Looking for a colored gem for my travel set

[Hephephippo]

Hi everyone,

Thanks to the kind folks over at rockytalk - my spare wedding set will be put to good use with a nice colored gem.

I was hoping you all could help me with gem ideas. We are in no rush with this so I'm also taking my time in educating myself. But here is a criteria I think we want, in no particular order

1 - not more than $2000 (is that a reasonable budget? Or is that too much for a travel set - I have no clue but we also don't really go to crazy unsafe areas) as this is a travel set, not to attract attention to my real diamond E-ring
2 - maybe 2 carats?
3 - a blue stone
4 - I always prefer natural untreated but I'm still learning so this might not be a deal breaker
5 - my E-ring is round. It would be fun to have a fancy shape for this set
6 - open to putting halo around it but not necessary.

Here is a picture of the set.

Thank you to anyone who would like to offer up generous advice and tips!!



PS: We would ideally want to source our gem through ID Jewelry in NYC. My SO and I really enjoyed working with them and we want to keep a relationship for our needs through them from this point on. This is not a deal breaker but it would be great if it's a gem they can source for us.

 

[whitewave]

Hi everyone,

Thanks to the kind folks over at rockytalk - my spare wedding set will be put to good use with a nice colored gem.

I was hoping you all could help me with gem ideas. We are in no rush with this so I'm also taking my time in educating myself. But here is a criteria I think we want, in no particular order

1 - not more than $2000 (is that a reasonable budget? Or is that too much for a travel set - I have no clue but we also don't really go to crazy unsafe areas) as this is a travel set, not to attract attention to my real diamond E-ring
2 - maybe 2 carats?
3 - a blue stone
4 - I always prefer natural untreated but I'm still learning so this might not be a deal breaker
5 - my E-ring is round. It would be fun to have a fancy shape for this set
6 - open to putting halo around it but not necessary.

Here is a picture of the set.

Thank you to anyone who would like to offer up generous advice and tips!!



PS: We would ideally want to source our gem through ID Jewelry in NYC. My SO and I really enjoyed working with them and we want to keep a relationship for our needs through them from this point on. This is not a deal breaker but it would be great if it's a gem they can source for us.

Girl, just sit here and watch and read lol. It is super confusing and complicated.

I am waiting for this to arrive: https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p224/1.64_ct_Blue_Ceylon_Sapphire.html

It will be here tomorrow

 

[whitewave]

With sapphires, you are looking at tone, hue and saturation.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/

 

[Hephephippo]

Girl, just sit here and watch and read lol. It is super confusing and complicated.

I am waiting for this to arrive: https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p224/1.64_ct_Blue_Ceylon_Sapphire.html

It will be here tomorrow

I can't wait to see it and hope you share pictures

 

[chatoyancy]

You can get a tanzanite in your budget and carat weight requirements. They are more of a violet blue though. Blue zircon and aquamarine would be easy to find in your price range. A blue spinel (except colbalt spinel) would work. They are very pretty and sparkly. I think it would be difficult to find a pretty blue sapphire in that carat weight in your price range, especially untreated. I’m not an expert in blue sapphire at all. Someone else can chime in.

 

[whitewave]

I can't wait to see it and hope you share pictures

You know I will!!!

 

[whitewave]

You can get a tanzanite in your budget and carat weight requirements. They are more of a violet blue though. Blue zircon and aquamarine would be easy to find in your price range. A blue spinel (except colbalt spinel) would work. They are very pretty and sparkly. I think it would be difficult to find a pretty blue sapphire in that carat weight in your price range, especially untreated. I’m not an expert in blue sapphire at all. Someone else can chime in.

I was also thinking blue spinel might be perfect

 

[Hephephippo]

You can get a tanzanite in your budget and carat weight requirements. They are more of a violet blue though. Blue zircon and aquamarine would be easy to find in your price range. A blue spinel (except colbalt spinel) would work. They are very pretty and sparkly. I think it would be difficult to find a pretty blue sapphire in that carat weight in your price range, especially untreated. I’m not an expert in blue sapphire at all. Someone else can chime in.

Thank you @chatoyancy -- you provided me something to star with. To be honest, I don't know if the budget I set is reasonable. Perhaps for a sapphire, I can just park the idea for now and opt for a sapphire for something else in the future since you mentioned it can be expensive and I would really love a top notch sapphire.

I guess the most important consideration is the color (blue) and that it is sturdy! I've never heard of spinel but I will look into it.

 

[dkata]

Have a look at the list of vendors here in the colored stones forum. Just click through all of them, and look for blue stones. On a few websites you can even filter the stones for color. I also suggest to contact the vendors with color request and budget, they are always helpful.

 

[chroman]

What sort of blue appeals? Something very saturated and pure blue probably means sapphire and a larger price tag for that size.

Does a purple-blue appeal? Or a greenish-blue or cyan hue? Do paler/less saturated things appeal?

Personally I find most blue spinel to be rather dark and gray. Depending on your color preferences, sapphire may still be in budget, though zircon is also awesome (but more on the cyan side of blue). "Electric" blue topaz might be another possibility - theres some threads here with lots of loverly pics. Aqua, if paler blues appeal, though unheated aqual has a wonderful greenish tint. Possbly even tanzanite if purple-blues are interesting.

If this is going into an existing setting, have you spoken with a jeweler about what sizes and shapes can be set easily? Or if replacing the whole head is an option for you budget?

Here's some blue zircon pics for reference:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-zircon-thread.222759/

And some blue topaz:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-and-blue-electric-blue-topaz-stories.215679/

 

[Hephephippo]

What sort of blue appeals? Something very saturated and pure blue probably means sapphire and a larger price tag for that size.

Does a purple-blue appeal? Or a greenish-blue or cyan hue? Do paler/less saturated things appeal?

Personally I find most blue spinel to be rather dark and gray. Depending on your color preferences, sapphire may still be in budget, though zircon is also awesome (but more on the cyan side of blue). "Electric" blue topaz might be another possibility - theres some threads here with lots of loverly pics. Aqua, if paler blues appeal, though unheated aqual has a wonderful greenish tint. Possbly even tanzanite if purple-blues are interesting.

If this is going into an existing setting, have you spoken with a jeweler about what sizes and shapes can be set easily? Or if replacing the whole head is an option for you budget?

Here's some blue zircon pics for reference:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-zircon-thread.222759/

And some blue topaz:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-and-blue-electric-blue-topaz-stories.215679/

Thank you for sharing these links. I love the depth of color sapphires have. I need to have a deeper understanding of sapphires and wonder if their pricing change relative to their shape? (like with diamonds, fancy shaped ones tend to be on the less expensive side than a round)

If so then perhaps if we increase our budget it could work for a sapphire. If not, I'm so happy to get a 1.5 carat sapphire stone.

I also really loved the blue topaz pictures but think I like the "lighter" blue for topaz -- something like an almost pastel blue. I wonder if topaz stones are durable?

What is your favorite piece of blue jewelry? I'd love to see some inspiration! @chroman thank you again

 

[chroman]

Usually sapphire pricing is based on the hue and saturation - paler stones are less expensive, the blurer the stone the more expensive (oranges and pads are even more expensive tho). Less popular shapes can be less expensive, but they're also more rare.

If you like paler blues, or something that leans purple, I'm sure you can find a sapphire. On the really satuated blue front, heres a couple that jumped out:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/278890398/2ct-bright-cornflower-blue-sapphire?ref=shop_home_active_45
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1223

I'm also a sucker for a nice blue zircon, like these:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G88268
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G87225

 

[chroman]

Do ligher sapphires like this appeal?
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1287

Or on the bluer tanzanite side, what about something like this:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G86953

 

[Bron357]

Sapphires are lovely but an unheated one near 3 carats for $2,000 might be hard to find. I say closer to 3 carats if you are using the setting as is because if the ring held a 2 carat diamond, the same mm size sapphire will be heavier as sapphire have a higher specific gravity. Obviously if you are replacing the head (the prongs bit) you can choose your stone first and have prongs made to fit.
I’m a big fan of blue zircon because of it’s clear blue colour and high refractive index makes it a very sparkly stone.

 

[whitewave]

What about this? Yvonne has some pretty things:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/539524...-cobalt-spinel-cobalt?ref=shop_home_active_83

 

[Hephephippo]

Sapphires are lovely but an unheated one near 3 carats for $2,000 might be hard to find. I say closer to 3 carats if you are using the setting as is because if the ring held a 2 carat diamond, the same mm size sapphire will be heavier as sapphire have a higher specific gravity. Obviously if you are replacing the head (the prongs bit) you can choose your stone first and have prongs made to fit.
I’m a big fan of blue zircon because of it’s clear blue colour and high refractive index makes it a very sparkly stone.

Wow, I didn't know that until now about Sapphire carat weight! Thanks for sharing!

Clear blue color is just as lovely in my opinion. I went straight for sapphires because i don't know any better but I think a sapphire would be more suited as an occasion purchase since it can get a little pricey. The spinel that @whitewave shared looks lovely!! I will check it out and have a look at blue zircons too!

 

[Hephephippo]

In addition, I think I would like this piece to be a fashion piece as well. I am happy to change the head (the prong) if necessary. I think I'd like a stone with a large surface area (may not necessarily mean carat weight, i believe)...

 

[whitewave]

What about this? Yvonne has some pretty things:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/539524...-cobalt-spinel-cobalt?ref=shop_home_active_83

Ooh, I knew it was small but it is .26 carats!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hephephippo]

Ooh, I knew it was small but it is .26 carats!!!!!!!!!!

Actually didn't look small to me, it looks just right to me! I was just thinking of "playing around" with the piece and considering a fashion statement ring. But for the right gem, i will gladly work with it! i saved the one you linked, actually!

 

[qubitasaurus]

I would ask what the 'eligable orders are 10% off' on this one means.

Otherwise I would buy a tourmaline! I think I might be biased though (and looking for an excuse to stare at swala gem traders tourmalines yet again lol).

 

[Stone Hunter]

While I love Tanzanite, it is NOT as durable as Spinels and Sapphires. Since you are willing to change the head of the ring I think there are many nice options available to you.