Help wanted!

[shazbone]

I am about 90% sure my boyfriend is going to be searching for an engagement ring within the next few weeks! (So excited) The only thing is, he doesn''t know what I like. He does know that I do not want a diamond center stone, as we have talked about that in the past. I would like blue or yellow sapphires as the center stone, perhaps the only stone. How should I let him know this with out being too pushy or demanding? He asked me what I liked instead of diamonds and I sort of avoided the question, and simply said "something pretty". Ugh I don’t know why I get all silly about these things, we''ve been dating for almost 3 years! I just don’t want to take too much out of the surprise factor, or seem demanding, as his budget is about $1000-$1500. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Also, does anybody know of a reputable place to purchase a sapphire engagement ring, either online or in the DC area? I have been looking at some of the stones at www.thenaturalsapphire.com . Their pricing seems quite reasonable especially for the yellow sapphs.

 

[MissAva]

Tanazanite/Diamond Ring at 600$ it is within your budget...I am looking for sapphire rings I will post what I find!

 

[MissAva]

Oh and you might have a bit better luck posting this under the Colored Stones Forum, the people who frequent there really know their stuff!

 

[shazbone]

That is pretty close to what I''m looking for, but aren''t tanzanites a little soft for ring usage? Also, wht kind of band would that go with?

Should I just email the pics of what I like to b/f and have him figure it out ?

 

[lilyinct]

I had a file folder on my then-boyfriend''s desk, which I put all my "favorites" in. May be pushy, but I got what I wanted. I also emailed him pictures to death...

Good luck!

 

[widget]

Hi, Shazbone!

I don''t think telling him what you like, and even more important, what you don''t like
is pushy! In fact he might really appreciate a little guidance!

In general, I think sticking with sapphires is a good idea because of their hardness...a good thing for a stone going into an engagement ring.

The Natural Sapphire Company is great, but they specialize in untreated stones...which usually demand a premium which you may not want or need.

widget

 

[MissAva]

Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Ring This one is 836$ and very lovely!

 

[Erin]

I

the look of a bright colored stone with a diamond halo!!!!!

 

[shazbone]

That ring is georgeous! It says that it is a size 6 and cannot be resized, but I am about a 4.5-4.75!

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[WTNLVR]

Congrats! I was just like you when I got engaged. Told hubby I wanted a sapphire instead of a diamond. Do you want it to be a surprise, or do you want to look for it together? Sapphire rings can be hard to find bands to go with. They don''t tend to be solitaires and bands won''t typically sit flush with them if that is what you are looking for. There is also a huge difference between blue and yellow sapphires in terms of looks. I actually have both and they are just very different. It might be best for you to try on different sapphires at local stores to get a feel for what shape stone you want, see if you want side stones, etc...Yellow sapphires are also much cheaper than the blues. A good size blue of good quality can easily outprice a diamond. Good luck!

 

[shazbone]

Thank you for your reply, WTNLVR. I think I like the look of yellow sapphs better than blues because they seem to be brighter, and dont have too high contrast with diamonds for side stones. I think its a mellower look than the deep blues of some sapphs. I dont really care what shape, but I am not a fan of marquise shapes. If I had to choose, it would be oval, cushion (is that even a shape?), or ascher, but I havent really seen too many aschers!

 

[FireGoddess]

I would definitely stay away from tanzanite as the center stone of a ring you''re going to be wearing every day. A friend of mine wanted a 3 stone ering with tanzanites as the 2 sidestones, and the jeweler strongly discouraged her cuz they''re not as hard as say, sapphires. She ended up with sapphire sidestones on the ring, and it''s gorgeous!

 

[WTNLVR]

The majority of yellow sapphires I have seen-mine included- are oval shapes. I love them- very pretty.

 

[elephant]

Hi Shazbone,

I don''t think there''s anything pushy about telling him what you want. I would just say, so I was thinking about when you asked me what I would like instead of a diamond and I didn''t really answer you. Well, I thought about it and I think I want a yellow sapphire.... or anything else you want.

Sorry, I don''t know anything about colored stones, but I''m sure it will be gorgeous!

HTH!!!

 

[MissAva]

Okay I know you said yellow but this blue one from Blue Nile is an oval....do you prefet white or yellow metal? Does it depend on which color sapphire you get?

ETA: it is 1500$Three Stone Sapphire Center

 

[MissAva]

This one also from Blue Nile is 1000$ Blue Oval Ring

 

[MissAva]

This one is from Amazon, and is 270$ Amazon Three Stone Sapphire Oval/Rouds Ring

 

[MissAva]

I seem to be having much better luck with Blue Sapphires then with the yellow! I am sorry. This one is again from Amazon 329$

 

[MissAva]

Personally of the three stones I like the Blue Nile one the best, I think the setting is the prettiest. JMO

 

[MissAva]

Ross Simons 1500$

 

[MissAva]

Ross-Simons 786$

 

[MissAva]

My Jewlery Source 1000$

 

[MissAva]

This one is yellowy-orange 969$

 

[MissAva]

I know this one is a bit over your budget1599$ but I thought you might want to see it anyway.

 

[MissAva]

Again a little yellowy-orangeish 679$ Xprong Solitaire and is the first engament ring looking soltiaire I have come across thus far.

 

[MissAva]

Blue with lighter blue Sapphire Ring 599$

 

[MissAva]

This is the same as the yellow oval but with a blue oval center instead. 1169$

 

[MissAva]

Yellow Gold Yellow Sapphire 631$

 

[MissAva]

This one is 1495$ and I am not sure if it could be sized to your finger.

 

[shazbone]

Thank you, Matatora, for all your suggesstions on rings! I have visited some of the sites those rings. I really like that first one from bluenile and teh one for $1599 from myjewelrysource.com, the stone looks great! I like more simple and stramlined designs, not too keen on engraving. How about this one?