Seeking advice on peridot engagement ring!

[Niel]

This vendor often has nice chrysoberyl, I would email him see if he has any in stock

http://www.thegemtrader.com/Inventory%20Page.htm

 

[partgypsy]

http://www.ajsgem.com/chrysoberyls-gemstone-chrysoberyl-2046340427.html?weight%5Bmin%5D=&weight%5Bmax%5D=&sell_price%5Bmin%5D=100&sell_price%5Bmax%5D=800&sort_by=sell_price&sort_order=DESC&items_per_page=21&=Apply

I've actually had good luck with this vendor, though be aware these are native cut stones and so can vary in cut quality. So if you are interested in a particular stone may want to ask vendor how it performs (outdoor versus indoor and the cut quality (whether it has extinction), or even which one they prefer for an engagement ring.

 

[partgypsy]

ooh here is another idea!
(I'll stop posting now)
http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/42197/Reduced-again-Fancy-Yellow-OMC-Diamond-Ring.html

 

[Niel]

Maybe this square one?

http://www.gemfix.com/chrysoberyl.html

 

[Niel]

Gary at finewater gems has been able to find nice chrysoberyl rough too. I'd ask him if he has anything. If its small it should leave you plenty for a brand new setting with some accent stones. Though still probably not a halo

 

[agingsparkle]

If you find a gem you love and want to put most of the money toward that, yvonneraley (another preferred etsy vendor on the sticky) has a very pretty engraved halo setting for a round stone. She shows it in argentium silver but might also be able to do gold if you prefer that. Gives a similar look without the diamond melee. I also noticed she has chrysoberyl melee -- that could be an interesting effect if you really want a stone halo and are thinking chryso for the center…

 

[sas418]

Thanks again! I'll take a look around at the chrysoberyls. I really like all the points you've made for its case!

Regarding the Peridot, how long are we talking before it's abraded and generally lacking it's original shine? I don't think she will wear the engagement ring beyond the wedding then opt for a band. If that's just a year or two, will that be too much? Maybe then we set the Peridot in a pendant? That seems like a nice tradition that would be ours! Just thinking here.

 

[Niel]

Thanks again! I'll take a look around at the chrysoberyls. I really like all the points you've made for its case!

Regarding the Peridot, how long are we talking before it's abraded and generally lacking it's original shine? I don't think she will wear the engagement ring beyond the wedding then opt for a band. If that's just a year or two, will that be too much? Maybe then we set the Peridot in a pendant? That seems like a nice tradition that would be ours! Just thinking here.

Is it common in your area people don't wear their engagement rings past the engagement or did she say she wouldn't wear it?

 

[sas418]

Good question! For starters, she never wears the rings she has now. Also, her mother doesn't wear her engagement ring, and neither do any of the women in my family. Truth be told, I didn't know people did wear them forever after the wedding until I started looking for rings! I don't think she has any expectation one way or the other to wear it indefinitely, but I'm quite certain she'd rather wear a wedding band only after the wedding. That's why I was thinking about the idea of doing something a little unique with the engagement ring. That said, it's just a thought I had in regard to the maybe still using the peridot! With a hardier stone, it's not a concern and she and I can talk about it all later.

I'd ask her directly, but like I said, she wants it to be a surprise!

I looked at the yvonneraley shop on etsy. I didn't see many halo rings, but I did find this one: https://www.etsy.com/listing/213838550/rose-gold-halo-ring-with-thai-sapphire??

Are yvonne's rings suited for everyday long haul wear?

Thanks again for all the tips! I'm still working my way through the gems you've linked. This is all a tremendous help!

 

[pregcurious]

I'd ask her directly, but like I said, she wants it to be a surprise!

I think the ring can still be surprise if you ask her if she plans on wearing it after you're wed. We all like surprises, as long as they're good surprises. No one likes bad surprises.

 

[Niel]

I'd ask her directly, but like I said, she wants it to be a surprise!

I think the ring can still be surprise if you ask her if she plans on wearing it after you're wed. We all like surprises, as long as they're good surprises. No one likes bad surprises.

I agree. Do you talk about marriage? You can bring it up vaguely and just ask if shell wear it after your married. Sounds like you already talk about it seeing as how she's said she doesn't want you to spend much but wants you to pick it out.

 

[GregS]

I would not give her a Peridot engagement ring unless she specifically said "I want a Peridot engagement ring." I saw in your first post that your girlfriend said she isn't into big expensive diamonds, to me that says she knows you currently can't afford one. My guess is that she wants you to propose sooner than later, she doesn't want you to wait months or years until you have the money for a big expensive diamond. That in no way means that she would prefer a colored stone over a diamond. Good Old Gold has lovely diamonds and you have the option to trade the diamond in later on and apply the initial amount paid to a bigger/better diamond.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-31ct-j-si1-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

And the whole not wearing their engagement rings is not a practice I'd encourage. I certainly wouldn't advocate it by presenting her with a soft stone that shouldn't be worn daily.

 

[pregcurious]

I like Greg's suggestion. My concern is this statement:
"Secondly, I got it into my head that I wanted to get a peridot engagement ring."

I think the goal is to get her a ring that she will like.

My husband surprised me with an ering, and we were in a similar situation as you. We got married right after college, so there was little money. He did not take into account what I liked, and as a result I did not like the style of the ring. (It is exactly the opposite of the kind of jewelry I like.) I was happy to be married, but the ring was not my style and I only wore it on occasion. Just like you would not want to wear a sweater that you did not like, someone would not want to wear a ring that they don't like. And no one wants to wear something they don't like every single day.

Fortunately, he bought me a half carat diamond, and I reset it a few years ago in a yellow diamond halo. (He offered to replace it entirely but I decided the center stone had too much sentimental value to me.)

You could also do a diamond eternity ring. Paired with a solid wedding band, that is a timeless look. It is solid platinum on the bottom so it is durable for most things, but it still has small set diamonds, so I wouldn't wear it (or any gemstone ring) hiking or gardening. It has engraving all around, which makes it absolutely gorgeous.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/157719498/platinum-and-diamond-eternity-band-with?ref=shop_home_active_7

If she wants a gemstone or diamond ring later, that can be done, and worn with this. I can't think a woman who wouldn't love to have a diamond eternity band.

 

[pregcurious]

This sapphire and diamond ring is beautiful too, and is listed for only $525. I have a BevK eternity myself, and the workmanship is superb.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/beverley-k-sapphire-and-diamond-band-size-6-6-25-t211455.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/beverley-k-sapphire-and-diamond-band-size-6-6-25-t211455.html[/URL]

 

[partgypsy]

I actually think this is a really good idea, a band with small diamonds. Even when I was really into colored stones, I would have totally worn something like this. The only thing to keep in mind, is that you do need to know her ring size.

I would suggest getting a 5 stone, 7 stone or half eternity versus full. Less expensive and can be resized in the future.

 

[deskjockey]

I would not give her a Peridot engagement ring unless she specifically said "I want a Peridot engagement ring." I saw in your first post that your girlfriend said she isn't into big expensive diamonds, to me that says she knows you currently can't afford one. My guess is that she wants you to propose sooner than later, she doesn't want you to wait months or years until you have the money for a big expensive diamond. That in no way means that she would prefer a colored stone over a diamond.

While I agree that it would be a good idea to suss out more information about what she'd actually like, I can't say how annoying it is to not be taken at ones' word, LOL. When I told my husband I did NOT want a diamond I think he thought it was a trick. And I see all the time that people don't believe women when they say they don't want a diamond.

That said, it's totally true that "I don't want a big expensive diamond" could also mean "I'd like a small less expensive diamond"

This is a case where enlisting her friends to get into a conversation about shiny things might be useful, if you want it to be a total surprise.

 

[sas418]

Thanks for the input! I'm going to go the sapphire route. I'd considered it from the onset, but had thought peridot was an interesting choice for the reasons stated! But the useful feedback you've all provided has taken me back around to that.

I really like this one that was posted before: http://www.mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=view&cat=301

I did ask about color, but didn't get a response from them. I'll try again.

Thanks all!

 

[pregcurious]

Sometimes Rachel takes a while to respond.

If you have questions about a stone you like, you may want to avoid posting a link to it. In the past, we have had lurkers buy a stone from under someone.

In the future, you can post pictures of a stone without a link. Most of the regular posters will recognize who the vendor is and can give you feedback by looking at the stone on the vendor's website. Each vendor has a very distinct photography style. Did I mention most of us have a gemstone addiction?

 

[sani987cece]

When I was first in the planning stages if making my ering (yep, I wanted to do it, no surprises for this girl lol) I looked into the peridot as well. It is a beautiful stone, but as everyone has said, it is on the softer side and is on the higher end of getting scratched and cloudy looking. I had even considered a "green" sapphire since it was harder on the MOHS scale.

Now, if you have find a tsavorite.... Wow.... But I have been out of the gemstone world for awhile, and I think that would take quite Chunk of you budget.

I knew that I was not going to want a diamond and I knew I wanted a gemstone.. Gemstone ERInGS can make so pretty big statements when you find the right stone. I get more compliments on my ering than I ever had on only my bands. Good luck on your search!

 

[pregcurious]

This is a case where enlisting her friends to get into a conversation about shiny things might be useful, if you want it to be a total surprise.

This is a great idea.

 

[Niel]

Thanks for the input! I'm going to go the sapphire route. I'd considered it from the onset, but had thought peridot was an interesting choice for the reasons stated! But the useful feedback you've all provided has taken me back around to that.

I really like this one that was posted before: http://www.mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=view&cat=301

I did ask about color, but didn't get a response from them. I'll try again.

Thanks all!

I know there's still a question about its inclusion and if its visable, bit I like it. I like that its returnable if you dont like it.

If you do end up liking it, I still really like the used platinum eBay setting with the strait baguettes. So classic, that look. And the setting alone, new, would be more than your whole budget.
Maybe you can finagle a return policy out of the seller, even

 

[sas418]

Thanks all! I'm taking a serious look at that ebay setting. And now that you mention it, I'm also a little worried about the visible inclusions in that other gem. After a bunch of searching around, I am thinking the Montana Sapphire route is also a good way to go. "More bang for the buck" as you've all said. Still, the bluer the better I think. And with a little trepidation, I think raising the budget $200-$300 to around $1200 will add a lot at this price point.

Thoughts on these gems?
http://mastercutgems.com/images/gems/24622.jpg
http://www.finewatergems.com/uploads/1/2/7/0/127072/1520529_orig.jpg - $675
http://www.finewatergems.com/uploads/1/2/7/0/127072/7118359_orig.jpg - $750
http://www.finewatergems.com/uploads/1/2/7/0/127072/9403688_orig.jpg - $840

They take me pretty high into the hopeful budget, but based on some of the good finds you've shown me, I think I can make it work.

Thanks again, all!

 

[Niel]

Hey, do you think shed like a good ruby red?

 

[pregcurious]

I like the last Finewater Gems sapphire the best. It is a nice shape, and a good size, and the color will look good in most settings.

 

[EvangelineG]

Just noticed that Chris Auletta has a peridot coloured sapphire for sale on his FB. If you are still looking OP, this might be a fantastic compromise.

Edited to add that it is quite small at 5.8mm, so may not fit the bill.

 

[minousbijoux]

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

Wow, Preg, what a great find! Thank you for that catalogue with prices. Even if they are out of date (don't know that, just saying), at least it provides a ballpark of what individual designs might cost. That is great.