Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Help! I’m Lost in a Sea of Sapphires and I Need the Perfect One to Propose

Dragonroar

Dragonroar

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 3, 2025
Messages
2
Hey everyone! I’m planning to propose in the next couple of months, and I’ve been searching for a green sapphire that resembles an emerald color, something truly special for my partner.
I’m looking for:

Natural & untreated (if possible)

Square, rounded, or emerald cut

Around 1.00 – 3.00 carats (ideally ~2.00 carats)

Budget: under $3,000 (can stretch to under $5K for something really unique)

I’ve been researching for about a month, and it’s honestly overwhelming. I’ve looked at sites like The Natural Sapphire Company, GemsNY, and JupiterGem, but I’m not sure which sources are legit or trustworthy. I’ve seen mixed reviews, especially about The Natural Sapphire Company,so I’m hoping to get some insight from others who’ve gone through this.

Here are a few stones I’ve been considering:

1. Jupiter Gem – 1.71 ct teal-blue/green sapphire: https://jupitergem.com/natural-teal-blue-green-sapphire-1-71-carats-1

2. GemsNY – 2.12 ct emerald-cut sapphire: https://www.gemsny.com/sapphires/2....BEC/?sku=95113&type=ring&prong=&selectedBand=

3. The Natural Sapphire Company – 2.59 ct round green sapphire: https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompa...anka-round-green-sapphire-s17025-/#AssetData7


If anyone has experience with these companies or knows of other trusted sources, I’d really appreciate your recommendations. This is a big moment, and I want it to be perfect.

Thanks in advance!
P.S English is not my first language so I'm using chat Gpt to polish this post.
 
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your engagement!

May I ask why you want to go the sapphire route if you look for emerald color? Why not go for emerald directly? Is your partner involved in the choice of the stone/ring? If not, think again, these things rarely go well.

About the sapphires you posted:

The first one is too dark and will look black in any real light other that the iphone flashlight directly pointed at it.

The second one is horribly cut and the color looks like moss to me.

The third one, despite having a color one could like, is the absolute worst with a window larger than life, on a cut that is supposed to maximize brilliance. I am shocked they ask 4k+ for it. Or maybe I am not, that company is a joke to me.

I am going on a limb and will assume you have no experience whatsoever in buying gemstones. This is my best advice for you: go to a jeweler, with your fiancé, and tell them what you want. They will show you stuff. Then go to another, and another, and another.
This will give you an idea of what she likes, and what the average price would be. You will be wiser and in a better position to buy something that she will love. Remember, it is for her, she needs to love the ring, not your effort to get her a nice ring. I have many friends who messed this up so bad, their wives are still annoyed. Can’t blame them. I let my wife choose and I am glad I did ;)

For the love of all that is precious, drop these three sapphires and save yourself a lot of grief (and money!).
 
Hello and welcome! My opinion only: I'm not overly fond of the colors and cuts you posted. They are all going to be darker in person, and I don't see much sparkle either. You want this to be a "wow" stone! Also, the "AAAAA" designation is meaningless.

Take a look at this one from Brilliant Earth. See the faceting and even color? https://www.brilliantearth.com/7mm-...n-Sapphire-SGAU7.0CU3_1/?process=cyoring&sid=

It's difficult because there are so many different shades of green. Do you want more blue or yellow? Just make sure it isn't such a dark stone.
 
I think emerald was mentioned because good examples have a green of exceptional hue and mesmerizing glow.

But an engagement/wedding ring will (hopefully) be worn for life, often daily.
Such a gem must survive the rigors of daily wear and tear.
In that sense, emerald is a poor choice for an engagement ring.

The consensus is, the most durable of all gems is diamond, and second is sapphire.
Emerald is not durable enough for daily wear, and often reserved for earrings or pendant.
 
Last edited:
Hello and welcome... big congrats on your upcoming engagement! I agree... #'s 2 and 3 would be out for me, since they're both terribly cut. The issue with #1, as was mentioned, is that the tone is quite dark. The shade itself is pretty, but unless you are specifically looking for a very dark green, I would pass on #1 as well. The cut is nice though. You can always ask for more media from the seller to be sure. I bought my padparadscha from Krishna... such a professional. He is originally from Sri Lanka, but operates out of California. Good luck!
 
Last edited:
Dragonroar said:
I’ve been searching for a green sapphire that resembles an emerald color
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to report that you won't find anything like that and, in looking for photos that most closely resemble an emerald in your price range, you will probably be selecting for the vendor who is least accurately representing their gems. (I did not review those links -- just speaking in general terms here.)

There are virtually no green sapphires that come anywhere close to rivaling even a mediocre emerald. Think more like a peridot at best or an olive-green in most instances. Green must be the least satisfying sapphire color to shop for -- every other hue can be a true knock-out. And emerald itself, as has been pointed out, is a terrible daily-wear ring.

At your experience level, you need to see them in person, side-by-side. Online gem photos are a mixed bag. I'm a photographer and it is astounding (and horrifying) how much better I can make a gem photo look with just a little tweak of this slider or that. And most buyers -- especially inexperienced ones -- lack the confidence to return their unsatisfying purchases.

I love sapphire and my wife has one or two in rotation; however, I strongly recommend a diamond e-ring and a sapphire right-hand ring for an anniversary. Spouse's diamond solitaire (modest by PS standards and in a totally-exposed knock-off Tiffany knife-edge) still looks like new under the loupe after more decades than I am willing to write here. But over less than half that span, she has gone through a couple of sapphires. I know diamond is (Mohs) "10" and sapphire is "9" (pretty close, right?) -- but diamond is crazy-harder than sapphire.

ETA: I, um, Redd and see on another forum (that I dislike -- because it is mostly hit-and-run posts without the rationale behind them) that everyone seems to be wearing massive, cartoonish lab-diamond solitaires now (oh, just like SUVs and pick-ups). Maybe this will turn "earth-mined" diamonds into the Burma rubies and Kashmir sapphires of the not-too-distant future -- if it's small, it must be exquisite! So consider buying an earth-mined diamond. And to the folks who (understandably) say diamonds are not rare and it's an artificially-controlled market in which production is limited specifically to foster a scarcity mentality, may I introduce you to Rolex and Patek and AP and VC and VCA and...
 
Last edited:
Here are a whole bunch to look through.

Montana Sapphires | Ethically Sourced and Mined | Beautiful American Cut

Montana Sapphire | American Cut Sapphires: Beautiful, Rare, Unique | Ethically Sourced and Mined with Minimal Environmental Impact | Conflict-Free
gemfix.com gemfix.com
* It's best to pick a stone that is a shade lighter than you're looking for, it will darken slightly when set.
 
LilAlex said:
And to the folks who (understandably) say diamonds are not rare and it's an artificially-controlled market in which production is limited specifically to foster a scarcity mentality, may I introduce you to Rolex and Patek and AP and VC and VCA and...
Click to expand...

Yeah, we like those even less, you know. :lol:
 
I'm also in the camp that if you want an emerald color, look for an emerald - set it in something protective like a bezel and wear it with more care than a diamond/sapphire ring.

But what the lady wants is the priority.

This is honestly one of the nicest deeper (and not minty) green sapphires I've seen in a long while - still not emerald-like.

3ct, no heat, 4.5k, but there's a 20% discount til April 7 which will put it at 3.6k.
www.finewatergems.com

3.04 ct Unheated Bluish-Green Sapphire

3.04 ct Unheated Bluish-Green Sapphire
www.finewatergems.com
f.png
 
Last edited:
ShinyPink said:
Hello and welcome! My opinion only: I'm not overly fond of the colors and cuts you posted. They are all going to be darker in person, and I don't see much sparkle either. You want this to be a "wow" stone! Also, the "AAAAA" designation is meaningless.

Take a look at this one from Brilliant Earth. See the faceting and even color? https://www.brilliantearth.com/7mm-...n-Sapphire-SGAU7.0CU3_1/?process=cyoring&sid=

It's difficult because there are so many different shades of green. Do you want more blue or yellow? Just make sure it isn't such a dark stone.
Click to expand...

That's about the nicest green sapphire I've ever seen (and I'm not particularly a fan)! OP, if unheated material is very important to you, be sure to ask the vendor to elaborate.
 
Thank you to everyone who responded—I really appreciate all the input! Honestly, I was completely clueless about gemstones until I found this website.

I forgot to mention earlier: my partner is male. He loves emeralds, but due to his job, it's not practical for him to wear one daily. We talked about alternatives and discussed green sapphires, especially focusing on the color. He doesn’t like the idea of choosing the ring himself—he specifically wanted me to take the lead on that.

Some of you brought up color options, and the shade I’m leaning toward is similar to this one:
I know many of you mentioned this isn’t the best option, but that link is just to show the kind of color I prefer. Untreated stones aren’t a must for me—as long as I can find the perfect shade.

Some of you also mentioned this stone, which I agree is stunning:
www.finewatergems.com

3.04 ct Unheated Bluish-Green Sapphire

3.04 ct Unheated Bluish-Green Sapphire
www.finewatergems.com
However, I’m still unsure if it would be a good fit, since several people mentioned how different a stone can look online compared to in person. I’m open to returning the stone if my partner doesn’t like it, but I’d really prefer to avoid that situation if possible.

A few of you suggested olive green peridot, which is beautiful, but I’m unsure about its durability given my partner’s line of work. Honestly, he doesn’t care much about the price or type of stone—he just really likes the rich, dark green color like emerald, and I’m just trying to find a sturdier alternative that won’t break easily.

Brilliant Earth was also mentioned—I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about them, but they have a store near me, so I might check it out in person:

I’m planning to visit a few local stores to see what’s available, though I’ve noticed many of them don’t carry green sapphires. My main concern now is whether I can trust that the sellers are being honest.

If any of you know other gemstone options that offer a similar color, fall within a reasonable price range, and have enough hardness for daily wear, I’d really appreciate a
ny recommendations!
 
Dragonroar said:
that link is just to show the kind of color I prefer.
Click to expand...

Link is broken but by the way you worded things I’ll assume it’s the same stone from your first post. If I am correct in my assumption, I should tell you that this is nothing like the colour of an emerald. :lol: So if this is your preference for colour, don’t use emerald green to describe it, as it will only lead to confusion. Say forest green, earthy green, deeper green - these are more accurate descriptors of your preferred shade, and will make it easier to communicate your desires to vendors.

The thing you want to be aware with such a shade is that it’s naturally deep, hence dark. Such stones tend to display their best colour in diffuse daylight, but the moment you deprive them of light, they darken up significantly. People here are very fond of good colour (as you can imagine) and will usually try to dissuade anyone from getting a stone that’s dark. As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into, buy whatever you want. In fact, it will be good on your budget as these stones usually don’t cost as much as their more vibrant counterparts.
 
Hello and welcome. Congratulations on your engagement - it is an exciting time.

I must say that the finewater stone looks very nice to me. Whilst I have never purchased from them my impression from this platform is that they are generally well regarded as a vendor.
 
that green sapphire looks lovely if that is the color you are wanting. I have purchased several stones from Finewater gems and have been very pleased. Gary is wonderful to work with and they have a great return policy if needed. I did not as the stones came as described and pictured. Best of luck on finding tge right sapphire and on your upcoming engagement.
 
Green Sapphire unheated in a nice intense color is very very hard to find. Stone from finewater has great color.
But if im u, i would buy an bluish green or greenish blue montana sapphire unheated, Montana Sapphire are so special to the other ones on earth. Especially the inside of the Stone is another World so much different inclusions, u definitly need minimun a 10x or 20x Loupe for an unheated stone, otherwise u can buy a heated one
If you are a special mystic person, than buy nh Montana Sapphire. I got found a very very nice one, in a rare round oval cut from Missouri River unheated 1.7ct green blue
 
Dragonroar said:
Thank you to everyone who responded—I really appreciate all the input! Honestly, I was completely clueless about gemstones until I found this website.

I forgot to mention earlier: my partner is male. He loves emeralds, but due to his job, it's not practical for him to wear one daily. We talked about alternatives and discussed green sapphires, especially focusing on the color. He doesn’t like the idea of choosing the ring himself—he specifically wanted me to take the lead on that.

Some of you brought up color options, and the shade I’m leaning toward is similar to this one:
I know many of you mentioned this isn’t the best option, but that link is just to show the kind of color I prefer. Untreated stones aren’t a must for me—as long as I can find the perfect shade.

Some of you also mentioned this stone, which I agree is stunning:
www.finewatergems.com

3.04 ct Unheated Bluish-Green Sapphire

3.04 ct Unheated Bluish-Green Sapphire
www.finewatergems.com
However, I’m still unsure if it would be a good fit, since several people mentioned how different a stone can look online compared to in person. I’m open to returning the stone if my partner doesn’t like it, but I’d really prefer to avoid that situation if possible.

A few of you suggested olive green peridot, which is beautiful, but I’m unsure about its durability given my partner’s line of work. Honestly, he doesn’t care much about the price or type of stone—he just really likes the rich, dark green color like emerald, and I’m just trying to find a sturdier alternative that won’t break easily.

Brilliant Earth was also mentioned—I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about them, but they have a store near me, so I might check it out in person:

I’m planning to visit a few local stores to see what’s available, though I’ve noticed many of them don’t carry green sapphires. My main concern now is whether I can trust that the sellers are being honest.

If any of you know other gemstone options that offer a similar color, fall within a reasonable price range, and have enough hardness for daily wear, I’d really appreciate a
ny recommendations!
Click to expand...

My bad for calling your man a lady! :lol-2:

If you think the Finewater stone has potential, maybe ask the dealer for additional photos. Ask for low light, or how it looks at its worst. But, keep in mind, assuming you take advantage of his sale, there is a 10% restocking fee upon return. If you are very hesitant about returns, this might be a downside to this otherwise, imo, great stone.

Also, for reference, here's a couple high quality emeralds. Many more on these IG pages
Colombian material:

Zambian material:

If you are leaning more towards any of the teals, yellow-greens, forest green, olive greens, grayish greens etc - then sapphire may indeed be the best option for the color-price-size compromise.

The only other stone with sufficient hardness (8 on mohs) that comes in green is Vanadium chrysoberyl. But these are usually minty greens and not deep greens. Take a look on google. Might be hard to find one you like.
Well, green or chameleon diamonds too, which will be out of budget unless you go with something very small (you can check out Leibish)
 
Last edited:
toomuchB said:
...
But what the lady wants is the priority.
...
Click to expand...
@toomuchB
Even if the lady, like nearly everyone, has never been informed about why emerald is a poor choice for daily wear on the hand, and can be damaged by being cleaned the same way that most other gems can be cleaned?

Of course if she is well informed, and still wants an emerald e-ring, then certainly go for it.
But first do learn tons about emeralds here, in what ways they are fragile, treatments, grading reports, which gem labs and vendors are reputable, the perils of believing online photographs, cleaning precautions, etc.
 
Last edited:
kenny said:
@toomuchB
Even if the lady, like nearly everyone, has never been informed about why emerald is a poor choice for daily wear on the hand, and can be damaged by being cleaned the same way that most other gems can be cleaned?

Of course if she is well informed, and still wants an emerald e-ring, then certainly go for it.
But first do learn tons about emeralds here, in what ways they are fragile, treatments, grading reports, which gem labs and vendors are reputable, the perils of believing online photographs, cleaning precautions, etc.
Click to expand...

Totally agree an educated choice is a must. You are right to point out that most people lack the necessary education. I can see how maybe I took this for granted.
I suppose my point was that if one is set on the look of an emerald, they will not find something similar in a sapphire.
Compromise will either have to be on the look/color/glow when going with sapphire, or durability/hardness when going with emerald. :)
 
Emeralds can be very difficult to shop for-especially for a newbie-when it comes to treatments, etc. But if an emerald is absolutely desired, is a bezel-set an option? What kind of potential damage could there be - to the sides of the stones or the face? If mainly sides, a bezel set would protect the edges of an emerald...although some would not like a bezel setting.
 
BoSnerdley said:
Emeralds can be very difficult to shop for-especially for a newbie-when it comes to treatments, etc. But if an emerald is absolutely desired, is a bezel-set an option? What kind of potential damage could there be - to the sides of the stones or the face? If mainly sides, a bezel set would protect the edges of an emerald...although some would not like a bezel setting.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong but I think I remember reading ...
Eventually removing an emerald from a bezel setting presents a higher risk of damage to the emerald tan from setting it, and future resizing of the ring (who stays the same weight for the length of the usual marriage, let alone a very long one) can also present mechanical stress to the bezel, and in turn, to the emerald it's holding.

Removing an emerald from a prong setting seems less risky than from a bezel.
bending back 4 prongs seems less risky than trying to cut into the bezel without the blade touching and thereby damaging the emerald.
 
Last edited:
LilAlex said:
I love sapphire and my wife has one or two in rotation; however, I strongly recommend a diamond e-ring and a sapphire right-hand ring for an anniversary.
Click to expand...

I'll walk this overstatement back a little. I still wish I had proposed with a blue sapphire ring, in terms of beauty. All jewelry is ephemeral if you live long enough. Sapphire and ruby should be fine when you mention this:

Dragonroar said:
...have enough hardness for daily wear...
Click to expand...

Chrysoberyl is as low as I would go in hardness (maybe 8.5?). And it can come in a lovely chartreuse. I have one that's held up well.

And for a guy, a "gem-quality" cabochon sapphire or ruby is phenomenal in terms of durability. (And some are also "phenomenal," meaning have a star -- but you don't need that and it can force you into less-desirable opacity.) Since the recipient is a man, consider a fine cab sapphire -- although I have never seen a green one. You can get more cts for your dollar with a cab since they need not be facet-grade "eye-clean"; however, the bad ones can carry a lot of weight below the bezel line and are to be avoided (or you must at least factor that into the price).

I agree that it should be something that you are both excited about! And (slightly early) congratulations!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP

Featured Topics

Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top