Custom E-Ring with Amethyst?!

[aestival]

Let me first say a big THANK YOU to all of you as I have learned a lot from this forum over the past couple of months!

The reason why I decided to create my first post today is because there were some interesting progress over the past few days. Long story short, my gf told me explicitly last week that a conventional e-ring will result in a "NO" (she even sketched a solataire emerald cut w/ thick band and called that 'hideous'!). So after doing hours of idea digging again, I came across the following 'concept ring'.

I find this ring very unique and appreciate the colour combination. My gf has slender fingers (approx size 4.5) so the band can't be as thick as depicted. I am looking at getting a RB around 0.8 to 1.0 ct, but not that many side stones (you can see there are about 10 amethysts on each side). I have a couple of questions that would appreciate guidance:

1) Ideally, a black titanium or tungsten material would be nice for the band, but I read on one of the posts the material is too strong to make the configuration. Is there such a material called black gold that can be used instead?
2) Any suggestions as to which vendor would be willing to take on this project?

Thanks and look forward to all your input.

 

[stone-cold11]

Definitely no to the amethyst as side stones, they are too soft for everyday wear, Mohrs hardness scale of 7 or lower, usually for everyday wear you will need 8.5 at least, so will wear down fast. Maybe blue sapphire or irradiated blue diamonds.

 

[clgwli]

Definitely no to the amethyst as side stones, they are too soft for everyday wear, Mohrs hardness scale of 7 or lower, usually for everyday wear you will need 8.5 at least, so will wear down fast. Maybe blue sapphire or irradiated blue diamonds.

+1

My original engagment ring was amethyst and it lasted about 3 years before it cracked enough for me to never wear it again. Purple is pretty but amethyst is NOT good for daily wear.

Might want to check into purple sapphires. They are really pretty. Can't help with the metal at all or who could do this, I just had to say no to amethyst (my birthstone too so it's nothing bad against it)

 

[Gypsy]

Wink did a lovely ring with purple sapphire melee. I'd call him (highperformancediamonds.com). the melee were more lavender than royal purple though. But you don't use amethysts. It just won't work. Broken stones everywhere.

 

[Cimbom]

I agree with purple sapphires too. I was going to have them for my engagement ring but then changed my mind because I got scared I might get sick of it so stuck with a diamond.

Check out The Natural Sapphire Company (www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com). They have hundreds of sapphires in many different colours.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

For the metal you could go with oxidized silver a la delayedreactions ring - https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/first-asscher-ring.145940/

and for everyday wear, I wouldn't suggest amethyst either. You could try sapphires, spinels or topaz. All come in a very wide range of colors. But be aware a lof them are treated (heat / irradiation).

 

[CharmyPoo]

Are you sure this is her idea of non-conventional? There are many ways to arrive at a unique ring without going too extreme. For me, this design is a bit too much of a stretch - purple stones with black titanium? Don't forget that the e-ring might be one she wears for the rest of her life. I would suggest saving the funky stuff for a RHR ring and get a unique e-ring that isn't too crazy.

 

[Circe]

I wouldn't recommend amethyst for a center-stone for the reasons other posters have listed above, but as channel-set sidestones between the fingers? I'd feel pretty comfortable, I'd just avoid making the band a full eternity. I like the design on the whole: it's different, and very modern. Do the colors/materials have a special significance for you? Are purple and black her favorite colors, or "your" colors? If so, I say go for it.

You probably wouldn't be able to enact this design in titanium, but you could do it in platinum or white gold and have it plated in black rhodium. There are certain alloys that have darker hues (i.e., grey gold, purple gold) that might also be worth pursuing. I look forward to seeing the final results!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you need to know what she LIKES and not just what she does not like before you go any further.

I am really really finding the ring you posted ugly. Unless she gave you that picture and said "This is what I want!" OR she wears and adores many other jewelry pieces almost exactly like that, then I would scrap that idea and instead try to get a better feel for her preferences.

 

[Upgradable]

May I suggest you check out Etienne Perret: http://www.etienne.com/index.asp

He custom designs very unique and distinctive rings, using different colors of gold and diamonds. They are, however, structurally sound. You may find him able to make something perfect for you and your gf. Good luck!

 

[sparkledust]

um, it looks Really harsh, and isn't very feminine. I think it's the black that isn't working. I agree with the whole possible right hand ring thing but definitely not an engagement ring.

 

[stci]

What a strange taste!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I am really really finding the ring you posted ugly.

My usually sweet DD has a mean streak this week

 

[kagordo4]

I guess I'm in the super minority here, I love!!! this ring. I totally agree with using sapphires instead, but I think it's pretty... maybe platinum for the metal it has a nice, rich look to it. : ) If she likes that black (for the record black and purple are my favorite colors so I'm biased) then go for it!

ETA: Where did you find this? Because I seriously love it. My SO and best friend think it's awesome too. I picked out a "traditional" e-ring but I... I love this!? like seriously.

 

[slg47]

hmm...I will be blunt...I think the ring you posted is ugly. I would get a very clear idea of what she likes and dislikes-the ultimate goal is to get her something that she wants to wear!

 

[kelpie]

That might be possible with purple sapphire melee. As mentioned, amethyst and the metal choices aren't suitable. They can do black rhodium over gold or platinum which turns it black but she will probably need to get it replated every couple months and the location to a jeweler capable of this would be a factor. If she just wants something different than ordinary maybe a stable alloy of gold in a different color like green or pink would be to her liking. Seriously though, a "no" if the ring is not right? I hope she was joking. It sounds like it is important to get her involved in the design process, it's too much pressure otherwise! (I took the helm of the whole thing).

 

[Cimbom]

Rose gold looks great with colored stones, especially pink, orange and purple-y type shades. Need to make sure it's something she won't get sick of though.

 

[LGK]

That might be possible with purple sapphire melee. As mentioned, amethyst and the metal choices aren't suitable. They can do black rhodium over gold or platinum which turns it black but she will probably need to get it replated every couple months and the location to a jeweler capable of this would be a factor. If she just wants something different than ordinary maybe a stable alloy of gold in a different color like green or pink would be to her liking. Seriously though, a "no" if the ring is not right? I hope she was joking. It sounds like it is important to get her involved in the design process, it's too much pressure otherwise! (I took the helm of the whole thing).

Big ol' ditto to this. Guys often seem to be quite attracted to hefty metal, with channel set side stones. Women generally either love or hate that look, with more in the hate than love category. So if she is in the "love" category, I don't see why not. But, unless we're missing some of the story here, I'm thinking she's got some pretty definite ideas and you need to find out what they are. Or just get her a loose stone and let her design the setting.

Personally I like the idea of black rhodium plating and purple side stones, but I'm a bit of a wingnut myself. Not a huge fan of this particular design but who cares it's your gf who needs to love it. Also I am thinking there's a lot of "artistic license" in the design pic here, and it would look fairly different as an actual ring- the channel set stones would either be perfectly even or evenly graduated, not random like pictured.

 

[yennyfire]

I completely agree that just because your gf doesn't want a traditional ring, doesn't mean that she wants something this unusual. I'd definitely get some additional input from your gf before you do anything. Remember that this is a ring that she'll wear everyday for the rest of her life, so you want it to be something that she loves each and every time she looks at it.

 

[Imdanny]

I am really really finding the ring you posted ugly.

Tell us how you really feel!

Don't hold back.

Don't be shy.



OP, I think you should let her design the ring cause that way you know she gets what she wants! My 2 cents.

 

[SparklyOEC]

I am really really finding the ring you posted ugly.

Tell us how you really feel!

Don't hold back.

Don't be shy.



OP, I think you should let her design the ring cause that way you know she gets what she wants! My 2 cents.

Ditto. Her idea of unique and your idea of unique may be different.

 

[KikiD]

I have to be honest...this ring is not nice. I think the idea of purple sidestones is really beautiful though. Maybe a RB with with a halo of purple sapphires would be really pretty and non-traditional? Does you GF specifically not like yellow/white or rose gold?

 

[dragonfly411]

I'm going to be the odd ball out here. My first reaction was that I'm a bit worried that you are wanting to propose to a girl who was adamant that if you get the wrong ring she'd say no.

What if you wanted to propose without the ring and let her pick it? Is that a no too?

Are you a mind reader? If you don't get it right then it's a no?

Sorry, but I think you guys have some talking to do.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I am really really finding the ring you posted ugly.

My usually sweet DD has a mean streak this week

OK, OK, it was too strong,

"That ring is really not to my taste, and I am guessing it would not be to most women's taste... " and then the rest about finding out what she likes.

Sorry if my bluntness offended you, OP.

 

[Circe]

I'm going to be the odd ball out here. My first reaction was that I'm a bit worried that you are wanting to propose to a girl who was adamant that if you get the wrong ring she'd say no.

What if you wanted to propose without the ring and let her pick it? Is that a no too?

Are you a mind reader? If you don't get it right then it's a no?

Sorry, but I think you guys have some talking to do.

I dunno ... I read that, and assumed it was a joke. I love my husband, but his taste is drastically different from mine, and before we got my ring, I'll admit I was a little concerned that he'd bring home something v. modern and two-tone, which can be lovely, but which wouldn't really be me. So ... in a world in which we tend to sort of know that a proposal is in the works, and what the answer will possibly be, perhaps getting the ring "right" is one of the last quest-like options out there to "prove" your love and how well you know the girl? Just hypothesizing, as I myself am v. much a choose-it-together kind of a gal, who, for that matter, did the proposing.

 

[san0319]

I'm not a fan of the rendered ring either - but after I read this post and was browsing on etsy - and saw this ring with blackened silver, and it honestly looks a lot better than I would imagine a "black" ring would.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46108639/midnight-vine-ring-w-diamond-and-leaf

If a talented designer is used, I think it might turn out pretty cool.

 

[missydebby]

May I suggest you check out Etienne Perret: http://www.etienne.com/index.asp

He custom designs very unique and distinctive rings, using different colors of gold and diamonds. They are, however, structurally sound. You may find him able to make something perfect for you and your gf. Good luck!

LOVE these! Distinctive yet still elegant

 

[petrock<3]

OP- you say you did some digging, was that in her computer files? Did she design it? That is the way I read it the first time.

If so, then I think there is the possibility that it could be very cool and elegant, it would just need to be refined a little. Black and purple can be beautiful, but I can see how in 20 years or so you may tire of it. But I am considering a yellow ring, so who am I to talk!

If not, definitely show it to her so you know for sure this is her style, before you go to such expense.


Good luck, let us know what happens!

 

[motownmama]

I have no idea of your GF's taste, but personally I think the ring would be cool in black with a center diamond and 2 amethyst side-stones. In otherwords, a traditional style 3-stone, but done in black/white/purple. I have a 1/2 eternity in amethyst and I really like the contrast.

 

[IceExplorer]

The reason why I decided to create my first post today is because there were some interesting progress over the past few days. Long story short, my gf told me explicitly last week that a conventional e-ring will result in a "NO" (she even sketched a solataire emerald cut w/ thick band and called that 'hideous'!). So after doing hours of idea digging again, I came across the following 'concept ring'.

You may wish reconsider this whole process. Your GF has made something very clear to you about her expectations...
If you don't meet them, your proposal will result in a NO.

I can't say as I appreciate her ultimatum but I think it's great that she communicated the outcome ahead of time. It gives you options of how to deal with the ring purchase.

You might want to forego the 'surprise' and give her a budget to get what she wants. When she gets the ring, you'll be in the clear (for the outcome) and can plan a proposal with some 'surprise' element. She sounds like she has some very contemporary style and thus might be difficult to please with an esthetically non-value driven product. It may be awfully risky and expensive to venture this project alone and end up stuck with a ring that may be difficult to market elsewhere and virtually impossible to get your purchase cost back.