Best gem for engagement rings?

[AlexiaCARA]

I went from being priced out of diamonds and sapphires (which would be my 1st choice) to realizing other gems are not suitable for e-rings because of the Mohs scale. Beauty aside, which stones are best for e-rings? I would wear my ring daily, but not when I'm home, at the gym, sleeping, etc though.

 

[airplay355]

I went with a spinel because it was much easier to find untreated ones and pink spinels, even the hot pink ones, aren't crazy expensive like diamonds and sapphires.

 

[GregS]

You have Spinel and Chrysoberyl/Alexandrite left.

Top color Spinel and Alexandrite can definitely rival diamonds and sapphires in price per carat.

 

[AlexiaCARA]

I went with a spinel because it was much easier to find untreated ones and pink spinels, even the hot pink ones, aren't crazy expensive like diamonds and sapphires.

Thanks for the recommendation! I did find some here that are untreated. http://www.gemfix.com/spinel.html Beautiful colors!

 

[minousbijoux]

Greg: just to clarify here - you can definitely find affordable chrysoberyl, but a high quality alexandrite will be more expensive on a per carat basis than sapphires, so I don't think you meant to include alex...

 

[GregS]

I included Alex because of it's relation to Chrysoberyl, it's wearability/durability and I wasn't sure if the OP was familiar with it. PPC wise I agree, top Alex can easily exceed Sapphire and "colorless" diamonds.

There's a lightly saturated but good color changing Brazilian stone on Multicolur that I have had my eye on for a while. It's .5ct approximately and priced in the 2k ppc range, which isn't terribly expensive afaic.

It suffers from a bow tie though, which is a shame.
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1548884595

 

[minousbijoux]

Thanks for clarifying. Multicolour definitely has some great alex!

 

[airplay355]

I got mine from Brad @ the gem trader. He was great to work with and my wife loves her pink e-ring. We decides to go with a lighter pink so it wasn't too flashy. The great thing about light pink spinels is they're much cheaper than the hot pink ones.

I attached a blurry iPhone pic but you get the idea She's only gotten compliments on it. Even her very traditional mother likes it better than a colorless diamond.

 

[AlexiaCARA]

I got mine from Brad @ the gem trader. He was great to work with and my wife loves her pink e-ring. We decides to go with a lighter pink so it wasn't too flashy. The great thing about light pink spinels is they're much cheaper than the hot pink ones.

I attached a blurry iPhone pic but you get the idea She's only gotten compliments on it. Even her very traditional mother likes it better than a colorless diamond.

Beautiful! Where did you have it set?

 

[Niel]

are you sure youre priced out of a sapphire? whats the budget? 2k? I thought i read that on another one of your threads. I really really REALLY love this stones color, but I shouldnt buy it ... I would offer less than the asking price, see if he'll come down.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/May%2008%20MSapphire%20Page.htm


pair it with something like this (ask and im sure they could do it for an oval, you could get the setting though pearlmans, I know they offer a PS discount so maybe even less than whats listen on the site)

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6114

 

[AlexiaCARA]

are you sure youre priced out of a sapphire? whats the budget? 2k? I thought i read that on another one of your threads. I really really REALLY love this stones color, but I shouldnt buy it ... I would offer less than the asking price, see if he'll come down.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/May%2008%20MSapphire%20Page.htm


pair it with something like this (ask and im sure they could do it for an oval, you could get the setting though pearlmans, I know they offer a PS discount so maybe even less than whats listen on the site)

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6114

$2K for everything.

After doing some research over the past few days I've learned that blue (my preference) sapphires are very expensive. The one you posted is very pretty but I would prefer a pink that's not so dark/bright for an e-ring. I'm also open to light yellow/gold/champagne.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/July%202005%20Yellow%20Sapphire%20Page.htm

The setting is perfect! Thanks for posting it.

 

[airplay355]

Mark Turnowski at engagement rings direct. http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

I was a little nervous at first because I had never spent that much on jewelry before but I can honestly say he did a fantastic job and was easy to work with. His only downfall is he's extremely busy and sometimes hard to get a hold of. I would recommend him for someone looking for a more budget friendly e-ring

 

[airplay355]

There are some pink spinels in your price range here http://www.finewatergems.com/spinel.html

and here http://mastercutgems.com/viewgem.php?gemid=6514&id=24283

Some sapphires here (greyish purple) http://www.clearcutgems.com/sapphire.html

Lots of cheaper stones over at litnon.com though, you do get what you pay for.

And if you can hold out until Wed. Brad will be releasing new stones at the gem trader so there might be something good there. Just make sure you act quick because his stones never really stick around. I would also suggest e-mailing him and telling him what you're looking for. He's always been able to come up with something for me whenever I've done that.

 

[Niel]

have you looked at gemfix's montana sapphires? they have some nice yellow.

you could still probably get a halo for the remaining 1k.

 

[ZaPaDoS]

Sticking with the title of the thread, I think you should re-consider sapphires.

Due to the color variances, I think you could get a good stone that's way lower priced than a diamond, it's just not going to be that velvety, glowy "Kashmir blue" or blue with just a hint of violet. There are lots of sapphires which are lighter or darker, and the prices on these should be a bit lower.

 

[jstarfireb]

Sticking with the title of the thread, I think you should re-consider sapphires.

Due to the color variances, I think you could get a good stone that's way lower priced than a diamond, it's just not going to be that velvety, glowy "Kashmir blue" or blue with just a hint of violet. There are lots of sapphires which are lighter or darker, and the prices on these should be a bit lower.

I agree, although personally I tend to prefer spinels over sapphires for their sparkle and luster. But I was able to get a 6.5mm eye-clean precision-cut blue-violet colored sapphire (with a cool color shift) for $300ish.

 

[jstarfireb]

I'm also open to light yellow/gold/champagne.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/July%202005%20Yellow%20Sapphire%20Page.htm
The setting is perfect! Thanks for posting it.

You could still consider chrysoberyl then. This is described as slightly brownish yellow with no green, which is what I'd call "gold" or "champagne," and it's quite sizable:
http://thegemtrader.com/Dec 08 Chrysoberyl Page.htm

Also, Finewater has a nice lilac sapphire for $300 on their "new gems" page if you like light purple in addition to blue:
http://www.finewatergems.com/new-gemstones.html

 

[ZaPaDoS]

Sticking with the title of the thread, I think you should re-consider sapphires.

Due to the color variances, I think you could get a good stone that's way lower priced than a diamond, it's just not going to be that velvety, glowy "Kashmir blue" or blue with just a hint of violet. There are lots of sapphires which are lighter or darker, and the prices on these should be a bit lower.

I agree, although personally I tend to prefer spinels over sapphires for their sparkle and luster. But I was able to get a 6.5mm eye-clean precision-cut blue-violet colored sapphire (with a cool color shift) for $300ish.

Wow sounds like a great price! How many carats? Any pictures?

 

[jstarfireb]

I think it was a smidge under 1ct? I actually bought it second-hand, but I don't think it was that heavily discounted. The color is very tanzanite-like, which I love:

 

[AlexiaCARA]

Mark Turnowski at engagement rings direct. http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

I was a little nervous at first because I had never spent that much on jewelry before but I can honestly say he did a fantastic job and was easy to work with. His only downfall is he's extremely busy and sometimes hard to get a hold of. I would recommend him for someone looking for a more budget friendly e-ring

Did you send Mark the gem for him to set? Ill probably email him to see how its done...

 

[AlexiaCARA]

There are some pink spinels in your price range here http://www.finewatergems.com/spinel.html

and here http://mastercutgems.com/viewgem.php?gemid=6514&id=24283

Some sapphires here (greyish purple) http://www.clearcutgems.com/sapphire.html

Lots of cheaper stones over at litnon.com though, you do get what you pay for.

And if you can hold out until Wed. Brad will be releasing new stones at the gem trader so there might be something good there. Just make sure you act quick because his stones never really stick around. I would also suggest e-mailing him and telling him what you're looking for. He's always been able to come up with something for me whenever I've done that.

Thanks for the heads up and links! I will definitely keep checking out Brad's site.

 

[Niel]

saw this on DB, they said they would give you an additional 5% with some code.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/152465140/precision-cut-burmese-peachy-pink-spinel

 

[peacechick]

Adding to that, EidelPrecious on Etsy is very popular for sapphire engagement rings under $2k: http://www.etsy.com/shop/EidelPrecious... You can see a lot of photo threads if you do a search on a popular wedding forum. However, reading this forum, it appears the owner uses LOGR settings instead of making her own... which then would not be recommended if true.

These following Etsy shops are also popular but I also don't know their reputation:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RosadosBox
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RareEarth

 

[airplay355]

Yup, I just picked out a setting and sent Mark the stone. I paid for the ring when it was done and he sent it to me. Glad you like the stones I suggested. Brad's site is great

 

[AlexiaCARA]

Thank you so much everyone for your help! Between the resources on PriceScope and in this thread I have a lot to work with so far.

@peacechick @Niel - The Etsy vendors look promising.

 

[AlexiaCARA]

Yup, I just picked out a setting and sent Mark the stone. I paid for the ring when it was done and he sent it to me. Glad you like the stones I suggested. Brad's site is great

I sent them an email to get an idea on pricing and timing. Thanks!

 

[velouriaL]

Some beauties that won't break the bank:

Pink:
http://www.torraca.net/gems.php?search=gid&for=Spin354&t=Spinel
http://www.torraca.net/gems.php?search=gid&for=Spin727&t=Pink%20Spinel
http://mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=250&id=6641
http://mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=250&id=6666
http://mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=250&id=6054

Yellow:
http://www.finewatergems.com/sapphire.html (at bottom of page)
http://www.torraca.net/gems.php?search=gid&for=Chry762&t=Chrysoberyl

A very unusual and (to me) awesome sapphire:
http://www.torraca.net/gems.php?search=gid&for=SapG766&t=Green%20Sapphire

A good deal on a pretty light teal sapphire:
http://mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=291&id=6825

Love these Montana sapphires:
http://mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=294&id=6678
http://mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=294&id=6679

 

[CollectorExpress]

I would definitely go for an Alexandrite in a platinum setting ( with a few of Akoya pearls ) .

Love the contrast between Alexandrites and pearls .I have been on the look out such for such rings but they are nowhere to be found.