Need help for engagement ring

[lereveur]

I'll try to keep this as short as possible. I'm a male that knows nothing about jewelry. My girlfriend practically collects antique rings.

I've been searching for a couple months and so far, nothing. I know for a fact that my girlfriend does not like plain cookie cutter white diamond rings. She loves yellow diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds, but no rubies.

I would love to find a sapphire (blue, blue green, or yellow) as the main stone and diamond on side ring. (Sorry, not sure of the right terms)
Or, a nice antique diamond ring with sapphire or emerald accents.
So far nothing stood out. It all looked the same like the ones she has.

Today, I came across The Natural Sapphire Co. Like a good shopper, I searched for many reviews. It was a lot of mixed reviews from saying they're scam to praise... So which is it? Anyone have any personal reviews?

I would like to find legitimate sellers of these said gemstones. The links posted on another post I read doesn't impress me. I can't tell if it's advertisement pages or a basic html page a kid made.

If anyone finds any great engagement rings or find any references to guide me to the right sellers, it'd be a lot of help. I've tried ebay and still looking. My price cap is around 8 grand.

 

[Nomsdeplume]

Something like this?
http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-1-3725

 

[Edward Bristol]

The links posted on another post I read doesn't impress me. I can't tell if it's advertisement pages or a basic html page a kid made.

I sure hope you don't mean my site!

Anyways, you should select a stone first; and then make the ring around it.

8k is a healthy budget.

 

[Kismet]

The links post is just that, a list of vendors that people on PS have used and have liked. It's not supposed to be an advertisement or a retail site.

What antique style does your girlfriend like? And does she want an actual antique or a reproduction?

As mentioned, Lang Antiques is a good place to browse as are The Three Graces, New York Estate Jewelry, 1st Dibs. That last link is actually a collection of antique dealers and not a single dealer.

If it was my choice, this one is what I would pick (only a bit over budget) http://www.abrandtandson.com/Edwardian_Platinum_Natural_Yellow_Diamond_Ring.html

 

[pregcurious]

Jeff White is another vendor you should consider. He has sourced and cut some phenomenol sapphires for PSers. You can find his website here http://www.whitesgems.com/,,, and there are many threads on PS about his work.

 

[T L]

What is you budget?

 

[pregcurious]

The OP said that his budget is $8000

 

[T L]

Thanks, it's still very early in the morning for me.

 

[movie zombie]

if she practically collects antique rings, i hope you will allow her to be a part of the process. not romantic? well, better that she get a ring she really loves, isn't it?

 

[lereveur]

Thank you for the replies everyone. I am checking out the links right now.

The reasons I wouldn't bring her in to the process are because I was deployed, she lives in my home state of NJ and I live in NC, and I'd love to give her a good surprise when I go home for the holidays

 

[lereveur]

The links posted on another post I read doesn't impress me. I can't tell if it's advertisement pages or a basic html page a kid made.

I sure hope you don't mean my site!

Anyways, you should select a stone first; and then make the ring around it.

8k is a healthy budget.

What's your site? I randomly picked links and skimmed it

 

[NKOTB]

There are lots of beautiful rings on the Fay Cullen site: http://www.faycullen.com/

There is also a gorgeous blue sapphire on Peter Torraca's site, don't know if it's still available:
http://www.torraca.net/gems/gems.php?spec=Sap

And some blues and yellows on the Gemfix site.

Do you have a size in mind for the center stone?

 

[lereveur]

There are lots of beautiful rings on the Fay Cullen site: http://www.faycullen.com/

There is also a gorgeous blue sapphire on Peter Torraca's site, don't know if it's still available:
http://www.torraca.net/gems/gems.php?spec=Sap

And some blues and yellows on the Gemfix site.

Do you have a size in mind for the center stone?

Thakn you for the links. I would like the stone to be around 2 cts. I think that would be a decent size and not overwhelming. She's a size 5 1/2

 

[movie zombie]

make sure there is a good return policy.......others will correct me but i believe cullen does not take returns?

 

[Pandora II]

I think you are right MZ.

Regarding the websites, it's worth remembering that a lot of gem dealers are small single-person operations often doing it as a side-line and aren't always going to have a website that can compete with ones run by big companies with mega-budgets.

I actually think nearly all our vendors have pretty darn good websites - and the thing to judge is how good the gemstones are, not whether the website looks like Tiffany's!

 

[lereveur]

I think you are right MZ.

Regarding the websites, it's worth remembering that a lot of gem dealers are small single-person operations often doing it as a side-line and aren't always going to have a website that can compete with ones run by big companies with mega-budgets.

I actually think nearly all our vendors have pretty darn good websites - and the thing to judge is how good the gemstones are, not whether the website looks like Tiffany's!

Never said it had to be like Tiffany's. I don't even like Tiffany's rings. The links I have received so far from the other posters have been great. I'm guessing I was looking at the wrong ones.

 

[NKOTB]

make sure there is a good return policy.......others will correct me but i believe cullen does not take returns?

Oh, oops, sorry - didn't know that. I've admired a lot on that site, but never bought anything, as it seems complicated for a buyer in Canada. A good return policy is important, though, just in case.

 

[lereveur]

This ring caught my eye. It's very unique, but half my budget and I'm wondering if it's good enough? Or if it looks like a regular ring and not an engagement ring?

http://www.pricescope.comfiles/images/37562_large.jpg[img]
[ATTACH=full]526746[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]526747[/ATTACH]

 

[Kismet]

Good enough is pretty subjective, but giving the specs of the ring would allow us to comment. It's a pretty and substantial ring but I'd be concerned that she wouldn't be able to wear a wedding ring with that ring. A non-issue if she doesn't plan on wearing a wedding ring or if she'll wear it on another finger.

 

[lereveur]

Good enough is pretty subjective, but giving the specs of the ring would allow us to comment. It's a pretty and substantial ring but I'd be concerned that she wouldn't be able to wear a wedding ring with that ring. A non-issue if she doesn't plan on wearing a wedding ring or if she'll wear it on another finger.

Right.

Center stone is old European cut diamond with an actual .76 carats J color VS2 clarity ... It's $4,850
In all, fourteen (14) old mine and old European cut accent diamonds and twenty (20) natural sapphires

I am not too sure about it. The center stone is smaller than I wanted. It's a cool looking ring, but is it an engagement ring. That's the question

 

[T L]

I think you are right MZ.

Regarding the websites, it's worth remembering that a lot of gem dealers are small single-person operations often doing it as a side-line and aren't always going to have a website that can compete with ones run by big companies with mega-budgets.

I actually think nearly all our vendors have pretty darn good websites - and the thing to judge is how good the gemstones are, not whether the website looks like Tiffany's!

It's not necessarily the websites, some are better than others. What always concerns me is the accuracy of vendor photos next to the stone IRL, and if they offer a reputable lab report.

 

[T L]

Good enough is pretty subjective, but giving the specs of the ring would allow us to comment. It's a pretty and substantial ring but I'd be concerned that she wouldn't be able to wear a wedding ring with that ring. A non-issue if she doesn't plan on wearing a wedding ring or if she'll wear it on another finger.

Right.

Center stone is old European cut diamond with an actual .76 carats J color VS2 clarity ... It's $4,850
In all, fourteen (14) old mine and old European cut accent diamonds and twenty (20) natural sapphires

I am not too sure about it. The center stone is smaller than I wanted. It's a cool looking ring, but is it an engagement ring. That's the question

Why wouldn't it be? It doesn't have to be a traditional diamond solitaire to be an e-ring. It can be whatever you want. YOu said yourself you don't want a 'cookie cutter' ring. The only thing I caution about erings is that the stones are durable enough for everyday wear, and this ring is sapphires and diamonds, so you should be okay in that department. You just started looking though, so at least you're getting some good ideas.

 

[lereveur]

I think you are right MZ.

Regarding the websites, it's worth remembering that a lot of gem dealers are small single-person operations often doing it as a side-line and aren't always going to have a website that can compete with ones run by big companies with mega-budgets.

I actually think nearly all our vendors have pretty darn good websites - and the thing to judge is how good the gemstones are, not whether the website looks like Tiffany's!

It's not necessarily the websites, some are better than others. What always concerns me is the accuracy of vendor photos next to the stone IRL, and if they offer a reputable lab report.

Yes I agree completely

 

[movie zombie]

i know you want to present an e-ring to your GF when you get home but i'm hoping you aren't rushing finding the "right" ring....she obviously has developed an eye and taste for a particular type of jewelry. i like the ring you posted and think it would work as an e-ring....only you know if its "her" or not not. however, the wedding band would have to be made to go with it...if you're planning on having a wedding band, that is.

some have chosen to only have a wedding band and have found gorgeous sapphire/diamond bands that they presented as an e-ring and either they didn't get another band or they got a band to stack with the other band. just things to consider....since she does not appear to be into solitaire diamond rings...... actually, this particular ring does have a look and presence that i think it could function as both the e-ring and the wedding band.

had you thought of asking her to marry you and asking her to help you find a ring? or presenting her with a necklace or simplier ring as a token of your affection with your proposal and then both of you shopping for "the" ring?

i think your heart is in the right place and i think you've found a community here that can help you explore options. i like that you are trying to find something that will please her.....but please know there is absolutely no way my husband could have found a ring on his own that matched my taste without my active participation.

again, i really like the ring you posted but do think you'd have to have a custom made wedding band for it.

 

[movie zombie]

look what i found at lang's!

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-60-331

ok, i know its not antique but look at the design and its 22k gold!

yeah, i'd wear it as an e-ring....wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least.

 

[LD]

Have you looked at Dover Jewellery? They have a wide range of antique / antique replica rings that may fit your budget and style. At the moment they seem to have mainly diamond rings but it's worth a look because they also have some settings that, if you find the right centre stone, look very much like a style you may like.

http://www.doverjewelry.com/products

http://www.doverjewelry.com/catalog/vintage_jewelry/304ct_antique_deco_cushion_diamond_ruby_platinum_engagement_ring.html I adore this but it's diamond and rubies (and over budget)! http://www.doverjewelry.com/catalog/engagement_rings/258_cts_antique_diamond_ruby_platinum_engagement_ring.html I adore this!
http://www.doverjewelry.com/catalog/vintage_jewelry/165cts_antique_old_mine_diamond_sapphire_platinum_engagement_ring.html Within budget and this time with sapphires

http://www.doverjewelry.com/catalog/ring_settings Settings

 

[lereveur]

i know you want to present an e-ring to your GF when you get home but i'm hoping you aren't rushing finding the "right" ring....she obviously has developed an eye and taste for a particular type of jewelry. i like the ring you posted and think it would work as an e-ring....only you know if its "her" or not not. however, the wedding band would have to be made to go with it...if you're planning on having a wedding band, that is.

some have chosen to only have a wedding band and have found gorgeous sapphire/diamond bands that they presented as an e-ring and either they didn't get another band or they got a band to stack with the other band. just things to consider....since she does not appear to be into solitaire diamond rings...... actually, this particular ring does have a look and presence that i think it could function as both the e-ring and the wedding band.

had you thought of asking her to marry you and asking her to help you find a ring? or presenting her with a necklace or simplier ring as a token of your affection with your proposal and then both of you shopping for "the" ring?

i think your heart is in the right place and i think you've found a community here that can help you explore options. i like that you are trying to find something that will please her.....but please know there is absolutely no way my husband could have found a ring on his own that matched my taste without my active participation.

again, i really like the ring you posted but do think you'd have to have a custom made wedding band for it.

I'm not rushing per say but I am constantly on the lookout and researching It's driving me nuts actually.

Thank you for the insight I really appreciate it. I'm asking her friends to help me get some ideas out of her head. If that doesn't work, then I'm definitely going to just take her with me

 

[movie zombie]

[quote="lereveur|1320808247|3057509
I'm not rushing per say but I am constantly on the lookout and researching It's driving me nuts actually.

Thank you for the insight I really appreciate it. I'm asking her friends to help me get some ideas out of her head. If that doesn't work, then I'm definitely going to just take her with me [/quote]


ah, you are "concentrating"! yes, the hunt is on and we can all related to "it's driving me nuts"! and i'm glad you've got an open mind re taking her with you.....

can't wait to see pictures of what you actually do get her.....remember: we are a helpful group but we like to feed our color stone lust and love looking at color stone ****!

 

[Porridge]

Lereveur - is there any possibility at all that you have any pictures of the antique rings she already has? It could be that she has preferences that would be easy for us to spot (given that looking at this stuff is what we do!) but that might not be as obvious to any normal sane person.

I know you're away so chances here are slim, but it would be very helpful in picking something out that she likes, so worth a shot!

 

[chrono]

Since she collects antique rings, it's best if you have some idea what period she likes or dislikes since it's an e-ring. I'm pretty sure she's going to have strong feelings about that. Are you looking for a ready-made ring or aiming to get the stone and setting separately?