We''ve been fact finding for an e-ring (!) and have narrowed down our search to building our own three stone, platinum setting with a center 4 to 5 carat round brilliant cut blue sapphire with proportional round side stones that can be either diamonds or white sapphires. We''re looking for loose stones and then looking for a bench jeweler to either set or custom make a setting, all locally in NYC. The setting we chose is low and curved on the finger. Price range 10-15K, could be less by about 1/2 if we are careful and make the right choices. Price is also all over the place to the extreme ... h e l p ...
I really need help here, we almost made a very costly mistake in the NYC diamond district and I am smarting from the close call and am still doing research trying to learn more so I can spot a scam next time...
1. One retail jeweler told us (sapphire) rounds are easy to find in our size. Several said impossible, very rare! What''s the story, and where do I go in NYC for a selection of loose colored gems? Anyone have a wholesale connection?
2. Heat treated is fine with me, non heat treated are also around, but for $2500 per Carat more. Is this worth it, I can''t really see the difference when they''re set.
2.5 The premier non-heat treated sapphire dealer (where we went by personal introduction and appointment) in the diamond district gave us the choice of ONE stone in our price range, not even in our shape. My attitide, while it was a lovely stone my $$ is good everywhere and look until we find what WE want, not what''s in inventory. Quite an experience.
3. Color is all over the place. My eyes are tired from reading gem guidebooks!
4. We were told by a few jewelers that white sapphire would balance nicely on the sides and is a low cost alternative, told by others that white sapphire isn''t brilliant enough in a round cut, and don''t bother using them they will deaden the center stone. My question here, white sapphire is about $100 in 8mm size, diamond G or H SI1 about 2000$ each for .90 c. Since there is a several thousand dollar price difference, and a size difference between sapphire and diamonds, can we use brilliant cut round white sapphires for the side stones?
5. Tiffany was no help at all. Not impressed with their selection. They wouldn''t even show us matching wedding bands until we bought the ring!!
6. Is there a good way to figure out the difference in carat weight between diamond and sapphire? Like how big in diamond-speak is that 4.5 c sapphire so we can figure out the side stone proportions.
7. How low of a quality diamond can we go on the side stones?
8. What is the proportion of center to side stones? Tiffany does 2/3rds of the center on round all diamond, but that seems a bit large and unwieldy with a center blue sapphire of our desired size. We''ve seen 4 carat sapphire center with 1.17 total weight diamond sides that''s nice. Is this reasonable proportions?
9. A diamond band is our choice, diamonds on the front of the ring, (about 5 or 7 or 9 total) what size should these diamonds be to be in proportion to the three-stone ring and side stones?
10. How many $$ per carat for a heat treated blue sapphire good/great quailty? We''ve heard $800 to $1100/carat to $3200/carat...
11. Any one know a reputable bench jeweler in NYC or a place to buy a ready made setting without the exorbitant mark up?
12. Where do we have the stones appraised after purchase, and do we wait till the piece is set or do them loose first?
13. We know exactly what we want & have invested many hours into the research, but are really scared because we know we look like hicks with money to these guys...
THANK YOU so much for your thoughts!
I really need help here, we almost made a very costly mistake in the NYC diamond district and I am smarting from the close call and am still doing research trying to learn more so I can spot a scam next time...
1. One retail jeweler told us (sapphire) rounds are easy to find in our size. Several said impossible, very rare! What''s the story, and where do I go in NYC for a selection of loose colored gems? Anyone have a wholesale connection?
2. Heat treated is fine with me, non heat treated are also around, but for $2500 per Carat more. Is this worth it, I can''t really see the difference when they''re set.
2.5 The premier non-heat treated sapphire dealer (where we went by personal introduction and appointment) in the diamond district gave us the choice of ONE stone in our price range, not even in our shape. My attitide, while it was a lovely stone my $$ is good everywhere and look until we find what WE want, not what''s in inventory. Quite an experience.
3. Color is all over the place. My eyes are tired from reading gem guidebooks!
4. We were told by a few jewelers that white sapphire would balance nicely on the sides and is a low cost alternative, told by others that white sapphire isn''t brilliant enough in a round cut, and don''t bother using them they will deaden the center stone. My question here, white sapphire is about $100 in 8mm size, diamond G or H SI1 about 2000$ each for .90 c. Since there is a several thousand dollar price difference, and a size difference between sapphire and diamonds, can we use brilliant cut round white sapphires for the side stones?
5. Tiffany was no help at all. Not impressed with their selection. They wouldn''t even show us matching wedding bands until we bought the ring!!
6. Is there a good way to figure out the difference in carat weight between diamond and sapphire? Like how big in diamond-speak is that 4.5 c sapphire so we can figure out the side stone proportions.
7. How low of a quality diamond can we go on the side stones?
8. What is the proportion of center to side stones? Tiffany does 2/3rds of the center on round all diamond, but that seems a bit large and unwieldy with a center blue sapphire of our desired size. We''ve seen 4 carat sapphire center with 1.17 total weight diamond sides that''s nice. Is this reasonable proportions?
9. A diamond band is our choice, diamonds on the front of the ring, (about 5 or 7 or 9 total) what size should these diamonds be to be in proportion to the three-stone ring and side stones?
10. How many $$ per carat for a heat treated blue sapphire good/great quailty? We''ve heard $800 to $1100/carat to $3200/carat...
11. Any one know a reputable bench jeweler in NYC or a place to buy a ready made setting without the exorbitant mark up?
12. Where do we have the stones appraised after purchase, and do we wait till the piece is set or do them loose first?
13. We know exactly what we want & have invested many hours into the research, but are really scared because we know we look like hicks with money to these guys...
THANK YOU so much for your thoughts!
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