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First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmounts

newbaglover

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
41
Hello all!
I am a newbie at PS. I started lurking around some time ago, but now I feel it is time for my first ring, so I have come out...
I am a young wife and live in Europe. Here the rings doesnt have so many carats, that is for sure! My wedding band is just 0,4 cts ( and that is for 5 small diamonds). No e-ring around.

First of all. Sorry if I make a lot of mistakes in writing. English is not my mother tongue, so please be kind with me. It has been hard to learn some english...
I wanted a diamond, but after seeing so many gorgeous and colourful gems arond, I have decided that my first proyect was going to be a gemstone. I want something I can use everday and not worry, so I have thougth about a sapphire because they are hard and almost scratch resistant. I love the spinels, but I am afraid they can be softer? Also love amathysts, but I feel the same as with the spinels.

i went wild two days ago at oddysegems ebay store, and bougth some gems at auctions. They are gorgeous, and I thougth they would make my begginer stones.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

Do you think any of them is worth mounting?

After this nigth, I started to think about a real beautiful ring... and discovered that all my gems were small for a ring. I have studied the ebay semi mounts available at LOGR, lan.bo4, diamondmounts etc... I have actually spent my last 4 days browsing their galleries ( barely managed to work in the spare time, LOL)

I have realized I prefer round shaped stones, so now I am looking at those semi mounts:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... TQ:US:1123

I am torned between LOGR and diamondmounts

LOGR:
Stephen understand english and that is a very good point. the problem is that I am afraid to get a sub par ring. I have bid for a ring two days ago:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEDWX:IT

I did not win, but as they have multiples, I was offered to buy one at the same price. I asked for upgrades, I need a size 9 ( big chunky fingers :roll: ) and to have it done in 18k gold ( where I live no one has 14k gold, you only find 18K or 22k gold at the jewellers). And also asked about the diamond upgrade price. So the upgrading was really expensive and I asked why. His answer was that as my ring was size 9 they needed to put bigger diamonds to give the ring a nice proportion. This answer was strange to me, so I asked back how many carats would the ring be then. I also told him I found about his shop here at PS ( I read in some posts that he is nicer is he knows you are a PSer ;)) He has answered that they doesnt really put bigger diamonds...and that the upgrade price was high because the auction price was low, so they were selling the ring at loss (I dont really believe this).
There is another ring I like, but I have asked what would it happen if I win it after bidding. If I win and the upgrade is really high priced would I be stuck with a ring not in my size and 14k or I would need to pay premium more for the upgrade? If the upgrade cost 250$ it should be the same if the auction finishes in 200$ or 400$! If they dont like it, they should not put their rings for auction, just do BINs... I would feel silly paying more for the upgrade.

Diamondmounts: they have been nice answering some questions, but I have read around that their diamonds are smaller than LOGR, and the language barrier is difficult.

When I decide the semi mount, I will try to find a perfect ligth blue sapphire for it, but that will be next step!

Sorry, I know this post is very long, but wanted to explain all in detail...

Your opinionss and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated!
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

The extremely low prices on the stones you have listed lead me to believe they are fakes (synthetic) or dyed. Tsavorite garnets are 200x more rare than an emerald and natural ones sell for top dollar prices.

If you're looking for some fun jewelry and not the real thing, go for it! 30 bucks isn't much to lose if you just want a little something pretty to look at. I think LOGR makes good settings for the money. I almost always look there first when I'm thinking about a gemstone project.
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

Nashville said:
The extremely low prices on the stones you have listed lead me to believe they are fakes (synthetic) or dyed. Tsavorite garnets are 200x more rare than an emerald and natural ones sell for top dollar prices.

If you're looking for some fun jewelry and not the real thing, go for it! 30 bucks isn't much to lose if you just want a little something pretty to look at. I think LOGR makes good settings for the money. I almost always look there first when I'm thinking about a gemstone project.

Tan is the man as I've seen posted here before. I think her cheapy stones are indeed real and treatments are listed on his auctions.
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

I really like that first tsav you posted newbaglover. I'd wait to see it in person first before you purchase any settings but if it's as pretty as Tan's video I'd want to set it! :appl:
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

Nashville - Odysseygem stones are real and treatments disclosed. The price you pay (generally) reflects the cut, carat weight, colour etc.

Newbaglover - congratulations on your purchases, you've been very busy! Ok, one word of caution ...... before you buy a semi mount, please please please wait until your gems arrive and make sure you love them BEFORE spending money on settings. You may find that some are darker or lighter or have a window or that you love them! I have a ton of stones that I wouldn't set all for different reasons. Take you time and even when your stones arrive, make sure you evaluate them in all lighting conditions and try to balance on your hand (between your fingers so you'll get a feeling for what they'll look like when set.

In terms of LOGR settings, if you upgrade you generally get very nice diamonds at a good price. If you don't upgrade and the setting is won at auction and so cheaper than normal, in my experience the diamonds will be hit and miss. So if you're looking for an important ring then I would upgrade.

You also mentioned your concerns about the hardness of gems and their durability? You've bought 2 Tanzanites and I would urge you to be cautious when you wear it. Tanzanite if very sensitive to heat (hot/cold) and also can fracture if banged. It's not considered to be an everyday wear gemstone. Having said that, I've got quite a few and DO wear them a lot but I am careful and light on my jewellery!
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

LovingDiamonds said:
Nashville - Odysseygem stones are real and treatments disclosed. The price you pay (generally) reflects the cut, carat weight, colour etc.

Newbaglover - congratulations on your purchases, you've been very busy! Ok, one word of caution ...... before you buy a semi mount, please please please wait until your gems arrive and make sure you love them BEFORE spending money on settings. You may find that some are darker or lighter or have a window or that you love them! I have a ton of stones that I wouldn't set all for different reasons. Take you time and even when your stones arrive, make sure you evaluate them in all lighting conditions and try to balance on your hand (between your fingers so you'll get a feeling for what they'll look like when set.

In terms of LOGR settings, if you upgrade you generally get very nice diamonds at a good price. If you don't upgrade and the setting is won at auction and so cheaper than normal, in my experience the diamonds will be hit and miss. So if you're looking for an important ring then I would upgrade.

You also mentioned your concerns about the hardness of gems and their durability? You've bought 2 Tanzanites and I would urge you to be cautious when you wear it. Tanzanite if very sensitive to heat (hot/cold) and also can fracture if banged. It's not considered to be an everyday wear gemstone. Having said that, I've got quite a few and DO wear them a lot but I am careful and light on my jewellery!

Cool! I didn't look at the vendor, just the price, but good to know!
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

LovingDiamonds said:
Nashville - Ok, one word of caution ...... before you buy a semi mount, please please please wait until your gems arrive and make sure you love them BEFORE spending money on settings. You may find that some are darker or lighter or have a window or that you love them! I have a ton of stones that I wouldn't set all for different reasons.
Huge Ditto. I have many, many stones that I've purchased that I wouldn't set. Some I knew right away that they wouldn't be set, and some I thought I would and later realized that my tastes had evolved and that I would rather find better stones to set.
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

Thanks all for your comments!

The setting I am looking for is not for the gems I have buyed, but for another ring. Buying the gems made me realize that I was ready for making a ring project. I would like to get a nice setting and then have a ligth blue sapphire cut for this mounting by one of the cutters, as I have learned that both the colour and the cut are the most important features for the gemstones. This is the ring I want to use everyday. The stones I bougth are just for fun, for examining,, I even have bougth one with a window just to see if I really hate windows or not! I will also check if the stones scratch easily or not...going to make some proofs... I love the spinels around, specially in dark red ( rubis of 2cts are way out of my league), I may buy a cheap one to try it around... for the sake of science :naughty:

I am not saying that if I love one of my gems I may buy a cheap setting and have it mounted, but it is not the first idea.

About the settings, maybe it will be better not to bid for a ring, only buy it with BIN, this would be the way for having a nice setting? I dont want to risk ending with a scrap setting, as customs and shipping back to china would be maybe more expensive than paying more from the beggining?

thanks you all again, I feel welcome at PS. You rock girls!
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

newbaglover said:
Thanks all for your comments!

The setting I am looking for is not for the gems I have buyed, but for another ring. Buying the gems made me realize that I was ready for making a ring project. I would like to get a nice setting and then have a ligth blue sapphire cut for this mounting by one of the cutters, as I have learned that both the colour and the cut are the most important features for the gemstones. This is the ring I want to use everyday. The stones I bougth are just for fun, for examining,, I even have bougth one with a window just to see if I really hate windows or not! I will also check if the stones scratch easily or not...going to make some proofs... I love the spinels around, specially in dark red ( rubis of 2cts are way out of my league), I may buy a cheap one to try it around... for the sake of science :naughty:

I am not saying that if I love one of my gems I may buy a cheap setting and have it mounted, but it is not the first idea.

About the settings, maybe it will be better not to bid for a ring, only buy it with BIN, this would be the way for having a nice setting? I dont want to risk ending with a scrap setting, as customs and shipping back to china would be maybe more expensive than paying more from the beggining?

thanks you all again, I feel welcome at PS. You rock girls!

Newbaglover, please don't do that! Most gems will scratch (and most definitely the Tanzanites you've bought). The only gems that are "harder" to scratch - but will still scratch - are diamonds and sapphires and potentially chrysoberyl.

By the way, if you love windows, I'm pretty sure there are PS'ers who would happily donate bags of windowed gems to you! :wink2:

Anyway, I love your thinking and I hope you enjoy playing with your new gems!

Edit: by the way, have a look at Lan.bo4 settings (also on Ebay). I've just bought two from him, didn't upgrade and they are very very good quality. There are pictures in one of my recent threads on here if you want to check them out.
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

Newbaglover, please don't do that! Most gems will scratch (and most definitely the Tanzanites you've bought). The only gems that are "harder" to scratch - but will still scratch - are diamonds and sapphires and potentially chrysoberyl.

By the way, if you love windows, I'm pretty sure there are PS'ers who would happily donate bags of windowed gems to you! :wink2:

Anyway, I love your thinking and I hope you enjoy playing with your new gems!

Edit: by the way, have a look at Lan.bo4 settings (also on Ebay). I've just bought two from him, didn't upgrade and they are very very good quality. There are pictures in one of my recent threads on here if you want to check them out.[/quote]

Thanks for the info LovingDiamonds!

I wanted to know what I feel when I see a window in a gem. If i find I love it, my new PS habit will be way cheaper! ( but usually I like expensive things, so I am not sure the windows will work for me ;) ).
I think for an everyday ring I will make a sapphire. I love the amathyst an the aquamarine colours, and I can find those in sapphires, so it is ok...

I will also check lanbo.04 for settings! I have fallen in love for the vache swan setting with the big aquamarine that
yingh has. This one is her presentation thread:

viewtopic.php?t=144438

Does anybody know if there is a similar setting in a cheap version?
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

Nashville said:
The extremely low prices on the stones you have listed lead me to believe they are fakes (synthetic) or dyed. Tsavorite garnets are 200x more rare than an emerald and natural ones sell for top dollar prices.

If you're looking for some fun jewelry and not the real thing, go for it! 30 bucks isn't much to lose if you just want a little something pretty to look at. I think LOGR makes good settings for the money. I almost always look there first when I'm thinking about a gemstone project.

Included and overly dark tsavorites are generally not valuable, even though some people sell them for higher prices. Not all tsavorites are expensive.
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

Updating:
I finally went with lan.bo4 for the semi mount, but expained I wanted it for this spinel from Tan:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

I love the colour, and I hope the hardness will be ok for not everyday use, but some days use... The colour migth be darker IRL, if I dont like it, I will send it back and I will have an asscher cut for the setting.

The setting:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

it will be modified to the measures of tan´s spinel, I sent the ebay BIN reference to lan.bo4.
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

newbaglover said:
Updating:
I finally went with lan.bo4 for the semi mount, but expained I wanted it for this spinel from Tan:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

I love the colour, and I hope the hardness will be ok for not everyday use, but some days use... The colour migth be darker IRL, if I dont like it, I will send it back and I will have an asscher cut for the setting.

The setting:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

it will be modified to the measures of tan´s spinel, I sent the ebay BIN reference to lan.bo4.

I'm looking forward to seeing photos of that spinel. Tan once told me it had grey, but he knows I'm super sensitive to grey.
 
Re: First step. Searching a semi mount: LOGR or diamondmount

tourmaline_lover said:
newbaglover said:
Updating:
I finally went with lan.bo4 for the semi mount, but expained I wanted it for this spinel from Tan:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

I love the colour, and I hope the hardness will be ok for not everyday use, but some days use... The colour migth be darker IRL, if I dont like it, I will send it back and I will have an asscher cut for the setting.

The setting:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

it will be modified to the measures of tan´s spinel, I sent the ebay BIN reference to lan.bo4.

I'm looking forward to seeing photos of that spinel. Tan once told me it had grey, but he knows I'm super sensitive to grey.

I will post pics once I receive it! Just knowing you was interested in this spinel makes me feel ressured about the cutting being ok... I still dont know if I am sensitive to grey or not, still learning my way with gemstones.
Thanks for your comment tourmalinelover, your opinion is very helpful for such a newbie as I am!
 
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