I just wanted to bounce Ideas off for e-ring.

[Djarum]

Hello all. I have previously made a post about some websites for finding gems..etc.

First, it may be benificial to describe my situation. I have been with my gf for over 5 years. Living together for 4 of those years. Financial reasons in the last few years have really hindered us from making that next step in our relationship. In saying that, I have discussed with her what she''d like for an engagment ring. First, she doesn''t want diamonds. She simply has no interest in diamonds. She wears simple jewelry for the most part. She has gold hoop earings she wears every day. She has other nice earings which myself and her family have given her that she puts on for special occasions. She has a few bracelets she puts on for special occasions as well. She likes things simple. She has picked out two settings she likes, both from stuller :

http://www.annharringtonjewelry.com/ringmounting19.html
http://www.annharringtonjewelry.com/ringmounting18.html

I have asked about gemstone and gemstone color. She seems to not really care that much about color, other than she doesn''t want something too light. She''s afraid her fair skin will wash out light stones(mabye incorrect assertion here?). She also wants something durable, which really I believe limits me to choosing spinel or Sapphire, sapphire being preferable(although I have seen some pretty spinels).

I have looked at a few websites, and have seen some interesting gems that might fit the bill. There are a few rounds and cushion cuts from the NSC that I have seen that fit my budget. And talking budget, my budget for the stone is 1K max. I understand that this might be low, but right now it fits our budget. On the flip side, I can probably get a much nice sapphire and larger sapphire for 1K than I ever could a good diamond, at least after doing some pricing.

Some of my ideas for stones for the above settings:

http://www.planetarygems.com/bluesapphirepage.htm The 5th one down on the right(color change round sapphire)
http://www.planetarygems.com/rare_gems.htm The 6th down on the left(cushion cut lavender/color change)

http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue1.html The 4th item(heated I believe) #sapphire-131
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue2.html 14th item # sapphire-608

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Cushion/stoneid=B2732
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Round/stoneid=B2870


She also likes trilliant cuts, but I''m not sure how good a trillion would look in either of the settings mentioned.

Also, are cushion cuts acceptable for e-rings?

Thank you,

Djarum

 

[FrekeChild]

I''d stay away from NSC if you''re wanting to stretch the budget because it doesn''t sound like you guys care if it''s treated or untreated.

Cushion cuts are fine for erings. (They''d better be! There are a lot on here!)

Sapphires and Spinels are probably the most durable stones for erings, spinels are more rare than sapphires, so they will be harder to find. But the public doesn''t really know about them yet, so they are still cheaper than sapphires.

Does she care about shape?

Gotta run, I''ll be back later.

 

[Djarum]

We really don''t care if heated or unheated, as long as the stone is still durable.

As far as shape, we want to stick to squarish cushions, rounds, and trillions, but I''m not sure how good trillions would look in the settings I posted.

Thank you,

Djarum

 

[misspinky]

I know that Richard Homer has some beautiful spinels and he can always source a stone for you too. Here's an example from his website:

http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/GemPics/4528cobaltspinel.jpg

I'm not sure what size you're looking for, but I'm sure he could find something that fits in your budget if you want to go that route. Good luck!

ETA: do you for sure want a blue stone or are there other colors you would consider?

 

[valleygirl]

Like MissPinky, I''m working with Richard Homer. He gave me a huge list of blue sapphires in oval and round, (all under $1,000, and all over 1ct!!!) but it''s definately possible that he could find or cut you a cushion (which sounds gorgeous by the way

)

My fiance and I also have a tight budget and we''ve been together for 4 1/2 years. Richard Homer and everyone at Winfield''s has been really helpful in finding something that''s within our current budget. Winfield''s also suggested that we build our ring over time as we''re able to afford it because both my fiance and I are finishing school (and I''ve still got grad school!!) Maybe you and your GF should consider doing something like that, just so you aren''t so stressed for money.

best of luck!! and be sure to post pictures when you find a gem!!

 

[Djarum]

She really loves the violet blue of tanzanite. If I could find a spinel/sapphire that looked like this, I think she''d really like it. She also likes rubies, but not the pinkish rubies. More of the primary red flavor of rubies. She also likes all sorts of purples. Not a fan of yellows, oranges. I nice bluish green sapphire would also be nice.

Djarum

 

[FrekeChild]

I personally don't like the concave cuts that Richard Homer produces. But I'm a chunky facets kind of girl.

Here is a blue round spinel at 1.29ct from Barbara at ACS for only $203: link

A round white sapphire at 1.67ct from ACS for only $338:
link

A round tealish blue sapphire at .82cts from Dan Stair for only $123: link

A pinky purple rectangular cushion that has a window at 2.87cts that breaks the bank at $1,076: link

A pinkish orange rectangular cushion at 1.35cts for only $270: link

A purple rectangular spinel cushion at 2.73cts for only $819: link

***A bluish violet slightly rectangular spinel cushion at 2.36cts that breaks the bank at $1,017: link

A blueish lilac slightly rectangular sapphire cushion at NSC, 1.67cts for only $976: link

A red pink trillion spinel at 1.60cts from Art Cut Gems for only $798: link

A blue trillion spinel at .91cts from ACG for only $96: link

A deep purple square cushion spinel at 1.73cts from ACG for only $155: link

A gorgeous orangey red square cushion spinel at .62cts from ACG for only $456: link

Anyway, I hope I've given you some other options. One word of advice, try looking for colors besides blue, pink and yellow-they will be cheaper because the colors are less popular. I'm actually glad your budget is what it is because it makes it more challenging and therefore more interesting. When my BF starts looking around, his budget will be less than yours-probably significantly less and I'm excited to see what he comes up with. And $1,000 actually stretches pretty dang far in the gemstone world depending on what you're looking for. Anyway, good luck with your search, and let us knows if we can help in any way!

ETA: a blue green sapphire will be relatively cheap compared to it's blue and pink counterparts. And rubies will be very expensive. The one I starred looks like something she might like because of her liking the tanzanite color. It is over budget, but not by a ton, so maybe something like that could work.

 

[misspinky]

A gorgeous orangey red square cushion spinel at .62cts from ACG for only $456: link

Ooooohhhh I REALLY like this one! Great find Freke!

 

[FrekeChild]

That one is beautiful, isn''t it? That red color just POPS!!!

I''m not a red person at all, and that one made me drool!

 

[Djarum]

Thank you for all the exclent ideas.

Some of those stones are a bit large though, LOL!

1k I thought was acceptable considering a 5-6mm round diamond would cost twice as much, at least when I looked online and at the jewelry store. I have talked to a jewler about the settings I mentioned, and he said he could get them for around 400-500 bucks. If I purchased stones through him, I wouldn't pay anything for setting them. If I baught the setting from him but brought in my own stone, he'd charge me to set them. All in all, I think I can put a nice ring together for under 2k or maybe even under 1.5k.

As far as size goes, if it is round looking between 5-6mm. Oval/rectangular would probably be 7x5mm.

BTW, I am loving that red spinel. She is a july baby, so ruby is her birthstone. But that red spinel, especially at that price, looks 10x better than any ruby I could get at that price. I may just have to inquire about that one!

Thank you for all the help!

Djarum

 

[geckodani]

WOW! I don''t usually like red, but that red spinel! I vote for that one!

 

[icekid]

Djarum- it sounds like you''re on the right track. She truly hasn''t shown any color preference though? I would try and push her on that topic a bit more, if possible. And I absolutely think you can put together a ring that you''ll both love for under 2k.

 

[geckodani]

Djarum - update? Have you picked a stone? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Djarum]

No, not yet.

I''m still trying to pry info from the gf on ideas about what she wants. We went to nashville this weekend and visited a few ok jewelery stores, specializing in diamonds mostly.

I may, this weekend, checkout with a local jeweler about what he/she can get. I''m really trying to take my time with this and make it right.

Thanks for the inquiry though

 

[geckodani]

Rushing would be bad.

Good for you for taking the time. Let us know what you end up with!

 

[Lupinbunny]

Oo! Snap Valleygirl! I''m working with Richard Homer to find a sapphire right now too! Have you chosen one yet?

He definitely has some cushion cuts around the $1000 mark - can''t remember exactly because they weren''t square, so I didn''t pay too much attention. There are also rounds under $1000.

I''ve picked out a stone... can''t wait to see it. I''ve never actually seen a concave cut in real life.