Featured Finds Thread

16,500? Not exactly a bargain!
It sure is a beauty, tho.

 

https://queenmayjewelry.com/product...-three-stone-ring-in-platinum-gia-certified-1

 

A wonky cut, and a weird window? For that money, you would expect a better cut.
But of course, it's all about the color with sapphires.
I may have to pass this time! Or sell both my cars and the fridge. What's the sales tax on 17,000? Haha

 

I thought the cut was wonky, too. In NJ, add 6.625% on every dollar.

 

The stone appears to be "native cut" it was cut to add weight to the stone without cutting the proper angles.

 

I couldln't even afford the sales tax on that. I'd have to find mine in the junk pile at a rummage sale.

 

Thanks, I never heard of that! It's still pretty, but not $17,000 pretty.

 

We'll both keep looking.

 

I've heard of Native Cut stones, but only seen it done with garnets. The would imply to me that the sapphire itself was mined a long time ago.

 

It was a common process in Asia and South America as late of the 1990's.Mostly do to the lack of modern faceting equipment. https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-value-factors-gem-cutting-styles-definitions

 

Hmmm....and for a piece that pricey, they should have included country of origin on the GIA report. Looking at their website picture, when you look to the right of the stone, do you see what maybe an inclusion?

 

I believe you have to ask and pay more for the country of origin on the GIA report.

I see the inclusion and the native cut, which I am familiar with, having an assortment of sapphires myself.
If I looked hard and long, I could probably find a similar item elsewhere for somewhat less.
I looked around the website you provided, and they have a lot of nice sapphires, although pricey.
I am the proud owner of a 4 ct. sapphire from a pawn shop Of course it doesn't compare to the $17,000 one, but I'll take what I can get!

Yes, it's dark greenish blue and transparent. It's hard to capture the color, cause sapphires tend to blackout in certain light. It has silky inclusions which I love.
A super lucky find that I paid a mere pittance for 20 years ago.
But I'm always on the lookout for more!




Here's another one that I found more recently, also from a pawn shop. I pounced on this one!!

 

I love the color in the oval cut, the bottom ring is spectacular! I personally don't buy oval cuts for myself unless set east to west. We don't have many pawn shops near us (I don't go into Atlantic City unless it's absolutely necessary.) I did try three other sapphire rings on in the store, but nothing held a candle to the $17,000 ring. I used to find a lot of good buys in antique malls, but some were robbed, some scrap the gold now.

 

It's really hard to find nice colored gems in pawnshops. Emeralds, rubies and sapphires tend to be low quality and yukky. I could not pass up that smaller sapphire. It has a tiny bit of color zoning, so I know it's natural, and most likely heated.
Pawns are usually affordable and most will go down in price if you ask nicely and offer cash.
I would have paid much, much more in a jewelry store.
We need a sapphire thread...

 

I bought a lovely Pearl and Opal ring in a pawn shop years ago. Asked very nicely if it as their best price, and the chap said of course he could reduce it. Which he did.

 

Hi all! I picked this watercolour portrait painting up from an auction recently. Aren't the pair lovely? I particularly like the ladies curls and jewellery! It was done by George Marshall Mather, Edinburgh 1839. It has been recently framed/reframed by the looks of it, has some discoloration and damaged spots. I plan to sell it on soon, hopefully make a little bit of profit (I paid $250 CAD including shipping).

 

Meaning no offence to you , I respectfully & honestly inquire... who would want to hang this strange painting of a mother and her rambunctious beige child ,in their living space ..?

I find the work to be almost unsettling as the child draws the eye away from a reasonable depiction of the young woman .

I just don't see how you get the $ 250 back..!

 

You don't like it? I don't find it creepy. Also, beige child made me LOL. I think I will (not a huge profit obviously), I'll keep you posted

 

sorry , not a fan !

 

Mather, George Marshall | profilesofthepast.org.uk
a lot of info about the artist here.