Putting small cheap-ish sapphire in expensive setting?

[blushmint]

I think I’ve found a Montana Sapphire from GemFix that I love but would it be crazy to have it set in a victor canera halo?

Or rather is it ridiculous in general to spend so much on a setting compared to the stone?

I’m already married but have never had a ring, this will be my engagment/wedding/anniversary ring all in one. Right now I’m leaning towards a colored stone but am still considering a diamond.

 

[Bron357]

Unfortunately any hand made ring setting is expensive due to the time and skill required to create the setting. Many of us have a modest cost but very beautiful gemstone (Amythest,Citrine, garnet, blue topaz for example) set in much more expensive setting because we love the colour and look of the gemstone. People will even set a Cubic Zirconia (worth just a few dollars) into a lovely ring setting.
A Montana sapphire is a quality gem, not as expensive as diamond, but still very beautiful and deserving of a fine ring.
If you have the funds, my advice is buy what you love and set it exactly how you want.

 

[elle_71125]

If you can spare the money, I’d say go for it. This will be your e-ring / anniversary ring / wedding ring. How can it be a mistake to set any stone in a setting you love. I don’t care if it’s a crazy expensive diamond or an inexpensive amethyst. If you love the sapphire and the setting, you’re bound to be crazy about them together.

 

[Bluegemz]

My opinion is that If the stone moves you for any reason, it’s worth celebrating with a nice setting! Part of this decision has to do with how we determine the value of a jewelry piece. There are many values, and I can appreciate many of them, as reflected in my way of collecting jewelry.


Some related, personal stories....please skip if not interested lol!

,I’ve done this so far with a number of pieces. The one story with the ‘cheapest ‘ stone involved a natural Vonsen’s blue nephrite jade pebble which my husband found on the beach at Point Reyes, California. Though this is a rare type of nephrite jade, there is a only a specific, niche market for it. Probably not worth much, because ‘value’ is often driven by popularity and exposure. And with this stone, a lack of mass marketing and extremely limited supply means questionable and ‘low’ value. It was worth so much to me to have it set in a ring which I would wear since it represents a soul of the land, the gentle, muted color reminds me of the Oak trees with their greyish, green/blue hue, and of the memory of both togetherness and of my childhood growing up nearby. That is a value’ which means a lot to me. I paid well over 3k for a setting made by a local sculptor/jewelry artist ( another value for me is in hand work and supporting those that do this work, as budget allows) , and added in a diamond. Worth every penny because I wear it. Sometimes less expensive stones have a great and wonderful individuality which are worthy of a more expensive ‘presentation’. I believe that one must trust in what the heart feels when it comes to stones, whether expensive or not.

Most recently, I purchased a parti colored sapphire which was not overly expensive. I adore the soul of the stone.... feeling connected to it , as it is Ike a visual metaphor for so many parts of my life, the dark and the light, the conscious and the unconscious, the physical and the spiritual, both parts reflecting and influencing the other, like a hall of mirrors. It speaks to me about persona and soul.... I decided that I want to have a custom setting made for it because of my adoration for it. I have looked at common variations on ring designs for it, but the stone would just die in those designs given its ‘personalty’. It really needs a setting which expresses and carries out the feeling of the stone. Unless I get really lucky in finding a preexisting setting, it has to be custom, and therefore more expensive. I’m happy to do it because that creates a full value, in personal expression and in meaning. It’s Like a ritual to have a beloved stone set which one loves!

 

[Miki Moto]

Hi! I think the setting makes or breaks a stone, and for a colored gemstone, to me... it is all about the setting. For me, a diamond is all about the diamond and I prefer a simple solitaire setting.

However, for colored gemstones, I love blinging out! I say go for it. For what it's worth, I bought a nice sapphire and it was set in the classic sapphire, two side diamonds look. Well, I purchased a blingy JB Star semi-mount for it, and the ring now pops! The setting costs more than the stone itself.

And by the way, no Montana sapphire to me is a cheapy stone. I have a Ceylon sapphire, to some, it's not perfectly cut and has a window. To me, I love it and love the window as its signature and I can stare into the sapphire.

I am super glad I did it! I think you should too! Good luck!

 

[Dandi]

@blushmint if you love the stone and can afford an expensive setting, then I feel it's a no brainer, do what feels right. I bet it's a beautiful stone!

Not really related, but @Bluegemz I just loved reading your post! You paint an exquisite picture of your stones and what they mean to you, it was just a really beautiful read.

 

[Acinom]

You might like to read this thread about low cost stones in high cost settings:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/low-cost-stones-in-high-cost-settings-poll.212074/

If you love the stone and it’s really beautiful to your eyes, I see no problem in setting it in a high cost setting. Especially since you have an actual Montana sapphire from Gemfix.

I have set a zircon and blue topaz in a Victor Canera setting (see the halo rings below). And I have not regretted it for a second. For me it is all about the total look.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Hiiiiii

hehe age old dilemma we have on this forum! I think the setting is as important as the stone. I can't wear a ring if I don't enjoy the setting! To me they are both equal so I have spent several times the cost of a stone on a setting!

If it will make you happy and you have the funds go for it! The end result will be a piece of art, rather than I spent $xyx on this and that.

I will admit I have often felt guilty and started a thread on this myself but I've made peace with it now!

 

[ChanterelleJ]

I agree, there is nothing wrong with a fine setting for an affordable stone. Try to see it this way: a cheap stone in an expensive setting is way better for your budget than an expensive stone in an expensive setting, so you are actually saving

 

[metall]

I would definitely say go for it! I mean diamond lovers do the opposite...putting all budget into the stone and then buying a cheap setting for it. It really is about what setting/stone combination makes you happy? And what combination will you wear the most? Its almost detrimental to put the stone in a cheap setting if it diminishes the look of your sapphire or if you wont wear it...

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

People put inexpensive synthetics in expensive settings all the time. So the cost of the gem should not be the main consideration in choosing the setting. The fact that you love your gemstone and it is pleasing to your eye means it deserves a setting that you want to view it in.

 

[blushmint]

If you have the funds, my advice is buy what you love and set it exactly how you want.

If you love the sapphire and the setting, you’re bound to be crazy about them together.

I really do love both the stone and the setting

I’m happy to do it because that creates a full value, in personal expression and in meaning. It’s Like a ritual to have a beloved stone set which one loves!

Thank you so much for sharing your anecdotes! Even though this is my first foray into the world of jewels I think I understand where you are coming from.

 

[blushmint]

For me, a diamond is all about the diamond and I prefer a simple solitaire setting.

However, for colored gemstones, I love blinging out!

This is basically how I got in this situation! I love blingy halos but when I tried it on with a diamond center stone it just didn’t do it for me.

@blushmint if you love the stone and can afford an expensive setting, then I feel it's a no brainer, do what feels right

My budget is about ~$10,000. So I guess part of my hesitation is that I wasn’t originally intending to come in under budget

You might like to read this thread about low cost stones in high cost settings:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/low-cost-stones-in-high-cost-settings-poll.212074/

If you love the stone and it’s really beautiful to your eyes, I see no problem in setting it in a high cost setting. Especially since you have an actual Montana sapphire from Gemfix.

I have set a zircon and blue topaz in a Victor Canera setting (see the halo rings below). And I have not regretted it for a second. For me it is all about the total look.

It was actually your rings that inspired me! Especially the milgrain halo

If it will make you happy and you have the funds go for it! The end result will be a piece of art, rather than I spent $xyx on this and that.

I will admit I have often felt guilty and started a thread on this myself but I've made peace with it now!

I love the idea of jewelry as wearable art and I think people like Victor Canera really capture that perfectly!

And what combination will you wear the most?

I did feel a little hesitant because what if it doesn’t match my outfit or something. But that’s silly because my eyes are blue anyway haha ‍

 

[Acinom]

Victor indeed creates wearable art! You will be able to wear your stone every day! A sapphire will match a t-shirt as well as a pretty dress and will be stunning with everything you wear.

So flattered you were inspired by my rings. Could you share a photo of your stone? I would love to see it

 

[blushmint]

Victor indeed creates wearable art! You will be able to wear your stone every day! A sapphire will match a t-shirt as well as a pretty dress and will be stunning with everything you wear.

So flattered you were inspired by my rings. Could you share a photo of your stone? I would love to see it

I haven’t bought it yet
I fear if I post the link here someone else will get to it befofe I do haha

Is there a way to send a direct message on here?

 

[Acinom]

I haven’t bought it yet
I fear if I post the link here someone else will get to it befofe I do haha

Is there a way to send a direct message on here?

Whahahaha! Please reserve the stone as you have mentioned the name of the possible vendor in your first post. And indeed do not post it here until you have reserved or bought it.
Mmm, I think direct messaging is still not possible on PS unfortunately. Hope someone corrects me if I am wrong

 

[metall]

My budget is about ~$10,000. So I guess part of my hesitation is that I wasn’t originally intending to come in under budget.

I did feel a little hesitant because what if it doesn’t match my outfit or something. But that’s silly because my eyes are blue anyway haha ‍

I think if properly executed an engagement ring in any color/metal etc will look like what it is supposed to be....an ering. It should just match/represent you.

Haha isnt staying in budget a good thing? Take the rest of the money and go on a second honeymoon!....

Or.....not that i want you to blow your budget or think that if this is your dream stone you should forgo it....but if you want to use your whole budget....perhaps....go for a bigger stone?

 

[blushmint]

My husband isn’t convinced about going with a sapphire or even buying a ring in the US at all.

We are moving to Korea permanently at the end of August and going house hunting there the first week of July. DH wants to go ring shopping while we are there. If I don’t find something I like then we can buy in the US.

That won’t leave much time to have a ring made at all. I feel like I’m being selfish, ungrateful and too picky. ‍