If you were going to buy this spinel

[YadaYadaYada]

What questions would you ask the seller?

Here is the limited information I have so far:

7.4 X 6.7mm sleepy bubblegum pink spinel
14kt white gold hand etched setting weighing 4 grams.




Right off the top I'm going to ask the quality of the diamonds but I wasn't sure what else to ask and what a fair price is? I am loving everything about this ring but want to be an informed buyer.

Pictures I post from my phone come out huge, I have tried to fix this to no avail so please excuse if they come out gigantic.

 

[Bron357]

Lovely ring. With second hand jewellery what the seller paid has little relevance to what it’s worth second hand unfortunately for the seller. Gold weight plus gem value plus extra for a nice setting. What would I pay? $300, maybe up to $450 if I was totally in love. The diamonds are very small so the quality isn’t an issue really one way to the other.

 

[Bluegemz]

I’m not an expert in Spinels but I just wanted to say that I love the bubblegum pink color and the sleepiness of it! I would also pay between 3-500.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Bron and Bluegemz thank you for your input. This is actually brand new so it's not a pre-loved piece but the asking price is $800 and this is a reduced price, I don't even know what the original asking price was.

Even before posting I thought $800 is a bit high.

 

[shinyrocks]

I would ask for the weight of the spinel. Seems like that would have a pretty big influence on overall value.

 

[Bron357]

Hmm, a bit pricey. I only ever buy my jewellery second, third, whatever hand because I like the $300 - $450 price better than the $800. Then when I want a change and I resell I can still get around what I paid. There is a full workmanship cost in new jewellery (plus taxes etc) so the price is always higher to reflect this. The secondhand market is unkind in that it only wants to give value for gold, gem and a small amount for workmanship. If you love the ring, and it’s very pretty, I’d offer $600 and see if you can’t get a price closer to the $600 than the $800.

 

[elle_71125]

I recognized this one. There was a really short video of her rings and this one is in it for a brief moment.

https://instagram.com/p/BXHK7dVgzhR/

I can't say what it's worth but it has been in the shop for a while so you could always ask for a little extra off and see what she says.

 

[Niel]

Lovely ring. With second hand jewellery what the seller paid has little relevance to what it’s worth second hand unfortunately for the seller. Gold weight plus gem value plus extra for a nice setting. What would I pay? $300, maybe up to $450 if I was totally in love. The diamonds are very small so the quality isn’t an issue really one way to the other.

This is. Ring sold by somewhat of a vintage seller. Not just someone selling a second hand ring. You can't price them exactly the same.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Bron, I read in a thread somewhere on PS that you pretty much buy pre-loved because obviously it was a piece someone loved prior and you want to continue having it be treasured. It's a great sentiment and I can so appreciate it. Plus as you said you avoid that brand new markup, kind of like driving a used car vs new maybe.

Elle, thank you so much for sharing that video, you know I think the ring shows better in pictures than on video, to be honest if I had seen the video first I would not have picked it out.

Thanks Niel for that clarification about second hand vs vintage pricing. I just wasn't sure if this ring was priced appropriately or not for what it is. Sometimes I see people post about a ring or stone they are interested in and the responses will indicate that the stone may be overpriced or not the best quality. It's great to have PS to run purchases by and I really appreciate all of your thoughts.

Shinyrocks, I was going to inquire about the weight but the video of the ring amongst the others doesn't speak to me so I'll probably let this one go.

 

[chatoyancy]

The spinel is so pretty. I’d love to see a milky/silky spinel IRL. However, $800 does sound high to me.

 

[lilmosun]

Not to confuse you but it's hard for all rings to look their best/accurate in multi-ring videos or pictures. But I agree, I am not impressed by the video while I love everything about how it looks in pictures...you could ask the vendor for a stand alone video.

While the price isn't a bargain, I do think it's fairly priced for an on-line retailer..thinking $500-$600 for the setting alone if new. And I've learned (the hard way) that it's better to pay a fair price for a piece that is exactly what you want than compromise because its a bargain. But unless it's "gotta have", I would pass.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Chatoyancy, isn't there just something so cool about the sleepy stones? There was someone who bought a sleepy blue spinel on LT a little bit back and I was smitten, something about the glow. Maybe not this one but it's on my list for the future.

Thanks lilmosun, didn't consider asking for a stand alone video. I'm going to sleep on it and if I'm still thinking about it tomorrow then I'll ask for the video and see how it looks.

 

[T L]

I think $800 is a fair price for an engraved diamond and 14k gold setting with a pink spinel like that. Pricescopers are great at getting fantastic deals in gems and jewelry, so maybe $800 seems more expensive to some, and you could probably attempt to get a similar ring for less money. When I think of the subpar rings at the mall for more money than this ring, $800 seems a bargain.

 

[marymm]

Ha, yeah, honestly, I thought the photos were okay/so-so, but seeing how the Spinel pops in the video, a very pretty and bright (tho sleepy) color, it is the video which would have captured my interest with this ring.

Agree with TL re: pricing in this situation ... the Spinel ring as a whole piece is priced (to my way of thinking) fair/reasonable but not a "deal" per se.

 

[chatoyancy]

Chatoyancy, isn't there just something so cool about the sleepy stones? There was someone who bought a sleepy blue spinel on LT a little bit back and I was smitten, something about the glow. Maybe not this one but it's on my list for the future.

Thanks lilmosun, didn't consider asking for a stand alone video. I'm going to sleep on it and if I'm still thinking about it tomorrow then I'll ask for the video and see how it looks.

There is something about these sleepy spinels! When I said that I thought it was a little overpriced, I really just meant somewhere between 10-20%.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

TL, it's funny you mention mall jewelry because my DH bought a ring from the mall a few months back. It was a blue topaz with one tiny diamond on each side and I think he paid $700 he returned it because it was just extremely overpriced for what it was.

Maryam, I actually had the opposite impression with the photos showing more favorably than the video. However she is going to send me a video of just this ring on Friday.

I heard from the seller today and she stayed the spinel is over 2 carats and the diamonds are G VS1. So based on the dimensions 7.4mm x 6.7mm is this stone a little deep and heavy than how it faces up or no? I was surprised it is over 2 carats.

 

[T L]

I think it's a good price for a 2 carat stone, and this spinel is a pretty color. It reminds me of some sapphires that cost a whole heck of a lot more than this whole ring.

It is a little deep, but on the plus side, there is no window, and the setting is extremely protective with the deep gallery and triple prongs. Deep stones are prone to coming loose in semi mounts, and this stone is going nowhere.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

So she put a video up on her Instagram, can you guys take a look and let me know what you think? I don't know if I'm allowed to share the link to the video but it's gildedlane on Instagram.

TIA!

 

[elle_71125]

So she put a video up on her Instagram, can you guys take a look and let me know what you think? I don't know if I'm allowed to share the link to the video but it's gildedlane on Instagram.

TIA!

I just watched it. I really like the setting. It's got some beautiful engraving (plus David Klass made it so I know it's good work). After reading the that this is a 2ct spinel and that it's in a custom setting, I'd say $800 is a good deal. Now, if you don't love the spinel, it's not worth buying but if you do...go for it.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I am not a fan of sleepy spinels. With that said, I think the setting is pretty, well made and the spinel is nice. Natural colored gems are really connoisseur items. You find what your tastes are, collect and wear them because they invoke an emotion in you. So I do not believe the ring is overpriced, it just needs the right buyer to appreciate it. There are no glaring flaws in the spinel. It is native cut, but a good size and clarity (micro-inclusions either add or detract according to taste), and a natural gemstone. This is not a ring you will find at the mall or most jewelry stores.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks Elle for your thoughts, the setting is amazing as for the spinel I would have to see it in person to know whether it's something I like or not I guess.

Thanks Lisa! I know I can always count on sage spinel advice from you