vendor on multiple occasions and he is really nice. I'm still looking for other options as well.

 

[whitechedderpopcorn]

Oh lovedog, thank you so much; I didn't mean to make you do the research. Let me compare the two and see if I can tell any difference.

 

[Niel]

Oh lovedog, thank you so much; I didn't mean to make you do the research. Let me compare the two and see if I can tell any difference.

we love to do research. please let us take some time see if we can find you something, though lovedogs seems promising

 

[whitechedderpopcorn]

Ah Niel, that is very kind of you! I guess it can be fun. I see what lovedog mean though, the details on the gemstone provided is very detailed.

 

[lovedogs]

This is pretty much exactly what you're looking for, but I didn't post it before because it wasn't in budget. But just so you know that this is out there.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/467904977/aaa-london-blue-topaz-8x8mm-cushion-cut?ga_search_query=blue+topaz&ref=shop_items_search_2


You could also reach out to the vendor to see if a lighter sky-blue topaz would bring the price down (or maybe a smaller stone). You could tell him your budget and see if he has anything in this style that would work.

 

[whitechedderpopcorn]

Sounds good, thank you very much! My mother had actually said she would be happy with any ring, doesn't even needs to be blue topaz; it is really just me being stubborn in trying to reproduce her ring.

 

[whitechedderpopcorn]

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/204803279/november-birthstone14k-white-gold?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_28
This one has some clarity information, what do you guys think?

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/256673037/cushion-cut-blue-topaz-diamond-half-halo?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20halo%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_20
This one I am not so sure, the information is vague. Is there a visible inclusion?

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/449256212/blue-topaz-diamond-ring-14k-white-gold?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20halo%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_27
This one is from the same jewler as my original one, seem shinier for the diamond.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/225222417/167ct-cushion-blue-topaz-diamonds-14k?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20halo%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_8

Am I on the right track? Thank you guys sooo very much!

 

[deskjockey]

Oh lovedog, thank you so much; I didn't mean to make you do the research. Let me compare the two and see if I can tell any difference.

People here LOVE to window shop and find possibilities for people. It's fun! (especially for those of us who can't be buying things for ourselves, LOL).

 

[whitechedderpopcorn]

Out of my budget but it looks so close to the ring my mom lost - https://www.rubylane.com/item/510967-rbx20Bluex20Topazx20Diax20Halox20Ring/Vintage-14k-White-Gold-1-75?search=1

 

[lovedogs]

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/204803279/november-birthstone14k-white-gold?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_28
This one has some clarity information, what do you guys think?

I like this one, the diamonds look fairly clear and I like the color of the topaz. I think this is a good choice, and the seller has good reviews.


https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/256673037/cushion-cut-blue-topaz-diamond-half-halo?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20halo%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_20
This one I am not so sure, the information is vague. Is there a visible inclusion?

I think this is actually my second favorite one. I would write the vendor and specifically ask about whether there's a visible inclusion-- I think it's hard to tell from the photos. But I like the design and color of the topaz!

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/449256212/blue-topaz-diamond-ring-14k-white-gold?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20halo%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_27
This one is from the same jewler as my original one, seem shinier for the diamond.

I less of a fan of this one compared to the other choices.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/225222417/167ct-cushion-blue-topaz-diamonds-14k?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20halo%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_8

This one could be alright, but I prefer the other two.

Am I on the right track? Thank you guys sooo very much!

I put my responses in bold. I think that the RubyLane looks super similar to the one I posted above that is out of budget--but I'd ask that vendor (from Etsy) if a lighter blue topaz or smaller stone would bring it in budget.

 

[Nsmike]

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/256673037/cushion-cut-blue-topaz-diamond-half-halo?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%20topaz%20halo%20gold%20ring&ref=sr_gallery_20
This one I am not so sure, the information is vague. Is there a visible inclusion?

Am I on the right track? Thank you guys sooo very much!

I downloaded the picture of the ring, as shown on the hand, put it into my photo editor and enlarged it to look for any inclusions. There are small inclusions but you would need to have very sharp vision to see them. Whats more important is there is a large window in the center of the stone which is why you can easily see the skin color. I may be new at stones but Ive collected watches for years. Using the photo edtor is a trick I learned.

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I'd see if you could find a loose blue topaz from the vendors on the recommended list & then check out Ivy and Rose (which is My Diamond Zone's new store I guess?? ) They have a lot of inexpensive settings to choose from. They are also located in Chicago so there will be no taxes if you have them ship to Buffalo (if you are able to go pick it up at Fed. Ex. over the border). I'm from TO, & I can tell you how to get there. I know the route like the back of my hand.

Here's a blue sapphire within budget.
http://ivyandrose.com/antique-vintage-art-deco-3-stone-royal-blue-sapphire-diamond-ring-white-gold.html

They are also on Etsy too..
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/IvyandRoseVintage?ref=pr_faveshops

And Ebay..LOL My Diamond Zone..
http://www.ebay.com/usr/mydiamondzone?_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2754

I've always thought this was pretty..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172282976932

This one too. But it will eat into your budget.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-FILIGREE-1-4C-DIAMONDS-CUSHION-SETTING-SEMI-MOUNT-14K-FILIGREE-RING-HALO-/401160700683?hash=item5d670a830b:g:U4cAAOSweWVXfY6N

There are quite a lot of choices. Sadly, I don't know anyone locally apart from Adam at Bill Leboeuf. You can always call him to ask if he has any topaz rings. I know he's got a ton of estate stuff & buckets of rings. An hour to Barrie isn't so bad.

http://www.billleboeufjewellers.com

Judy

 

[Nsmike]

Going with the Ivy & Rose theme you could match this setting
https://www.etsy.com/listing/288955957/semi-mount-diamond-engagment-ring?ref=shop_home_active_48
With this stone
http://www.africagems.com/calibrated-sky-blue-topaz-antique-square-checkerboard.html
Setting costs would determine if you would bust your approx $380 US budget.

 

[agingsparkle]

I saw that a longtime pricescoper just put a blue topaz on loupetroop.com at a very good price, it's a different style but might be worth taking a look.

 

[ccuheartnurse]

These are on sale & are big. Finding a setting might be a challenge. However, I'm sure it can be done. They look nice to me but I'm not a coloured gem person (I do like them & enjoy them, just not an expert in them) & I'm sure the experts will chime in.

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-265-Topaz_and_Zircon/8946-Nigeria_Swiss_Blue_Topaz_8_69_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=36092
.
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-265-Topaz_and_Zircon/8918-Nigeria_Swiss_Blue_Topaz_10_97_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=35995

 

[Niel]

This!

https://mastercutgems.com/Products-265-Topaz_and_Zircon/8946-Nigeria_Swiss_Blue_Topaz_8_69_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=2&ProductMediaID=36094

 

[chrono]

This!
https://mastercutgems.com/Products-265-Topaz_and_Zircon/8946-Nigeria_Swiss_Blue_Topaz_8_69_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=2&ProductMediaID=36094

3rd vote for this. Then set it in a Diamond Zone setting. Done!

 

[Niel]

I would think you could also use a local jeweler who sells stuller settings, maybe get it in silver. They have a lot of 14*10 rings

.First=cat&facetValues[0].Second=3|&facetValues[1].First=pim_primary_stone_shape&facetValues[1].Second=Oval&facetValues[2].First=pim_primary_stone_shape&facetValues[2].Second=Oval&pageSize=36&shape=Oval&productTypes[0]=Rings&dimensions=14%20x%2010%20mm&page=1] hopefullythis link works

This is what I would do, but I don't know the size of your mom's finger, or if this would be her jam

 

[Nsmike]

This one is possible and within budget https://www.etsy.com/listing/463215697/ladies-oval-blue-topaz-diamond-ring-in?ref=shop_home_active_36 This particular vendor has more blue topaz rings but they are scattered though his list of rings.