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newbie looking for sapphire engagement ring

gpho

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 29, 2017
Messages
8
I stumbled on PS and have been amazed at the wealth of knowledge and friendliness of the community here. As someone completely new to jewelry/colored stones, I have been pretty overwhelmed trying to learn from other threads, and decided to just go ahead and post my own.

My gf is a very different girl -- she's not girly at all and doesn't wear jewelry (doesn't even have pierced ears). The e-ring to her feels like a necessity that she doesn't really want or have strong opinions about. Her only request is to have no diamonds, and for something that isn't flashy or gaudy. But I still want to get here something nice, that is good value but not very expensive ($2k-$4k total budget -- she specifically asked for something not too $$), and that she may grow to like wearing over the years.

Because she doesn't want diamonds, and because she loves the color blue, I've been looking into sapphire rings. Before ever coming across PS, I originally bought (and later returned) a sapphire ring from James Allen. I liked their website and the ability to look at many sapphires up close, and ease of use of having a completed ring from one vendor (free engraving was great also). However, I wasn't too happy with the sapphire color when it came (looked pale and purplish in certain lighting), and so I returned it. And I later found out via PS that the quality of sapphires at JA isn't that great.

So I'm now trying to look for a better sapphire via PS, but the number of vendors seems overwhelming -- and it seems riskier to buy the stone and ring separately and fit them together. Also my experience with JA makes it hard for me to trust any of the pictures.

Would appreciate any advice you can give! To sum up, the parameters I'm working with is:
- $2k-$4k total
- vibrant, colorful sapphire that is of good value
- simple, classy setting with no extra diamonds (not gaudy)
- prefer one vendor for both stone and setting if possible with quality, easy-to-use service

To be honest, even after reading this forum a bunch, I'm tempted to just go back to JA and pick a more $ sapphire, discussing more with their staff, and hope it turns out better -- to me their service is top-notch and easy to use. But I'm perhaps hoping people here will try to convince me otherwise.

Many thanks in advance!
 
What's your timeline? I suggest you look through the recommended vendor list. Nothing beats looking at stones in person and checking them out with different lighting. If you tell us what you're looking for (shape, secondary colour etc) we can potentially give you some recommendations too!
You can also consider getting a stone commissioned. Search up Jeff White among others and you'll see what it's about.

There's no price on this one, but it could fall in your range:
http://www.precisiongem.com/gemstackpage/gems.php?product/page/1080/Gem+1913+-+Blue+Sapphire
 
Thanks, mahaha. I'd like to have it by beginning of July, late June if possible.

To be honest, the vendor list is simply overwhelming. Is there any way to know which are close to where I am in Boston so I can see in person? Or is this all online purchase only?

As for shape - round is great, greenish/teal tint is better than purple. The sapphire link you suggested looks really great. But again it feels risky without knowing who to go for setting. Do most people here pore over every vendor for stones and settings until they find what they want? Because I don't think either me or my gf are very picky. Just asking as a newbie...
 
I'm a newbie too. I learned a lot on this forum and as well as looking at stones in person. I had no choice but to have the stones shipped to me (Canada) and then me returning it when it wasn't "the one". I spent a lot in shipping, but if you find one that you and your gf would like, it would be worth it. After all, she'd be wearing it "forever". If you find some large vendors with multiple stones you want to see, you can consider flying there.

I'm not sure about Boston, maybe you can search the forums to see if anyone mentioned anything. You can also search for setters, there are a few highly recommended people who can set the stones. Not trying to show any preference, but David Klass rings a bell. I personally have someone local to do it for me. You can also try to ask around at local shops to see who they would recommend.

Greenish/teal should be cheaper than violet secondary colours. But since violet is more desirable, I think it will be harder to find green ones. I did exactly what you said. I went through everyone on the list, and looked at a bunch of other people's pictures for inspiration.

If you're not picky and don't want to go through the hassle, then maybe the JA option is the way to go.
 
Congratulations!

Now, take a deep breath - you've got this :)

Are you thinking of something like a solitare setting? One thing to figure out is how much to budget for a setting vs stone, and then find the perfect stone.

I'd say start off with a couple of sites and just look at stones to see what catches your eye. Don't worry so much about size or price, just get a feel for colors, shapes, and what a well cut stone looks like. Low stress, just looking at pics :) Maybe start with gemfix - they have a reasonably sized inventory with pics - enough to have variation but not so much (hopefully) to be too overwhelming.

If something catches you eye,you could post examples of what you like and people here love to hunt down more stones to help :)

Be aware that some people have had stones scooped by lurkers in the past. I havent heard this happening recently, but sometimes the internet can be crewl :(

Ideally, you'd be able to see the stone in person before its set. I get that time or budget or other constraints can prevent that, but seeing in person is always better than looking at pics!

If we're able to find something that could fit in a 'stock' setting, it would probably be something a local jeweler could do. But I get the desire to do everything in one stop. Do you have any local non-big-box jewelers nearby, just in case?
 
How does she feel about yellow or pink?
 
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I agree that ET is a good place to look if teal is of interest, though he has lots of other nice colors too :)

Here's a couple from that site that jumped out at me in a quick look

On the green side:
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/0-90-carat-teal-blue-montana-sapphire-heated/

http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-15-carat-spruce-green-montana-sapphire/

A nice blue:
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-32-carat-cornflower-blue-montana-sapphire-heated

Just in case orange appeals:
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/0-97-carat-bright-orange-montana-sapphire/
 
I'd contact Yvonne and ask her if she'd consider splitting up this pair: https://www.etsy.com/listing/519884..._query=blue+sapphire&ref=shop_items_search_29

Explain what the ring is for, your desires and your budget. :) I really love those blues and I think the size would be perfect for you're wanting. And if she doesn't want to, ask if she has anything similar.

Then I'd see if her bench can set it in this setting in the metal you want:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/233604413/sterling-silver-fishtail-ring-purple?ref=shop_home_active_24
 
Thanks everyone for the recs!

@mahaha, thanks - I'm actually going to visit a few local shops today, just to get a better feel of things. I combed through the forum to find a few stores in Boston (Amoroso, DePrisco, SkyLight) that seem to have expertise on colored stones according to PS'ers.
Btw, what does "commissioning" a stone mean?

@chroman, thanks for the recs and encouragement :) She's def not into pink or yellow or orange, so I am almost certainly set on some variant of blue -- on the colorful/lighter side, with teal hints but not too strong.

I like most of the stones posted so far. The ET ones are all great, except the spruce green one. I really like the colors of the teal blue one from ET, and the cornflower one. Not sure how I feel about the trillion cut. The smaller ones from Yvonne are also really nice, and but the Pearlman rec def seems too dark (very attracted by the single vendor option tho, hehe). But I really don't know how to judge bc don't people use diff lighting for pictures? Still not sure how to judge what a well cut stone looks like, but maybe the visit in person today will help.
 
@gpho, commissioning a stone to my understanding is... you go to a lapidary and tell them what you want. They look through their inventory of roughs and sees if there's anything that matches what you want. If yes, you pay them a deposit, and they cut that stone for you. It takes a bit longer and usually its final sale. So you'll be taking more of a risk, I think the price may but lower though but that's something you'll have to discuss with the cutter.
 
After talking to a jeweler yesterday, and looking through some ideas, I think I have one that she would like.

I'm thinking about flanking the center sapphire with two pear-shaped or marquise-shaped aquamarine stones (similar to my previous design, but with aquas instead of diamonds, and a nicer center sapphire).

I want the center stone to be a more royal blue and sparkling -- similar to the Yvonne ones suggested by @SparkliesLuver but maybe a bit larger, to contrast well with the aquamarines (teal + aqua may look too similar?). Shooting for a 6mm center stone, budgeting about $1k for the stone.

What do you guys think of the sapphire + aqua combo? The jeweler said she could probably find the aquas herself, but I may shop for those too -- not sure where to start looking for pairs of pears tho.
 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/491326...ed-beryl-trillion-cut?ref=shop_home_active_44

Try searching for "unheated aqua", which is usually a greener color than what the market likes for aqua. Heat treatment causes the color to shift from greenish to blueish, and becomes more marketable. (See above link for an example - i cant seem to paste it in the right place.. Grr)

Some folks like the greener color, and others like the bluer :) Finding the more blue material will be easier, but its all about what you want (provided you're comfortable with the wear on aqua side stones)

Back on the sapphire front - would an oval be of interest? These both look like they have a nice blue color (though, not teal) and are close to your price point. 1k might be tight to hit though.

https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1232
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1209
 
I have been working with a local vendor in Boston, and have almost pulled the trigger on the following sapphire-aqua combo (taken using my phone camera).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fsqhtwz0fj4f8hr/IMG_20170615_143454.jpg?dl=0

The center sapphire is a Ceylon, 5.5mm, 0.94 ct. However the price point she gave me was $2700, which seems more $$ than anything I've seen on Pearlman's or Gemfix for this size, and a bit above what I was planning to pay. Am I wrong about this -- eg: are there other reputed vendors that sell quality gems at this size, that are valued in this price range?

Perhaps it's hard to see in the picture (I should have taken more and/or a video), but I was really blown away by the color, saturation, and brilliance of the stone in person. I just want to make I'm not getting ripped off. My vendor, who I generally trust and is not paid by commission, says that this stone is priced high because of the combination of color, clarity, and a velvety feel to it that is due to some microscopic silk.

What do you guys think?
 
Looks great! It's always hard to tell with only pictures. But more importantly is how you feel about it. If you've seen enough stones and this one really wows you, then I'd say that's worth something. is $2700 only for the centre stone or for all 3? I followed up with the post and seems like you're looking for a $1k budget right? I was going to tell you to go for it, but since it's much much over your budget, you'll have to be comfortable with that.

The ET ones look nice and are within your budget. Maybe you can bring some in to look at it in person side by side. Maybe even with the aquas beside it too. That will help a lot.
 
Personal experience with vendors - people who have "good eye for sapphires" are Gary Braun from Finewatergems and Andrew Gulij from Gemfix. JMO. Africagems has excellent stones, but the prices seem to be higher.

As to the ring, I once bought a tourmaline and ordered a setting from Jeff Davies, and all of it was very affordable and he did a good job. He might have sapphires, too, the one he is selling (a recut) will probably be way higher than your budget, but he has different stones. Jeff takes photos in UV light or something like it, so you may ask for several photos, in different lights, but worth a check given the fact that you can order the setting from him, too.

Sometimes Litnon has either sapphires that are competitively priced, or even rings - from time to time I check their inventory as their prices are OK.
 
honestly if I was under a time deadline I would contact wink jones of high performance diamonds, and have him put together a ring. It sounds like your fiancé may like a bezel set stone.
 
@mahaha, it's $2700 for just the sapphire, but just an additional $85 for the aqua pears.
With the setting at $650 it's within my total budget of $4k. I really am thinking about going for it, but wanted to do my homework and make sure I wasn't wildly overpaying.

I actually bought two ET stones (one teal and one aqua-ish), but I returned them because I really love this deep blue sapphire + aqua combo instead.

@Arkteia, @elle_71125 -- thanks for the recs, I'll look into them as potential alternatives.
 
gemfix has some really nice stones. Just keep in mind that his photos are a little lighter/brighter than the actual stone. If you are not sure your fiancé would prefer with greenish undertones, I would go for a blue stone, even if had a tinge of violet, because that is more the trade ideal and is timeless.
I didn't look at all of them but these 2 caught my eye, as either could be set in a simple setting but still be very eye catching (aka gorgeous!).
pear 8x6.5 (2 carats)
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1284
2.14 ct oval
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1217
 
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