Did I pay too much for this ring?

[nala]

I bought it at an antique shop. Store owner stands by his products. Stamped 925. He said it was platinum plated and that stones are diamonds and Australian opals. It was tagged at 140 but he was liquidating his inventory. So I paid 60 bucks. So is this a fair deal or should I get my money back.

 

[elle_71125]

I think that’s a great price on a lovely ring. I’d love to see more pics.

 

[nala]

I think that’s a great price on a lovely ring. I’d love to see more pics.

Happy to oblige! I’m stacking it bc it’s big

 

[chatoyancy]

That’s gorgeous! That is a cool ring! I see costume jewelry priced higher than that.

 

[Bron357]

Sorry, but I’m sure that ring it is a fake one from China. They are all over eBay, different styles and colours for like $1 plus free shipping. They call them “fire opals”
The colours just aren’t right for natural opals and I’ve never seen natural Australian opal facetted. As for platinum plated ? How could you even check that ?
I’ll bet that they won’t be diamonds either, they will be CZ for sure, sometimes they say “white topaz”.
Your seller may have bought it in good faith off someone, but it I’d get the diamond checked and if not genuine, take it back for a refund.

 

[nala]

Sorry, but I’m sure that ring it is a fake one from China. They are all over eBay, different styles and colours for like $1 plus free shipping. They call them “fire opals”
The colours just aren’t right for natural opals and I’ve never seen natural Australian opal facetted. As for platinum plated ? How could you even check that ?
I’ll bet that they won’t be diamonds either, they will be CZ for sure, sometimes they say “white topaz”.
Your seller may have bought it in good faith off someone, but it I’d get the diamond checked and if not genuine, take it back for a refund.

It’s stamped 925. So it’s sterling. He said it was platinum plated over sterling. Thus the shiny sheen as compared to reg sterling. I will drop by my jeweler to diamond test!

 

[Bron357]

It’s stamped 925. So it’s sterling. He said it was platinum plated over sterling. Thus the shiny sheen as compared to reg sterling. I will drop by my jeweler to diamond test!

I hope it’s all good. The Rings from Asia are often fake stamped with 925 so they aren’t even real silver. They are usually just base metal with a nickel silver plate. The jeweller can do a scratch test for that. I know because I was conned buying one from eBay myself a while ago.
It’s actually stamped 14kt but it’s total fake. Not gold, not a Citrine and green tourmaline. I reported it eBay but the guy just disappeared so I was stuck. 2 days later new seller (s) selling the same stuff. eBay can’t control or doesn’t want to control those types of sellers. They even steal other vendors opal ring pictures (like rings worth thousands of dollars) and post up fake listing selling them for like $2.29.
So yeah, you can’t even trust the hallmarks.

 

[chatoyancy]

I still think the ring is cute no matter what, even if it is costume. I don’t think that’s a bad price.
There is a store in one of our higher end shopping areas that has very bright, plastic jewelry for a fortune and the ladies around here eat that up. I have no idea why. Another boutique had earrings made of who know what metal for the posts and cotton dangles for over $200. I paid that for my chrysoberyls set in 14k gold.

 

[Deathspi]

I have to agree with Bron that the ring looks more than a bit dodgy, but for a silver ring I don’t think the price was extortionate. Silver is often plated with platinum or rhodium which gives it a lovely shine and stops tarnish for a bit, but in my experience it doesn’t really affect the value.
As a side note, the ‘925’ stamp isn’t always a guarantee that what you have is sterling silver. More and more I see jewellery from China being sold here (UK) in markets and eBay that have the stamp, but they are worthless, plated junk. (I’m not suggesting that this is the case with your ring, just thought I’d mention it).
Anyway, I’m intrigued to see how the diamonds test! Enjoy your new ring. If you love it, then that’s all that matters.

 

[nala]

Update. Called owner and told him I had doubts. He said he would look up his inventory paperwork. And he called me an hour later. Apologized. Said they were white topaz and lab created opals. So I promptly went back and got a refund. He showed me his inventory list including description and pictures. He was embarrassed. Thank you all for your input! Oh. He did offer to sell it to me for 20 bucks but I passed.
Eta: sterling silver and plat plated

 

[Deathspi]

Good on you for checking! At least now you won’t be in doubt about it, and you saved $60 which can go towards something else.

 

[stracci2000]

Update. Called owner and told him I had doubts. He said he would look up his inventory paperwork. And he called me an hour later. Apologized. Said they were white topaz and lab created opals. So I promptly went back and got a refund. He showed me his inventory list including description and pictures. He was embarrassed. Thank you all for your input! Oh. He did offer to sell it to me for 20 bucks but I passed.
Eta: sterling silver and plat plated

I'm so glad you went back and got a refund.
I would never shop there ever again. And I would tell all my friends.
And kudos to @Bron357 for spotting this a mile away! I mean thousands of miles away in Australia!

 

[Bron357]

Bummer. But if you like the look, there is nothing wrong with lab opals and white topaz, as long as you pay the right price.
A few dollars with free shipping from China.