Ideas for an aquamarine/light sapphire engagement ring

[Isabelle17]

I've just discovered this community and it is fantastic to see how much information there is about choosing gems and rings. I am a total newbie, with an admitted total of 1 jewelry piece (with no gem), so I am in desperate need of some help.

My boyfriend has asked my input in choosing a ring for an engagement as he wants to make sure that I am happy with the selection.
Other than diamond, the ring itself could have an aquamarine stone, light sapphire or anything similar in nature. For reference, here are some rings that I like :

https://www.bluenile.com/us/fr/aqua...old_49807?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

https://www.brilliantearth.com/Aquamarine-Florence-Ring-White-Gold-BE1154-AQBZ9X7OV3/

I've seen that some people here will take a stone and a setting and put it together. That's also an option, although I would be concerned with having no experience with that.

I am approximately size 8 in terms of rings, so I am also afraid that my not-so-dainty hands could make the gem look small. It's always hard to tell when you are ordering online.

I'm looking forward to some feedback and a lot of learning on this!

 

[chroman]

Aqua might not be the first choice for an egngagement stone given its hardness.

Is something a little more purple interesting? Like this sapphire?
http://www.precisiongem.com/gemstackpage/gems.php?product/page/1056/Gem+1905+-+Sapphire

 

[Isabelle17]

I've been told that it was 7.5-8.0 hardness level, which is not ideal but still very good. I'm mainly looking for something pale-coloured, with accents of blue if possible. That's why aquamarine is appealing to me, but I'm open to other ideas. The link you posted is quite nice, but unfortunately I'm not really fond of purple.

 

[livannie]

I would definitely pick sapphire because it is right under diamond in it's hardness.

Are you interested in a vintage sapphire for an engagement ring? Or are you looking for something brand new?

Do you mind if the stone you choose has been treated or untreated?

 

[chroman]

Cool; I bet theres some pale blue sapphires that might be suitable. Do you have preferences about size and shape, or a rough budget for the stone?

 

[Isabelle17]

Nope, nothing in mind as far as shape or size. I would feel more comfortable keeping the budget under 1500 for gem + setting because I'd prefer to keep the money for other purposes, and I don't want it to be too 'showy'. Thanks

 

[livannie]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/201521433/blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-173-carat

This shop has some really pretty things. She has aquamarine rings and lighter blue sapphires.

 

[Isabelle17]

Vintage can be quite nice! As for as treated vs untreated, my understanding is that treated means the stone has been heated, which brings out the color?

 

[chroman]

Here's a few sapphires, just to see if any might be interesting.

Too pale? If the color is interesting, worth checking with a jeweler (and Dana) if it would fit in an 8x6 stock setting. If so it might fit your budget.
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...re/8355-SAPPHIRE_-_1_74_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=2

Too green?
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...l_Montana_Sapphire_1_06_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

This might stress the budget:
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-montana-725

This definatly would strss the budget, but check out the light blue one:
http://www.whitesgems.com/availablegems.html

Not sure if its still available, but a good price and if it fits in an 8x6 setting will be easier:
https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/1-dot-68ct-pale-blue-sapphire

 

[minousbijoux]

You've done an excellent job rounding up some beauties, Chroman. I especially love that Gemfix Montana. Wow.

 

[Isabelle17]

That sounds exactly like the color I am looking for, those are beautiful! Do you have any setting to recommend? I'm not too interested in solitaire because I am afraid that it will not make the gem look as big on my hand. Halo seems nice? How can you tell what shape will fit on which setting?

I wonder, is there a site that lets you pick a setting and a stone of your choice in order to visualise it? Like you provide a pic of the stone and one of the setting? Imagination is not my strongest suit...

 

[Isabelle17]

Also, thanks a lot for your help! Those are truly beautiful selections, it's very exciting

 

[chroman]

If those montana's are interesting, there are many on Gemfix's site to check out. Also, Earth Treasury usually has a good stock of montanas, but from a quick check there might not be too many under say $1k, bit I'd suggest looking anyway!

I also think Dana @ Mastercut Gems has been cutting montana sapphires lately. Might be worth sending them an email to see if they have any aqua colored stones in the cutting queue.

For settings, check out stuller:
https://www.stuller.com/browse/mountings/bridal/

They sell "stock" setting to jewelers (not to the public direct), so they wont have pricing. But it gives you an idea of setting options. Not all stones will fit in their pre-set size options, so keep that in mind.

I'm bad with setting pricing, but halos are generally on the more expensive side due to the labor of setting the melee.

 

[soxfan]

What about a blue zircon? Have you seen any?

 

[soxfan]

HUGE! Would be amazing on your size finger.

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/jeff-white-untreated-aquamarine

 

[soxfan]

Not sure if the color is too pale for you?

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loo...t-aqua-blue-copper-bearing-cuprian-tourmaline

 

[soxfan]

Huge blue zircon:

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/blue-zircon-10-dot-80-carat

 

[soxfan]

pretty spinel!

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loo...t-12-cts-elegant-blue-spinel-with-video;14900

 

[Isabelle17]

The pale one looks great. I am looking for a light/subtle blue. I've googled pictures of blue zircon, but it seems brighter/stronger blue than what I want.

How many karats should I aim for considering my ring size? I suppose it depends on the setting as well, but I could aim for 1+ karat?

 

[Isabelle17]

From what I can see on the pinned 'new to colored gemstones buying' thread, tourmaline is not resistant enough for everyday wear?

 

[Arkteia]

Here is an aqua. I never purchased from this dealer, but he accepts best offers, and has good return policy. He has several vintage and antique aqua and zircon rings in stock.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/232301562408

This may be too large for your hand
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371928268330

I don't know if you like the style, but it is not huge. Very light blue
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Art-Deco-1-75ct-Filigree-Natural-Emerald-Cut-Aqua-14k-White-Gold-Ring-/371919510473?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150519202348%26meid%3D89acd2fad48447989e99f5ac9650c655%26pid%3D100408%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D25%26sd%3D232301562408&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460

 

[chatoyancy]

I agree that master cuts has a few light blues that meet your budget. Make sure you browse under most recent cut, sapphire and ruby and also under guest cutter, tabs.

If you are looking for a pale blue and are fine with a stone under 1.5 carats, then earthstreasury has several in your budget. Go to the Montana sapphire tab.

 

[soxfan]

LOVE this one!!!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/485659...ga_search_query=zircon ring&ref=sr_gallery_31

 

[soxfan]

and one from a vendor I highly recommend:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/486585...2d59a12423fdaad5c644b559a70551b47cf:486585096

 

[Austina]

No help on finding the stone, but I've got big fingers, size 6.75. To give you some perspective, <<<<<<<<< my Tanzanite is 10 x 8 mm, anything else looks quite small on me.

 

[Isabelle17]

Is it better to calculate in terms of sizing, such as the 10x8 mm, or in karat? Or is it basically the same thing?

 

[chroman]

Sizing! Different stones will have different densities, so 1 ct varies in physical size. Also, cuts will make a difference on the face up size.

You could try tracing you finger and draw some shapes on top of it to try and get a feel for whats too small, or how much finget coverage you get from a certain size.

 

[rubybeth]

Depending on the size of the stone (usually measurements like 5x7 or 6x8 for ovals/pears, or just "6mm" for a round), you may be able to find a local jeweler who will have a setting that could fit and they could set it for you. I like the idea of perusing the Stuller website, though it can be tricky to navigate. Do you have a preference for the style of halo? Could you post images of settings you love? I don't know a lot about gemstones but love looking for settings.

 

[Isabelle17]

I'm trying to peruse the sites as well as pinterest in order to get a better idea of a good setting. I find it hard to match the stone with the setting. Here are some that I like :

https://www.bluenile.com/aquamarine...old_62141?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

I also like the split shank style, https://www.bluenile.com/aquamarine-diamond-ring-14k-white-gold_50812

I find that the square-shaped stones are less attractive to me. Pear-shape is also not a favorite.
I'm trying to find a setting with a bit of width, so solitaire is a bit too thin for what I'm looking for.

 

[rockysalamander]

What about this sapphire? http://www.customgemstones.com/SAPPHIRE/sa1711.html

Here are a few threads on another board shows a variety of rings on size 8 fingers. Most give the carat weight of the main stone, but you can estimate size (spread) from that. A lot of gals with larger fingers choose a 3-stone setting to give more coverage over the top of the finger, without getting a single huge stone.
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/calling-all-ladies-with-8-ring-size-help-let-me-see-your-rings/
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/size-8-ring-finger-bees/