Looking for Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring

[Shealtiel]

Hi,

I''m a little new to the jewelry world, but I''m looking to get engaged in the near future to my girlfriend of almost 1.5 years. We''ve talked about things, and it''s come out that she doesn''t like diamonds at all. I''ve thought a blue sapphire would be nice (she says she likes blue-green in general, but I''m not really sure what gems are like that), something in a solitaire setting with platinum or white gold...very simple and elegant.

I''m a graduate student and a minister, so my budget is rather smalll. I''m hoping to spend around $1200-1500 on the ring, and, with regards to a blue sapphire, I''m wondering what kind of rings would be best. I want something that''s pretty and of reasonable quality, and with a carat size that doesn''t make it look microscopic. I really don''t like salespeople, so this is my first stop to get advice before entering the treacherous world of shopping. I''m very open to online shopping (I''ve looked, for instance, at the Natural Sapphire Company) if I know what I''m doing, or if I get a good recommendation.

If any of you could advise about appropriate places to buy, the best cut/carat size, samples of rings that might be appropriate, or other matters, I''d be very grateful.


Clueless in New Jersey,

JZ

 

[Shealtiel]

Here, for instance, is one that I found on the site that fits within my price range. Opinions?

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjewelry.aspx?jewelry=J803

 

[Selkie]

Hi, and welcome to Pricescope. That was really sweet of you to find out what she would like in a ring. I''m one of several people here with a sapphire engagement ring, and my sapphire is from NSC. Except for going to a few jewelry stores to look at designs in person, we did all our research and shopping online, so it''s definitely possible.

That ring is nice, and the sapphire is a good color and clarity. It looks quite sparkly, not "dead" at all. What about this one? The color is a little more saturated, which some people like: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjewelry.aspx?jewelry=J803

Another option with NSC is to choose a stone first that fits your budget, and then check out the mounting options that are suggested for it. For your budget, you could certainly get a very nice sapphire, possibly up to a 1ct if you were willing to go with a heat treated stone, in a simple white gold setting.

 

[Selkie]

Are you only considering getting a round stone, and a simple 4 or 6 prong setting? Or do you think she might like a little more detail in the setting, or a different shape stone?

For instance, here's a very pretty cushion: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Cushion/stoneid=B2482. It could be set in this antique style setting: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Cushion/stoneid=B2482, for about $1390.

 

[Harriet]

Welcome! Richard Martin, www.artcutgems.com, has a number of lovely sapphires. I''ve never bought from them, but I''ve been eyeing their sapphires: www.atggems.com

 

[Selkie]

Oops, I meant this antique style setting: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjsring.aspx?stoneid=JS73B. I just noticed it has diamonds on the side, but they make a pretty accent, rather than being the stars of the show.

Or you could do an oval in a simple cross-over solitaire setting like this one: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjsring.aspx?stoneid=JS36A.

Anyway, you should also check out the colored e-ring thread here, for tons more ideas. Let us know how the search goes!

 

[Shealtiel]

Selkie (and others),

What kind of cut looks best for an e-ring? My own preference is for the round, but an I missing the boat here?

Also, I''m trying to find the mounting that''s used in the ring I posted. Do you know which one it is?

Thanks.

J

 

[Selkie]

Date: 10/31/2007 5:02:58 PM
Author: Shealtiel
Selkie (and others),

What kind of cut looks best for an e-ring? My own preference is for the round, but an I missing the boat here?

Also, I''m trying to find the mounting that''s used in the ring I posted. Do you know which one it is?

Thanks.

J

It''s so subjective...I preferred round too, but I found that it was a little more difficult to find a round with the size and color intensity I wanted, than say an oval or cushion. Not impossible, since I eventually found one I love. I suggested the other shapes because it opens up your possibilities a little in terms of size and price.

If you aren''t on a strict timeline, I''d give it a month or so since the stock at NSC rotates fairly regularly. You could probably also contact them and ask them to keep an eye out for a nice round. Also be sure to check out the other vendors listed in this thread and the other recent sapphire e-ring threads, as they all have nice stones to offer.

I think that setting looks closest to this one:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjsring.aspx?stoneid=JS31A. I think it might look a little different from the one in the ring you posted because the prongs aren''t trimmed to the stone size. But it seems to have the same tapering "knife-edge" near the head.

 

[surfgirl]

I think those sapphires that Selkie found are gorgeous though I prefer the most intensely blue one! And I love that antique setting...!

I personally think that sapphires look best in a cushion cut...love the shape and the sparkle the cushion faceting gives it. Lucious.

 

[Shealtiel]

Hmmm...I have to say I like the round cut the best...perhaps I''ll have to take a look at one in person. Speaking of that, what stores in the Philadelphia/NYC area are recommended? (I live in Princeton). I know the Natural Sapphire Company has offices in New York...is it easy for a fellow in my position with my budget to just walk in and talk with them about my desires in this situation?

And yes, I do have a month or so of time to shop. Are there certain times during the month when online sites update their inventories, or is this rolling?

Thanks.

 

[Selkie]

There''s a thread or two about people visiting NSC, and they seem to have had positive experiences. Here''s one: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-natural-sapphire-company.57295/. Check on their Contact page for info about appointments. They will also send stones to you for an evaluation period. That''s what I did, since I live in LA.

Sorry, don''t know enough about New York to recommend other dealers, but try a search here for gem dealers New York.

 

[Shealtiel]

New question:

She really likes blue-green. I know some sapphires come in this color. Anyone know where I could find a selection of these, especially in a round or cushion cut?

JZ

 

[Shealtiel]

I e-mailed Steve Bliss about the .67 carat blue sapphire ring I was initially looking at, and he mentioned that they didn't have anything comparable in my price range...

I did, however, find this combo and wanted to know what you all thought of it:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Round/stoneid=B2297
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjsring.aspx?stoneid=JS31A



In addition, do you know if Natural Sapphire has any settings like this:
http://www.jewelsforme.com/item-main.asp?ItemNumber=1980R-14&Gemtype=12&Metal=W&ItemMonth=&Ad=&CU=#

and if they'd look good with the type of round cut I'm looking for?

Thanks,

J

 

[Selkie]

Date: 11/1/2007 4:36:24 PM
Author: Shealtiel
I e-mailed Steve Bliss about the .67 carat blue sapphire ring I was initially looking at, and he mentioned that they didn't have anything comparable in my price range...

I did, however, find this combo and wanted to know what you all thought of it:

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Round/stoneid=B2297

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjsring.aspx?stoneid=JS31A

In addition, do you know if Natural Sapphire has any settings like this:

http://www.jewelsforme.com/item-main.asp?ItemNumber=1980R-14&Gemtype=12&Metal=W&ItemMonth=&Ad=&CU=#

and if they'd look good with the type of round cut I'm looking for?

Thanks,

J

I love the color on that NSC stone you posted. My only hesitation would be the window, that somewhat dead area in the center where you almost see through the stone. If you look at the video, you'll see what I mean in action. It's not a dealbreaker, but I'd definitely want to see it in person. You might want to compare it with B2298, which is very similar in size and price.

As for the setting you posted, I didn't see any quite like it on the NSC site, but that's not to say you can't buy the stone and have a local jeweler set it for you. That's what I did. I think a sapphire looks really nice with diamond sidestones, but if you have a good sparkly, nice-colored stone, it would look great as a solitaire.

Because I'm avoiding work, and love browsing for sapphires, I took a quick look at a couple other sites and found these lovelies. They are all heated, which explains why they are cheaper, but if that is not a priority for you than they might fit the bill. Both these sites also have blue-green sapphires but I didn't see any rounds posted.

From ajsgems.com:
1.1 ct $700
1.04ct $600
1.18ct $649

From Simplysapphires.com:
.88ct $545
1.17ct $635

Blue-green sapphires

 

[Selkie]

Some more rings I just found:

Here''s a green-blue sapphire solitaire ring from Topazery.com:
http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg2455.htm

A solitaire with filigree:
http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg2121.htm

A really pretty wedding set (includes wedding band):
http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg2260.htm

 

[Shealtiel]

Selkie,

Thanks so much for the help! I just found this blue-green on wildfishgems. What do you think? Anyone ever dealt with them before?

http://wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/8281

 

[chrono]

Ed is honest with his description and tries his best to capture the true colour of the gemstones. When he wrote that the stone is shallow, he means it = a good sized window in the stone. I would pass on it in this case as I believe an engagement ring stone should be close to perfect.

 

[Shealtiel]

Hey All,

I''m getting a little closer to some good options here. I''ve found to beautiful blue-green stones that I like for a ring from Wildfish Gems.

Item number one: http://wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/8063

Attached is one additonal file. The next post will have another.

JZ

 

[Shealtiel]

And attached is the other photo of the same stone.

I'm worried here that the inclusion he refers to is much more of a problem that words would indicate. What do you think? This ring here is another option he recommended, but it is rather out of my price range.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/5666

Thoughts?

JZ

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Welcome Shealtiel-

It's very sweet that you are putting so much effort into this! I have a question about the diamond thing-when your lady says she doesn't care for diamonds, is it because she prefers colored stones? If that is the case, have you considered an irradiated blue diamond? They are often this blue-green color you are after and sell for less money than colorless diamonds. I'll have to look, but Gary Dutton of Dutton's Diamonds did a ring like this for someone that was simply gorgeous. Just something to think about...

Of everything that has been posted, I still like that first cushion from the NSC that Selkie posted. This last stone you found is a very pretty color, but I don't know enough about inclusions in sapphires to comment. I'm sure one of the others will chime in soon.

Good luck with school-I'm a fellow grad student myself!

ETA: I can't find the link I'm looking for, but there's an ex. in this thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/rod-finally-took-some-pics.50334/

ETAA: AHA!!! I found it! https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-engagement-ring-made-with-gary-duttons-help.64699/

 

[Selkie]

I take it you've communicated directly with him about that one? Is the inclusion that sort of square whitish part that looks most obvious in the second pic you posted? I THINK I can see it in the other pics as well. I think that you would probably be able to see it if you were to inspect the stone in person, especially if you know where it is. However, it might not be nearly as obvious in real life. It looks like he has a 7-day inspection policy, and if you really like that stone otherwise, I'd order it to check it out.

I really like the color on both the Wildfish stones, I'm a fan of blue-green also. In fact, now that I think about it I have a blue-green loose sapphire (it's a really bad cut, and kind of dark) sitting at home waiting for me to do something with it. It was an eBay purchase, but I certainly wouldn't recommend eBay for an engagement ring stone!

 

[Selkie]

Ooh, did you see this one? It''s bluer, but definitely still greenish: http://wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/8140

 

[Shealtiel]

That''s definitely a nice one too. Are all of these carat sizes good for an engagement ring, you think?

JZ

 

[E B]

Ooh, selkie- that sapphire is GORGEOUS!

 

[Selkie]

Date: 11/5/2007 7:41:34 PM
Author: Shealtiel
That's definitely a nice one too. Are all of these carat sizes good for an engagement ring, you think?

JZ

Sure. A 6mm round sapphire is about the same size as a .75ct diamond, which I think is a nice size e-ring. If you want to see what a 6mm sapphire looks like on a hand, here's a link to my ring. I have big fingers-size 8.75.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-antique-style-sapphire-and-diamond-wedding-set.63650/page-2

Do you know her ring size?

 

[Shealtiel]

Yep,

She''s about a 5 1/2

JZ

 

[Selkie]

Date: 11/6/2007 2:53:07 AM
Author: Shealtiel
Yep,


She''s about a 5 1/2


JZ

Any of those stones will look great on her hand, then. Have you seen any more possible contenders?

 

[Shealtiel]

Not as such. Supposing that I''m interested in these stones, does Ed at Wildfishgems set stones in rings. If not, what are my options elsewhere?

Thanks,

JZ

 

[Shealtiel]

I think I may have found the one:

http://wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/8498

I really like it. Any cautions?

About a setting: Ed at Wildfish says he can do a 18K white gold tiffany style setting for $750.

What do you think of the price? Has anyone had a stone mounted by him? (pictures?)

What kind of setting do you think works best for the stone?

Thanks,

JZ

 

[Selkie]

Looks nice! I''ve seen nothing but praise for Ed Bristol here. There''s a very recent thread by someone who had a stone set in platinum by him: Marduk''s ring.

I see that Whiteflash has a 4 or 6-prong Tiffany style setting in 18k white gold for $295, and a heavier version for $495. Local jewelers would also have stock Tiffany style settings for less. But then you''d have to deal with the hassle of finding someone to set the stone after you buy it. Can Ed send you pics of the setting before you decide?