Sapphire e-ring: do you miss the sparkle?

[Sonyawp]

Hello everyone I mostly alert here but have a question . Hopefully in the near future I will be the proud owner of a new engagement ring . I pretty much have my heart set on a very light yellow stone of some sort somewhere in the W-Z range. I really like that light lemonade look .

However I have recently run across an antique Sapphire that is just beautiful . It is a pink-ish color. Since it is a light color it does have some sparkle from the pictures and video but obviously it won't be the same as a diamond.

I am very torn between yellow diamond and this Sapphire. My question is for those of you who have a sapphire engagement ring. I would like to know if you feel like you miss the sparkle of a diamond?

Thank you very much !

 

[Arcadian]

If you're leaning to getting a sapphire, put stick it in a diamond halo, problem solved

 

[Niel]

If you're leaning to getting a sapphire, put stick it in a diamond halo, problem solved

Or diamond side stones!

 

[iLander]

A well cut sapphire, with good color, will sparkle like crazy. Some padparadscha sapphires, IMO, are FAAAAAARRRR more beautiful than diamonds. They are also exceedingly rarer than their equivalent size in a diamond. Also, great pinks, diamond-cut yellows, some shifty blue-greens, are just stunning. I'm talking about unheated, untreated stones. Rarer than chicken lips.

It doesn't have the refractive index of a diamond (but some colored stones do!) but I like my sapphires to color shift, and I don't miss the diamondy sparkle at all.

It's like asking if you miss your Porsche while driving your Jaguar, they're completely different things, but both can be amazing.

 

[katharath]

Hi there!

First off big congrats on your engagement - or upcoming engagement if that's where you're at

I don't have a sapphire ering currently (I switched to a spinel, lol) - but I did for awhile. My original ering was a diamond, and I've also owned a pretty good amount of sapphires in multiple colors - I've had very good quality pink, blue, lavender, and even yellow (sapphires are my among my top three favorite gems). So I do feel somewhat qualified to try to give you my opinion

A well cut sapphire will have sparkle, but I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "sparkle". Are you referring to the different colors that you see flashing in a diamond? If so I think you may mean the fire or dispersion that you will see in a diamond - which is the sparkle of different colors.

All of my good sapphires have great sparkle and flash, where the light plays off of the facets. However, I don't think I've ever seen multi-colored flashes or dispersion in any sapphire. In my experience, and to my knowledge, this is not something you can expect to really ever see in a sapphire.

For example, my lavender sapphire shows flashes of blue, and my pink sapphire will show very dark pink almost red flashes (but only occasionally in just the right lighting). But to my understanding, this is bc these colors are present within the gem, and close to the base color of the sapphire. (I'm sure there's a better way of explaining this, I just don't know it!!)

I personally LOVE dispersion/fire/multi color sparkle (whatever you want to call it, lol) in a gem, and this is why I love spinel and garnet so much - they are my other two favorite gems. They can both show dispersion of all colors, and it looks amazing to see that in a CS. I completely understand why people love colored diamonds, but they are WAY out of my range (for the sizes and colors I would want).

However - what I really like about sapphire is that it shows such a pleasing range of rich colors, and as I said, they can have a great sparkle, just not the multi color one. You will have to decide if you are ok with that, and you should really love the color of the sapphire if you go that route. I can say that I personally did actually miss the multi color sparkle eventually, which is why I switched my ering to a spinel. BUT with that said, I did and do really enjoy my sapphires.

You may want to post pics and we can help you with choosing a well cut sapphire; it's up to you! If you haven't done a lot of looking, I'd suggest at least looking at a ton of pics online, but it would be even better to get to see some good quality CS gems in person. If you HAVE done a ton of looking, then I'm sure you already have a great idea of what you want, and you probably don't need any assistance. (I just like to recommend some things for people who may not really know where to look and may not know what all is out there, so see my next comments if this applies to you).

One of my favorite sites for viewing sapphires is gemfix.com, check it out if you haven't yet. (I've bought from gemfix but not sapphires). I have bought several sapphires from Dana at Mastercut gems, and also a few great ones from my main jeweler, Yvonne Raley at etsy store Cecile Raley Designs (I always recommend her). She has had some really great, well cut and well priced sapphires lately, but most have been blue or lavender, not pink. She's having a sale though so you might want to have a look.

Good luck!! I know this was long and sort of rambly, but I wasn't exactly sure what you were asking, so I just wrote everything I could think of - hopefully you'll find something helpful

 

[katharath]

Ha!! When I started my post there were no replies, lol - that's how long it took me!! (Well I'm writing from my phone though)

But I think iLander said what I was trying to say much more concisely

 

[iLander]

Hi Katharath,

Your reply is great, very informative.

The only sapphire I've seen with multicolor sparkle is my copper-pink shifter. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brown-pinkish-orange-not-an-fcd-an-fcs.203513/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brown-pinkish-orange-not-an-fcd-an-fcs.203513/[/URL] But you're right, it's not normal, and it made me insecure, so I RUSHED it to AGL. It has blue-green sparkles along with the pink and orange. I thought it might be some kind of mistake, a garnet maybe.

But you're correct, it's not the rainbow sparkles of a diamond. I've seen demantoids with that, though. But they're not tough enough for an e-ring.

 

[Sonyawp]

Wow, what great information and links to vendors. I am learning so much!

It could be that the sapphire in a halo would give me the best of both world but the one I am looking at is a very deep sapphire so that may or maynot work. I found some beautiful ones on Gemfix. Oh my. Will definitely spend some time there to learn about these things and also get a better feel on pricing.

Thank you all so much for the information! - Sonya

 

[Niel]

I don't know what kind of pink you're after but someone here is selling an asscher cut pink spinel in a halo and its to die for!

 

[swissmiss]

A little late to this - my experience supports everything others have been saying. I have a light peach/pink sapphire in a halo. The "sparkles" or flashes of light coming from the sapphire are either white-ish or pink-ish. There are no rainbow colors except for the halo (which is why I recommend a halo or sidestones if you desire the "sparkle"). For this reason, I sometimes feel sapphires have a bit of a "flat" look, for lack of better word.

Another thing to think about too is that a W/Z diamond is likely going to require a gold cup to enhance the yellow tone - assuming that the W-Z is not brown-toned or grey-toned. The gold cup will reduce the amount of light the stone will receive from the pavilion, which may decrease "sparkle".

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I am the biggest fan of colored stones. I love spinels and sapphires most of all. But......I have a diamond wedding ring and all in all if I had to choose only one ring from my collection it would be that one. I love colored stones but they do scratch and chip more easily than diamonds. And diamonds throw off so many color flashes. So I would miss the sparkle if I had to only wear a sapphire or spinel as my wedding ring.

 

[iLander]

I am the biggest fan of colored stones. I love spinels and sapphires most of all. But......I have a diamond wedding ring and all in all if I had to choose only one ring from my collection it would be that one. I love colored stones but they do scratch and chip more easily than diamonds. And diamonds throw off so many color flashes. So I would miss the sparkle if I had to only wear a sapphire or spinel as my wedding ring.

Yeah, I'm a big colored stone fan, love them, lust after them, research, have them tested, agonize over settings . . . and then you look at my avatar

But I have to say, I've spent literally years trying to find my few colored stones and the diamond took a couple of trips to a jewelry story. Look sparkly? Check. Done.

Diamonds are easy as cake compared to excellent colored stones.

 

[Rosebloom]

I have a sapphire three stone and the side diamonds give insane sparkle while the center sapphire gives either flow or sparkle depending on the lighting. I LOVE it!! Best of all worlds in my opinion. My side stones are pretty big which does help.

Here are pics if you want to see.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/2-5ct-blue-sapphire-1-2ctw-diamond-sides-in-wf-butterflies.203673/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/2-5ct-blue-sapphire-1-2ctw-diamond-sides-in-wf-butterflies.203673/[/URL]

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I am the biggest fan of colored stones. I love spinels and sapphires most of all. But......I have a diamond wedding ring and all in all if I had to choose only one ring from my collection it would be that one. I love colored stones but they do scratch and chip more easily than diamonds. And diamonds throw off so many color flashes. So I would miss the sparkle if I had to only wear a sapphire or spinel as my wedding ring.

Yeah, I'm a big colored stone fan, love them, lust after them, research, have them tested, agonize over settings . . . and then you look at my avatar

But I have to say, I've spent literally years trying to find my few colored stones and the diamond took a couple of trips to a jewelry story. Look sparkly? Check. Done.

Diamonds are easy as cake compared to excellent colored stones.

I agree diamonds may seem easy compared to colored stones. My E-ring is a transitional cut diamond and the most beautiful stone I have laid eyes on. I haven't found one as beautiful in any jewelry store (although that has not stopped me from buying more diamonds) so I may be unfortunate that it has not been as easy as cake. Very happy that you have found it easy. But all in all I guess the OP needs to decide if the sparkle of a diamond is preferable to the sparkle of a colored stone. For me (with the right diamond) it is.

 

[dk168]

As the others have already commented, a well-cut sapphire that has very little inclusions will sparkle, as can be seen in Jeff White's sold gemstone gallery: http://www.whitesgems.com/corundumgallery.html

Examples of his stones in clients' jewellery can be found via this link, and there are some well-cut sapphires for drooling:
http://www.whitesgems.com/jewelrygallery.html

DK

 

[Acinom]

In general I find coloured stones more special compared to diamonds. That said, I feel that every girl needs a classic and timeless diamond ring as no colored stone beats the brilliance, sparkle, classic feel and durability of a diamond. You will always be able to find a great diamond rather easily, which is not the case for coloured stones.

 

[dk168]

In general I find coloured stones more special compared to diamonds. That said, I feel that every girl needs a classic and timeless diamond ring as no colored stone beats the brilliance, sparkle, classic feel and durability of a diamond. You will always be able to find a great diamond rather easily, which is not the case for coloured stones.

Concur with Acinom's sentiment.

I doubt if I would be having so much fun with CS if I had not ticked the box for a significant diamond ring.

I shall save towards a significant diamond bracelet eventually (a bezel-set MRB tennis bracelet about 5-6cttw), once I have curbed my spending in CS, ha ha!

DK

 

[Arcadian]

Well guys, let me be the first to admit I don't have a white diamond only ring or even one that has a diamond as a center stone, but I also don't miss having one either. Its something I've never wanted. And really, its hard to miss what you don't have right?

I could go for colored diamond center (I did for my studs), but white diamonds by themselves are not really my thing.

But I'm coming from a totally different place I guess.

 

[minousbijoux]

Well guys, let me be the first to admit I don't have a white diamond only ring or even one that has a diamond as a center stone, but I also don't miss having one either. Its something I've never wanted. And really, its hard to miss what you don't have right?

I could go for colored diamond center (I did for my studs), but white diamonds by themselves are not really my thing.

But I'm coming from a totally different place I guess.

A place, apparently, where more than one of us resides.

 

[katharath]

I had (still have actually) a diamond for my wedding/engagement ring. But then after a few years I realized that I was so bored with it! It took me a little while to figure out that I just don't really *love* white/colorless diamonds. I quit wearing my ring and didn't miss it at all! (I'm still married though, lol - will be 16 years in December

I finally figured out that diamonds just don't do it for me, I am all about a colored stone. I have kept my diamond ring for sentimental reasons, but literally never wear it. I have gone through several CS erings, which I wear with a band, instead of my wedding rings. I'm not sentimental about these rings though, which is why I have no problem upgrading or changing CS erings.

Those of you who prefer a CS to a diamond, yes even for your wedding/ering - I'm right there with you You are definitely not alone!!

 

[distracts]

Nope. I also have sapphire solitaires and I love the color more than the sparkle so I don't miss it. They all do sparkle a lot but not like diamond.

 

[strawrose]

As long as you have a high quality sapphire, you won't miss the sparkle.

 

[PintoBean]

IWhy not have the. Both?

PINK LEMONADE!
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/semi-mount-ring-floating-single-shank-halo-pink-lemonade-version-3-so3375

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/semi-mount-ring-handmade-ultimate-pink-lemonade-ring-from-sandras-collection-so4028

 

[chrono]

A little late to this - my experience supports everything others have been saying. I have a light peach/pink sapphire in a halo. The "sparkles" or flashes of light coming from the sapphire are either white-ish or pink-ish. There are no rainbow colors except for the halo (which is why I recommend a halo or sidestones if you desire the "sparkle"). For this reason, I sometimes feel sapphires have a bit of a "flat" look, for lack of better word.

Another thing to think about too is that a W/Z diamond is likely going to require a gold cup to enhance the yellow tone - assuming that the W-Z is not brown-toned or grey-toned. The gold cup will reduce the amount of light the stone will receive from the pavilion, which may decrease "sparkle".

Perfectly written. The sparkles from a CS will be its base colour with perhaps some other colours next to its base colour wheel, so a blue sapphire might also sparkle a bit of purple or /and pink at times. If you want dispersion, then a diamond halo might tick that box. I also agree that unless you go for a vivid yellow FCD, most require a cup of some sort to enhance the yellow but the more enclosed the cup, the less sparkly it will be.

For me, a white diamond is terribly boring and although I have several diamond rings, I am happiest wearing a CS.

 

[austinj]

Hey guys! I know this is an older thread but I searched the topic and this came up. I am shocked myself to be saying this, but after spending a few months with my sapphire E ring, I'm finding I do sometimes miss the sparkle of a diamond! And by sparkle I mean the crazy fireball rainbow sparkle. My sapphire is lighter in color and does sparkle a lot but it's just not the same. I never thought in a million years I would be saying that because I was so dead set against having a diamond as the center stone in my ring. I guess though not having much experience with colored stones I expected them to sparkle like a diamond just in better colors. But I think if I did have all diamonds I would miss the color as well eventually. So I actually told the hubby I want to save up and buy myself a big OEC to make into a ring so that I can get my diamond fix as well! Then I can have the best of both worlds!

 

[Niel]

Hey guys! I know this is an older thread but I searched the topic and this came up. I am shocked myself to be saying this, but after spending a few months with my sapphire E ring, I'm finding I do sometimes miss the sparkle of a diamond! And by sparkle I mean the crazy fireball rainbow sparkle. My sapphire is lighter in color and does sparkle a lot but it's just not the same. I never thought in a million years I would be saying that because I was so dead set against having a diamond as the center stone in my ring. I guess though not having much experience with colored stones I expected them to sparkle like a diamond just in better colors. But I think if I did have all diamonds I would miss the color as well eventually. So I actually told the hubby I want to save up and buy myself a big OEC to make into a ring so that I can get my diamond fix as well! Then I can have the best of both worlds!

Can I say that with my diamond I miss color.

 

[kenny]

Get the color you want with the refractive index of diamond ... buy a Fancy Colored Diamond.

The best of both worlds ... but finding an FCD with good light performance is like finding a needle in a haystack.
They are never cut for light performance.
They are cut to save precious weight and maximize the color strength.
Higher color strength hopefully bumps it up into a higher GIA color grade, which means much more profit.

IMO, the only way an FCD will end up with good light performance is when the rough stone it's cut from just happens to have a shape that is close to the shape that gives good light performance ... such as, with a bulge right where the girdle belongs and tapering to the ends at just the right angles.
One in a million.

I have two FCDs with very decent light performance.
Certainly not ACA or Octavia light performance, but very decent ... way better than maul diamonds, which is about how much many expensive FCDs sparkle.

Fortunately you like one of the most affordable FCD hues, yellow.

 

[mochiko42]

Hi Sonya

I started off with a sapphire ering and I was very happy with it for a while. However, this was before I found out about vintage cut diamonds and superideal cut RBs.. I always thought I didn't like diamonds, but I realize now is that I didn't like the splintery and "dead" look of most commercial cut RBs.

I don't have my original sapphire ering any more but someday I would love to have a beautiful silky velvety sapphire as an alternate ering to replace the one I sold.

I am rambling a bit, but I guess what I'm trying to say is "have both if you can" . Failing that, I would go for a PS quality sapphire ering over a commercial cut diamond ering any day. But if it is a question of a superideal cut diamond or vintage diamond or a sapphire -- then it is up to personal preference IMO.

 

[indigoblue]

I had a sapphire e-ring but switched it to a cheap tourmaline when it got a small chip in one of the table facets. Someday I will halo the sapphire and just wear it occasionally. It's really pretty, but it needs more sparkle. I wear several different rings with my band as an engagement ring now depending on what I'm doing that day. Sometimes it's the tourmaline or a three stone diamond or another wide band with baguettes.

 

[SapphireStyle]

I really love my sapphire e-ring, but like Rosebloom, I do have a couple of pretty big diamond sidestones, I also wear it with a diamond band. I still find myself staring at the beautiful sapphire all the time. I truly love it more than diamonds.

I think no one can really help you out with this question as it is truly a matter of personal preference.