Choosing between two vintage rings - an Aquamarine or Ruby/Sapphire

[jenzgemz]

Trying to choose between two lovely rings and would love to hear your thoughts! Been looking for a unique aquamarine ring for a while, the one I found would have to be sized up two entire ring fingers. But it's vintage and the setting is just exquisite. 18k white gold, diamonds and an 8mm gemstone. The stone has a small amount of wear visible to just the top facet edges under the loupe - not noticeable without magnification. Swoonworthy. Thought we had something, but then I spotted option #2.

# 2 is not an aquamarine, but something about this stone just grabs me! It literally glows. The 14k setting is clearly vintage, I can't seem to capture the exact glow and color, almost like a fire from within. Vibrant, shifts around from red to pink, video doesn't do it justice. I am thinking ruby or pink sapphire, but haven't yet taken the time to educate myself on these. Have never looked for these stones before. My focus has been more on tourmaline and spinel. And, of course, diamonds

Two totally different types of rings, both beautiful in their own way. The suspected ruby is probably about 5-6 millimeters, I have no idea how to tell if it's synthetic or not. Under the loupe it's not 100% clear, a few very tiny dark specs and some slight opaqueness/cloudiness. Not sure how to describe this since I am unfamiliar with the stone. I do have a Smartpro Gemeye tester, and the stone registers as "Ruby/Sapphire". Here is a video of the pink/red stone ring, will post pics of the aquamarine below.

 

[jenzgemz]

More pictures

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Get both!

 

[Avondale]

ruby or pink sapphire, but haven't yet taken the time to educate myself on these

Well, ruby and sapphire are the same stone, both corundum, just different colours. Red corundum is called ruby, every other colour is called sapphire. To my eyes this particular stone has the colour to be designated a ruby. If it were lighter, it would've been pink sapphire.

As to whether it's synthetic or not, you need a trained gemologist eye with a microscope to examine it.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Get both!

Following up on this - I especially love the aquamarine ring.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

Are you sure it's aqua and not zircon?

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Are you sure it's aqua and not zircon?

Good catch - that might be why I like it so much. It does look like a zircon - the photo is a bit blurry but you can almost make out the doubling of the facets.

 

[jenzgemz]

It’s been a minute, just an update to share. Appreciate your thoughts on these rings. Went back a few days later for the aquamarine ring and it was gone! Decided against the ruby. Been taking a jewelry pause for bit….. Until this past weekend, when I became the very happy owner of this gorgeous natural sapphire ring. All worked out in the end! In love with the deep blue stone and the sparkling diamond halo!

Sapphire has a very small feather inclusion, not visible without magnification. It’s just over 8x6mm, set in 18k and includes 1.24 carats of diamonds. It’s a bit too large, so planning to have it sized and appraised next week.

 

[Avondale]

It's lovely. I hope wearing it brings you lots of joy!