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What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 14th 06, 02:25 AM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
anyone
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Posts: 2
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

Hi I hope this isn't too off topic but I'm concerned about my Dad - he
seems to have become obsessed with buying the female members of the family
as much Gems TV stuff as he can get hold of - he is convinced it is all top
quality stuff at bargain prices. I'm no expert but having looked at their
stuff, examined the wording of their descriptions - I am sure that they
can't possibly be selling one thousand dollar rings for one hundred & fifty
dollars. I even saw a Tanzanite piece the other month supposedly worth
thirty thousand dollars being offered for four thousand. I think they sell
low grade stuff at low grade prices - what do the experts on this forum
think?
And are there any other similar operations or shop chains in the US &
Europe we should avoid buying from?
regards
anyone

Ads
  #2  
Old September 14th 06, 04:36 AM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
Frosty
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Posts: 155
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

As the sun rose on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 01:25:05 GMT, the distinguished
and oh so talented anyone climbed up to the podium,
shuffled some papers, took a sip of ice water and shouted in a loud
voice:

Hi I hope this isn't too off topic but I'm concerned about my Dad - he
seems to have become obsessed with buying the female members of the family
as much Gems TV stuff as he can get hold of - he is convinced it is all top
quality stuff at bargain prices. I'm no expert but having looked at their
stuff, examined the wording of their descriptions - I am sure that they
can't possibly be selling one thousand dollar rings for one hundred & fifty
dollars. I even saw a Tanzanite piece the other month supposedly worth
thirty thousand dollars being offered for four thousand. I think they sell
low grade stuff at low grade prices - what do the experts on this forum
think?
And are there any other similar operations or shop chains in the US &
Europe we should avoid buying from?
regards
anyone


Got a URL?


  #3  
Old September 14th 06, 03:55 PM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
Abrasha
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Posts: 298
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

anyone wrote:
I think they sell
low grade stuff at low grade prices - what do the experts on this forum
think?


I couldn't agree more.

And are there any other similar operations or shop chains in the US &
Europe we should avoid buying from?


Yes.

regards
anyone


This is all I will say to someone who cannot be reached via email and who uses a
phony name in the newsgroup.

--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com

  #4  
Old September 14th 06, 03:56 PM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
minkiemink
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Posts: 29
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

anyone wrote:
Hi I hope this isn't too off topic but I'm concerned about my Dad - he
seems to have become obsessed with buying the female members of the family
as much Gems TV stuff as he can get hold of - he is convinced it is all top
quality stuff at bargain prices. I'm no expert but having looked at their
stuff, examined the wording of their descriptions - I am sure that they
can't possibly be selling one thousand dollar rings for one hundred & fifty
dollars. I even saw a Tanzanite piece the other month supposedly worth
thirty thousand dollars being offered for four thousand. I think they sell
low grade stuff at low grade prices - what do the experts on this forum
think?
And are there any other similar operations or shop chains in the US &
Europe we should avoid buying from?
regards
anyone




Hi,

Believe it or not, my mother used to work for QVC. Apparently QVC is
the largest single purchaser of gemstones in the world. Who woulda
thunk it? Needless to say, she frequently gave me gifts of gems. Some
were absolutely beyond the pale dreadful. Others were really nice and
quite beautiful. I found the prices for the QVC goods at least fairly
on the mark. even a little cheap sometimes, but I suspect that is a
result of the volume. Can't vouch for other TV gem sites. Some of the
shows I have checked out on cable are absolutely horrific, and the
prices are outrageous.The quotes of the "original price" for these
wonders made my hair stand on end. Heck...the quotes for the "sale
price" of this stuff made my hair stand on end.

Oh yeah....the metal work that they stick many of the gems in at QVC,
were universally, absolute junk. Often very light weight, stamped out
an folded. Ick.

I would be less concerned about actual value of the gems, and worry
more seriously, about dad's sudden change in behavior. Perhaps a trip
to the doctor and some tests might be in order?

Best,

-Mink


  #5  
Old September 14th 06, 03:56 PM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
m4816k
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Posts: 7
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

"anyone" wrote in message
...
Hi I hope this isn't too off topic but I'm concerned about my Dad - he
seems to have become obsessed with buying the female members of the family
as much Gems TV stuff as he can get hold of - he is convinced it is all
top
quality stuff at bargain prices. I'm no expert but having looked at their
stuff, examined the wording of their descriptions - I am sure that they
can't possibly be selling one thousand dollar rings for one hundred &
fifty
dollars. I even saw a Tanzanite piece the other month supposedly worth
thirty thousand dollars being offered for four thousand. I think they sell
low grade stuff at low grade prices - what do the experts on this forum
think?
And are there any other similar operations or shop chains in the US &
Europe we should avoid buying from?
regards
anyone


Whenever someone asks for an expert opinion here, I show up eventhough I'm
not even close to that, but I just can't mind my own business:-)
I guess your Dad fell for some good marketing tricks. For starters print him
out (or show him) this:
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-tips/ask_01_00-price.html
just to get the picture of what's the value of diferent kinds of gems. Of
course, you can also read the "quality section" that's linked on the same
page, to get some clue of factors that determine the value of stones. Now,
if he still want's to buy that stuff, I have to say that some things are
better to buy from such sources than others. As you will read on the page I
suggested, there are stones that don't cost a fortune like amethyst,
citrine, peridot and some other, so it's perfectly fine to buy one of them
for like 20$ a carat in decent quality or a hundred in some setting.
However, settings are another problem when we're talking sources like tv
shopping channels. They have to make the biggest possible items for as
little of a price possible. So, more often than not, their settings
(especially gold ones) are extremly lightweight, which is not only a concern
regarding security of gemstones mounted, but also affects jewellers'
possibilities regarding repair work. So in the following years you end up
spending more on repairs then what's been paid for the item itself. I also
find myself watching those channels sometimes, but more to see if there are
some nice designes, rather than with the intention to buy stuff, and have
fun laughing at their presentations like: "look at this perfectly cut stone
(says he, showing a "gem" that's about 80% windowed)", "this is a completely
natural neon blue diamond (if it's natural it probably came from somewhere
near Chernobil)" or "this beautiful, pastel colored Morganite (whose color
is so pastel you can only guess it)" and so on. So, sure, there are some
nice silver settings to be bought from them, even some nice stones (that are
afordable in general), but if it sounds too good to be true than it isn't,
cause tv shopping channels are huge companies and they sure haven't grew so
much by giving away things for 1/10th of the price. And just to illustrate
how much is the real top quality "stuff" worth, here are a few links:
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-o-rama/g...ma_famous.html

http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/famousgems.html

http://www.royal-magazin.de/
(this one's partly in German, but you'll manage).
Hope you haven't fall asleep, and that I've been of some help. Good luck!

Marijan



  #6  
Old September 15th 06, 02:41 AM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
Marilee J. Layman
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Posts: 119
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

On Thu, 14 Sep 2006 01:25:05 GMT, anyone wrote:

Hi I hope this isn't too off topic but I'm concerned about my Dad - he
seems to have become obsessed with buying the female members of the family
as much Gems TV stuff as he can get hold of


Take him to his doctor.
--
Marilee J. Layman
http://mjlayman.livejournal.com/

  #7  
Old September 15th 06, 07:50 AM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
will1
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Posts: 4
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

Although I rarely buy stones these days, I do catch a TV gemshow now and
then to see what's out there. The values and quality of what you see on the
TV screen are par. Once in awhile, there are some real bargains with the
rare collector type stones, but even then, none has yet moved me to make a
purchase. I figure that I can pick up the same material at the Tucson show,
if I was motivated.
I have two suggestions:
One, take a few select samples of the gems your dad already bought to a
competent jeweler and have him or her give you an appraisal. Tell the
appraiser the reason for the appraisal (this is important). Show your dad
the result.

Two, buy a good beginners gem book ( the larger book stores carry them) for
your dad. Why? Why kill his passion for stones? Why not encourage him to
learn more about the subject. It is a wonderful hobby. Have him join a gem
and mineral club nearby. Turn it into a positive. The girls should get their
favorite gem gift set into a ring or pendant. Make your dad feel that He is
a gem of a dad. And the rest of the family, you might be the ones that need
to see a shrink, ( Get the appraisal first). Will E.


"anyone" wrote in message
...
Hi I hope this isn't too off topic but I'm concerned about my Dad - he
seems to have become obsessed with buying the female members of the family
as much Gems TV stuff as he can get hold of - he is convinced it is all
top
quality stuff at bargain prices. I'm no expert but having looked at their
stuff, examined the wording of their descriptions - I am sure that they
can't possibly be selling one thousand dollar rings for one hundred &
fifty
dollars. I even saw a Tanzanite piece the other month supposedly worth
thirty thousand dollars being offered for four thousand. I think they sell
low grade stuff at low grade prices - what do the experts on this forum
think?
And are there any other similar operations or shop chains in the US &
Europe we should avoid buying from?
regards
anyone




  #8  
Old September 19th 06, 02:34 AM posted to rec.crafts.jewelry
anyone
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2
Default What is the Quality of Gems TV stock (Please see inside)

anyone wrote in
:

Hi,
Thanks to all who replied - I am grateful for all your comments & it seems
I was right about the TV gem people. I will be getting my Dad some books
etc to help him make more informed decisions. I wont be telling him he's
made bad purchases it would upset him & at worst he has bought mediochre
jewellery at mediochre prices.
Sorry if I offended people by being anonymous - most internet professionals
advise anonymity or disguised email addresses in Usenet to fool the bots
that frequently trawl through the newsgroups looking for viable email
addresses to send spam to. I am happy to supply an email address to anyone
wh wants to reply privately.
I think however that this particular thread has run its course & perhaps we
should consider it closed. Thanks again to all who took the trouble etc.

Regards
anyone

 




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