Sapphires - help me decide!

[Eagle2015]

I thought you said she doesn't like halos

I did, good call I talked at length with my sister about the rings that were pinned, and no haloes. Her belief is that my GF posted general ideas--the vintage styles came across in a bunch of the rings she posted, the sapphires showed she wasn't afraid of going with a different gem, and the sapphire color was consistent so I know what to look at there.

However, she believes, based on all the pinned rings, that a halo would be fine. There's actually a haloed emerald ring on her board (below), so I think she's open to the idea.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25182307@N00/432242045

And to be perfectly honest, the bulk of the cost will be in the sapphire (family discount on setting); if she hates it we can always replace with something she likes better.

Relatedly: as much as I love the surprise of this, coming up with designs etc, I HATE not having her input...she told her friend (my informant) that she wouldn't want to know. I just hope I come up with something that she'll be completely in love with.

 

[Niel]

How many rings are haloed vs not haloed?
How many are three stone vs pave?

I'm concerned with the idea that, despite looking at all the rings she liked, that you picked a style your originally didn't think she much favored. Isn't it safer to do the most common style setting on her pins?

If she liked haloes, shed pin halos, have you seen pinterest? It's NOTHING but halos! Lol

I think she, like most women, pin things she likes, I'd try to stick with the most common theme.

Did you look through her "likes" too?

 

[Eagle2015]

How many rings are haloed vs not haloed?
How many are three stone vs pave?

I'm concerned with the idea that, despite looking at all the rings she liked, that you picked a style your originally didn't think she much favored. Isn't it safer to do the most common style setting on her pins?

If she liked haloes, shed pin halos, have you seen pinterest? It's NOTHING but halos! Lol

I think she, like most women, pin things she likes, I'd try to stick with the most common theme.

Did you look through her "likes" too?

You very likely speak the truth Aside from the emerald I just linked this is the only halo e-ring she pinned, and I think it was more sentimental (she wrote that it reminded her of a ring she got for a birthday):
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/d1/0e/37d10e0ebfcfbecaf197dea7bb1e1078.jpg

Breakdown of the e-rings (I'm including the emerald, though that might be cheating ):
3 pave
2 'vintage'
1 3-stone
1 halo

You're right though, looking through (over and over again) they're all clean gems on top with either pave or some designs on the band. No halos

Oh, and I did contact Gary, waiting to hear back. Thank you for all the helpful feedback!

 

[Niel]

How many rings are haloed vs not haloed?
How many are three stone vs pave?

I'm concerned with the idea that, despite looking at all the rings she liked, that you picked a style your originally didn't think she much favored. Isn't it safer to do the most common style setting on her pins?

If she liked haloes, shed pin halos, have you seen pinterest? It's NOTHING but halos! Lol

I think she, like most women, pin things she likes, I'd try to stick with the most common theme.

Did you look through her "likes" too?

You very likely speak the truth Aside from the emerald I just linked this is the only halo e-ring she pinned, and I think it was more sentimental (she wrote that it reminded her of a ring she got for a birthday):
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/d1/0e/37d10e0ebfcfbecaf197dea7bb1e1078.jpg

Breakdown of the e-rings (I'm including the emerald, though that might be cheating ):
3 pave
2 'vintage'
1 3-stone
1 halo

You're right though, looking through (over and over again) they're all clean gems on top with either pave or some designs on the band. No halos

Oh, and I did contact Gary, waiting to hear back. Thank you for all the helpful feedback!

If she's sentimental, I think it it might be best not to do a halo in hopes of "changing it if she doesn't like it". She might not want to change it specifically becuase YOU picked it out. So I think being a bit " safe " with the setting is a good idea. Not boring, of course, but just something you'll know is a home run.

So vintage design possibly with pave in the shank. What shapes were the stones, usually? Or were they all over the place

 

[Eagle2015]

If she's sentimental, I think it it might be best not to do a halo in hopes of "changing it if she doesn't like it". She might not want to change it specifically becuase YOU picked it out. So I think being a bit " safe " with the setting is a good idea. Not boring, of course, but just something you'll know is a home run.

So vintage design possibly with pave in the shank. What shapes were the stones, usually? Or were they all over the place

You saw the oval and the radiant cuts, those are the sapphires. The diamonds were all round cut, which I think is, frankly, much better for diamonds than sapphires.

I've been inquiring on oval/radiant/cushion cuts all over the place. I think you've knocked sense into me on the setting though; once I have the stone in hand I'll work on setting but I think you're right, I'm shifting focus to a pave setting and will probably post some here before I decide. Thanks!

 

[Niel]

If she's sentimental, I think it it might be best not to do a halo in hopes of "changing it if she doesn't like it". She might not want to change it specifically becuase YOU picked it out. So I think being a bit " safe " with the setting is a good idea. Not boring, of course, but just something you'll know is a home run.

So vintage design possibly with pave in the shank. What shapes were the stones, usually? Or were they all over the place

You saw the oval and the radiant cuts, those are the sapphires. The diamonds were all round cut, which I think is, frankly, much better for diamonds than sapphires.

I've been inquiring on oval/radiant/cushion cuts all over the place. I think you've knocked sense into me on the setting though; once I have the stone in hand I'll work on setting but I think you're right, I'm shifting focus to a pave setting and will probably post some here before I decide. Thanks!

Ok, I've been looking to see if there are any more stones out there that you haven't seen

Another person to contact is Richard homer at concave Gems. I would not get a concave gem if you're doing a more vintage style, bit he cuts other stones than just that style, and he often has stones not on his website. I'd email him with the ideal color your after see if he has anything.

 

[arkieb1]

The halo with the Emerald she pinned is specifically three sided pave, you are looking at around $4500 starting price for a setting like that, so you would probably be better putting some of that into a larger centre stone and going for a simple Antique setting design. I suspect by the pinned items she is after a either more of a denim blue which you will find in Montana sapphires or a mid cornflower blue, although everything she has pinned is more of a denim blue no purple at all.

The stones you have selected yourself are not the same colour tone, and are much darker and a different shade of blue than the denim type of colour she has pinned or the cornflower colour that I think might also work for you.

This is getting more towards the colour she has pinned;

http://www.spectralgems.net/sapphire/sapphireblueemcut2_03ct_9992/#main

Although that particular sapphire might be too dark in person, email Rodger he has a couple of much nicer blue sapphires for sale currently and probably others that are not listed as well.

Something like this might work too although once again the stone is a different shade of blue to the ones she has pinned;

http://www.escobardiamonds.com/showcase.aspx?showcaseid=3

They could probably find a stone for you if you show them the pics, Joe Escobar have found some very nice sapphires for people.

Dana has some sapphires for sale in the colour range she might like as well;

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products/sapphire-Search-2.php

 

[Eagle2015]

I got a response from Ed at wild fish. Seems very nice and willing to help, my only issue with their sapphires are the cost; they're BEAUTIFUL, and I know unheated is far more valuable, but theirs are twice the cost for a similar size/quality gem, at least that's what it looks like to me.

Here are the two (of four he sent) that I like the most:
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/10880/18789
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/10880/19093

I'm sending e-mails to the latest contacts you folks mentioned.

 

[Niel]

What do you think of this. I'm not sure she's still selling it, but might be worth an email.

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/3-dot-46ct-blue-sapphire-ring-by-steven-kretchmer-size-9

Lots of pictures on the second page here

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/seeking-opinions-3-ct-blue-sapphire.204529/page-2']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/seeking-opinions-3-ct-blue-sapphire.204529/page-2[/URL]

And a video

https://youtu.be/KVmTZ7k92Zs

 

[pyramid]

I got a response from Ed at wild fish. Seems very nice and willing to help, my only issue with their sapphires are the cost; they're BEAUTIFUL, and I know unheated is far more valuable, but theirs are twice the cost for a similar size/quality gem, at least that's what it looks like to me.

Here are the two (of four he sent) that I like the most:
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/10880/18789
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/10880/19093

I'm sending e-mails to the latest contacts you folks mentioned.

I can't see how those are called medium dark or deep, they look such a light blue sapphire. Is the lighting all wrong on pictures of sapphires posted here, are any photographers able to comment. Said it before but light blue or blue topaz comes to my mind. Maybe British bought sapphires are just a different flavour of like altogether. A blue sapphire we are led to believe is royal blue or darker.

 

[Eagle2015]

I can't see how those are called medium dark or deep, they look such a light blue sapphire. Is the lighting all wrong on pictures of sapphires posted here, are any photographers able to comment. Said it before but light blue or blue topaz comes to my mind. Maybe British bought sapphires are just a different flavour of like altogether. A blue sapphire we are led to believe is royal blue or darker.

I think it's a product of the way they take their pictures at wildfish. When you see it in-hand the gems come across in a deeper, medium blue tone that matches the coloring of my GF's pictures pretty well (at least to me):
http://pj.b5z.net/zirw/449/i/u/2102552/i/ec/obs351-bhs.jpg
http://pj.b5z.net/zirw/449/i/u/2102552/i/osb341-bshs.jpg

 

[Eagle2015]

What do you think of this. I'm not sure she's still selling it, but might be worth an email.

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/3-dot-46ct-blue-sapphire-ring-by-steven-kretchmer-size-9

That's beautiful, good find! I'm definitely going to send an e-mail on this one, great size, color matches well. Would definitely re-mount it in a different setting but the sapphire is beautiful!

 

[pyramid]

Yes I wondered about photography because it does have the grade 70 which is quite dark.

 

[Niel]

What do you think of this. I'm not sure she's still selling it, but might be worth an email.

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/3-dot-46ct-blue-sapphire-ring-by-steven-kretchmer-size-9

That's beautiful, good find! I'm definitely going to send an e-mail on this one, great size, color matches well. Would definitely re-mount it in a different setting but the sapphire is beautiful!

Oh yes not your mounting style, but I think it's very close to what you're after and seems to look good in most lighting.

 

[MollyMalone]

What do you think of this. I'm not sure she's still selling it, but might be worth an email.
http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/3-dot-46ct-blue-sapphire-ring-by-steven-kretchmer-size-9

That's beautiful, good find! I'm definitely going to send an e-mail on this one, great size, color matches well. Would definitely re-mount it in a different setting but the sapphire is beautiful!

Although the Loupe Troop listing does not say one way or the other, purchases made from private sellers on LT are typically final sales, not returnable for a refund. So that's something that needs clarification.
If it is a final sale, you'll need to decide if you're willing to risk the possibility that you won't like it so much in real life -- and would have to resell it yourself if it's not going to be the e-ring sapphire. (I myself wouldn't gamble the $8600, but I realize you may feel differently)

 

[Niel]

What do you think of this. I'm not sure she's still selling it, but might be worth an email.
http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/3-dot-46ct-blue-sapphire-ring-by-steven-kretchmer-size-9

That's beautiful, good find! I'm definitely going to send an e-mail on this one, great size, color matches well. Would definitely re-mount it in a different setting but the sapphire is beautiful!

Although the Loupe Troop listing does not say one way or the other, purchases made from private sellers on LT are typically final sales, not returnable for a refund. So that's something that needs clarification.
If it is a final sale, you'll need to decide if you're willing to risk the possibility that you won't like it so much in real life -- and would have to resell it yourself if it's not going to be the e-ring sapphire. (I myself wouldn't gamble the $8600, but I realize you may feel differently)

Good point

When its a lot of money, some sellers are willing to have an "inspection period "

Like all things, you don't know if you don't ask

 

[pinkgem2522]

I would say top sapphire color in the UK is more like silksapphire's color.

We are in agreement here. The colour of hers is extremely fine. This is what I think of when I hear "vivid". It is neither too dark nor too light in tone. There isn't much extinction. Couple that with it being a step cut is even more amazing.

I agree with these two.

 

[Eagle2015]

Decision time!

So I've narrowed my choices down to the loupetroop sapphire that Niel posted, and one my sister brought in to her store for me.

Many pics and a video of the LT gem are here (thanks again, Niel!).
Sapphire #1: 3.46ct vivid medium blue, cushion cut, heated, $8,600
http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/3-dot-46ct-blue-sapphire-ring-by-steven-kretchmer-size-9
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/seeking-opinions-3-ct-blue-sapphire.204529/page-2']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/seeking-opinions-3-ct-blue-sapphire.204529/page-2[/URL]
https://youtu.be/KVmTZ7k92Zs

I saw a new stone last night that's beautiful; it shows up dark in pictures but is lovely in person. My sister said they would normally charge $20k for the stone, it's unheated with no inclusions and BIG, but they'd be selling it to me at cost. It's definitely more royal blue than medium blue, that's my concern, but it's a beautiful stone imo.

Pics attached, and a few videos; I apologize for the blurriness in the videos, hard to get the camera to focus.

Sapphire #2: 3.62ct vivid royal blue, oval cut, unheated, $11,600
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-E62zy7g_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRx6x4TnCzw

As always, thanks in advance for any feedback, all I ask is brutal honesty You all have been a HUGE help, I'm leaning toward one but wanted some expert eyes to help confirm (or tell me I'm nuts)...thanks!

 

[Niel]

So.....

I think I like the loupetroop one better based on the color and price.

IF

they allow you an inspection period. Did you speak with the seller? Did they say anything about that?

 

[lovedogs]

So.....

I think I like the loupetroop one better based on the color and price.

IF

they allow you an inspection period. Did you speak with the seller? Did they say anything about that?

+1 to this. I visually prefer the LT one, but not if it's a Final Sale without having a chance to see it with your own eyes

 

[Eagle2015]

So.....

I think I like the loupetroop one better based on the color and price.

IF

they allow you an inspection period. Did you speak with the seller? Did they say anything about that?

Yeah, I agree

My concern with that one is the cut. The cushion would look amazing in a halo...but it doesn't appear my GF wants a halo. The oval, as a center stone, looks better (to my eye) by itself (or, as I was planning to do, with sidestones--similar to her pinned picture). I'm concerned that the cushion cut wouldn't look as good in a non-haloed setting, any thoughts on that?

EDIT: also, yes I completely agree on an inspection period; if I settle on that one as my #1 choice I'd definitely ask for time to inspect, if not I'd walk away.

 

[Niel]

So.....

I think I like the loupetroop one better based on the color and price.

IF

they allow you an inspection period. Did you speak with the seller? Did they say anything about that?

Yeah, I agree

My concern with that one is the cut. The cushion would look amazing in a halo...but it doesn't appear my GF wants a halo. The oval, as a center stone, looks better (to my eye) by itself (or, as I was planning to do, with sidestones--similar to her pinned picture). I'm concerned that the cushion cut wouldn't look as good in a non-haloed setting, any thoughts on that?

EDIT: also, yes I completely agree on an inspection period; if I settle on that one as my #1 choice I'd definitely ask for time to inspect, if not I'd walk away.

Well have you spoken with her at all? If its not for sale anymore than you've got your answer
I think a cushion is very lovely out of a halo, and given the one she posted of the square sapphire, I would think she might be open to the shape. Want me to find you some settings?

 

[Eagle2015]

Well have you spoken with her at all? If its not for sale anymore than you've got your answer
I think a cushion is very lovely out of a halo, and given the one she posted of the square sapphire, I would think she might be open to the shape. Want me to find you some settings?

Oh sorry, I should have been more specific: yes, I spoke with her and it's for sale, she sent me more pictures and a few videos (didnt' link them here because I'm not sure if she wanted them shared with the world, plus they were blurry, didn't add a ton of value beyond seeing the tone in sunlight/shade).

So yes, still for sale, all I'd need to do is ask about an inspection. Now it comes down to the oval vs the cushion, and what setting.

I'm reaching out to my GF's friend one more time...end of the day I want this to be perfect, but that's hard to do when my GF wants it to be a complete surprise and not giving me much to go by.

But yes, I do love that cushion cut, it's so clean and vivid and bright, in all lights. I just worry about setting it, with the oval I was thinking two .5-.6 ct round side stones with some milgrain and channel set on the band. With the cushion...I'm just not sure.

 

[Niel]

Well have you spoken with her at all? If its not for sale anymore than you've got your answer
I think a cushion is very lovely out of a halo, and given the one she posted of the square sapphire, I would think she might be open to the shape. Want me to find you some settings?

Oh sorry, I should have been more specific: yes, I spoke with her and it's for sale, she sent me more pictures and a few videos (didnt' link them here because I'm not sure if she wanted them shared with the world, plus they were blurry, didn't add a ton of value beyond seeing the tone in sunlight/shade).

So yes, still for sale, all I'd need to do is ask about an inspection. Now it comes down to the oval vs the cushion, and what setting.

I'm reaching out to my GF's friend one more time...end of the day I want this to be perfect, but that's hard to do when my GF wants it to be a complete surprise and not giving me much to go by.

But yes, I do love that cushion cut, it's so clean and vivid and bright, in all lights. I just worry about setting it, with the oval I was thinking two .5-.6 ct round side stones with some milgrain and channel set on the band. With the cushion...I'm just not sure.

Well you came to the right place! I'm sure we could find a setting you'd like for it.

Is it going to be custom or are you willing to use one one of the brands your sister sells?

 

[Niel]

My first thought is to get the same look of an oval with rounds, but instead use the cushion with square cushion sides.

I'm inclined to say do pave OR a three stone, I would not do both.

Particularly, the old cuts and the prongs at the top of the cushion give it a vintage feel

 

[Eagle2015]

Well you came to the right place! I'm sure we could find a setting you'd like for it.

Is it going to be custom or are you willing to use one one of the brands your sister sells?

You're the best...I'm glad I stumbled onto this site!

I looked at the settings from my sisters shop, nothing jumped out at me but she showed me her co-workers ring (was just in the back being cleaned) and it would look gorgeous with a naked sapphire up top: .6 (I believe) ct sidestones, platinum, channel setting down the band. Similar to many of my GF's pinned rings...I'm envisioning something like the attached picture.

So we left it that, depending on the sapphire, that might be an option.

And as I said, I'm reaching out to her friend one last time, I've only gotten pictures and her saying 'she wants it to be a complete surprise' so I'm HOPING she'll be able to give me some sort of advice. I feel like I'm flying blind on a pretty expensive decision and I keep going back to the halo because I think she'd love it. But of course if I don't hear with certainty that she'd WANT a halo then I'd lean toward something like the attached picture.

 

[Niel]

I'm inclined to say that's too much bling, based on the photos you've showed of her style.

Like i said, I think a plain shank 3 stone, or a pave no three stone is the way to go.

Consider, she's also going to get a wedding band. If she WANTS that much bling, she can get a channel set or other type of diamond wedding band and get the same look, where if she thinks its too much, she isn't stuck with that.

 

[Niel]

Another idea is prong set the cushion and you could use rounds and bezel them. Similar to the settings below, but obviously your shape.

I do think a basic three stone is more classic, but this is certainly more vintage and more unique

 

[Eagle2015]

I'm inclined to say that's too much bling, based on the photos you've showed of her style.

Like i said, I think a plain shank 3 stone, or a pave no three stone is the way to go.

Consider, she's also going to get a wedding band. If she WANTS that much bling, she can get a channel set or other type of diamond wedding band and get the same look, where if she thinks its too much, she isn't stuck with that.

Very good points as always, thanks

That ring you posted is beautiful, I do think that type of setting would look nice. But it did get me thinking about the stones...I worry that the loupetroop sapphire is too light. Wanted to again throw out the ring comparison picture but this time with a stone comparison using the 3-stone ring you just posted. I think the LT stone is lighter than her pinned sapphire, the other is darker; but I think the darker would look better in a 3-stone setting like the one you posted.

 

[chrono]

I wouldn't call the LT sapphire light, just better saturated (more neon pop). The inspiration picture shows a gray blue sapphire (less saturated, hence it looks a bit gray). The oval has good saturation, but very dark tone.