Estate / Antique Sapphier Engagement Ring

[schwab]

Hello! I''m looking for an antique or estate sapphire engagement ring. I''ve received a little bit of guidance from her and I''m hoping you all will help me bring it home!

Here''s the one she likes the most, but it seems like the sapphire may be a little small and it''s hard to tell the quality. Also, I''m not familiar with the vendor, but I''m not sure if that matters.
http://www.faycullen.com/antique_sapphire_rings/800/d720r3sd.html

She''s said that she doesn''t like the ring to be too thin or too thick, so this ring is a good example of what she likes. She also liked the use of sapphires on the sides in addition to the center stone. She likes the styles with pave or other side stones, as well, and seemed to like the Edwardian styles a lot (even though that one above is labeled as art deco style).

Here are a few others ones she liked:
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/item.cfm?int_item_id=1319&category_id=3#

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/item.cfm?int_item_id=4829&category_id=3

I''d like to keep it under or around $4000 with a sapphire center and a white metal (either white gold or platinum). Thank you all so much - I''ve learned a ton in the last couple of weeks reading this forum and I can''t wait to see what you suggest!

 

[E B]

This isn't a *real* antique, but it has an antique/vintage style and is under budget (not to mention gorgeous!). You mentioned she doesn't want too thick, and this might be, but I thought I'd post it anyway.

Beverly K antique-style Sapphire ring

 

[neatfreak]

Just an FYI about Fay Cullen. Their return policy sucks, so read it carefully. They charge a large restocking fee AND they also delete negative comments on their page. If you notice the numbers don''t line up correctly on their comments page. NOT good business practices if you ask me...

Also check out Natural Sapphire Company. They have many many antiquey looking rings and of course their specialty is sapphires.

 

[Kismet]

I thought this one at Lang Antiques looked stunning. And if she likes cabochon sapphires, then I thought this one was very pretty too.

 

[lightseeker]

Schwab....the first ring has a very pretty shape! The sapphire is a nice color, but looks a little cloudy....not a bad price though. I hope that you find what you want. I love seeing sapphire as e-rings. I think we need a little more color in the world!

One option would be to find an antique style mounting that she likes and then shop for a great sapphire. That way you could control both the style of the ring, and the beauty of the stone.

 

[E B]

Here's a beautiful sapphire engagement ring circa 1930:

Vintage 1930's Sapphire Ring

 

[CaityJ]

Hi, Schwab,

I am the happy (and lucky!) owner of a vintage sapphire engagement ring. The original thread about my ring (with pics) is here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-vintage-sapphire-engagement-ring.67232/

My fiancé and I purchased my ring in person at this dealer: http://www.john-joseph.co.uk/homeframe.html

Before we went on our successful shopping trip, we did a lot of looking online. I saw a number of things on the Fay Cullen website that I liked, but I didn't like the fact that reproduction pieces are mixed in with (and outnumber) actual vintage and antique pieces. As a few people have pointed out, you can get a modern piece -- either ready-made or custom made -- with a vintage look. There are a number of designers that do this kind of work.

I agree with lightseeker about finding a setting and getting a stone separately if you cannot really find the combination you like. To me, the Fay Cullen piece you linked to could do with a nicer sapphire.

ETA: One of my favourite online antique sources is rubylane.com. There are many jewellery dealers on that site.

 

[CaityJ]

A few I like from rubylane.com

1) http://www.rubylane.com/shops/victorious/item/a18
(modern large sapphire w/ side diamonds)

2) http://www.rubylane.com/shops/thethreegraces/item/10158
(vintage y/w gold w/ diamond and side sapphires -- a reputable dealer)

3) http://www.rubylane.com/shops/alexanders/item/859
(vintage unusual sapphire in plat)

4) http://www.rubylane.com/shops/blackstone/item/KM206
(vintage unusual diamond w/ small sapphires in plat)

5) http://www.rubylane.com/shops/solvangantiques/item/HBRUx208872
(vintage center diamond w/ side sapphires in w gold)

 

[schwab]

Wow, thank you all so much!

neatfreak, thanks for the tip about Fay Cullen! I definitely appreciate that!

Thanks for the links to all those rings, also. They''re all really pretty, but I think she erally liked that first one a lot!

I think what I may end up doing is having a local jeweler replicate the ring in my original link and buying a loose stone to have set in it. The jeweler quoted me a price of ~1600-1800 to replicate the setting including the diamonds and small side sapphires in white gold. Does that sound reasonable?

Any suggestions on places to look for loose stones? I''m thinking cherrypicked.com, palagems.com, etc. Probably ~2ct round, around $2k to stay within budget. Also, it looks like everything on cherrypicked is sold - do they refresh that monthly?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Pandora II]

Cherrypicked is $$$$, so I would probably head over to NSC with your budget - they have gorgeous stones

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 8/31/2007 4:17:40 PM
Author: Kismet
I thought this one at Lang Antiques looked stunning. And if she likes cabochon sapphires, then I thought this one was very pretty too.

i''m not usually into antique rings.....but that second one has my heart going pitter patter at an excelerated rate!

movie zombie

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/31/2007 4:17:40 PM
Author: Kismet
I thought this one at Lang Antiques looked stunning. And if she likes cabochon sapphires, then I thought this one was very pretty too.

Kismet that first one you posted made my heart stop. It''s freaking STUNNING! And Lang''s is an INCREDIBLE shop!!

 

[Selkie]

I''ll second the Natural Sapphire Company rec. That''s where my sapphire center stone came from. There is a premium for the fact that they are unheated/untreated stones, but they have good customer service and will let you order the stone to inspect it.

Also, I''ve been drooling over this Edwardian style sapphire ring from Cross Jewelers since they put it up: Edwardian style ring . It''s just over your budget at $4300.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 9/3/2007 4:25:57 AM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 8/31/2007 4:17:40 PM

Author: Kismet

I thought this one at Lang Antiques looked stunning. And if she likes cabochon sapphires, then I thought this one was very pretty too.

Kismet that first one you posted made my heart stop. It''s freaking STUNNING! And Lang''s is an INCREDIBLE shop!!

Their entire STORE made my heart stop! I heart Langs!