Professional Gemologist Appraiser

Question: I recently bought my fiancee as a Christmas present, an "antique" filigree pearl ring, it is supposed to also be set in white gold...

Pearls: A Natural History

Price: $39.95

I paid $150.00 for the ring and it is pretty, I'm just not sure if it was worth it or if I am getting the shaft.

The ring has a square setting that is surrounded in VERY fine and ornate filigree and has a marking "LAIS" on the inside of the band, there are no other stones other than the white pearl, also there seems to be someones personal engraving on the band that I cannot make out (very worn, some of the filigree is also very worn down).

The filigree also makes some heart shapes in the weaving of the tendrils.

It is not marked with anything else on the inside, but her engagement ring is also an antique and does not have any markings on the inside of this (is this representative of the period), so did I make out alright or am I a fool?

Thanks,

(more...)

British Hallmarks are the best in the world.

Jewelers Loup 10 Times Magnification Loupes

Price: $15.00

Who says so - the rest of the World - although to be fair, other countries have great hallmarks too, it is just that they are NOT so often seen...

So what do we really need to know...?

(more...)