Bargain Beauties

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Indy, I feel like the BGD leverbacks are more of a classic look than the ID Jewelry one, though both are beautiful.

Dinamit, love your earrings! Post a thread with pics!

 

[dinamit]

Thanks for the link Indy, they are lovely, but totally different. I guess a girl needs both... I think the ID ones would be more blingy, the BG ones more understated, classic, dare I say elegant? It's a tough choice, I can see why you are having a hard time deciding.

Btw, I had great fun looking at all the earrings on the ID site - my, do they offer a choice, and many at very good prices. Do you have any experience with them? Do they produce nice jewellery? We are looking for wedding bands and I was enticed by a few. I wish they would include dimensions in their listings though.

B.E.G., I will start a thread as soon as I can.

dinamit

 

[LaurenThePartier]

I love this thread! I have a few, but I need to gather some pics together.

 

[tradergirl]

I got today a GIA certed L VVS1 OEC 1.21 ct. - beautiful cut - for $2,999. From Ebay. I have another one the same size and I think I'm going to make them into studs.

 

[Indylady]

Thanks for the link Indy, they are lovely, but totally different. I guess a girl needs both... I think the ID ones would be more blingy, the BG ones more understated, classic, dare I say elegant? It's a tough choice, I can see why you are having a hard time deciding.

Btw, I had great fun looking at all the earrings on the ID site - my, do they offer a choice, and many at very good prices. Do you have any experience with them? Do they produce nice jewellery? We are looking for wedding bands and I was enticed by a few. I wish they would include dimensions in their listings though.

B.E.G., I will start a thread as soon as I can.

dinamit

The reviews I've read have all been very positive (Bliss' reviews come to mind, though I know there have been many others). I've also spoken to Yuektiel on the phone, and he was very knowledgeable and helpful to speak to. The site is a little hard to navigate (you can't open pictures in new tabs, or save them, etc.) but their customer service and promptness more than makes up for it. I called in, rather than using email or their chat-system. I wonder if they'd send you additional photos upon request?

 

[slg47]

redrose I love your ring!!! awesome find-it's gorgeous!

 

[ForteKitty]

What a great thread! Brilliant finds everyone (couldn't resist, sorry )!

ForteKitty, are you enjoying your WF Dreams of Africa pendant? What a steal! Did you find it on eBay?

I was seriously considering getting it from WF as an affordable treat, but your sure beats that. I like that a 100% of the profits go towards the cause, and the way the three little diamonds represent my family - there are three of us at the moment - my son, fi and myself.

Would you mind posting some pics pls? I would love to see what it looks like in 'real life'.

Thanks!

dinamit

I love my new pendant! i did find it on ebay, and it was completely by accident, i really dont remember how. I saw half of the WF logo in one of the pics and decided to see what it was, since it looked familiar. When i clicked on the link, i saw the pendant, saw it was at about $40, there was only a few mins left, put in $80, and just crossed my fingers. and i won!

I keep saying i'll take pictures, but i never get around to it. By the time i get home it's really late so they come out crappy. it is very delicate, about 9mm in diameter. The diamonds are small but very sparkly.

 

[vintagelover229]

redrose I love your ring!!! awesome find-it's gorgeous!

Awww! Thank you so much! I actually never thought I'd own a RB after owning my AVC (1.31 J SI1) but even though I love the chunky flashes more than a RB, this ring makes my heart sing. I love it too! I'll post pics as soon as I get my benchmark band in the mail and get it plated. I'm hoping that it looks good, although it's going to be impossible to find something that sits flush against this setting...which is going to drive me bonkers, lol!

 

[davi_el_mejor]

I bought these three OEC/OMC's (.54 cttw) for 120. The single stone pictured is a .2ct light brown OMC, but faces up white (mostly )

The two stones are .2ct OMC and the smaller one is .14ct OEC. The little one is super chunky, I wish it was bigger

 

[jgny]

Redrose229 - great story. I think I know what site you are talking about, it's funny, I never see anything good there... sounds like it was meant to be! And lucky you with size 4 fingers!!!

redrose229 - where did you get that 1.64 Transitional cut diamond ring for $4500??? That is SOME deal!!!

Jgny: When I saw the listing for the ring it was actually listed at 5k...and WELL worth the price even at 5k. It was sold as a 1.6 H VS2 but said that those specs were only because the seller wasn't 100% sure what they were, but knew it was at least those. When I emailed her she said I could take it for 4500.00! I contacted my boyfriend (and we hadn't been dating long, but we both knew we were going to be together) and I said that I've NEVER seen a deal like this before and we snatched that baby up! When it arrived in Houston I took it to my appraiser (but I wasn't allowed to see the ring in person until my boyfriend saw it first, so it stayed in the box until my dad and I got there) and the appraiser knew what a deal we got on it and was speaking loudly from the room so I could hear and said "It's a CZ!" as a joke, lol. He said it boarders on the edge of ideal cut, could be flawless but theres something under a prong, could be a scratch that could be polished out, or could be a slight inclusion but he said he had a hard time seeing it, and either way, VVS1 is WAY more than I thought I'd have! I thought I'd have an eye clean SI1 for 4500.00! Did I mention the seller SIZED it, insured shipped it and plated it for that same 4500.00? She and her husband were great to work with and I love the ring!

As far as the site goes that was selling it...it's a very popular diamond/jewelry resale site that I don't think can be talked about on PS. It has a forum that goes along with it and I think that's why it's not allowed to be posted or anything. It was a deal of a lifetime and I'm really pleased we could afford to get it. My boyfriend is thrilled to have gotten me something FAR beyond what I was hoping for, not to mention HUGE on my size 4 fingers. We are very blessed to have something like this fall into our laps and I'm very very thankful for it. I've posted this pic in the unique pics thread too, but it gives a little more detail to the side of the ring. The side stones are very very nice as well, and the milgrain is very detailed and delicate. I was BLOWN away when I actually seen it because I didn't expect an older piece like this to be this high quality. It came in the original box too, I'm hoping to get on antique roadshow so they can tell me more about the history of the piece, but I'm doubting theres much information to get from it.

*end of threadjack* awesome thread by the way! I love bling and all things vintage...but when you get them for a steal, well it makes it that much better for me!

 

[vintagelover229]

Redrose229 - great story. I think I know what site you are talking about, it's funny, I never see anything good there... sounds like it was meant to be! And lucky you with size 4 fingers!!!

redrose229 - where did you get that 1.64 Transitional cut diamond ring for $4500??? That is SOME deal!!!

Yeah the fishtail prongs really add to the size factor too. He lets me wear it at home sometimes (we aren't engaged yet) and his eyes get all big and I'm pretty sure he's happier about the size than I am. He says that NO ONE is going to hit on me because of that rock

It's funny you say you've never seen anything good there! That's my favorite place to shop! I've gotten the benchmark band there, 2 pairs of diamond OEC earrings, some London blue topaz earrings, my sapphires by the yard necklace by WF, my old Liz C diamond wedding band (wasn't her SIM pieces) all from that site. I guess I trust it more than ebay because I know most of the sellers are probably PSers and care about the quality of their pieces.

We should also list the sellers and which sites we got some great deals off of! I on a regular basis check out dover jewelry, new york estate jewelry, ruby lane, antiqueengagementrings.com, craigslist (I normally google what I'm searching for and email sellers all over North America and that's how I got my great diamond cross pendant. .25ctw 14K GW bags and rounds) for 195.00 (if you havne't looked at cross pendant prices...woah they really stick it to ya).

The deals on the site not to be named go pretty fast though. I swear I've become compulsive about checking that site.

Does anyone else see that antique pieces on ebay sometimes are CRAZY high for a piece? The other day I was there and someone has something going for 3x what it was worth. He wanted what was on the appraisal....which was inflated as well. I was tempted to email the seller and say there isn't anyway anyone in their right mind is going to pay that price for your item. But then I thought, you know, someone IS going to pay that price because they don't know any better

 

[MustangGal]

I don't have pic yet, but last year I scored a 1/2cttw 5 stone band and 1/2cttw huggie earrings in a "lot" listing for $300. The ring is IGI certified, with a knife edge that matches my e-ring, and the huggies are very well made. A few years ago I snapped up a 1/2ct diamond in a natural pink and white diamond setting for $375. They sold what Whitehall for 2K! My mom took the center diamond for her e-ring upgrade and I put a pale pink stone in the middle to compliment the pink diamonds.

I love ebay and DB

 

[ForteKitty]

I just received a pink sapphire ring. Below are vendor pics. (dont have my own pics yet) i thought there was potential, so i made and offer and bought it. Didn't expect too much from the sleepy looking stone and what looks like a big feather inclusion. The seller says it was just the pictures, but i figure oh well, if the sapphire is a fake or in terrible shape, it's still a nice setting, right?

When i opened the box, i was disgusted at how dirty it was... sooo gross. then she got a few hot baths, and OMG.. it's like a brand new girl! So SOOO pink and sparkly, with only a tiny little bit on inclusion and a slight velvety look. Not at all sleepy like the pics!!

My jeweler looked at the few tiny small inclusions, and says it looks like a natural non-heated sapphire. plus about 0.25-0.30ct of F/G, VS diamonds in the mount.

i got it for $210 shipped!

ETA: this is that the tiny crystals look like: http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.p ... pphire.jpg

there's about 4 of them, just barely eye visible because they're kind of in a loose clump on one side. I asked about BE treatment, but he said it's unlikely because the crystals are still intact. There's also a tiny bit of silk.

I'm so happy!

 

[Andelain]

I just thought of another from years ago that I'll have to get pics of next time I'm in the US...

I walked into a pawnshop and headed toward the jewelry counter. I walked up behind a man that was looking for an engagement ring and the seller handed him 2 rings. One was an oval, about a carat and I could see the inclusions even with the customer holding it. The other was what I figured to be a half carat pear, very clear and white with a nice long shape and lots of sparkle. The seller said "You can have either one for $800. I crossed my fingers and kept my pie hole closed. Sure enough the guy said he'd take the crappy oval. Before the seller even got the pear back in the case I asked for it and walked off toward the window.

I pulled out a loupe and started looking for inclusions.... and looking...... and looking. I finally spotted something under a prong that I wasn't sure about. Finally the seller finished with the other customer and came over and asked if I had any questions. I asked if he could clean the ring since it was pretty dirty. When he came back it really shone, and the little something under a prong was gone. I pulled out a diamond tester, the stone popped positive, and I bought the ring.

I stopped by a jeweler that I'd done a lot of business sometime after that and asked if she's look at my little pear. She looked it over and estimated it to be a G-H IF, close to 60 points. She also said is was as perfect a cut as she'd ever seen a pear. When I told her what I paid for it she said she'd give me that back any day of the week. It became my first really well cut stone and I still have and love it today.

 

[UCLABelle]

I like to think my husband has helped me get a ton of good bargains...

1) I had a number of E-Rings (long-time PSrs will remember) but we purchased a 1.50 emerald cut from TIffany (E, VS1) for about $7,000 total on EBay from a small jewelry store. It had all the paperwork and box. I went to Tiffany and paid $5,000 for them to change the setting customized for my dream of Traps. This cost another $5,000...but I sold the original Tiffany setting for about $1500 (a PSr bougt it!). So in total, the evaluation with the new setting from 2008 was $35,200 from Tiffany for a total personal cost of $11,500ish...

2) Two Harry Winston Eternity Bands in Platinum, channel set, one with ..76cttw another .78cttw for both $3,200 total. Not bad, I think Retail is over $4500 each. Purchased from Craigslist locally (Beverly Hills).

3) Cartier Tank (SS in small) with box and paperwork for $1150. Purchased from Craigslist locally (Beverly Hills). Ended up being very, very good friends with the seller (as well as the wonderful person who sold me the HW bands...I love living in LA!).

4). .88cttw Tiffany & Co Diamond Earrings in Platinum...with Diamond Certs & Receipts. I, VVS1 for both---paid $2,000 (not a great deal, but this was WAY WAY WAY before the economic slump)...

I have a TON of other jewelry bought from these stores as the original owner, but these were my steals...I think!

 

[that_someone_special]

I bought a .37 I i1 OEC off ebay for ... $109!

Since I have stones that are G I and J... I think it falls more in the J/K/L range though.

Funny, the band is actually my ring size, so I've been wearing it all day. It's a cute little diamond. I was thinking a pendant... but.. I'm not sure. Might be too small for that.

 

[Mrs.H.]

This is quite possibly my favourite thread

I am more of a lurker than a poster but as an ebay junkie this is the perfect thread for me to share

Diamonds in Australia are sooo expensive, the only place I can really get my bling fix is off ebay.


My newest addition is this vintage euro cut 3 stone in 18k white gold filigree setting - centre is 1ct H/I VVS2 - sides are atleast .5ct each and G VS1-2 - probably my best ebay find at $2500 I just adore these chunky facets

I also purchased a small eternity ring to match at the same time from a different seller - i think its about .8ctw-1ctw, in size 9.25 (big horrible fingers so to actually find an eternity ring in this size was a miracle in itself - these diamonds are G and Si1 - $249 - i was surprised at the quality of this ring - for the price i was expecting a few dud diamonds but this little ring sparkles like the sun and matches perfectly with my new 3 stone - will post pics of them together soon

 

[Mrs.H.]

A few more of my ebay finds over the years...

.84ct GIA cert J VS2 transitional for $1084 - this is the diamond that had me fall head over heels with trannys

1.08ct emerald VVS - i bought it as I/J but my jeweller appraised it as F/G so who knows - either way I was happy with it for $2200

then the princess diamond which is 1.10ct F Si1 I got for my mum - she loves chunky rings and I set it in a jewelryhoo semi mount which is way nicer than this photo depicts, its the only one i have of it and it was in desperate need of a clean! setting was about $200 and the diamond was about $2200 I cant remember exactly but around that mark - its a bit too chunky for my likings but mum adores it and gets compliments almost every day

 

[Dandi]

WOW Mrs. H what a stunning collection you have!! Alot of my best bling is from eBay, the prices here in Aus peeve me too! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your 3 stone!

 

[Mrs.H.]

Thanks DandiAndi - I really dont know where I would be without ebay! Do you have a favourite seller?

I would love to go pawnshop hunting in the US to see what kind of finds were around - somehow if its not a bargain I dont particularly care for it lol

The project I had the most fun with was my engagement ring a few years ago, I was on a massive budget but wanted some killer bling and i managed to score a 1ct G I1 (small crystal under the crown but eyeclean) for $699 (and no its not clarity enhanced) - then for about 3 months I trolled ebay to buy 2 x half carats and 2 x .3cts to make a 5 stone - the half carats I managed to get both under $200 and then re-sold the settings for almost what i paid for the whole rings - then did the same for the .3cts - i actually made money on a few of the semi mounts! Although by pricescope standards my ring doesnt really tick all the boxes as far as certs etc but i had so much fun putting it all together - then I got jewelryhoo to make the setting for like $220 or whatever it was - so considering the budget I was on I was completely thrilled with my finished product.

The side diamonds are all completely eyeclean Si1 and one is VS2 - all up the ring cost me less than $1,500 and has the finger coverage I was looking for - imagine what i would have got retail in australia for that kind of budget - not much at all!

 

[Amys Bling]

Mrs. H... LOVE your bling! Especially your engagement ring! What a find and I love how you worked to put it together.... I love finding things and making projects. I am definitely jealous of your finds and your rings

 

[Dandi]

Ahhh I love those kinds of bling projects!! And WOWEEEEE to the finished product, it's gorgeous! I doubt many would believe what you paid for that stunner all up, great job! I've bought from ValleyOfJewels, empire26 and diamondsonly_04, and had really good experiences with them all, not to mention getting beautiful bling for a fraction of the cost here! I bought my 2.2ct F/G VS eternity ring from empire26, and found an eternity with similar stats (but slightly lower ctw and clarity) at a local jewellers, selling for nearly 7 times what I paid for mine

 

[arjunajane]

Wow, Mrs H you have done amazingly well - that loose tranny and emerald cut are amongst the nicest I have seen
Exactly, ebay is such a great stomping ground for us Aussie gals when it comes to diamond prices - there is only two or maybe three stores that sell vintage diamonds in Perth, and the prices are ludicrous..

It seems that everyone in the US has a lot of great pawn stores to frequent..I wish we had some here...the great pawn store, cross - country road trip of the US, in hunt of jewellery bargains - who's up for it?!

 

[Mrs.W 514]

What is this website everybody keeps talking about,but cant say the name of?? I would love to check it out....ebay is so hit or miss (usually miss) Can somebody point me in the right direction please?

 

[vintagelover229]

What a BEAUTIFUL setting for that pink sapphire ring! I LOVE IT!

 

[Anonymous]

I can officially add mine! 1/2 ctw princess studs in 18k wg for $150.00 + $25.00 S&H = $175.00. Our local jeweler, whom I trust fully, estimated them at about $1,000.00. So probably $650.00ish for online prices. I don't have specifics on clarity or color, but there are no visible inclusions (will loupe them tonight) and are bright white. Whatever the case, I'm happy!

 

[Mrs.H.]

It seems that everyone in the US has a lot of great pawn stores to frequent..I wish we had some here...the great pawn store, cross - country road trip of the US, in hunt of jewellery bargains - who's up for it?!

count me in!

 

[Amys Bling]

I did it! I pulled the trigger again!

Here she is!

advertised as:
.60 RB
J/K
I1

-I suspect it is actually a:
.60 transitional cut
M-N-O range
I1 (one small black inclusion next to a prong that disappears ager about 7 inches)

I am thinking of setting it in a fun rose gold and pink sapphire halo

 

[vintagelover229]

Bump! Any new bargain beauties out there ladies?!

 

[yssie]

I remember someone saying there was a thread featuring bargain beauties a while back, but I could not find it. I think it would be fun to start this up again! Post your bargain beauties, whether they are Ebay- antique store- pawn shop- or custom made finds.

Post pics and the $ you spent (obviously everyone has a different idea as to what a bargain is, BUT share your bargains!)

I'll start

1. 4.85mm H VS2 OEC (approx. .46 carats) set in a pendant - stone cost $250

1. 5.29mm light yellow I1 OEC(approximately .41 carats) - stone cost $150

sorry, didn't realize the photos would post in the opposite order!

Haha I lost out to you on that pendant by $30ish Glad to see it went to a PSer!

There are some seriously amazing finds on this thread! I'm generally nervous about ebay, so my purchases are few and far between - one good purchase was a 0.4ctw 8-diamond dbty in 14k yg for $200