Color Symphony/Simply Sapphires and MountainMommaGems

[Catemarie2323]

I apologize if this has been covered--I couldn't find much specifically on the companies I've been looking at even after searching many threads. My fiance (luckily) let me choose my own engagement ring--unfortunately our budget is such that I'm having to help pay for it so we really can't go over $1000. I've had good luck from two companies/sellers who work with other vendors and can create the ring for me. Hoping somebody could offer more educated advice. Sellers are:


1) MountainMommaGems from Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187616021/genuine-montana-sapphire-royal-blue-5-mm


She will be working with this seller for the setting unless anybody has a suggestion for another Etsy setting we could try working with. This one was open.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/125039453/flora-14kt-white-gold-round-fb

2) ColorSymphony.com, a jeweler who works with simplysapphires.com. Would be creating a simple solitaire setting for me.




Thoughts? Price is similar/equal. I feel I will be happy with either but would love advice!

 

[deskjockey]

I have not dealt with rosado's box (though they're on my list for doing a wedding band, they have one that's very close to what I want and they're willing to adjust it a little for me) or simply sapphires, but had a great experience with MountainMommaGems and think she's great

Her photos are pretty accurate but I found the stone a lot more interesting in real life, though at first glance it was not exactly what I expected (I had to spend some time with it - it is very shifty and reacts a lot to different light sources. I opened it indoor under some pretty harsh lighting so I didn't see the teal right away!). So the only thing I'd say is it's a good idea to get the stone in your hands before getting it mounted, spend a few days with it, see what it looks like in different lighting situations, etc, before committing to having it set.

my newbie-to-stones review is here:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphires-mountainmommagems-on-etsy.195450/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphires-mountainmommagems-on-etsy.195450/[/URL]

And if you search for just "mountain momma" (with the space) there are a number of threads around about her stones. One was even in the "someone please buy this" thread a while back.

As far as who you get the stone from, a lot depends on the character/color you're looking for. Montana sapphires tend to have a little more grey in them, and often some green. The ones that really pop with BLUE are hard to find. The other one (simply sapphires) in your picture is probably a purer blue, so you'll want to think about that when making your choice.

Also (I mentioned this in my other thread, but), if you do like the character of montana sapphires, you may also want to check blazengems.com - I'd just email him directly with the size and color you like and see if he can pick you out some. He seems to have some nice stuff and it's typically priced very well.

 

[chrono]

Deskjockey wrote a positive review about MMG.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphires-mountainmommagems-on-etsy.195450/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphires-mountainmommagems-on-etsy.195450/[/URL]

I'm not quite sure what you want to find out. Whichever vendor you go with, I would view the sapphire in person first under various lighting conditions to make sure you love its different personalities. Most sapphires will shift depending on the light source and time of the day. They tend to look the prettiest under strong diffused sunlight, worst under indoor fluorescent lights. I don't know which light condition you will be wearing/viewing it the most but I recommend that you take that into consideration. Once the sapphire is set, you have no recourse. MMG has a 1 week review/return period.

MMG
I think MMG has photographed the sapphire under different types of lighting; the best and the worst. The cut is impeccable and colouration looks nice and even. I also think the Flora setting is very elegant. I am presuming the setting vendor will custom make the setting to fit the sapphire because the stone is 5 mm but the setting is for a 6 mm stone. Because the setting is considered custom, your setting is non-refundable/returnable.

CS
Is that a picture of the actual sapphire you will be buying? Are there more pictures of it? Any close ups where it is easier to judge the cut and colour? Any pictures of the solitaire setting?

ETA
Deskjockey chimed in. We cross-posted.

 

[minousbijoux]

It looks like you are well on your way and have chosen well. I would just add a cautionary note. While I know the pics are not of your sapphire in the setting that fits it (at least I hope not), I'm a bit surprised by the example of a setting with blobby prongs and a sapphire that looks too small to fit (thus further exacerbating the blobby look). I hope that's not an example of the work they do, but something they threw together in an unfinished manner for you to get an idea?

 

[Catemarie2323]

For the CS sapphire, that is a picture of the actual stone. It is not a picture of an actual piece of jewelry--all of the pieces on the CS site were of much heavier/larger rings so I asked to see what it would look like on a small setting. It's a loose stone that hasn't been used for anything yet. She had quite a few options in my price range but that particular one was the richest blue. I mentioned having something sent to look at and she didn't really say anything to that, but she did put the stones I liked in that setting and took more pictures.

Better example of the craftsmanship of rings on the site: http://www.colorsymphony.com/sapphire/blue/rings/ceylon-top-color-sapphire-h-diamond-platinum-ring-1.20-ctw

I don't have a picture of the solitaire setting. She said she would make something specifically for me, to match with my existing wedding band. Overall I liked that she was part of the American Gem Trade Association and other professional organizations.

MMG, I actually like the green shades in the sapphires, and the purples. This is the original sapphire I liked from MMG: https://www.etsy.com/listing/163942825/genuine-montana-sapphire-step-cut-blue

I asked if she had any of that more blue color and she made a listing with something new that wasn't up yet. I like them both but the first is my favorite. As for the setting from Rosados Box, she said in the listing that she can custom make the rings in larger and smaller sizes to accommodate different budgets.

 

[Mrs_Ace]

I would contact GOG (good old gold) they have amazing sapphires, also I would check out they're stuller settings. I justgot quoted for a simple gold solitaire like the one you just posted $350.00 and the craftmanship of stuller is great. Also if you go to stuller.com a pick a setting you like from there you give them the item # and quote you. I learned from them here. I'm trying to set my natural apple green sapphire but really want an inexpensive setting for now. good luck and hope everithing makes sense i'm writing while sleep deprive and breastfeeding my 4 month old I'll come back in the morning to check! Lol

 

[chrono]

Catemarie,
If all the other setting pieces on ColorSymphony are heavier, I'm not sure if I would go with them for a delicate solitaire. I would want to see examples of something similar to what I want to be assured that they can make it to my liking. The example ring you linked to shows some wear and tear already, which is unusual for a brand new setting. The bars are also not even/symmetrical, if such minute things bother you.

I have a slight preference for the MM sapphire; with the better cut, I think it will look very pretty. The only thing I am unsure of is the setting because of their non-refundable policy for a custom setting. I would try to look for something that fits the sapphire without having to go custom if possible, just in case there are any issues with the setting.

 

[MollyMalone]

I wouldn't count on Color Symphony to deliver something you'd be happy with. Even if her design sensibilities were simpatico with a simple solitaire akin to the Rosado's Box ring (no evidence of that on her web site), I agree with Chrono and minousbijoux that the craftsmanship-finishing are lacking.

For example, this ring that's on the New, Hot Off the Bench page:
http://www.colorsymphony.com/new-ho...aiba-tourmaline-n-diamond-ring-14kwg-2.22-ctw

Click on the thumbnail pics; this will open up enlarged photos so you can better see, e.g., the problem areas I circled here:


general fyi: any trusted, local jeweler will be able to order any Stuller mounting, and it's now possible to order a custom head on a fair number of their settings, i.e., the catalog may state the mounting is available for a 6 mm cushion cut center stone, but Stuller will make it for a 5 mm round stone.
http://www.stuller.com/pages/3330

 

[anthony-roman]

I'd prefer Color Symphony over MountainMommaGems. I've seen a few pieces from Color Symphony and their work is really good. Since the price from both the sellers is the same so you should go for Color Symphony for best results.