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Help me create my e-ring!

violincurls

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
5
Hi everyone,

I’m new, and I’ve been learning much by reading this forum! I wondered if I could get your opinions as I create my engagement ring (although, the final decision will be with my fiancé!). I would love to get a light blue or blue-green sapphire. I’ve seen some Montana and Australian sapphires that are a perfect color (although I don’t care where it’s from). I’m also interested in stones from 5-7mm since my ring size is 4.5. Is this stone a good choice?
http://customgemstones.com/SAPPHIRE/sa1307.html
Or this one?
http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=5216

Also, can I buy any setting that will fit a round stone? What do you think of these settings?
http://www.danforthdiamond.com/diamond- ... etails.htm
http://www.shaneco.com/Catalog/ProductD ... ching+Sets
http://www.shaneco.com/Catalog/ProductD ... ching+Sets
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.co ... id=JS946PL

I’m leaning towards palladium since I don’t want to have the white gold replated.
I’ve seen some beautiful blue spinels on PS, are they hard enough for an e-ring?


Any input would be greatly appreciated!
 
I also recommend osirisgems.com and precisiongem.com for songea sapphires. Your setting links are not working.
 
Ok, I'll attempt to post some pictures of the settings!

Twistysetting.jpg
 
...

swirly setting.jpg
 
...

NSC setting.JPG
 
The first two are understated and kind of traditional. If that's your taste, that's fine. I'm not particularly excited about their design and find them rather boring, but they're not my taste. The third one is a bit more interesting, but it would be nice to see a head on shot of it.
 
Hi Violincurls,

Congratulations on your engagement!

Spinel is hard enough for an e-ring. However, a fine blue is difficult to come by, and its price will reflect that. Unless you like the steeliness of most blue spinels, I'd go with a sapphire.
 
Yes, I prefer understated jewelry. Here is a different view of the last setting.

Are the sapphires in my first post fairly well cut?

Thanks, Harriet! I'm actually glad to hear that I can rule out spinels. While there are many beautiful stones, I was getting a little overwhelmed by all the options!

NSCH setting 2.JPG
 
As for the cutting. I think the cutting on Dan Stair's stone is fine, I just struggle with reading color from his photos, and the background doesn't help me in deciphering the color very well. I prefer looking at sapphires or other gems against a more white or palid background. As for the second one, it looks to have a dark region of extinction toward the center, which might be enhanced by the camera shadow, but it's something to consider. If you like steely greenish blue sapphires, then Songea sapphires are for you. Both seem to fit the bill there. I hope that helps.

As for the NSC setting, I think the fact that one of the smaller side diamonds is higher than the other, looks a bit strange. They're really too small and too far apart, and separated by two large diamonds, to make an impact visually by placing them like that. It looks rather crooked to me.

Congratulations on your engagement. I hope you find something nice.
 
In general, Songea sapphires have a lot of green and gray (steely), while many Australian sapphires tend to be overly dark with some green as well. I guess that might be why you tend to prefer those as blue green is the colour you are looking for. My personal experience with palladium is that the patina is a very dull dark gray which I dislike, so it has to be repolished to maintain its shiny whiteness. Yes, blue spinels are durable enough for everyday wear.
 
violincurls said:
Thanks, Harriet! I'm actually glad to hear that I can rule out spinels. While there are many beautiful stones, I was getting a little overwhelmed by all the options!

You're welcome! By ruling out spinel, you've saved yourself a loooong wait.
 
I like this other one from Dana...quite a bit more, but a nicer stone, and still reasonable for a sapphire in my opinion. He has sapphires in the "most recent" cut section as well as the sapphire section:

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=5890

The first stone seems a bit grayish to me. I tend to prefer the Montana sapphires that have a bit more teal color to them, so our tastes may be different. Either gentleman may have other rough or stones to cut and if you have a price range in mind, you can ask what they can do. Be sure to inquire on price of Dana, he often takes a little bit off when you do (or has for me in the past).

Laura
 
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