Ering stone search...

[Deia]

Hi everyone!

OK so just a quick background info...BF and I have been together for about 2 1/2 years now (we celebrate our 3rd anniversary in Sept) and we have been talking about getting married for quite a while now...over a year I would say. He was supposed to propose last year but it got moved back because of our finances, which made me a little sad but I'm not silly and it just wasn't doable at that time.

I originally wanted a diamond engagement ring, but after seeing so many beautiful colored gemstone erings I wouldn't mind either way, not just because it may save me money but because of how gorgeous they are! I do reeeeally like sparkle...so I guess that's what attracts me to diamonds.

To be honest I would say yes even if he proposed with nothing...or a copper ring.

I love him and we want to take the next step in our life, that's all that matters to me.

Anyway, we have a timeline, and he is meant to propose sometime around September.

I guess you need more background info... I come from a relatively wealthy family. My sister is married but when she got engaged she received a gorgeous 2ct D color EC diamond. I'm saying this because he feels the pressure to be able to give me just as much, but he just can't afford it and that is fine. I have no issue with that.

He could proably afford to give me a .90-1ct diamond (which is a great size, imo), but I am just trying to explore my options as I think it would be great if I could save him some money. I'd rather go on a great "engagement" vacation than spend all the money on the ring.

I like sapphires, but tend to like the med to lighter colored blue ones and usually with a touch of violet in it (from what I notice catches my eye) or lighter pink/pad also. I was also looking into champagne diamonds as I find those absolutely gorgeous but I'm not sure how they would look on my skin. I saw a light champagne diamond with a touch of pink and it was just beautiful.

The only thing is the lighter pink ones may look washed out since I have an yellow undertones to my skin ( I am brazilian - I usually have a lightly tanned/bronzed skin but living in London makes that really hard haha, so at the moment I am extremely pale - in my opinion although I still look tanned agaisnt BF's skin lol - with those yellow ( olive?) undertones)

I realise this is a broad range...but just curious as to what options you all may think I have. If I could spend about 1500 - 2000 for the stone that would be perfect!

Sorry for the long post!

 

[Pandora II]

Deia, I''m in London as well. I would suggest taking a trip to Tiffs in New Bond Street and going to the second floor where they have the coloured stones. Try on loads and get a feel for what looks nice on your hand (don''t fall in love as the prices are

).

I have typical English pink and white skin tone and the pink and orange stones did nothing for me - I think they look better on olive toned skin.

If you like sparkle, I would try and look at some garnets, they will sparkle quite a bit more than a sapphire due to their higher refractive index. Sadly there aren''t many places to see good ones that I know of in London (some of the dealers in Hatton Garden have some that have horrible cuts but are good if you just want to see colour). Word of warning, I always go to HG alone as they can be high pressure on the sales side down there.

Otherwise, have a think about adding some diamond melee - I did that with mine just to make the green pop a bit more and add a bit more sparkle...

 

[Deia]

Thanks Pandora, that''s a great idea! He hates shopping but I''m sure I can convince him to come along. I''ve been to Hatton Garden before and I purchased my first gemstone from one of the shops there (Holt''s). They have a gorgeous selection. I should go there again.

I find garnets very pretty but wouldn''t they be too soft for daily use? I imagine that I would wear my ering everyday.

I just spoke to BF and asked him for a definite budget (the budget I gave was what I thought would be doable). He said he doesn''t care about the money, he just wants me to get the ring/stone I like. Very sweet but not very helpful

. He also said that if he can afford it he will get it for me tomorrow

!!!!!

He''s got about £3000 he could spend without it being a problem.

So I guess my first step would be to see what I think looks nice on my hand. I like the look of EC''s but don''t seem to like them on my hand. I like rounds on my hand, and have yet to try an oval. I have an asscher cut (more of a square emerald cut) tourmaline and I love the look of that. It''s quite big at 3.25cts (it''s somewhere on this forum if anyone is interested) and because I''ve been wearing it on and off for the last six months or so I''m used to the "big" look...I guess I should stop wearing it for a while so that it doesn''t bother me if the stone I pick is smaller.

Do you think champagne diamonds are out of my range? I will go try one on (maybe buy a champagne CZ to get an idea) and see if it looks good with my skin tone.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I think it's great to get a colored ering In some ways I feel like it'd be less pressure for him because you can't really compare it to your sister's ring since it's a totally different direction. And with 2k, you have a fair range of different colored gems to choose from

Personally, with 2k, I'd be awfully tempted to get this sapphire from Wildfish. It has more of a green undertone than purple, but my does it sparkle. I think it would look amazing with some diamond melee.

Montana

Garnets are great too, I LOVE me some garnet But many people don't understand the breadth and value of garnets, and may think it's a "cheap" stone. As many on here can attest, it's not, lol. But if your fiance is a bit sensitive to what your family and other's might think, it might be best to stick to the "big 3" of colored stones (sapphire, ruby, emerald), and my personal preference is for sapphire because of the range in color. Of course, champagne diamonds are great too!!

 

[Deia]

Thanks for the reply MTG! It''s a very pretty stone but I''m not over the moon about it if I''m honest. I''ll show it to my bf though see what he thinks.

I really need to get to the point of knowing exactly what I want...because right now I''m pretty much going ooh ahh ooh! at almost everything I see lol

It''s almost like I would rather him just pick something out himself and hope I like it. The only reason I don''t think that is a good idea is because I know he will just go to a jewelry store and pick something out that is all ready to go that will be pretty I''m sure (and most likely a diamond) but I find that picking the stone and the setting seperately makes it more personal.

I''ve been browsing the DBL website and they''ve got some pretty yellow diamonds and even some ready made rings with "soft white" diamonds ( I think the one I saw was a K or L) I wouldn''t mind having as an ering.

@ Pandora - two questions - Do you mind telling me where you got your ring made? And also do you know if there is a company like Stuller or Adwar here in the UK that sell semi mounts through jewelry stores?

 

[Deia]

I know it sounds like I am really confused...but that''s because I really am hah! And from re-reading my posts it looks like I am still into the idea of getting a diamond, I should think about that. The visit to Tiffanys will probably help me get a better idea!

 

[innerkitten]

It sounds like you can afford a pale blue sapphire with your budget. Perhaps you could have one cut? Garnets are another option too.

ETA: Just read the last post. Yes trying on different types of rings (sapphires, diamonds) will probably help you make a decision.
GL!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/1/2009 10:00:57 AM
Author: Deia
Thanks for the reply MTG! It''s a very pretty stone but I''m not over the moon about it if I''m honest. I''ll show it to my bf though see what he thinks.

I really need to get to the point of knowing exactly what I want...because right now I''m pretty much going ooh ahh ooh! at almost everything I see lol

It''s almost like I would rather him just pick something out himself and hope I like it. The only reason I don''t think that is a good idea is because I know he will just go to a jewelry store and pick something out that is all ready to go that will be pretty I''m sure (and most likely a diamond) but I find that picking the stone and the setting seperately makes it more personal.

I''ve been browsing the DBL website and they''ve got some pretty yellow diamonds and even some ready made rings with ''soft white'' diamonds ( I think the one I saw was a K or L) I wouldn''t mind having as an ering.

@ Pandora - two questions - Do you mind telling me where you got your ring made? And also do you know if there is a company like Stuller or Adwar here in the UK that sell semi mounts through jewelry stores?

If you are going for ideas, DO NOT take your other half with you. Seriously I have not seen many coloured stones that are worth the money in London (other than in Graff etc) and the ones in HG are on the whole windowed beyond belief and seriously overpriced compared with what you can buy online (patience is a huge virtue with coloured stones).

My e-ring was custom made by Wink Jones to my own design and the tsavorite came from Palagems via Wink. I saw photos of the stone in advance and over a video-link, as sending stones back and forth is a PITA, and it was everything I had asked for.

The only place I know for semi-mounts in the UK is Cooksons, but they have a very basic selection. To be honest, I prefer to use the same dealer for the stone as for the setting - reason being that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get insurance for loose stones in the UK and so you are having them set at your own risk. If you buy both from the same vendor you will be covered by their insurance. I had my wedding present - sphene pendant and earrings - set in Stuller settings (again by Wink).

In terms of shape of stone, different rough lends itself to different shapes and different species have crystals that are easier to cut in certain ways. You will see plenty of EC cut tourmaline and beryls (emerald, aquamarines etc) because they naturally have that shape. Sapphires, garnets, spinels etc are more widely available as cushions or ovals. Rounds are far less common in coloured stones.

Personally I''m a fan of cushions - both elongated and square - and I like traditional faceting more than precision cutting or artsy stuff, but that is very much down to individual choice. There are many vendors recommended here who can do both and who can also custom cut a stone for you. However, it is not often a case of saying I''d like a sapphire in X colour, Y size and cut in Z way and the vendor being able to produce it for you. Often it can take months for the right piece of rough in the right size and right colour to come along.

Certain colours will also cost more than others - sometimes a LOT more - and not necessarily less than a similar-sized white diamond. Fine kashmir sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines, burmese rubies can be thousands or even tens of thousands plus dollars a carat. Some species of garnet can also be well over $1k per carat.

Diamonds are a MUCH easier game as they are not rare in the way that fine coloured gems are.

 

[fogdancer]

Deia olá boa tarde!
Lendo seu tópico concordo com vc, sempre há tempo pra um anel mais tarde, uma viage seria interessante .
Mas venho te lembrar como brasileira que os nosso diamantes não são lá grande coisa, mas há pedras lindas (diamantes, safiras, esmeraldas, ametistas, afinal pedras coloridas como no Brazil não há igual)...
Venho sugerir que vc com esse orçamento poderia comprar algo na Vivara www.vivara.com.br, Dryzun http://www.dryzun.com.br/; Carla Amorim http://www.carlaamorim.com/2008/ (que teve a Faith Hill usando uma jóia na capa do CD Cry; Pedro Brando http://chic.ig.com.br/materias/389501-390000/389585/389585_1.html que fez o anel de noivado e alianças de Nicole Kidman...

Ou ler meu post mais completo com alguns outros endereços: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brazilian-treasures.110264/

quem sabe http://www.amsterdamsauer.com/new/portugues/catalogo/produtos_noivas.asp?cod_canal=24&x=1

Com seu orçamento comprar por aqui seria mais viável

To be polite with our PS''s friends a translation...lol
Deia good afternoon
Reading your post I agree with you, there''s plenty of time to an ER later, and a very nice elaborated travel would be nice as well.As I am a brazilian you must know that brazilian diamonds are not good enough, but we have an huge range os colored stones: diamonds, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds) in terms os colored stones there''s no equal.
I would like to suggest with your budget to buy something from Brazil ...
Carla Amorim had a piece of her collection shown and worn by Faith Hill to her CD Cry cover, Pedro Brando is famous he designed Nicole Kidman ER and hte wedding bands for her and Keith Urban
link to see Faith and the center piece at her neck http://www.seasonedwithlove.com/splsh.jpg by Carla Amorim
link to see Keith Urban, Nicole and Pedro Brando and the wedding bands,http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f-9AP6Tusow/SFE166VgX-I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/9c1QiH-hbV8/s400/pedro_brando_03.jpg (an little story they met Keith & Nicole in a restaurant named Luna) so the stars with diamonds at the bands regards the memories of the first met.
Nicole showing her bling http://www.instyle.co.uk/instyleuk/package/general/photos/0,,20240097_20240822_20545438,00.html

Sorry for the long post

Hugs

 

[ma re]

You can also check out flame spinels (they''re within budget and orangy-pink in color) as they can look like a more vibrant version of a pad. They''d probably work great with your skin as well as, probably, with your southern personality

And let''s not forget one of the most famous Brazilian gems - imperial topaz. It''s durable enough for an e-ring, really beautiful and not often seen these days (at least not in decent qualities). You could also find one within your budget.

In theory you could even get a ruby, if you like them, but probably heated and not very big.

 

[Deia]

Thank you Innerkitten, Pandora II, Fogdancer and Ma Re for the responses

I apologise for not coming back to you guys any sooner, but I've had terrible family news

and it hasn't gotten any better so far... I just haven't had an opportunity to think about my stone search much nor really felt like it but I did find out that I like the look of rounds, asschers and cushions on my finger it seems! So that's a start

Ma re - I'm not sure I know what a flame spinel looks like but that sounds interesting! Can spinels be used as everyday rings?

Again, thank you for the advice given so far, I'll update you all when there is more interesting progression

 

[chrono]

I hope everything is all right with the family. Yes, spinels can be worn as everyday rings because they are only slightly softer than sapphires and have no cleavage planes.

 

[ma re]

Honestly, I''ve only seen flame spinels on photos and even that was rarely. They seem to be something like a mix of padparadscha (in terms of color/s) and spessartite (in terms of vibrancy). People say they are really rare, but pretty stunning. Sorry I can''t be of more help here

 

[chrono]

Colormyworld has a beautiful triangular flame spinel as his avatar.

 

[colormyworld]

Date: 5/6/2009 2:37:26 PM
Author: Chrono
Colormyworld has a beautiful triangular flame spinel as his avatar.

Thanks Chrono. I have changed to a tourmaline for my avatar now but here is a pic of the mentioned spinel.

 

[Rockit]

If you prefer a color in the red family, I think a flame spinel, as suggested, would be an excellent choice. I have one (no photos though) and it is one of my very favorite stones. Just be sure to look for one with an exceptional cut. And remember, the very good ones can be quite pricey.

Also, fancy brown diamonds are quite inexpensive compared to colorless diamonds. So, yes, you can find beautiful "champagne" diamonds within your budget. I think the fancy brown diamonds are a "best kept secret" and are exquisitely beautiful. Do pay some attention to the cut... often times brown diamonds on the market are not as precisely cut as you would normally find in colorless and near-colorless diamonds. And, that''s OK in colored diamonds, to a point. Regardless, there are lovely, reasonably priced brownies to be had. For what it is worth, I get more comments about my brown diamond ring than any other piece I own.

Another option might be a rich, "golden" yellow sapphire. The pricing is more reasonable than some of the other sapphire colors, and, certainly, the sunkissed stone would have the durability you need for daily wear. Again, a great cut can pull a stone from ho-hum to KA-POW!

I think each of these options would be lovely with your coloring and each could work well with yellow, pink (maybe not the sapphire), and white metals. Add a couple of colorless diamond side stones, a halo, or melee on the shank to encourage the beautiful "flame,""champagne," or "golden" color to "pop" and you can have an exquisite, unusual, memorable, sparkly ring.

I''m excited to hear other suggestions and, ultimately, what you decide will be your winning combination. Congratulations on your impending proposal!