Posted 7 years ago
Tlynnie1942
(134 items)
This is 14kt White Gold, with a stripe of Yellow Gold in the center. It has an Oval cut Blue Sapphire in the spotlight, which weighs 1.56ct. There are two .20ct round Diamonds on each side of the center stone, and 4 sets of Channel Set .10ct round Diamonds going down the shank on both sides. This is one of my favorite rings and it is also my mothers favorite, she has tried repeatedly to get me to sell it to her over the years LOL.
I got this in 1994, from Jareds Jewelers. They opened their first store in 1993 and they offer custom work. I worked for Sterling Jewelers for years and they own a bunch of stores, under different names. Jareds is one of them, and a couple came in to that store to get a custom piece made. For whatever reason they never came back to get it, and after a time the ring came to Home Office, which is where all returns come. Employees get a discount and we have a store right in the building, and it is stocked with returns and repos but you can also choose loose gemstones to set in a blank ring setting of your choice. I looked at this ring every day for a month before I decided to buy it, and I got a great deal too. When I got sick and had to stop working, I swore I would never buy an expensive piece of jewelry from another jewelry store chain ever again...I know the markup :)
I try to stick to pawn shops for jewelry because they only pay stone and precious metals prices. Mark up is crazy at most Jewelry stores I agree.
Yessiree, you got it, at least 400% markup, highway robbery! At Sterling you can only buy jewelry from the Home Office store up to 10% of your yearly income. That way you can't spend yourself into bankruptcy, but mainly it was to stop employees from buying expensive jewelry (like engagement rings) for family and friends. They kept tabs on what you bought, and if you bought 4 engagement rings...you could expect a sit down with the boss. My dad asked me to pick out a 2ct diamond engagement ring for his second wife. I told him that even with my discount, he would get a better deal at a pawn shop. I went with him, and helped him get a really nice 2 carot pear shaped diamond. We then took the stone to a family owned jewelers and got it set in a beautiful Platinum setting. She LOVED it and my dad saved a good amount on it.
Of course, that was before the bottom fell out in 2008. After that, prices for Gold and Platinum went sky high and even the pawn shops were asking way too much for everything. It is a bit better now, but not much. I would still go to one for a nice watch though, or Sterling Silver with Turquoise or Coral and Black Hills Gold jewelry. My mom loves antique Black Hills Gold, I got her a really nice set of earrings for Christmas this year. They were a hit :)
It is an unique and beautiful ring Tlynnie. I don't know stones or jewellery but that sapphire looks wonderful.
It's interesting to read about jewellery retail from someone who knows. Great post!
Why thank you racer4four, what a nice comment! I appreciate it very much :)
Thank you Valentino97, I appreciate it :)