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Antique/Art Deco engagement rings from Gesner's

A

Atredeis

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
4
Hello,

This is my first post on Pricescope and I have the engagement ring question. My soon to be better half has zeroed in on the following items and I need help understanding them, why their priced the way they are, valuation and if there are similar rings but better values for our money.

We live in Clearwater, FL so going to see them in person is not a problem and we'll likely go this weekend.

http://www.gesner.com/70-ct-diamond-platinum-antique-engagement-ring-1941.html
http://www.gesner.com/58-ct-diamond-platinum-antique-ring.html
http://www.gesner.com/81-ct-diamond-platinum-antique-ring.html
http://www.gesner.com/antique-platinum-diamond-60-cts-si2-g-art-deco-engagement-ring.html

As far as her tastes, the fancy setting is a must. White gold or platinum is a must. The largest stone affordable is not mandatory, but being a guy and all, I tend to think bigger is better.

Antique settings with modern stones are fine by us. While an antique stone would be nice, we don't know much about them. Our budget is about $3k, but can stretch up to $4k for the right ring.

Thank you so much!
-Paul
 
Thanks for the link. I live south of Sarasota and someday might be in Tampa to stop in and window shop (meaning "try some on for fun")

My first impression is that their prices are high compared to ebay vintage rings, for example. But you are paying for their expertise and they are guaranteeing that when they say a diamond is .80 carats well then it is a diamond for one thing (a big thing) and it is the size they say it is. The higher price could be worth your peace of mind. But if you buy from anyone (ebay, online, etc) that has a good return policy you would be able to have the ring/diamond appraised and verified by a local jeweler and returned without giving any reason.

It definitely would be fun to go there and see lots of examples of vintage rings and try them on (some will not be large enough because fingers are bigger nowadays haha). I personally love the beauty of vintage rings more than modern styles and I even like them more than reproduction vintage rings with modern stones.

Please report back after your visit--take pictures of rings on hand (please).
 
I got an engagement ring from Gesner's, it actually just showed up less then a week ago. Here is a link to the post in case you have not seen it.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/art-deco-engagement-ring-from-gesners.180196/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/art-deco-engagement-ring-from-gesners.180196/[/URL]

I was able to negotiate 10-15% off the "discount online" price and am very happy with the purchase in the end. However I do believe as you can see in my post that the diamond that was originally in the ring was not an antique cut as advertised. When I talked to Gesners about the diamond not being an antique cut they were adamant that it was in fact an antique cut and that it is impossible to tell just by looking at pictures over the internet but I was able to get them to replace the stone with one that I was satisfied with. Since you are local if you care about the stone truly being antique cut I would take it to an independent appraiser just to be safe.

GL!
 
Thanks for the replies!

I did see your thread rneil, and it gave us some confidence to work with Gesner's. Congratulations to you and your GF!

Imagardner, do you think the prices are higher simply because they are a storefront vs. a private sale/mail order like ebay? We'll certainly get some cell phone pictures when we shop them.

Kristen and I are looking through some of the links provided in rneil's thread today. We'll be shopping in earnest soon.

-Paul
 
Paul

Re prices: since my last post I noticed that Gesner's does sell on ebay and uses the "Best Offer" category. So they are obviously willing to negotiate their prices which I see on rneil's thread was also commented on by other people too (their high prices I mean not the ebay connection).

Negotiating a price is an art form all it's own and many people aren't comfortable doing that in person, especially with something as emotional as an engagement ring, and especially if the intended recipient is there in person. So they have the upper hand in that respect.

rneil's thread was highly informative about the lack of the proper diamond in his ring until negotiated. And he negotiated a lower price even while getting the correct diamond.

If it were me I'd look at your visit to their shop as a scouting expedition to see what your fiancee likes design-wise and diamond-size. Take pictures of rings on hand and write down specifics about each "liked" ring (price, diamond size, diamond cut, diamond rating, total carat weight including all diamonds). Most,if not all, of their diamonds say they are rated by a GIA graduate (I'm assuming someone on staff) which is good to know. Ask if you get the GIA certificate at no additional charge because that is something you want to own (not their in-house price appraisal, that is not worth anything).

After the expedition you will have a lot more information to work with in determining what you feel is a fair price for the ring she likes. Then offer a price 15-20% below what you are willing to pay. Negotiate via email or see if it's on ebay (might be) and negotiate that way. What I really like about ebay is you are backed up multiple ways: ebay is squarely on the side of the buyer. If the item is "SNAD" (significantly not as described) it is no trouble to get a refund. I use a credit card with paypal and never been burned over 10 years.

Every seller is terrified of "Negative" feedback" and 98% of them are bend-over-backwards honest. A professional seller like Gessner will totally adhere to what I stated. It's the beginner sellers that make "mistakes" and may not know what they are selling. They think it's real but maybe it's not. Let the buyer beware.

I actually like the negotiating part, even in person, but you have to be able to walk away from a deal to get the best price (and mean it). And you may find a better price for a very similar ring elsewhere once you know what you're looking for.

You can come here, post photos and get the experts opinion on price/quality. I am not that person but would love to follow that thread :-)
Real estate is my area of expertise but only local lol.

Just remember, Gesner's might be reading this thread too. :-)

I'ma
 
I think most antique settings have a premium on them. Overall looking at the links you provided they are nice but I'm not blown away by anything.

Have you looked at Jewels by Erican Grace? Singlestone is another place I would check out but I think they will be out of your price range.
 
Sarahbear621|1356696410|3341349 said:
I think most antique settings have a premium on them. Overall looking at the links you provided they are nice but I'm not blown away by anything.

Have you looked at Jewels by Erican Grace? Singlestone is another place I would check out but I think they will be out of your price range.
Click to expand...

I would agree with checking out Jewels by Erica Grace. Both women are absolutely lovely to work with, and they will find you what you're looking for if you give them your specs and budget.

I would also agree that their prices seem a little bit higher than what I've seen, but it's true that truly antique settings have a higher premium. The ones on their website are lovely!
 
I've spent a bit of time on Gesner's website looking at beautiful rings now and what strikes me is that they seem to mix new diamonds in with vintage settings and reproduction settings are there too (at least to my eyes) but not labeled as such. When I look at other sites that don't mix vintage and repro there is a difference in the way the settings look.

I realize that over years the original diamonds, especially if the diamonds were larger, were probably removed and recycled by owners into newer rings or possibly sold or even re-cut into modern cuts. Finding a ring with it's original diamond would be adding a high degree of difficulty but I'd settle for a close match if it was replaced with a diamond of the same era as the vintage ring. I think this is where you reallly need to deal with a trusted diamond seller who tells up front which settings are reproductions and which settings have OEC's vs. modern diamonds. Gessner's doesn't label their rings that way but I won't make any generalizations other than that.

I still plan to visit their store, it would be nice to touch and view different diamonds in settings, that's how I'll become more educated.
Hoping Artedeis will report on their weekend trip when they get back.
Inquiring minds......
 
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