Looking for opinions on a tsavorite ring / quality of Jose Hess jewelry

[Django74th]

I'm looking at a ring set at an estate jewelry store that was originally made by Jose Hess. It's a tsavorite garnet ring with diamonds and comes as a wedding set (I plan to use the second ring separately as a stacker). Does anyone know the quality of Jose Hess jewelry? The listing indicates that the tsavorite is 1.61 carats and "moderately included." Here are some pictures -- I'd LOVE some input. Thanks!

 

[LilAlex]

Looks pretty! Clarity looks OK. Hard to judge color with no background, etc.

I do not know the maker and assume you can Google as well as I can so nothing to add there.

Suboptimal stone choice for E-ring, imo, but sounds like that is not your objective.

 

[Django74th]

@LilAlex -- Thanks so much for the input. I'm not planning to use it as an engagement ring (I agree that it's not ideal). I had a hard time judging it as well because of the background so I was curious if there were any "tricks of the trade" that I was missing. Unfortunately -- I can find very little on Jose Hess on Google which is why I was curious if anyone had first hand experience.

I'm also considering an emerald ring but there is only a local appraisal (no GIA) and they can't clearly tell me if it's resin or oil treated (or the extent of the treatment) so I'm on the fence. I'd love your thoughts on this one too!

 

[ForteKitty]

It looks like that first set is already sold. Did you buy it?

 

[Django74th]

I put it on hold to think about it

 

[ForteKitty]

I don't know anything about Joss Hess's mountings, but from the pictures, I can see a lot of wear on the sides where the band rubbed against the ering. The stamps are almost all rubbed off. For the price they're asking, I'd almost rather go custom and get a cleaner tsavorite garnet. Also, are they positive that is a garnet? I see double refraction and tsavs are singly refractive. It looks like a tourmaline to me.

 

[Django74th]

@ForteKitty -- Good observation about the rubbing. I'll definitely consider it -- I'm tied to buying from this particular place for a few reasons I won't share here. So, just trying to make the most of it. Any thoughts on the emerald ring instead? Or, anything you see there that you like -- you can help me shop

 

[voce]

I don't know anything about Joss Hess's mountings, but from the pictures, I can see a lot of wear on the sides where the band rubbed against the ering. The stamps are almost all rubbed off. For the price they're asking, I'd almost rather go custom and get a cleaner tsavorite garnet. Also, are they positive that is a garnet? I see double refraction and tsavs are singly refractive. It looks like a tourmaline to me.

How do you visually tell whether it's singly refractive or double refractive?

 

[ForteKitty]

How do you visually tell whether it's singly refractive or double refractive?

You can see the doubling in some of the pictures, under the crown facets. In some gems they're very obvious, like zircons... they look blurry in far away photos and you can see a distinct second line in magnified photos. Tourmalines less so, but I see some in the pictures in the listing which makes me question if it's really a garnet. There should be no blurring/doubling visible.

 

[Rad_Fan]

"...only a local appraisal (no GIA) and they can't clearly tell me if it's resin or oil treated (or the extent of the treatment)..."


Vendors are professional and know what they're selling. If they think it's worth it to get a well known lab report, why won't they do it to charge a premium?

Assume the "worst" and pay accordingly.

The vendor has generous return policy, order it to see the ring in person first...?

 

[Django74th]

@Rad_Fan — good point. If it was worthwhile, you’d think they’d pay the $100 or so to get a GIA report so they can charge more. That definitely has me thinking...

@ForteKitty — interesting about the refraction. The photography lighting is certainly present and obvious — I’m curious if that’s creating a refractive appearance. my curiosity alone might force me to further investigate.

I really like the glow of the emerald, assuming photography lights aren’t responsible for some of it...

 

[ForteKitty]

"...only a local appraisal (no GIA) and they can't clearly tell me if it's resin or oil treated (or the extent of the treatment)..."


Vendors are professional and know what they're selling. If they think it's worth it to get a well known lab report, why won't they do it to charge a premium?

Assume the "worst" and pay accordingly.

The vendor has generous return policy, order it to see the ring in person first...?

Agreed. GIA will identify mounted gems. For that price, it better come with a GIA at the very least.

 

[Django74th]

@ForteKitty — I hear you and agree. I’d probably notice this if someone approached me and asked these questions. Harder when it’s your own purchase to see the forest through the trees. Maybe I’ll stick with a stone that has a GIA report or that I’m more familiar with from this place so I can be a bit more confident in my decision. They have a lot of sapphires, almost overwhelmingly so...

 

[bright&shiny]

I don't know anything about Joss Hess's mountings, but from the pictures, I can see a lot of wear on the sides where the band rubbed against the ering. The stamps are almost all rubbed off. For the price they're asking, I'd almost rather go custom and get a cleaner tsavorite garnet. Also, are they positive that is a garnet? I see double refraction and tsavs are singly refractive. It looks like a tourmaline to me.

I'm curious about the double refractions - do you mean the 'step' appearance under the crown? So much to learn!!!

 

[ForteKitty]

I'm curious about the double refractions - do you mean the 'step' appearance under the crown? So much to learn!!!

No, the step appearance is the pav facets. But you can see a second line for each facet in some pics, which looks like double refraction. Could be their photos or lighting, I dunno. Easiest way to learn is to look up some magnified pictures of zircons, which have strong double refraction and you can clearly see it.

 

[bright&shiny]

No, the step appearance is the pav facets. But you can see a second line for each facet in some pics, which looks like double refraction. Could be their photos or lighting, I dunno. Easiest way to learn is to look up some magnified pictures of zircons, which have strong double refraction and you can clearly see it.

Good tip - thank you!