Reset or forget? Sapphire woes

[Ol-Blue]

I have a complicated relationship with this ring.

I’m wondering if a reset will save this partnership, if we should break up (sell) or continue therapy to accept it as is
Backstory

I bought this preloved

This was a Julia B custom ring

It is beautiful however the shank design had “corners” that bothered my fingers by rubbing on them

So I altered the ring and paid to have 3/4 shank rebuilt by my local jeweler The ring is now more rounded and smooth as well as more substantial. While not as aesthetically pleasing as before, it is much more comfortable and you cant tell before to after when on the finger anyhow but it does change the design

My issue, I just don’t feel the ring looks good on my wide finger. I need something with more coverage

I would like a halo, but not custom$ since this will be a right hand ring.

I found a reasonable premade setting on ivy and rose

I have to say every time I think I want to sell it, I put this ring on, catch it in certain light and it takes my breath away! I just love this stone!

Oh here’s the details on the stone as sold to me :
“untreated Ceylon sapphire, 1.17 ct, 6.3 in diameter
Medium blue color si1 clarity ( small veil on edge)”

*FYI I cannot see the veil but I’m not expert I just see sparkle

So here are my options

1) Reset into ivy and rose $395 for new setting plus setting fee
* then I will be stuck with current setting and not sure it’s saleable at this point since I altered it

2)* try to sell the whole ring as is Maybe recoup $600? Save for a new project down the road

3) leave it alone , save it for my kin & wear it sometimes since I have it ( I do hate waste and don’t like things sitting around )


TLDR: I have already put money into this preloved ring, is this stone worth putting into a new setting or am I throwing money at a problem ring?



Cost of ring: $695

New shank: $200

= 895



Possible new setting $400 + labor fees

thanks for anyone who read all of my ring drama lol

bottom photo of setting as listed and also one they have showing a pink stone

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

I think the stone is beautiful, and it sounds like you still love it. IMHO, I would keep it and look into a reset. I just don't want you to have any regrets.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

what a beautuful colour
i must say i like it how it is

but wear it, don't warehouse it - so do what you must to love it

 

[Slickk]

I really like the setting and stone as is. My experience is that the one I&R setting I owned wasn’t as substantial as I like. Pretty ring!

 

[Horsegirl76]

FWIW: I had a very similar dilemma to yours. I had a different setting from Julia B and the points in the center of the freesia design cut into my finger if the ring shifted on my finger. I sold the setting and set the spinel into a stuller setting that is very comfortable. I’m much happier and I still have the beautiful stone.

 

[qubitasaurus]

I think it depends. Do you want a sapphire ring? Do you want a sapphire in that specific colour of blue?

If yes, and yes. Then keep the stone. You will struggle to find a comparable stone for $500. So if your project down the line involves building something similar then your best option is to stick with the current stone.

You will be able to resell the current setting, but maybe for at most $150-200.

So you are probably out of pocket by $300 to reset it. Which is not a bad outcome. You can also look at hearts of water -- as they have a sale on at the moment and could probably make a nice setting for that stone (it wont involve as much melee stones though).

If you are more drawn to another colour like pink or red, or just want a deeper blue sapphire then I would say sell the current ring whole and start again down the track with a clean slate.

 

[Ol-Blue]

I really like the setting and stone as is. My experience is that the one I&R setting I owned wasn’t as substantial as I like. Pretty ring!

This was a concern of mine as I know their settings are a little more delicate. And once I had the shank rebuilt it added more gold and “heft” lol. It’s very sturdy
I fear a reset could also be a “downgrade” so to speak. Oh the tangled web I have woven lol

not a real problem, but I tend to obsess

 

[Ol-Blue]

FWIW: I had a very similar dilemma to yours. I had a different setting from Julia B and the points in the center of the freesia design cut into my finger if the ring shifted on my finger. I sold the setting and set the spinel into a stuller setting that is very comfortable. I’m much happier and I still have the beautiful stone.

Ohhh I forgot about Stuller, they have reasonable settings as well

 

[Ol-Blue]

I think it depends. Do you want a sapphire ring? Do you want a sapphire in that specific colour of blue?

If yes, and yes. Then keep the stone. You will struggle to find a comparable stone for $500. So if your project down the line involves building something similar then your best option is to stick with the current stone.

You will be able to resell the current setting, but maybe for at most $150-200.

So you are probably out of pocket by $300 to reset it. Which is not a bad outcome. You can also look at hearts of water -- as they have a sale on at the moment and could probably make a nice setting for that stone (it wont involve as much melee stones though).

If you are more drawn to another colour like pink or red, or just want a deeper blue sapphire then I would say sell the current ring whole and start again down the track with a clean slate.

Yes. This was originally bought as an ER replacement ring. I was looking for a sapphire ring and happened to find this one on loupe troupe one night At a great price ! Well.... I also found other rings lol that I liked better, as an ER... So I love it, but I love the others more. And yes I would want a sapphire As a RHR now ( this style feels too “engagmenty” to me for right hand as well as not good looking on my wide finger
I think you’re right in that it would be difficult to find a decent stone In this price range And I do love the color and sparkle of this one
I will check out the site you listed thank you!

 

[Slickk]

This was a concern of mine as I know their settings are a little more delicate. And once I had the shank rebuilt it added more gold and “heft” lol. It’s very sturdy
I fear a reset could also be a “downgrade” so to speak. Oh the tangled web I have woven lol

not a real problem, but I tend to obsess

Oh yes. You could be unhappy and then what? I was going to suggest Stuller. I’ve been very impressed with their settings’ ‘heft.’ I am not a fan of delicate myself. My hands are too big

 

[Horsegirl76]

Ohhh I forgot about Stuller, they have reasonable settings as well

There is a PSer (can’t remember the forum name) here who has the Stuller catalog and can give you an estimate on price, if you look online at Stuller and find what you like.

 

[voce]

Be mindful that Stuller prices aren't absolutely fixed. Since we're in a coronavirus-triggered recession and gold prices have risen, even Stuller would be pricing things higher than they would a year ago.

 

[Ol-Blue]

Just one more photo to show why I love it It seems to change a bit depending on light and this as right near my window

Ohh while perusing my ring file I found this lol

now THIS is a dream ring! I don’t have any info as I don’t even remember where I found the photo originally lol


thanks for your help Everyone and letting me obsess a bit more !

 

[qubitasaurus]

Yes. This was originally bought as an ER replacement ring. I was looking for a sapphire ring and happened to find this one on loupe troupe one night At a great price ! Well.... I also found other rings lol that I liked better, as an ER... So I love it, but I love the others more. And yes I would want a sapphire As a RHR now ( this style feels too “engagmenty” to me for right hand as well as not good looking on my wide finger
I think you’re right in that it would be difficult to find a decent stone In this price range And I do love the color and sparkle of this one
I will check out the site you listed thank you!

It sounds like even if you sold this ring, you would probably eventually build something very similar. With a similar stone and marginally different setting.

Before going forward look through desertrosegems stock on instagram. She had a similar slightly darker sapphire for sale. And you can see the tradeoff. (Actually maybe it sold recently. She has been running a sale)

But if you like the colour of the one you've got, then I think you're better off resetting.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

This was a concern of mine as I know their settings are a little more delicate. And once I had the shank rebuilt it added more gold and “heft” lol. It’s very sturdy
I fear a reset could also be a “downgrade” so to speak. Oh the tangled web I have woven lol

not a real problem, but I tend to obsess

have you warn it much since the reset ?
it is really lovelly (im not really a halo kind of girl) its such a pretty colour

 

[YadaYadaYada]

This is such a pretty sapphire, I admired it when it was for sale

Maybe something you haven't considered that may give you more finger coverage is adding a diamond band on either side, a half eternity with nice diamonds vintage can usually be found for a reasonable amount, and they are also very versatile.

Another idea is to keep the ring as is but add a ring jacket, same idea as the bands in providing more coverage but it's all one piece and your ring just fits in between. Here are a couple examples:



You might be able to wear a jacket or enhancer with your other rings too. Either adding bands or a jacket would allow you to keep your ring that you've put money into but make it more wearable with more finger coverage.

Btw I don't think your fingers are wide, they are beautiful and so is your ring.

 

[Ol-Blue]

Yes I like the idea of adding bands, I found this in my files (lol)
The top one is just a cz I got to test run the idea I think because I now want to wear on my right hand, I wasn’t sure how the stacking would look? I guess I assumed it was more for a wedding type set? Left hand ?

Maybe if I just put my fingers on a diet this would all be solved

 

[Ol-Blue]

I like the jacket idea too!!

 

[Ol-Blue]

have you warn it much since the reset ?
it is really lovelly (im not really a halo kind of girl) its such a pretty colour

I have not reset it yet I only had the shank rebuilt so it was more comfortable. However, I have not worn it much as I have acquired a 5 stone ring, an aquamarine and a solitaire that I now rotate on my left hand I tried wearing as is on my right hand, but it just doesn’t look right to me for some reason
I thought a halo might give me more finger coverage and also look more “ right handy” whatever that means lol

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I have not reset it yet I only had the shank rebuilt so it was more comfortable. However, I have not worn it much as I have acquired a 5 stone ring, an aquamarine and a solitaire that I now rotate on my left hand I tried wearing as is on my right hand, but it just doesn’t look right to me for some reason
I thought a halo might give me more finger coverage and also look more “ right handy” whatever that means lol

are you at home in lockdown ?
id give it some more time as a RHR ?
have you thought about having it sized to fit a different finger
do you have anything to stack it with ?
i just think play around with it for a few days
its such a pretty stone
is this what they call cor flowers blue ?

 

[Horsegirl76]

I have not reset it yet I only had the shank rebuilt so it was more comfortable. However, I have not worn it much as I have acquired a 5 stone ring, an aquamarine and a solitaire that I now rotate on my left hand I tried wearing as is on my right hand, but it just doesn’t look right to me for some reason
I thought a halo might give me more finger coverage and also look more “ right handy” whatever that means lol

I forgot to mention that the halo idea from ivy and rose is a great choice as well. The sapphire is a beautiful color, and I agree the halo will make it feel more like a RHR. Also, Leejewelry on eBay has a lot of nice settings PSers choose for their colored gems.

 

[Ol-Blue]

are you at home in lockdown ?
id give it some more time as a RHR ?
have you thought about having it sized to fit a different finger
do you have anything to stack it with ?
i just think play around with it for a few days
its such a pretty stone
is this what they call cor flowers blue ?

Yes on lockdown in California!
It is a Ceylon sapphire and it definatley looks cornflower blue to me!
I have this weird guilt about buying things and then not using them so I think that’s why I’m feeling like I need to make a decision
I had it put away for a bit and brought it back out today to re obsess I mean assess lol

 

[Ol-Blue]

I forgot to mention that the halo idea from ivy and rose is a great choice as well. The sapphire is a beautiful color, and I agree the halo will make it feel more like a RHR. Also, Leejewelry on eBay has a lot of nice settings PSers choose for their colored gems.

Thank you I will check them out!

 

[arkieb1]

I'd put it into a halo, but I'd halo just about anything

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Yes I like the idea of adding bands, I found this in my files (lol)
The top one is just a cz I got to test run the idea I think because I now want to wear on my right hand, I wasn’t sure how the stacking would look? I guess I assumed it was more for a wedding type set? Left hand ?

Maybe if I just put my fingers on a diet this would all be solved

It looks nice with the bands, what do you think about it? You have to love it. I would wear bands or a ring guard on my right hand, no shame in my game. As I tell my husband when I'm being sassy "I do what I want" lol!

 

[OdetteOdile]

I think that color blue is gorgeous! If it were mine, I would put it in the Ivy and Rose halo. If you are not attached to the current setting, you could see if you can sell it.

 

[lilmosun]

Beautiful stone. Given the history of the current setting, I would wait until I had the opportunity to look at settings in person -or- buy a stock setting with a vendor who takes returns. That way, you will find one that feels right, looks right and is perfect for your stone and finger! I would hate to see you spending money on a third try and not getting it perfect because you feel the need to do something now.

I also think it looks great stacked!

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Love the color of that stone! The JuliaB setting is really pretty. I would wear that on my right hand and not think it looked too “engagement-y”. It does look nice with your stacking rings too. For me, the fun in RHRs is being free to rotate and match my mood for the day. Have fun!

 

[Ol-Blue]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm going to hang onto it for a bit and revisit. I think my frustration was that I initially bought it as a replacement ER and then tried to make it a rhr, when I never would have chose that style for the right hand. Also, I don’t really wear right hand rings! Lol BUT I’m going to try and start because I love the idea of being blingy and shiny!
Also right finger is fatter than left so I need to wait a bit and hope it’s will fit better as I lose some pounds I love the idea of stacking too!
Thanks again! I will update this post if I do decide to reset it!

 

[Ol-Blue]

It looks nice with the bands, what do you think about it? You have to love it. I would wear bands or a ring guard on my right hand, no shame in my game. As I tell my husband when I'm being sassy "I do what I want" lol!

Hahaah I say this to my DH all the time!! Lol