QuestionMy ring was bought new for me at a local fine jewelers 35 years ago.It is 10k gold.The band is thin and has a flower stem with a leaf on each side of the stem.The Flower is the stone.I believe it is aquamarine,since that is my birthstone.I have misplaced the ring and I need to know if it had any value before I have a meltdown.It was $35.00 new. Thank You.
AnswerIn answer to your semi-precious jewelry question
G'day Venessa and many thanks for your query.
While you didn't say where you live, I am going to assume the States - but the same principle applies no matter where you are from.
Quality Jewelry is generally accepted as being 18 carat (or karat) or better, with general jewelry being in the 9ct-10ct-12ct range. This helps to keep the price down so we mere mortals can afford jewelry.
The gemstone then - may NOT have been Aquamarine (which is expensive) but more likely Blue Topaz, or Blue Spinel or even a Blue synthetic Corundum. Jewelers simply do not put good quality items into low quality jewelry - it defeats the object of using less valuable gold in the first place.
If the item was $35 dollars then - it wouldn't have increased much and could be purchased today for less than a couple of hundred bucks.
My advise - don't have a Meltdown - go buy yourself a new one - preferably in 18ct with a real Aquamarine.
Oh - and one other thing - enjoy it ;-)
You might also like to add this query to my Jewelry Forum at http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.net/jewelry-forum/ as other may have had a similar problem.
Can't hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.
Hope this helps...
