Help with London blue (vs. sapphire)

[Jupe4791]

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this. I would like to design a RHR that includes sapphire, emerald (daughter's birthstone), and London blue topaz (stretching things here - son’s bday is Nov and I am interpreting “topaz” liberally/stealing from December). I sketched the attached pic on Word and sent it to a designer whose work I really admire. Ring budget $5k. The designer suggested using the blue topaz as the main stone and sapphire in the halo, noting topaz typically doesn’t come small enough for halo and sapphires would be a lovely, sparkly halo choice. I am a little disappointed since I really like the visual of sapphire, but trust her/rationale. She sent me a couple of preliminary natural London blue topaz options - upper one is 9x7 and lower is 10x8. Attached is a pic of my 6.5 finger with a 9x6.5 mm oval for reference.

1. I think the 9x7 (or maybe even a 8x6) would be best on my finger given halo and emerald. Agree?

2. Thoughts on the 9x7/upper of the two stones in videos? Or too difficult to tell?

4. I know topaz is an 8 on Mohs scale and have read conflicting opinions whether topaz makes a good every day stone or not (obviously would take out doing yard work, etc.). Can anyone help clarify Or share their experience?

I’m a little concerned about being disappointed by the potential flatness or steeliest of a topaz for main stone. Another option, of course would be to scrap topaz from ring, have sapphire CS, and do something different or eliminate the halo. :/

Thanks PSers. I hope this finds you and yours well!

1.

 

[Jupe4791]

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this. I would like to design a RHR that includes sapphire, emerald (daughter's birthstone), and London blue topaz (stretching things here - son’s bday is Nov and I am interpreting “topaz” liberally/stealing from December). I sketched the attached pic on Word and sent it to a designer whose work I really admire. Ring budget $5k. The designer suggested using the blue topaz as the main stone and sapphire in the halo, noting topaz typically doesn’t come small enough for halo and sapphires would be a lovely, sparkly halo choice. I am a little disappointed since I really like the visual of sapphire, but trust her/rationale. She sent me a couple of preliminary natural London blue topaz options - upper one is 9x7 and lower is 10x8. Attached is a pic of my 6.5 finger with a 9x6.5 mm oval for reference.

1. I think the 9x7 (or maybe even a 8x6) would be best on my finger given halo and emerald. Agree?

2. Thoughts on the 9x7/upper of the two stones in videos? Or too difficult to tell?

4. I know topaz is an 8 on Mohs scale and have read conflicting opinions whether topaz makes a good every day stone or not (obviously would take out doing yard work, etc.). Can anyone help clarify Or share their experience?

I’m a little concerned about being disappointed by the potential flatness or steeliest of a topaz for main stone. Another option, of course would be to scrap topaz from ring, have sapphire CS, and do something different or eliminate the halo. :/

Thanks PSers. I hope this finds you and yours well!

1.

Whoops - here’s the indoors video

 

[LilAlex]

I think you'll be spending $5K for something with virtually no intrinsic value. London Blue Topaz is almost valueless and the melee will be cheap (unknown origin and heavily treated). I would look for a pre-made inexpensive topaz ring and get some "stackers" -- as folks here call them -- for small sapphire and emerald.

What you're describing is making a $50 treated stone the centerpiece of a $5,000 ring and I don't think that's wise. I also agree that it will not be a show-stopper, appearance-wise, and is not particularly hard.

 

[Niffler75]

@Jupe4791 IMHO I would offer the same advice as @LilAlex. That is a lot of money to spend on a ring with London Blue topaz as the main stone! Wow, how much is she charging for the blue topaz with a budget your size?
If you want to use birthstone how about using precious/ imperial topaz which is more valuable? However it is a golden orange colour so may not fit with your colour scheme!

 

[Jupe4791]

I think you'll be spending $5K for something with virtually no intrinsic value. London Blue Topaz is almost valueless and the melee will be cheap (unknown origin and heavily treated). I would look for a pre-made inexpensive topaz ring and get some "stackers" -- as folks here call them -- for small sapphire and emerald.

What you're describing is making a $50 treated stone the centerpiece of a $5,000 ring and I don't think that's wise. I also agree that it will not be a show-stopper, appearance-wise, and is not particularly hard.

Thank you, that strikes me as very sound advice.

 

[dk168]

Not an oval, however this is a current listing in Jeff Davies' eBay shop, and it measures 13.7mm square!

One should be able to get it for less than the list price by making him an offer.



He has quite a few London Blue Topaz listed currently, none of them oval.

He can always custom cut one for the OP if interested. He had custom cut a few CSs for me in the past, very helpful.

5k USD for a LB Topaz measuring 9 x 7mm with Sapphire halo is way overpriced as others have commented!

DK

 

[Jupe4791]

Not an oval, however this is a current listing in Jeff Davies' eBay shop, and it measures 13.7mm square!

One should be able to get it for less than the list price by making him an offer.



He has quite a few London Blue Topaz listed currently, none of them oval.

He can always custom cut one for the OP if interested. He had custom cut a few CSs for me in the past, very helpful.

5k USD for a LB Topaz measuring 9 x 7mm with Sapphire halo is way overpriced as others have commented!

DK

Thank you, I’ll check him out! I need to clarify for everyone - I went into this - having a sapphire CS in mind - with up to $5k to spend. The designer hasn’t quoted me any prices yet. I greatly appreciate the responses. They are making me lean towards what I wanted in the first place - a sapphire - and figuring something else out for the halo. Maybe diamonds, although I wanted something a little different/personalized compared to the than the standard Diana/Kate ring look.

 

[elizat]

Thank you, I’ll check him out! I need to clarify for everyone - I went into this - having a sapphire CS in mind - with up to $5k to spend. The designer hasn’t quoted me any prices yet. I greatly appreciate the responses. They are making me lean towards what I wanted in the first place - a sapphire - and figuring something else out for the halo. Maybe diamonds, although I wanted something a little different/personalized compared to the than the standard Diana/Kate ring look.

For that money, get a sapphire for certain.

 

[lovedogs]

For 5K you should get a sapphire! And for 5K I would never recommend topaz and white sapphire as a halo. White sapphire halos won't sparkle like diamond and you will likely be dissapointed. I think we can help you find what you are looking for within budget. I am hesitant to trust a jeweler who tries to tell you that topaz is a good alternative to sapphire, and that white sapphire is like a diamond halo

 

[arkieb1]

Your designer is full of poop - they do make and sell Topaz melee (ie topaz in small sizes) for that budget you should be looking for a sapphire centre and something else as the halo not the other way around unless it is much much cheaper.....

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[Rfisher]

@Jupe4791
Just curious: Did the designer quote you a price for the proposed blue topaz main stone / sapphire melee/ finished ring that fully utilized your stated 5k budget?
As for the designer stating topaz doesn’t come small enough- that tells you the designer isn’t feeling froggy about looking elsewhere than their studio stock nor usual supplier.
Do you know the quote for the designers setting only? If you know that- what’s left of your budget to put towards a 9x7 or 10x8 sapphire?

 

[Jupe4791]

@Jupe4791
Just curious: Did the designer quote you a price for the proposed blue topaz main stone / sapphire melee/ finished ring that fully utilized your stated 5k budget?
As for the designer stating topaz doesn’t come small enough- that tells you the designer isn’t feeling froggy about looking elsewhere than their studio stock nor usual supplier.
Do you know the quote for the designers setting only? If you know that- what’s left of your budget to put towards a 9x7 or 10x8 sapphire?

Hi, I am awaiting a quote from her. Comments here have definitely raised flags. I am concerned, too, as when I asked if the stones have any windowing she wasn’t familiar with that term. Her website says she doesn’t create settings alone (without CS) or accept the customer’s CS - she sources herself. So if I want a sapphire, I will most likely be choosing another designer.

I’ve been taking a look at some sapphires from The CGS vendor list and there’s a pretty color changing sapphire at Finewater Gems for $3k, or a medium tone 2.26 ct at litnon for under $2k. Gene sent me pics/videos of the former, and I haven’t heard back yet on requests to litnon for indoor pics of that stone. There’s also a Jeff White lab oval on Loupe Troop for under $1k, but it’s pretty dark. Can I post links and see what you think, or does anyone happen to have a recommendation for a ~ 8-9 x 6-7 medium to medium-dark toned blue sapphire they know is out there?

Thanks and have a good night!

 

[Rfisher]

Hi, I am awaiting a quote from her. Comments here have definitely raised flags. I am concerned, too, as when I asked if the stones have any windowing she wasn’t familiar with that term. Her website says she doesn’t create settings alone (without CS) or accept the customer’s CS - she sources herself. So if I want a sapphire, I will most likely be choosing another designer.

I’ve been taking a look at some sapphires from The CGS vendor list and there’s a pretty color changing sapphire at Finewater Gems for $3k, or a medium tone 2.26 ct at litnon for under $2k. Gene sent me pics/videos of the former, and I haven’t heard back yet on requests to litnon for indoor pics of that stone. There’s also a Jeff White lab oval on Loupe Troop for under $1k, but it’s pretty dark. Can I post links and see what you think, or does anyone happen to have a recommendation for a ~ 8-9 x 6-7 medium to medium-dark toned blue sapphire they know is out there?

Thanks and have a good night!

The litnon one-
Would love to see pictures in different artificial light!
And to know if his posted outdoor pics were taken in Minnesota, or somewhere else.

 

[voce]

I agree with the Litnon recommendation and your decision to work with another designer willing to taking your CS. If you're willing to spend that much on this project, you deserve the best stones within your budget, instead of having subpar stones foibbled onto you by an unexpert designer.