topic Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER? in Jewelry

DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Shanus — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 13:24:59 GMT

I was shocked to see Affinity Diamonds or any diamonds set in sterling silver. No. No. No.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Kachina624 — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 14:06:41 GMT

Dont be shocked @Shanus. They've been doing this for years. They're probably poor quality diamonds not worth putting in 14k.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

chrystaltree — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 14:15:33 GMT

What's so shocking about it?

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

SANNA — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 14:19:36 GMT

I guess we are hitting a new low in jewelry industry. I remember I was appalled years ago when they started to put good gemstones in silver!!! Then I got used to it. The price of gold and platinum is insane. But I will never get used to buying cra..y diamonds, thank God, I have enough.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Shanus — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 14:41:35 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
What's so shocking about it?

@chrystaltree If a diamond or any gemstone is of any value, the setting and prongs done in silver is too weak to protect & hold the stone securely.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

chrystaltree — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 14:52:04 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
What's so shocking about it?

@chrystaltree If a diamond or any gemstone is of any value, the setting and prongs done in silver is too weak to protect & hold the stone securely.

@Shanus Obviously that would depend on the gram weight of the sterling silver prongs...it matters. Jewelers have been putting diamonds and gemstones in silver for eons, there's nothing new about it. We're talking shopping channel here so we aren't talking about gems that are valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, which would be set in platinum.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Shanus — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:04:38 GMT

@SANNA wrote:
I guess we are hitting a new low in jewelry industry. I remember I was appalled years ago when they started to put good gemstones in silver!!! Then I got used to it. The price of gold and platinum is insane. But I will never get used to buying cra..y diamonds, thank God, I have enough.

@SANNA I have enough diamond, as well, all purchased at a time when they could be set in platinum. I would never purchase diamonds online when I couldn't see what I was getting up close and personal.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Shanus — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:11:13 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@Shanus wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
What's so shocking about it?

@chrystaltree If a diamond or any gemstone is of any value, the setting and prongs done in silver is too weak to protect & hold the stone securely.

@Shanus Obviously that would depend on the gram weight of the sterling silver prongs...it matters. Jewelers have been putting diamonds and gemstones in silver for eons, there's nothing new about it. We're talking shopping channel here so we aren't talking about gems that are valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, which would be set in platinum.

As I stated above, I would not purchase diamonds or any other expensive gemstone jewelry online, so it really doesn't matter to me what they're set in.... Just a head's up for others who are purchasing stones set in silver. By the way, even small pave stones can be difficult to be held securely set in silver. If you catch a prong on a sweater, etc., the silver can give way and the stone lost. White or yellow gold or platinum are much stronger.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

millieshops — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:22:36 GMT

I've been wearing an Affinity diamond pave ring for more than a decade now - paid less than $100 including tax and shipping and would not have wanted to pay a whole lot more for a gold or platinum setting. I did take that ring to the saleswomen I dealt with at Saks when it arrived. She showed me a very similar pave ring set in gold - total cost there would have been well over 11 times as much.

Her recommendation? Keep the Affinity. I did - and like diamonds that have been set in silver for eons now, that Affinity ring still gets more compliments than many of my other rings which cost much more.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Shanus — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:29:25 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
I've been wearing an Affinity diamond pave ring for more than a decade now - paid less than $100 including tax and shipping and would not have wanted to pay a whole lot more for a gold or platinum setting. I did take that ring to the saleswomen I dealt with at Saks when it arrived. She showed me a very similar pave ring set in gold - total cost there would have been well over 11 times as much.

Her recommendation? Keep the Affinity. I did - and like diamonds that have been set in silver for eons now, that Affinity ring still gets more compliments than many of my other rings which cost much more.

@millieshops Does your ring silver ring tarnish and require polishing? That's just another downside for me. If you are happy w/ your ring, enjoy it for many years. 💕

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

makena — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:38:16 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
What's so shocking about it?

@chrystaltree If a diamond or any gemstone is of any value, the setting and prongs done in silver is too weak to protect & hold the stone securely.

While gold may be your preference, that comment is simply not true.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

makena — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:40:28 GMT

Pure gold: (fine gold) is softer than pure silver but harder than tin. Its beauty and luster are unmatched by any alloyed gold’s. The extreme malleability, ductility, and softness of pure gold make it practically useless for jewelry applications.

Durability: Gold is more durable than sterling silver. It is more scratch-resistant and it doesn't tarnish. Both gold and silver are durable, however, because they are both precious metals. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent metal alloy.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

millieshops — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:49:19 GMT

@ShanusNo tarnish - I do occasionally run a polishing cloth over it, but that ring has to count as one of my all-time favorite jewelry buys.

I'd be disappointed if I lost a stone even now, but considering how much I've worn the ring, it could be a sign I need to bring forward something else in my collection.

Just yesterday, I lost a small Black Hills earring that was unlike any other I have. I've already checked QVC and eBay to no avail - so it's time to do just that with my earring collection. Hurts though and I'll be checking my fixings more carefully today!

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

jaxs mom — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:49:33 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
What's so shocking about it?

@chrystaltree If a diamond or any gemstone is of any value, the setting and prongs done in silver is too weak to protect & hold the stone securely.

huh? I have a 25 ct topaz that's in a silver setting. Absolutely zero issue with the prongs, they're huge. I've never had any gemstones fall out of my jewelry that is in silver.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

jaxs mom — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:50:41 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@Shanus wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
What's so shocking about it?

@chrystaltree If a diamond or any gemstone is of any value, the setting and prongs done in silver is too weak to protect & hold the stone securely.

@Shanus Obviously that would depend on the gram weight of the sterling silver prongs...it matters. Jewelers have been putting diamonds and gemstones in silver for eons, there's nothing new about it. We're talking shopping channel here so we aren't talking about gems that are valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, which would be set in platinum.

No kidding, how many people would put a 10,000 gem in a silver setting anyway? Obviously saving money wouldn't be an issue.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Shanus — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:58:12 GMT

@makena wrote:
Pure gold: (fine gold) is softer than pure silver but harder than tin. Its beauty and luster are unmatched by any alloyed gold’s. The extreme malleability, ductility, and softness of pure gold make it practically useless for jewelry applications.

Durability: Gold is more durable than sterling silver. It is more scratch-resistant and it doesn't tarnish. Both gold and silver are durable, however, because they are both precious metals. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent metal alloy.

@makena Your facts about gold, pure gold and accurate. Sterling silver is .925 % and pure silver is .999%. Pure silver is all I can use in the kiln, at such high temps, for my enamel work. There are considerably no alloys to burn off during the enamel process.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

Kitlynn — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 16:13:04 GMT

I think it is done so there is something affordable for everyone. It all depends on the setting and how well it will hold up. Sterling Silver has really become quite popular over the years and some people just love it and the want diamonds and real stones set in it. I think it is all in just what each person prefers. I also feel like it is good that there are options for everyone. I

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

SANNA — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 16:35:57 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@SANNA wrote:
I guess we are hitting a new low in jewelry industry. I remember I was appalled years ago when they started to put good gemstones in silver!!! Then I got used to it. The price of gold and platinum is insane. But I will never get used to buying cra..y diamonds, thank God, I have enough.
@SANNA I have enough diamond, as well, all purchased at a time when they could be set in platinum. I would never purchase diamonds online when I couldn't see what I was getting up close and personal.

Yep. The only person I have ever purchased diamonds on TV was Sonia Bitton and they are all G color and VS1 clarity and set in 18 k gold . Oh wait! One more- I have my first Shopnbc purchase - 5 ctw chocolate diamonds in white gold orchid flower ring by Sam Behnam , when he did gold only. My jaw dropped when I saw it, I screamed "Oh my God!" and had to have it. It was $1,599 in 1998.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

faeriemoon — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 19:03:47 GMT

Throughout history, for many reasons, diamonds have been set in silver. Admittedly, anything done on the Q is for the cheapo factor, but the practice certainly is not new.

Re: DIAMONDS IN SILVER?

banned again — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 21:10:20 GMT

This is outrageous! Sterling silver is the precious metal of choice for many who shop at QVC. Why shouldn't everyone have a chance to buy diamonds in their precious metal of choice? I don't know the specifics of strength and durability of sterling vs. 14K, but why would it matter for earrings or a necklace? Even in a ring or a bracelet the diamonds would be safe if you were careful with it- as you should be, as sterling silver jewelry is fine jewelry.

This thread is very pecularily-timed. QVC has been offering Affinity diamonds set in sterling silver for 15 years, and increasingly so since the cost of precious metals rose starting in 2007. Every Big Bonanza Silver Day and Creede Silver Strike since 2004 have had several pieces, and more recently, full hours of Affinity. Clearly QVC nor their customers share your dismissive view of sterling silver as a setting for diamond jewelry.