Please help!! Chipped Sapphire :(

[Chipped]

Hi guys! I noticed a chip on the facet of the sapphire I am planning to give to my significant other. Besides the chip, I think the ring is perfect!

I am hoping to know whether it is advisable to polish the ring. Expert advice would be well appreciated. Thank you!

 

[gregchang35]

I have a few questions:
Where did you get it from?
Any documentation/ report on the main stone?
Is the price you paid within budget?
What is the return period?
When are you gifting?



More important questions:

What is your SO like with regards to rings. Is this SO style?
Would SO mind the chip
Would SO Like the fact that it is vintage and has all the hallmarks of it- wear and tear



If the stone needs to be polished for a better look for SO (and also yourself as you said it’s perfect except for the chip) - I think it is best to ask a jeweler about polishing the sapphire- can they do it? Perhaps other posters are able to guide on jewelers who can do that.


I like this ring for what it is: a vintage piece with all the history attached to it.
If it were me, this ring would be fine.

If I were gifting it to my SO, I know my SO would want pristine and this ring would not work.


Sorry for the questions. Hope it can help you steer the way you need to go.

 

[chrono]

A chip of that size might not be able to be polished off (need to refacet). It looks quite large and deep.

 

[PrecisionGem]

There is really no such thing as 'polishing' a chip away. Stones are not like gold where it's buffed with a polishing wheel. Stones are ground. This would involve removing the stone from the setting, and grinding away the chip, and then polishing (grinding with a very fine diamond powder) to remove the scratch marks from the coarser grinding. With your stone the entire crown would be recut.

 

[Chipped]

Thank you very much for your replies and explanations!

The ring is from my grandma and I think my SO would love the sentimental value attached to the ring!

There is no documents but I am thinking about getting the stone appraised.

Based on the comments, I am starting to consider buying a new sapphire instead... but I am quite torn as the ring hold significant meaning

Would it be better to refacet the crown or to buy a new sapphire ring?

I am new to gemstones and I do not know how to weigh the benefits/disadvantages of recutting the sapphire VS buying a new sapphire

Please help!!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

If this is just a sentimental gift, why not just have your SO wear it as is?
It's still useable and the imperfection can be a nod to how it was worn and loved by someone you loved. You can always buy or replace the stone, or not, at a later date.

 

[Tourmaline]

Thank you very much for your replies and explanations!

The ring is from my grandma and I think my SO would love the sentimental value attached to the ring!

There is no documents but I am thinking about getting the stone appraised.

Based on the comments, I am starting to consider buying a new sapphire instead... but I am quite torn as the ring hold significant meaning

Would it be better to refacet the crown or to buy a new sapphire ring?

I am new to gemstones and I do not know how to weigh the benefits/disadvantages of recutting the sapphire VS buying a new sapphire

Please help!!

Is this for an engagement ring or just a gift? The side stones are not diamonds, but maybe you know that already. If this is just a gift, give it to her as is. It seems quite worn for an engagement ring.

 

[Chipped]

Its for an engagement ring!

The side stones are diamonds if I am correct as my grandma only frequent reputable jewelers!

 

[lovedogs]

Its for an engagement ring!

The side stones are diamonds if I am correct as my grandma only frequent reputable jewelers!

Unfortunately the side stones aren't diamonds (I am about 95% sure from the photo). Does your SO know you plan to use this ring, and is she ok with it? It looks like costume jewelery to me (which is fine, especially if there's sentimental value), but not what most people would want for an engagement ring.

 

[Ionysis]

I would think the side stones are white sapphires

 

[peacechick]

Would you consider proposing to your SO with this ring, but telling her that it doesn’t have to be her official e-ring and you can shop for her dream ring together? This way you can give her a meaningful surprise but still give her the space to choose what she likes.

I think the sentiment of proposing with Grandma’s ring is lovely but the sapphire clearly has worn facets aside from the chip and I agree with the opinions that the side stones are not diamonds. It would be good if you let your SO make the choice without feeling like she can’t change any aspect of it.

 

[gregchang35]

@peacechick great idea! I hope @Chipped does this!!

 

[whitewave]

I am also of the opinion the side stones aren’t diamonds, But overall the ring needs a good professional cleaning anyway.

At best, I think the side stones in your ring are white sapphires.

 

[LilAlex]

If these are your family's "door-dings," then that's part of the charm, imo.

But: if it detracts from the overall beauty -- meaning it's the first thing she sees in the sun, etc. -- then something should be done.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i love grandma rings
its very pretty
i would be happy to wear it but if it were my ER i think the chip would bother me
but as a highly significant family ring and being the initial proposal ring i would happily wear it with love

white saphires need a lot of regular cleaning to keep them looking sparkly- a lot of the ladies on PS clean their diamonds every day

 

[qubitasaurus]

I think it could take a lot of money and work to fix this ring. Why not talk to her about it? Propose with the ring and then say you can fix it, or you can buy her a new ring and she can hold onto grandma's ring mostly as is for special occasions. Most important thing in a marriage is that both partners feel like they got to make the decision together; it's actually really nice to have this reflected in the proposal.

 

[GliderPoss]

I agree with the others, the sweet sentiment of using this as a gift or temporary engagement ring is lovely idea but perhaps not as THE engagement ring. Your SO could wear it as a right hand ring once you choose an engagement ring together.

 

[seaurchin]

Aw, disappointing news on this thread to be sure. But you are wise to request advice in advance.

A family heirloom ring is a lovely gesture but perhaps not so much as an e-ring. And the center stone here is chipped and the diamonds most likely not real (you can have them tested on the spot and for free at most jewelers or pawn shops). Also, the style of the ring looks dated but not old enough to seem "antique."

In any case, your girlfriend is the one who will, hopefully, be wearing the ring daily for many years. So it's usually preferred and appreciated by women to receive a ring that they really like rather than one that was chosen for them for other reasons or that they otherwise had no choice about (if that's the case here).

I agree with picking out an e-ring together and perhaps giving her this ring as a keepsake instead. I think you can't go wrong that way. Good luck!