I need Some Guidance for an E-Ring

[JengoFette]

Hello Everyone, first off I have been researching quite a bit about colored gems. My future other half really likes dark to medium hue green gems along with vintage mountings (pref. Pave or Channel). So naturally I have been looking at Emeralds first, found that it is really difficult to select something I feel comfortable with.

I also have been looking at Tsarvorite Garnets. I do like that I can buy really nice gems for much less and still retain beautiful color tones. The first set of options I feel a little uncomfortable with as I don't get to see the exact stone and the price seemed low.
Links:
http://www.angara.com/p/oval-emerald-and-diamond-ring-sr0218e.html -- Great with Discount Codes

Then I liked this too.
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-bar-set-and-three-sided-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-98

With this emerald
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/gemstones/green-emerald/0.90-carat-Round-sku-10794

But then I came across this website trying to research information regarding gemstones and vendors. I really have a hard time trusting web reviews unless given in forums. Also upon researching the above information I stumbled upon Tsarvorites. Really cool gems. I liked a few at ajsgems but they are oval. Though I am ok with the shape of the gem, its really hard to find a mounting that works. The above james allen mounting works it appears but I read a mixed review.

The gems from ajs are these:

http://www.ajsgem.com/garnet/tsavorite-garnet/tsavorite-garnet-1.05-carats.html-0

http://www.ajsgem.com/garnet/tsavorite-garnet/tsavorite-garnet-1.42-carats.html-0

And I also Came across this that I really liked but didn't know if this seem fair/good/bad/etc. Though I must say I am really leaning toward this ring. Any concerns or comments?
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-tsavorite-precision-cut-122ct-tsavorite-garnet-oval-shape-rich-color-r4186

As you can see I am all mixed up. I surely would love to get her the best that I can afford which approx. 3500 is my top out range which is extremely low for emeralds. Please if you can help me decipher what the best course of action would be. I do have a really good local jeweler as well.

 

[FrekeChild]

I don't have a ton of time at the moment, but I will say that I think you can do better for your money than the Diamonds by Lauren ring. That stone is windowed, but the setting is lovely. I think it's still very overpriced as a whole.

The AJS stones are nicely colored, but not super ideal as far as cutting goes.

I see that you seem to have picked out two very different settings. Do you know what style your future fiancee would prefer? Does she mind having a gap between her engagement ring and her wedding band? What kind of wedding band does she want? A matching one? A plain one? With the ring that has three sided pave, it's not really advisable to wear another ring next to it - the diamonds will eat into the metal of the other ring. Does she have a preferred color of green? More blueish green or more yellow green? Darker or lighter?

One big thing that you have to keep in mind is that both emeralds and tsavorites are not really suitable for every day/all day wear, unless you want to go to the extra expense of having to replace the stone eventually. She will have to baby a colored stone engagement ring unless it's a sapphire.

I think what you're leaning towards is doable in budget, but we need to get a closer idea of what you're looking for to narrow down the search!

 

[FrekeChild]

I had a quick thought, and here it is:

http://www.finewatergems.com/garnet.html

I think the 1.07ct is probably the closest to the color you're looking for, and seems most suitable for an engagement ring since the other tsavorites have either clarity issues, color issues or less than traditional shapes.

It's about the size of a 1 carat princess cut diamond, so not enormous. Do you have any size requirements?

You could have a custom halo setting made for it, and probably still be under your budget.

For instance, here is a Whiteflash setting (I don't know that you could use them because they don't set outside stones anymore) that's square, and in 18kt about $1,800.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...diamond-braid-diamond-engagement-ring-121.htm

Plain shank:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engage...mond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-6795

Pave shank:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engage...mond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-6820

Another pave shank:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engage...ond-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-6815

Or pave shank in platinum:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engage...mond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-6824

Or here is a round tsavorite that's 1.05ct, but it's a lighter/brighter green (which would be why it is significantly cheaper than the first I posted:

http://www.precisiongem.com/Gemstones/Gemstones/rapidcart/GreenGarnet.html

So let us know the color you want, the shape, and the size, and we can help guide you from there!

Hope this is helpful!

 

[chrono]

Since you aren't really sure about what you (and she) wants, let's start off with the stone first. Put aside a certain amount for the setting, then you'll know how much you have left for the stone. I think at this point, you should not limit yourself to a particular shape, especially for an emerald and tsavorite. Fine quality stones are difficult enough to find and adding such a limitation (with budget in mind) will make this especially difficult.

Both emerald and tsavorite are not 24/7 wear stones. They must be removed at soon as you are home. They also require special care or they will be damaged. The two also have very different looks. Emeralds tend to be more velvety (glowy) while tsavorite is brilliant (sparkly). Almost all emeralds are treated while tsavorites are not. Round shapes are also uncommon. You'll find far more emerald cuts in emeralds and cushions and ovals in tsavorites.

http://www.angara.com/p/oval-emerald-and-diamond-ring-sr0218e.html
Generic stock picture so you have no idea what your stone looks like. Highly likely that your stone will NOT look like the picture. No mention of treatment, nor the level of treatment. The stock emerald has not well cut.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/gemstones/green-emerald/0.90-carat-Round-sku-10794
I don't like that the emerald has almost no crown, super thick girdle and is yellowish. Looks clean for an emerald although the level of treatment is not mentioned.

http://www.ajsgem.com/garnet/tsavorite-garnet/tsavorite-garnet-1.05-carats.html-0
Nice bright green with decent cutting, possibly even with a touch of that elusive blue that is highly desired.

http://www.ajsgem.com/garnet/tsavorite-garnet/tsavorite-garnet-1.42-carats.html-0
Has cut issues and the colour looks a bit yellow / olive.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-tsavorite-precision-cut-122ct-tsavorite-garnet-oval-shape-rich-color-r4186
Just an average looking tsavorite, not really pretty but not ugly either. Cut is acceptable, nothing glaring but not very nice either.

I'd like to know more about what you want, stone budget and etc before recommending anything.

 

[JengoFette]

Wow thank you for the quick replies so far. I really appreciate this help, as it is difficult trying to work and look for something that is quality.

Ill try to answer all the questions here:
Emerald/Tsarvorite: yes both her and I are aware of the care that is required for these stones. I appreciate the heads up though otherwise. The color that would be great would be something in the medium greens but would be willing to bend based on feedback. I know little to none so I trust the advice given.

The finewatergem is quite nice. I am not limited to any specific shape at this time. No preference. Though I am not a big fan of pears.

My budget sits around $3500 +/- $400.

Ideally $1500 for the stone & $2000 for the Setting.

 

[chrono]

My personal preference is medium green with a hint of blue for tsavorites and a rich medium dark with a touch of blue for emeralds. The trade preferred for both is a medium dark green with a hint of blue. Any mm size you'd like to aim for as a minimum?

 

[JengoFette]

Im not sure of a specific MM size. I would like at least 1ct. in size is that the same? I would be more open to suggestions to what is a good size.

 

[chrono]

Coloured stones are different from diamonds. Depending on the design and cut, a 1 ct tsavorite could be as small as 5 mm or as large as 6 mm. If really badly cut, it could even range as far as 4 mm to 7 mm. From what you've written, my guess is that 6 mm is closer to what you are looking for. Size is a personal preference. Some like it big, some are more comfortable with a smaller stone. Finger size also plays a role in perception - a smaller finger makes the stone look bigger, a larger sized finger makes the stone looks smallish.

I like the first AJS oval and also the 1.07 ct square cushion from Finewater as potential candidates. You can contact Gene to find out if he has more tsavorites.
http://www.precisiongem.com/Gemstones/Gemstones/rapidcart/GreenGarnet.html
http://www.spectralgems.net/A-garnet.html

PrimaGems is another vendor to contact. His website does not list the nicer stones so an email or phone call is best. Be very specific that you want no yellow and a well cut stone (no window).

 

[JengoFette]

Ok 6mm it is for the minimum. If its any help she also wears a size 6 ring. I would like something that is at a least medium sized stone.

 

[JengoFette]

Ok, so I take it the first step will now be buying a stone that I like, then proceeding to a mount? I apologize for my lack of knowledge when it comes to gemstones, buying rings and putting it all together. I have contacted the Primagems to see what else is available. I really do appreciate the responses and help. This is such a big decision that I want to be right. A question though, will the shape of the stone limit me on mounting choices? In other words, does an oval, cushion, etc. have more or less limitations on mountings versus say a round?

 

[chrono]

To put it simply, the limitation is greater when you have a mount and no stone, compared to having a stone and no mount. Yes, compared to rounds, oval and cushion settings are more limited but if you shop for only rounds, your selection of stones will drop down to around 25%, possibly even lower.

 

[iluvshinythings]

Here's a green sapphire I've been looking at forever:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84804429/8x6mm-132-ct-color-change-greenpurple

It changes color so I don't know if that would be something you she would like or dislike. It doesn't look like it's set so you could probably purchase just the stone.

I have never worked with this vendor though.

I think it's easier to find a stone first and then find the setting but having an idea of her preference of shape would really be ideal so you could look for both at the same time.