When you venture into the world of CS...

[Rubybrick]

How do you “prioritize” “maximize” your search? I feeling is that color is the most important factor, but the same color family is available in different types of stones. How do you evaluate? For example, I am partial to the aqu blue, previously I thought all those would be aquamarine, but now I know there are Zircon (pictured here) and topaz, that come in that color, probably more that I don’t know of. How do you go about your search? Your strategy so to speak? Or is the hunt a big part of the fun?

 

[ShinyPink]

Oooh! I love that blue!

I have no answer for you, as I am currently staring at 8 pink and 6 purple stones, and I don't know what their purpose is! I'm slowly moving over to blues because, why not?!

 

[chrono]

Some types are more sparkly than other types.

Some types are better suited for occasional wear.

Some are more treated than other types

Budget is also a consideration.

 

[Gemobsessed]

I also have a rarity filter. Some gemstones are beautiful but abundant so I figure I will be able to get them at a later date. But some are exceptional or simply rare. I prioritise them first.

 

[dkata]

A few months ago I was also looking for an aqua blue stone. At first I found zircons, but the first stones i have found were quite expensive. So I had a look at apatites. I even opened a thread asking about my possibilities, and a lot of people pointed out, that apatites are not durable.

So now I search like that: look at the MOHs scale, look at higher rating stones. Then choose the stones, that come in your desired color, and then try to find one in your budget! And the fun - the hunt - begins.

To tell the truth I’m biased, I love zircons. Their refractive index is between 6.5-7, they have a variety of color, are mostly affordable, and have a high refractive index. What else you want more?

By the way the pictured stone is beautiful! I just set my asscher blue zircon, and I love it!!

 

[daneshpastry]

Colour is my first priority - but I'm frankly only interested in sapphires, so that helps narrow things down for me. Sapphires because they're durable, come in virtually every colour (I'm including rubies in this), have some sparkle, some depth, and are readily available (even if far above my budget).

Second comes cut - but I still place priorities on clarity (not so much inclusions as much as literal clarity). It's unfortunate that coloured stones are rarely graded on cut, because that's eventually what brings out the true beauty in the stone.

I still love other stones (I wear an diamond & emerald daily bracelet), but sapphires are just so special to me...something about the allure I suppose.

 

[Rubybrick]

Colour is my first priority - but I'm frankly only interested in sapphires, so that helps narrow things down for me. Sapphires because they're durable, come in virtually every colour (I'm including rubies in this), have some sparkle, some depth, and are readily available (even if far above my budget).

Second comes cut - but I still place priorities on clarity (not so much inclusions as much as literal clarity). It's unfortunate that coloured stones are rarely graded on cut, because that's eventually what brings out the true beauty in the stone.

I still love other stones (I wear an diamond & emerald daily bracelet), but sapphires are just so special to me...something about the allure I suppose.

something about that sapphire blue isn’t it, I think I understand the feeling! Alas budget will always be a factor for me for blue sapphire so can’t a whimsical buy per se...

 

[Rubybrick]

A few months ago I was also looking for an aqua blue stone. At first I found zircons, but the first stones i have found were quite expensive. So I had a look at apatites. I even opened a thread asking about my possibilities, and a lot of people pointed out, that apatites are not durable.

So now I search like that: look at the MOHs scale, look at higher rating stones. Then choose the stones, that come in your desired color, and then try to find one in your budget! And the fun - the hunt - begins.

To tell the truth I’m biased, I love zircons. Their refractive index is between 6.5-7, they have a variety of color, are mostly affordable, and have a high refractive index. What else you want more?

By the way the pictured stone is beautiful! I just set my asscher blue zircon, and I love it!!

So does the refractive index determine how sparkling a stone is? I think you pretty much summed up the allure of zircon, I am going to dig up your tread on your new Asscher!

 

[Rubybrick]

Some types are more sparkly than other types.

Some types are better suited for occasional wear.

Some are more treated than other types

Budget is also a consideration.

So much more to explore, I can see spending more time here for sure!

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

My goal was to have a rainbow assortment so I can change up my rings often depending on the weather or my feelings. But it’s very hard to stop searching and learning about what’s out there!

I really like garnets because they come in so many colors and are pretty affordable. (My avatar ring has demantoid garnets with a small Winza ruby.) Sapphires are more durable and are varied too. I learned quickly that cut really matters to the life of a stone. And inclusions can bring character if you’re not bothered by them.

 

[elle_71125]

I’m not gonna lie. I pick gems based on whatever color strikes my fancy. I avoid the very soft stuff like apatite and rhodochrosite even though I love the color (I’m just too clutzy to own them). Different varieties of gems can look very different in person, even if the color is similar. For example, I have a blue topaz but I still want a blue zircon because of the double refraction. I think a lot of us tend to gravitate towards a certain color family. Like greens and blues or pinks and reds. I buy a lot of different colors but greens and blues draw my eye the most.

I’m with @MissyBeaucoup and want a full color range of rings. I already have a few and switch them up everyday, based on my mood or outfit.

On a different note, @MissyBeaucoup, I miss seeing your ring. Feel free to post some more pics somewhere so I can drool over them again.

 

[missy]

How do you “prioritize” “maximize” your search? I feeling is that color is the most important factor, but the same color family is available in different types of stones. How do you evaluate? For example, I am partial to the aqu blue, previously I thought all those would be aquamarine, but now I know there are Zircon (pictured here) and topaz, that come in that color, probably more that I don’t know of. How do you go about your search? Your strategy so to speak? Or is the hunt a big part of the fun?

Hi Rubybrick, what a stunning blue. I admit blue is my favorite color and I am part to blue sapphires and then blue Zircons and then Aquamarines. I am most definitely drawn first to color then cut and sparkle and whatever else tugs at my heartstrings for whatever reason sometimes intangible. I have a most beautiful black opal ring but we all know it is not very durable. However I still love it and just take extra special care with it. Not the most practical ring/stone but IMO one of the most beautiful so worth the risk.

Risk/Reward. It's what life is all about isn't it?

 

[Hivona]

I'm still new to colored gems myself and bought my first ones from a PSer from LoupeTroop last summer. I have worked on building a small collection but budget is my biggest issue right now! I am still learning how I myself prioritize but so far it is a combination of color, cut, and clarity with size being lowest on my list. I also want to vary the vendors I purchase from so I can see if there are faceting styles I prefer or not. My all time favorite shape is emerald cut so I am usually drawn to those gems however, one of the things I am trying to learn is how does a different shape translate to how color is shown and how that might change for different gem species.... Also, like a few others have mentioned I too like to change up my look so I am trying to find different colors and different shapes so that I can wear them depending on my mood, clothing, or even weather! It seems that I have been gravitating to green and pink gems however, I want to eventually cover all color families! Setting the gems is a financial difficulty for me and I can't set them as I purchase them. Also, I am constantly reminding myself that if I miss out on a gem that it is ok. There will always be another one down the road and this can be a life long hobby for me if I so choose. There is no reason for me to buy everything I want asap! Undoubtedly my tastes will change over time too.

 

[Rubybrick]

Hi Rubybrick, what a stunning blue. I admit blue is my favorite color and I am part to blue sapphires and then blue Zircons and then Aquamarines. I am most definitely drawn first to color then cut and sparkle and whatever else tugs at my heartstrings for whatever reason sometimes intangible. I have a most beautiful black opal ring but we all know it is not very durable. However I still love it and just take extra special care with it. Not the most practical ring/stone but IMO one of the most beautiful so worth the risk.

Risk/Reward. It's what life is all about isn't it?

missy Your opal ring is TDF, everything about it is perfect, not to mention the history behind it. Opal is pretty high on my list, since both my kids were born in October. But I will have to pace myself on this adventure, my sapphire earrings that are suppose to be “fun” buy turned “serious” purchase!
And I am really liking the blue zircon, but I don’t want it to knock me off the course on a few other longtime wants!

 

[Rubybrick]

.

love your avitar ring!

 

[Rubybrick]

For example, I have a blue topaz but I still want a blue zircon because of the double refraction.

What does double refraction do? Like make the stone look wavy?

 

[Rubybrick]

I'm still new to colored gems myself and bought my first ones from a PSer from LoupeTroop last summer. I have worked on building a small collection but budget is my biggest issue right now! I am still learning how I myself prioritize but so far it is a combination of color, cut, and clarity with size being lowest on my list. I also want to vary the vendors I purchase from so I can see if there are faceting styles I prefer or not. My all time favorite shape is emerald cut so I am usually drawn to those gems however, one of the things I am trying to learn is how does a different shape translate to how color is shown and how that might change for different gem species.... Also, like a few others have mentioned I too like to change up my look so I am trying to find different colors and different shapes so that I can wear them depending on my mood, clothing, or even weather! It seems that I have been gravitating to green and pink gems however, I want to eventually cover all color families! Setting the gems is a financial difficulty for me and I can't set them as I purchase them. Also, I am constantly reminding myself that if I miss out on a gem that it is ok. There will always be another one down the road and this can be a life long hobby for me if I so choose. There is no reason for me to buy everything I want asap! Undoubtedly my tastes will change over time too.

good point on the shape, so far I only have rounds and pear, would love to own a step cut someday!

 

[leslie1956]

Rubybrick, I love your zircon, both the color and cut are fabulous The blue and green color family is my favorite, but I've been enticed by pink and red spinels more recently, too. I avoid oranges and yellows because they are unflattering with my coloring. (I stay away from yellow gold for the same reason.) Color and cut are paramount to me in choosing a stone. I love all the facets of Portuguese cut
gems

 

[Rubybrick]

Rubybrick, I love your zircon, both the color and cut are fabulous The blue and green color family is my favorite, but I've been enticed by pink and red spinels more recently, too. I avoid oranges and yellows because they are unflattering with my coloring. (I stay away from yellow gold for the same reason.) Color and cut are paramount to me in choosing a stone. I love all the facets of Portuguese cut
gems

Leslie the Zircon is not mine, I am just lusting after it, and I am doing a good job at “prioritizing” and refraining! The opal in your avitar is gorgeous!

 

[leslie1956]

It’s a lovely zircon, kudos to you for resisting the temptation Thank you re the opal, I really enjoy it!

 

[Gemobsessed]

Rubybrick, I love your zircon, both the color and cut are fabulous The blue and green color family is my favorite, but I've been enticed by pink and red spinels more recently, too. I avoid oranges and yellows because they are unflattering with my coloring. (I stay away from yellow gold for the same reason.) Color and cut are paramount to me in choosing a stone. I love all the facets of Portuguese cut
gems

Rubybrick, I love your zircon, both the color and cut are fabulous The blue and green color family is my favorite, but I've been enticed by pink and red spinels more recently, too. I avoid oranges and yellows because they are unflattering with my coloring. (I stay away from yellow gold for the same reason.) Color and cut are paramount to me in choosing a stone. I love all the facets of Portuguese cut
gems

You’re describing my entire CS journey! I started with blues and greens and ended up also buying lots of pinks especially mahenge spinels in portugese cuts!

I feel it’s been good for me to stay open to different gems, and not just Tourmalines which were my first love. I must have a zircon like this too but I believe I will be able to get it one day in the future but the pink spinels I’m collecting now are much rarer. That’s how I ended up prioritising. And definitely the hunt is fun!

 

[leslie1956]

You’re describing my entire CS journey! I started with blues and greens and ended up also buying lots of pinks especially mahenge spinels in portugese cuts!

I feel it’s been good for me to stay open to different gems, and not just Tourmalines which were my first love. I must have a zircon like this too but I believe I will be able to get it one day in the future but the pink spinels I’m collecting now are much rarer. That’s how I ended up prioritising. And definitely the hunt is fun!

Great minds think alike, Gemobsessed I have a pink spinel eternity ring from Yvonne and the color is amazing, it positively glows. I seem to put my rarer stones in eternity rings for some reason because I have hauynite and kornerupine bands too, the latter two worn on my thumb. The hunt is a lot of fun, I agree!

 

[Gemobsessed]

Great minds think alike, Gemobsessed I have a pink spinel eternity ring from Yvonne and the color is amazing, it positively glows. I seem to put my rarer stones in eternity rings for some reason because I have hauynite and kornerupine bands too, the latter two worn on my thumb. The hunt is a lot of fun, I agree!

Sounds so lovely! Please do share a pic. I have 3 spinels that range from pink red to red pink to orangey pink. And I haven’t set any!!

 

[leslie1956]

Here it is with my tsavorite eternity ring and my seven stone eternity ring with red spinel and grey diamonds.

 

[Gemobsessed]

Here it is with my tsavorite eternity ring and my seven stone eternity ring with red spinel and grey diamonds.

It’s gorgeous! Thank you for sharing

 

[suzanne2]

Hi @leslie1956 Your eternity rings are stunning. Do you have pics of the hauyne band? I love Yvonne's stuff. Thanks.

 

[leslie1956]

It’s gorgeous! Thank you for sharing

You're most welcome, Gemobsessed

 

[leslie1956]

Hi @leslie1956 Your eternity rings are stunning. Do you have pics of the hauyne band? I love Yvonne's stuff. Thanks.

Thank you, Suzanne2! I'll get you a picture later on today. My next eternity ring project with Yvonne will feature Paraiba and demantoid garnets in rose gold. Yvonne is running a 10% sale in her shop right now for Mother's Day, FYI She has the best quality melee size gems that I've ever seen.

 

[suzanne2]

Thank you, Suzanne2! I'll get you a picture later on today. My next eternity ring project with Yvonne will feature Paraiba and demantoid garnets in rose gold. Yvonne is running a 10% sale in her shop right now for Mother's Day, FYI She has the best quality melee size gems that I've ever seen.

Ohhh off I go to get lost in her website. Thanks!! Paraiba and dematoid will be stunning. And rose gold? That's the icing on the cake. Also, waiting for those pictures...I love the deep blue of hayune and the fact that they have to pick them out of the gravel.
I'll be out of pocket for the next few days, so if I don't respond it's because I'm at the craps table... Wish me luck!!

 

[leslie1956]

Here you go, Suzanne2! Sorry that it's somewhat dark, the weather isn't cooperating today. The bottom band is kornerupine, I really like the way it complements the hauynite.

Good luck at the tables