Need help creating a 3 stone ring

[Antique Chic]

Hi everyone!

I''ve been lurking for more than a year and have learned SO much from Pricescope! Thanks to everyone who''s posted in the past about your journeys or shared your knowledge!

Now I''m ready to design my first ring, but I''d like your help/opinions. I''m hoping to find a fabulous asscher-like, light blue sapphire for the center stone, and flank it with 2 white diamonds, either tapered baguettes or shields. The plan is this would be a RHR, but if/when I get engaged my FI can replace the center stone and make this my engagement ring.

I love art deco and classic designs. I''m drawn again and again to the tapered baguette designs because the cut is so complimentary to the asscher. I love that it''s simple, but not boring. It also fits well on a narrow (~2mm) band. I''ve found a ton of semi mounts for this style online, and it would be very affordable. I''d be very happy with it, and I think it would be unique because of the center stone.

But I''m torn. I look at the shields and all I can think is ''wow''. Are shields more expensive per carat or hard to find? They''d have to be pretty small because I have a size 4 3/4 ring finger and I''d like a good size center stone (equivalent size wise to a 2ct asscher-cut diamond). I also want a narrow band so I could comfortably wear 1.5mm bands above and below it. In all my searching I haven''t found a ready-made semi mount with shields (has anyone ever seen one??) and I know going custom costs a lot more. The only vendor I''ve seen do shields in this shape (straight sides, not rounded) is Leon Mege. I adore his work, but platinum is so much more expensive...

I''m not sure who could source the stones for me or how big the side stones should be.

So, any info is greatly appreciated!

Sorry this is so long winded! Thanks in advance!
AC

 

[simplysplendid]

Hi, I think whichever your choose, it will be a gorgeous ring. But I have not seen any asscher cut sapphire. Perhaps you can ask a gem cutter to cut it for you? Chrono had a project not too long ago with a pink spinel asscher and it is gorgeous. Hopefully she can chime in here..

 

[chrono]

It would be extremely difficult to find a ready cut asscher sapphire; I would recommend getting a cutter to specifically cut one for you. Your options are:
1. Jeff White of www.whitesgems.com whom I've worked with for my pink spinel asscher
2. Wink Jones of www.winkjones.com who can get Richard Homer who also does traditional faceting to cut your asscher sapphire.

I wonder if Richard Martin does cuts like this? www.artcutgems.com His website has never taken off but I know he takes commisions.

As for sourcing shield side stones, Wink can do that easily for you since he deals with diamonds too. He is also very good with proportions and can advise you accordingly.

I guess the first step is to get the centerstone done. Gemstone carat weight is very different from diamonds, when comparing their physical dimensions. Wink will be able to help you out here too. I don't know the approximate physical measurements of a 2 carat asscher diamond. Not to mention that the pavilions of gemstones tend to be bigger (fatter) than diamonds in order to prevent windowing, so although the top dimensions appear to fit the setting, the belly might not fit into the basket. If you have a particular setting in mind, show it to the jeweller and ask what size asscher cut sapphire wiould best fit into it.

 

[Harriet]

I think Richard''s site will be launching soon. Uh oh.

 

[Linda W]

LOL Harriet!! Now you will be in trouble.

I imagine an Asscher cut blue sapphire would be beautiful.

Linda

 

[Antique Chic]

Date: 10/16/2007 7:59:02 AM
Author: Chrono
It would be extremely difficult to find a ready cut asscher sapphire; I would recommend getting a cutter to specifically cut one for you. Your options are:
1. Jeff White of www.whitesgems.com whom I''ve worked with for my pink spinel asscher
2. Wink Jones of www.winkjones.com who can get Richard Homer who also does traditional faceting to cut your asscher sapphire.

I wonder if Richard Martin does cuts like this? www.artcutgems.com His website has never taken off but I know he takes commisions.

As for sourcing shield side stones, Wink can do that easily for you since he deals with diamonds too. He is also very good with proportions and can advise you accordingly.

I guess the first step is to get the centerstone done. Gemstone carat weight is very different from diamonds, when comparing their physical dimensions. Wink will be able to help you out here too. I don''t know the approximate physical measurements of a 2 carat asscher diamond. Not to mention that the pavilions of gemstones tend to be bigger (fatter) than diamonds in order to prevent windowing, so although the top dimensions appear to fit the setting, the belly might not fit into the basket. If you have a particular setting in mind, show it to the jeweller and ask what size asscher cut sapphire wiould best fit into it.

Thanks for the compliments guys!! I can''t tell you how excited I am about this ring. I''ve been waiting over a year to make sure it''s exactly what I wanted. What''s your personal opinion on the baguettes vs shields decision?

Chrono, thank you so much for the custom gem cutter leads and tips about the pavilions! I will be sure to read up on that and get some professional opinions since I hope to replace it with a diamond one day. I knew about Richard Homer. I''ve emailed him directly and he seems like a great guy to work with, plus his stones are amazing! I didn''t know he does step cuts. I''ll have to email him this week. I saw the blue sapphire asscher you posted, and your pink asscher is GORGEOUS!!

Do you have it set yet? I''ll have to go back and read your threads. I''ll definitely be contacting your cutter too. If I get the shield sides I think I''ll have to do a custom ring because I''ve never seen one with the shapes I want. If I go with the baguette semi mount, that''s good to know the sapphire may not fit even if it''s made to hold a comparable sized asscher cut diamond.

Any more opinions, suggestions for custom cutters, and semi mounts with shields are much appreciated! You guys are fantastic!

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Dang! Now I want a sapphire in an asscher cut.

I swear I saw one somewhere. I''ll let you know if I come across it again.

 

[Antique Chic]

Date: 10/16/2007 9:28:49 PM
Author: LadyAmythyst69
Dang! Now I want a sapphire in an asscher cut.

I swear I saw one somewhere. I''ll let you know if I come across it again.

Chrono posted this to die for Dan Stair Montana sapphire. *Drool*

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Ah ha! I KNEW I had seen an asscher cut sapphire somewhere! Here it is at M. Khordipour Enterprises:

 

[chrono]

My opinion is that while a top blue sapphire is very drool worthy, it does not show off step cuts at its best. Light coloured stones are best at highlighting the mile deep steps of asschers.

 

[simplysplendid]

I would second Dan Stair. I love his cuts and his level of service...

 

[Antique Chic]

Update:

Just wanted to let everyone know that I''ve been speaking to several cutters (thanks for the recommendations!). The hunt for the right stone is on!

Also, I''ve decided to go with a narrow baguette sides setting. I want sparkle in the band but don''t want it to look like a 3 stone ring. I don''t want pave because I''m afraid of losing stones, plus I want to stick with all step cuts.

I''ll be sure to post pictures when I have some.

 

[Antique Chic]

HERE''S A PICTURE! I need your opinions please!!!!

Jeff at Whitesgems cut this sapphire in a Royal Asscher-type. It has 6 rows of facets on the pavilion instead of 3, it''s 6.7mm and 2.15 cts. Clarity is VVS (much better than eye clean). I think he did a beautiful job with the cut, and the size is exactly what I''m looking for, but the color is a lot darker and more purplish than the light blue-gray I''m really looking for.

Should I get it as a "placeholder" until I can get the blue diamond I''ve been dreaming of or should I just wait?

What do you think a fair price range for this stone would be? (I don''t know if it''s been treated, which doesn''t matter to me, but I know it effects the price.)

Thanks again for your help!!

 

[Antique Chic]

Here''s the light gray-blue I''m really looking for.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/31/2007 11:18:43 AM
Author: Antique Chic
HERE''S A PICTURE! I need your opinions please!!!!

Jeff at Whitesgems cut this sapphire in a Royal Asscher-type. It has 6 rows of facets on the pavilion instead of 3, it''s 6.7mm and 2.15 cts. Clarity is VVS (much better than eye clean). I think he did a beautiful job with the cut, and the size is exactly what I''m looking for, but the color is a lot darker and more purplish than the light blue-gray I''m really looking for.

Should I get it as a ''placeholder'' until I can get the blue diamond I''ve been dreaming of or should I just wait?

What do you think a fair price range for this stone would be? (I don''t know if it''s been treated, which doesn''t matter to me, but I know it effects the price.)

Thanks again for your help!!

I LOVE THIS STONE!!! Gorgeous! Although colour is such a personal preference, I lean towards more saturated and vibrant colours, and so I like this stone more than a lighter, more greyish-blue stone. That''s just my opinion though! Can''t help you with price... maybe Chrono or Harriet knows?? They seem to know a lot and great information!

DD

 

[chrono]

I love it. As soon as I saw the picture (before reading your post), I knew it was Jeff's work.

The cut is superb and the colour he choose highlights the steps very well. I like the colour but do YOU like it? The picture of the stone you posted looked completely clear with a touch of grayness. I don't see any blue tint at all.

To get a blue diamond is going to cost you a fortune and to have it in an asscher cut will be a very long wait. I'd do a placeholder since I'm of an impatient sort.

Pricing will vary on this stone depending on how much Jeff bought the original rough (or native stone) for. I would expect to pay about $1K (which includes his special cutting).

ETA
If you really like a super light grayish blue stone, please contact Dan Stair ASAP. I just returned a 3 carat plus tourmaline that is about the colour of the diamond you posted. The tourmaline was cut in an asscher style as well.

 

[Linda W]

OMG!!!!! I am in love with that Sapphire. It is absolutely gorgeous.

If I would want a sapphire cut like that, do I just contact Jeff???????????????

Linda

 

[chrono]

Linda,
You''ll have to contact Jeff to get a sapphire like that. He is a top class custom cutter and will find the right colour to suit your tastes, fit your budget and cut to your specifications.

 

[Linda W]

Thanks Chrono,

My jaw hit my keyboard when I saw that sapphire, ha ha ha ha ha. That is on my wishlist!!!!! What a beauty it is.

Linda

 

[chrono]

AC,
I finally found a picture of the super light blue tourmaline that I returned to Dan very recently. If you like it, please contact him ASAP. It costs no more than $300 and would be an excellent placeholder stone.

 

[Harriet]

It''s a beauty. I haven''t been pricing sapphires, but I trust Jeff to set a fair price.

 

[Antique Chic]

Thanks for your help everyone! I didn''t even know Tourmaline came in blue! That''s much closer to the color I''m looking for. I also found a Michael E aqua that doesn''t look like it has any green in it.

I think the sapphire Jeff cut is absolutely top quality, but the stone is MUCH darker than what I''m looking for. I may ask him about seeing it in person or having him cut an aqua or tourmaline for me. He''s been very helpful and I think his cutting skills are superior.

 

[Antique Chic]

This is what the placeholder stone is holding a place for: a lt. blue diamond

 

[Antique Chic]

I''m leaving the sapphire to the quickest person to contact Jeff White at Whitesgems.com

It is truly a beauty, but not what I''m looking for color-wise. Jeff said he''d be happy to cut a different stone for me, so I think I''m going to go with aqua. I''ll keep you posted.

Thanks again for your help everyone, especially Chrono!