To think this ring has been changed

[Ondonotdisturb]

Long story short.. I was left a sapphire and diamond ring, I think the diamonds are original but family have a feeling a certain family member has swapped out the sapphire. I’ve cleaned it as best as I can and am able to shine a light from underneath which makes the gem shine green/blueish and appear murky. From above with no light the gem is very dark/almost black
wondering if anyone on here would be able to identify if this is fake or the original? There seems to have been some lighter blue stripes appear where I’ve maybe scraped the dirt from underneath (in first image) a little harder?

It’s very pretty op and lovely colour now it’s cleaned.

It’s soooo tiny I’ve got the best pic I can but here

I'd second getting an independent jeweller to take a look. I think the scratches are inclusions (i.e. part of the natural stone) but they'd know for sure.

Plus, if it is of any value you may need to get it added as a special item on your contents insurance. So worth getting a valuation from them which would mean a proper appraisal of the stones.

Lovely ring.

With the "lines" you refer to it makes me wonder if it could be a star sapphire? A good jeweller will be able to tell you. It's a very lovely ring OP .

I can't see it clearly, I can't even see my own clearly 😂

It's a beautiful ring though. Will you wear it? I love family jewellery and the stories behind them

Pale blue sapphires are the most valuable usually. I doubt the stone has been swapped. It wouldn't be worth the effort or cost.

For hallmarks you can usually see where it was made (for instance a lion), the carat of the gold, and possibly the maker's initials. You need a magnifying glass to read them.

I’ve managed to make out the 750 on the band meaning it’s 18k gold

Looks like 18ct, Birmingham ? ( an anchor) and possibly a 1978 date letter. AJW will be the maker and the 7599 probably a catalogue or model number

no. the dark ones are not as valuable and the more blue ones.

slightly clearer image
our family is from London and the maker was London based but not sure how hallmarking works as in it could have come from Birmingham?

yup, the only colour that sapphire does not come in is red because red sapphires are rubies.

I think it’s a ship rather than an anchor

OP what you do need to do is take it in to the jewellery shop to have it serviced. The amount of people who don't do this every few years shocks me and then they are surprised when the stones fall out.

OP that's come up beautifully!!

I love antique jewellery. I follow a WHOLE HEAP of folks on IG selling antique rings. 😍

I agree that secondhand jewellery is a shockingly low price. Not to derail, but there seem to be some knowledgeable people on this thread. Where can I learn more about gem stones? I have the occasional hankering to buy stones. Then, where are these retailers finding the second hand jewellery?!! Personally I'd MUCH rather spend money on something old to new 😍

can I ask what IG is please?

Star sapphires are cut as cabochons and the asterism is very obvious, it appears to move and 'float' in the stone especially in direct light.

Instagram.

New ones of similar size retail for around 8K,
given quality of stone, setting and the metal used.

@godmum56 Instagram

Can I suggest looking at auctions? Our nearest auction house has monthly auctions, and every 3-4 months they specialise in jewellery. I recently bought an emerald circled by diamonds ring, 18k. I took it to my independent jeweller for cleaning and resizing and he could not believe the low price I paid for it.
I watch the auction live online and bid when the lot I'm interested in comes up.
It's too too easy 🤣
Just bear in mind there is always a buyers (and sellers) premium applied by the auction house

Is it a black sapphire? Mine is a black sapphire.

This is mine, a black sapphire. Although it is a little scratched on top.

I don’t think it’s a black sapphire as it shines blue when there’s light through it. Does appear black whilst being worn though. Yours is very pretty

I can never understand How to find out about these? I have looked at my local ones but I can see any jewellery ones. Or how to watch the auctions live.