HELP!

[chrono]

Yes, they are pricey and for the price, the Swala stone doesn't even appear all that glowy. I highly suggest insuring your tourmaline ring as it costs so much and it is only a matter of time before it shows signs of damage. A bezel only protects everything below the girdle, leaving the crown facets exposed. A bigger stone is also more exposed and there's little else one can do. Insure it, wear it and enjoy it!

 

[pitboss0612]

The guys from Swala are out of the office till mid July, so I won't be able to get more photos of the emerald one you recommended, Greg. From the photo provided, it looks nice--thank you for the lead. Please let me know if any others come up in the meantime.

Thank you everyone!

 

[Silverbackmp]

I have an indicolate tourmaline in mens ring that I wore for nine straight months 16-17 hours a day to include showering, exercising, etc. It is showing facet wear and micro abrasions but no chips. This was during a deployment to Afghanistan and was it was subjected to daily encounters with large steel doors, hesco and concrete barriers, and sandbags.

I think your should be ok for an occasional wear or even daily wear in an office environment with care. That being said, I would halo a faceted expensive pariaba for extra protection.

 

[pitboss0612]

I stumbled upon this stone and was curious of everyone's thoughts? I couldn't find this vendor from the link earlier in this thread, so also wondering if anyone has ever heard of him/has any experience with John Dyer?

http://johndyergems.com/catalog_pages/gemstone-Tourmaline2493.html

I know it's not a robin's egg blue parabia tourmaline, but I have been looking for one with more of a green hint than a blue one (I guess maybe that's not a real parabia then but her favorite color is green and she loves that bright blue/green oceans sometimes have), but I really want it to have that neon/glow the parabia's do. More like the one's below, which to me are more green than blue, but they still have that glow.




Now, I know I can't afford something that neon, so I am trying to find as close as I can.

Thanks!

 

[chrono]

John Dyer is an excellent lapidary and I've had the pleasure of dealing with him in the past although I've not purchased from him...yet. Is shipping back and forth going to be problematic for you? I am not sure how accurate his photography is but I recall an aquamarine being less saturated than pictured. That said, that is for only one stone and is not indicative of the rest of his photography / inventory.

 

[GregS]

I stumbled upon this stone and was curious of everyone's thoughts? I couldn't find this vendor from the link earlier in this thread, so also wondering if anyone has ever heard of him/has any experience with John Dyer?

http://johndyergems.com/catalog_pages/gemstone-Tourmaline2493.html

I know it's not a robin's egg blue parabia tourmaline, but I have been looking for one with more of a green hint than a blue one (I guess maybe that's not a real parabia then but her favorite color is green and she loves that bright blue/green oceans sometimes have), but I really want it to have that neon/glow the parabia's do. More like the one's below, which to me are more green than blue, but they still have that glow.




Now, I know I can't afford something that neon, so I am trying to find as close as I can.

Thanks!

That's a pretty stone, but the price is really high for an Afghan Tourmaline.

 

[pitboss0612]

I agree, that does seem a bit high compared to others I have seen which have more of a parabia color. Haven't received additional photos from Dyer yet, but did come across another stone I was hoping to get some feedback on:



All I know is it is from Swala, weighs 3.52 cts, and is eye clean. It's dimensions are 12.9 x 6.9 x 4.9 mm, the price is $3480. Thoughts?

 

[pitboss0612]

Also from Swala:



Stats:
5.61 cts, eye clean, $5040.00


Greg, was this the emerald stone you were referring to on Swala?

 

[pitboss0612]

Last one for now, also from Swala (this is the stone I thought you were referring to originally, Greg)



Stats:
2.4 cts, lightly included, 8.2 x 6.6 x 5.6 mm, $1382.00 (based on the price I am assuming this isn't going to have that nice of a color?)

I won't be able to get additional photos from the Swala guys for a bit, they are still out of the office, I believe. Please, let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

 

[chrono]

Last one for now, also from Swala (this is the stone I thought you were referring to originally, Greg)

Stats: 2.4 cts, lightly included, 8.2 x 6.6 x 5.6 mm, $1382.00 (based on the price I am assuming this isn't going to have that nice of a color?)

I won't be able to get additional photos from the Swala guys for a bit, they are still out of the office, I believe. Please, let me know what you guys think.
Thanks!

This one is less saturated than the other two, hence a lesser price. Yes, I would definitely get additional pictures from Swala of all 3 stone on the back of a single hand. In addition, please read Swala's shipping and return policy carefully and make sure you understand and accept it.

 

[GregS]

Also from Swala:



Stats:
5.61 cts, eye clean, $5040.00


Greg, was this the emerald stone you were referring to on Swala?

Yes that was the one. Like Chrono said, hand shots would be really helpful.

I don't care for the dimensions of the first one and the third one, like Chrono said, is the least saturated of the bunch.

There's also a 6.89 ct. cushion next to the emerald cut stone on Swala's website, it says price is available upon request. That one looks nice as well, if the price is in your range have them include a shot of that one as well.

 

[peacechick]

I agree, that does seem a bit high compared to others I have seen which have more of a parabia color. Haven't received additional photos from Dyer yet, but did come across another stone I was hoping to get some feedback on:



All I know is it is from Swala, weighs 3.52 cts, and is eye clean. It's dimensions are 12.9 x 6.9 x 4.9 mm, the price is $3480. Thoughts?

I don't know but I really like this one! The elongated shape is really striking to me and i can see the radiant cut really flashing in the sun. Your gf is Brazilian and has lots of personality right? D you think she can pull this off, and does she have long fingers?

 

[pitboss0612]

Photos from Dyer:



I think it's too dark.

Waiting on additional photos from Swala, but got a a picture of the elongated one:





I like the color and the cuts, I am just not sure about the shape...I go back and forth between thinking it may be a bit to narrow and tall and liking it. Also not entirely sure which was would look best to have it set...hot-dog or hamburger style?

She is Italian. She plays the piano and her instructor always tells her she has "piano hands/fingers", so maybe that means she has long fingers?

 

[pitboss0612]

I was thinking I could put it in a setting similar to this, with the top and bottom split shanks making a halo around the stone to protect it/cover the bezel setting? And instead of the butterfly in between the split shanks, another two split shanks with those small round diamonds that will connect where the top wings do, and a center band with larger diamonds running along where the gold center of the butterfly is. Just a quick thought of a way to make a stone that shape work and to protect the edges as much as possible? I don't know how it would look to have multiple cathedral bands though..:-\

 

[OreoRosies86]

I would be absolutely certain about the setting. It's lovely but busy.

 

[movie zombie]

way tooooo busy, imo.

 

[pitboss0612]

Would it be better if I made it into split shanks and just had the one row of diamonds in the middle? I'm not sure how big I can afford, but I do know she plans to have an eternity band for her wedding band. So, I am wondering if it will look tacky to have the center row of diamonds decrease in size the further away from the center stone they go and then below an eternity band with stones all the same size? Not sure if I can afford to make the entire middle band diamonds that would be large enough to not look silly next to something so tall :-\ It's such a nice color, I just wish it were a few mm shorter

 

[pitboss0612]

Something similar to Beyonce's engagement ring, but with a diamond band in between the split shanks?

 

[OreoRosies86]

I just think that stone screams for a delicate, platinum, elongated split shank with diamonds. No middle band, delicate same-width curved diamond wedding band.

 

[FrekeChild]

Here are some elongated stone rings I have in my inspiration folder. I think with engagement rings, it's better to go simpler, and let the stone stand out.

Good luck! I've been lurking anxiously, keeping an eye on your progress!

 

[peacechick]

I do love the way the long radiant cut stone photographs, but you should wait to see the emerald cut that Greg suggested. If that photographs well, maybe it will be the easier shape.

In any case, the same setting style will suit both stones. I would not set the stone EW style unless you're very sure she likes it and she has enough space on her finger for such a broad style. NS is more classic and will be beautiful on "piano" fingers.

I agree the image you put up has too much going on. It's more of a cocktail ring. Art Deco will suit emerald cuts best. Here are more ideas. If you go for the split shanks, I suggest you don't make them too wide apart. Somewhere in the middle will be good (see the halo).

 

[chrono]

The darkness you are seeing in Dyer's tourmaline is shadowing from his head / camera in an attempt to get a close up picture of the stone. Discounting that, it looks very much like an ordinary indicolite tourmaline, albeit nicer than most.

Swala's tourmaline also looks slighter darker and less saturated than the original picture, looking very much like an ordinary indicolite as well. 13 x 7 mm will be a challenge to set but nothing is impossible. For such a design, the hot dog is more complimentary than the hamburger style.

In short, both stones look like regular blue green tourmaline, only of better quality than most.

 

[GregS]

I agree with Chrono, big surprise.

I'm not enamored with any of these stones. I'm afraid your gf will be dissapointed by these(Swala, and Dyer), especially since she had her heart set on a Paraiba.

While I'm sure the Emerald cut stone is very nice, it won't have the pop that Paraiba will.

Some suggestions... at this point you could try working with a jeweler, one that can see what Pala has. Or try contacting Jeff White, I heard through the grapevine a while back that he was cutting a Cuprian Tourmaline. Give Constantin Wild a try, they have some nice faceted Paraiba. And I'm fairly certain Andrew Sarosi had one at the last show I was at. And lastly, give fgsgems out of Philadelphia a try, contact them via e-mail and ask for Frank, he's a very nice guy, I've met him at shows. He seems to specialize in Paraiba.

 

[pitboss0612]

Thank you, will look into those suggestions, Greg!

I have found a few on Gemfix that I'm not in love with, but would like to see more photos of. When I emailed though, I got a response basically saying that the pictures they have are already up on the site. So, I guess that is their way of saying they are not going to take anymore, nor a video. Has anyone ever dealt with them before? They were recommended for blue zircon earlier on this thread, but that response seems a bit strange to me, especially given that every other jeweler I have asked, I have gotten a quick either photos or a promise to take some in the near future.

Thank you everyone!

 

[minousbijoux]

Hi Pitboss. Yes, that is Gemfix's policy and they do not stray from it. Many of us here have bought from them and they are on the list of recommended vendors, for what its worth. I would suggest you do a search here if you want to know more, but it seems that most of the time, people have seemed happy with their stones, but a good chunk of people have also felt in the past that their photos often underplay the tone of the stone with the stone in hand often being darker. At least that's the way it sometimes seemed before they added hand shots. With the advent of hand shots, it might be different now. HTH.

 

[minousbijoux]

Btw, I vote for a style like the ones Freke showed - especially the first art deco one. Those never go out of style and they are elegant and chic!

 

[pitboss0612]

Two vendors have now also suggested blue zircon to me. :-\ I'm looking into it but it seems only the rhinestones/swarovskis have a nice aqua/teal/turquoise color. Any suggestions? I was surprised to see that most of the places I have been looking for tourmaline do not have blue zircons (or apatite, but I just think that is going to be way too soft and am not following up on it much). Ideally something close to Pantone 16-5418 (lagoon), Pantone 311, Pantone 3125C. She isn't going to be upset that it's not a parabia, I think she just wants something as close as possible to that Caribbean/lagoon/aqua/teal/turquoise/etc.

So, there is a possibility that the stones off of Gemfix are darker than they appear in the photos? Would that make them less brilliant/sparkly? (Sorry, I'm a novice so I don't quite have a hang on all of the terminology yet.)

 

[chrono]

I would rather have zircon than apatite for an e-ring. Apatite looks a bit "dead" or glassy whilst zircon is very sparkly. You must not be looking at high quality zircon which I must defend as having the dreamiest turquoise colour. As I am too lazy to attach pictures, here's a link to several pictures of my blue zircon:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/green-garnet-red-pink-spinels-pink-tourmaline-and-more.189076/page-4']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/green-garnet-red-pink-spinels-pink-tourmaline-and-more.189076/page-4[/URL]

As for Gemfix, I don't think I've read reviews that the stone in hand is darker nor more saturated than photographed. This is not related to brilliancy, which is a function of the cut.

 

[Wyntery]

Pitboss, did you ever get in touch with Pala International and obtain pricing? They seem to have a lot of stock under 'Tourmaline - Neon' as opposed to 'Toumaline - Paraiba'. Not having the Paraiba title may bring the prices down.

See: http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemresults&actionType=easy&Gem_Type=Tourmaline-Neon&s=

 

[blingymo]

Pitboss, I went to an estate trunk show today. They had an absolutely gorgeous zircon - the color was unbelievable and looked great with a tan! If I could have, I would have bought it on the spot. Bonus (for me) was that it was an old european cut. I immediately thought of this thread because the color reminded me of the pictures of a paraiba. Gem Fever has some pictures (though I don't know how the color came out in the pics, it was fabulous IRL) - hopefully she will come post them. Then I can give you the contact info if you are interested.