I thought it would be cleaner to start a new thread asking for PSers' input regarding my search for a padparadscha sapphire (preferably) or a pad-colored spinel for an engagement ring.
I have a $3,000 budget (for stone and setting) and my ideal pad would be between 1.25-2.0 carats, and cushion cut. I am certainly open to other cuts, provided it is the right color. I like the pale pinky-peach pads, though my dream would be to find one the color of the pictures I have attached--the perfect sunset blend of pink/orange. However, I was under the impression that my budget would not allow for a sapphire with such high saturation. I am fine with heat treatment, but not beryllium/lattice diffusion.
I would like to hear people's thoughts on spinels for everyday rings--particularly those who wear one.
I have gone through every single vendor's website on the sticky list and have yet to find something that strikes my fancy in my budget. There is a small 1.1 pad sapphire on the Finewater Gems website right now, but I am not in love with the distinct color zoning.
**Edit: I cannot save the pics of the Pricescope pads I wanted to reference for color, but they are Saracen's and Tgal's beautiful, sunny pads.
I have a $3,000 budget (for stone and setting) and my ideal pad would be between 1.25-2.0 carats, and cushion cut. I am certainly open to other cuts, provided it is the right color. I like the pale pinky-peach pads, though my dream would be to find one the color of the pictures I have attached--the perfect sunset blend of pink/orange. However, I was under the impression that my budget would not allow for a sapphire with such high saturation. I am fine with heat treatment, but not beryllium/lattice diffusion.
I would like to hear people's thoughts on spinels for everyday rings--particularly those who wear one.
I have gone through every single vendor's website on the sticky list and have yet to find something that strikes my fancy in my budget. There is a small 1.1 pad sapphire on the Finewater Gems website right now, but I am not in love with the distinct color zoning.
**Edit: I cannot save the pics of the Pricescope pads I wanted to reference for color, but they are Saracen's and Tgal's beautiful, sunny pads.