So I'm having my trusty jeweler build a pair of sapphire earrings for my wife. He has given me a few options and I wanted to get some feedback an opinions to help me make up my mind.
I'm building a halo style sapphire earring with diamonds that looks like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/sapphire-diamond-earrings_8147
Size
I am debating between 5mm or 6mm stones. My gut says go with the 5mm in case the 6mm's look slightly too large and then she needs to pick and choose when she wears them. I realize we are talking a minimal difference, but wanted some opinions. I want to make them so my wife can wear them every day and they won't look too big to wear with anything. Her last pair she wore daily but she lost one, so here I am rebuilding them.
Natural Stone Vs. Lab
My jeweler is happy to get me whatever I want. He says that the lab grown are beautiful, not as brilliant, but overall extremely nice and they would save me a decent amount of money. I'm old fashioned so I'm leaning towards the natural stone, but wanted some feedback on natural vs. lab. Any benefits to lab stones except for the price? I assume my jeweler will be buying a medium-high grade natural stone that has great color and light play, but they will not be high end stones as my budget won't support it. If I do go with lab stones, he would take the time to find nice ones as well. I'm fine with spending the money he quoted for the natural stones, but it seems like I could save some bucks, or go with the 6mm lab stones and still be saving a decent amount. Obviously spending less is always nice, but if there are downsides to the lab stones I will rule them out.
All feedback appreciated!
I'm building a halo style sapphire earring with diamonds that looks like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/sapphire-diamond-earrings_8147
Size
I am debating between 5mm or 6mm stones. My gut says go with the 5mm in case the 6mm's look slightly too large and then she needs to pick and choose when she wears them. I realize we are talking a minimal difference, but wanted some opinions. I want to make them so my wife can wear them every day and they won't look too big to wear with anything. Her last pair she wore daily but she lost one, so here I am rebuilding them.
Natural Stone Vs. Lab
My jeweler is happy to get me whatever I want. He says that the lab grown are beautiful, not as brilliant, but overall extremely nice and they would save me a decent amount of money. I'm old fashioned so I'm leaning towards the natural stone, but wanted some feedback on natural vs. lab. Any benefits to lab stones except for the price? I assume my jeweler will be buying a medium-high grade natural stone that has great color and light play, but they will not be high end stones as my budget won't support it. If I do go with lab stones, he would take the time to find nice ones as well. I'm fine with spending the money he quoted for the natural stones, but it seems like I could save some bucks, or go with the 6mm lab stones and still be saving a decent amount. Obviously spending less is always nice, but if there are downsides to the lab stones I will rule them out.
All feedback appreciated!