Why don't you list a retail price for this item?
We have found that many of the "retail prices" and "appraisal values" listed in various eBay auctions are vastly inflated to give the impression that the item you are bidding on is worth much more than it really is. In good conscience, we cannot present a knowingly inflated value like this. But if we were to list a more realistic value, many potential bidders would pass by our auctions and never realize the inherent value. The best solution, we think, is to avoid listing any value, and to let potential bidders judge for themselves by looking at similar items in other eBay auctions and in local jewelry stores. We are confident that the value of your item will be most evident when you receive it, and especially if you choose to have it appraised by a third party.
How are colored gemstones typically treated?
Nearly all colored gemstones are routinely enhanced by processes that are accepted by the international gem trade as being a normal part of bringing gems to market. The stones are natural gemstones-not imitation or synthetic-but just like it is normal to place facets on a rough gemstone so that it sparkles, so too it is normal to apply certain treatments to the natural gemstones in order to improve their appearance.
The vast majority of sapphires and rubies in jewelry stores today, including the jewelry listed on eBay, have been heated to improve their color and diffuse certain kinds of imperfections. All J.D. Morgan sapphires and rubies (unless specifically noted, and accompanied by an AGTA* report) have been treated in this way. The improvements from heating are permanent, and the wearer need not be concerned that her gemstone will change in appearance. Heating of sapphires and rubies has been done for hundreds of years, and it is accepted by the international gem trade as a normal part of bringing these beautiful gems from the mine to the consumer.
The vast majority of emeralds in jewelry stores today, including the jewelry listed on eBay, have been soaked in a clear cedarwood oil to improve durability and mask imperfections. All J.D. Morgan emeralds (unless specifically noted, and accompanied by an AGTA* report) have been treated in this way. Cedarwood oil treatment is semi-permanent; that is, the treatment will last for many, many years under normal everyday use, but it is possible that after many years, your emerald will benefit from re-oiling, which can be done by most jewelers. Treatment with a cedarwood oil in this manner has been done for thousands of years, and it considered routine and is accepted by the international gem trade as a normal part of bringing these beautiful gems from the mine to the consumer.
There are some enhancements that are generally unacceptable in the gem trade, such as irradiation, gluing, and impregnating gems with colored oils and resins. There is nothing inherently wrong with these treatments when properly disclosed, but the fact is that they are rarely disclosed, so the gem trade shies away from the potential problems. J.D. Morgan applauds those eBay sellers who disclose gemstone treatments like these on eBay, but we ourselves choose not to deal with gemstones treated in these ways.
*AGTA stands for the American Gem Trade Association. The AGTA is a trade organization in America dedicated to full disclosure of all gemstone treatments, and the organization operates a testing laboratory in New York's diamond district.
If all of your sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are treated, why do you call them "natural"?
There is quite a debate in the jewelry industry about nomenclature for colored gemstones, and each laboratory chooses what it considers the best way to describe gemstones. Some laboratories label routinely heated sapphires as natural, and then in their terms and conditions explain that sapphires are routinely heated. Other labs list a routinely heated as "natural sapphire, enhanced by heat." Purists insists that "natural" implies "no enhancements whatsoever", but within the context of eBay, "natural" seems to imply "not man-made." In keeping with the general usage on eBay, J.D. Morgan has chosen to label its sapphires as natural for this reason, because all J.D. Morgan gemstones are genuine gemstones, produced by Mother Nature, and mined from the earth.
What is the difference between a GIA "Certificate" and a GIA "Grading Report"?
Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as a GIA Certificate. The word "certificate" implies "guarantee" or "warranty" in a legal sense, and the GIA does not guarantee or warrant the gemstones it grades. Instead, the GIA issues "grading reports", which are its opinion of the color, clarity, and other features of the gemstone. The GIA objected to the use of the word "certificate" for many years, but the gem trade almost universally uses the word "certificate" instead of "grading report", and in recent years, even the GIA has given up the fight to stop usage of the term "GIA Certificate." Currently, the GIA still prohibits the use of the phrase "GIA Certified," but it has removed references to the phrase "GIA Certificate" from its website as being improper. Click here and scroll down to the section titled "Using the GIA Name in Advertising" to read the GIA stance on this matter.
J.D. Morgan has chosen to use the word "certificate" so as not to confuse our customers who see the word "certificate" elsewhere. And in fact, J.D. Morgan does treat the GIA Grading Report as if it were a certificate, in that we guarantee and warrant the grades issued by any laboratory report on any gemstone we sell. If any laboratory report referenced in an item description by J.D. Morgan and included with your purchase from J.D. Morgan is ever found to be erroneous, then J.D. Morgan will replace the gemstone in question with a different gemstone that meets the criteria promised in the item description. The GIA rarely makes mistakes, but J.D. Morgan is ready and able to stand behind what we sell even in those extremely rare cases. The GIA is not in a position to guarantee and warrant each gemstone it grades, but J.D. Morgan is in a position to guarantee and warrant each gemstone it sells.
Can I get this item in another metal?
Yes. We make nearly all of our styles in both 14kt yellow gold and 14kt white gold. And, by special order, we can make virtually any item in 10kt yellow or white gold, 18kt yellow or white gold, and platinum. Please email us if you are interested in a special order. Wel create a private eBay auction just for you and begin the process!
Why do you recommend friction backs over screw backs?
In short, (1) friction backs are much easier to use, (2) they are nearly as secure as screw backs (perhaps even more secure in certain ways), and (3) they are more sanitary. The first point is clear: it is much easier to put on and take off friction backs than screw backs. The second point is less obvious, but it is true that properly fitting friction backs are very secure...and a screw back can unscrew slowly and fall off without the wearer noticing, whereas a friction back does not come off slowly--it must have force applied, and the wearer will almost always recognize that she has brushed her head against something and applied force. Lastly, and we think most importantly, screws tend to collect microscopic bits of skin and other debris in the grooves, and this can lead to possible infections of the pierced hole. A person who cleans her jewelry regularly is not at risk, but most people don't clean their jewelry as often as they should. All in all, we recommend friction backs. That said, if you want screw backs on any of our earrings, please let us know, and we will provide them at no additional charge.
Why do you use such fine quality diamonds in your jewelry?
There the obvious reason that I like to make fine quality jewelry, and these diamonds simply sparkle better than poorly cut, lower color, and/or heavily included diamonds. But there more to it than that. I recognize that people want the biggest "bang for the buck" when possible, and that means they want larger diamonds. I am as proud to sell an imperfect diamond as I am a flawless diamond, and the price differences can be huge for larger diamonds. But for diamonds used as accents, it simply does not make that much difference to the overall price of the item, and because of that I believe I might as well use the finer quality diamonds because they look so much better.
For example, if I use a pair of 0.07ct diamonds as side stones on a ring, then the total weight is 0.14ct. These sell for $800 per carat, or $112 for the pair. If I were to use imperfect diamonds, I could sell them for less than half of that--$350 per carat or $49 total. So, for an additional $63 ($112 - $49 = $63), Ie made a ring that will outshine 99% of all the other rings youl ever seeetter than most on eBay, better than most youl find in a typical jewelry storeewelry that you will be proud of ten years from now, twenty years from now.
In reality, there are still cheaper diamonds than $350 per carat. Diamonds come in all qualities, and there is no secret to making something cheaperou simply use cheaper diamonds. There are $200 per carat diamonds, $100 per carat diamonds, $50 per carat diamonds. There really is no "bottom" to the prices if you want to go to lower and lower qualities. But even if I used diamonds that are at the very bottom of the scale, at $10 per carat, I have a cost of $14 for the two diamonds. Then the price difference would be $98 for the diamonds ($112 - $14 = $98). For that $98, Ie made an heirloom quality piece of jewelry, and that is worth $98 to me. I hoping that youl see that value too.
What are your eBay Policies for buying, shipping, returning, and warranties?
Please see our Store Policies below for detailed information on Payment, Shipping, Returns, and Warranties. Please also note our Lifetime Trade-Up Guarantee for diamonds.
What is clarity enhancement in diamonds?
Clarity enhancement is a treatment applied to diamonds that have surface-reaching cracks or fissures. A resin-like material with refractive properties similar to diamond is forced into the cracks and fissures, and because the resin has refractive properties similar to diamonds, it effectively makes these types of imperfections much less noticeable. When exposed to heat, the resin can liquefy and seep out of the diamonds, thus exposing the previously-hidden imperfections. J.D. Morgan does not sell clarity enhanced diamonds.
Why are some diamonds laser drilled?
Some dark inclusions in diamonds can be eliminated by drilling a microscopic hole to the imperfection and then soaking the diamond in acid. The acid dissolves the black imperfection and leaves a white cavity, which is much less obtrusive, in its place. Laser drilling is permanent, but sometimes clarity enhancement (see above) is used in conjunction with laser drilling. J.D. Morgan does not sell laser drilled diamonds.
Do you offer ring sizing?
Yes. Unless otherwise indicated, all J.D.Morgan rings are available in any size. Simply indicate the size you need when you check out. Because we size all rings to order (and sometimes even wait to set the center stone until sizing), rings generally take a couple of days longer to ship than our other products. And, if you need a particularly small (less than 5) or particularly large size (larger than 9), we may ask for a few extra days so we can make the ring from scratch rather than trying to size an existing ring and distorting the original ring too much..
How do I care for my jewelry?
Keeping your jewelry clean is the most important thing you can do to make it looks its best. Microscopic dust particles, lotions, etc., accumulate on jewelry slowly over time, and the diminishing brilliance is so subtle that most people don't realize it until they see their newly-cleaned piece of jewelry. The best way to clean your fine jewelry is to use an old, soft-bristled toothbrush with soap and water or with a non-ammonia jewelry cleaner. Sporadically, you should take your jewelry to a local jeweler for a professional cleaning and to check the security of the gemstones. J.D. Morgan provides this service at no charge if you'd like to ship the jewelry back to us (use the same shipping instructions as when requesting returns).
|
