Blue Sapphires

[tlotito]

Hi everyone!

I''m new here and just had a few questions... My boyfriend and I wanted to start looking at blue sapphire engagement rings but wanted to research it first. I was wondering if anyone here has done that already and can give us a jump start and/or some advice. I''ve found a few links on the web but they don''t seem that great.

Are there any standard things we should be looking for? How do you find a reputable dealer in your area? I''m so used to looking at diamonds that I''m not sure how to determine what the standards are for sapphires.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks!
Tara

 

[DiamondExpert]

Forget diamond standards when looking for colored stones...color is king, not cut (although important).

Color has to be seen.

For sapphires (assuming blue) decide if you require a certain country/region of origin, untreated, heated, treated (demand explicit info on just how treated), certed, etc.

also decide...

Eye clean, no color zoning, well cut (can be native cut , but you don''t want windowing).

Secondary colors, like purple, tone, saturation.

Shape, faceting style (step, brilliant).

Budget range...can be VERY wide depending on ct. wt. and quality of color.

I know this is cryptic, but it''s complex, this list is incomplete...and it''s late

Good luck!

 

[Selkie]

There are several active people on this forum with sapphire engagement rings, myself included. I got all the information and help I ever could have wanted from the people here. There are a few things I recommend you do first:
1) Read this tutorial by Wink. It's a couple pages long, and covers general info about colored stones.
2) Use the search tool at the top of the page, and search for "sapphire engagement ring." You'll come up with many threads of people asking similar questions to yours.

3)Also search for things like "sources of sapphires." I don't want to reinvent the wheel, so here's a relatively recent thread on sapphire sources:
sapphires

It took me a while to get through all the info, but you'll find several recommendations for online dealers of sapphires, and also some good stuff on going through your local jewelers. It's definitely good to be armed with a lot of knowledge beforehand if you go that route.

I personally got the stone for my ring from the Natural Sapphire Company http://naturalsapphirecompany.com. They only deal in unheated and untreated sapphires, and the prices reflect the premium. If you are willing to go with heated stones, you can save $$. They can be just as beautiful, we just liked the idea of a completely "natural" sapphire.


Also, why not just start browsing some local jewelry stores? It should give you some ideas on styles you might like. I personally went with a sapphire with a diamond halo. I can almost guarantee that someone on here will have examples of the styles you are interested in. Good luck, and have fun!