BIG green/blue stone for ering - suggestions?

[jstarfireb]

In your first post, you mentioned prasiolite (aka green quartz, sage quartz, greened amethyst...). Peter Torraca and Doug Menadue (Bespoke Gems) can cut some really nice ones (I have one from Peter), and they look very similar to the videos of the green beryls from Paraiba Int''l that you liked, but they''d be much less expensive. The caveat is that quartz usually isn''t considered sturdy enough for everyday ring wear, but in careful hands and the right setting, it could be an option. Not all of our favorite cutters will work with it, as some prefer to stick with untreated stones only.

 

[velouriaL]

I LOVE that African Gems cuprian looking one! It''s not so ginormous, but definitely makes a statement!

So I know people have already brought up how huge 20 ct is in terms of practicality and whatnot, but just one more thing to consider: most people will not assume that a colored stone of that size is an e-ring. If it''s your BF that''s pushing for huge huge, he mind want to consider that. Just sayin! Also, do you plan on wearing a wedding ring with it? If so, you might want to consider your finger landscape! Maybe I''m just rooting for the cuprianish one..

If those things are ok, then definitely go for it!

Not so minty, but have you looked at peridot?

 

[biggemlover]

Date: 4/12/2010 2:14:44 AM
Author: velouriaL
I LOVE that African Gems cuprian looking one! It''s not so ginormous, but definitely makes a statement!


So I know people have already brought up how huge 20 ct is in terms of practicality and whatnot, but just one more thing to consider: most people will not assume that a colored stone of that size is an e-ring. If it''s your BF that''s pushing for huge huge, he mind want to consider that. Just sayin! Also, do you plan on wearing a wedding ring with it? If so, you might want to consider your finger landscape! Maybe I''m just rooting for the cuprianish one..


If those things are ok, then definitely go for it!


Not so minty, but have you looked at peridot?

LOL, I know that most people won''t think the ring is an engagement ring - it doesn''t matter to me, particularly. I''ve tried to explain that to BF but he disagrees - men! He just says I will have to explain it to everyone I see!

The more I look at the tourmaline from Africagems, the more I like it! I need to talk to the designer and see what type of setting he could come up with for a stone that shape. I also emailed AJS to ask about the color of that enormous minty green beryl and Rung emailed back to say that he thinks it''s quite close to the picture - bright and minty with a hint of blue. I actually worry that that one is TOO big, though - it''s almost 19x17, and although the 19 isn''t a problem because my fingers are long, they''re also skinny, so I worry that the 17mm width will be too much. I wear a size 5.75-6 ring and wasn''t planning to go much wider than 13-14mm.

One more quick question for you experts about pricing - do places like AJS pretty much list their bottom line on the website, or is there room for negotiation? Not that I think their prices are outrageous - they seem reasonable - but if there are better deals to be had, bring it on!

 

[biggemlover]

Oh, btw - I will wear a wedding band on my right hand rather than wearing them together. My mother always wore her rings that way and I always liked it.

As for peridot - I have looked at quite a few, and although they are GORGEOUS, I want more of a straight up green or blue green for this. Most of the periodots I''ve seen have a lot of yellow.

 

[chrono]

Tourmalines and beryls just aren’t meant to be everyday wear rings. A garnet might suffice if worn with a lot of care (doing absolutely nothing strenuous) and removed the minute you are home.

It never hurts to ask AJS but I have never negotiated with them. That said, I do sometimes get x% off offers from them via emails.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Sadly it seems that many colored gems just aren''t made for everday wear.

That being said, I wear them anyways

I realized that they will be scratched up etc, but I can''t help but want to stare at them all day!

 

[jewelz617]

Date: 4/12/2010 8:25:48 AM
Author: biggemlover

Date: 4/12/2010 2:14:44 AM

Author: velouriaL

I LOVE that African Gems cuprian looking one! It''s not so ginormous, but definitely makes a statement!



So I know people have already brought up how huge 20 ct is in terms of practicality and whatnot, but just one more thing to consider: most people will not assume that a colored stone of that size is an e-ring. If it''s your BF that''s pushing for huge huge, he mind want to consider that. Just sayin! Also, do you plan on wearing a wedding ring with it? If so, you might want to consider your finger landscape! Maybe I''m just rooting for the cuprianish one..



If those things are ok, then definitely go for it!



Not so minty, but have you looked at peridot?

LOL, I know that most people won''t think the ring is an engagement ring - it doesn''t matter to me, particularly. I''ve tried to explain that to BF but he disagrees - men! He just says I will have to explain it to everyone I see!


The more I look at the tourmaline from Africagems, the more I like it! I need to talk to the designer and see what type of setting he could come up with for a stone that shape. I also emailed AJS to ask about the color of that enormous minty green beryl and Rung emailed back to say that he thinks it''s quite close to the picture - bright and minty with a hint of blue. I actually worry that that one is TOO big, though - it''s almost 19x17, and although the 19 isn''t a problem because my fingers are long, they''re also skinny, so I worry that the 17mm width will be too much. I wear a size 5.75-6 ring and wasn''t planning to go much wider than 13-14mm.


One more quick question for you experts about pricing - do places like AJS pretty much list their bottom line on the website, or is there room for negotiation? Not that I think their prices are outrageous - they seem reasonable - but if there are better deals to be had, bring it on!

May I ask why your bf wants you to have *such* a large stone? You''ve mentioned a few times that he has a preference as to how BIG it is, it seems very important to him? I would hate to see you spend all this money on a ring for everyday use and then have it get damaged. A lot of the colored stones mentioned are really not suitable for a lifetime of everyday wear.

 

[biggemlover]

Date: 4/12/2010 9:09:28 AM
Author: PinkAsscher678

Date: 4/12/2010 8:25:48 AM


May I ask why your bf wants you to have *such* a large stone? You''ve mentioned a few times that he has a preference as to how BIG it is, it seems very important to him? I would hate to see you spend all this money on a ring for everyday use and then have it get damaged. A lot of the colored stones mentioned are really not suitable for a lifetime of everyday wear.

Because he''s a guy, LOL!!!!!!!!!! When we first started talking about engagement rings, I told him I wasn''t really into diamonds and that I preferred large colored stones instead. Large is a subjective term, and I think he just sort of ran with it. He is also comparing this to all of the other rings I own, which are all HUGE (my faves are an amber ring that measures 45x20mm and an opal creation that is in a HUGE 35x25mm setting). I''ve told him that I don''t wear those everyday, and that for everyday it might be a good idea to have something a little less enormous, but now that he''s formed his own idea of "big," it''s hard to get him to scale back from it.

I also think he''s worried that people will think he''s being cheap by not buying me a diamond, even though everyone who knows me knows I''m not a diamond person and wouldn''t have wanted one no matter what the price. Silly, but you know how men can be.

 

[biggemlover]

YAY! We have an appointment tomorrow with Paraiba Int''l to take a look at some things. Even if they don''t have anything we like (which I can''t imagine), just think of all the eye candy!

 

[RaiKai]

Date: 4/12/2010 9:22:25 AM
Author: biggemlover

Date: 4/12/2010 9:09:28 AM

Author: PinkAsscher678

Date: 4/12/2010 8:25:48 AM



May I ask why your bf wants you to have *such* a large stone? You've mentioned a few times that he has a preference as to how BIG it is, it seems very important to him? I would hate to see you spend all this money on a ring for everyday use and then have it get damaged. A lot of the colored stones mentioned are really not suitable for a lifetime of everyday wear.

Because he's a guy, LOL!!!!!!!!!! When we first started talking about engagement rings, I told him I wasn't really into diamonds and that I preferred large colored stones instead. Large is a subjective term, and I think he just sort of ran with it. He is also comparing this to all of the other rings I own, which are all HUGE (my faves are an amber ring that measures 45x20mm and an opal creation that is in a HUGE 35x25mm setting). I've told him that I don't wear those everyday, and that for everyday it might be a good idea to have something a little less enormous, but now that he's formed his own idea of 'big,' it's hard to get him to scale back from it.


I also think he's worried that people will think he's being cheap by not buying me a diamond, even though everyone who knows me knows I'm not a diamond person and wouldn't have wanted one no matter what the price. Silly, but you know how men can be.

Just to pick at a point...you have made several comments that your SO wants it this way as "he's a guy", you know "how men can be". I just want to point out....that this is how YOUR SO is, you know? It's not like this universal thing that all men think like your SO, or your SO speaks for all men. I don't think you are using it in a serious tone, but it is just one of those things I sort of cringe at (meaning generalizations).

As for the gem itself, the others have given some good ideas. I think in any case, with such a large gemstone there is going to be a big risk of damage. Gosh, I can't even wear a 3ct gemstone without bashing it at least once or twice a day! For the record though, I am NOT a BIG gemstone wearer. I too choose coloured stones over diamonds, but even my gemstones I prefer a little smaller (i.e. under 7.5mm max!)! As well, certain gemstones are more delicate in respect to any cleaners, chemicals or otherwise (i.e. hairspray, hand lotions) and a larger stone may find itself exposed to these a little more.

Again, it all depends on your comfort level. If you are willing to only wear an engagement ring on occasion, and a large gemstone works for you and you are willing to take the higher risk of damage and having to replace or re-cut it, go for it! I really think you should go for what YOU are going to want to wear in the circumstances you want to wear it though. And, this may mean talking to your SO about how BIG is not always BETTER in this case. YOU are the one who is wearing it and YOU are the one who will be looking at it up close and personal much more than he over the rest of your life.

As for those who might think someone is cheap for buying a coloured stone rather than a diamond, they just don't know much about the coloured gemstone market. And neither you, or your boyfriend, should worry about what anyone else might think about it. Too often it seems someone is buying an engagement ring based on what OTHERS might think (i.e. DH and I refer to it as putting your ego on someones finger) and I have seen many women...and men....get something to conform to those standards rather than to what they really wanted. DeBeers has done its job well! Diamonds are NOT exactly that long-running of a tradition, or the rarest gift you can ever give, or indestructible, or required at all to show your love, but that marketing has been rather effective!

Lots of people wear coloured stones as e-rings. Many prefer them over diamonds. My family has a tradition of going with sapphire centre stones, for example. There are certainly some (small - not even large!) coloured gemstones that will run the bill up far more than a diamond (i.e. look at pigeon-blood red rubies, or rare Kashmir sapphires, etc). In coloured gemstones...COLOUR is king, and it does not work like the colour grading of diamonds at all. It's much harder to find a coloured stone that meets ALL your specs than a diamond (there are so many diamonds on the market), I would argue, and can take a much longer search, and a larger dent to the pocketbook in some cases.

 

[biggemlover]

Date: 4/12/2010 2:44:54 PM
Author: RaiKai

Date: 4/12/2010 9:22:25 AM

Author: biggemlover

Date: 4/12/2010 9:09:28 AM


<

Because he''s a guy, LOL!!!!!!!!!! When we first started talking about engagement rings, I told him I wasn''t really into diamonds and that I preferred large colored stones instead. Large is a subjective term, and I think he just sort of ran with it. He is also comparing this to all of the other rings I own, which are all HUGE (my faves are an amber ring that measures 45x20mm and an opal creation that is in a HUGE 35x25mm setting). I''ve told him that I don''t wear those everyday, and that for everyday it might be a good idea to have something a little less enormous, but now that he''s formed his own idea of ''big,'' it''s hard to get him to scale back from it.



I also think he''s worried that people will think he''s being cheap by not buying me a diamond, even though everyone who knows me knows I''m not a diamond person and wouldn''t have wanted one no matter what the price. Silly, but you know how men can be.

Just to pick at a point...you have made several comments that your SO wants it this way as ''he''s a guy'', you know ''how men can be''. I just want to point out....that this is how YOUR SO is, you know? It''s not like this universal thing that all men think like your SO, or your SO speaks for all men. I don''t think you are using it in a serious tone, but it is just one of those things I sort of cringe at (meaning generalizations).

As for the gem itself, the others have given some good ideas. I think in any case, with such a large gemstone there is going to be a big risk of damage. Gosh, I can''t even wear a 3ct gemstone without bashing it at least once or twice a day! For the record though, I am NOT a big gemstone wearer. I don''t prefer diamonds either, but even my gemstones I prefer a little smaller! As well, certain gemstones are more delicate in respect to any cleaners, chemicals or otherwise (i.e. hairspray, hand lotions) and a larger stone may find itself exposed to these a little more.


Again, it all depends on your comfort level. I have a smaller e-ring sapphire (7mm) as I like to wear it all the time, daily, etc. My original wedding ring was a 6x4mm pear Ceylon sapphire that I could wear 24/7. That is just more practical for me, and my preference. If you are willing to only wear an engagement ring on occasion, and a large gemstone works for you, go for it!


As for those who might think someone is cheap for buying a coloured stone rather than a diamond, they just don''t know much about the coloured gemstone market. And neither you, or your boyfriend, should worry about what anyone else might think about it. Too often it seems someone is buying an engagement ring based on what OTHERS might think (i.e. DH and I refer to it as putting your ego on someones finger) and I have seen many women...and men....get something to conform to those standards rather than to what they really wanted. DeBeers has done its job well! Diamonds are NOT exactly that long-running of a tradition, or the rarest gift you can ever give, or indestructible, or required at all to show your love, unless you believe all the marketing!


Lots of people wear coloured stones as e-rings. Many prefer them over diamonds. My family has a tradition of going with sapphire centre stones, for example. There are certainly some (small - not even large!) coloured gemstones that will run the bill up far more than a diamond (i.e. look at rubies, or rare Kashmir sapphires, etc). In coloured gemstones...COLOUR is king, and it does not work like the colour grading of diamonds at all. It''s much harder to find a coloured stone that meets ALL your specs than a diamond (there are so many diamonds on the market), I would argue, and can take a much longer search, and a larger dent to the pocketbook in some cases.

Raikai - didn''t mean to offend anyone with generalizations - and was definitely blaming his maleness in fun! I just think he''s concerned that I will "settle" for something smaller/less interesting than what I really want just to save a few bucks (I''m known for my "frugality"

), and he doesn''t want me to do that in this case. We haven''t seen a lot of nice stones in person yet, so the biggest ones are the ones that have made the most impact on him because he hasn''t seen anything with a really rich, beautiful color or truly great cut. I''m hoping that will change tomorrow after our meeting at Paraiba International. If their stones are anything like the photos they have online, there will be lots and lots of stones with incredible color that are PLENTY big enough!

Anyway, I am definitely finding out that it''s MUCH harder to find an appropriate colored stone than a diamond - if I wanted a diamond, I would have found 100 nice ones in an hour in the diamond district. It almost makes me understand why people just go to their local Zales and buy the first thing they see - the selection is sort of overwhelming. I''m just glad I found this board before purchasing anything - you guys REALLY know your stones, and everyone is so generous with information!

 

[RaiKai]

Date: 4/12/2010 3:01:04 PM
Author: biggemlover

Date: 4/12/2010 2:44:54 PM

Author: RaiKai

Date: 4/12/2010 9:22:25 AM


Author: biggemlover

Date: 4/12/2010 9:09:28 AM



<


Because he's a guy, LOL!!!!!!!!!! When we first started talking about engagement rings, I told him I wasn't really into diamonds and that I preferred large colored stones instead. Large is a subjective term, and I think he just sort of ran with it. He is also comparing this to all of the other rings I own, which are all HUGE (my faves are an amber ring that measures 45x20mm and an opal creation that is in a HUGE 35x25mm setting). I've told him that I don't wear those everyday, and that for everyday it might be a good idea to have something a little less enormous, but now that he's formed his own idea of 'big,' it's hard to get him to scale back from it.




I also think he's worried that people will think he's being cheap by not buying me a diamond, even though everyone who knows me knows I'm not a diamond person and wouldn't have wanted one no matter what the price. Silly, but you know how men can be.

Just to pick at a point...you have made several comments that your SO wants it this way as 'he's a guy', you know 'how men can be'. I just want to point out....that this is how YOUR SO is, you know? It's not like this universal thing that all men think like your SO, or your SO speaks for all men. I don't think you are using it in a serious tone, but it is just one of those things I sort of cringe at (meaning generalizations).

As for the gem itself, the others have given some good ideas. I think in any case, with such a large gemstone there is going to be a big risk of damage. Gosh, I can't even wear a 3ct gemstone without bashing it at least once or twice a day! For the record though, I am NOT a big gemstone wearer. I don't prefer diamonds either, but even my gemstones I prefer a little smaller! As well, certain gemstones are more delicate in respect to any cleaners, chemicals or otherwise (i.e. hairspray, hand lotions) and a larger stone may find itself exposed to these a little more.



Again, it all depends on your comfort level. I have a smaller e-ring sapphire (7mm) as I like to wear it all the time, daily, etc. My original wedding ring was a 6x4mm pear Ceylon sapphire that I could wear 24/7. That is just more practical for me, and my preference. If you are willing to only wear an engagement ring on occasion, and a large gemstone works for you, go for it!



As for those who might think someone is cheap for buying a coloured stone rather than a diamond, they just don't know much about the coloured gemstone market. And neither you, or your boyfriend, should worry about what anyone else might think about it. Too often it seems someone is buying an engagement ring based on what OTHERS might think (i.e. DH and I refer to it as putting your ego on someones finger) and I have seen many women...and men....get something to conform to those standards rather than to what they really wanted. DeBeers has done its job well! Diamonds are NOT exactly that long-running of a tradition, or the rarest gift you can ever give, or indestructible, or required at all to show your love, unless you believe all the marketing!



Lots of people wear coloured stones as e-rings. Many prefer them over diamonds. My family has a tradition of going with sapphire centre stones, for example. There are certainly some (small - not even large!) coloured gemstones that will run the bill up far more than a diamond (i.e. look at rubies, or rare Kashmir sapphires, etc). In coloured gemstones...COLOUR is king, and it does not work like the colour grading of diamonds at all. It's much harder to find a coloured stone that meets ALL your specs than a diamond (there are so many diamonds on the market), I would argue, and can take a much longer search, and a larger dent to the pocketbook in some cases.

Raikai - didn't mean to offend anyone with generalizations - and was definitely blaming his maleness in fun! I just think he's concerned that I will 'settle' for something smaller/less interesting than what I really want just to save a few bucks (I'm known for my 'frugality'

), and he doesn't want me to do that in this case. We haven't seen a lot of nice stones in person yet, so the biggest ones are the ones that have made the most impact on him because he hasn't seen anything with a really rich, beautiful color or truly great cut. I'm hoping that will change tomorrow after our meeting at Paraiba International. If their stones are anything like the photos they have online, there will be lots and lots of stones with incredible color that are PLENTY big enough!


Anyway, I am definitely finding out that it's MUCH harder to find an appropriate colored stone than a diamond - if I wanted a diamond, I would have found 100 nice ones in an hour in the diamond district. It almost makes me understand why people just go to their local Zales and buy the first thing they see - the selection is sort of overwhelming. I'm just glad I found this board before purchasing anything - you guys REALLY know your stones, and everyone is so generous with information!

I think your trip to check out gems in person will be wonderful! Not many have that opportunity that is for sure. Jewelers know that people want, for the most part, diamonds, and so stock their cases with diamonds rather than gemstones for the most part. I have found some exceptions, but even then the knowledge and selection is rather limits.

It is overwhelming, and for most people...one diamond is the same as another diamond, you know? And that works fine for them. Many people receive a diamond (or coloured stone), think it is lovely, and never think twice about it. Then there are those who come to PS either before or after they receive their ring...and find out it is much more complex than that! Of course then you get the opposite...people who take months or years to search for their diamond or coloured stone that fits into all their specs!

I cannot WAIT to see what you come up with, and hear how your trip goes!

 

[biggemlover]

Okay, I''m sure this is MORE than out of our price range, but just look:

http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1019

ZOMG.

 

[T L]

Date: 4/12/2010 10:11:57 PM
Author: biggemlover
Okay, I''m sure this is MORE than out of our price range, but just look:


http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1019


ZOMG.

That actually looks like a mint Afghan to me. It''s very pretty though.

 

[CharmyPoo]

All I can say is that is going to be the BIGGEST ering stone I have ever seen.

 

[biggemlover]

Date: 4/12/2010 10:15:33 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
All I can say is that is going to be the BIGGEST ering stone I have ever seen.

LOL, I know - I have a couple of friends who went the big/colorful route though. One has an enormous London Blue oval topaz, about 14x10, in a pretty high setting - I think it''s probably almost 10mm high. Beautiful stone, very rich color. I''ve asked her about how it wears and she says that she doesn''t even notice it now, just takes it off before bed and puts it on after her morning shower, no problems and thus far (over 5 years), no chips or damage.

 

[Indylady]

No damage after 5 years is pretty good in my opinion!

 

[morallybankrupt]

Size does not equal better. You should get something you love, not get something because it''s huge and it''s kinda of what you like. I''d go small and vibrant myself.

 

[T L]

Date: 4/12/2010 10:22:21 PM
Author: biggemlover

Date: 4/12/2010 10:15:33 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
All I can say is that is going to be the BIGGEST ering stone I have ever seen.

LOL, I know - I have a couple of friends who went the big/colorful route though. One has an enormous London Blue oval topaz, about 14x10, in a pretty high setting - I think it''s probably almost 10mm high. Beautiful stone, very rich color. I''ve asked her about how it wears and she says that she doesn''t even notice it now, just takes it off before bed and puts it on after her morning shower, no problems and thus far (over 5 years), no chips or damage.

There could be micro chips and damage that you can only see or see more easily with a loupe.

 

[biggemlover]

Okay! I just got back from our meeting with Paraiba International - I''m totally overwhelmed by all the beautiful stones I saw. If you are in NYC I highly recommend going in to see some of their things in person.

Anyway, Adam showed me a number of tourmalines, aquas and green beryls, some of which were on the site and some not. Of the website stones, these three:

http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=2887

http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=2871

http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=960

were the prettiest in person. However, he also brought out cases of darker greens for fun, and I found a gorgeous step cut 13.5mm square tourmaline in a darker color, similar to this:

http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=1347

that I really liked. He also had an AMAZING minty green beryl - the color was so intense I thought it was a tourmaline - but it was priced at $500 a carat, and I figured for that price I would just get a darn tourmaline!

Anyway, as we played with the loose stones, I started preferring the square shapes to the rectangles, so now I''m thoroughly confused! The aqua, although beautiful, just seems a little generic to me, and BF seems to agree. I''m still loving the mint colors, but I wonder if the darker, rich greens might not be a more neutral choice that would go better with my other jewelry and clothing, generally speaking - especially in large sizes. Decisions decisions!

 

[T L]

Quick question. Are the videos you showed more representative of the true color of the stones in person, or are they much nicer in person?

 

[biggemlover]

Date: 4/13/2010 11:44:30 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Quick question. Are the videos you showed more representative of the true color of the stones in person, or are they much nicer in person?

That''s a good question - I actually commented to Adam that it was helpful to have the videos because it showed you all the angles, etc. However, I felt that the colors were MUCH more beautiful in person than they are in the videos - more like the photos, actually, at least for the three stones I highlighted above as favorites. The green beryls he showed me (with the exception of the $500/ct one) were very washed out, as were a couple of the aquas, but that was pretty obvious from the photos/videos.

 

[T L]

Date: 4/13/2010 12:02:06 PM
Author: biggemlover

Date: 4/13/2010 11:44:30 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Quick question. Are the videos you showed more representative of the true color of the stones in person, or are they much nicer in person?

That''s a good question - I actually commented to Adam that it was helpful to have the videos because it showed you all the angles, etc. However, I felt that the colors were MUCH more beautiful in person than they are in the videos - more like the photos, actually, at least for the three stones I highlighted above as favorites. The green beryls he showed me (with the exception of the $500/ct one) were very washed out, as were a couple of the aquas, but that was pretty obvious from the photos/videos.

I commend Adam for having videos as I think it''s really nice to see the stone at all angles, but as you said, if they''re not representative of the true color, it might put people off from purchasing an otherwise beautiful stone. Well, that''s good to know, thanks for the information on his videos vs IRL.

 

[biggemlover]

No problem! It seems to me that the lighting for the videos is somehow too dim to show the true color of the stones - either that or the mirror surface underneath makes them look grayer than they really are. All of the tourmalines I saw were very intense and beautiful, and even the darker colors didn''t seem to have a lot of black areas. He also brought out a case of paraibas and cuprians just for fun - OMG. If I ever win the lottery, that''s where the money is going!

 

[T L]

Well, at least he doesn''t try to make the gem look much BETTER than IRL, and I also commend him for that as well. That''s honesty.

 

[biggemlover]

I agree - I really appreciated that. That''s one of the biggest worries I have when it comes to ordering from someone like AJS, even though I know they have a return policy. One photo just isn''t enough, especially when it''s an image of the gem just floating on a white background.

 

[biggemlover]

So, after much shopping and surfing, I pulled the trigger today on Gene''s beautiful 14mm tourmaline!

http://www.precisiongem.com/html/html/GreenTourmaline.html (gem 952)

We loved several things we saw at Paraiba Intl, but unfortunately the prices were just out of range for the most part. Also, after playing with all of the stones today, I really warmed to the idea of a square rather than an oblong shape, and most of what I''d looked at from AJS and other sites was rectangular. Gene''s stone is an incredible value, if prices from other dealers are any indication, and the color is just gorgeous. After hearing all the raves here and seeing all of his other stones, I''m sure the cut will be equally amazing.

So, now we wait! And collect design ideas - anyone have a great setting for a square stone?

 

[ma re]

You chose a wonderful stone, I''m sure you''ll enjoy it!

I don''t have setting ideas, but just wanted to say that this seems more like a pointy cushion to me than a square, so keep that in mind - especially due to safety reasons.

 

[chrono]

That’s really a good price/value you’ve selected by going with Gene’s tourmaline. You’ve got size and colour all in one package within your budget. As for settings, what styles appeal to you?

 

[biggemlover]

Mr. Ma Re - you''re right, it''s not completely square like a princess cut or something would be - the sides are sort of cushioned out. What types of things should I be aware of, setting-wise, to make sure it''s as protected as possible?