HELP! Aqua + Rose Gold E-ring

[alfaman]

While we time-out now, pls allow me to digress a little.

I was very close to landing the below when my mind is so set on Blue sapphire. Love the shanks and they reminded me of the flame prongs from mc2jewels.

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/Lab-Sapphire-in-Modified-Lily/20416628_vwLhxJ#1615728705_Zf8tS5Q

 

[alfaman]

I love the montana sapphires too, also, what about zircon?

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6183

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83969678/iolani-ring-in-18k-yellow-gold-sterling (I'm think that Sally could do in rose gold...)

bella,
The zircons are interesting! The exact hues I am after!!!

 

[chrono]

I am sorry to be the party pooper right when you've found the exact shade of blue green for your e-ring. Unfortunately, while zircon is durable, it is also brittle. It tends to chip easily, particularly along the facet junctions. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend zircon as an occasional wear ring stone but not for an e-ring stone.

http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/347k/redesign/gem_notes/zircon/zircon_main.htm
http://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/eps2//wisc/Lect11.html

 

[T L]

I am sorry to be the party pooper right when you've found the exact shade of blue green for your e-ring. Unfortunately, while zircon is durable, it is also brittle. It tends to chip easily, particularly along the facet junctions. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend zircon as an occasional wear ring stone but not for an e-ring stone.

http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/347k/redesign/gem_notes/zircon/zircon_main.htm
http://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/eps2//wisc/Lect11.html

I agree, as zircons are rather soft (I think they're around a 6.5 on the Mohs scale). Even less appropriate for an e-ring than aqua or tourmaline.

For an e-ring, you probably want stones that are an 8 or above on the Mohs scale, and with stones that are an 8, I would be more careful.

 

[erinl]

Gene at precision gem listed a really pretty, nice size montana sapphire last night-- it is on his blog....

 

[alfaman]

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/JbEGSignatureSettingsandSpecia/Halos/The-Bella-Halo-Featuring-a-9mm/16713089_WPwSgd#1282709088_3gNWrmp

Good news! I may be offered a good price for the above setting. A 2-tone rose gold-platium.
Do you think a montana sapphire will fit better into the RG crown?

 

[alfaman]

Guys,

John Dyer has a special series of gems rated MOHs 8 and above for e-rings.

http://johndyergems.com/catalog_pages/gemstone-Topaz1729.html

What do you think?

 

[movie zombie]

so much emphasis on moh.....yes, yes, i know, it is important. but don't for get emerald is a high moh and yet very inappropriate for an e-ring due to fracturing.

is this going to be a 24/7 e-ring? if not, don't get so hung up on having to have an 8 or higher on the moh scale. remember that even diamond can chip! its all in how it is going to be worn, what the setting is like, and how hard the recipient is on things.

my spess is only about a 7.25 on the moh scale. but then i do not wear it 24/7. i put it on when i leave the house and take it off when i return home. those of us with garnet e-rings do this. however, i've seen women with sapphires that they've worn for 30 years and the sapphire has lots its facets with 24/7 wear over the years.

please make sure that whatever you are getting will meet your girlfriend's desires. we can offer you all our words of wisdom and she may not end up liking what you get. keep her first and foremost in mind, please!

i like montana sapphires a lot....some are greener but many are prone to zoning. australian sapphires also come in some of the greener hues.

topaz: http://nevada-outback-gems.com/Encyclopedia_pages/gem_treatments/topaz_treatment.htm

the stone you posted has been irradiated as designated by the "R".

 

[T L]

so much emphasis on moh.....yes, yes, i know, it is important. but don't for get emerald is a high moh and yet very inappropriate for an e-ring due to fracturing.

is this going to be a 24/7 e-ring? if not, don't get so hung up on having to have an 8 or higher on the moh scale. remember that even diamond can chip! its all in how it is going to be worn, what the setting is like, and how hard the recipient is on things.

my spess is only about a 7.25 on the moh scale. but then i do not wear it 24/7. i put it on when i leave the house and take it off when i return home. those of us with garnet e-rings do this. however, i've seen women with sapphires that they've worn for 30 years and the sapphire has lots its facets with 24/7 wear over the years.

please make sure that whatever you are getting will meet your girlfriend's desires. we can offer you all our words of wisdom and she may not end up liking what you get. keep her first and foremost in mind, please!

i like montana sapphires a lot....some are greener but many are prone to zoning. australian sapphires also come in some of the greener hues.

topaz: http://nevada-outback-gems.com/Encyclopedia_pages/gem_treatments/topaz_treatment.htm

the stone you posted has been irradiated as designated by the "R".

Actually anything below 8 is not good for an e-ring unless you are very careful with it. I don't consider emerald to have such a high Moh's, and while Moh's below 8 is not always an indicator of good durability, it does give a very good starting point. With stones above 8, although there are some stones more durable than others, I think you're generally safe, unless you're like my mother, who has two huge chunks smashed out of her DIAMOND!! . JMO.

MZ, not everyone is as careful with gems as you are, or Pandora, so both of you can get away with garnets for e-rings. I also think garnets generally tend to be more durable than stones also in the 7 range, such as beryl and tourmaline.

 

[T L]

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/JbEGSignatureSettingsandSpecia/Halos/The-Bella-Halo-Featuring-a-9mm/16713089_WPwSgd#1282709088_3gNWrmp

Good news! I may be offered a good price for the above setting. A 2-tone rose gold-platium.
Do you think a montana sapphire will fit better into the RG crown?

That's a gorgeous setting, but I would advise to find the stone before the setting, as there is no guarantee you'll find the right stone. However, JBEG, might be able to customize it for you for the appropriate stone. I love blue or violet stones in rose gold, so you'll get no complaints from me, but you might have to make sure your fiancee is equally enamored with rose gold too. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me. I adore that setting as well.

 

[movie zombie]

i think you know that i recognize and realize all that, TL....however, my fear is that this poster is now trying to please us rather than his girlfriend. all is offered as education and further food for thought..... again, its all about her.

at one time i was rather deadset that aqua was inappropriate for an e-ring......now i'm more in the if that's what she wants then that's what she gets camp. if its merely the color that he's after, he's got other alternatives and he is exploring them. however, even with other alternatives comes other problems.....as i think he is finding out.

the world of color is not an easy world to navigate. well, it is if one goes to B&M's and/or is content with treated gems. there are times i wish i had remained color stone uneducated.....its difficult now to look at anything w/o passing judgement!

eta: re the setting: i like the red gold shank but NOT the red gold halo. i see there is an option for a red shank and white gold halo which would be my choice.......best of both worlds! again, though, is that 14k or 18k red gold?

 

[T L]

i think you know that i recognize and realize all that, TL....however, my fear is that this poster is now trying to please us rather than his girlfriend. all is offered as education and further food for thought..... again, its all about her.

at one time i was rather deadset that aqua was inappropriate for an e-ring......now i'm more in the if that's what she wants then that's what she gets camp. if its merely the color that he's after, he's got other alternatives and he is exploring them. however, even with other alternatives comes other problems.....as i think he is finding out.

the world of color is not an easy world to navigate. well, it is if one goes to B&M's and/or is content with treated gems. there are times i wish i had remained color stone uneducated.....its difficult now to look at anything w/o passing judgement!

eta: re the setting: i like the red gold shank but NOT the red gold halo. i see there is an option for a red shank and white gold halo which would be my choice.......best of both worlds! again, though, is that 14k or 18k red gold?

I understand MZ. From my point of view, and I've had so many aqua rings, I stopped counting, I have found them to be very non-durable stones, even for someoene careful like me. If it were a garnet, and I knew the fiancee was very careful, then I think it would be more appropriate. From my point of view, I feel that it would be devastating to have huge nicks and chips in your ering stone, so that's why I'm so cautious with certains stones as erings with people. I don't think he's trying to please us as much, but he's getting feasible options and excellent information because he's trying to recreate a ring that's essentially out of his budget (the paraiba Leon ring).

As for the halo on the ring, I think liking halos is very subjective (I know you dislike them, and I love them), so he should pick what he likes in that regard. As for the metal color, I do think he should double check if she likes rose gold. I think the first and foremost thing in this thread is getting an appropriate stone for the setting because that's 90% of the difficulty with customizing any colored gemstone ring. We also don't know her taste in settings, and if I knew she liked very modern settings, I would stray away from that particular ring, but we don't know anything about his fiancee's tastes, but he seems to.

 

[movie zombie]

and therein lies the rub: champagne taste, beer budget. still defines me, i'm afraid!

 

[alfaman]

You know what?

Upon mission accomplishment, I hope most of the e-ring hunters do print out a copy of their discussions on PS and show it to their better halves. The thought processes behind the ring actually surpass the final product. The world is really getting smaller each day.

I have been sort of flip-flopping - bouncing off an idea to another. But I think it is all for a good cause - I get more astute and exposure to the options available. The more I see, the more inspirations and ideas I get, to the point of pleasurable fatique. Guys, I really appreciate your input and advice, especially on keeping my budget in check. I have to gas off a little when the rotors are free-wheeling.

All she ever said is I like Saphhires. Ok, I am going to probe her further just to do a check-point.

 

[movie zombie]

it is indeed overwhelming! a pleasure but also fatigueing...i can relate to that! however, i found that getting the stone first and then the setting was the way to go....and i found commiting to a setting to be even worse than the search for a stone!

you are doing well.

the problem with sapphire is that if she likes the traditional and popular blue color, well, that is costly. if she does like the less popular but to my eye more beautiful lighter colored, even greener, sapphires you may be in luck with those montanas.

for me, the stone is the most important part of the e-ring. you can always upgrade a setting later.

take a deep breath, see what more she likes, and keep us posted, please!

 

[alfaman]

So true, Zombie.

The nice deal halo setting can only take 9mm stone! I can feel the unforgiveness now! I do put more weight on setting than you do, however.

 

[movie zombie]

you can always update the setting....don't forget 5 and 10 year anniversaries.......this is only the beginning, my friend!

 

[alfaman]

Our Whatsapp dialogue 5 mins ago after i showed her the inspiration behind - the Tourmaline ring from LM.

She: tts huge baby..but yup think it's pretty! Whr is it from?
He: Too big for your liking?
She: Certainly much better than solitaires baby
She: It's too big for everyday wear but pperfect for occasions
He: Yeah. A litle oversized but subtle and smart casual for all ocassions
She: I think just a little smaller will make it everyday...if it's to small, it loses its character
She: Where is it from? Ebay China again?!!

Guys, back to the drawing board! Haha, it is not that bad. Afterall, I now know solitaire is a no-no.

 

[violet3]

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/JbEGSignatureSettingsandSpecia/Halos/The-Bella-Halo-Featuring-a-9mm/16713089_WPwSgd#1282709088_3gNWrmp

Good news! I may be offered a good price for the above setting. A 2-tone rose gold-platium.
Do you think a montana sapphire will fit better into the RG crown?

That setting is one of my favorites of ALL time - I love it!

 

[alfaman]

http://www.micropave.com/index.php/rings/ruby-ring.html

This is nice as well. Imagine a slew of screaming topaz/zircons!

 

[movie zombie]

what did you say your budget was is?
i would also say that e-rings usually don't look like cocktail rings....
however, it is fun to look and dream, isn't it?!

how's the search for a stone coming along?

 

[alfaman]

Zom,

I had this joke with my lady on the train this morning.
She snapped the hand this lady with a nice sapphire halo who was holding onto the railing pole.

I ensured her when she has my ring on next year, she will have the support pole all to herself.

She reinforced the message yesterday she wants something unusual.

The stone hunt continues but I am going along the line of engaging one of the etsy artists to do it for me.
It keeps me within budget and allows almost freedom of expression. What do you think?

My ring should pay huge homage to the 2 wonder halos from LM.

 

[movie zombie]

seems like you're on track trying to be realistic within your $2.5k budget......which can be done working with an etsy vendor. you could also let the vendor source the stone/s for you. unusual and different is always my goal so i can relate. however, to me halos are not unusual......but some of the designs you've shown us with halos certainly because of stone color and metal color could be termed "unusual".

and don't forget to get her ring size!

 

[alfaman]

Yes yes..her size 6 finger and all the decadence!!

I will update again. Thanks for taking this journey with me.

 

[briolette]

How about a topaz with rose gold? That's a fairly durable stone and works well for the budget. Have you checked out gemvara.com yet? I have had really good experiences with those folks and better yet their interface lets you play with variations. Here are a few topaz and rose gold rings all for under $2500:

 

[alfaman]

Thanks Brio.
This is nice.
http://www.gemvara.com/Round-Iolite-Sterling-Silver-Ring-by-Jeet-Palavwala/jewelry/v/1840967/

 

[movie zombie]

certainly unusual....

will she be wanting to wear a wedding band? you might need to have one custom made to go with it....or any halo for that matter.

 

[mrs taylor]

eta: there is red gold and then there is red gold: for instance, i have a rather substantial 18k red gold chain that i wear 24/7. unless i put it up against 18k yellow or green gold it is not that noticeable...but to my eye warmer. 14k red gold i do not like at all....it is way to pink for my taste and looks to my eye a bit like costume jewelry......... its not enough to specify red gold with a vendor...make sure you're clear about which you want.

exactly. my ering is 18k red gold and I LOVE it, but it's quite close to 18k yellow-just a bit warmer and more pleasing to my eye. I do NOT like 14k red gold at all. I'm MZ and I'm sorry to say that it does look to me like costume jewelry-too coppery for my taste.

 

[alfaman]

Guys,

here is the latest update.

I have booked a nice apartment in HK and I will surprise her with a sudden flight in Feb 2012.
I intent to kneel at the roof-top with the skyline and BBQ !!

My darn challenge now is I have yet to decide THE ring!!!

I have tried Etsy but it's either they are too commercialised, lead-time too short or just not my style.
So what is my style? I was on LM for a while but started to cha-cha again. *knock my head*

I combed extensively and still have a thing for jbeg.

Guys, lead me to your favorite set-up with a value price and I will take the leap of faith or plunge to death!!

 

[movie zombie]

its not your style that should be of concern....its her style, remember?

ah, fear of commitment....remember i said something about the setting being even worse than finding the stone?!

only you can make these decisions. i think you've been given a lot of good leads and ideas.

idea: buy a stone and present it to her and she helps to design the ring. or give her a "token" engagement present, perhaps a pendant or a simple ring, and have her help select the stone and design the ring.