Help please!

[JLW05]

I have been a lurker for quite a while. I have grown to really appreciate colored stones although unfortunately my eye is not great. About a month ago I purchased a lovely pendant from a fellow pricescoper. The 7mm round center stone had been removed and I purchased the pendant with the intention of replacing it with a tsavorite. I didn't feel comfortable enough to try to source a stone from an online vendor and the lovely pricescoper from whom I purchased the pendant gave me the name of a vendor near me in NYC. When I visited his office, he didn't have a 7mm round stone but I did put a deposit on a pair of 5mm stones as I have a pair of the infamous IDJ jackets and the thought of tsavorite earrings to match the pendant was very appealing. The vendor was easy to work with and agreed that if a matching stone could not be located I could get a refund. Got a call the other day that a 7.1 mm round stone was in stock but it didn't quite match the earring which have a blue-green hue as this stone has a more yellow undertone.

Below are the photos of the stones - earrings and 7.1 stone. Opinions about the stones would be greatly appreciated.

I am leaving tomorrow for vacation so can't see the stone in person until after the new year.

Thanks so much.

 

[distracts]

I don't care if the stones in my gemstone suite match perfectly or not between pieces as long as I like them. They all look quite pretty, and I would get them, but I can't say whether or not you would like them or if the mismatch or yellowness of the pendant stone would bother you (I love all shades of green so blue-green or yellow-green doesn't matter to me). I think the cut looks quite nice on the pendant stone.

 

[JLW05]

I don't think it matters all that much if the earrings aren't a perfect match to the pendant since the stones won't be next to each other. I am more nervous about the color and quality of the stones. I am quite a novice when it comes to colored stones. I did originally try to chose a darker colored tsavorites for the earring jackets but I thought the stones darkened too much for my liking when placed in the jackets.

 

[JewelFreak]

I agree with Distracts. They won't be close enough for the difference to be an issue, and it doesn't matter if they match perfectly anyway. Even if they were exactly the same, earrings & pendant would be in slightly different light & probably would not look identical at any rate. From the photos they look like very nice stones -- if the budget permits, I'd buy them. They'll make a lovely suite.

--- Laurie

 

[LD]

Unless you've got a very very narrow head and a tiny (or no) neck - then slight differentiations in colour really won't be noticeable. Don't forget these are nature's wonders so it's nice to see some slight differences.

Having said that, you've said you don't have a eye for colour BUT do you have a preference of blue/green to yellow/green because they can look quite different? Is there an opportunity for you to see the three together? If so, then I would urge you to get them on approval and if you like them then go for it.

 

[JLW05]

I chose the stones that had a blue secondary color because I found that they were the most attractive stones to my eye. I chose from a lot of stones, and all but these had a yellow undertone. The earring stones I selected were also more costly than the other stones I looked at although I didn't know this when I chose them. I will have an opportunity to see all the stones in person after my vacation but the vendor told me that they are not a match to his eye. However, since I am not making up a ring with the 7.1 mm being the center stone and the 5mm being side stones, I don't think an exact color match is necessary.

I have come to highly respect the opinion of pricescope posters and I wanted to get feedback on color and quality as I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to gemstones.

 

[tara3056]

I'm pretty sure I know the pendant you bought on DB (you beat me to it!) and also the vendor you're considering for the tsavs! I'm jealous of this project I've worked with that vendor (PG) on several occasions before and he's never steered me wrong. He seems to have high quality options for fair prices. Good luck with your decision - I'm sure you'll get beautiful results either way!

 

[JLW05]

Thanks. Yes, I am certain that you know the pendant that I purchased and the vendor I am using. Sorry that I beat you to it (that has happened to me a few times). I really jumped on the pendant and it is a lovely piece. I knew that it would be as I am always admiring the seller's exquisite collection. I am avoiding "preloved" right now as I need to conserve my funds in order to complete the pendant project!

 

[distracts]

I am more nervous about the color and quality of the stones. I am quite a novice when it comes to colored stones.

Since I am not dropping 20k+ on investment-grade stones (if there even really is such a thing), I just judge quality by whether it's eye-clean and I like the cut and color. I don't need a precision-cut gem as long as there's not a huge window or obviously lopsided culet. Personally I like lighter tsavorites than the trade ideal and don't give a hoot about the amount of yellow or blue as long as it still reads as eye-poppingly green. I have a few that are more blue and a few that are more yellow and I like them all rather well. But there are some here with more stringent taste. I can't tell you what your opinions are on this, only that it comes down simply to a matter of opinion.

 

[tara3056]

LOL, that's okay that you beat me to it! Just come back and post pics when the pendant is done The seller DOES have exquisite jewels, and you do/will too!!

 

[chrono]

Quality to different people means different things. None of these look particularly bluish green to me on my monitor. Just because you don't like darker toned tsavorites does not mean you have to settle for something light in saturation; tone (dark and light) and saturation (vividness or pop of colour) are two different things. For some people, these garnets are beautiful enough. For others, better ones can be found. Which group do you fall in? That is a question only you can answer.

 

[JLW05]

Just back from vacation. Honestly, Chrono, I am a quality type of girl when it comes to jewelry. Problem is I have never purchased colored stones before. Diamonds are a bit easier for me to buy because there are tools and reports to assist those of us who don't have a great eye. These tsavorites are not inexpensive and I just don't have the eye or the background to judge them as I would like to and also don't know much about sourcing colored stones on my own.

 

[Lula]

I think they are pretty stones, but they may darken a bit once set. Will that make a difference to you? If they were on the expensive side and you're not 100% sure on the color, you may want to pass (speaking from experience here!).

 

[JLW05]

Guess I will just take a look at the center stone and make a decision. I have already seen the earrings in my earring jackets and I was pleased with how the stones looked.

 

[tara3056]

You have to keep in mind that this vendor takes pictures which aren't the most flattering to his stones. They are almost always (IME) better in real life. My tsavorite earrings looked a little blah in his pics, but they are stunning IRL, and a spinel I bought from him is also much better than pictured. So my advice would be to get the stones in front of you and see what you think then + post some of your own pics for PSers to evaluate. I know he has an excellent and easy return policy. From the pics, I do like the color and saturation of the earring stones better, but the pendant won't be sitting right next to the earrings. Round tsavs are also a bit difficult to find, once you get out of the 4-5mm size for earring studs.

 

[chrono]

Any chance of a hand shot of all 3 together to get a better feel of the colour accuracy?

 

[JLW05]

I am thinking that I should have had the stones sent to me but opted to go to the vendor instead as I live about an hour away. I will be making an appointment to see the stone soon but I guess I could change my mind and ask to have the stone sent to me. I feel like such a newbie but how is this accomplished financially so that both potential buyer and seller are protected?

If I decide to see the stone in person, what return policy should I expect?

I put a deposit on the earring stones so long ago that I have forgotten what they look like other than the picture does not do them justice.

I believe the stone for the pendant is 1.85 carats and I have not seen many rounds that size for sale on the various sites I have perused.

I thank you all for your advice and guidance.

 

[chrono]

The return policy of each vendor varies so your best bet is to ask him. Find out how long is your review period, do you get a full refund or if there is a restocking fee, etc. Definitely view all 3 tsavorites together at the same time, not just held in tweezers but on the back if your hand. Look at it under various lighting as much as possible to note any colour shifts and to see if that is fine to you. Consider the colour only since they do not have to be a perfect match.

Round is an uncommon shape for tsavorites as the rough lends itself best to ovals, then cushion. Prima Gems do not list their best inventory but they carry a lot of tsavorites. They are my top vendor choice for mint garnets, tsavorites and Mahenge spinels.

 

[JLW05]

Thank all of you for your help. Again, I am a bit embarrassed about being such a neophyte! I will call Prima, find out their policy and decide whether I want the stones sent to me or if I want to just go down and see them at Prima. I am leaning toward the latter option. Any further suggestions on how to evaluate the stones would be appreciated. I know the basics about what to look for but not that much more. I am really sort of limited as I need a round stone of a specific size. The stone, at 7.1mm might be too large since the stone removed from the pendant was 7.0, although I can accept if it sits a bit high in the setting. I don't know Prima's policy on returns, etc. When I put the deposit down on the 5mm stones, it was conditional upon Prima finding a suitable 7mm stone so I wasn't really too concerned about returns, stocking fees, etc. at that point.