Changing center stone from precious to semi precious?????

[b2b.amy]

I'm looking to change my e-ring center stone.

From:

African Ruby
2.99cts
7.6mmx7.6mm
SI
Good Luster

to:

Pink Zircon
3.68cts
7.57mmx7.47mm
VVS1
Excellent Luster


Opinions?


ETA: I'm having trouble figuring out how to attach photos. Any help with that would be great!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Since zircon only has a hardness of 7.5, I wouldn''t put one in a ring I planned to wear daily. A ruby is far harder. I would change to a pink sapphire if you want a pink stone since it has a hardness of 9, the same as the ruby. I might consider spinel (, but I think sapphire is best.

 

[b2b.amy]

the ruby

 

[b2b.amy]

the zircon

 

[diamondseeker2006]

To be totaly honest, that zircon has a LOT of brown in it. Spinels are harder and come in such pretty colors. I''d consider a spinel, but you might have to buy a larger one and have it recut to fit your setting.

 

[marcy]

I agree on getting a sapphire or spinel - you can find them in many lovely shades of pink and they will hold up a lot better for daily wear. Zircon''s are gorgeous but they are soft and their facets wear down with time.

 

[movie zombie]

why?

movie zombie

 

[violet3]

I think everyone is probably right about the wear and tear, but brown-ish or not, I L

VE the color of that stone in the pic you posted! I can see why you are drawn to it - very unique! would you be comfortable having to replace it in some time?

 

[tightropewalker]

The pink stone delima. Boy I''m there with ya. I just ordered 2 pink zircons and a pink tourmaline. I love zircons, but will do pendants or earings with them, or just add them to my unmounted gem collection. I''m hunting for the perfect shade of pink sapphire for a ring myself.

By the way I love the color of the one in the photo. It is gorgous.

 

[b2b.amy]

Thank you all for your replies!

Diamondseeker2006 - thank you for your advice! I working at a desk at day and take my rings off at all other times (washing hands, moving things, making dinner etc) so hopefully this will be okay for a stone of with 7.5 mohs. And it actually the brown/pink, "rose pink" colour of the stone that drew me to it!

MaryC - As I mentioned above, I''m very cautious with my ring as it is so hopefully I won''t hurt anything

Movie Zombie - I am considering doing this as when we originally picked the stone for what we could afford, the Ruby was my favourite of my options. When I came across the current stone, although it is a "downgrade" in terms of the precious to semi precious stone ladder, I love colour and that the clarity means that I can see the asscher cut so beautifully

.

Violet3 - I agree, the colour DREW me into it! As I said above, I''m very careful with my rings, but if it came to replacing it later on, that would be something I''d do if it meant I could enjoy the stone everyday.

Tightropewalker - I hope you find your perfect pink! I''ve found mine!

 

[movie zombie]

i vote for a new setting for the 2nd stone then! if its simply set as a solitare you could alternate wearing them. or wear the 2nd one as a right hand ring.

movie zombie

ps i can see why you like the 2nd stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 4/13/2008 10:45:54 AM
Author: movie zombie
i vote for a new setting for the 2nd stone then! if its simply set as a solitare you could alternate wearing them. or wear the 2nd one as a right hand ring.

movie zombie

ps i can see why you like the 2nd stone.

Ditto! I agree that it is really pretty! I''d just probably have it as a RHR, too.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 4/13/2008 3:41:56 AM
Author: b2b.amy
Thank you all for your replies!

Diamondseeker2006 - thank you for your advice! I working at a desk at day and take my rings off at all other times (washing hands, moving things, making dinner etc) so hopefully this will be okay for a stone of with 7.5 mohs. And it actually the brown/pink, ''rose pink'' colour of the stone that drew me to it!

MaryC - As I mentioned above, I''m very cautious with my ring as it is so hopefully I won''t hurt anything

Movie Zombie - I am considering doing this as when we originally picked the stone for what we could afford, the Ruby was my favourite of my options. When I came across the current stone, although it is a ''downgrade'' in terms of the precious to semi precious stone ladder, I love colour and that the clarity means that I can see the asscher cut so beautifully

.

Violet3 - I agree, the colour DREW me into it! As I said above, I''m very careful with my rings, but if it came to replacing it later on, that would be something I''d do if it meant I could enjoy the stone everyday.

Tightropewalker - I hope you find your perfect pink! I''ve found mine!

The term semi-precious is now obsolete and the "Code of Ethics and Principles of Fair Business Practices" of the American Gem Trade Association (a colored stone trade organization) instructs members to "avoid the use of the term "semiprecious" in describing gemstones", and they have purged that term from all their publications.

 

[Imdanny]

Might as well. Semi-precious stones are very expensive these days.

BTW, I like the ruby. It''s my second favorite stone after diamond.

 

[movie zombie]

well, since Pandora brought it up, i''m going to push it a bit: imo, all stones are . the attempt by marketing types to devalue stones, especially, color stones, has always irritated me.

movie zombie

 

[chrono]

But I like them called semi-precious so that the prices stay low enough for me to buy them.

Although the prices of these semi-precious gemstones have been going up the past few years anyway.