Are pieces worth the prices

[Always complaining]

What does anyone think of the Tajikistan spinel pieces. They r quite expensive they look nice but I know nothing about the stone and not sure if they are worth price.

 

[AndyW]

I hadn't really noticed these so my answer is triggered by your question and, of course, I'm no expert - this is just my instant response, ramble & opinion .

Take these first three 18K pieces on the website (attached images). There are others, I just picked these as examples. There is a wide range of saturation and each piece has a different clarity rating, (the second one, for example, is deeply saturated but included). Assuming that pink is your colour (I can take it or leave it, although I'm a sucker for a precision or fancy cut Rose de France amethyst!) I think the first ring is actually quite elegant. The stone is a good size, even saturation and SI clarity. The pendant is neither here nor there.

Spinel is far more durable than, say, a kunzite and the colour won't fade as quickly in sunlight. But it's not as rare as Gemporia presentations want you to believe. Here's a range of stones, different locations, sizes (dimensions, not weight) and colours:

https://www.1stdibs.com/buy/tajikistan-spinel/

The Gemporia stone weights (not dimensions) are quite small compared to some of these examples on 1stDibs, especially for the price (take off the gold & diamond cost). Gemporia also likes to put a premium on a distinct location but I can't see that there's anything different to this location to Myanmar or Ceylon. See image 4 - larger stone, arguably more interesting colour - and I come back to it - colour is only one but a key factor to a value of a gemstone.

To your real question about worth and cost, I think it's possible that these are standard or high prices - I assume that you've seen what the live auction price is normally - about 10-20% lower than the web price? Even then, I don't think they're particularly competitively priced. If you do a search for 18K spinel rings, a few non-Gemporia ones come up but they seem to be either silly money (Pragnells) or about the same. I've noticed that Gemporia adds a hefty premium based on a fraction of gold weight difference between designs and how many of their melee size SI diamonds that they squeeze into the design. The silver and 9K ones are the usual Gemporia fare - included, pale, wishy-washy cluster designs of small stones, probably badly cut and comparatively over-priced. I'm not being snooty about these because "I only do 18K jewellery" - looking at their website, the difference in quality of stone set in cheaper metals is quite stark. Gemporia likes to claim that the quality is no different in silver or the ranges of gold. Either that's sadly true or it's BS and, looking at the Tajik examples in silver/9K I feel it's BS.

That's enough rambling but hope it helps.

 

[AndyW]

In auction, with 8 minutes remaining of the hour, this small pendant at £199 for an 8x6 stone in 0.48g of gold (the 4 1mm zircons are almost worthless) seems expensive to me.

 

[Always complaining]

In auction, with 8 minutes remaining of the hour, this small pendant at £199 for an 8x6 stone in 0.48g of gold (the 4 1mm zircons are almost worthless) seems expensive to me.
View attachment 31742

Thank you for going to all that trouble. It’s been a big help. What struck me when they showed Tajikistan spinel was its vivid colour. Of course they don’t always live up to expectations. Their camera people usually make stones look much better than the reality. I don’t know anything about spinel . It’s not a stone that’s seen all that often so it’s difficult to have much of an idea of price.I’ve also noticed that some of their items have taken a really big jump in price over the last month I cant see any reason for this as they’re not new stock.

 

[TheManWithNoName]

Based on the items Andy has posted, I’d say they are way overpriced.

I’d also be wary of buying Spinel items that don’t specify exactly what colour you’re getting. I’ve fallen for this on Gem Collector in the past - on screen, they showed one of the rarer and/or more vivid stones, but what I actually received was either an undesirable greyish colour or a windowed, washed-out stone with barely any colour.

Only buy Spinel that is specifically listed as "Red Spinel" or "Pink Spinel." Descriptions like "Spinel" or "Multi-Colour Spinel" are far too vague for the prices they’re asking and will highly likely result in you getting a stone that is not as desirable or valuable.

At the prices Gemporia/Gem Collector charge these days, you should be getting exactly what is shown - not just a representation of what you could receive.

As Andy said, they also try to imply that certain locations add value to a stone. In reality, location rarely increases a gem’s worth unless it’s something genuinely rare - such as original Russian Alexandrite, which was generally superior in quality to the Indian material discovered later (the Indian material is typically very heavily included and has a hazy, foggy appearance).

I’ve also noticed another misleading sales tactic recently, where Gemporia claims that certain gemstones are “almost depleted” to pressure buyers. For example, Kate McCarthy recently sold Tanzanian Tsavorite Garnet and repeatedly stated that "the mine is now closed - so this is your last chance to get this material." In my opinion, the wording was deliberately chosen to make it sound as if Tsavorite Garnet as a whole would no longer be available, which is not the case. Tsavorite is not exclusive to Tanzania - it can still be obtained from other mines.

Gemporia has also used this tactic with harder-to-find colours of Spinel, such as blue or yellow. While some mines have closed, plenty of Spinel mines are still operating.

They’re doing the same with "Yellow/Golden Tanzanite," claiming it’s ultra-rare and only found in one Tanzanite block. However, Yellow/Golden Zoisite (which is what it actually is) is not exclusive to Tanzania - unlike the blue variety, which is only found there. Not only is that claim misleading, but so is the use of the name Tanzanite. The term Tanzanite should only be used for the blue material - every other colour should be referred to as Zoisite.

 

[Always complaining]

Based on the items Andy has posted, I’d say they are way overpriced.

I’d also be wary of buying Spinel items that don’t specify exactly what colour you’re getting. I’ve fallen for this on Gem Collector in the past - on screen, they showed one of the rarer and/or more vivid stones, but what I actually received was either an undesirable greyish colour or a windowed, washed-out stone with barely any colour.

Only buy Spinel that is specifically listed as "Red Spinel" or "Pink Spinel." Descriptions like "Spinel" or "Multi-Colour Spinel" are far too vague for the prices they’re asking and will highly likely result in you getting a stone that is not as desirable or valuable.

At the prices Gemporia/Gem Collector charge these days, you should be getting exactly what is shown - not just a representation of what you could receive.

As Andy said, they also try to imply that certain locations add value to a stone. In reality, location rarely increases a gem’s worth unless it’s something genuinely rare - such as original Russian Alexandrite, which was generally superior in quality to the Indian material discovered later (the Indian material is typically very heavily included and has a hazy, foggy appearance).

I’ve also noticed another misleading sales tactic recently, where Gemporia claims that certain gemstones are “almost depleted” to pressure buyers. For example, Kate McCarthy recently sold Tanzanian Tsavorite Garnet and repeatedly stated that "the mine is now closed - so this is your last chance to get this material." In my opinion, the wording was deliberately chosen to make it sound as if Tsavorite Garnet as a whole would no longer be available, which is not the case. Tsavorite is not exclusive to Tanzania - it can still be obtained from other mines.

Gemporia has also used this tactic with harder-to-find colours of Spinel, such as blue or yellow. While some mines have closed, plenty of Spinel mines are still operating.

They’re doing the same with "Yellow/Golden Tanzanite," claiming it’s ultra-rare and only found in one Tanzanite block. However, Yellow/Golden Zoisite (which is what it actually is) is not exclusive to Tanzania - unlike the blue variety, which is only found there. Not only is that claim misleading, but so is the use of the name Tanzanite. The term Tanzanite should only be used for the blue material - every other colour should be referred to as Zoisite.

Thank you TMWNN. This site is very helpful. For the stones seen everywhere it’s not too difficult to have a good idea of prices but for more unusual ones it’s not so easy. Another thing about Gems is the scarcity of reviews. They get a lot of returns and it would be very helpful to know why they were returned. The reason I was looking for something at this time is I got a voucher for 25% off. Without that I’d consider the prices too high. I’ve noticed even Jeff is not giving the discounts he used to give however he’s still the best bet. Another thing I’ve noticed lately is the diamond accents they are using are absolutely tiny. Most under 1point. Definitely gone downhill as a good value way to buy jewellery.

 

[TheManWithNoName]

Another thing I’ve noticed lately is the diamond accents they are using are absolutely tiny. Most under 1point. Definitely gone downhill as a good value way to buy jewellery.

The clarity in their diamonds isn’t there these days either.

Gemporia seems to be offering less, yet prices continue to rise. Gold pieces have lower gram weights, and diamond accent stones are tiny, heavily included, and many stones appear very poorly cut. On top of that, postage prices have gone up as of today, but this has been kept very low profile - no on-screen graphics warning of the increase, and I’ve not heard any presenters mention it during the times I’ve had it on in the background.

Many people on Gemporia’s Facebook page say they rarely buy from them now, preferring TJC instead. Ironically, a few years ago, it was the other way around - people were leaving TJC for Gemporia.

 

[Always complaining]

The clarity in their diamonds isn’t there these days either.

Gemporia seems to be offering less, yet prices continue to rise. Gold pieces have lower gram weights, and diamond accent stones are tiny, heavily included, and many stones appear very poorly cut. On top of that, postage prices have gone up as of today, but this has been kept very low profile - no on-screen graphics warning of the increase, and I’ve not heard any presenters mention it during the times I’ve had it on in the background.

Many people on Gemporia’s Facebook page say they rarely buy from them now, preferring TJC instead. Ironically, a few years ago, it was the other way around - people were leaving TJC for Gemporia.

I find 2 problems with TJC. They give hardly if any information about stones and they tend to stick with the same classic designs. They r very good for Tanzanite or were. Last time I looked they had very little. The same or much the same designs can get a bit boring. Also they have started a lot of preordering now . I think they may be only ordering from US ( they r usually 14k) when they get an order. They also are not a patch on what they were.i suppose it may be the economic climate and people giving a lot more thought before they order. I know I am.

 

[TheManWithNoName]

I find 2 problems with TJC. They give hardly if any information about stones and they tend to stick with the same classic designs. They r very good for Tanzanite or were. Last time I looked they had very little. The same or much the same designs can get a bit boring. Also they have started a lot of preordering now . I think they may be only ordering from US ( they r usually 14k) when they get an order. They also are not a patch on what they were.i suppose it may be the economic climate and people giving a lot more thought before they order. I know I am.

I've never been keen on TJC. Their television output is even more unprofessional than Gemporia's (and that takes some doing these days), I could never understand a word that Amit shouted on screen, their diamonds always seemed to look 'dirty' or grey, and I've never trusted retailers that sell a mixture of genuine gemstones and synthetic gemstones. What's to stop a synthetic diamond accidentally being mixed up with a real diamond?

Maybe its a sign of just how low Gemporia have fallen if people prefer another poor retailer over them.

 

[Always complaining]

I've never been keen on TJC. Their television output is even more unprofessional than Gemporia's (and that takes some doing these days), I could never understand a word that Amit shouted on screen, their diamonds always seemed to look 'dirty' or grey, and I've never trusted retailers that sell a mixture of genuine gemstones and synthetic gemstones. What's to stop a synthetic diamond accidentally being mixed up with a real diamond?

Maybe its a sign of just how low Gemporia have fallen if people prefer another poor retailer over them.

The diamonds they put in their 9 ct are really grey and I’ve noticed that a lot of their 14 ct items have included diamonds too. Some are I2 or even I3. And some of the 14 ct pieces are not cheap by any means.

 

[AndyW]

Since Gemporia's "shake up" a few years ago, its jewellery has become pretty boring like most of TJC's offerings - run of the mill (almost literally!) "plonk in a basket" or cluster, paint-by-numbers designs. A few of my favourite pieces over the years, some of which I've bought again for presents, have been runs created in collaboration. For example, Tara Coomber (Britannia 958 precision cut), Elizabeth Hunt (Argentium 960, heavy) or a couple of the early Rachel Galley non-gem set pieces.

When you're owned or backed by a giant US conglomerate as TJC is or you source pre-made jewellery from Temu & PandaHall ( joke - but from Chinese factories, for sure) as Gemporia now does, it makes jewellery no longer special, interesting or "heirloom". When you add in the gemstones with the huge range of quality, none of which are truly investment grade - even the TJC Iliana and the TGGC Lorique, you really have to be careful these days about what you're spending your hard-earned cash on.

 

[AndyW]

The diamonds they put in their 9 ct are really grey and I’ve noticed that a lot of their 14 ct items have included diamonds too. Some are I2 or even I3. And some of the 14 ct pieces are not cheap by any means.

...their diamonds always seemed to look 'dirty' or grey, and I've never trusted retailers that sell a mixture of genuine gemstones and synthetic gemstones. What's to stop a synthetic diamond accidentally being mixed up with a real diamond?

Here's a grumpy statement: both TJC and TGGC's I and ungraded clarity diamonds are no better than those I can get at B&Q on the tips of a packet of own-brand drill bits. I learned that over ten years ago with Gemporia, when I bought a white gold pendant and was flabbergasted about how bad it was. Sent straight back and vowed never, ever again.

Americans treat 14K as their base level gold for "high end" jewellery but, as you've said, the diamonds can be shocking. TJC does it because they are an American company really but Gemporia does too when it wheels out that oily Swiss Tony salesman for its "House of Winston" ugly 14K creations. Having said that, and bearing in mind that no diamonds on the standard retail market are rare (blue, pink, red, large white auctioned in Switzerland - yes, otherwise no) - even the Argyle deposit, you can get nice, everyday wear cluster pieces sometimes if you look around, set a budget and don't settle for anything that appears to be cheaper than it should be.

For example, I quite like this SI pendant from Gemporia. Yes, it's small but the diamonds are 2.6mm, 2.2mm and 1.5mm, so not melee size. This piece would make a pretty present or something to wear on a Summer evening out. £299 is the web price so I'd try a Jeff Load From Code and I might be wrong but I think it's ok at that price level if you look on Google. You can buy a 6.4mm SI SGL certified solitaire from TJC for the same price (image 2) but it's a damn lab-creation and, at £299, that is way overpriced - no better than CZ. You can also pay silly money for ugly melee sized clusters that use the SI clarity to justify a price hike (image 3).

So diamonds are definitely a different beast from coloured stones (Gemporia never did diamond jewellery once upon a time) and the options available across the retail market are enormous. The normal cr*p sold by TGGC & TJC is not necessarily reflective of all retail.

 

[Always complaining]

Here's a grumpy statement: both TJC and TGGC's I and ungraded clarity diamonds are no better than those I can get at B&Q on the tips of a packet of own-brand drill bits. I learned that over ten years ago with Gemporia, when I bought a white gold pendant and was flabbergasted about how bad it was. Sent straight back and vowed never, ever again.

Americans treat 14K as their base level gold for "high end" jewellery but, as you've said, the diamonds can be shocking. TJC does it because they are an American company really but Gemporia does too when it wheels out that oily Swiss Tony salesman for its "House of Winston" ugly 14K creations. Having said that, and bearing in mind that no diamonds on the standard retail market are rare (blue, pink, red, large white auctioned in Switzerland - yes, otherwise no) - even the Argyle deposit, you can get nice, everyday wear cluster pieces sometimes if you look around, set a budget and don't settle for anything that appears to be cheaper than it should be.

For example, I quite like this SI pendant from Gemporia. Yes, it's small but the diamonds are 2.6mm, 2.2mm and 1.5mm, so not melee size. This piece would make a pretty present or something to wear on a Summer evening out. £299 is the web price so I'd try a Jeff Load From Code and I might be wrong but I think it's ok at that price level if you look on Google. You can buy a 6.4mm SI SGL certified solitaire from TJC for the same price (image 2) but it's a damn lab-creation and, at £299, that is way overpriced - no better than CZ. You can also pay silly money for ugly melee sized clusters that use the SI clarity to justify a price hike (image 3).

So diamonds are definitely a different beast from coloured stones (Gemporia never did diamond jewellery once upon a time) and the options available across the retail market are enormous. The normal cr*p sold by TGGC & TJC is not necessarily reflective of all retail.

I saw those clover diamond things and thought they were very pretty but just too small. A lovely present for a teen though. I too hate the Winston things. Very ugly. Just trading on the name.i can’t remember if they r overpriced as I don’t watch their shows. I think Gems 9 ct diamonds are not quite as bad as TJC but mostly because TJCs are truly awful. I don’t buy anything with resale in mind in fact my probably unrealistic hope is that they will never be sold. However I don’t like to feel I have been conned.

 

[TheManWithNoName]

I saw those clover diamond things and thought they were very pretty but just too small. A lovely present for a teen though. I too hate the Winston things. Very ugly. Just trading on the name.i can’t remember if they r overpriced as I don’t watch their shows. I think Gems 9 ct diamonds are not quite as bad as TJC but mostly because TJCs are truly awful. I don’t buy anything with resale in mind in fact my probably unrealistic hope is that they will never be sold. However I don’t like to feel I have been conned.

Based on how tight Gemporia seem to be these days with their offerings, they'll probably opt for a Ray Winston range in the not too distant future instead........

 

[TheManWithNoName]

Since Gemporia's "shake up" a few years ago, its jewellery has become pretty boring like most of TJC's offerings - run of the mill (almost literally!) "plonk in a basket" or cluster, paint-by-numbers designs.

I suspect there are numerous reason for this:

1. As you alluded to, they're importing from China rather than designing pieces themselves.

2. I suspect that over the several rounds of redundancies in recent years, jewellery designers have also been among those 'culled' to cut costs too. This is probably why several of the female presenters have had their own 'range' that they've 'designed' themselves. However, being a jewellery presenter doesn’t automatically make them a jewellery designer. Despite all her faults, Lindsey Carr’s range was actually quite nice. Kate McCarthy also created a few good designs. The rest, though, were fairly horrific – and don’t even get me started on those hideous Karma/Milano charms that Kati Elliott ‘designed’. Rae’s were stylish and well thought-out. Kati’s looked like they were put together by a school student during their lunch break.

3. Years ago, the Gemporia ethos seemed to be about offering good-looking, high-quality jewellery at affordable prices – with generous stone sizes and substantial metal weights. These days, their ethos comes across as ‘let’s see how little metal and stone we can get away with – and how much we can overcharge our customers for it.’

 

[TheManWithNoName]

Here's a grumpy statement: both TJC and TGGC's I and ungraded clarity diamonds are no better than those I can get at B&Q on the tips of a packet of own-brand drill bits. I learned that over ten years ago with Gemporia, when I bought a white gold pendant and was flabbergasted about how bad it was. Sent straight back and vowed never, ever again.

Ironically, before lab-created diamonds were first produced in the 1950s, the ungraded, poor-quality diamonds now set into jewellery were the same type that would have been ground down for industrial use, such as coating drill tips. Decades ago, those, as well as brown diamonds, were considered undesirable and were rarely, if ever, used in jewellery - they were almost entirely reserved for industrial applications.

However, as lab-grown diamonds became commercially viable for industrial use from the 1980s onwards, natural low-quality diamonds were no longer required for these purposes. Instead, they were pushed into the jewellery market. The same applies to the brown diamonds - they were rebranded as 'cognac' or 'champagne' diamonds to make them sound more desirable. Consumers were told they were rare and valuable, and they began to be sold at a premium.

 

[Always complaining]

Based on how tight Gemporia seem to be these days with their offerings, they'll probably opt for a Ray Winston range in the not too distant future instead........

Don’t give them ideas. A day of Winston monstrosities presented by Troth. Torture.

 

[Always complaining]

Ironically, before lab-created diamonds were first produced in the 1950s, the ungraded, poor-quality diamonds now set into jewellery were the same type that would have been ground down for industrial use, such as coating drill tips. Decades ago, those, as well as brown diamonds, were considered undesirable and were rarely, if ever, used in jewellery - they were almost entirely reserved for industrial applications.

However, as lab-grown diamonds became commercially viable for industrial use from the 1980s onwards, natural low-quality diamonds were no longer required for these purposes. Instead, they were pushed into the jewellery market. The same applies to the brown diamonds - they were rebranded as 'cognac' or 'champagne' diamonds to make them sound more desirable. Consumers were told they were rare and valuable, and they began to be sold at a premium.

I had no idea lab grown were around for so long. Of course they are ideal for industrial use. I heard somewhere that at one time only white diamonds were considered desirable so the pink ones that are so expensive today could be got for next to nothing. How true I don’t know.

 

[TheManWithNoName]

I had no idea lab grown were around for so long. Of course they are ideal for industrial use. I heard somewhere that at one time only white diamonds were considered desirable so the pink ones that are so expensive today could be got for next to nothing. How true I don’t know.

Lab created Diamonds have been around for a while (1950s) - but the majority were poor quality and only suitable for industrial purposes. It's only been since the late 1980s to early 1990's that they've been able to consistently produce gem quality diamonds.

You're probably right about pink diamonds. Many people don't even know that coloured diamonds exist. Most people associate diamonds with being colourless, sparkly and hard (because that's how they've primarily been marketed by De Beers, etc).

The 'industry' has always led people to believe that inclusions and impurities are 'bad' too - but impurities make some stones more desirable and valuable (Amber) - and impurities are required to give stones their colour.

Most coloured diamonds are irradiated too - so people may have presumed that pink diamonds were irradiated and not naturally pink. I'm not sure how true it is, but I've read in the past that only 30 red diamonds have been found naturally. All other red diamonds on the market are irradiated.

 

[Always complaining]

Lab created Diamonds have been around for a while (1950s) - but the majority were poor quality and only suitable for industrial purposes. It's only been since the late 1980s to early 1990's that they've been able to consistently produce gem quality diamonds.

You're probably right about pink diamonds. Many people don't even know that coloured diamonds exist. Most people associate diamonds with being colourless, sparkly and hard (because that's how they've primarily been marketed by De Beers, etc).

The 'industry' has always led people to believe that inclusions and impurities are 'bad' too - but impurities make some stones more desirable and valuable (Amber) - and impurities are required to give stones their colour.

Most coloured diamonds are irradiated too - so people may have presumed that pink diamonds were irradiated and not naturally pink. I'm not sure how true it is, but I've read in the past that only 30 red diamonds have been found naturally. All other red diamonds on the market are irradiated.

I’ve never seen a natural red diamond. Gems sell treated ones.