Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring!

[ashleighd]

Hi everyone! Longtime lurker and first time poster here!

Through months and months of reading old posts, I've finally narrowed down the type of stone I want for my engagement ring. I've known I've wanted a pink center stone for a while and was entertaining morganite, tourmaline, spinel, sapphire, etc. After reading advice from the lovely PSers, I've decided that sapphire is the way to go because of the hardness factor (and it's my birthstone!).

I've been doing a ton of looking around and though I've learned a lot, I still feel like a gem stone noob

My wants in a stone are as follows:

- No bigger than 6mm x 8mm or around 2 carats. I'm ok with smaller.
- Very, very light pink. Could have peach tones as well.
- Natural or lab is fine with me.
- Round, cushion, elongated cushion or oval
- Under $600

Here are some stones I've been looking at. We are allowed to post links for this reason, right?

Lab created elongated cushion:
http://www.geolite.com/images/gem&jewl/labgems/padparad/24551.jpg

Light orange/pink oval:
http://www.thegemtrader.com/July12OSapphirePage.htm

Round cut (top right):
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_yellow_orange.html#thumb

Another oval:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Natural-Gem-1-11ct-6-5x5mm-Oval-UNHEATED-Light-Orangish-Pink-SAPPHIRE-MADAGASCAR-/330811266261?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item4d05e354d5

A little out of budget:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-26-Carat-Light-Orangy-Pink-Unheated-Padparadscha-Sapphire-IGI-Loose-ECL-/261077533256?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3cc96f0248


FYI- I'm planning on having whatever stone I choose set in a yellow gold micropave halo.

Opinions? Advice?

Thank you so so much in advance!

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Re: Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring

Light orange/pink oval:
http://www.thegemtrader.com/July12OSapphirePage.htm

I think this one is an absolute steal at this price. It looks a little like a padparatscha (a Sri Lankan word meaning "lotus flower" that is a very rare and lovely variety of sapphire.) My concern would be how it would look with your skintone. For some fairer people, these kind of stones just ending up blending too much with their skin.

Round cut (top right):
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_yellow_orange.html#thumb

Nice. A safer bet if skin tone is a concern. Its a little bit violet looking to me.

Is this one too dark?

http://www.torraca.net/gems.php?search=gid&for=Sap651&t=Pink Sapphire

Do inclusions bother you?

http://www.gemrite.com/collections/gems/products/pink-sapphire-1-25-cts

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Re: Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring



a nice little $ 342 gem, a similar color and a bit bigger than the gemfix.

http://www.djraregems.com/finegems.html

I would pass on the first ebay stone. It has a sizable window.

 

[ashleighd]

Re: Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring

First, thank you so much for taking the time to respond! Inclusions don't bother me. I do prefer the lighter stones though without the violet tones.

The one from gem trader is my favorite... of course someone else inquired first, so I only get a shot at it if they pass on it!

 

[Jereni]

Re: Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring

I think the one from TGT is lovely too - hope you get it! I myself just lost out on a stone by one day, arrrg but that's how it goes.

The one corundum just posted is gorgeous too.

 

[chrono]

Re: Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring

The TGT sapphire is my top pick and I hope you'll get it. If not, the Gemfix sapphire is my second choice. It has a lovely pale pastel colour without browning out.

The 2 ebay stones are more brown than anything else. The other 2 suggestions have a darker tone and stronger violetish undertone.

 

[Starzin]

Re: Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring

If you don't get the TGT, have a look here http://www.africagems.com/nsearch.html?query=round+pink+sapphire - they have many choices, all shapes and prices.

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Re: Help me find the perfect sapphire for my engagement ring

Did you ever end-up with a shot at the light orange/pink TGT stone? I noticed its still listed as "for sale" (no sale pending or anything). If you did get a closer look at it and passed, it would be helpful to hear your thoughts on it. It looks to be a beatiful stone. I hope you were able to get a crack at it (or wil soon!) Please post pictures of whatever you end up with...