topic Re: Gem Days Then and Now in Jewelry

Gem Days Then and Now

just wonder — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:27:22 GMT

I used to LOVE Gem Days but not now sadly. While I know silver and gold are more expensive now, at least there are more affordable gemstones than what consumes Gem Days now. Why so much diamonds, lab grown diamonds and exotic gemstones and vault discoveries that are out of most of our price range, versus gem days of old when they had wonderful dedicated hours to the likes of garnet, peridot, smoky topaz, blue topaz, amethyst, etc., and artisan crafted with Suarti (we do now have Robert Manse), and affordable beautiful settings. Now too much over the top prices with diamonds and exotics and one or two hours sprinkled in of Robert Manse. Even the JAI items are too expensive for most of us. QVC, please go back to more affordable gemstones and you may be surprised how much more volume you would sell. Lastly, when they do show an occasional affordable piece, they are old retreads, like a worn out small tennis bracelet with washed out colored gemstones, etc.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

ellaphant — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:10:54 GMT

JAI pieces are ridiculous. I recently sold a hefty J Ripka sterling bracelet I no longer wear.

Got next to nothing. Silver totally over priced .

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

timeless — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 18:47:21 GMT

Gem Days back in the 1990's and early 2000's were much more entertaining. I'd have the tv on all day and learn so much about the different stones. One time I went into a jewelers to get my wedding ring cleaned and checked and was talking with the assistant about the gemstones and was actually offered a job because he was impressed I knew the difference between stones.

Seems like QVC has limited designers these days. A lot of the styles are southwest looking to me or else has oxidation on them, and I'm not a fan of either.

I recently heard that pawn shops are seeing lots of jewelry coming in. I don't care if someone has worn a piece before me as long as it's in good condition, so I'll be looking there.

I would like to have a nice red garnet ring.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

millieshops — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:03:40 GMT

@ellaphant Did you ever notice that when posters tell us how much they sold their jewelry for, they never include what they paid to buy it?

It's really unusual to make a profit from gold and silver with or without gems once it's been made into jewelry.

The investors are more likely to buy large loose stones or bars of gold or silver.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

We rescue cats — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:52:48 GMT

I appreciate the beauty of many of the pieces, but I have too much jewelry now. I need not add to it! LOL!

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

Franell — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:54:01 GMT

Does anyone remember an 18K line by designer JJ Marco? Many items had diamond accents. The pieces were classic and beautiful and expensive but not too terrible compared to todays prices. I'm glad I got some stack rings and earrings. I still love them. Jewelry is an emotional purchase. You see a piece and fall in love. I can't remember the last time that happened on QVC.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

Shelbelle — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:59:41 GMT

Been with the Q since 1995, never been impressed by their gem selection, always small stones in the same very tired looking settings for high prices.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

ellaphant — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:16:41 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@ellaphant Did you ever notice that when posters tell us how much they sold their jewelry for, they never include what they paid to buy it?
It's really unusual to make a profit from gold and silver with or without gems once it's been made into jewelry.
The investors are more likely to buy large loose stones or bars of gold or silver.

I sold several gold pieces of jewelry and made a very nice amount of money! Gold is always worth more, silver not much!

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

Carmie — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:21:22 GMT

All jewelry is expensive, even costume jewelry is selling for hundreds.

You are not only paying for the metal and gems, but for the designer, the stone setter and metal work.

I wanted to reset a diamond that I already own and the setting in white 14k I like is $1200, plus I would have to pay to have the stone set. My ring is size 5, so not a ton of gold.

Those days of affordable gems are long gone.

I would look for second hand items on e-bay and antique stores for better deals. Many sellers of jewelry on e-bay are reputable jewelry stores who sell on line as well as in their brick and mortar stores.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

NYCLatinaMe — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:37:52 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@ellaphant Did you ever notice that when posters tell us how much they sold their jewelry for, they never include what they paid to buy it?
It's really unusual to make a profit from gold and silver with or without gems once it's been made into jewelry.
The investors are more likely to buy large loose stones or bars of gold or silver.

@millieshops I don't think us regular consumers buy jewelry to make a profit. We buy it to enjoy it, and it is nice that we can get some money back when we no longer enjoy it. I agree with you that it is unlikely any of us are "making money" on what we bought, but it misses the point.

Historically speaking, I don't think loose gemstones have been a good investment unless you are referring to rare pieces. With regards to physical gold, investing in stocks has historically produced better results. According to statista dot com, as of December 2022, gold had an average 20-year return rate of 8.65 percent, behind U.S. stocks with a rate of 9.83.

I found the chart below, covering a 100 year period. Blue is the Dow Jones Industrial average of stocks, and red is gold.

I do like gold jewelry because I like to wear it, it doesn't decompose, and I think it will always hold some value. But I wouldn't buy it for investment purposes.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

skatting44 — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 21:07:47 GMT

As far as gemstone shows from 1990's- 2000's were boring designs in my opinion as compared to other shopping channels offerings . The gold shows and Honora pearls atleast did offer some varied designs

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

rockygems123 — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 21:26:09 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
All jewelry is expensive, even costume jewelry is selling for hundreds.

You are not only paying for the metal and gems, but for the designer, the stone setter and metal work.

I wanted to reset a diamond that I already own and the setting in white 14k I like is $1200, plus I would have to pay to have the stone set. My ring is size 5, so not a ton of gold.

Those days of affordable gems are long gone.

I would look for second hand items on e-bay and antique stores for better deals. Many sellers of jewelry on e-bay are reputable jewelry stores who sell on line as well as in their brick and mortar stores.

@Carmie that is a great suggestion to look for better deals at antique stores and ebay. I've been selling jewelry on ebay for 27 years and there are lots of reputable jewelry dealers.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

millieshops — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 16:12:27 GMT

@NYCLatinaMe I obviously did not make my point clear. I personally have never bought jewelry except to wear. Lots of days now that I live in the Florida heat, I don't wear any jewelry. That has made it easy for me to stop buying new and to sell for its silver or gold value anything in need of repair or that I haven't been tempted to try on for a year.

Whether I'm listening to QVC, HSN, or a local jewelry store worker, I hear "This will become a family heirloom." Not in my family, so I'm free to keep what I want personally, to offer it to friends or donate it local charity thrifts I want to support.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

qvcfreak — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:11:55 GMT

@Carmie My favorite 14k huggie earrings broke and I looked around to replace them and all were $200 on up

I checked eBay found a pair for $149 or best offer. I offered $100 and I get my earrings soon.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

brcala — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:35:11 GMT

Yes. Why do the hosts push hundreds and thousands of dollar pieces like they were 25.00 dollars. Seriously, there are some that could afford it but the majority of us can't. Too many diamond pieces. I wouldn't have any gemstones if I didn't buy several years ago when they had 1 hr shows for peridot,topaz, etc. I sure wish the Q would listen to us.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

depglass — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:08:10 GMT

I used to love those gem shows that specialized on one gem. Ginger quartz? I revered it like diamonds. They introduced me to stones I never thought I would buy, like peridot. I learned my birthstone, blue topaz, was heat treated. On and on, I now have about 250 rings, most from QVC and other channels.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

nova — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:39:48 GMT

I love Gem & Jewelry Days too. I also remember the shows when 1 gemstone was featured with many beautiful pieces both in gold and silver with a variety of pricepoints. That's what was missing yesterday - a variety of pricepoints featuring gemstones. Most items were very pricey featuring diamond designs. There were silver pieces and some gold without gems as well but yesterday's focus was defintely diamonds over and over.

Remember gem shows that featured a pretty piece and something that coordinated with it - say a ring and earrings - and there was a discount if you bought the suite? Not only is that not offered anymore but at yesterday's prices I honestly can't imagine people bought more than one of anything.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

SportyShorty07 — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:46:10 GMT

@just wonder I miss those affordable gem days too. I look at a lot of the presentations of beautiful, super expensive exotic gems on QVC and think, "Wow- I'd have to open a Q card financing plan just to get that!" I watched a presentation last night for a byzantine bracelet that was almost $1900- beautiful, but too expensive for my current budget. I miss the days when QVC hosts would go to Italy and film on location to present Italian Gold jewelry.

My technique for getting beautiful gemstone 14 karat gold jewelry is going to my trusted local pawn shop- I have beautiful antique gold gemstone rings that I got for $300 or less since I have a small ring size and he can't easily find customers to fit those pieces and he's known me for almost a decade now so he likes to brighten my day with a discount. I can't afford Tiffany's or Cartier, but I have one of a kind antique pieces that I really treasure that I got a nice deal on.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

SportyShorty07 — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:51:48 GMT

@timeless "I recently heard that pawn shops are seeing lots of jewelry coming in. I don't care if someone has worn a piece before me as long as it's in good condition, so I'll be looking there."

I absolutely love my local pawn shop and I've purchased some really beautiful antique 14 karat gold and gemstone pieces at truly great deals. I highly recommend pawn shops. My pawn shop that I go to has Black Friday, 4th of July and Valentine's Day sales that sweeten the deals even more. My most recent purchase is a 14 karat antique gold jade ring that was hand made and hand set from the late 1800's for $238- my ring size is a 4.5 and the owner was thrilled that it fit me and I love that piece very much.

Re: Gem Days Then and Now

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 11:22:22 GMT

There were 2 men (one was Steve C. and another-a big guy) that did a lot of jewelry shows. Their presentations were informative. Can't remember their names,sorry.

I bought the blue topaz apricot seed ring from Steve. Also learned a lot about art deco.