Need some help selecting a green engagement ring

[kiwiflea]

I love the idea you have, and the symbolism the setting would represent. I agree that there are some beautiful green sapphires out there, the Montana sapphires at gemfix look beautiful and well cut.

 

[koolchicken]

I kind of agree with MollyMalone. My now husband didn't use a ring, well not exactly. He used a pandora bead, the ones with the rings on a pillow. He put it onto my favorite bracelet and waited for me to notice. After days of impatience he dragged me upstairs and insisted I stare at it. After I saw it, and said yes we made a date to go ring shopping.

So if you really must have something to propose with I understand. But have you considered just buying a stone and presenting her with just that? If my husband did that I would have thought that was so cool. And that way if she doesn't like it you know you can send it back, if she does you can pick the setting together. You're on such a limited time frame, so completing a project like this might not work. Even if you found a great stone and someone to set it, it's winter. I don't know where you live but all it takes is one bad storm and the shipping could be delayed and you'll miss your "perfect" proposal window.

 

[Starzin]

I kind of agree with MollyMalone. My now husband didn't use a ring, well not exactly. He used a pandora bead, the ones with the rings on a pillow. He put it onto my favorite bracelet and waited for me to notice. After days of impatience he dragged me upstairs and insisted I stare at it. After I saw it, and said yes we made a date to go ring shopping.

Freke - Holy cr@p girl!! But okay I've done my bit to check them out *wipes brow*

However MY disclaimer is that I'm far from an expert. I live in Australia remember? I've never even seen a Montana, so everyone feel free to chip in and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. This is the PS team at full clip.

Just before Freke posted I thought about the JA ring and the fact that it so resembled the first one Grommet saw and said "Yes! I like it, I think I've solved the problem". At first glance peeps may have missed the fact that the side stones on the JA version are HALF MOONS, that's pretty speccy don't you think? It's also very hard to go past JA's 60 day return period and JF had a very good experience with them. First hand recommendation and all.

So I did a mockup of the ring with the Gemfix Montana #394 in it so we could all see what it looks like and used that one because it's the exact size - 6.5mm

It'll take a while though to cut and paste all my comments so if someone (JF? Freke?) has the time and inclination to "build a ring" at JA using an externally provided centre stone so we can get a better idea of the cost, that would be great. It's the Rania but I haven't found it in the semi mounts yet. Here's the link
http://www.jamesallen.com/preset-en...6-cushion-green-emerald-rania-ring-item-22321

Grommet - are you still with us? Haven't gone and bought something at a maul store have you?
Also feel free to call a halt to this anytime you like.

Sooo my comments to Freke's hunter/gatherer expedition coming up....

 

[Starzin]

IMHO, when someone is thinking green, they think kelly green, mmerald green or forest green. Maybe mint green comes next. Chartreuse (at best) is not at all safe to pick for a surprise engagement ring. Plus, if it's the color of her eyes....

Couldn't agree more.

Okay... I'm pink

http://www.forevergemstones.com/proddetail.php?ProdID=2934
Not Montana. Could be quite stunning but I'm wary of recommending emerald cuts to people who I don't know love them. IMO emerald cuts are perhaps an advanced taste unless the OP knew she liked that cut. (I've left the asschers out for the same reason.) $2,529 on sale???

I didn't look at the stock numbers of the GF stones above, but these are the ones I like:
374 - too dark?
394 - YES, see previous post above - 6mm, 0.98cts, $735 Shimmery and brilliant turquoise unheated Montana sapphire round. Faces up eye clean, beautifully cut. Cool and refreshing color! (ETA: not cut by Andrew)
313 - yes - 7.8mm, 2.21cts, $1985 Stunning large green Montana sapphire. Extremely bright and brilliant, well cut and excellent clarity. (Cut by Andrew Gulij)

ALSO
317 - 7mm, 1.63cts, $1295 Bright and flashy medium golden green Montana sapphire. Gorgeous cut and clarity. (Cut by Andrew Gulij)
318 - pic looks awful but hand shot looks better - 6.5mm, 1.31cts, $780 Beautiful sparkly green with just a hint of mint. Clean and well cut. (Cut by Andrew Gulij)
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_montana.html

First stone
http://www.atggems.com/Photos_Sapphire2.htm
Yes I saw this too but again it has a window ("decent cut") and they do say "Though slightly dark, this shows a nice green under bright lights..." - have to carry your own torch attached? LOL

This is really quite pretty
https://www.primagemsusa.com/content/sapphire-1
At first look I agree. Big size and my favourite shape However - window, muck at top right tho they give it a VS, what's the white blob under the table at 8 o'clock? Looks a bit grey? I think I'd want more pics or a video.


DISCLAIMER: Typically I stay far away from NSC (Natural Sapphire Company) because of their unscrupulous photoshop practices and lack of professional conduct, HOWEVER, given the time constraints and the desires of the OP, I figured he could give it a look. They have stock settings he could put it in (temp setting?) and he could probably have it within a week. They have a large inventory...Just something to think about.
I hear you and it's an alternative , granted. However personally I still think the JA is a better option with centre stone provided otherwise it gets expensive, no?

I started to look at their videos though and I'm seeing a window in virtually every stone - is it me or do others see them too? You have to get past the tilt windows but I'm not used to NSC's videos so don't know if I'm imagining it. I think most are flooded with light and some of them could present much darker. There are definitely some pretty colours though.

Interesting shape
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...es/p-52261-emerald-cut-unique-sapphire-u4761/
At first I really liked it but would discount based on their description of the colour as "intense" = equals nasty dark surprise to me! It also seems to have some yellow/zoning going on? Again I'm wary of emerald cut for someone not expecting it or who hasn't expressed a preference for them.

Round
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...apphires/p-52380-round-unique-sapphire-u4809/
Windowed (I think) but a very pretty colour. Would you choose it over a precision cut by Gemfix if it is? (ETA: Oops! #394 is not cut by Andrew) And it's premium price for weight.

Oval
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...sapphires/p-47579-oval-unique-sapphire-u4392/
At first look I personally loved this but wonder if the lighting hides a MUCH darker stone? Look at the weird green aura around the stone. Also find it difficult to decide if this has a window.

Stepcut
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-52462-asscher-unique-sapphire-u4830/
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-51028-asscher-unique-sapphire-u4530/
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-52497-asscher-unique-sapphire-u4844/
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...es/p-52516-emerald-cut-unique-sapphire-u4854/
Left these out for the same reason as emerald cuts.

Pretty shade of green
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-50532-cushion-unique-sapphire-u4592/
I personally LOVE this, gorgeous teal and I'm also a cushion cut nut Again I think it may be dark in hand. What's with the yellow at the bottom? I think it's light but if parti-coloured forget it. Window? - big belly would say yes maybe.

Yellow-y green
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-46793-cushion-unique-sapphire-u4307/
Wow! Verrrry pretty if it's really that colour - slight green tinge around the stone again on the video makes me think it's been tweaked but I could be wrong. Window - you can see it on the still for this one.

Pear
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...sapphires/p-52279-pear-unique-sapphire-u4759/
Very pretty chubby pear to my eyes but we'd have to start hunting for a pear 3-stone halo if OP liked this above all others

Starting to get pricey
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...sapphires/p-48352-oval-unique-sapphire-u3521/
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-47540-cushion-unique-sapphire-u3626/
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-48561-cushion-unique-sapphire-u3529/
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...phires/p-48469-cushion-unique-sapphire-u3837/
Looked at the first one and my feeling is to stay under $2k for the stone so I left the rest.

WAY over budget, but such a pretty green sapphire I had to share:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompan...apphires/p-47539-round-unique-sapphire-u3443/[/quote]
Yes, thanks for sharing

Sterling job Freke


Are we there yet?

 

[Starzin]

One more thing - if Grommet were to choose the simplest option and go the JA route with the Gemfix Montana, there is one more hurdle and that is that if girlfriend's face falls instead of giving a smile to light up the sky at the sight of the sapphire, he can return the ring but not the Montana

Seems he would need to talk to Andrew about this (remote?) possibility.

 

[Niel]

Obviously chartreuse isn't the color of her eyes. But the sentiment of saying you picked a shade of green because her eyes are green is the same. And frankly I doublt her eyes will be the color of those Montanas sapphire either.

And send a chartreuse chryso will have a peridot look to it, IMHO a more common color than Montana sapphires in regards to jewelry, I think it's a safer bet, as it's a color someone is used to seeing in a gemstone.

just trying to give the OP options he said he would consider yellow green upthread, I'm sure he can decide if it works for him and his GF

 

[MollyMalone]

Although I really like half-moons as side stones, that James Allen mounting doesn't grab me. The pavé may be better in real life than how it's coming across in the video on my computer, but leaving that aside, the halos are disproportionately "thick"/wide imo for the 6.6 mm** center stone. So to me, the net effect of the side stones + halos is distractingly "clunky"; draws attention away from the center stone, rather than enhancing it. My 2 cents.

I hate to see you make yourself nuts, Grommet, trying to "beat the clock"... especially since you two have never discussed e-rings, so you can't be certain what most appeals to her (in my case, I was also happy that he had not gone ahead & purchased the ring because what he would have given me at the time he proposed was very different, and a lot more expensive, than my wishes). But if my previous post didn't reassure you that it's A-OK to propose empty-handed, a token -- like the Pandora bead that koolchicken's now husband surprised her with -- or a wedding band, as diablo2man recently decided
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...e-choices.197210/page-2#post-3593010#p3593010
would be endearing.

** P.S. If you've not already seen this, here's the very handy gemstone shapes-mm chart that Natural Sapphire Company has posted on their web site. Print the PDF as per their instructions (no scaling) & you'll have a very useful visual aid:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/pdf/stone mm dimensions.pdf

 

[MollyMalone]

Adding another mounting style to the suggestions here. A delicate halo (micro pavé) with reverse, split shank -- the splits come towards the center stone (reflecting the fact you are blending your two families) rather than away from it, as is usually seen:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-first-coloured-diamond-thanks-dbl.176538/

 

[digdeep]

http://blazengems.com/store/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=759


This is a very affordable Montana sapphire and appeals to me. You can't complain that the photo is flooded with light, but he would gladly send more photo's if you are interested in this stone!

 

[deskjockey]

http://blazengems.com/store/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=759


This is a very affordable Montana sapphire and appeals to me. You can't complain that the photo is flooded with light, but he would gladly send more photo's if you are interested in this stone!

I bet it's very pretty in person. Definitely would shop from that vendor if I was looking for another montana (actually, I may be, for a small bridesmaid's gift

 

[GregS]

Go it without the ring. Pick yourself up a wedding band and propose with that. She wants green, you may be setting yourself up with a grayish/greenish/yellowish/blue Montana Sapphire.

I know you are opposed to diamonds, but perhaps a diamond center stone accented with Tsavorite melee's would satisfy her.

 

[minousbijoux]

Go it without the ring. Pick yourself up a wedding band and propose with that. She wants green, you may be setting yourself up with a grayish/greenish/yellowish/blue Montana Sapphire.

I know you are opposed to diamonds, but perhaps a diamond center stone accented with Tsavorite melee's would satisfy her.

Totally agree. I would not settle. The JA ring is a glass half full by my way of thinking. It sorta gives you a green stone (not well cut so that at the slightest angle a window is always present), it sorta gives you the representation of the blending families (but only halfway, ha ha). The one thing it gives you is a return period?! Not a reason to get a ring at all.

Chartreuse is not green, it is chartreuse. Chrysoberyls, which it sounds like you would not consider anyway, are not green. With one notable exception: Vanadium chrysoberyls, which, unfortunately, would practically chew up your entire budget (stones are rare and in demand and much, much more expensive than their yellow counterparts).

It would be good if you had the time to ascertain the color of the green. I agree with Starzin that something like that Gemfix Montana would be lovely and green, but it really comes down to what you both like. I love the setting that you picked out for the blending family reason. You have been given a lot to think about!

 

[GregS]

I'm glad you came along MB, the diamond/tsavorite(?) ring in your avatar is a lovely example of what I was referring to.

 

[Niel]

Chartreuse is not green, it is chartreuse. Chrysoberyls, which it sounds like you would not consider anyway, are not green. With one notable exception: Vanadium chrysoberyls, which, unfortunately, would practically chew up your entire budget (stones are rare and in demand and much, much more expensive than their yellow counterparts).

Im sure the OP could decide if it was green enough for him. Plus he asked what kind of stones make good e ring stones. Just elaborating.... options never killed anybody. but ill slink away...

Plus up thread he asked for other stones that

Greg - I'm starting to agree with you and now I'm wavering. Diamonds aside - what stones do you think make good engagement ring centerpieces? I'm easily influenced in my weakened state.

 

[partgypsy]

Ooh man. I LOVE colored stones, especially green ones (i never thought about it but my eye color is green, and green is my favorite color). But when you said your girlfriend is traditional, that raised a red flag. Have you asked her in any way, what her ideal engagement ring is? So many women have specific ideas, not just that it be diamond, but what shape, setting, etc. Unless she specifically said something about wanting a colored engagement ring I would not go that route. Instead, either proposing to her sans ring and go shopping together, or getting a traditional (round diamond) engagement ring.

What you ideally want, being able to individually pick out a colored stone, have it in a particular setting, with money back guarantee, is not possible. That is why it is so important to get input from your girlfriend, unless you are totally OK with spending thousands of dollars on a ring she make not like or want to wear.

If you have the funds, I would suggest getting a simple and small green and ring to give to her at the proposal, but letting her know you have the funds to pick out a more traditional ring. Best of both worlds, a memento of the proposal in the color you want, yet she can have input without ruining the surprise.
The people at rocky talky are knowledgeable for helping pick out an awesome stone on a budget. Yeah, you will not be able to get a carat etc ring with your budget but they can work and get something very respectable.
For Etsy, just type in "green sapphire ring" and then you can adjust your price range, and see lots of options.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/105308952/green-sapphire-in-14k-yellow-gold-ring?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=green+sapphire+ring&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=100&ga_max=350&ga_search_type=all

http://www.etsy.com/listing/127527242/little-serenity-9ct-9k-gold-bezel-set?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_search_query=bezel+gold+ring+green&ga_order=price_asc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=100&ga_max=400&ga_page=0&ga_search_type=all

 

[innerkitten]

I don't think it will be that hard to find. There are some on Gemfix ( which was pointed out). Also I wanted to mention I have teal/blue Montana sapphire studs and green eyes, and they really bring out the color of my eyes.

 

[innerkitten]

Chartreuse is not green, it is chartreuse. Chrysoberyls, which it sounds like you would not consider anyway, are not green. With one notable exception: Vanadium chrysoberyls, which, unfortunately, would practically chew up your entire budget (stones are rare and in demand and much, much more expensive than their yellow counterparts).

Im sure the OP could decide if it was green enough for him. Plus he asked what kind of stones make good e ring stones. Just elaborating.... options never killed anybody. but ill slink away...

Don't worry it was a good suggestion anyway You never know.

 

[innerkitten]

http://blazengems.com/store/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=759


This is a very affordable Montana sapphire and appeals to me. You can't complain that the photo is flooded with light, but he would gladly send more photo's if you are interested in this stone!

I bet it's very pretty in person. Definitely would shop from that vendor if I was looking for another montana (actually, I may be, for a small bridesmaid's gift

I bet this one is very pretty. The photos on the site aren't all that great.

 

[innerkitten]

Ooh man. I LOVE colored stones, especially green ones (i never thought about it but my eye color is green, and green is my favorite color). But when you said your girlfriend is traditional, that raised a red flag. Have you asked her in any way, what her ideal engagement ring is? So many women have specific ideas, not just that it be diamond, but what shape, setting, etc. Unless she specifically said something about wanting a colored engagement ring I would not go that route. Instead, either proposing to her sans ring and go shopping together, or getting a traditional (round diamond) engagement ring.

What you ideally want, being able to individually pick out a colored stone, have it in a particular setting, with money back guarantee, is not possible. That is why it is so important to get input from your girlfriend, unless you are totally OK with spending thousands of dollars on a ring she make not like or want to wear.

If you have the funds, I would suggest getting a simple and small green and ring to give to her at the proposal, but letting her know you have the funds to pick out a more traditional ring. Best of both worlds, a memento of the proposal in the color you want, yet she can have input without ruining the surprise.
The people at rocky talky are knowledgeable for helping pick out an awesome stone on a budget. Yeah, you will not be able to get a carat etc ring with your budget but they can work and get something very respectable.
For Etsy, just type in "green sapphire ring" and then you can adjust your price range, and see lots of options.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/105308952/green-sapphire-in-14k-yellow-gold-ring?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=green+sapphire+ring&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=100&ga_max=350&ga_search_type=all

http://www.etsy.com/listing/127527242/little-serenity-9ct-9k-gold-bezel-set?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_search_query=bezel+gold+ring+green&ga_order=price_asc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=100&ga_max=400&ga_page=0&ga_search_type=all

OT: I've never seen this etsy vendor before. Nice pieces!

 

[FrekeChild]

Obviously chartreuse isn't the color of her eyes. But the sentiment of saying you picked a shade of green because her eyes are green is the same. And frankly I doublt her eyes will be the color of those Montanas sapphire either.

Interesting. I chose some of those because they are similar to the color of my own eyes.

 

[deskjockey]

http://blazengems.com/store/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=759


This is a very affordable Montana sapphire and appeals to me. You can't complain that the photo is flooded with light, but he would gladly send more photo's if you are interested in this stone!

I bet it's very pretty in person. Definitely would shop from that vendor if I was looking for another montana (actually, I may be, for a small bridesmaid's gift

I bet this one is very pretty. The photos on the site aren't all that great.

I actually looked there when I was looking for my e-ring stone. The additional photos he sent were great - not the high-definition types you see at gemfix but he lined all the stones up that I was interested in, and took pictures in about every kind of lighting imaginable (direct sun, shade, flourescent, etc). It was extremely helpful and there were two I was very seriously interested in until I happened on the etsy one.

 

[pregcurious]

Go it without the ring. Pick yourself up a wedding band and propose with that. She wants green, you may be setting yourself up with a grayish/greenish/yellowish/blue Montana Sapphire.

I know you are opposed to diamonds, but perhaps a diamond center stone accented with Tsavorite melee's would satisfy her.

I agree with this. I had a image of what I wanted in my dream ring, and I recently just got in a reset (after 15 years of marriage). My husband looked at my reset and sad, "uh, I wouldn't have been able to figure that out." You can get piece of jewelry that makes the proposal romantic, than let her have her way with the ring. She has to wear it everyday so it's nice for her to get what she really wants.

I tried to explain this to my husband, and he only understood after I made the analogy of my choosing a wedding ring for him. If I got him something he didn't like, and he had to wear it everyday for the rest of his life, he might not be 100% happy about it.

 

[digdeep]

Grommet?? Can you hear me?? Is your heart beating and your lungs inflating?? Sorry, this is a bit overwhelming and I'm not you! LOL!! You are getting a ton of advice, information and opinions. Ultimately you can (and will) decide what is romantic for your proposal. On that note I'm going to chime in on something mentioned earlier by KoolChicken. There are some reasonably priced stones that have been listed or can be found by people on this board, or yourself. Meaning less dollars, not more. IF you see one that you like (it's your gift!) then buy it and present it to her. She can decide if she wants it in her engagement ring, wedding band, a wedding pendant OR if she will put it in a Right Hand Ring for special occasions. I think giving her a band without a stone would be a bit of a shock to most women.......but a stone without a ring would mean "Let's get this party started!" So on top of all the other information-----here's this option too. Of course, getting the party started may mean stepping away from the gift stone, but that's a dance the two of you can do together. If you see one you like, at a reasonable price for the proposal, buy it. It's a gift from you........

 

[grommet]

OK y'all - after looking at about 1000 different rings and taking your feedback to heart, I've made a decision.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/163943638/green-sapphire-engagement-ring-pear-halo?ref=shop_home_active_38

It has the right combination of design, return policy, price, and ability to deliver by Valentine's day. I realize the photo on the website is a stock photo but I talked to the owner (who also will set the stone) and she assured me what I get will be a beautiful piece and will not skimp on quality of materials or workmanship.

I'll post a few more updates just to close the loop (including whether my girlfriend even likes it!). Thanks again for the feedback and discussion. It's been invaluable!

 

[digdeep]

CONGRATULATIONS!! Let the fun begin!

 

[grommet]

Thanks - I just realized there was a TON of updates to this thread before I responded. Doh!

I feel most comfortable giving her an actual piece of finished jewelry (call me old fashioned). That said, because of the very real risk that she won't 1000% love it as an everyday, forever kind of ring...the return policy gives us the ability to go in a different direction. At least with me making the initial purchase it opens up the possibility of going off-script and doing something unique.

That said, what's most important is the proposal itself! This is all context to the bigger thing on the table.

 

[deskjockey]

Oh yay! Be sure to post pictures when you get it

Also, just so you can see this, another PSer had a green sapphire halo ring done, you can see it here:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-green-sapphire-done-or-part-3.195802/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-green-sapphire-done-or-part-3.195802/[/URL]

 

[Starzin]

Grommet I'm so pleased for you that, despite the overwhelm, you've managed to make a decision and it still retains the "pair" symbolism! It's a very pretty ring and the vendor's bio seems to indicate she knows her stuff so hopefully no windows

It's great that you have spoken to her and hopefully the suggestions here helped you make an informed decision.
I love that you have stuck to your original inspiration to give a green sapphire and hope that everything goes smoothly and on time. You've checked the return policy and that's important for your peace of mind (and pocket).

Our payment is knowing the end of the story! Pictures, pictures and more pictures when you get the ring and hand shots when she accepts please

That said, what's most important is the proposal itself! This is all context to the bigger thing on the table.

We've got a forum for that too https://www.pricescope.com/community/forums/proposal-ideas.4/

 

[royalstarrynight]

Congrats Gommet for sweeding through all of that and selecting a lovely ring!

A word of caution. The picture that is used for the etsy posting is a CAD (Computer Aided Design), meaning it's not an actual picture of the ring. Check carefully for workmanship and whether the color and cut matches your expectations. If not, there's always the return policy!