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G'day and Welcome to the Jewelry Appraisals Center. My name is David Foard F.G.A.A.
I'm your resident Gemologist Valuer and this is your chance to tap into my 35 years experience in the Jewelry Industry and one of the current 'Ask the Experts' on the very successful Search Portal About.com.
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*** BUT PLEASE - Do NOT ask me to do an appraisal for you - Only You can do that ***
If you have any Jewelry related or Valuation Appraisal questions you need an answer to, then this is the place for you. This complimentary service is my way of saying...
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Of all symbols on the planet the wedding ring has the most strength and power. Not only does it represent a commitment but dedication too be it a plain or diamond band ring. Wearing a diamond band ring does not mean you are more feminine if you are a male, as there are lots of men out there that just want a single diamond in their bands just like some woman do. For lot of woman keeping it easy is still the best.
There is no need to walk around with reckless wasteful wedding bands particularly if all your fingers… Continue reading Dress Code Or Symbol?
Why You Need Special Occasion Jewelry:
Preparing for that special function and you’ve decided on your dress, always stressful, although the more often you do it, the easier it becomes. Now comes the fun part, choosing the jewelry to wear with it, so that you look that extra bit special in it.
You need to make some basic decisions on what, and how much jewelry to wear. You don’t want to go over the top, but just do enough to shine.
If you wear too much… Continue reading Special Occasion Jewelry
Old enough to know better, yet young enough to not be dead yet.
Born Centuries too early and still trying to catch up...
Hi,I bought a 1/2 carat diamond ring throgh Ebay for $300.00 was happily surprised to recieve it along with original puchase reciept and insurance/replacment diamond certificate…say’s retail of $1799.00 paid $1299.00 plus tax for total purchase price of $1499.00 in Dec. of 2005 took this ring to jewler near my home sure enough is REAL ….how much should this Beautiful,very sparkely clear stone be worth today “in theory” if orriginal retail was $1799.00 in 2005?Thank you
G’day Brandi and many thanks for your query and “Well Done” on such a good purchase – proving once again that good quality second-hand items are far better value than anything else in the market (no tax).
Your question (like many others before) is not one I can answer. It is ‘Illegal’ for me to quote a price (even ‘in theory’) because the market goes up – like gold has recently – or down – like some gemstones and diamonds because of the economic situation and because the demand simply is not as strong.
It’s not like you can suggest a 10% rise per year, because that doesn’t work either (think house prices).
The only thing you can do is either have your local FRIENDLY Jeweler/gemologist/valuer/appraiser (who may or may not be really qualified) to do an expensive appraisal for you…
OR…
Splash out a few bucks and update your appraisal yourself (you have all the details on the original documentation) and print a new certificate to your printer at Home or Work. It takes about 15 minutes and you will have the Insurance Replacement or Retail Replacement figure in your hands.
Too easy.
Dave
I have an Omega 21 rubis wristwatch that was my grandmothers. It says De Luxe antimagnetic on the face of the watch at the bottom, it has 30 stones (diamonds) on the face(it is round not square). I have tried to find one on the internet to see if it is fake or real and I cannot find anything that looks like it. My grandmother is now passed on and I am just interested in knowing about it. It also says 18k 0.750 on the back with OMEGA inscribed in a triangle. Any information on this would really be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Dear Dave,
Help me please with brooch identification that I’ve bought recently. The tag was “diamond brooch” only but I get in love with item so trying to find out about. Visibly brooch composed from two parts white and yellow, correct me if I’m wrong, but its look like “silver-over-gold” Victorian one. 32 mine cut and one rose cut diamonds mounted into white part. Yellow part (pin and safe clasp) have a 2 strange rectangle-shape pinch marks, first is A with a star or sun on top and second is rooster head with crest turned right. No any numbers on it at all. I know that rooster is one of French hallmarks but my have no similarity with Gallic’s symbol. Have you ever saw something like this?
Regards, Alina
G’day Annetta and many thanks for your query regarding your Grandmothers Watch.
While we are not watchmakers I can tell you that you should get this appraised for a couple of reasons. Firstly being an Omega it is in the ‘Top Ten’ if you like, of quality watchmakers.
Secondly the Hallmarks indicate 18 karat gold with the International mark (0.750) as well as the 18k.
Have you tried Omegas own website?
Dave
Really need to see an image of the Hallmarks.
Dave
I am appraising a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings and they have a mark in the inside “AB 622″ Do you know if this is a manufacturer code or a designer?
G’day Tammy and many thanks for your query.
The problem with ALL Hallmarks is there is no world regulation. The British Hallmarks (arguably the best in the world) has nothing to do with other countries in Europe or America – or anywhere else for that matter.
Can you imagine a small jewelry manufacturer in South East Asia or China caring about Hallmarks in the States? I don’t think so.
The fact is that anyone can stamp their jewelry with whatever they want, and while there are some books and trade or makers marks recorded, AB 622 means absolutely nothing – except to the designer or maker who put it there.
As you say – could be a Model design mark – and nothing more. 15ct (carat or Karat) Gold is marker 625 – but in this case I don’t think it is relevant.
Hope this helps. Dave