Jewelry

[Sapphiregal]

I purchased a 1.00 ct. Affinity diamond channel set half eternity band ring a couple of years ago that was the TSV. It looked decent when I first received it, but, looking at the diamonds today - they look like pieces of rock salt - no sparkle. Lots of inclusions. I wish I had returned it when I had the chance. I doubt I could even sell it for what I paid.

[BirkiLady]

QVC doesn't claim their stones are top quality. IIRC they are mid-range in color, but farther down in the clairity grades. I'm able to see a poor quality diamond on TV. Have no idea about the cut since QVC never provides GIA information on their diamonds.

Even a big box jeweler should be able to provide higher quality diamonds for the discriminating buyer at a better price than QVC.  Plus, the QVC designers usually include very small stones and thin settings. No longer in solid 14K, but sterling clad with 14K which ultimately wears off. Buyer Beware!

[Sapphiregal]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

QVC doesn't claim their stones are top quality. IIRC they are mid-range in color, but farther down in the clairity grades. I'm able to see a poor quality diamond on TV. Have no idea about the cut since QVC never provides GIA information on their diamonds.

Even a big box jeweler should be able to provide higher quality diamonds for the discriminating buyer at a better price than QVC.  Plus, the QVC designers usually include very small stones and thin settings. No longer in solid 14K, but sterling clad with 14K which ultimately wears off. Buyer Beware!

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@BirkiLady 

Well, this ring is in solid 14K, not clad. And that's about the only good thing I can say about it!

[Shelbelle]

I assumed that a very long tme ago!!!

[songbird]

Diamonds are so outrageously expensive, that QVC offers this brand because they are cheap.  I think the diamonds on JTV are about the same.  If you offer anything at a low price (compared to other places) you are digging them out of the bottom.  Gem shopping diamonds (as accents on their gems) are noticeably better then Affinity.  TVON is the same.  They just look light years better. I only have one Affinity.  I've taken them to jewelers.  They look down their noses at them. I no longer buy them. 

[Sooner]

You kinda get what you pay for.  Lots of pretty alternatives to diamonds at lower prices.

[1Professor]

I have 14K rose gold Affinity stud earrings (1/2 carat) from only 2 years ago.

A top jeweler who cleaned them for me said they were great quality (I didn't ask, comment was volunteered).

Affinity always states a mid-range ranking. 

These sparkle.

[GenXmuse]

If it makes you feel better, it's very uncommon to ever get what you paid for it on resale. The 14k gold is definitely a plus though. 

[SharkE]

jeweler will steam clean for nothing probably all it needs.

[FancyPhillyshopper]

Diamonds are my birthstone and my favorite gem.  I like the fact that they are a very strong gemstone, and they sparkle with all colors of the rainbow.

I own all quality ranges, and yes, I prefer higher clarity and color, but I have purchased Affinity jewelry that I enjoy wearing (usually Affinity is minimum H-I color, I1-I2 clarity).  Every once in a while QVC has used higher quality stones, SI, or G color, etc.  They sell one ring that even comes with a GIA certificate.

Most inclusions are not easily visible to the naked eye.

Diamonds need to be cleaned constantly as just a little bit of dirt or film will limit the sparkle.  Warm water, a toothbrush and mild liquid soap can really make the difference if one lacks jewelry cleaner fluid.

For regular daily wear jewelry it is fine to have the  QVC quality level, as long as the stones are large enough to be fully cut. My main concern is often QVC uses single cut stones, or too many smaller stones with weak prongs that will allow the diamonds to fall out easily.

Judith Ripka and JAI use the same quality diamonds in their QVC jewelry.

Most major department stores sell similar level quality.  ShopHQ uses a higher quality diamond overall now--G/H and SI for most vendors.

The prices rise substantially for higher diamond level.  Additionally, there is no strong resale value for estate jewelry unless it is from a famous designer like Tiffany.