Need help buying a birthstone ring for my daughter

[3kids4me]

My daughter will be turning twelve next month, and has asked for a "real birthstone ring" for her birthday. She rarely asks for anything in life and as some of you know has had a difficult road in life, so I am truly thrilled to try and find something wonderful for her.

However, I know very little about jewelry shopping and the prices seem all over the place. To top it off, her birthstone is an emerald, and emeralds seem to vary in color quite a bit. (She has indicated that she wants a dark green one, which I gather are more expensive...and it does also make it hard to shop on the internet, although that might not be a good idea anyway!)

I don't want to spend gobs of money (I was thinking about $200 or so would be right...maybe a bit more if necessary) but I do want it to be special and I know she will treasure it as she takes very good care of the things she has. I went to a local jewelry store who said that an emerald alone would cost nearly three times that amount, yet I see them sold on-line (in rings) for way less.

Can anyone guide me in the right direction?

Thanks so much!!

Sharon

 

[Jestjoan]

Maybe what you've seen are created emeralds.........http://www.jewelsforme.com has some. I just googled this so I know nothing about the company.

Three ratings on Bizrate.com gave the company outstanding ratings.

 

[JoAnn]

Sharon, FYI: IF you are buying a 'real' emerald, then the darker the color, the better the stone. Also, as I learned when we were in Colombia, ALL real emeralds have a flaw. Too bad you aren't in Colombia...Emeralds are quite a bit cheaper there.

 

[3kids4me]

Hi guys and thanks!

Joann, I looked for some emerald rings when we were in Mexico, and they sell the Columbian ones down there. The only thing about those is that they are lighter in color...not the typical color that we all think of when we think of emeralds (and also lighter than what my daughter wanted). That's the only thing I know so far about emeralds...that Colombia has the lighter ones!!

Sharon

 

[ginsun88]

Hi Sharon

My daughter is turning 16 next month and also enjoys her birthstone although she has set her sights on driving and the like.

A couple of years ago, I bought her an emerald ring on shopnbc.com. I checked for you and there don't seem to be any "steals" lately. I'm also a QVC.com shopper and there are a number of emerald rings (Zambian and Brazilian, in addition to Columbian) at the price point you mentioned. Just do a search on these sites and you can search by price as well. I feel comfortable buying from them because you can return within 30 days.

Also, my dad bought my daughter a beautiful emerald cross at our local Costco.

Have you thought about attending an estate/jewelry auction? It may take some research but it certainly would be a fun experience!

Regards
Grace

 

[wackymother]

Although I buy most things online these days--for jewelry I think I would buy from a real store. Maybe call up a very reliable store like Fortunoff and explain to them what you would like and see what they can do for you? Or a small local store?

Would a "created" emerald be okay or do you want a real one? The only thing I know about emeralds is that they're soft--they scratch easily. That's why they're not used in engagement rings.

 

[lawren2]

Highly recommend

the chain Columbian Emeralds. They completely guarantee their products. Take them and get them appraised by an independent. or if you just don't like it. They will take it back for 30 days.

I have bought numerous things from them over the years and everything has been very fairly priced. After the first few times of being assured by a jeweler friend of mine that they were about a third less than I would pay here in NY, I buy from them with confidence.

http://www.dutyfree.com/colombianemeralds/giftfinder.cfm

They have 2 rings that would suit your purpose and approx price range. One is .25 carat ( the last one on the first page of emerald rings ) and the other .48 carat ( the first on the second page ) for $225 & $250 respectively.

Good Luck Sharon.

 

[wackymother]

Oooh. I'm liking that site, Lawren! Thanks!

 

[Gracey]

I actually picked up a couple pieces of jewelry on overstock.com. They also show reviews from other people who bought the same piece. All in all I was very happy with my purchase. I checked and they have quite a few emerald rings in all price ranges.
Good Luck, Laurie

 

[calgal]

Sharon, Since you live near NYC, I would go to the jewelry district in mid-town Manhattan and shop around. You should bargain on the prices there, it's expected. It will be a fun expedition, I think.
My parents live there. If you want me to check with my mom for specific jeweler recommendations, I can.

 

[3kids4me]

Thank you everyone for the input! Lawren, I'm going to give your site a try as I love the ring on the second page and so does my daughter. I hope the color is as dark as it looks on my computer! (I did call and they told me it was a pine green...but I got the impression that there is some commission involved!) Have you gotten emeralds from there, and how would you describe the color?

Thanks so much again everyone!!

Sharon

 

[JoAnn]

Hi guys and thanks!

Joann, I looked for some emerald rings when we were in Mexico, and they sell the Columbian ones down there. The only thing about those is that they are lighter in color...not the typical color that we all think of when we think of emeralds (and also lighter than what my daughter wanted). That's the only thing I know so far about emeralds...that Colombia has the lighter ones!!

Sharon

Here is a link to some information on Emeralds and what to look for. http://www.simplygemstones.com/emeraldfacts.htm

When we were in Colombia I went in several Jewelry stores and was able to hold all colors of Emeralds in my hand...all from Colombia & all came with certificates of authenticity. There are huge emerald mines in Colombia, so all colors are mined and available. Good luck in finding a ring for your daughter.

 

[lawren2]

Thank you everyone for the input! Lawren, I'm going to give your site a try as I love the ring on the second page and so does my daughter. I hope the color is as dark as it looks on my computer! (I did call and they told me it was a pine green...but I got the impression that there is some commission involved!) Have you gotten emeralds from there, and how would you describe the color?

Thanks so much again everyone!!

Sharon

Sharon,

I'm glad my interpretation of "birthstone style" ring was the same as yours.

I don't know about the commision aspect although it probably exists on-line as well as in their stores on various caribbean islands where I have shopped. I have bought 2 sets of emerald earrings from them and seen their in-store rings, etc in person and they are a deep medium green for the most part. None of the very light ones that you see mostly now a days. Try finding a blue aquamarine or a blood red garnet.

Like I said they are fairly priced, they do not charge tax and worst off you are out the shipping if your daughter and you do not care for the merchandise.

Just like in the diamond districts ( both in midtown and down on the Bowery) in NYC the costs are half the appraisal values. Typical rule of thumb. But I DO trust them and historically gotten good value there. It could be worse you know....your daughter could be an April baby and THEIR birthstone is ... DIAMOND!

My boy had wanted a birthstone ring too. Much more difficult to find a masculine style of that and thank goodness his is Peridot although I had to go by instinct as Columbian Emerald does not carry much of that. It worked out well in the end.

Glad I could be helpful. Let me know how it turns out. You know where to find me.

 

[ctreelmom]

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