Help me find a green gemstone for this setting.

[mco312]

I have been thinking about what to do with my old engagement ring setting, which is a solitaire with a single row of pave diamonds. It's a really pretty setting and I don't want it sitting unused. It used to hold an ~8 mm diamond and has six prongs. Here is a photo of it:



I saw this ring on Tiffany's and I think it's stunning.



The gemstone in the Tiffany's ring is tourmaline but I have read that tourmaline is quite delicate... Since this would not be an every day ring, might that be ok, or should I go with a garnet or spinel?

What kind of price range am I looking at for a ring like this? I would like to spend under $500 for the stone and setting the stone if possible but would be willing to wait a little while and spend around $1k to get something nice.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[T L]

Spinels don't come in a green color. Some rare ones have a hint of green, but they are not green. Your best bet is probably tsavorite, for durability, but they can be pricey, especially over a carat. You could look for a green sapphire also, but they're often a very grayish green, are you OK with that, or do you want something more vivid?

 

[mco312]

Thanks @T L! Can you recommend some vendors that sell tsavorite?

I think I would prefer something more vivid than a grayish green. I love the color of the stone in the Tiffany's ring above. I also saw @Pandora II's ring and think this color is very pretty!

I'm open to blueish green or blue stones as well.

 

[T L]

Thanks @T L! Can you recommend some vendors that sell tsavorite?

I think I would prefer something more vivid than a grayish green. I love the color of the stone in the Tiffany's ring above. I also saw @Pandora II's ring and think this color is very pretty!

I'm open to blueish green or blue stones as well.

Primagems has a good supply of tsavorite.

https://www.primagemsusa.com/

 

[woweezowee]

Straying from the topic, but why does Primagems make us inquire about stone prices? I know prices aren't exorbitant because I once inquired about a spess. But that type of sales tactic is a huge turnoff to me.

 

[distracts]

Straying from the topic, but why does Primagems make us inquire about stone prices? I know prices aren't exorbitant because I once inquired about a spess. But that type of sales tactic is a huge turnoff to me.

A lot of companies that sell primarily to the trade and directly to consumers only secondarily do that, it seems.

 

[NKOTB]

I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but it is highly unlikely you’ll find an 8 mm round Tsavorite for 1k or less. I’d focus on a tourmaline.

 

[T L]

Straying from the topic, but why does Primagems make us inquire about stone prices? I know prices aren't exorbitant because I once inquired about a spess. But that type of sales tactic is a huge turnoff to me.

I think they have an ebay store where prices are listed. I wish they would reference prices on their website though, I concur.

 

[mco312]

@woweezowee I was also wondering that. I tried to inquire about a couple stones but I’m not even sure my request went through.

@NKOTB Thanks, you’re not been a party pooper, you are being helpful. I wasn’t sure what a nice tsavorite or tourmaline cost in the 7-8 mm range.

 

[Bron357]

Yes, where is the “Boffin” who can create a perfect web search engine for us?
Wouldn’t it be lovely to put in the search “8mm round, mid green, bright green, transparent, $300 to $600” and have all the available gems like that for sale in the world pop up in a nice list so you can scroll down and find your new gem.

 

[chatoyancy]

There are a couple of chrome tourmalines that look pretty on forevergemstones. They are in your price range as well. I’ve only purchased from them once, but I had a good experience with them.

 

[chroman]

It will be hard enough to find something with good color that fits an existing setting! I'd also keep on the tourmaline hunt, as an 8mm tsavorite will be serious bank.

Though, clean open tourmaline can get pricey too!

This probably won't fit, but whats the feeling on green zircon? Its fairly uncommon, so I'm not sure how dark it is IRL:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G81376

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Here's a tourmaline worth mentioning. The dimensions are a bit shy of 8mm, but I'm thinking you could (hopefully) make it work if it speaks to you.

7.14 x 7.08 x 4.41mm
Untreated
$270
http://gemrite.com/home/213-blue-tourmaline-129-cts.html



ETA: They also have this round green tourmaline: http://gemrite.com/home/188-green-tourmaline-145-cts.html

 

[Sabrina31]

You could inquire about this one
http://rogerdery.com/gems/tsavorite-garnet-signature-round-1711022/

Or
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-86-carat-spruce-green-tourmaline/

I like the more pastel color, but i usually like colors that tend towards grey. Also, Jeff is always willing to send you more pictures if you're interested in one of his stones.

 

[ringo865]

Here's a tourmaline worth mentioning. The dimensions are a bit shy of 8mm, but I'm thinking you could (hopefully) make it work if it speaks to you.

7.14 x 7.08 x 4.41mm
Untreated
$270
http://gemrite.com/home/213-blue-tourmaline-129-cts.html

Ooh, I like the one! Keep in mind that depending on how the crown is attached to your ring, they could swap out the head, expanding your size options

 

[woweezowee]

I think they have an ebay store where prices are listed. I wish they would reference prices on their website though, I concur.

Thanks for the eBay tip about Primagems, TL!

Also, glad I'm not the only one bugged by "inquire for price." The practice is consumer UN-friendly (if I'm repeating myself, sorry!).

 

[hobbitfancier55]

I LOVE the stone from Jeff that was posted above. I was going to post that and saw someone beat me to it

Westview also has a number of green tourmalines that could fit the bill, depending on your tastes and what the setting is able to fit.

I don’t have much experience when it comes to how much wiggle room there is between that 8mm mark or if a rectangular cushion would fit. Assuming you are even open to that shape.

http://stevorocks.com/Home/Detail/5199023



Some others that may work:

May be too large: http://stevorocks.com/Home/Detail/6689547

7.5mm on the bluer side: http://stevorocks.com/Home/Detail/5224188

Too small? http://stevorocks.com/Home/Detail/6696529

Sized just right if the shape works: http://stevorocks.com/Home/Detail/8883266

Probably too small: http://stevorocks.com/Home/Detail/4426024

 

[rockysalamander]

Not sure if an oval works. A little more yellow than your brief.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/491061955/357-carat-mozambique-tourmaline-gemstone?ref=related-6

 

[mco312]

Thank you all for your help!

@SparkliesLuver the tourmaline you posted is my favorite. I love that color!

@hobbitfancier55 I also really like this stone that you posted:

Now that I have had an opportunity to look around some, I am realizing I really like blue-green tones more than true deep greens.

Just how delicate is tourmaline? If I wore this ring once every couple of weeks to work (I have a desk job) and to cocktail parties, how would it wear? I am not in a rush to complete this project, so if tourmaline is bound to chip over five years of wear, I might prefer to wait and buy tsavorite or another stone.

Finally, it would be helpful to get an idea of what a 7-8 mm nice tsavorite might cost? For example, is it 3x the cost of a similarly sized tourmaline? Or 5x the cost?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mco312]

Another option is topaz. Now that I have spent some time looking, I really like vibrant blues as well. From what I have read, topaz is pretty durable. And the cost seems in line with tourmaline. Is that correct? With that all said, is there any reason to avoid topaz?

 

[NKOTB]

Topaz isn’t a bad choice. Very affordable and pretty easily replaceable.

Here is a round tsav that is cheaper than I thought, but very likely leans more yellow than blue:

https://gemfix.com/gems/tsavorite-21-238

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Not sure about much on this mint tourmaline - as I think Lloyd just finished cutting it - but it sure is gorgeous. I'd inquire if you're at all interested.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be1KDDVnmUl/?taken-by=clear_cut_gems
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be6W8m1Ha4v/?taken-by=clear_cut_gems

 

[mco312]

@NKOTB and @SparkliesLuver - thanks for the recommendations!

The tsavorite is a bit yellow for me and I would need to save up for it anyway. If I go got a tsavorite, I will likely need to wait until next year.

I do like the tourmaline though! Is topaz a better choice for durability over tourmaline?