Never thought I’d buy an amethyst but I did!

[Dmndsr4evr11]

Agree with @Rfisher I am familiar with the cutter you bought from, though I haven't purchased from him yet. Honestly buying gemstones is not a financial investment, especially semi precious ones. You won't get your money back if/when you sell, if that's your question. It was only an investment in smiles for when you look at it.

Having said that, I think it's gorgeous and it would make me smile! It's my birthstone.

@Mrs_Strizzle , would love your input too as you mentioned you are familiar with the cutter I bought this from. I am now afraid I have paid much more than I should have from what @pokerface has noted. I can’t imagine this stone to be worth only $5/ carat as I definitely paid much more than that. The cutter/seller did offer a refund or exchange if I’m not happy with the stone. I do like it but not if @pokerface is saying there are places who sell similar stones for $5/ carat which would be like buying a toy jewelry to me. Thanks so much. I am so confused about what to do with the stone now.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Gemselect has a whole bunch of rose quartz. Maybe start there? This one is 4.9ct and under $25.

Oh i want that !

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Regarding overpaying ....
If you only paid say a few hundred but you really love it I'd just live with it
think of the price a ring like you are creating would cost down the mall ?
Think of how many bottles of wine you may have drunk in lockdown?
How much you lost on your last new car ?
What about shoes ? I have literly $1000's of dollars of shoes i never wear

ok its a pain and it hurts if you overpaid a lot but if you love the stone and it didn't cost $100's of dollars just love and enjoy her

Just because you might not have got a good deal does not mean you got a bad deal (have a look down the mall after covid)

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Here are some pics in front of a window. So hard to take good pics of stones. It’s not exactly as it shows in photos. It’s more pale lilac IRL. Photos make it look more colorless. It is a very light colored stone though. I love the cut and just the hint of color. Please share your thoughts. Love it, hate it, so- so? It’s my very first rose de France.

She looks lovelly on your skin
you compliment each other

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Regarding overpaying ....
If you only paid say a few hundred but you really love it I'd just live with it
think of the price a ring like you are creating would cost down the mall ?
Think of how many bottles of wine you may have drunk in lockdown?
How much you lost on your last new car ?
What about shoes ? I have literly $1000's of dollars of shoes i never wear

ok its a pain and it hurts if you overpaid a lot but if you love the stone and it didn't cost $100's of dollars just love and enjoy her

Just because you might not have got a good deal does not mean you got a bad deal (have a look down the mall after covid)

Exactly! Plus, this was your first quartz loose stone purchase, right? For you to pick something you ended up liking and actually looks like the vendor's pics isn't easy. So I think you did a pretty nice job!

 

[pokerface]

This is how I would approach the problem. I will just make up some numbers here: let's say you paid $250 for the stone. Do you like your stone $225 more than a similar stone for $25? If yes, then keep it. In this instance, I personally could not justify a $200+ price difference between your stone and the ones I see on Gemselect. Surely you don't want to spend money just for the sake of spending? If you have a larger budget, I would recommend looking into more durable stones that come in a similar color, like sapphire or spinel.

 

[peacechick]

IMO I think most of what you paid for in this amethyst is in the precision cutting. You are not going to buy a precision cut gem for $5 a carat, at that price, it is not worth the intensive labor of a cutter who has spent years training in precision cutting.

Yes, Gem Select has a lot of cheap stones, including rose quartz (which I don’t consider gem quality but I will happily buy in large chunks for fun), and a lot of them are also windowed, included, whatnot, so you really have to sort through the pages of pages.

I would suggest doing comparatives with what other cutters are charging. Here’s one on Etsy: https://etsy.me/2OwzMbg and you will note that many of these cutters use lower-priced stones like amethyst, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, and in the process, elevate the value. To me, this kind of pricing is what I would expect? Whether you overpaid or underpaid will be within this kind of range—it won’t be a $25 stone.

In fact, there are precision cutters who cut fancy cuts or old European cuts in CZ. That’s right, cubic zirconia which has almost zero value by itself since it’s found in costume jewelry. But the people who buy them aren’t buying them for the base material.

This is my Rose de France btw. I think it’s a pretty color but the cut’s windowed. One of my early buys. These days I am much less willing to accept a poor cut.

 

[pokerface]

Agreed with the above. Here's a stone from the shop referenced by @peacechick - it's a 7.7ct precision cut rose quartz for $200, which I believe is a much better value than what you got. Please note I don't think your stone is terrible or anything like that; I am giving this info only because you are able to make a return.

https://etsy.me/3bWYU4V

 

[elizat]

So, on cost, I don't know the cutter here just by looking at the stone, but you pay for the precision cutting.

I think there is an inherent different between faceted rose quartz and amethyst in how they look. The faceted rose quartz, well, it's very different. If the OP wants an milky opalescent stone that is an option, but the amethyst purchased will be much more appealing once set to my eye.

If you keep this stone, I'd probably recommend setting it in a budget friendly mount so you don't get caught in the issue of a setting and stone disparity.

 

[Rfisher]

Isn’t rose quartz different than rose de France?
Or am I mistaken?
I thought rose quartz is milky and ‘plentiful’ and rose de France not as.

 

[peacechick]

Agreed with the above. Here's a stone from the shop referenced by @peacechick - it's a 7.7ct precision cut rose quartz for $200, which I believe is a much better value than what you got. Please note I don't think your stone is terrible or anything like that; I am giving this info only because you are able to make a return.

https://etsy.me/3bWYU4V

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder though... I prefer OP’s stone which is extremely clean with sharp facet contrast and would not buy a milky rose quartz like this.

But if I had $500 to throw down right now, I would buy this amethyst carving by Rogerio Graca. Sorry for the derail...

 

[elizat]

Isn’t rose quartz different than rose de France?
Or am I mistaken?
I thought rose quartz is milky and ‘plentiful’ and rose de France not as.

They are both quartz, but they are different varieties of quartz. You have it!

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

@Dmndsr4evr11 When I said I'm familiar with the cutter I meant I follow him on IG and drool over his stones. I've never seen any in person nor have I communicated with him as I am on a buying freeze until I get some of the hundreds (literally) of the stones I already own set.

The hard truth as I see it- You bought a boutique gemstone cut by a talented artist, and paid boutique prices for such. Pale amethysts aren't expensive and you will never get your money back. Having said that, you can look on Loupetroop and see lots of much more "rare" and boutique cut gemstones for sale that won't fetch their original cost either. We colored gemstone lovers understand this and buy because it makes us happy.

So you need to decide for yourself-Does this gem make you happy enough to invest more $ into setting it so you can wear it? Or are you now disenchanted with it because strangers on the internet suggested there may be better deals out there? If you find it beautiful and would like to have it on your finger then I say ignore all this chatter and get to setting ideas! If not, I would return or exchange it for something else he has that your eye finds beautiful.

 

[Dmndsr4evr11]

@Dmndsr4evr11 When I said I'm familiar with the cutter I meant I follow him on IG and drool over his stones. I've never seen any in person nor have I communicated with him as I am on a buying freeze until I get some of the hundreds (literally) of the stones I already own set.

The hard truth as I see it- You bought a boutique gemstone cut by a talented artist, and paid boutique prices for such. Pale amethysts aren't expensive and you will never get your money back. Having said that, you can look on Loupetroop and see lots of much more "rare" and boutique cut gemstones for sale that won't fetch their original cost either. We colored gemstone lovers understand this and buy because it makes us happy.

So you need to decide for yourself-Does this gem make you happy enough to invest more $ into setting it so you can wear it? Or are you now disenchanted with it because strangers on the internet suggested there may be better deals out there? If you find it beautiful and would like to have it on your finger then I say ignore all this chatter and get to setting ideas! If not, I would return or exchange it for something else he has that your eye finds beautiful.

@Mrs_Strizzle @peacechick @Rfisher
@elizat @Daisys and Diamonds @AnastasiaBeaverhausen @pokerface

THANK YOU all so much for your kindness, guidance, and input. That’s what I love so much about PS . I plan to keep the stone. Waiting to hear a quote about a setting. I am being mindful about the cost as I certainly don’t want it to be much more expensive than the stone. Will post the finished product .

 

[elizat]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder though... I prefer OP’s stone which is extremely clean with sharp facet contrast and would not buy a milky rose quartz like this.

But if I had $500 to throw down right now, I would buy this amethyst carving by Rogerio Graca. Sorry for the derail...

That's pretty cool!

I agree. I pick things that are not mainstream that everyone would love. I don't own a single ideal cut diamond. It's not me. We all like different things and I probably spend amounts of money on decrepit old stuff that boggles some people's minds.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

@elizat My friends are stunned when they ask if I plan on setting all the stones in my collection and I respond with most aren't set worthy. They don't get why just looking at them and remembering how/when I got them is enough for me. But I started out collecting young and broke, and of course without all the knowledge I've gained about cut. I was just fascinated that such beautiful things were found in the dirt, lol.

 

[T L]

I wonder if rose gold would bring out the lavender tones ?

I have a similar color spinel I’m planning on setting not just in rose gold, but a halo, to bring out its color. I also think a halo will bring out the lovely facet pattern of the amethyst in question.

 

[Dmndsr4evr11]

I have a similar color spinel I’m planning on setting not just in rose gold, but a halo, to bring out its color. I also think a halo will bring out the lovely facet pattern of the amethyst in question.

Would love to see your stone .

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder though... I prefer OP’s stone which is extremely clean with sharp facet contrast and would not buy a milky rose quartz like this.

But if I had $500 to throw down right now, I would buy this amethyst carving by Rogerio Graca. Sorry for the derail...

OMG
ive never seen anything like that

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@Mrs_Strizzle @peacechick @Rfisher
@elizat @Daisys and Diamonds @AnastasiaBeaverhausen @pokerface

THANK YOU all so much for your kindness, guidance, and input. That’s what I love so much about PS . I plan to keep the stone. Waiting to hear a quote about a setting. I am being mindful about the cost as I certainly don’t want it to be much more expensive than the stone. Will post the finished product .

Im really happy for you, you have desided to keep it and have it set

May the stone continue to being you joy when you admire it

just remember you wouldn't love your kiddo or your cat or dog any less becsuse someone else says they are not fussed by them

 

[Dmndsr4evr11]

Im really happy for you, you have desided to keep it and have it set

May the stone continue to being you joy when you admire it

just remember you wouldn't love your kiddo or your cat or dog any less becsuse someone else says they are not fussed by them

Thanks, @Daisys and Diamonds. Perfect analogy about kids and pets . Thanks for being so kind!

 

[meely]

Totally agree with @Daisys and Diamonds , you like what you like - sometimes it can be all to easy to be swayed by the opinion of others. Ps I say that as an amethyst lover and someone who has just myself an one, albeit one of the dark ones you are not keen on! Thank goodness we are all different otherwise life would be very boring indeed! I look forward to seeing what you do with it!

 

[Dmndsr4evr11]

Totally agree with @Daisys and Diamonds , you like what you like - sometimes it can be all to easy to be swayed by the opinion of others. Ps I say that as an amethyst lover and someone who has just myself an one, albeit one of the dark ones you are not keen on! Thank goodness we are all different otherwise life would be very boring indeed! I look forward to seeing what you do with it!

Thank you, @meely!

 

[T L]

Would love to see your stone .

Sitting loose atop of rose gold and yellow gold semi-mounts.

incandescent light.

Its obviously not precision cut, but at least you get the idea in different metals. It looks a bit more grey in the photos than irl, as it has a slight lilac hue, albeit almost colorless.

 

[T L]

...in white metal, it “disappears” imo.

 

[Dmndsr4evr11]

Sitting loose atop of rose gold and yellow gold semi-mounts.

incandescent light.

Its obviously not precision cut, but at least you get the idea in different metals. It looks a bit more grey in the photos than irl, as it has a slight lilac hue, albeit almost colorless.

Very nice! Thanks for sharing pics!

 

[Dmndsr4evr11]

...in white metal, it “disappears” imo.

I guess the white metal makes it more colorless.

 

[T L]

I guess the white metal makes it more colorless.

You could say that.

 

[Dmndsr4evr11]

So hard to decide whether to go white gold or rose gold. I mostly have white and yellow gold. I only have one ring with mixed white, yellow with a rose gold shank. I do like it but not sure which direction I want to go with this ring. I’d like to keep it as simple setting as much as possible to keep the cost down.

For this setting with 2.2mm diamonds on each side, thanks to @AnastasiaBeaverhausen for the photo, I’m quoted $495 in either white or rose gold in14k

I also like this setting
without the diamonds in the shank and asked if the halo can be done in white zircon or any white gems instead of diamonds to keep cost down. I also asked if the above setting can be done with any other white gems instead of diamonds to keep cost down. I’m waiting to hear for a quote for this one.


Would love everyone’s thoughts.
Thank you!!

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

@Dmndsr4evr11 I like the first one, allowing the Amy to take center stage and not competing with the precision cut. Maybe some moissy or zircon for side stones?