Frustrated by sapphire search

[EastCoaster]

I posted earlier about wanting to replicate Kate Middleton's ring, but I've since found a jewelery designer who is very creative, and I think that I might be able to get something more customized.

She is looking for stones, but I am also wondering if I should look myself.

She said something about borrowing hers from a supplier, not a dealer. I have no idea what that means. I've seen some very nice ones in jewelry on her site, but she lucked out on one of those. I'm going to go look at some, and I know that she pulled an iolite, because she thought that purple might suit my skin and fit my budget. We'd really like to stay under $3K with tax. I'll chip in some more if I have to to get the right stone, but this is a tight budget.

I think that I might be able to do the halo with single cut or even old european diamonds and maybe use metal to create some illusions, but I'd still like a nice stone. And it looks like what I want is not terribly affordable. Leaning towards prongs on the sapphire but maybe a bezel-cut scalloped look around the diamonds. (Wish I'd done this a few years ago, gold and gem stone prices having gone up.)

My ring size is between a 4.5 and 4.75. I'd like an oval in something like the 8x6 size although bigger would also work. I dream of a vibrant, saturated royal blue (heat treatment fine), though I'd love a glow. That's my dream.

I've looked so far at Jeff Davies, gemflix, and all that glitters. Any others? U.S. based would be awesome.

 

[chrono]

Will the designer accept a stone that you sourced yourself? Some are not open to this so I suggest asking the designer first.

Is $3K just for the stone or includes the setting? Going with single cuts / OEC is going to cost more, believe it or not, because single cuts are considered specialty and it's not easy to get a parcel of matching OECs.

What's going to set the bulk of the price for you stone-wise are 2 things: colour and treatment. Vivid (saturated) is $$$ even when heat only. If the saturation is strong to vivid, it will "glow" or look neon. That is how some describe what high saturation means.

 

[EastCoaster]

I think she must. She repurposes old earrings, and she took the stones from a broach and turned them into an engagement ring. Her labor is $600.

The name is cynthia britt.

 

[chrono]

I would double check to be 100% sure. You wrote that $600 is for the labour. What about the gold? Was it reused? I have some concerns with what I am reading but don't want to jump the gun until this is clarified.

 

[Edward Bristol]

Though a bit softer, Kyanite makes a great super-blue alternative for sapphire. They are reasonable and some are just gorgeous. In a protected dinner ring they wont get scratched easily.

 

[Niel]

I can assume no but are you open to other colors besides blue?

 

[chrono]

Kyanite is much too soft for an engagement ring and I don't think iolite will hold up well either. You might want to consider blue spinel since it can be an everyday ring.

Other vendor considerations:
www.finewatergems.com
www.gemartservices.com
www.gemcal.com
www.gemfix.com
www.gemrite.com
www.litnon.com
www.mastercutgems.com

I strongly recommend Tan for those who are very budget conscious with the caveat to look carefully and get your stone vetted before whipping out your CC or PP. I don't see anything that fits your requirements at the moment in the sapphire category.
Tan of Gemcatalogue http://stores.ebay.com/GemCatalogue
Tan of Odysseygem http://stores.ebay.com/OdysseyGem
Tan of VVS1gem http://stores.ebay.com/vvs1gem
Tan of Thegemology http://stores.ebay.com/thegemology

 

[EastCoaster]

I was hoping for 3K total which I know is ridiculously low. (It would not have been so bad when gold was cheaper, and colored stones were unpopular.) My fiance is somewhat nervous about spending money right now. I'm willing to top that up with my own funds, but I don't want to go crazy. I'd like to try one of the newer white golds which don't require constant rhodium plating. I don't know whether Stuller's X1 or Cobb's Precise White are preferred. I don't want too much metal, and I want very clean lines.

And I'm totally fine with heat treatment. I have an appointment to see the stones she got and will find out more. The iolite bit makes me nervous too.

 

[EastCoaster]

Thank you all for your advice. I'm intrigued by the gemfix site.

Can someone give me an impression of the oval modified portuguese stone here?

http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html $1340. 10th down on the left.

 

[EastCoaster]

Apologies for the double post.

 

[Niel]

So it is blue only? I've seen a really lovely magenta that would fit your budget amazingly.

I think that oval seems a tad too dark.

Believe me I can feel your pain. Some people love the hunt for just the exact right color. Me? I just want it to appear lol.

 

[chrono]

Any quotation on the setting yet? This way, you'll get a better feel for how much you have left for the stone. The GemFix oval you mentioned is very dark and is nowhere near a strong saturation. I'm not sure your budget can accommodate your requirements since gold is really expensive now.

 

[EastCoaster]

I know. I'm so mad about the price of gold. Magenta might work. I'd like to be flexible. I should have bought some gold for myself, but I never expected it to go this high, though it's come down a bit.

Niel-- can you post or e-mail a link. The designer wants to work around the stone. I don't want any pave on the band or anything super thick.

I'm willing to go up a bit, but I can't have this turn into a $10k project. I do social work and recently took a decent-sized pay cut. Fingers crossed that the new jobs I'm looking at come through.

 

[Niel]

Its 7x5 I think which is a tad smaller than you wanted. But not by much. And its like 600...though I'd offer a little less as its been there a while.
I've been obsessed with this stone forever. I nearly bought it my self a few times. But I couldn't pull the trigger as im a diamond gal.

 

[Niel]

What was the unique aspect she was adding? I love when they throe pears into the halo mix! (Like this pic I already showed you. )

 

[carmen1]

As I recall you prefer a dark blue sapphire similar to Princess Diana/Kate ring? The Gemfix sapphire you liked seems to be in line with your previous search for a dark navy blue stone, but not so much if you want a vivid royal blue center stone.

 

[EastCoaster]

Good memory. I fell in love with some of the more royal blue ones.

I was thinking of trying to do something more like penelope cruz's sapphire ring with a prong around the sapphire (instead of being bezel cut) but scalloping around the diamonds (maybe single cut instead of rose cut), possibly a little bit of a leaf on the shank or else a split shank. She's still thinking, but my fingers are really meant for an oval.

See http://blog.ritani.com/tag/princess-diana/

I love Jackie Kennedy's ring too.

And in the utterly unreal out-of-this world category, there's something I love about Isabella Stewart Gardner's ruby.



Classic, timeless, antique without feeling vintage and simple.

http://www.luxist.com/2010/04/23/isabella-stewart-gardners-ruby-ring-sold-by-sothebys/

 

[JewelFreak]

Would you consider a Montana sapphire? They're not royal or cornflower blue, but have their own unique silvery-blue wonderful personality. If so, take a look at Montanas on Gemfix, 7th down on the right -- it looks better in the hand shot than the thumbnail & might be worth a peek, or at least asking about it.

Is your heart set on oval? The trouble is that a nice sapphire without an unlimited budget is a tough search, as you've found. The more limitations on what you'll accept, the harder it becomes. Your choices would be much wider if a round would be ok.

--- Laurie

 

[Niel]

I saw a ring like this and I think is cool. Similar look. Would you do yellow gold??

Is that magenta not your cup of tea? I know you love blue I just think its nicely saturated and a killer price to get the overall look you want. But I agree if it need to be blue Montana ones are cool

 

[EastCoaster]

And what would this one look like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENwqXf9o8ZY&feature=youtu.be

Is purple pink considered undesirable? It looks very pretty to me.

 

[EastCoaster]

I honestly thought that round sapphire was more expensive, but I tried on a round ring, and it looked bad.

I was considering two tone--some white gold with some yellow or rose on the band itself. Still not sure.

 

[T L]

And what would this one look like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENwqXf9o8ZY&feature=youtu.be

Is purple pink considered undesirable? It looks very pretty to me.

That's really dark, but you are trying to emulate the look of the Kate/Diana ring, and her stone is very dark too. Although it is unheated, I wouldn't spend a lot on it because it's very dark in tone. I rather have a heated and brighter stone.

I would try to get a heated stone from a trusted source, perhaps Jeff too, and that will save you lots of money. You could do a diffused stone too, and buy a nice setting for it (spend more of the money in the setting), and when the time comes, you could replace it with a better center stone at a later date.

 

[EastCoaster]

Niel-- How do I find the magenta stone and that ring you posted? The pictures don't have links.

 

[Niel]

And what would this one look like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENwqXf9o8ZY&feature=youtu.be

Is purple pink considered undesirable? It looks very pretty to me.

No not undesirable. But classic blue is desirable to more people and that drives prices. I think that pink would make a stunning two tone ring in the style you are considering. More than a blues that may go too dark.


Idyou like it don't just assume that lower price is bad. Its just not hot right now like blue is. If you like it its desirable

 

[Niel]

Niel-- How do I find the magenta stone and that ring you posted? The pictures don't have links.

http://www.thegemtrader.com/May%2008%20MSapphire%20Page.htm

I'd email him(now so a lurker doesnt grab it) and see if he'd even come down a little on that already reasonable price. Just ask if its flexable. He has a return period if you wanna see it in person.

 

[EastCoaster]

If I wanted to go with a cheap stone and then replace it later, would a lab-grown one work better than a diffused one?

Can you just swap out a center stone?

 

[Niel]

If I wanted to go with a cheap stone and then replace it later, would a lab-grown one work better than a diffused one?

Can you just swap out a center stone?

lab grown gems are not a topic allowed on this site, but it your question about swapping out a stone, yes thats done. Now ovals are not all the same shape, so finding an exact one to match your already made setting isnt the easiest, but not impossible

 

[carmen1]

If I wanted to go with a cheap stone and then replace it later, would a lab-grown one work better than a diffused one?

Can you just swap out a center stone?

If you can't afford both a stone AND a setting that you love I'd actually do the opposite and purchase a stone you love but put it in a temporary setting that you can replace down the line. IMO it is easier to get a new setting made for an existing stone than it is to find the perfect new stone to fit in an existing setting. I also would suggest you stick with a blue sapphire, based on your previous thread it is what you have always wanted, and since it is your e-ring you'll want something you'll never tire of or regret.

 

[Niel]

another thing i will say about lab grown. will you be happy looking down at your stone and knowing its not from the earth? Some people dont mind, some people say they dont mind but actually deep down do... which one of those do you think you are?

 

[EastCoaster]

Well, I obviously prefer one grown in the earth, but I think that I'd prefer not to have a diffused sapphire that has a different color on the inside.

If it were a diamond, I might feel better about a lab grown-one, because I worry about conflict diamonds and don't like DeBeers very much, but I understand that this is not the forum to discuss that.