Recommendations to replace sapphire earrings

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Hi everyone,
I hope this is ok to post but I'm getting myself rather confused and sapphires a bit difficult to navigate.

I have a pair of sapphire earrings and I'd like to change the sapphires as they are quite dark and one has a big white line running through it, not noticeable when I'm wearing but not pleasing none the less.

So, who would be the best people to contact?

I really want a good looking pair of earrings (and to buy a stone for a pendant potentially) but I only really want to pay up to 4k for the earrings, ideally less (lots of jewellery projects and without touching these I get lots of compliments anyway so spend v's gain). I do understand that it's not a big budget for sapphires and the stones in the earrings aren't tiny but I have no way of knowing how big they may actually be in weight etc to get a rough idea so this may be a totally unreasonable budget anyway.

Thanks is advance

 

[ringo865]

Were you looking to get different stones for your existing settings? Or start from scratch? Can you post a couple pics of the earrings as is?

 

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Thanks for the reply ringo865 I like the existing settings so wanted to just change the stones. Earrings are as follows (next to a cm measure).

I did message DiamondsbyLauren who were really nice and can handle it (I want to get it taken care of next month while I'm visiting the US if possible) but they said likely cost would be $6k - $60 - which I totally understand - depending on what quality you want. I've been mulling over if I want to spend 6k and what I actually really want to get out of this project before I go back to them. Just trying to understand my options.

I really just want them to be a better quality sapphire that is blue rather than darkest navy but of course totally understand there are limitations in quality v's budget.

 

[ringo865]

Yah wow those are large! And match your nails! DBL totally could handle it. They have lovely stuff.

So, the stones you have now are not completely transparent. You could get a lighter color blue, also not completely transparent, which could cost less than transparent stones.

Also, you could get stones that have had heat treatment to improve color or clarity to help stay within budget.

Going $2k to $58k over your budget might not be something that you want to decide upon on in less than one month.

Look around, keep posting, enjoy the hunt and education! People can pitch in with suggestions for stones and vendors.

DBL will be here in march, April, or whenever you find the just-right stones.

You're coming to the US soon. Where do you live?

 

[rockysalamander]

In terms of the color, would something like these suit? They will darken a bit when set, but you could ask for a photo on fingers to get a better sense of that. These are not perfect, but around the right size and well below $8k.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/575163...ga_search_query=pear&ref=shop_items_search_21

https://www.etsy.com/listing/575244...ga_search_query=pear&ref=shop_items_search_20

 

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Ringo865, thank you for that perspective. You are right, its got me thinking about waiting and spending more to get something really special, however I'm still on the fence as to whether I (or anyone else IRL) will really notice that extra money (which I could put to a matching pendant, or the 2ctw diamond earrings I want, or to the engagement ring upgrade, or the emerald pendant, or the diamond pendant.... long wishlist). I was awake thinking about it last night and convinced myself I should wait till maybe next year and go for replacing them with a bigger budget..

Then I saw the links from Rockysalamander - these look good. Obviously not that true royal blue I was hoping (and probably won't get anyway) for but much less under budget and could probably make me happy and have funds to add to other projects I have on my list. Do you know if PristineGemstones is a good place to buy from?

The main disadvantages I can see of the first link is the colour may be a little light - but they will probably darken a bit in the settings and would be a vast improvement on what I already have. The second link looks a bit cloudy and maybe a little dark - is that right?

I'm expecting to buy treated sapphires, that's fine with me. I just want something good looking and would rather spend a bit more and love it than it just be ok.

Thanks for all your help so far!

 

[rockysalamander]

I like Rogerio's cutting and they are very nice. They stones are precision cut and I think well photographed. You can see they don't try to kind color zoning when it occurs. To me, they are both very nice options if they fit your setting that don't require a huge investment.

To evaluate the color, I would ask them to show them on a hand. That will give you a better sense.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I think the ones in the first link sparkle nicely and will look darker once set.

It's hard to balance budget with gemstone desires. If these will keep you happy with your earrings and let you get other projects done then I think you should go for them. HTH