What stone would you get for $1500 - $3000?

[VirginiaZee]

First, a little story. A long time ago, before I knew about PS, before I heard about the Mohs scale, before I knew that not all stones were good for jewelry, I was proposed to with a lovely little tanzanite. Fast forward about 10 or so years and that little ring has been loved and worn and, uh, chipped and abraded and so on. So, it's time for something more durable. There's really no time frame for this project, and I'm looking for ideas.

Here's the deets.

Budget: $1500-$3000
Stone shape: Any (well, any except for hearts.... and I'm not wild about marquises in CS's...)
Color: Totally open (my favorite color is purple, but I've never found anything to rival the rich, saturated but not too dark purple of a nice ammy. Yellow and baby pink are probably the least favorites for this project, but feel free to post ideas with those colors too!).
Treatment: Heat is fine, diffusion is not
Stone type: Sapphire, spinel, chrysoberyl (the usual suspects!)
Stone size: Open, though my finger size is 7.25 for reference (which means I'm totally jealous of all of you with size 4.5 fingers... I think that *might* fit my pinkie. It also means that while I'd prefer something pushing 7mm or more, and love items in the 9mm range, I know I might have to go smaller)

I've been browsing the various vendors and haven't found anything I'm willing to plunk my money down for, and was wondering, given the budget, what would you (the collective *you* of this forum) look for (or what specific stone would you buy, if you happen to know of something really sweet)? I'm looking for inspiration. TIA!

 

[gingercurls]

Hi VirginiaZee! I think that this stone might fit some of your requirements. It is a 1.45 carat Lavender sapphire that is unheated. The shape is round and it is 7.03mm in diameter and precision cut. Here is the link:
http://selectgem.com/products/1-45ct-lavender-blue-sapphire

 

[distracts]

I literally just had this open in a tab next to this PS page: http://www.thegemtrader.com/Jul13PSapphirePage.htm

I think it's definitely worth ordering to take a look at. I've found The Gem Trader's pictures to be pretty accurate and the return process easy the one time I had to return something.

 

[dk168]

Certified unheated 1.72ct oval purple Sapphire from Jeff Davies:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CERTIFIED...6696?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item566cc1f018

DK

 

[Niel]

This
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Jul14BSpinelPage.htm

In this

http://m.pearlmansjewelers.com/site/pearlmansjewelers/jewelry-designers-beverley-k-jewelry?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pearlmansjewelers.com%2Fjewelry-designers%2Fbeverley-k-jewelry%2Frings%2F173PP1%2F#2711

 

[VirginiaZee]

Thanks for the ideas! Keep 'em coming.

Certified unheated 1.72ct oval purple Sapphire from Jeff Davies:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CERTIFIED...6696?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item566cc1f018

DK

Nice find! I'll have to start watching his page more often.

I literally just had this open in a tab next to this PS page: http://www.thegemtrader.com/Jul13PSapphirePage.htm

I think it's definitely worth ordering to take a look at. I've found The Gem Trader's pictures to be pretty accurate and the return process easy the one time I had to return something.

I've seriously been looking at this off and on, I love the shift.

Hi VirginiaZee! I think that this stone might fit some of your requirements. It is a 1.45 carat Lavender sapphire that is unheated. The shape is round and it is 7.03mm in diameter and precision cut. Here is the link:
http://selectgem.com/products/1-45ct-lavender-blue-sapphire

Oh... shiny (I'm such a magpie, lol).

This
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Jul14BSpinelPage.htm

In this

http://m.pearlmansjewelers.com/site/pearlmansjewelers/jewelry-designers-beverley-k-jewelry?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pearlmansjewelers.com%2Fjewelry-designers%2Fbeverley-k-jewelry%2Frings%2F173PP1%2F#2711

Gorgeous combination! Silly question, can settings like this be made to order to fit the stone?

 

[liao]

This one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commanding-rare-Copper-Tourmaline-Oval-10-ct-Near-loupe-clean-Orange-Gem-/121064754281?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item1c30058c69

or this one?
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Dec14QCovellitePage.htm

 

[dk168]

I could be wrong, however, I thought Tourmalines are considered too soft for everyday wear.

DK

 

[Niel]

Not a silly question
Yes, a lot of Beverly k settings can be adjusted for different shapes.

 

[VirginiaZee]

I could be wrong, however, I thought Tourmalines are considered too soft for everyday wear.

DK

I thought they were too soft too, and prone to chipping. Though definitely beautiful for RHR's (or for a LHR that will only get worn, gently, when outside of the house, with the understanding that it might chip/get facet abrasion more readily than some other stones).

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Love this one http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7831

 

[NKOTB]

There are a couple of bigger pink/purplish spinels of Gary's that I'd consider... http://www.finewatergems.com/spinel.html

 

[MakingTheGrade]

There are a couple of bigger pink/purplish spinels of Gary's that I'd consider... http://www.finewatergems.com/spinel.html

I recently set my sapphire from gary and I LOVE it.

Also, I love this sapphire which is preloved but from a respected vendor originally and so pretty. I think it would look stunning in a diamond halo and plain shank

http://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/jeff-white-blue-sapphire

 

[LoversKites]

This
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Jul14BSpinelPage.htm

In this

http://m.pearlmansjewelers.com/site/pearlmansjewelers/jewelry-designers-beverley-k-jewelry?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pearlmansjewelers.com%2Fjewelry-designers%2Fbeverley-k-jewelry%2Frings%2F173PP1%2F#2711

Oh man, I always LOVED this spinel.

 

[NKOTB]

It's not huge, but looks like a nice purple...first one on this page: http://www.clearcutgems.com/sapphire.html

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I like steely colored gems, but I know they're not really favored here on PS. But here's my two cents anyway.

I've eyed this one from Jeff for awhile. It's a tad above budget at $3,850, but you might be able to negotiate a bit, if you love it.
3.99 ct sapphire
purple/blue color change
9.13 x 9.11 x 6.03 mm
VVS
Heat only
http://jefferydavies.com/inventory/product/110-sapphire-3-99ct

Here's one from Dana. Again, it's a steely lavender plum color.
2.19 ct spinel
8.2 X 6.1 mm
VVS2
No treatment at all
$240
http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7748

Then there's this spinel that's been calling my name for awhile. I just want to eat it! I hope someone else buys it soon!
Mahenge spinel
1.44 ct
6.6 x 5.4 x 4.5 mm
VVS
No treatment at all
$1,870
http://www.gemfix.com/spinel.html
(second row, third column)

 

[VirginiaZee]

Love this one http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7831

That's lovely!

There are a couple of bigger pink/purplish spinels of Gary's that I'd consider... http://www.finewatergems.com/spinel.html

Gary takes such great photos too, I like browsing his site.

There are a couple of bigger pink/purplish spinels of Gary's that I'd consider... http://www.finewatergems.com/spinel.html

I recently set my sapphire from gary and I LOVE it.

Also, I love this sapphire which is preloved but from a respected vendor originally and so pretty. I think it would look stunning in a diamond halo and plain shank

http://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/jeff-white-blue-sapphire

Agreed!

It's not huge, but looks like a nice purple...first one on this page: http://www.clearcutgems.com/sapphire.html

I don't think I've browsed this vendors site in a long time... I'll have to look through it. He has some very pretty purples!

I like steely colored gems, but I know they're not really favored here on PS. But here's my two cents anyway.

I've eyed this one from Jeff for awhile. It's a tad above budget at $3,850, but you might be able to negotiate a bit, if you love it.
3.99 ct sapphire
purple/blue color change
9.13 x 9.11 x 6.03 mm
VVS
Heat only
http://jefferydavies.com/inventory/product/110-sapphire-3-99ct

Here's one from Dana. Again, it's a steely lavender plum color.
2.19 ct spinel
8.2 X 6.1 mm
VVS2
No treatment at all
$240
http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7748

Then there's this spinel that's been calling my name for awhile. I just want to eat it! I hope someone else buys it soon!
Mahenge spinel
1.44 ct
6.6 x 5.4 x 4.5 mm
VVS
No treatment at all
$1,870
http://www.gemfix.com/spinel.html
(second row, third column)

stock.

Yummy, yummy and gah, must eat! And while I love the "favored/ideal" colors, I also have a soft spot for pretty sparklies, regardless of where they would fit on that ideal spectrum. Which is an awkward way to say I love non-ideal/traditional ideas too!

 

[SparkliesLuver]

One more. I'm not a huge trillion fan but this one really speaks to me (both in shape and color).

1.15 ct. Vietnamese spinel
Bluish-violet
6.7 mm
Eye-clean
Untreated
$1,006
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Aug14VSpinelPage.htm

 

[VirginiaZee]

One more. I'm not a huge trillion fan but this one really speaks to me (both in shape and color).

1.15 ct. Vietnamese spinel
Bluish-violet
6.7 mm
Eye-clean
Untreated
$1,006
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Aug14VSpinelPage.htm

Great spot! TGT has definitely been getting some nice spinels lately...

 

[Vidalia]

It may be pricey for a spinel, but I love the color of this slightly-sleepy spinel:
http://selectgem.com/collections/front-page/products/1-90ct-tanzanian-color-shift-spinel

More photos and a video are on Select Gem's site.

What a fun project! Good luck with your search.

 

[VirginiaZee]

It may be pricey for a spinel, but I love the color of this slightly-sleepy spinel:
http://selectgem.com/collections/front-page/products/1-90ct-tanzanian-color-shift-spinel

More photos and a video are on Select Gem's site.

What a fun project! Good luck with your search.

Given that the price for spinel is going up, the price seems reasonable for a well-executed precision cut. Since I'm not really drawn to any one thing, I figured I'd just keep looking around until something reached out and grabbed me. And I love all the ideas on this thread so far!

 

[FrekeChild]

Have you looked at preloved items at all?

 

[VirginiaZee]

Have you looked at preloved items at all?

Yep... I'm open to preloved, and check LT too regularly for my own good, lol. I figured I wasn't finding anything that made my heart sing, so I thought I'd open it up with what is basically a "what would you do if you were spending my money?" type question. Sometimes it helps (well, helps me at least) to have other perspectives on possibilities.

 

[FrekeChild]

Lol! I was just thinking that there are a few items I'd love to snag on LT right now, but I don't know that they'd tickle your fancy!

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/lisa-elser-merelani-mint-and-diamond-ring

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/finewater-red-spinel-ring

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/rose-red-spinel-and-diamonds-three-stone-ring

 

[VirginiaZee]

Lol! I was just thinking that there are a few items I'd love to snag on LT right now, but I don't know that they'd tickle your fancy!

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/lisa-elser-merelani-mint-and-diamond-ring

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/finewater-red-spinel-ring

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/rose-red-spinel-and-diamonds-three-stone-ring

Yes, I love LT, it's a dangerous place. There are some very, very nice pieces going up right now!

 

[pregcurious]

Some needs to buy that trillion Luc Yen spinel.

 

[Haywood74]

If you like purple, like you originally said, you can get a REALLY nice amethyst or two with your budget...I listed 2 JXR's last year in the Pre-Loved section here that didn't sell....Your budget, on the low end, would have taken both of them home

That Lisa Elser Merelani Mint and Diamond Ring linked earlier in this thread would be a super-nice buy, too...

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[LoversKites]

How would you feel about a spess? http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/super-orange-spess-ring

 

[Siameseroo]

Another beautiful preloved ring - bluey green seafoam tourm. It's a size 7 so should be easily resizable to a 7.25 and way under budget.

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/jeff-white-seafoam-tourmaline-legacy-halo-ring

 

[VirginiaZee]

If you like purple, like you originally said, you can get a REALLY nice amethyst or two with your budget...I listed 2 JXR's last year in the Pre-Loved section here that didn't sell....Your budget, on the low end, would have taken both of them home

That Lisa Elser Merelani Mint and Diamond Ring linked earlier in this thread would be a super-nice buy, too...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Agreed on the amethyst, I actually have one that I love (not JXR though...). Unfortunately I'm afraid if I wear amethyst daily I'll eventually destroy it (if not in a few years, then in 50... and I know I can replace it, but darn it, I'm a sentimental person, replacing one ring is hard enough, lol).

That Lisa Elser mint caught my eye too, it's gorgeous!

Merry Christmas CS'ers.