AQUAMARINE

[jewelryallie]

I have been considering purchasing an aquamarine ring in sterling. Does anyone have an ideas about the quality of the aquamarine. I know Leah was raving the other night, and she is the most sincere, I believe.

Allie

[picky shopper]

I've made 3 trips to South America (Including Brazil), in the past 9 years. I have NEVER, EVER seen aquamarines in the US, that rival what I saw in SA. I could kick my *** for not buying an aquamarine in Brazil. The aqua's that I see sold in the US resemble blue topaz. Believe me, if you go to SA and actually see the aqua's down there, you know the stones are the REAL thing. By the way, the aquamarines were NOT keep in Brazil, even thought they were mined there. I can't imagine what you'll get for $99.99 -- $150.00 from QVC. This is MOHO, but would hesitate to buy it there.
I one purchased a pink tourmaline set of earrings at QVC, that were almost $200.00 total, with S&H. Again, I saw both pink and green tourmalines in Brazil, that I never saw back home or on the air anywhere. I sent the earrings back as soon as I opened the package. In fact, I was running after the UPS man !!! The stones were SO small and very included. The carat weight for the earrings was about . 45, which is small (they were lever back earrings). The QVC price was VERY expensive for the pink t and the quality was poor.
No more gems for me, at QVC.
I DID wise up and purchased emerald earrings on a 1995 trip to Colombia !!!!!! They are like you never saw here and set in 18 karat gold. Again, I can't imagine the emeralds at QVC, bit I won't buy those either. SORRY THIS IS SO LONG !!!!!

[picky shopper]

OOOOOOOOPPPPPPSSSSSS....I meant to say the aquamarines in Brazil were not CHEAP (not keep !:) )