shape
carat
color
clarity

Help on finding a place to buy?

falken

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
2
Hi there,

Looking for a good place (online) to buy an eRing with a gemstone. Every seller on ebay or amazon just seems kinda fishy. The only place that seems alright is gemsny but after searching your forum I found that they may not be the most reliable. For a setting I like a standard pave/channel set round ring(14k yellow or rose gold)-- a split shank ring would be amazing but they pretty much triple the price of the setting.

For the gemstone I know she would love a pink, purple, or lighter-blue sapphire. I've read up on lab-grown but the only one's I've seen in person are pretty small (like in Sear's...). A lab-grown doesn't bother me because I am on a budget, but I do think the imperfections in natural make it a little prettier.

Summary
Question 1:
Setting: 14k rose or yellow gold, pave or channel, round ring (will get resized at a jewler after)
Gemstone: Pink/Purple/or light blue sapphire/maybe morganite, 1.5-4ct size-- lab made is ok
Price: $1000 would be best
Question 2:
I've read about morganite-- some places have said it's not very durable. How real-world durable is it for life-time wear?
Question 3:
Please suggest a place to buy! I would be so thankful.

Is this do-able? I figure with a lab-grown it would be much easier. I've been looking and reading for months but I just seem to get more confused everytime :confused: . Thanks to anyone for help!!!
 

SB621

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7,864
On PS it is against forum rules to discuss lab grown diamonds or gemstones.

In regards to your question I don't think Morganite is durable enough for an ering. For something that will be worn everyday spinel and sapphire are your best bet. Perhaps a garnet?

You will find we on this forum typically purchase our gemstones seperately and then have them set. Can you give some more information such as what shapes your girlfriend would prefer? Round, asscher, cushion??

With your budget I would recommend for example:
From a very nice Pser: http://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/bb-imperial-malaya-garnet

Contact IDJ and ask for a PS discount on a mount that you think your GF would like such as this one: http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=42_44&products_id=10114&cType=ER

For me, and this is my my .02cents, you have to compromise with a 1k budget. Either get a great gemstone in a plain setting or a cheaper colored stone in a more eleborate setting.
 

JewelFreak

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 3, 2009
Messages
7,768
Falken, you're smart to be cautious about eBay, etc., unless you know the vendors are trustworthy. I think, as Sarah said, you'll need to make some compromises to get under your budget.

You can buy the stone & ring separately. But if you look at the sticky above with Recommended Vendors -- browse through the "Etsy Setting Vendors" farther down the list. Most of those offer rings already set, and if you email them with info on your wishes for a stone -- color, shape, budget -- they will usually work with you to find something you like.

Your info on morganite is right, as Sarah said. Not durable for everyday wear in a ring. Sapphire or spinel are your best bets.

Another suggestion on Etsy -- she is very easy to work with & excellent customer service, plus affordable prices:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ValerieKStudio?section_id=6117930

If you decide to buy a stone & setting separately, come back. Good luck & congratulations.

--- Laurie
 

JLW05

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Mar 13, 2012
Messages
587
You can contact Prima Gems if you are interested in a spinel. They are very easy to work with and have an excellent return policy. I recently purchased a very nice hot pink mahenge spinel from Prima. You can find photos of it under my topics. It was above your price point but I am pretty certain that they could find something that would please you.
 

minousbijoux

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 5, 2010
Messages
12,804
Hi I can't tell from your post how much exposure you've had to colored stones and to PS, so I was wondering if you have seen this pinned thread at the top of this forum's page: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-we-start-a-new-thread-with-respected-cs-vendors.169561/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-we-start-a-new-thread-with-respected-cs-vendors.169561/[/URL]

There is also another pinned thread called "New to Colored Gemstones? Read this first!" which is very good for information.

Good luck!
 

carmen1

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Messages
255
I immediately thought of this Etsy seller based on your post: http://www.etsy.com/shop/EidelPrecious
The seller is very popular on a non-jewelry forum I've visited in the past, I honestly couldn't tell you anything about the quality of the stones/rings, but the posters who have them seem to be very happy with the rings.

If you have the inclination, I think you could make a similar ring by purchasing the stone and setting separately.
For instance a setting like this in rose gold: http://www.ebay.com/itm/7x9mm-OVAL-...t=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item3f1003a646
And a peachy-pink sapphire like this one: http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=9517
would come in close to your $1,000 budget. I'm definitely no expert on gemstones or jewelry, so take my suggestions with a huge grain of salt ;-)
 

SB621

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7,864
carmen1|1369780252|3455311 said:
I immediately thought of this Etsy seller based on your post: http://www.etsy.com/shop/EidelPrecious
The seller is very popular on a non-jewelry forum I've visited in the past, I honestly couldn't tell you anything about the quality of the stones/rings, but the posters who have them seem to be very happy with the rings.

If you have the inclination, I think you could make a similar ring by purchasing the stone and setting separately.
For instance a setting like this in rose gold: http://www.ebay.com/itm/7x9mm-OVAL-...t=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item3f1003a646
And a peachy-pink sapphire like this one: http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=9517
would come in close to your $1,000 budget. I'm definitely no expert on gemstones or jewelry, so take my suggestions with a huge grain of salt ;-)
I wouldn't recommend a LOGR or similar Chinese ebay seller for an ering. I just don't think they are made well enough for everyday wear. Like I said before I think the OP needs to compromise on a really setting setting with a temp stone or vice versa.
 

chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 22, 2004
Messages
38,364
I take it your $1000 budget is for both the stone and setting? If so, I doubt that is doable. Even if you go with a non-trade preferred colour sapphire, the setting alone just blows your budget out of the water.

Setting - I would opt for a simple prong setting, then saving up for a well done pave setting for an anniversary.
Gemstone - morganite is not durable for a 24/7 stone. Expect it to chip sooner than later. If you are on a very tight budget, I would consider a beryllium diffused sapphire. There is no way you can get anything even remotely close to decent looking for around $1000 for a 1.5 ct stone that is untreated or plainly heated. Forget 4 ct.

As others have mentioned, we are not allowed to discuss synthetic stones per the forum rules. Previous posters have also shared the link to vendors that PSers have had good experience with.
 

falken

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
2
Sarah: I thought that the lab-thing was only for diamonds-- my bad!
Thank you for telling me about morganites! As far as shape goes it's pretty much up to me-- she's a very unique girl (wants me to pick everything out, surprise her, and she doesn't have an expectation! Trusts me a lot I guess.) I don't like emerald, trillion, or the heart shapes. My preference usually leans toward oval/cushion, marquis, pear. Sometimes it just depends on the setting.

JewelFreak: I absolutely love, this one http://www.etsy.com/listing/108823788/leaf-diamond-engagement-ring-set-14k?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=sapphire Can't thank you enough for linking me to this studio!

JLW: Thank you for the spinel reccomendation-- I'm already looking at their site!

Mercoledi: Love that setting, very pretty. It's just a very neat twist on a common style.

Minous: I did read those but thank you! It's just hard to sort all the information by myself.

Carmen: I can't decide which is more perfect for her... the leaf designs from valeriek or the simpler ones from eidel precious-- to be honest I haven't seen any so nice before-- my girl tends to like things that aren't as common (her wearing matching socks is likely with being struck by lightning).

Chrono: I'm sure once she recieves the ring she won't let anyone touch it except for repair-- upgrading isn't something she would want.
The spinels seem to be much more afforable for larger sizes-- are these really durable? The rising cost/value aspect of the heirloom isn't as important to me, but I do want it to last for a very long time!


Thank you all so much for the help! If anyone can keep helping me I'm leaning in this direction:
I love the leaf style but I'm concerned if that would be comfortable to wear? I'm not a lady so I don't have much experience wearing rings.

Does anyone know where just a setting of this type would be available/how much is the cost of the setting alone? http://www.etsy.com/listing/152390781/086ct-oval-champagne-peach-sapphire?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=sapphire
I'm thinking the best option might be that setting with a spinel (rose gold 14k, with a purple spinel). Thanks again! I can't tell you how much this helped me (don't feel like a lost pup...as much at least! :) )
 

chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 22, 2004
Messages
38,364
Spinel is slightly less durable than sapphire but is for the most part untreated and less expensive. It is a good choice for an engagement ring and will last with care. As with all gemstones, do not wear it to do yard work, housework and exercize and it will last your live time and more. Depending on the quality of the diamond melees and fineness of workmanship, I've seen a simple halo setting go anywhere from $1000 to $4000. Cast will be far less than hand fabricated. Even when cast, there are varying levels of quality.
 
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