Tanzanite, rubelite etc ... what are they?

[nkf]

Am idly watching some shopping channel and these gemstones keep coming up. Are they rare? Are they crap? Have they always been around but people have just started buying them? Also, does anyone seriously buy jewellery from the TV?

wow mrsmartin that is an amazing colour.

I love the colour of some of the relatively little known (gemtv) stones, so this is very interesting. I also like the idea of getting a cheapish diamonique ring as an engagement ring replacement, because I tend to keep my engagement ring (which is a family heirloom from DH's family) locked up. I'm just too clumsy for it! Do you find the Diamonique OK?

Oh, and I went to choose it with my mum, so nothing to do with romance at all!

MrsC and MrsB - thank you so much for your advice - will try to persuade her to get it valued 'for the insurance' maybe...

I know I shouldn't get so involved but she's my little sis and has had a hard year so it's horrible to see something that should have been such a lovely gesture from bil backfire especially when mum had told him there was likely to be a problem and he didn't listen. It really is a very dainty chain and so not much gold in it I'd have thought!

How much is reasonable to pay for a valuation do you reckon? (sorry to ask more questions!) Hopefully she will be able to find something better at the jewellers and they will exchange it for something that she can wear...

Seeing all this talk of gems reminds me of my weekend wanders with dh - we used to live near Hatton Gardens and it was lovely to look at all the amazing gems and jewels in the windows. And then the excitement of eventually choosing wedding ring and engagement ring. happy days but seem a long time ago now!

I don't have an engagement ring. I think I'd be very happy with choosing one with my mother.

Actually, that's not true. My mother is a bit puritanical and would spend the visit delivering a monologue on the wrongness of making such a purchase.

a valuation for insurance is totally different zizap as it only covers the cost of replacement. Not the actual retail cost.

If you're trying to find out how much, without letting on that's what you're doing can you not take her into jewellers on the pretext that you are looking for earrings/necklace for work do and while you're in just mention in passing to the jeweller 'Oh my sister got this lovely bracelet, could I be cheeky and ask roughly how much you think it's worth. Just for fun?'

(I've seen a few approached that way) If it's a valuation for insurance it'll cost money as well.

If it's just a quick question about retail prices for a piece of jewellery we do it for free. (If you're friendly and not ripping people off they will always come back!). A valuation for insurance purposes costs a minimum £25 or 1% of the total worth of the item.

I love working in the jewellery industry, (and I wouldn't have been born without it as both my parents are jewellers too!) it's always exciting/fun being in a jewellers. Even if it's just to have an item repaired - you know you're getting something that you love back!

I don't have an engagement ring as we're quite happily living in sin.....

My favourite ring that I wear every day is this

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=sapphire+target+ring&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1828&bih=1075&tbm=isch&tbnid=k95RTszHcT1-aM:&imgrefurl=www.humphreybutler.com/shop/edwardian-diamond-and-sapphire-target-cluster-ring/&docid=L7RanpP-M87UGM&imgurl=www.humphreybutler.com/shop/images/1192/SN2942.jpg&w=950&h=950&ei=QXEsT9vUC-G20QWtx6yvCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=310&vpy=122&dur=17&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=120&ty=100&sig=110301854846680453589&page=1&tbnh=111&tbnw=114&start=0&ndsp=63&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sapphire target

pluckingup - tanzanite is so much nicer in person - you get lots of flashes of pinks and violets and royal blues.

My qvc ring is fine - I don't think you can go for any stone bigger than 4or5mm though as then they look like glass. I went for one that has a coloured main stone (I'm just not a solitaire girl) and I tell everyone it is a sapphire when they ask (though the woman in Tiffany just assumed it was a canary diamond and I didn't feel the need to correct her!!)

For some reason I cdan't link to it but it is item 699996 on qvcuk.com - was only £25!

zipzap I can't remember how much our valuation was as we also paid to have a serial number to be laser etched onto my tanzanite(so I can prove it is mine if the worst does happen). I think Mrs C's idea of going to a couple of jewellers is the best option though. I also think the original jeweller will be more inclined to do a deal if BIL goes in and says it doesn't fit with lifestyle etc - if he has given them a fair amount of business before they should recognise the importance of retaining him as a customer. If not, threaten Watchdog!!! :o

mrsc - oooh!

MrsC - so is Humphery Butler your family business?

Thank you ladies - great advice! I've learnt so much on here tonight and completely unexpectedly

I will try to persuade her to do what you say...

and MrsC - that's a lovely ring, I can see why you love it! My rings are all sitting gathering dust hidden at the back of my wardrobe as my fingers expanded when I was pregnant and haven't ever shrunk back. I optimistically hoped they would and that I would lose lots of weight too but it isn't happening, so this thread is inspiring me to dig them out and sort out getting them stretched a bit so I can start wearing them again, or at least get a cheap 'interim' one to wear until I can lose weight fit them again!

and for you both!

Hi MrsMartin... nooo. We're an independent in Glasgow. (With no functioning webpage.) I have a separate vintage jewellery business (With website launching in April)

MrsC I'd agree to live in sinful bliss with that on my finger.

MrsMartin I have a feeling I might need some tanzanite, didn't realise it had so many colours going on.
I am also not a solitaire person - the diamonique looks lovely in the yellow. Good to kow about the 4/5mm limit - I am always worried about the fog lamp look with cubic zirconia!

I've never actually heard of Humphrey Butler but I did a google image search and it's more or less identical. (My diamond is bigger though evil laugh)

Thanks zipzap... if it's just a half size you need it should cost pennies to get them stretched. If you need a couple of sizes up have a look around and see if you have any old or broken jewellery that you can exchange for the repair. Most independents are quite good with barters like such.

I'll take the although I daresay I may have had at least one too many this evening. It is Friday after all!

Thanks Ladies - Special thanks to Mrs C too - it is nice when someone else knows what you are on about!!

good luck zipzap - thanks for the ring appreciation :o I won't lie - it is special!!

know

Oh, also good luck with the new business Mrs C - I'm sure it will be a success (lang antiques is always where I look to for inspiration)

Thanks mrsmartin it's not so new anymore, I've been running for the last 4 years but figured I should really get with the technological revolution!

We've been doing pretty well in Scotland but just broadening our market. If I end up the next langs I'll give you a good discount

mrs c, please let us all know when you're up and running online (if that's allowed in the mn world)

I will do... and if mumsnet don't allow it then you'll probably hear about it in the papers ;
"Mumsnetter detained for going completely insane at the helm of computer website and bashing web developer on the head"

I like my technology like I like my clothes and jewellery; Vintage, pretty but fairly useless.

yes I get into all kinds of trouble (especially with respect to cars) as my main criteria are vintage and pretty. Good luck!

Oh jeez you're my kind of woman.

I'm looking into getting a 1979 camaro...... I actually have a friend who specialises in vintage american cars. (I am both very lucky and doomed to spend my life in the red!)

I'm going to ask mumsnet to start a vintage lifestyle topic. To cover everything from clothes, hair and makeup to cars, furniture and homes. (If they do then dd might suffer from neglect though..... hard decision!)

oooh yes we need a vintage lifestyle topic!!

Thanks for all the contributions. I learned a lot.

www.gems.tv/Jewellery/Zircon-Platinum-Overlay-925-Ring-TGW-082cts/Design-OIVJ66.aspx

Can I have your views on the above? I have very little jewellery. Two pairs of earrings, one necklace and a bracelet. All in 18k gold and all very fine.

However, since my divorce, I have this longing to shine a bit. Hence the interest in brighter stuff.

So the above ring. Not real diamonds obviously but I think it could look rather dazzling on my finger when I go out for the evening.

What do you think?

www.gems.tv/Jewellery/Zircon-Platinum-Overlay-925-Ring-TGW-082cts/Design-OIVJ66.aspx