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mariewest

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 19, 2008
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I have noticed that gemstone engagement rings are becoming quite popular lately instead of the traditional diamond. I am personally loving the idea of a nice sapphire ring lately. My SO feels that diamonds are the way to go because "it''s just how it''s done." I tried to explain to him that it''s only been that way the last 50 years or so and it''s mostly based on the diamond industry. I also love that the price is also much inexpensive, which makes it more affordable for us. I am just curious if any of you have gemstone engagement rings. If so, where did you''re so purchase it (if you know) and any tips you may have concerning this alternative. I would also love to see pictures.
 
1.2ct blue spinel ering.

LIW proposal story
SMTR (all of the pics)
Finding the perfect spinel(22 pages) But it gives you a good idea of what I went through trying to find the perfect stone.

Here is some eye candy (the stone changes color depending on the light):
IMG_3148%20freke.jpg

IMG_3152%20freke.jpg

IMG_3133%20freke.jpg

IMG_3107%20freke.jpg

IMG_3003%20freke.jpg
 
If you go over to the colored stone forum you will see a ton of colored gemstone rings, and there are a lot of knowledgeable people who can help you find what you are looking for.
 
Freke I just loooove that blue!
 
I have a friend that got engaged/married with a diamond. She always wanted a colored stone. A few years ago, she decided to finally get what she wanted. She spent a year looking for the *right* ruby. When she finally found it, she had the head replaced on her original e-ring to accomodate the new stone so that she wasn''t completely ditching what her husband bought her. Then she actually SOLD her diamond. A lot of people thought she was nuts. Her ruby is BEAUTIFUL and actually cost more then her original diamond did.

A lot of people seem hestitant to break from tradition- I often wonder if they fear what others will say/think. I think you have to do what YOU love- in the end, it''s you that needs to be happy with what you have.
 
I will be getting a sapphire engagement ring. We found an awesome small local jeweler here in Philly. I don''t have pictures of anything yet, but I will try and take some when I go back on Tuesday. I am planning to go and look at some loose stones, but I think I may end up with a pink sapphire center stone (emerald cut) with two emerald cut diamonds on either side. The pink sapphire 3 stone ring was on display in his MASSIVE showroom (which is actually a 3 story rowhome-so cool) and I completely fell in love. I''ll try and get some pics and keep you posted!
 
I don't have one but a few of my friends do! They are SO gorgeous!

I was just reading The Age of Innocence and in it, May gets a lovely sapphire engagement ring from Newland Archer, the cream of the crop in New York society.
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It's very traditional, actually. AND SO LOVELY! Very very classy. In it, they talk about how "invisible set" stones are the new rage in Paris... because you can't see the prongs! LOLOL! Even then, there were pre-Pricescopers!!!!

Freke, you are blinding me over here with that thing! COVER IT UP OR WE'LL ALL GO BLIND!
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I''d like to invite you all to come over and play with us in Colored Stones. It''s a great group of people, and there are so many variations of colours, settings and combinations of stones! You''ll be hooked before you know it!

LS
 
Date: 12/29/2008 12:10:36 AM
Author: Bliss
I don''t have one but a few of my friends do! They are SO gorgeous!


I was just reading The Age of Innocence and in it, May gets a lovely sapphire engagement ring from Newland Archer, the cream of the crop in New York society.
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It''s very traditional, actually. AND SO LOVELY! Very very classy. In it, they talk about how ''invisible set'' stones are the new rage in Paris... because you can''t see the prongs! LOLOL! Even then, there were pre-Pricescopers!!!!
Click to expand...

hahaha! I love Edith Wharton, and I adore her jewel descriptions! I linger on them.

Yay for wanting a colored stone ering. I wanted a colored stone in the beginning when we were looking, but hubby wanted to get a diamond--I love diamonds too--so fine by me!
 
If I wasn''t going to go with a diamond, I would want to find a gorgeous concave cut morganite. That soft baby pink gets me everytime!
 
As long as it''s what you want, I think it''s a great idea. If you are considering stones other than sapphires though make sure to do your research, many are too soft for daily wear.

And just FYI, the really nice ones are often on par with or more expensive than diamonds!
 
I have a sapphire e-ring and I love it. It''s what I wanted and what Mr.L wanted as well, so every time I see it I think of him/us. It''s perfect for us. Don''t expect that you''ll necessarily be able to spend less that what you would for a diamond though. Colored stones can very often be just as expensive (or more so) than diamonds and it can be much, MUCH harder to find the perfect colored stone. It''s definitely something that you can''t go into with any sort of a short time range because it can take months to find the perfect stone. My ring only took 2.5 months, which is relatively short compared to how long it takes others.

Here''s mine -

LaurelSapphRing3y.jpg
 
I''m getting a sapphire engagement ring as well...my boyfriend was surprised to find out that I wasn''t really a huge fan of diamonds, I''ve decided that I want a sapphire solitaire as my engagement ring, and I''m sure some people will think it''s weird...but it''s what I want, and my boyfriend likes the idea of having something different as well, so we won''t care. With his job, he could afford to buy me a very sizeable diamond for our area, plus it would be large considering I''m still in undergrad. So we''re going for the perfect sapphire ring for us...and we don''t care what other people think.
 
Date: 12/30/2008 5:19:59 PM
Author: AllieGator
I''m getting a sapphire engagement ring as well...my boyfriend was surprised to find out that I wasn''t really a huge fan of diamonds, I''ve decided that I want a sapphire solitaire as my engagement ring, and I''m sure some people will think it''s weird...but it''s what I want, and my boyfriend likes the idea of having something different as well, so we won''t care. With his job, he could afford to buy me a very sizeable diamond for our area, plus it would be large considering I''m still in undergrad. So we''re going for the perfect sapphire ring for us...and we don''t care what other people think.
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Welcome to the club!
LS
 
i think all of you that have colored stones are so lucky! I wish E saw it my way, (but i cannot complain about a family stone either). But, thats why i have TWO hands...
 
Date: 12/30/2008 1:48:48 PM
Author: laurel25
I have a sapphire e-ring and I love it. It''s what I wanted and what Mr.L wanted as well, so every time I see it I think of him/us. It''s perfect for us. Don''t expect that you''ll necessarily be able to spend less that what you would for a diamond though. Colored stones can very often be just as expensive (or more so) than diamonds and it can be much, MUCH harder to find the perfect colored stone. It''s definitely something that you can''t go into with any sort of a short time range because it can take months to find the perfect stone. My ring only took 2.5 months, which is relatively short compared to how long it takes others.

Here''s mine -
Click to expand...
I''m adding myself to the non-diamond engagement ring list too! I am also getting a sapphire!!! I like the idea that it''s doing my BF a lot of work to find the perfect sapphire for us and that he has to put it in a custom setting...it''s very romantic and unique! I just wish he wasn''t taking sooooo long doing it. Once I finally get it I know people will comment on it--some friendly, some maybe not so much....but I''m not going to let anyone affect my excitement!
 
Another coloured e-ring here - I have a tsavorite as my centre stone.

Please don't fall into the trap of believing that coloured stones are necessarily cheaper than diamonds. You can get stones to suit all budgets, but a top sapphire, ruby or emerald can cost many times what a similar sized white diamond will cost, and fine pieces of many of the lesser known stones will come close to the same price that a diamond would cost.

It took me 5 months to do my ring - searching for the right stone can take a LONG time, and often they're not calibrated sizes and so require a custom setting.

Here's a pic of mine:

pandora%20049.jpg
 
Date: 1/1/2009 5:24:03 PM
Author: Pandora II
Another coloured e-ring here - I have a tsavorite as my centre stone.

Please don''t fall into the trap of believing that coloured stones are necessarily cheaper than diamonds. You can get stones to suit all budgets, but a top sapphire, ruby or emerald can cost many times what a similar sized white diamond will cost, and fine pieces of many of the lesser known stones will come close to the same price that a diamond would cost.

It took me 5 months to do my ring - searching for the right stone can take a LONG time, and often they''re not calibrated sizes and so require a custom setting.

Here''s a pic of mine:

pandora%20049.jpg
Click to expand...
What she said...and thanks, Pandora, for a beautiful bit of festive green!
LS
 
Add me to the colored ering crowd. I LOVE mine!!!
 
Date: 1/1/2009 11:57:24 PM
Author: misspinky
Add me to the colored ering crowd. I LOVE mine!!!
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Hi there misspinky (mini threadjack: congrats on your marriage!)

LS
 
I had my heart set on a yellow sapphire engagement ring before we started looking. I ended up falling in love with a diamond, instead, but I think colored stone engagement rings are BEAUTIFUL. I believe colored gems are often used in engagement rings in the UK, but I could be wrong. I also think royalty generally have colored stones in their engagement rings, no?

Here''s the link to Poshpepper''s yellow sapphire engagement ring, it is divine. Here''s a shot, I hope she doesn''t mind that I''m posting it here:

poshpepperseringpsssss.JPG
 
If you haven''t already checked them out, Richard Homer''s stones are incredible. I linked to the sapphires, but there are many others.
 
I love having a colored stone as my engagement ring! It really is so fun so have something more unique than your "average bear"
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and the range of colors made it possible for us to decide on something that is very "us."

My wife and I both have garnet center stones; mine is a purple/pink, and hers is a deep red. Definitely look into the hardness of a colored stone to make sure it is suitable for the kind of wear and tear you''re comfortable with! Garnets are a bit lower on the scale than some other gems, but we''re careful and haven''t had any issues with that.

I find that my ring gets noticed *a lot* by all sorts of people-- my friends and family all think it''s beautiful, and everyone from strangers to jewelery store employees comments on it. It makes me feel good, although a little uncomfortable at times. I really wouldn''t trade my ring for the biggest diamond in the world!
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PSMereShan11repost.jpg
 
And together!

PSMereShan4repost1.jpg
 
Date: 1/2/2009 12:42:38 AM
Author: Haven
I had my heart set on a yellow sapphire engagement ring before we started looking. I ended up falling in love with a diamond, instead, but I think colored stone engagement rings are BEAUTIFUL. I believe colored gems are often used in engagement rings in the UK, but I could be wrong. I also think royalty generally have colored stones in their engagement rings, no?

Here''s the link to Poshpepper''s yellow sapphire engagement ring, it is divine. Here''s a shot, I hope she doesn''t mind that I''m posting it here:
Click to expand...
It''s very common to have a coloured stone in the UK - although De Beers has been putting the pressure on to suggest that only a diamond and only a solitaire will do over here as well...

It''s also very common to choose the ring together after the proposal.

In my own family:

Grandmother - Emerald with diamond sides
Mother - Sapphire with diamond sides
Sister - Sapphire with diamond sides

The Royal Family have often gone for coloured stones as well: Lady Diana had a sapphire, The Duchess of York had a ruby.

One reason that jewellers love and promote diamonds so much is that there are so many of them available. Anyone could put together a group of 10 identical diamond rings, but I''d challenge any jeweller to find 10 sapphires the same as Lost Sapphires, or 10 tsavorites that are identical to mine. The stones just aren''t readily available as they are so much rarer.

There is a world of difference between a good sapphire and what mall stores call sapphires - ie black, opaque rubbish.
 
Date: 12/28/2008 8:45:59 PM
Author:mariewest
I have noticed that gemstone engagement rings are becoming quite popular lately instead of the traditional diamond. I am personally loving the idea of a nice sapphire ring lately. My SO feels that diamonds are the way to go because 'it's just how it's done.' I tried to explain to him that it's only been that way the last 50 years or so and it's mostly based on the diamond industry. I also love that the price is also much inexpensive, which makes it more affordable for us. I am just curious if any of you have gemstone engagement rings. If so, where did you're so purchase it (if you know) and any tips you may have concerning this alternative. I would also love to see pictures.
Click to expand...
Exactly--whether or not a diamond engagement ring (or heck, an engagement ring at all!) is 'traditional' depends upon how you define 'tradition.'

IMO, the only way that a diamond ring could be considered superior is that it is quite durable when compared to other stones, and it's colorless so "goes with everything." All else is simply a matter of preference!

I personally love colored stone e-rings. I'd have loved a blue sapphire ring. There are some GORGEOUS ones on PS. My personal favorite is missrocks' gorgeous ering:

11111sapphirering.jpg
 
I agree that Missrocks'' ering is to die for. It is one of the most gorgeuos ring that I ever seen.
 
Hi, I have just got engaged (
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) and have a pink sapphire cushion as my centre stone. We started talking about rings approx 4 months ago and I tried on the Tiffany legacy with a sapphire centre stone and loved it. My SO was stunned I would even consider not having a diamond... to be honest I was too! I took about a month to be completely convinced that diamonds (much as they are lovely) are also exceptionally well marketed and that I preferred sapphires.
It took 3 months to find the right sapphire ( I live in Sydney) and it was really frustrating to be able to find tons of diamonds but not the right sapphire!!
The ring itself is on its first version (the jewelers is closed over Christmas so they gave this to me! It has to go back mid Jan to be remade slightly differently!)

In terms of tips, I think some of the best come from Wink on the colored gem threads. I was dealing with Wink for a while trying to find the right stone and ship it to Aus and he and his team were fantastic! You need to know a lot more about colored gems as they aren''t as regulated as diamonds... scarily with very little knowledge, I knew more than several jewellers!

All of my friends are stunned with how pretty my ring is and I just love it! It is so different and lots of people comment on it!
Here is the link that I just posted with a picture!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-sapphire-cushion-ering.103710/

Best of luck!
 
Date: 1/4/2009 5:25:14 AM
Author: Sinalei
Hi, I have just got engaged (
36.gif
) and have a pink sapphire cushion as my centre stone. We started talking about rings approx 4 months ago and I tried on the Tiffany legacy with a sapphire centre stone and loved it. My SO was stunned I would even consider not having a diamond... to be honest I was too! I took about a month to be completely convinced that diamonds (much as they are lovely) are also exceptionally well marketed and that I preferred sapphires.
It took 3 months to find the right sapphire ( I live in Sydney) and it was really frustrating to be able to find tons of diamonds but not the right sapphire!!
The ring itself is on its first version (the jewelers is closed over Christmas so they gave this to me! It has to go back mid Jan to be remade slightly differently!)

In terms of tips, I think some of the best come from Wink on the colored gem threads. I was dealing with Wink for a while trying to find the right stone and ship it to Aus and he and his team were fantastic! You need to know a lot more about colored gems as they aren''t as regulated as diamonds... scarily with very little knowledge, I knew more than several jewellers!

All of my friends are stunned with how pretty my ring is and I just love it! It is so different and lots of people comment on it!
Here is the link that I just posted with a picture!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-sapphire-cushion-ering.103710/

Best of luck!
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I don''t think Wink posts on the CS thread, but I second him as a great stone vendor. My engagement ring came from him and he sourced the tsavorite for me. He also did e-rings for a couple of my friends.

I also recommend Rick Martin at ArtCutGems - I''ve bought some of the stars of my collection from him.
 
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