Coloured stone engagement ring - budget approx $2500

[emmy_em]

Hi everyone I have been lurking for a few years and finally have a reason to post.

I have been given a budget of around $2500 for a coloured stone engagement ring. I would love to buy a well cut gemstone either a blue/purple/pink sapphire or a ruby and have it set in a thin halo I am also open to other settings but would prefer some diamonds if possible. Not too fussed on the shape, okay with round, oval, cushion, pear assuming cut is good.

Is this doable? And if so where is the best place to look, the quality on James Allen/Blue Nile doesn't seem fantastic. I live in Australia also if that changes anything.


Thanks so much for your help,

Em

 

[chrono]

You have not mentioned the mm size you are looking for, which makes it difficult for anyone to say whether your budget is realistic or if one of the Cs has to be sacrificed. Does your $2500 budget include the setting? Is the $2500 in AUD?

I would start here to learn a little more about judging the quality of sapphires and sapphire treatment:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/[/URL]

Here's a list of vendors many of us have purchased from in the past with great results:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-we-start-a-new-thread-with-respected-cs-vendors.169561/page-4']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-we-start-a-new-thread-with-respected-cs-vendors.169561/page-4[/URL]

 

[emmy_em]

Thanks so much for commenting Chrono.

Ideally AUD$2500 would be for stone and setting (without taxes), but I think the budget could be stretched to AUD$3000 for the right combination. A stone from 6.5mm would be great to give the appearance of around 1 carat.

I looked at a few of the threads on sapphires /coloured stones but am still unsure how to judge cut and avoid things like windows when viewing the stone online. I really hope to get a lively stone. It appears untreated stones are 'best' but I'm not sure how much it matters in terms of the stone's performance. An eye clean stone is a must though.

I love the look of stones in micropave halos with claw prongs, a look I know is possibly outside of my budget. What vendors would suggest? As the list is extensive.

Many thanks,

Em

 

[chrono]

I am going to work this backwards to see what is possible.
$2500 AUD = $2300 USD
$2300 USD - 10% GST = $2000 USD

Most well made pave halo settings are in the $2000 price range.
Daniel M http://www.etsy.com/transaction/150328279???
IDJ http://idjewelryonline.com/eringitems.php?cPath=42_132
Adzia http://www.etsy.com/listing/57442898/made-to-order-scarlet-red-garnet?ref=shop_home_active
LOGR http://stores.ebay.com/Lord-of-Gem-Rings/Round-/_i.html?_fsub=16759772&_sid=50922125&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Depending on which option you select, you'll know how much you have left for the sapphire ($500 to $1000). You have to go with a heated stone to be able to come close to 6.5 mm (approximately 1.5 ct in a sapphire). Depending on which shade of blue you prefer, it could be doable or impossible. I presume you are looking for something blue? Rubies are more expensive than blue sapphires. A lighter blue is less expensive than a rich medium dark blue.

You can check out http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html to see which shade of blue you prefer most and pricing.

 

[Xrisus]

Does this sort of style strike your fancy? It is an Etsy vendor, and should fit within your price range.

 

[iLander]

Ask ID Jewelry what they have in your price range. They have access to all the resources of NYC's diamond district, obviously it's not all on their website.

If I had to pay $2000 for a halo setting, none of my stones would be set. Not one. I've had excellent results asking IDJ for help. And when they create your setting, rather than using ready-made stock, they can supply their fabulous "pricescope quality" diamonds which outshine any stock setting.

As far as the sapphire itself, I would check out mastercut gems and gemart services. They are terrible photographers, so ask for extra pictures. I got my sapphire from gemrite, so check out his stuff too.

 

[carmen1]

If I had to pay $2000 for a halo setting, none of my stones would be set.

Same here - haha, I always figured I was just super cheap!

I haven't gone this route (yet) but a couple of PSers have had very good results ordering custom rings from the eBay vendors. On a tight budget, that is probably the route I'd go and spend the savings on a better center stone. Here are some threads for reference:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ebay-custom-ring-made-highly-recommend.193280/
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ing-re-set-bezel-halo-3-stone-trellis.172920/

 

[chrono]

If you ladies think $2K for a halo setting is expensive, you are going to faint to read that some have spent around $4K to $6K for a halo setting in RT. The difference is the quality of workmanship. I understand the OP has to keep within a certain budget hence, I've suggested different vendors that are in her price range. Personally, I think the vetted eBay settings are a good value for the price. It will not be comparable to the $2K settings but you won't get some frozen spit ring either. I would rather put more money towards a good stone than the setting.

 

[Xrisus]

These two rings (center stone snd all) are $1495 and $1995 on etsy. I am not affiliated with the vendor (don't even know her) but keep looking at her items out of my own interest in maybe getting one of the settings to mount some of my stones in one day.

 

[carmen1]

If you ladies think $2K for a halo setting is expensive, you are going to faint to read that some have spent around $4K to $6K for a halo setting in RT. The difference is the quality of workmanship. I understand the OP has to keep within a certain budget hence, I've suggested different vendors that are in her price range. Personally, I think the vetted eBay settings are a good value for the price. It will not be comparable to the $2K settings but you won't get some frozen spit ring either. I would rather put more money towards a good stone than the setting.

This is definitely true! I do appreciate being able to drool over all the variety out there - from the $300 eBay settings to the $6K Leon settings! I admit I am a total cheapskate, but if I was looking at a setting for a $20K diamond I would be much more likely to spend $2-$6K on it. My own personal hang-up though makes it tough for me justify a $2K for a setting for a $500 stone, but I do understand that everyone has different preferences and I can appreciate why many people would do just that - nothing wrong with it, different strokes for different folks. Like you, I'd go for a better stone and get a lower-priced setting. I figure it is easier to upgrade the setting down the road than it is to upgrade the center stone!

 

[minousbijoux]

If you ladies think $2K for a halo setting is expensive, you are going to faint to read that some have spent around $4K to $6K for a halo setting in RT. The difference is the quality of workmanship. I understand the OP has to keep within a certain budget hence, I've suggested different vendors that are in her price range. Personally, I think the vetted eBay settings are a good value for the price. It will not be comparable to the $2K settings but you won't get some frozen spit ring either. I would rather put more money towards a good stone than the setting.

This is definitely true! I do appreciate being able to drool over all the variety out there - from the $300 eBay settings to the $6K Leon settings! I admit I am a total cheapskate, but if I was looking at a setting for a $20K diamond I would be much more likely to spend $2-$6K on it. My own personal hang-up though makes it tough for me justify a $2K for a setting for a $500 stone, but I do understand that everyone has different preferences and I can appreciate why many people would do just that - nothing wrong with it, different strokes for different folks. Like you, I'd go for a better stone and get a lower-priced setting. I figure it is easier to upgrade the setting down the road than it is to upgrade the center stone!

Really good point; colored gemstones like most sapphires, emeralds and such are not like diamonds which are much easier to source. I too think that if I had a choice, I'd likely put the money towards a good stone thinking that I could always upgrade the setting in the future.

 

[sapphiresal]

Also, I'd like to add that custom jewellery here in Australia can be very expensive. The range and availability of stones can also be limited, especially if you have (completely understandable) concerns about the cut. There just don't seem to be many precision cutters around.

The eBay recommendations make sense to me, and make sure if you contact any online overseas vendors that you check whether they will ship stones over a certain value to Australia (one vendor broke my little heart with their $1,000 limit on shipping to Aus) AND factor in that you will get hit for GST for any one package over $1,000. Duty (which is different to GST) isn't payable on unset stones, but I'm not sure about set stones or settings themselves.

 

[sonyachancs]

this is very similar to my budget that I started out with - I contacted everyone on the PS recommended vendor list while searching and I would like to throw Michael E into the mix for a custom halo (plus he is such a nice person!), second the DanielM recommendation (Caren is very quick with emails and very kind with questions), and Jeffrey Davies for sapphires..

Also I know that Jeffrey Davies has a bench that does settings for his stones, and they seem very pretty in the videos, and I remember reading a couple good reviews on PS. and Stuller carries nice stock settings if you're willing to consider that.

good luck with that ring!

Really good point; colored gemstones like most sapphires, emeralds and such are not like diamonds which are much easier to source. I too think that if I had a choice, I'd likely put the money towards a good stone thinking that I could always upgrade the setting in the future.

I definitely agree that the stone is far more crucial than the setting at this point, especially with a smaller budget!

 

[emmy_em]

I have spoken to my partner and the budget is now AUD$3000 (without any taxes, GST etc is on top of the 3K)

I love the look of [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-sapphire-engagement-ring.190871/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-sapphire-engagement-ring.190871/[/URL]

I really like the colour of the sapphire. Obviously I cannot afford a custom made setting as beautiful as this but would like to achieve this kind of look.

Some of the IDJ gabriel NY settings are under $1000, leaving around $2k for a nice stone.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6417W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7808W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER9503W44JJ

for example, I'm not sure how much extra it would be to make it the right size for my stone and possibly add claw/double claw prongs. But I will be emailing IDJ to ask about this.

I have looked at gemfix, natural sapphire company etc, but haven't found much in the 2K range most stones seem to be lower or higher in price.

thanks everyone so much for your replies

I am going to work this backwards to see what is possible.
$2500 AUD = $2300 USD
$2300 USD - 10% GST = $2000 USD

Most well made pave halo settings are in the $2000 price range.
Daniel M http://www.etsy.com/transaction/150328279????
IDJ http://idjewelryonline.com/eringitems.php?cPath=42_132
Adzia http://www.etsy.com/listing/57442898/made-to-order-scarlet-red-garnet?ref=shop_home_active
LOGR http://stores.ebay.com/Lord-of-Gem-Rings/Round-/_i.html?_fsub=16759772&_sid=50922125&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Depending on which option you select, you'll know how much you have left for the sapphire ($500 to $1000). You have to go with a heated stone to be able to come close to 6.5 mm (approximately 1.5 ct in a sapphire). Depending on which shade of blue you prefer, it could be doable or impossible. I presume you are looking for something blue? Rubies are more expensive than blue sapphires. A lighter blue is less expensive than a rich medium dark blue.

You can check out http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html to see which shade of blue you prefer most and pricing.

 

[emmy_em]

I look forward to one day having a custom made Leon Mege or Victor Canera setting, but at the moment I am undergoing a masters degree and my fiance is undergoing his PHD so we are hoping this ring will be both beautiful and within a fairly strict budget for now. I am currently wearing a pretty sad solitaire that my mother gave us, as we have not been able to purchase a ring before now.



Like most pricescopers I hope to have several resets/upgrades in my future though

If you ladies think $2K for a halo setting is expensive, you are going to faint to read that some have spent around $4K to $6K for a halo setting in RT. The difference is the quality of workmanship. I understand the OP has to keep within a certain budget hence, I've suggested different vendors that are in her price range. Personally, I think the vetted eBay settings are a good value for the price. It will not be comparable to the $2K settings but you won't get some frozen spit ring either. I would rather put more money towards a good stone than the setting.

 

[emmy_em]

These are both quite lovely Xrisus, who is the etsy vendor? I would love to have a look .

These two rings (center stone snd all) are $1495 and $1995 on etsy. I am not affiliated with the vendor (don't even know her) but keep looking at her items out of my own interest in maybe getting one of the settings to mount some of my stones in one day.

 

[Xrisus]

I'll have to figure out how to private message you so no lurkers snatch them up. Can anyone elaborate on how to PM?

 

[chrono]

The step cut blue sapphire on Etsy has cut issues so please look at it carefully before deciding. There are several pictures of that same ring in several places on her website so look around to decide if it is the right stone for you. Note that she has taken pictures of it under the utmost best condition so it will not look like this all the time. On the plus side, it comes with an AIGS brief stating that it is heat only, fairly large and a decent colour for the price.

Unfortunately, there is no PM function on PS. Just do a search on Etsy for "asscher blue sapphire halo" and you'll find it. I found it within seconds yesterday.

 

[emmy_em]

Thanks, I found it but I'm not really digging the step cut. I'm looking for more rounded shapes.

I'll have to figure out how to private message you so no lurkers snatch them up. Can anyone elaborate on how to PM?

The step cut blue sapphire on Etsy has cut issues so please look at it carefully before deciding. There are several pictures of that same ring in several places on her website so look around to decide if it is the right stone for you. Note that she has taken pictures of it under the utmost best condition so it will not look like this all the time. On the plus side, it comes with an AIGS brief stating that it is heat only.

Unfortunately, there is no PM function on PS. Just do a search on Etsy for "asscher blue sapphire halo" and you'll find it. I found it within seconds yesterday.

 

[iLander]

If you ladies think $2K for a halo setting is expensive, you are going to faint to read that some have spent around $4K to $6K for a halo setting in RT. The difference is the quality of workmanship. I understand the OP has to keep within a certain budget hence, I've suggested different vendors that are in her price range. Personally, I think the vetted eBay settings are a good value for the price. It will not be comparable to the $2K settings but you won't get some frozen spit ring either. I would rather put more money towards a good stone than the setting.

I am always astonished when I see the prices they pay for settings over there! Some of the simple solitaires, without diamonds, are also incredibly expensive.

I consider myself a fairly good judge of jewelry and diamonds, not an RT expert, but pretty decent. And I don't see where the difference is. And then people have CADS and custom solitaires that end up looking just like a lot of stock settings that I see. But to each their own . . . I will admit some of the engraved settings are great, though.

That's why I prefer colored stones in general, they're more like snowflakes, all different.

 

[iLander]

I'll have to figure out how to private message you so no lurkers snatch them up. Can anyone elaborate on how to PM?

We don't have private messaging on Pricescope.

 

[MollyMalone]

Logan Sapphire has decided not to keep either one of the Gemfix sapphires that LD steered her to; she is going to mount her new diamond instead in the center of her 3-stone engagement ring.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ke-a-look.194951/page-2#post-3551738#p3551738

So these 2 round sapphires that currently bear the notation, Sale Pending, -- #1101 (1.09 carats, 6 mm) and #1106 (1.14 carats, 6 mm) -- will be back in Gemfix's inventory.
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html

Not sure if the Roulette cut appeals to you, but I really like #1106, the favorite of those who responded to Logan Sapphire's request for opinions, and the fact that that it ls less than the $2K in your newly-upped budget is a bonus

 

[RissaLou]

These are both quite lovely Xrisus, who is the etsy vendor? I would love to have a look .

These two rings (center stone snd all) are $1495 and $1995 on etsy. I am not affiliated with the vendor (don't even know her) but keep looking at her items out of my own interest in maybe getting one of the settings to mount some of my stones in one day.

Hope you Don't mind if I jump in, I know who the etsy seller is because I bought my Spinel ring from her and it was an awesome transaction, highly recommend

https://www.etsy.com/listing/161480827/ceylon-cornflower-blue-sapphire-in-white?ref=shop_home_active

 

[Xrisus]

I'm glad to see you found the etsy seller. I wasn't trying to be cryptic, just trying to prevent something getting sweeped out from under you! I've never gotten anything from Julia B Jewelry, but it's good to hear a positive transaction. Good luck in the search!

 

[chrono]

Sadly, GemFix will not sell sapphires that are $1000 and upwards to countries outside the US that has an import tax / duties.

 

[emmy_em]

This is a real shame.

I feel at a huge disadvantage living in Aus, everything here is much more expensive and generally at a lower quality unless very very high end.

Sadly, GemFix will not sell sapphires that are $1000 and upwards to countries outside the US that has an import tax / duties.

I have fallen in love with eringnewbie's ring, so now looking into working with Joe Escobar.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-on-a-sapphire-purchase.194158/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-on-a-sapphire-purchase.194158/page-3[/URL]

EDIT: They do not currently ship internationally, back to square one

 

[chatbandit]

Have friends or family that could be your shipping address? I do it often for international friends. The painful part is not peaking!

 

[emmy_em]

Unfortunately not in the US, we will be asking if they will be okay with sending to or recieving pick up from a personal shopper company like http://www.forwardit.us which a friend of ours has used several times with success (but not to buy jewelry).

Have friends or family that could be your shipping address? I do it often for international friends. The painful part is not peaking!

 

[minousbijoux]

emmy: we have quite a few posters here who live in Australia, so it might be worth a shout out to them asking how they do it when having rings/jewelry made. I can't believe that for the sheer size of the country that there aren't more options for people like you. You have some good lapidaries there, and some excellent jewelers as well. Do you think it might be possible to explore such options?

It infuriates me on behalf of you and other Aussies when its so hard...

 

[sapphiresal]

emmy, I'm in Newcastle (2 hours north of Sydney). If you are anywhere nearby, I could give you my jeweller's details?

also, I did order some stones (sapphires) from Dana at mastercut gems without any problem, and I was also having discussions with Blaze at blazengems, who also didn't have any problem shipping stones to me.