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»  » Three stone, wide band sapphire ring
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Three stone, wide band sapphire ring |
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| P: 1/11/2006 6:39:02 PM | |
Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
Hi! I'm glad I found this site. I like the diversity of opinions and taste that everyone has here, and am hoping for some suggestions. My boyfriend proposed on New Years (not coincidentally, it was our 5-year anniversary), and we are now dealing with THE RING. I'm an obsessive "Googler" and have been all over the place looking for something I'm not sure exists. If that means I have to design it, great, but I need someplace to start! I have big hands, since I'm tall and literally large-boned and my ring finger is size 9. I wear mostly silver rings, only one or two at a time, if at all, and I like a simple but classy look. The idea that I am choosing something I'll want to keep on my hand forever is a little weird to me. I'm considering getting a ring that serves as both an e-ring and wedding band, and I'm not particularly concerned whether this confuses people (MOM)  . Basically, this is what I'm looking for in the design: Center stone=approx. 1 carat (~6mm dia.) round blue sapphire (we're looking at a couple now) two side stones= .33 ct. round diamonds from earrings my grandmother gave me Wide white gold or platinum band about the same diameter as the sapphire, or a bit larger (6-8mm) POSSIBLY with a thin rim of yellow gold around the edge. To offset the width, I want the band to have open scrollwork/filigree, sort of a leaf pattern if possible. I've attached a picture of a band I like, for an example (but without the small diamonds). Low-profile setting, either flush or bezel for the diamonds, and bezel or a low basket for the sapphire. I like the antique look, but most filigree rings seem to be wide at the stone and tapering around the finger. I'm pretty sure I want consistent width. I've seen a number of wedding bands that fit this bill, but I'm concerned that setting three stones on a simple wide band will look, I don't know, glued-on, makeshift, something like that. I'm also worried that a bezel setting for the center would look odd with a less contemporary style band. Any pictures or suggestions would greatly appreciated. Thanks! 
*** Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
| Posted: 1/11/2006 6:39:02 PM | |
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There are 24 replies to this message. There are 24 replies on this page. |
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| P: 1/11/2006 6:48:20 PM | |
belle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,287 Last Post: 4/3/2008 Member Since: 11/19/2004 |
hey selkie welcome to ps!your ring design sounds just lovely. i've always liked the idea of a sapphire e-ring and those scroll designs are just beautiful. have you talked with any jewelers about your design ideas?
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| Posted: 1/11/2006 6:48:20 PM | |
| P: 1/11/2006 7:06:48 PM | |
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Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
Thanks, belle! I'm a water person, and it's all about the blue for me. There's a really cool local jeweler who does a lot of interesting work with unusual settings and gems, and we spent an hour there last weekend looking at their stuff. It's a TINY shop-it's crowded with 4 people in it, and there isn't a ton on display, but we really liked the styles and the atmosphere, and they live for custom work. So I think we'll have it made there, unless I find exactly what I want (not too likely) from a reputable online dealer. We're hoping to talk with them soon, and I'm sure they'll have suggestions. I just want to go in with a pretty good idea. *** |
| Posted: 1/11/2006 7:06:48 PM | |
| P: 1/11/2006 7:28:03 PM | |
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belle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,287 Last Post: 4/3/2008 Member Since: 11/19/2004 |
sweeeet! i'm all about the blue too...love it. your best bet is to go custom and i think that is an awesome idea. i've always wanted to design my own jewelry, it just gives it more meaning. i think your ideas are good. i'm heading out the door now, but if valeria101 hasn't come along by the time i get back, i'll try working up some ideas with photoshop.
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| Posted: 1/11/2006 7:28:03 PM | |
| P: 1/11/2006 8:15:44 PM | |
widget Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,254 Last Post: 12/20/2008 Member Since: 11/12/2004 |
Hi, Selkie...Welcome! Your design ideas sound wonderful, and sort of reminded me of this designer: Karina Mattei. Here's a picture of a ring of hers...unfortunately I goofed around with it a while ago and 'photoshopped' some yelllow gold/diamonds into it..but you get the idea. Were you thinking of something like this, only with the band wide and not tapered? widget 
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| Posted: 1/11/2006 8:15:44 PM | |
| P: 1/11/2006 8:19:06 PM | |
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widget Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,254 Last Post: 12/20/2008 Member Since: 11/12/2004 |
Here's a picture from her website showing some other bands...I think the top one could translate into an awsome three-stone band... I hope you stick around and share your design process with us, and of course eventually show us the final results! By the way...welcome to Pricescope! widget 
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| Posted: 1/11/2006 8:19:06 PM | |
| P: 1/11/2006 9:02:00 PM | |
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Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
Hi Widget, and thanks! You hit the nail on the proverbial head with the Karina Mattei designs. I really like the use of yellow and white gold in that band you noted in your second post, and the side stones could tuck nicely into the curves. It also reminds me of the styles I saw at the local jeweler, so I think they'd "get" what I want. This is fun. It's almost a shame to only be able to pick one design! Selkie *** |
| Posted: 1/11/2006 9:02:00 PM | |
| P: 1/12/2006 9:25:59 AM | |
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belle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,287 Last Post: 4/3/2008 Member Since: 11/19/2004 |
wow! good job widget! that sounds just like what selkie was looking for. i can't wait to see how your ring progresses selkie. keep us posted!
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| Posted: 1/12/2006 9:25:59 AM | |
| P: 1/12/2006 9:35:08 AM | |
Kismet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,444 Last Post: 11/21/2009 Member Since: 5/6/2005 |
Daniel Spirer also has a few designs that might inspire you too, particularly the bottom right and top center ones. http://spirerjewelers.com/gallery/rings/norm/index.html  Kismet's rings |
| Posted: 1/12/2006 9:35:08 AM | |
| P: 1/12/2006 9:37:03 AM | |
Bertrand Ideal Rock Total Posts: 622 Last Post: 8/17/2009 Member Since: 7/13/2004 |
Your project sounds wonderful, and has some basic similarities to the one I gave to my gal. Please keep posting on your progress. If you have any details on the sapphires you are looking at – let us know! --------------------------- |
| Posted: 1/12/2006 9:37:03 AM | |
| P: 1/12/2006 3:23:01 PM | |
Pricescope Administrator Total Posts: 8,265 Last Post: 1/5/2008 Member Since: 1/1/2000 |
Congratulations on your engagement Selkie! One Photoshop speculation of the Original for you  Pricescope |
| Posted: 1/12/2006 3:23:01 PM | |
| P: 1/12/2006 4:29:24 PM | |
valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
And soemething relatively simple... With a sapphire centre, such a thing would be quite lovely. And would not need such unique skills as traditional filigree does.  Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 1/12/2006 4:29:24 PM | |
| P: 1/12/2006 8:59:34 PM | |
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Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
I really like that one too, and the ones Valeria posted. These are all great ideas, and are very much what I had in mind. I'm looking around for stones now. We'd prefer unheated, but are willing to go with a very nice heated sapphire if I can't find one in the size I want. I've looked in places like the Natural Sapphire Company and Simply Sapphires, and am also planning to ask the jeweler what he can get in for us to take a look at. How much of a mark-up should I expect if I buy one through the jeweler, and how should I go about evaluating what he presents? *** |
| Posted: 1/12/2006 8:59:34 PM | |
| P: 1/13/2006 1:36:13 AM | |
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valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
 I woudn't say there is some consistent markup for fine color locally versus online. The nicest sell anyway... The ring above comes from Wink's gallery here. I had completely forgotten about it! Fancy concave cut sapphire and spessartite plus design work came in one package, as the story goes. The question "how should I evaluate what he presents" is always a good, hard question. As far as I know, it is pretty safe to have a look at a few options including some very fine regardless of price and decide what works for you out of the bunch. Now, this is a great way to go if you have a chance to see more than a couple of stones, and unless your jeweler happens to hold a large inventory of colored stones, this is tricky. Pictures are not the greatest way to see the color brilliance of precious stones - so if you are considering options both online and off, it may get complicated. Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 1/13/2006 1:36:13 AM | |
| P: 1/13/2006 2:23:46 AM | |
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widget Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,254 Last Post: 12/20/2008 Member Since: 11/12/2004 |
I think for all gems, especially colored stones, your eyes and heart are the best evaluators! I think sapphires with richer, more saturated color are more "highly valued" than lighter toned ones, but it's really a matter of personal taste. I suspect that stones called in by a B&B would be a bit more costly than those from online sources, understandably. There is indeed a huge advantage in being able to look at an assortment of candidates, rather than try to "evaluate" just one. I recently purchased an gemstone online, but had a local jeweler call in some stones so that I could compare them all before I made my final decision. Being open to considering heat treated stones does give you more options in your search for a fine looking gemstone within a certain budget. I would only consider unheated sapphires that have certs from one of the major gem labs (AGTA, GIA, AGL, etc)... Just my amateur 2cents, of course... widget
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| Posted: 1/13/2006 2:23:46 AM | |
| P: 1/13/2006 12:42:59 PM | |
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Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
OK, so we're getting in these two stones to look at. I wanted to compare similar stones with different treatments, since I've seen VERY few sapphires close up. First, the unheated 1.23 ct round: Search for item B654 at Natural Sapphire Company- 1.23 ct unheated  *** |
| Posted: 1/13/2006 12:42:59 PM | |
| P: 1/13/2006 12:47:32 PM | |
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Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
Second, a 1.22 ct heated round: The pictures aren't great, but they said it's currently the best (heated) stone of that size in stock. 1.22 ct heated *** |
| Posted: 1/13/2006 12:47:32 PM | |
| P: 1/13/2006 1:17:25 PM | |
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Bertrand Ideal Rock Total Posts: 622 Last Post: 8/17/2009 Member Since: 7/13/2004 |
It sounds like you are doing the right things. It is no secrete I am a proponent of untreated sapphires – especially in engagement rings. However, the color is the main thing - you need to love the color and sparkle. Then – hopefully you can find one that is untreated too. If you would like to see some good examples of “market preferred” colors in blue sapphires I would suggest you do some browsing at Tiffany’s in Southern Cal. Most of these will be treated and way over priced, but in my experience you will see some nice examples of color. You can find a location here. Also, don't limit your self to what you see on the website of NSC or Cherrypicked.com. Call them and describe what you are looking for - they have access to many sources of fine stones which may not be posted on the sites. --------------------------- |
| Posted: 1/13/2006 1:17:25 PM | |
| P: 1/13/2006 4:25:07 PM | |
SanDiegoLady Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,229 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 7/6/2005 |
Date: 1/11/2006 7:06:48 PM Author: Selkie It's a TINY shop-it's crowded with 4 people in it, and there isn't a ton on display, but we really liked the styles and the atmosphere, and they live for custom work. If its in Old Town San Diego.. I might suggest running screaming from it.. Though.. you're in San Pedro.. so, you're prolly safer up there. Ah, so many diamonds.. so little time..  Your ring is going to be beautiful. The people and resources here on Pricescope are invaluable.
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| Posted: 1/13/2006 4:25:07 PM | |
| P: 1/13/2006 4:42:13 PM | |
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Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
It's in San Pedro, in Ports O' Call Village. Anyone who knows this area and reads that is probably going to roll their eyes, because Ports O' Call is pretty cheezy. However, the shop has been here forever and we've gotten recommendations from several people. What's the matter with Old Town SD? I'm guessing it's touristy area overpricing syndrome? Selkie *** |
| Posted: 1/13/2006 4:42:13 PM | |
| P: 1/14/2006 5:31:54 PM | |
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SanDiegoLady Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,229 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 7/6/2005 |
Date: 1/12/2006 4:29:24 PM Author: valeria101 And soemething relatively simple... With a sapphire centre, such a thing would be quite lovely. And would not need such unique skills as traditional filigree does. This would be an incredible ring with a sapphire..! |
| Posted: 1/14/2006 5:31:54 PM | |
| P: 1/14/2006 5:54:51 PM | |
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SanDiegoLady Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,229 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 7/6/2005 |
Date: 1/13/2006 4:42:13 PM Author: Selkie What's the matter with Old Town SD? I'm guessing it's touristy area overpricing syndrome? Selkie There's nothing particularly wrong with Old Town.. I love it there.. Its just that the jeweler in the small shop we got my stone from was misleading as to the "upgrade-ability" of my stone. No one else will touch it if I wanted to upgrade anywhere else EXCEPT their shop.. its filled, you see. And while we knew it was, until I became a bit more enlightened by Pricescope, I didn't realize what that would mean in the long term. He told me it would hold the same value as a stone that wasn't enhanced and its just not true. I'd never have another one again knowing what I now know. Sure, I can upgrade the stone.. but they are the only people who will touch it. So, some day... a very long while from now.. it will get upgraded to a stone that is not clarity enhanced.. and the stone I now wear will end up in a pendant. |
| Posted: 1/14/2006 5:54:51 PM | |
| P: 1/15/2006 2:45:42 AM | |
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Selkie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,619 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006 |
We visited the Jewelry Source in El Segundo, CA this afternoon, and had a really nice experience talking to the owner, Brenda. She had several gorgeous sapphire rings on display, in addition to many other very nice gemstones, and was very helpful and patient with a couple of fine jewelry novices. A leeetle out of our price range, but it was great to get an idea of the "market preferred" colors. Selkie *** |
| Posted: 1/15/2006 2:45:42 AM | |
| P: 1/16/2006 12:41:28 AM | |
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valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
Not sure if the design really fits the description, butit was cute enough to post: The sapphire is 5.5mm (.7cts). This one below, is a custom pieces that the maker advertises as 'makeable with any size center stone and color combination of metals). Hopefully this description also accomodates the options for a faceted sapphire as centre stone... and sidestones. From HERE Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 1/16/2006 12:41:28 AM | |
| P: 1/16/2006 1:06:16 AM | |
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valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
Photoshoped... sprry for the glowing platic blue - couldn't get rid of it for some reason. Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 1/16/2006 1:06:16 AM | |
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