Second Opinion

[hoss640]

My husbands aunt called me wanting help with her mothers Sterling and Blue topaz jewelry. I told her she could send me a photo and I would try but I don't know much about fine jewelry her one photo is really bad....

I told her they are rhinestones.....she explained that her mother only wore authentic real jewelry. Am I wrong....I told her she should take it to her local pawn shop for a closure look.....To me I see a married rhinestone set.

[pre1840lorraine]

Looks like vintage costume jewelry to me also.

[hoss640]

Thanks, she was pretty upset with me when I told her what I thought they were, I know I have been outta the loop for a few months since my mom got sick..But looks like costume rhinestone jewelry to me. But she is insistant on them being sterling and real topaz. So I suggested a local pawn shop they can test the metal for her and the stones....Personally I wish I was there when she goes

[flipping_treasures]

I too vote for vintage rhinestones.  Yeppers, sometime being a fly on the wall would be a good thing.  With my luck, someone would pull out the fly swatter. 

[old.crows.nest]

I also see Costume. I would think if these were Silver and genuine Topaz the Clasps would be better quality.

[evelyb30]

Same here.  Those are fairly standard rhinestone pieces.  The settings are all wrong for precious metal or real stones. 

[hoss640]

Thanks Everyone, Late last night I followed up with her via email:

Well the answer is still the same, in my opinion its costume rhinestone jewelry. I’m thinking it is a married set based on the variations in the pieces. The clip have chaton, marquis and square. Bracelet is chaton and the necklace is chaton in two sizes. I see rhinestones all day and typically sets will all have the same stones showing consistency . I have sent an example to show you so you can see what I mean. I know that’s not what you want to hear and like I said you should take it to your local pawn shop a picture can only tell so much. I would say at this point probably a medium grade maker on the necklace and bracelet the earring could be of more value but I couldn’t say for sure. If you look through this site you will see what I mean about them not being an original set. The necklace and bracelet was probably a set but the earrings were definitely married in....Hope you get a better answer from the pawn shop....

The response I got from her was this

This was not a married set she got this afterwards she wore pearls for her wedding , she gotten this for a bday gift since this was in her month, and no they r not rhinestones, can't b, but appreciate all u have done girl,anything else I come across I will get ahold of u, thank u again

[hoss640]

[mforjan]

Oh well, I often run across people who either think their mediocre costume jewelry is "the best", or their costume is gold and diamonds. What scares me is people who think all costume is junk so they toss it!!!!!!

[fredi*frogi]

It's possible it was all given to her at one time tho, which would make someone think it's a set! LOL

I don't think its 'real' but If there was any doubt i'd take it to a pawn shop or somewhere and have them check for sure!

[old.crows.nest]

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The response I got from her was this

This was not a married set she got this afterwards she wore pearls for her wedding , she gotten this for a bday gift since this was in her month, and no they r not rhinestones, can't b, but appreciate all u have done girl,anything else I come across I will get ahold of u, thank u again

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It looks like she does not understand what a married set is

Being as convicted in her opinion, as she is, I doubt even a Gemologist would convince her otherwise.

[hoss640]

She thinks I lost my marbles......Hopefully I can mend the hole in my bag

[evelyb30]

I know I've lost mine - it's beyond question. She's going to need a GIA report before she believes what we're saying.

[old.crows.nest]

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@hoss640 wrote:

She thinks I lost my marbles......Hopefully I can mend the hole in my bag

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[rain777blue]

It is a nice set, however you are correct in thinking costume and not fine jewelry.. Most fine jewelry has open back , no matter how small the stones are.  That is all set in cubs. Nice set .