Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh Yes!

[juxtaposed]

Hi!
My name is Jeni. I've been in love with alex for years. I used to have a beautiful princess cut but it was robbed.

I am pleased to say I hope to be engaged soon. I am willing to wait for the right stone though. As a modern couple I told my hubby to be about my "needs/requirements" for a rock. He has basically told me his budget, $10, and set me loose.
My ideal engagement ring would be a princess cut alex solitaire with the prongs twisted so that it sits at an angle like a diamond rather than a square if you can envision this. I notice that princess cut are rare. I only see eensy teensy ones. This is somewhat devastating to me since I really prefer a square cut. I do like trillion as well. Oval and round are probably my least favorite.
1 thing I see repeated though is "Get the best stone for your money."

Everyone is referred to David. I've browsed his selection a number of times throughout the years. Lovely.
I've also browsed alexandrite from ajsgems.com khazargems.com, awesomegems.com, and gemsny.com to name a few. Are these vendors worthy of considering?



I really appreciate the wisdom, everybody. Thank you!

 

[psproot12]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

I'm sorry, but I don't think anybody can help you if your budget is $10 Honest mistake, I'm guessing it is 10k?

As for the vendors, if you simply search the vendors name on pricescope, you'll find dozens of testimonials for each one. I also recommend checking out ebay, there is a lot of junk on there but if it comes with an AGL prestige report you should be fine (GIA actually carries some risk with it: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-misses-synthetic-alexandrite.175798/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-misses-synthetic-alexandrite.175798/[/URL]).

Good luck!

 

[chrono]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

A princess and trilliant cut will be an extremely long wait, regardless of colour quality. Ovals will be the most common though.

I would recommend this exceptional alexandrite except that it is a round but you dislike rounds. As an FYI, David is sometimes open to removing the stone from the setting to sell the stone separately. If you like anything that is already set, it is worth asking whether he will sell you just the alexandrite.
http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-and-white-diamond-gold-ring-00101592/overview/181/10/7

This trilliant is probably much too small for you? The colour change is very strong and the both colour-ways are pleasing.
http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-white-diamond-and-white-gold-ring-00108492/overview/181/10/4

Slightly elongated cushion
http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-white-diamond-and-white-gold-ring-00110129/overview/181/10/2

 

[juxtaposed]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

I'm sitting here... looking over this picture of various settings that I would consider... and I just noticed that I think I could do a round in a setting like the #1.
That's good since it's likely that round or oval will be the shape. (since that is what is out there... from what I see)

What does everybody think of this one? http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1508734739

I don't know much about saturation, browns, greys, cuts, inclusions, okay nothing. I know hardly anything.
I do know what color change I prefer. I adore the bright teal/pink purply color combination.

 

[Niel]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

This is quite similar to number 4 and might be flexible with the shape

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/emily-14k-white-gold-5924w14?desktop

 

[chrono]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

What does everybody think of this one? http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1508734739
I do know what color change I prefer. I adore the bright teal/pink purply color combination.

The colour change has a lot of bleeding (very incomplete) and it never really gets to the reddish purple side of the spectrum. Combine that with the flatness of the stone and window, I would keep looking. Again, I highly suggest you ask David whether he will remove this stone from the setting and sell only the stone to you. The colour looks the closest to the example colour you posted. Without the setting, the stone is probably around $7K to $8K thereabouts.
http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-and-white-diamond-gold-ring-00101592/overview/181/10/7

 

[ChrisA222]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

Chrono, I love that ring, but it is over $100K.....

 

[juxtaposed]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

Right... that one ring is priced over $100,000... that's heavily over budget. ??? value dropped that much without the setting/diamonds?


Chrono- I see your posts on many of the threads I've read. Thanks for the advice on the other rock. (http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1508734739) That's incredibly helpful. I will know not to consider it any longer. Thank you.
Is there any way to tag LD into this conversation?

Hmmm... I guess I don't see anything on MC then. Oh no! I've been mostly searching over $2,000 and "finest gems".

 

[juxtaposed]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

excuse me... I didn't perhaps mean to say "value drops" that much... but rather "price" in my previous post

"Right... that one ring is priced over $100,000... that's heavily over budget. ??? value dropped that much without the setting/diamonds?"

 

[chrono]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

Chrono, I love that ring, but it is over $100K.....

When my eyes miss a very importantly placed zero, it's time to take a break. With a new day today and hopefully refreshed eyes, I will look again and make sure I count the correct number of zeros.

 

[chrono]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

Would you consider 7 x 5 mm pear? I looked at all the loose alexandrites but saw nothing nice in his inventory. I like the colouration and completeness of change of this pear. Double checked the zeros to make sure it is within budget ($5273). If David is willing to sell the stone loose, you might be able to get it for less than $4K (I hope).

http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-white-diamond-and-white-gold-ring-00109864/overview/181/10/3

 

[chrono]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

This 7 x 5 mm oval has slightly better colouration than the pear I linked to above. Looks a tad on the shallow side so a more unclosed setting will be very beneficial. Priced at $3700 for the entire ring so the stone alone will be less than $3K. Unfortunately, I could not find any nice alexandrites between 1 and 2 carats.
http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-white-diamond-and-yellow-gold-ring-00105989/overview/181/10/6

 

[Niel]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

what do you think about this.

http://www.africagems.com/emerald-alexandrite-g2k-855322.html

with something like this.

I know its not square, but maybe set E/W it'll fit your requirement for settings. These are two settings i think might fit within your design esthetic but fir an e/w set emerald

ETA i know those pics have diamonds but I'm sure they make them sans diamonds as well

 

[LoversKites]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

What are opinions on this pear? (sorry, I know you didn't ask for pears, just another possibility) http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax547aa/&1624187289

 

[Niel]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

Also, i don't even know if they would do it, but i might ask if they would sell you the left side of this pair on its own.

http://www.africagems.com/alexandrite-g2-1744.html

 

[LoversKites]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

Also, i don't even know if they would do it, but i might ask if they would sell you the left side of this pair on its own.

http://www.africagems.com/alexandrite-g2-1744.html

I highly doubt it considering the premium they could sell it for as a pair. But it's worth asking.

 

[Niel]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

Also, i don't even know if they would do it, but i might ask if they would sell you the left side of this pair on its own.

http://www.africagems.com/alexandrite-g2-1744.html

I highly doubt it considering the premium they could sell it for as a pair. But it's worth asking.

I agree, probably won't, but maybe they'll charge you extra. Who knows. Emails are free so id do it

 

[Andelain]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

What are opinions on this pear? (sorry, I know you didn't ask for pears, just another possibility) http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax547aa/&1624187289

From my experience the stones are much darker than the pics, plus they ding you for a restocking fee when you return the stone.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

I'm sitting here... looking over this picture of various settings that I would consider... and I just noticed that I think I could do a round in a setting like the #1.
That's good since it's likely that round or oval will be the shape. (since that is what is out there... from what I see)

What does everybody think of this one? http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1508734739

I don't know much about saturation, browns, greys, cuts, inclusions, okay nothing. I know hardly anything.
I do know what color change I prefer. I adore the bright teal/pink purply color combination.

I disagree with Chrono on this one. I would seriously consider this stone, flaws and all. It is a good price for its size. When David describes it as "Strong color change with excellent color under any kind of light conditions" that is about as good as it gets. If you can afford it, I would at least contact David about it and ask further questions. It is very likely worth seeing in person if word is encouraging from David.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

What are opinions on this pear? (sorry, I know you didn't ask for pears, just another possibility) http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax547aa/&1624187289

From my experience the stones are much darker than the pics, plus they ding you for a restocking fee when you return the stone.

That's too bad! Is it a large fee or is it not worth it?

 

[chrono]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

From my experience the stones are much darker than the pics, plus they ding you for a restocking fee when you return the stone.

This is news to me and I could not find any reference to a restocking fee on their website. How much is the fee?
http://www.multicolour.com/help/policies/returns.html

 

[chrono]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

I disagree with Chrono on this one. I would seriously consider this stone, flaws and all. It is a good price for its size. When David describes it as "Strong color change with excellent color under any kind of light conditions" that is about as good as it gets. If you can afford it, I would at least contact David about it and ask further questions. It is very likely worth seeing in person if word is encouraging from David.

Minou,
I love the blue green side but for me, it doesn't change enough to the purple red side (staying mostly purple). Of course, the colour change is obvious but I just prefer something with more red. However, as you said, it may be worth a look. But if he charges a restocking fee, that changes things significantly.

 

[Andelain]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

From my experience the stones are much darker than the pics, plus they ding you for a restocking fee when you return the stone.

This is news to me and I could not find any reference to a restocking fee on their website. How much is the fee?
http://www.multicolour.com/help/policies/returns.html

When I bought a sapphire from them that turned out to be almost black they kept 15%.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Oh No! Not Another Alexandrite Engagement Ring Post. Oh

From my experience the stones are much darker than the pics, plus they ding you for a restocking fee when you return the stone.

This is news to me and I could not find any reference to a restocking fee on their website. How much is the fee?
http://www.multicolour.com/help/policies/returns.html

When I bought a sapphire from them that turned out to be almost black they kept 15%.

Wow. That is not insignificant!