Sapphire ring on its way! Feel free to opine.

[CaseyLouLou]

I was looking for used settings and then couldn’t resist this ring because of the color of the sapphire. I grabbed it before it was too late and didn’t ask for any additional photos. It’s returnable.

The stone seems to be set up too high so I’m wondering if that can be redone by a jeweler.

Crossing my fingers it works out either for the setting, the sapphire, or both.

What do you think? Any predictions?

 

[Autumn in New England]

Well it's just lovely, @CaseyLouLou! No criticisms here, my friend!! I hope you lurve it in person. Do let us know. Congrats!

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

Depending on the girth of the stone and the opening below it, I think it would be easy to lower the stone. They can cut down and reshape the prongs. I've used DK for several things like this and they do fantastic work at reasonable prices.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Well this is turning into quite the mystery!

The ring arrived today and when I took it out of the package I was immediately amazed by the diamonds which were soooo sparkly. And the sapphire was also super sparkly and such an incredibly vivid blue! I assumed it had to be synthetic.

So I took it to my jeweler to have a look. He confirmed the diamonds are real. He is not a gemologist but viewed the sapphire under a microscope and said it is cut with an older brilliant cut typical for sapphires and the keel is very off center. There’s a very slight window. It seems like if it was synthetic it wouldn’t be cut that way but who knows.

I am now waiting until his gemologist can look at it on Wednesday. I left it there and was only able to take a couple of quick snapshots on my hand and they didn’t come out well. It looks more like the photo in my original post. It’s probably in the velvet or royal blue color range. If it’s real then I assume it’s worth a ton more than I paid. If not then I got a really nice setting. The diamonds total roughly .75ct and the sapphire is 7.45x5.89mm.

Predictions anyone?

 

[Autumn in New England]

Well this is turning into quite the mystery!

The ring arrived today and when I took it out of the package I was immediately amazed by the diamonds which were soooo sparkly. And the sapphire was also super sparkly and such an incredibly vivid blue! I assumed it had to be synthetic.

So I took it to my jeweler to have a look. He confirmed the diamonds are real. He is not a gemologist but viewed the sapphire under a microscope and said it is cut with an older brilliant cut typical for sapphires and the keel is very off center. There’s a very slight window. It seems like if it was synthetic it wouldn’t be cut that way but who knows.

I am now waiting until his gemologist can look at it on Wednesday. I left it there and was only able to take a couple of quick snapshots on my hand and they didn’t come out well. It looks more like the photo in my original post. It’s probably in the velvet or royal blue color range. If it’s real then I assume it’s worth a ton more than I paid. If not then I got a really nice setting. The diamonds total roughly .75ct and the sapphire is 7.45x5.89mm.

Predictions anyone?

It's merely a guess, obviously, but I'm going with natural! Good luck and do let us know the results!!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

It's merely a guess, obviously, but I'm going with natural! Good luck and do let us know the results!!

I’m leaning that way too but I can’t imagine I would get that lucky. If it is natural then I’m going to be posting a lot more, much better photos.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

That's a Diana! Ooh, the diamonds are sparkly! You know, I'm leaning real. It'll be exciting to find out.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

That's a Diana! Ooh, the diamonds are sparkly! You know, I'm leaning real. It'll be exciting to find out.

Lol. It was listed as a Diana and I wasn’t looking for that at all. I saw the color of the sapphire and couldn’t resist finding out if it was as nice as the photo. It’s not really my style but the diamonds in the setting are absolutely gorgeous. If it’s real I’m surprised it’s not in 18k.

This is a fun adventure for sure!

 

[Avondale]

If it’s real I’m surprised it’s not in 18k.

About a couple of months ago I was talking to a friend who recently got married. He was telling me about the process of picking up his wedding band and how he basically decided between 14 and 18k based on price alone. He didn't know that there was any other difference between the two.

I, on the other hand, always go for 14k when it's rhodium plated white gold. It's whiter under the rhodium and it's a little bit harder and sturdier.

So 14k isn't necessarily a bad sign. Fingers crossed because it's a really pretty ring. The way it looks different in your photos compared to the seller's makes me think how Diana's ring always photographs so poorly, but I've always believed it must be really beautiful in person.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

The way it looks different in your photos compared to the seller's makes me think how Diana's ring always photographs so poorly, but I've always believed it must be really beautiful in person.

That make sense. The color in real life looks closer to the lower half of the vendor photo above. I thought my photo would come out better because it was in bright jewelry store lighting. I haven’t even had it long enough to see what it does in low light yet because I left it with the jeweler right after I got it!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I emailed the seller to ask for some background on this ring and here is what he said.

“ The ring was part of an estate collection I purchased.

I have 24 years experience selling estate jewelry, am almost a Graduate Gemologist(official in June), and work next to a GG.

We both looked at the ring with a
Microscope and identified internal characteristics that only exist in natural sapphire. The two of us are very capable of discerning natural or synthetic.

Also, the maker of that ring is well known in the colored gemstone world.

Another sign is that there is very high end diamonds surrounding that gem. They wouldn’t do that for a $5 sapphire.

Your average jewelers simply isn’t qualified to identify the way we can. I do offer a 30 day return policy and want you to feel confident. I would appreciate if you would send it back right away if you want to return. Let me know if you have any questions.”

Sounds promising. I will wait for my jeweler’s gemologist to look at it and verify but the wonky, way off center keel alone seems like a good sign. And the fact that it’s an estate piece maybe.

 

[Autumn in New England]

If it’s real I’m surprised it’s not in 18k.

Today we'd typically see a high-quality sapphire set in 18k or platinum, but I don't think it was out of the ordinary at one time for jewelers to set fine-grade stones in 14k. So that may not necessarily be an indicator!

 

[Autumn in New England]

...Diana's ring always photographs so poorly, but I've always believed it must be really beautiful in person.

I've always thought the same thing! I mean, we know it's a deeper royal shade, and that's not every connoisseur's cup of tea. But the ring was personally chosen by Diana from Garrard, the crown jeweler, and one of the most exclusive design houses in the world. I can't imagine they'd lead her astray! And she had such fine taste.

 

[Avondale]

I mean, we know it's a deeper royal shade

I think that's what's at the core of it. If I take my experience with a deeper blue sapphire from the last 6 months I've owned one, they do tend to go all "F U" when in sub-par light inside. But in daylight? Oh boy, in daylight it turns into the most beautiful and velvety blue. Spoiled little brats. Go figure.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I think that's what's at the core of it. If I take my experience with a deeper blue sapphire from the last 6 months I've owned one, they do tend to go all "F U" when in sub-par light inside. But in daylight? Oh boy, in daylight it turns into the most beautiful and velvety blue. Spoiled little brats. Go figure.

I have a pink spinel that sparkles best in lower, indirect light so at least there are options for what to wear in each situation. Sapphires do really seem to enjoy the sun.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

As the owner of much too dark blue sapphires i really love the blue velvet of yours
Fingers crossed its a natural stone

 

[CaseyLouLou]

As the owner of much too dark blue sapphires i really love the blue velvet of yours
Fingers crossed its a natural stone

Thanks Daisy! I can’t wait to find out. Here’s one more photo I took at the jeweler. I wish one of them had shown the true color but I do think velvet blue or almost royal blue is the right description. It’s definitely not too dark in reality which is another reason I was doubting it was real.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks Daisy! I can’t wait to find out. Here’s one more photo I took at the jeweler. I wish one of them had shown the true color but I do think velvet blue or almost royal blue is the right description. It’s definitely not too dark in reality which is another reason I was doubting it was real.

If Di's ring is anywhere near that blue i can see why she choose it

 

[CaseyLouLou]

If Di's ring is anywhere near that blue i can see why she choose it

I was looking for photos of Di’s ring online and the only ones I could find that hinted at a nice blue were these.

My ring is a bit top heavy and I didn’t really want a Diana copy so I might have the whole thing redone at some point if the sapphire is real. I don’t really want to spend the money though…decisions…

 

[Cinders]

It is a beautiful ring! I don't think "Diana" when looking at your ring. IMO, it just looks like a really pretty sapphire ring. I hope you love it & good luck on your journey!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

It is a beautiful ring! I don't think "Diana" when looking at your ring. IMO, it just looks like a really pretty sapphire ring. I hope you love it & good luck on your journey!

Glad to hear it! Maybe I will wear it as is and if someone makes a Diana comment then I will have it redone!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Well, I heard back from the jeweler and his gemologist thinks it’s real but isn’t 100% sure because it’s a very clean stone. There are a couple of inclusions that he said could be natural or lab grown and the only way to tell is to send it to a lab. He’s leaning towards real and said it’s such a pretty sapphire that it could be worth $6000/ct.

I’m going to assume it’s real for now and maybe consider sending it to a lab at some point. The diamonds are gorgeous and the sapphire cut is wonky and there’s a slight window so I think it all adds up to real. Good enough for me. Not bad for a random eBay purchase!

Here’s some slightly better photos I took of it. And another not so great photo because sapphires are not very photogenic.

 

[Cinders]

Glad to hear it! Maybe I will wear it as is and if someone makes a Diana comment then I will have it redone!

I dislike wearing things people think are copies of celebrity pieces, so I would not want a "Diana" ring. Just because of my own quirk, though---not because I dislike the ring. I actually do like the Diana/now-Kate ring & I remember when sapphires were meant to be that dark blue color.

So, while I personally would not want a copy of the Diana ring, I would wear the one you've purchased as often as possible!!

Editing to add: I've just looked at your additional pix & it is STUNNING! Congratulations on such an amazing find!!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I'm so glad to hear that, @CaseyLouLou! It's gorge!! Do keep us posted if you decide to send it our for certification.

 

[Avondale]

It’s a beauty. Can’t wait to see daytime shots!

Going slightly off topic, you know, in a way “Diana ring” has become a synonym for a blue oval sapphire diamond halo ring. Ultimately every ring of this design can be recognised as a Diana ring simply due to how popular the design is and its connection to the British royal family. Regardless whether it was made to imitate or not. So I say, who cares about labels. Just wear what you enjoy.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I dislike wearing things people think are copies of celebrity pieces, so I would not want a "Diana" ring. Just because of my own quirk, though---not because I dislike the ring. I actually do like the Diana/now-Kate ring & I remember when sapphires were meant to be that dark blue color.

So, while I personally would not want a copy of the Diana ring, I would wear the one you've purchased as often as possible!!

Editing to add: I've just looked at your additional pix & it is STUNNING! Congratulations on such an amazing find!!

Yes, this is how I feel too. I don’t like copying celebrities. But it is a pretty ring so I might as well wear it as is for now. It’s also a right hand ring as opposed to an engagement ring so I suppose that helps a bit.

Thanks for the compliment. It’s too bad sapphires are so hard to photograph. I will try to get some photos outdoors and post them later. These turned out better and are pretty close to what I see in person though. I had hoped to pick it up today but the gemologist had not looked at it yet so it’s still at the jewelers.

For now I’m staring at the photos.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I'm so glad to hear that, @CaseyLouLou! It's gorge!! Do keep us posted if you decide to send it our for certification.

I suppose I could try taking it to another local gemologist and see if they have a more definitive idea. I can’t believe how much it costs to get a lab report.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I suppose I could try taking it to another local gemologist and see if they have a more definitive idea. I can’t believe how much it costs to get a lab report.

If you do go with a lab, send it to the GIA. I wouldn't bother with AGL, because if they deem that a "fancy mounting," they double their fee. GIA charges the same for loose or mounted gems. You're looking at $70-$85 depending on the weight of your sapphire.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

This is so weird and frustrating!

So….I picked up my ring today and took it to another certified gemologist jeweler and she quickly determined the sapphire was real, mainly due to the window and some fingerprint inclusions. But she seems to think at least some of the diamonds are synthetic. She didn’t have a diamond tester though (weird) so she was viewing them under a microscope instead. She said a couple have chips and the chips don’t have the same characteristics of chipped diamonds. She said some looks to be real diamonds and other not so much. She said she could remove them from the setting and weigh them.

I guess I will take the ring to yet another jeweler that has an actual diamond tester!

I did loupe the sapphire myself when I got home and it has some minor, stripey, color zoning.

I just want to know what real! Ugh. Lol.

 

[Autumn in New England]

This is so weird and frustrating!

So….I picked up my ring today and took it to another certified gemologist jeweler and she quickly determined the sapphire was real, mainly due to the window and some fingerprint inclusions. But she seems to think at least some of the diamonds are synthetic. She didn’t have a diamond tester though (weird) so she was viewing them under a microscope instead. She said a couple have chips and the chips don’t have the same characteristics of chipped diamonds. She said some looks to be real diamonds and other not so much. She said she could remove them from the setting and weigh them.

I guess I will take the ring to yet another jeweler that has an actual diamond tester!

I did loupe the sapphire myself when I got home and it has some minor, stripey, color zoning.

I just want to know what real! Ugh. Lol.

Geez, that would be unusual for a jeweler to use a mix of natural and synthetic diamonds (even by mistake). If that's true, it could be that, as they fell out, a prior owner began replacing them with synthetics. But, truthfully, I'm not confident in that assessment, especially since this new jeweler did not have a diamond tester on-hand to check them. So I wouldn't worry about that for now. But how lovely that another set of eyes felt your sapphire was genuine!

I understand your frustration with regard to wanting to know for sure. And I'm going to sound like a broken record here, and probably quite annoying, but the only way to be absolutely certain is to send the piece to a reputable lab for testing. It's a tedious and sometimes costly experience, but it's worth it to be "mind clean."