Aquamarine as engagement ring or no?

[bclaw]

I've been debating whether or not to go with a nice pale aquamarine for my ering. I love aquas and they are sentimental to me, and it would allow a much better bang for the buck (and the designer setting I want). However, I've read that since it is only 7.5-8 on moh's hardness scale, I might regret choosing an aqua for everyday wear.
If I should choose an aqua, it would be cushion cut, quite pale, and probably around 3ct.
I would appreciate any and all input! Thank you!

 

[SB621]

I've been debating whether or not to go with a nice pale aquamarine for my ering. I love aquas and they are sentimental to me, and it would allow a much better bang for the buck (and the designer setting I want). However, I've read that since it is only 7.5-8 on moh's hardness scale, I might regret choosing an aqua for everyday wear.
If I should choose an aqua, it would be cushion cut, quite pale, and probably around 3ct.
I would appreciate any and all input! Thank you!

I would suggest finding something else. Aqua's are very soft and brittle- making them impractical for everyday wear. You would chip it and do other damage where a harder stone would survive.

If you like pale blue here are a few options and they are also very budget friendly so you can afford your designer setting
-Montana Sapphire (probably your best bet as I think it looks the closest to aqua)
-Blue Spinel
-Pale blue sapphire

 

[marymm]

Ditto to what SB621 said above...

However, if the Aqua had fairly stock dimensions and you would be amenable to changing out the stone at some point in the future when the damage to the stone became beyond what you find acceptable, then an Aqua could work for you.

As an alternative, here is a gorgeous pastel blue Montana sapphire that GemFix has listed:
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_montana.html



Montana Sapphire Cushion Modified "Radiante" Cut
Weight: 2.86 cts
Measurements: 7.75x7.6mm, height 5.7mm
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Montana, USA
Enhancements: None
Price: $ 2995.00
Order/Stock No.: sapphire_montana_327
Description: Certified unheated Montana sapphire in the most beautiful pastel blue! No greenish undertone, color is a silvery periwinkle blue. Gorgeous cut and clean. AGL lab report included.(Cut by Andrew Gulij) Pantone Coated Color Card 278C

 

[SB621]

OP also if you get a heated sapphire that will lower the budget for you as well. Heating is typically the only accepted form of treatment on this board.

 

[Quennoo]

Hi I was in the same boat and went for the Montana Sapphire and couldnt be happier ...finally had the ring made!
The only thing about the Montanas is they are very difficult to capture colour wise in a photo...they look SO much better in real life. They also look fantastic in low light. I looked at Gemfix and with Jerry Newman http://gemartservices.com/for-sale.html.. I'm sure he would email you some extra pictures.
Good luck!

 

[chrono]

If you take especially good care of the ring, don't wear it 24/7, remove it at home and the like, you could get several years of wear from the aquamarine. A 3 carat stone should be easily replaceable if you find a calibrated size. If not, I would opt for a very pale sapphire.

This isn't a cushion but it is a pale blue sapphire of around 3 carats.
http://www.finewatergems.com/sapphire.html

 

[lujews]

This one has a very pretty light blue/green colour.
http://wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/10826/16877