Green stones needed for Mom's 50th B-day!

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Hello all! My Mother's 50th birthday is a little over a year away. I know how long it can take to find the right stones and put together a piece so I'm starting early. I spoke to her about what she might like and the only insight I got from her was a "green" stone in either a three stone or five stone format. I want to go with a five stone since it will be for her 50th. I know my Mom is also a big diamond lady so it will be 3 green stones and 2 diamonds alternating. She has fairly large fingers due to arthritis so I'm looking at a size 8 ring, I figured 5, 4mm stones would do well in an antique or repro setting.

Budget for the whole project is around 1k max. I'm thinking I can spend up to $250 on the three 4mm "green" stones, I just need your help figuring out what I can get for the money!

I know the big three are emerald, tsavorite and chrome tourmaline. I'm looking for round stones with a dark green but lively color being first priority. I plan on getting older cut stones for the sides, OEC or transitional most likely. I try looking around on the color stone vendor sites but most of the stones available are too big and I don't know much about cut with color stones. Or if I'm paying too much, diamonds are much easier!

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Kim Bruun]

I am not sure if it is allowed, but since I have no affiliation with the company, I guess it's okay (otherwise, mod my post!):

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1644728824

I checked here because they have a handy calibrated lot section - you were, after all, asking for three stones of identical size. The one above matched your size specifications the best.

Best of luck!

 

[cm366]

Hey AHL,

For stones that size with good colour and lively cut, I'd strongly recommend you take a look at Gemselect's lots of small tsavorites. They have a mixed reputation on this site, and I wouldn't look them up for fine expensive center stones, but they have a pretty good selection of smaller stones , they're inexpensive and I've had consistently good results on the 'low end'. Hope it helps!

 

[davi_el_mejor]

It may not be the right "green" but demantoid is my suggestion. They'll "keep up" with the diamonds too.

 

[Kim Bruun]

It may not be the right "green" but demantoid is my suggestion. They'll "keep up" with the diamonds too.

Good argument, but... Demantoid is both pricier and softer than tsavorite. It may not be within budget, and while I am not too familiar with demantoid, anything softer than quartz is something I've seriously consider whether or not was suitable for the ring in question (of course, there are harder stones that are also not ideally suitable, because of brittleness or perfect cleavage) - will the ring be worn frequently, for instance? How protective is the setting? Whether or not the shades of green demantoid comes ine are suitable is up to the OP.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

It may not be the right "green" but demantoid is my suggestion. They'll "keep up" with the diamonds too.

Good argument, but... Demantoid is both pricier and softer than tsavorite. It may not be within budget, and while I am not too familiar with demantoid, anything softer than quartz is something I've seriously consider whether or not was suitable for the ring in question (of course, there are harder stones that are also not ideally suitable, because of brittleness or perfect cleavage) - will the ring be worn frequently, for instance? How protective is the setting? Whether or not the shades of green demantoid comes ine are suitable is up to the OP.

Namibian demantoid with decent color in that size and nice cutting is priced right (at least I know I can find 3.8mm ones in that price range)

You do raise a good point in the hardness/cleavage though. But with most garnets you'll have that trade off, color for hardness.

 

[Fly Girl]

How about green diamonds? You can get color enhanced diamonds for reasonable prices. The diamonds are real, even if the color isn't, and you have time to find some pretty ones. Then you get the diamond hardness and dispersion.

Some examples of green diamond rings. I chose these as examples, and not because I know anything about this particular vendor.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Thanks for the advice! I did not consider dementoids because they usually seem to be a more yellowish green and I'm going for a deeper forest green. I also won't go the way of irradiated diamonds, but thanks for the suggestion.

I'll check with the vendors suggested, thanks!

 

[Arkteia]

The cheapest ones? Chrome diopsides, they can be fantastic. Color is one of my favorites. They are easily scratched, but if you bezel them, they perform fine. I remember browsing one of home shopping networks' website, it was many years ago, way before PS, and they had many chrome diopside rings. I bought three off ebay, and they are totally amazing. I bet you can still get some.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHROME-DIOPSIDE-GEMSTONE-RING-3-10-CTS-RARE-NATURAL-VIDEO-VVS-CLARITY-FIRE-/230789699165?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item35bc23565d

Of course, there are unset stones, too.

I hope this store has nothing to do with not-so-trusted vendor... anyhow, this is the picture

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-60-Cts-SPARKLING-NATURAL-ULTRA-RARE-TOP-CHROME-DIOPSIDE-GEM-/251058198690?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a743c18a2

Or, moving into more expensive territory, how about green jade? If you can find a good color. This stone is not fully appreciated, and it is stunning!

 

[NKOTB]

Green sapphires?

 

[Thuvia]

I love green gemstones, but have yet to see a green sapphire with a good color. Which probably explains why I don't have one. As for chrome tourmalines, most of mine display a yellow or brown undertone in natural light. So if you are considering these, bear this in mind.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I love green gemstones, but have yet to see a green sapphire with a good color. Which probably explains why I don't have one. As for chrome tourmalines, most of mine display a yellow or brown undertone in natural light. So if you are considering these, bear this in mind.

Thank you, I think I'll be going the route of the tsavs!

 

[cellentani]

Asscherhalo, last time I was at PrimaGems in NY, I'm pretty sure they had a good selection of calibrated 4mm tsavs - I sorted through a parcel of 4.5mm stones, and have gotten several lovely matched pairs in various sizes before. You can email, or I'll be seeing them at Intergem this weekend, and can scout things out if you like. Also, I'd be happy to post a pic or two of mine, so you can see if the color suits you - just let me know.