Engagement ring questions (and green garnets)

[verte86]

Hello all, had a few questions about a potential engagement ring purchase... I have been told diamonds are not exactly a favorite except for sidepieces so I was considering a ring with nice colored gemstones with perhaps diamond accents.

This is a first time thing for me and am looking for advice. Have never purchased a piece of jewelry of this caliber and want to do it right, and get the most bang for the buck.

I am considering tsarovite/demantoid green garnets. I am not sure what my best bet would be -- finding an antique/vintage ring since they are perhaps the style I want, or getting something made in that style. I am looking to spend around $2000 tops. Since I am on somewhat of a tight budget, I was hoping to avoid the ultra high markups of jewelry stores and find something online but was looking for your opinions on this and also advices on sites/stores to check out. EG if I could spend $2000 for something that would cost me $2500-3000 in a store, it will make me look (and feel) better. Have considered eBay as well but have very little idea how to gauge the actual worth of something from pictures and not from a legitimate jeweler.

I've also considered purchasing the main stone from a place like eBay or a gem site and having it mounted locally, but am nervous about having pieces instead of a full ring -would appreciate your thoughts on that as well (a bit uneasy about making a ring from scratch with prepurchased stones, unsure of the process and cost). Might be interested in having something cut into a heart shape, but again, no idea what this entails.

Would appreciate your advice. Thanks for your help!

 

[neatfreak]

Please don''t buy gems from ebay! Bad idea. But we can certainly help you find some beautiful stones. At the top of this page there is a thread with some favorite colored stone vendors. I would start there. Just so you know Tsav is a softer stone, so she''s going to have to baby the ring if that''s the kind of stone she wants. If she''s hard on her rings sapphire would be a better choice.

There are some gorgeous colored stones and settings out there within your budget, so I wouldn''t fret. We would be happy to help you out. What do you mean by "antique" setting? Do you have pictures of what she likes?

 

[neatfreak]

This ring is pretty and well within your budget just for an option:

http://www.gemrite.com/cubecart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=142

 

[verte86]

Thanks so much for your help -- as for taste, she is quite big on costume jewelry and ornate type settings. Something Victorian might be interesting, but nothing is set in stone (no pun intended) -- I am guessing I'll know it if I see it.

I have seen some things in faux antique style that caught my eye... The first couple seem under my budget by quite a bit and a bit smaller than I'd like but this will perhaps illustrate the style I was interested in.

http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/r715p.html
http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/r138ts.html
http://www.antique-rings.co.uk/DSCN2750.JPG
http://www.antique-rings.co.uk/DSCN2746.JPG

I've also seen some interesting art things on FayCullen (very much the style I am going for) but have read some negative things here and on other sites and they seem to charge more for less, if that makes sense.

Thanks again!

 

[verte86]

Fixed links (please delete prev post)

Thanks so much for your help -- as for taste, she is quite big on costume jewelry and ornate type settings. Something Victorian might be interesting, but nothing is set in stone (no pun intended) -- I am guessing I''ll know it if I see it.

I have seen some things in faux antique style that caught my eye... The first couple seem under my budget by quite a bit and a bit smaller than I''d like but this will perhaps illustrate the style I was interested in.

http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/r715p.html
http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/r138s.html
http://www.antique-rings.co.uk/DSCN2750.JPG
http://www.antique-rings.co.uk/DSCN2746.JPG


I''ve also seen some interesting things on FayCullen (very much the style I am going for) but have read some negative things here and on other sites and they seem to charge more for less, if that makes sense.

examples:
Ring 4
Ring 5

Thanks again!

 

[ma re]

If she wouldn''t mind not wearing the ring 24/7, I''d seriously think about getting something from a reputable antique store. Things done in an antique style, but having an actual antique piece adds a story and she might like that. Of course, not everybody is crazy about having a pre-owned engagement ring, but some actually like the romance behind it.

BTW, if you opt for comissioning a piece (to be made from scratch), make sure the jeweller has experience working with similar designs i.e. don''t choose one that has only simplistic contemporary designs displayed in the store (or on the website).

 

[Pandora II]

Hi, I have a tsavorite e-ring (my avatar).

You won't find an antique piece - tsavorites weren't discovered until 1969, although you might find a demantoid piece (they are expensive though).

If it's green you are after, you might want to have a look at chrome tourmalines as well - they can be a lot cheaper than a tsavorite and will need the same kind of care. A good demantoid will cost most of your budget I'm afraid.

Going custom on the setting will add a good whack in terms of $$$ so you might be better to find a setting first and then look for a stone to fit.