Help finding pear sapphire for engagement ring

[BobBlue_UK]

Hi,

I've been lurking on this forum for a little while which has helped me get some understanding of what I need to think about when buying a stone but this is my first post. I plan to propose to my other half in a couple of months time and am hoping you folks who have the contacts and the experience can help with the next stage which is finding that perfect stone. From what I've read I think I am looking for:

Type and Shape: A pear shaped sapphire (she was born in September)
Colour: Probably blue although I am also drawn to Montana sapphires. Here are some examples of the colours of each I find most pleasing:
Blues (I'm hoping there is some consistency in what I've selected!):
http://www.ajsgem.com/sites/default/files/ajs/styles/uc_product_list/public/blue-natural-gemstone-sap-00875-l.jpg
http://www.ajsgem.com/sites/default/files/ajs/styles/uc_product_list/public/blue-sapphire-gemstone-sap-00951-l.jpg
http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/sapphire_blue/sapphire_blue_1197.jpg
http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/sapphire_blue/sapphire_blue_1157.jpg
http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/sapphire_blue/sapphire_blue_1180.jpg
http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/sapphire_blue/sapphire_blue_1162.jpg
http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/sapphire_blue/sapphire_blue_1121.jpg
http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/sapphire_blue/sapphire_blue_1096.jpg
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/education/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/blue-sapphire-example-of-hue-and-color-tone.jpg
and I do love the blue in this ring: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/three-stone-sapphire-ring-by-joe-escobar.201631/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/three-stone-sapphire-ring-by-joe-escobar.201631/[/URL]
Montanas:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/sapphires/c-9-unique-sapphires/p-48565-pear-unique-sapphire-u3509/
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Natural-Untreated-Pear-Shape-Bluish-Green-Montana-Sapphire.jpg

Size: I think 7-8mm long. She has relatively small hands and slender fingers (I will be able to confirm ring size after the weekend) and I want something eleganct and proportional, not huge and costumey. Does this size sound about right? There seems to be some degree of variation in the proportion of width/height of sapphires that I've seen although I haven't found much written about this? I'm more drawn to slightly narrower e.g:
http://thegoldjewelry.com/images/Rings/14k-gold-lab-created-sapphire-pear-shape-soli.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvX4hYSqLOM/UGS_NEB8jpI/AAAAAAAAALc/z0i7Ush8t6s/s320/XXX_30_1320103342_1.jpg
rather than
http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/7674/9309086_1m.jpg
http://www.etanzanite.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=2375&zenid=684f51kpf1qo02i7r5pt5teui6

Origin, Treatment Certification: Heat treatment is ok but nothing else. I don't have any stong feelings about origin as long as it's not somewhere considered unethical. India does hold a special place in her heart so that would be a bonus, but not essential. I haven't found much information about certification. How common it it for Sapphires?

Budget: I intend to propose with just the stone / using a temporary holder as I would like us to design the setting together. I anticipate the setting being platinum and likely including some smaller diamonds to complement the sapphire. I've provided some examples of what I like below although she may have different ideas! In total my budget is £3500 ($6000) but I don't have a good feel for how much of that I should spend on the Sapphire and how much to keep back for the rest. Any advice would be appreciated - including whether this budget should allow me to find something matching the brief.

Settings I like:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/download/file.php?id=26087']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/download/file.php?id=26087[/URL]
http://www.pureenvy.com.au/images/categorised_images/Engagement_rings/pear-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring.jpg
http://www.engagementringsonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/engagementrings/images/kim-sapphire-pear-and-diamond-ring-10863-p.jpg
http://blog.angara.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PearSapphireandDiamondThreeStoneRing.jpg
http://www.g6jewellery.co.uk/ekmps/shops/g6jewellery/images/diamonfire-platinum-plated-silver-pear-trilogy-ring-1766-p.jpg

I hope that gives a decent starting point for some of you to be able to help. If I've missed anything, please let me know. Any pointers, further advice etc would be appreciated as would any thoughts about who we might contact in a few months time (all going well) to discuss getting the stone set.

Thanks for reading
Rob

 

[chrono]

Very important first question - Are you 200% sure she will love wearing a blue stone everyday for umpteen years to come?
Second very important question - Are you sure she loves pear shapes for an e-ring?

The blue you like looks to be the trade preferred blue, which also happens to be the most expensive blue due to demand. I would say it is slightly violetish blue, medium to medium dark with strong to very strong saturation. The shape is neither too fat or too skinny.

If she has links to India, please make sure she is fine with a blue colour. If I am not mistaken, blue is NOT considered a auspicious colour for happy occasions.

Going with a temporary setting is a boon for everyone; easier task for you (and us), and no worries about whether she'll love the setting. Does your $6000USD budget include the taxes? Going with a 3 stone with diamond sides will eat up a good portion of your budget, probably around $3K in platinum, especially if the sides are half moons or trilliants.

 

[LoversKites]

I agree with one of Chrono's points -- she will be the one wearing it, and what you are drawn and like isn't necessarily what she wants. So be sure about that before making important decisions.

 

[BobBlue_UK]

Chrono, Loverskites,

Thanks for both of your replies. I'm sure about the blue stone. It's something she has mentioned in passing quite some time ago and a few friends have also received sapphire rings which she has commented positively about. The 'links' to India are due to extensive time spent travelling there rather than nationality / religion / cultural so I'm not concerned about the auspiciousness of the colour but worth checking

I admit the pear shape is my choosing rather than due to any input from her. Unfortunately (and rather ironically) she very rarely wears rings due to her current job - this is another reason for the temporary setting incase she decides she would prefer to create a pendant out of the stone. I don't have much to go-on. The only existing rings with stones she has are eternity band style.

I'm pretty sure a square / oblong cut like emerald wouldn't be too her liking so I suppose a round stone would be the safest bet and a pear is slightly more off-piste but doesn't feel like a crazy route to go down... but perhaps you'd disagree? I would like it to be a surprise and so not sure I have too many ways to try and get her input without her working out what I'm up to. Any bright ideas?

 

[LoversKites]

Round is the safest shape, definitely. Pears -- along with marquise -- are not as fashionable as they used to be, though I and many others love them. Then again, a sapphire engagement ring isn't super conservative either. It depends on her tastes completely.

It's often suggested to take a look at her Pinterest page if she has one and see if she has pinned anything suggestive.

Gosh, it's tough, and I have no bright ideas

 

[VirginiaZee]

Another idea is, if you've been together for awhile and she has a girlfriend who can keep a secret, to enlist her friend's help (a la "Gosh, you've been together for awhile... have you thought about getting married? Ever thought about what kind of ring you'd like?"). Unless that would also give it away.

Or, you could always try my brother's tactic... talk about recent celebrity engagement rings (especially if you "just happen" to see one in a magazine at the store, or on tv...) and make some comment to try to elicit a reaction from her.

 

[chrono]

Blue, it is then. Pear shapes tend to be hit or miss with most people, so I would play it safe with a round shape. Not only that, it is easier to find rounds than pears. I don't think India has any nice blue sapphires, unless you consider Kashmir sapphires but that would be totally out of budget.

The usual suspects:
Joe Escobar - http://www.escobardiamonds.com
Andrew Gulij of Gemfix - www.gemfix.com
Dana of Master Cut Gems - www.mastercutgems.com
Roger Dery of Spectral Gems - www.spectralgems.net