Seeking advice on peridot engagement ring!

[sas418]

Firstly, thank you to everyone here on PriceScope for all your invaluable advice. You guys are an awesome community!

My situation: I'm searching for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. It's up to me to pick the right ring, as I've been told that this should be a surprise! Me: "But what if you don't like it?" Her: "I will like it." So here I am!

Secondly, I got it into my head that I wanted to get a peridot engagement ring. I've done searches here on PS about peridot and have gotten a lot of great info (and cautionary tales about its durability). The things is, it's the one gem she has a personal connection to. It's her birthstone, it reminds her of family, and green is her favorite color. The way I see it, we're going to be a family (of two), so it seems particularly fitting! Plus she's not into big expensive diamonds - but of course we'll want to throw a few small ones in anyway!

With that in mind, and after hours upon hours (and days/weeks) of searching, this is what I was envisioning: 14k rose gold, diamond halo setting for a cushion cut. Turns out someone already made what I was envisioning: https://www.etsy.com/listing/200091811/rose-gold-peridot-engagement-ring-in-14k?ref=market Close enough, anyway!

I already bought the gem (a beautiful green pakistani peridot for those wondering) measuring 7.2mm x 7.2mm. I could still return it if I decided to go a different direction.

Thirdly, we're poor graduate students and have talked at length about being frugal. We'd rather save our money for really important things, like a down payment on a new place. This ring, while important, should not break the bank. Like, seriously not break the bank. I was hoping to spend $700 or less on the remaining work. It seems tough, but based on my searches, maybe doable. I just haven't found anything I'm confident in yet. And that's where I was hoping for some help/encouragement!

1. I've seen a few posts here on PS about LOGR and again, some cautionary tales if considering it as an engagement ring. I'm wondering if anyone looking at an LOGR ring would know it wasn't a $2000 ring from...wherever you buy a $2000 ring. Or is it more a matter of low quality that won't hold up?
2. What does it mean when someone says it won't hold up? Will it bend? Break? Lose all it's little diamonds (or just a few easily replaced?)
3. Are there other places I'm not looking that might have what I'm looking for?

In the end, I want to make sure it's something beautiful and meaningful. And if we decide to upgrade down the road, we can. I think that's a wiser use of the available funds!

I would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance!

 

[pregcurious]

1. I've seen a few posts here on PS about LOGR and again, some cautionary tales if considering it as an engagement ring. I'm wondering if anyone looking at an LOGR ring would know it wasn't a $2000 ring from...wherever you buy a $2000 ring. Or is it more a matter of low quality that won't hold up?
2. What does it mean when someone says it won't hold up? Will it bend? Break? Lose all it's little diamonds (or just a few easily replaced?)
3. Are there other places I'm not looking that might have what I'm looking for?

Yes, the issue will be that it will bend, break, and that you will lose the melee. Less expensive settings like LOGR use less metal. I would not use one for an engagement ring because your fiancee will be upset when it starts falling apart. Please save your money for a better setting.

I would go for a Stuller setting. Stuller makes high quality settings in large volume, so the prices are very reasonable. If you go here, you can find a dealer near you who carries Stuller. http://www.stuller.com/
If you live in VA, Hunt Country Jewelers carries Stuller and is very experienced in setting colored stones, which are usually softer than diamonds.

The prices are usually in a catalog. If you search Google, you will be able to find a catalog with prices, which I assume are a guideline for vendors. On the Stuller website, you cannot see the prices unless you login, and I assume that is for vendors.

Finally, I would strongly advise against a peridot ring. It's too soft for daily wear, and an engagement ring should last. You fiancee will most likely get sentimentally attached to the ring, and when the peridot becomes damaged, she will probably be upset. You can find affordable chrysoberyls and sapphires in your price range.

Chrysoberyls will be even less per carat, but they come in yellow and greenish yellow, which people usually do not want for an ering. I bought a 2 carat chrysoberyl and it was less than $300.

There is a reputable vendor named Tan on Ebay if want to go that route. Let us know and we can help you with that. I bought an unheated blue sapphire pear from him a few years ago for under $500. It is beautiful and definitely worthy of an engagement ring.

In the mean time, here's a Montana sapphire in your price range.:

Montana Sapphire Round "Roulette" Cut
Weight: .92cts
Measurements: 5.5mm, depth 3.9mm
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Montana, USA
Enhancements: Heat only
Price: $ 595.00
Order/Stock No.: sapphire_montana_529
Description: Slightly under 1 carat Montana round. Beautiful cut and eye clean. Color in norht facing daylight and under incandescent light is a medium-deep steel blue color, little to no green. (Cut by Andrew Gulij)

 

[pregcurious]

Here are some other options:

1) Buying a sapphore or diamond solitaire and reset later. I know you said she does not like diamonds, but I used to say that because cost is a factor. I got married right after college, and the budget for our ring was $1000. My husband bought me a half carat diamond, and put in a solitaire setting. About 15 years later, he said, feel free to upgrade. I am sentimental, so I took the same stone and put in a halo of yellow diamonds. I love it now, and the halo gives more finger coverage.

What I am trying to say is that you can buy a stone that will last, and reset it later. You are in the right place as many of us are budget gem collectors.

2) A sapphire or diamond band, instead of a ring with a center stone. You can get nice sapphire diamond bands in your price range. I just suggest you get a 3/4 or 1/2 eternity so that solid metal is on the bottom of the ring, and she does not have to baby it as much.

 

[pregcurious]

repost

 

[marymm]

Peridot worn daily will get abraded facets and scratches visible to the eye, and a LOGR ring is not suitable for daily wear either (not enough metal; and generally not nice, bright diamonds). So an upgrade would likely be required in the future, and I don't know if it would bother you/GF that the original Peridot Engagement Ring would not stand the test of time.

If budget is really tight, I'd suggest going with something diamond but smaller and elegant, like this:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/115539446/svea-and-sol-15mm-wedding-set-in-14k?ref=shop_home_active_2

This etsy vendor is reputable, and the wedding set should last your GF's lifetime - so you two can choose to upgrade if you like in the future, but it would not be necessary.

If your budget stretches that far, perhaps keep the Peridot cushion and have it made into a pendant to wear on her wedding day or a ring for the first anniversary gift? Or, return it, and find a new Peridot when the occasion arises; Peridot are relatively plentiful and should be very reasonable in cost.

There is also the option of going second-hand; if you and your GF are open to this concept, perhaps take a look at DiamondBistro.com and LoupeTroop.com as well as RubyLane.com?

If you wish to share your budget for this, PSers can also suggest options for you.

 

[LoversKites]

Good advice Preg and marymm.

marymm, he mentioned the remaining budget after buying the peridot is $700, so I'm guessing his original budget is 100, 200 dollars over that depending on the price of the peridot he bought.

 

[Niel]

OK, so.... Everyone else knows what I'm going to say... Chrysoberyl!

Its a green stone (you said her favorite color!) That is durable for an e ring and reasonably priced

If your budget is about 1200 you can get both the stone and a well made setting. Maybe not a halo, but something you would be proud of that would last for years and would not be "cheap"

I know you said you've already weighed the risk of a peridot, but, many women are sentimental about their e rings, so it might not be something you want to go Into knowing it will eventually be damaged

 

[T L]

OK, so.... Everyone else knows what I'm going to say... Chrysoberyl!

LOL! I was waiting for you to say that here.

It is a great alternative to peridot, which also doesn't have the luster or brilliance.

 

[Niel]

OK, so.... Everyone else knows what I'm going to say... Chrysoberyl!

LOL! I was waiting for you to say that here.

It is a great alternative to peridot, which also doesn't have the luster or brilliance.

What can I say. Had to be done. Lol!

Something like this though?

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?type=&shape=&color=&minct=&maxct=&min=&max=&sku=4376

 

[enbcfsobe]

Another option is to get a simple solitaire setting with a modest diamond, sapphire, or spinel (ETA: or chrysoberyl or other sturdier stone), and then have the jeweler gypsy set a small peridot on the inside of the band to make it a bit more personalized.

 

[LoversKites]

Damn, gemrite had a very nice yellowish green chryso that could have been an option but it must have been sold.

 

[sas418]

Thanks so much for your detailed replies! It's already given me plenty to think about. I had checked Stuller, but hadn't ever searched for the price catalog. That's very informative.

Q: How much should I expect to pay over the prices in Stuller's catalog? I understand miles may vary, but I don't want to be taken advantage of!

As for budget, $1000 is my target and I'm trying to be responsible with having set that budget! The argument that really gets me is the one that she'll be grow attached - and knowing it won't last indefinitely is definitely a bummer! Point taken. I need a sturdier rock!

Aside from accent diamonds (which I definitely want), I'm fairly set on staying away from a center stone diamond. I like the idea of a blue sapphire. Too trendy? Sans the sentimentality/meaning of peridot, it has the familiarity/respect I think she will appreciate. And that's not to say that every other colored gem here shouldn't be respected! I'm convinced, but I don't want her to need convincing when she sees the ring.

Am I going to be over budget if I go this route? I really like the sapphire band idea, too. I think she'd appreciate that a lot. We super active, so that would allow her to wear it all the time without it getting in the way. Right? If not, then a solitaire seems like a good idea!

I've decided to keep the peridot regardless of whether I use it in the ring. I like the idea of using it as gift for down the road. Good tip! It'll be a nice story to share.

Thanks again for all the tips, I already feel a lot more confident. You probably get this pun all the time, but you all rock!

 

[pregcurious]

I would ask 2 or 3 stores for prices on the same Stuller setting. To stay on budget, I would get the price of the setting first. Stuller settings can be ordered for different sizes and shapes of rings, based on the specific setting. I have a PDF of a catalog that shows which settings can accommodate which stones. It also has prices and I assume they are the MSRP prices but I am not sure. I found it using Google.

As for being active, I only wear a plain band most of the time. For hiking, dishes, even the playground with kids, I don't wear other rings.

 

[LoversKites]

You could get a nice blue sapphire, depending on the tone and saturation of the blue colour you're after. Maybe something greenish like a montana that preg posted before? It'll help if you look at gemfix.com and post the gems with the colours you're after. Disregard price, etc -- we need to know the colour you'd want.

With your budget I'm assuming you'd be open to heated stones (?)

 

[Niel]

Here area few settings that have diamonds in them, and small heads,so you could possibly find stone in your budget.


Now ideally, you wanna find the stone first, but 1k is a low budget, and with wanting diamonds too, a second hand setting is worth investigating
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251867860260&alt=web

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=121588921011&alt=web

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111610170876&alt=web

 

[Niel]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=121588921011&alt=web

I asked the vendor what size this setting would fit. She said about 6.3

This could work,but, I'd ask him which photo is most accurate and how dark it gets, wouldn't want it to get black

http://www.mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7712

ETA: always have to be careful with settings you can't return...but as someone who's had rings made with a small budget, sometimes you have to take chances.

 

[pregcurious]

Here area few settings that have diamonds in them, and small heads,so you could possibly find stone in your budget.


Now ideally, you wanna find the stone first, but 1k is a low budget, and with wanting diamonds too, a second hand setting is worth investigating
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251867860260&alt=web

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=121588921011&alt=web

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111610170876&alt=web

This is a great idea. Something is going to have to give though on the right budget. If you try to find a fixed setting first it will limit you on the stone. Stuller settings with diamonds I think will be more than these, but they can be ordered for different sized stones. Either way you will have to see how to best work it out.

 

[sas418]

I asked the vendor what size this setting would fit. She said about 6.3

This could work,but, I'd ask him which photo is most accurate and how dark it gets, wouldn't want it to get black

http://www.mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7712

I really like this gem. Is this typically what you'd find in this price range?

I don't mind the heat treatment from what I understand of it. Seems like a relatively natural enhancement.

I like the look of this one except without the single diamonds underneath the basket.: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/rosadosbox/6312982/petrina14kt_round_sapphire_and_diamond_pave_halo_engagement_ring/handmade/jewelry/rings/gemstone#

And when I say accent diamonds, I just meant something like melee(?) diamonds to give some extra sparkle.

 

[Niel]

I'm not sure what's appropriate for a smaller sized sapphire. Others will have to be the judge of that. Also, obviously its pinching pennies bit I've heard he sometimes takes offers, maybe see if hell take 500 or something.

This setting might work... The company idjewelry sells this setting and might be able to do a little better than the listed price...

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER11747R4W44JJ

 

[pregcurious]

I'm not sure what's appropriate for a smaller sized sapphire. Others will have to be the judge of that. Also, obviously its pinching pennies bit I've heard he sometimes takes offers, maybe see if hell take 500 or something.

This setting might work... The company idjewelry sells this setting and might be able to do a little better than the listed price...

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER11747R4W44JJ

Niel! This is a great setting for $550!

I also love the blue of the Mastercutgems sapphire. However, please note that the sapphire probably has eye visible inclusions. I would prefer an eye clean stone. Can you ask your fiancee if she is okay with the light blue color of Montana sapphires? You will get more bang for your buck with a Montana sapphire in terms of size and clarity, but the saturation of color will be lower.

I found an online Stuller catalog. Unfortunately, it looks like only the solitaire settings will fit in your budget, you can see they the amount of gold used is more than the Gabriel setting. I still like the Gabriel setting.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDEQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eskewjewelers.com%2FLiteratureRetrieve.aspx%3FID%3D108393&ei=3NIAVefgG4y1ggSmjoGYCQ&usg=AFQjCNFzx0uFDuls4enXtLZYu_Uhht-s9Q&bvm=bv.87920726,d.eXY

 

[agingsparkle]

First time posting here, but thought I'd mention that JuliaB (who's listed on the recommended sticky and whose wares I've been eyeing myself) has a few sapphire rings on her sale section right now that come in under the 1K mark...

 

[Niel]

would she take red? i know its got some orange, but the red would come out if the setting, or at least the prongs, were yellow. If this is still for sale, she might take an offer?

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/peter-torraca-red-spinel-ring;4720

Im still looking for blue, but i remembered this, in the meantime.

 

[Niel]

a fellow Ps'er bought this. If its still for sale, id ask for more pictures, maybe shell even consider an offer....

http://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/0-dot-86-ct-unheated-ceylon-sapphire-from-finewater-gems

 

[pregcurious]

This is slightly shallow, but the size and color look good. Others have said that the videos are the more accurate for color than the pictures:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-23CT-AAA-NEON-CHRYSOBERYL-MADAGASCAR-WATCH-VIDEO-/371246473137?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5670039fb1

 

[sas418]

I like both of those gems! I sent an inquiry about the sapphire. And I wasn't totally convinced on the chrysoberyl before, but that's a great looking gem.

What are the downsides of going with a chrysoberyl. Someone had mentioned maybe it doesn't have the same level of shine?

At this stage, I'd rather get the best stone I can afford and we can upgrade the setting later. If that means a simpler mount, I think that's okay. If I could stretch the budget for anything, I really like the idea of a simple halo setting.

Thanks again for all the support!

 

[pregcurious]

I like both of those gems! I sent an inquiry about the sapphire. And I wasn't totally convinced on the chrysoberyl before, but that's a great looking gem.

What are the downsides of going with a chrysoberyl. Someone had mentioned maybe it doesn't have the same level of shine?

At this stage, I'd rather get the best stone I can afford and we can upgrade the setting later. If that means a simpler mount, I think that's okay. If I could stretch the budget for anything, I really like the idea of a simple halo setting.

Thanks again for all the support!

Chrysoberyl can be very brilliant. Next to a medium dark sapphire like the one posted, the chrysoberyl will be brighter because dark stones just aren't brilliant. Here is a chrysoberyl thead (I just posted mine):
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-chrysoberyls.202304/page-7#post-3845920#p3845920']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-chrysoberyls.202304/page-7#post-3845920#p3845920[/URL]

Dark stones have a different beauty. (Medium dark is my favorite tone.)

Please look around at prices for halos. They tend to be some of the most expensive settings. You can _always_ halo later. I haloed my original ering stone for an anniversary, and it worked out well. I would personally rather have the best center stone now so that I can reset it later. Your fiancee may feel differently.

 

[Niel]

Chrysoberyl is very sparkly, in my opinion. I believe the previous poster was saying peridot is the gem that has less of a luster...

 

[partgypsy]

i'm of 2 minds of this. Part of me thinks, go ahead and set the stone you already have in a stuller setting, and you are done. It is true that peridot will abrade over time, but then maybe by 10th anniversary it would be replaced?

You are probably not going to exactly replicate the peridot apple green color in another gem (peridot is one of my favorite gems as well). So I would go for a ring that is still in a color she would like and enjoy and wear, and make your own tradition.
Sapphire is both hot right now, but it is also traditional (Royalty and people in Europe have been wearing sapphires for engagement rings for eons) and it comes in many hues. Look at what colors she surrounds herself with, in her household and her clothes does she wear cool colors, like green, blues) or more warm colors (red, pinks) and take that as a cue for what color she may like.

Here is another site to peruse. They have chyrsoberyls as well as already set rings (see sapphire, ruby).
http://www.mineralminers.com/html/chrgems.stm

 

[T L]

What are the downsides of going with a chrysoberyl. Someone had mentioned maybe it doesn't have the same level of shine?

There really are none. It's one of the most underrated, and undervalued gems that exists, and it's much nicer than 99% of the peridot out there. It's also extremely hard, durable, and takes a fine polish which makes it exhibit a great luster, and when well cut, it can be extremely brilliant.

Like any gem, some have finer color than others, but that's really the case with all gem species.

 

[T L]

Chrysoberyl is very sparkly, in my opinion. I believe the previous poster was saying peridot is the gem that has less of a luster...

Peridot has a lower RI, and a "waxy" luster. It's a bit more "glass like" in terms of its appearance. There are of course some beautiful colored examples from Burma, but they're very rare. The color makes up for the luster and brilliance in those cases. Some take a nice polish when well cut, but in terms of sparkle power, it just cannot compete with a well cut chyrsobyerl IMO.