Emeralds for engagement ring?

[Pinkmartini87]

Thank you folks again for your help and advice recently on the sapphire ring. I also had spotted the two following rings and wanted to see what the expert consensus is regarding whether it is pleasing to the eye and worth the money:

1. The first is an emerald cut Emerald about 3 carats flanked by smaller emeralds and diamond in platinum. I really like it but after my recent post I learned the meaning of "windows" in me cuttin and wanted to present this one for inspection to you guys as well. Asking price is $11000. Looks like it has some inclusions but I was told that it is normal for emeralds?

 

[Pinkmartini87]

The second is an art deco ring with a central diamond just under 1 carat and is SI (no GIA report, just per store) surrounded by smaller diamonds and emeralds. Also platinum. Asking price is $11500. The emeralds look like some have fissures--again, putting this out to the experts to see if this ring looks worth the asking price and if there's any major flaws folks can spot.

 

[Austina]

Emeralds are known for their 'jardins'

Do you know where the emeralds are from (Colombia?)

 

[chatoyancy]

I cannot even get over the color on those emeralds on the Art deco ring with the center diamond. Wow!

 

[Ceaho]

Hi PinkMartini87! IMO both are overpriced and their worth are about $4000-$5000 each.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Emeralds are known for their 'jardins'

Do you know where the emeralds are from (Colombia?)

Hi! No, seller is not sure and the rings do not come with provenance.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I cannot even get over the color on those emeralds on the Art deco ring with the center diamond. Wow!

Oh I know!!! Reminds me of stained glass in sun lit cathedrals somewhere in dreamt Europe lol. The color on the bigger stone (the first ring) doesn't show up as nicely in the photos.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Dreamy*

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi PinkMartini87! IMO both are overpriced and their worth are about $4000-$5000 each.

Wow, that's a very high markup then! Is that typical of antique jewelry stores to do a markup 2-3x the market value of the item?

 

[lilmosun]

Congratulations on your upcoming engagement!

I love emeralds but they are included so can break, scratch or chip very easily depending on how they are set. I would never buy an emerald without a report from a reputable lab as you will want to know the degree of and type of treatment. My college roommate had an emerald engagement ring. I remember seeing it years later and seeing how degraded it looked but it might've been heavily oiled and/or she didn't wear it with care.

I also love the art deco ring but think you might want a better diamond for your engagement ring.

May I offer some advice? Your choices seem all over the place. Since this is an engagement ring and significant investment, don't let impulse get in the way or you may have regrets later. Decide what you want first and then shop. What is your favorite color and shade- one you won't tire of? Then figure out what types of stones suitable for everyday wear have that color. Then look for a well-cut one in a decent size from a reputable vendor and/or has a report from a reputable lab. If you find one in a setting you love all the better - but focus on the stone first. Settings can be bought or made but again, you need to determine the style you really want. Folks here can help you and I do think you can get more for your money than the retail prices you are being quoted (although physical shopping and browsing PS is a great way to figure out what you want).

Regarding prices - a rings value is what its worth to the buyer. Most consumers aren't educated and will pay more for a stone simply because of its size, type and the setting (I did before I found PS). And unless they specialized in colored stones, most antique stores and jewelers will price according to the same attributes.

 

[chatoyancy]

Have you browsed rubylane? They have vintage and antique jewelry. The prices are all over the map because there are so many different vendors. You'll be able to compare quality and prices. Also, Russian Romanov has gorgeous items. They are pretty expensive though.

 

[arkieb1]

For that amount of money you need a lab certificate stating the treatment if any on the actual emerald/s if you buy one.

 

[chroman]

+1 to what lilmosun said!

For the sort of budget you are describing, I doubt you'd have a problem getting a skilled jeweler to fabricate the setting of your dreams.

So then it comes down to finding the center stone of your dreams

 

[chroman]

Although.. If you decide that emeralds are what you want and are ok with the durability concerns..

There was a recent emerald find in Ethopia:

https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2017-gemnews-new-discovery-emeralds-ethiopia

And rough was floating around Tuscon from what I gather. One idea might be to hit up the usual PS vendors to see if they picked up any nice rough this year that might suit your desires, or if not, what it might look like to source rough and cut it for you.

 

[Ceaho]

Wow, that's a very high markup then! Is that typical of antique jewelry stores to do a markup 2-3x the market value of the item?

Hi PinkMartini!

Yes, it is typical dealers use high markups like 2-3x or even 5, 10 or 20x. Its fair because they are on business and have their costs to operate, so they need some profit that allow them to stay in business, most times because they have some kind of expertise that make them valuable to this industry.

As a buyer, you will have to know your profit margin to establish how much you can pay in a stone. Suppose i have paid $15.000 in my pendant, sell for you for $200.000 and then you sell for $1.200.000. I got about 10x markup, and you got 6x, but you made a million while i did 185 thousand. But was still good for everybody and we were all happy. Thats like you should do in this business.

Cheers!!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Congratulations on your upcoming engagement!

I love emeralds but they are included so can break, scratch or chip very easily depending on how they are set. I would never buy an emerald without a report from a reputable lab as you will want to know the degree of and type of treatment. My college roommate had an emerald engagement ring. I remember seeing it years later and seeing how degraded it looked but it might've been heavily oiled and/or she didn't wear it with care.

I also love the art deco ring but think you might want a better diamond for your engagement ring.

May I offer some advice? Your choices seem all over the place. Since this is an engagement ring and significant investment, don't let impulse get in the way or you may have regrets later. Decide what you want first and then shop. What is your favorite color and shade- one you won't tire of? Then figure out what types of stones suitable for everyday wear have that color. Then look for a well-cut one in a decent size from a reputable vendor and/or has a report from a reputable lab. If you find one in a setting you love all the better - but focus on the stone first. Settings can be bought or made but again, you need to determine the style you really want. Folks here can help you and I do think you can get more for your money than the retail prices you are being quoted (although physical shopping and browsing PS is a great way to figure out what you want).

Regarding prices - a rings value is what its worth to the buyer. Most consumers aren't educated and will pay more for a stone simply because of its size, type and the setting (I did before I found PS). And unless they specialized in colored stones, most antique stores and jewelers will price according to the same attributes.

Thank you for your thoughtful and wise reply. You are right; I shall focus on the center stone (color, size) first. I think after everyone weighing in, I may prefer a sapphire instead of an Emerald since I'm prone to accidents and want a more durable stone.

I've always thought there's something terribly romantic about old antique pieces however. I like the idea that we are only temporary guardians of these lovely gems, and that another had a story before me when it comes to a particular piece. But I feel the antique market is higher priced for the same item if I were to commission a modern reproduction of it instead...I don't know, is the history, albeit romantic, worth the significant increase in price?

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi PinkMartini!

Yes, it is typical dealers use high markups like 2-3x or even 5, 10 or 20x. Its fair because they are on business and have their costs to operate, so they need some profit that allow them to stay in business, most times because they have some kind of expertise that make them valuable to this industry.

As a buyer, you will have to know your profit margin to establish how much you can pay in a stone. Suppose i have paid $15.000 in my pendant, sell for you for $200.000 and then you sell for $1.200.000. I got about 10x markup, and you got 6x, but you made a million while i did 185 thousand. But was still good for everybody and we were all happy. Thats like you should do in this business.

Cheers!!

Great example and lesson in savvy economics, thank you! It's hard to keep one's head on straight sometimes when it comes to beautiful gems though!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Have you browsed rubylane? They have vintage and antique jewelry. The prices are all over the map because there are so many different vendors. You'll be able to compare quality and prices. Also, Russian Romanov has gorgeous items. They are pretty expensive though.

I just had some time to look at both. Wow, romanov russia has some incredible pieces!!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

+1 to what lilmosun said!

For the sort of budget you are describing, I doubt you'd have a problem getting a skilled jeweler to fabricate the setting of your dreams.

So then it comes down to finding the center stone of your dreams

I've always thought there's something terribly romantic about old antique pieces however so I would prefer I think an original piece rather than a modern reproduction and make. But I feel the antique market is higher priced for the same item if I were to commission a modern reproduction of it instead...I don't know, is the history, albeit romantic, worth the significant increase in price? Sometimes older isn't better, just older haha

 

[Pinkmartini87]

For that amount of money you need a lab certificate stating the treatment if any on the actual emerald/s if you buy one.

Will do!! Thanks! Although the specific antique store states they do not send to GIA since doing so would require removal of stone from original ring setting and that is, so I've been told, frowned upon for antique pieces. Does her explanationsound like a reasonable explanation to you?

Also, I think EGL does loose stone and stone in setting reports so that might be an option although again I don't know if They are able to see just as much when the stone is mounted? What do you think?

 

[lilmosun]

I've sent set pieces to AGL, my preference for expensive colored stones. For an emerald, you will want a Prestige report to determine level of treatment.

I know nothing about pricing antique pieces but wouldn't you need to remove the stone if you needed a prong fixed? Would that devalue the piece?

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I've sent set pieces to AGL, my preference for expensive colored stones. For an emerald, you will want a Prestige report to determine level of treatment.

I know nothing about pricing antique pieces but wouldn't you need to remove the stone if you needed a prong fixed? Would that devalue the piece?

Haha great point re the prong example!

I looked up AGL--it's in NY; I would have to mail it. Just curious, I don't think USPS insures to over $10000? What service do you use to send and receive expensive pieces from AGL?

I could do a trip possibly in the distant future to NY and drop off the ring I end up getting in person--whats the turnaround time usu?

 

[arkieb1]

I think both AGL and GIA test stones in rings, I know AGL does because they charge more for it than a loose stone. AGL is better btw.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

The last I heard, the turnaround time for AGL was 4-5 weeks.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Thank you everyone for all your help!!!