Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design choices

[Aetius]

Hiya guys!

So I'm still on the hunt for an engagement ring and am having a hell of a time finding a good jeweler. I've been all over and am ready to take some advice from some of the other posters (Ohhshiny and Gypsy iirc) and try to find something online-only. Here is a link to my old post if anyone is feeling particularly bored. Its a long slog through failed attempts to have something designed.

Bottom lines:
1) About 1c ... probably Oval (open to others, I just like the slightly less traditional look
2) Platinum most likely (rose gold looks cool, but I worry it would be hard to match) ... she's allergic to white gold
3) Teal sapphires adding color ... I've liked some of the alternating color, diamond rings as well as one I posted earlier (had pink) where the color is in a channel between diamonds. Pretty open here ... the goal is to work in the teal color. An example of the color i'm trying for is: http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_montana.html#thumb ... Eight rows down on the right-hand side with Order/Stock No.: sapphire_montana_450.
4) Set low so as not to catch on surgical gloves
5) Total budget in the $8k range. A little lower is obviously fine, and i'd prefer not to get to $10k

What am I missing? Thanks all.

-A

 

[drk14]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

4) Set low so as not to catch on surgical gloves
-A

I don't have any specific suggestions for you, but I found some reading material that may be helpful. These are all previous threads that discuss engagement ring settings for medical professionals:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/good-settings-for-medical-professionals.62096/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ring-for-a-medical-professional.111903/
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...gloves-all-day-work-wearers-out-there.199442/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-low-profile-halos.176218/

Good luck!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

4) Set low so as not to catch on surgical gloves
-A

I don't have any specific suggestions for you, but I found some reading material that may be helpful. These are all previous threads that discuss engagement ring settings for medical professionals:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/good-settings-for-medical-professionals.62096/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ring-for-a-medical-professional.111903/
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...gloves-all-day-work-wearers-out-there.199442/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-low-profile-halos.176218/

Good luck!

drk, you are becoming such an asset here!

I'll come back to this later today.
Quick question: Are the teal sapphires your idea or hers? If your idea why do you think they would be a good fit for her?

 

[Aetius]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Heading to a meeting, but wanted to do a quick reply. Will ping back again in the am.

On the Sapphires - she has a ring that means a lot to her with some teal diamonds (pretty small) that she constantly wears and loves. She has told me she wants color in her ring.

Drk - Thanks for those links. Didn't think to check for other convo's on surgical gloves! I've read through the first two and will read up the next tonight. Thanks!

-A

 

[drk14]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

drk, you are becoming such an asset here!

Thanks, Gypsy, that's a great compliment coming from you! I've received so much invaluable advice and support from PS, so I'm just trying to pay it forward as much as possible while I'm still active on the forum (hopefully I won't disappear completely, but I'm guessing I'll be checking in much less after the setting is completed...).

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Heading to a meeting, but wanted to do a quick reply. Will ping back again in the am.

On the Sapphires - she has a ring that means a lot to her with some teal diamonds (pretty small) that she constantly wears and loves. She has told me she wants color in her ring.

Drk - Thanks for those links. Didn't think to check for other convo's on surgical gloves! I've read through the first two and will read up the next tonight. Thanks!

-A

AHH. Then absolutely you should do that for her!

Ok. So oval. Teal sapphires (we should see if we can find you some montana sapphires). 8k.


I'm thinking this setting (bezels are good for nurses) with the sidestones in there being teal. Or just doing pear shaped teal sapphires. In platinum for her allergies.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

drk, you are becoming such an asset here!

Thanks, Gypsy, that's a great compliment coming from you! I've received so much invaluable advice and support from PS, so I'm just trying to pay it forward as much as possible while I'm still active on the forum (hopefully I won't disappear completely, but I'm guessing I'll be checking in much less after the setting is completed...).

I do hope that even after you have the ring you'll stop in from time to time. We'd miss you if you disappeared completely.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

I do also want to bring something like this to your attention:
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-52ct-old-european-cut-diamond-in-sholdt-channel-set-diamond-semi-bezel-egl-k-vs2/ Rose gold, OEC and channel set diamonds (could be done with sapphires in there).

I do think platinum is another good metal for her though if you want the blue. I think that the teal sapphires and the rosegold together might be a bit busy.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

This would be lovely too: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-29ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-k-vs1.html#.U-kXZGPrDYs

 

[smitcompton]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Hi,

I know you said oval, but I thought Id throw this out. On Loupe Troupe, there is a one carat OEC in a round, with two montana blue sappires on the side. I don't remember the metal, but its 4,000. It looks nice to me. Please check.


Annette

 

[drk14]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

I do hope that even after you have the ring you'll stop in from time to time. We'd miss you if you disappeared completely.

Gypsy, I'm sure I won't disappear completely. There's going to be the wedding band next, and then anniversaries and random gifts...

OP, sorry about the mini-threadjack. Here's a suggestion that came up in my thread (credit to Niel for making the suggestion), that I think may be a viable concept for you. It's a halo of french-cut sapphires, and I think it would look great with an oval. Seems like a nurse-friendly design, too.

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

I do not have any specific advice re:design - but just wanted to let you know that as a medical professional myself (RN) I do not wear my engagement ring or wedding band to work, i just wear a plain flat wedding band. Not sure if you have discussed with her the options or if her facility has certain rules. Good luck with the ring design, you are in great hands here!

 

[AprilBaby]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

I rarely wear my rings to work but when I do it's never a problem.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Drk, that setting is lovely. But it will cost about 4-5k. Which is half the OPs budget. WIth an 8k budget about 6k is going to go for the stone. That only leaves about 2k for the setting, including sidestones.

One option would be to go for a true vintage hand ring with a halo like that. But it is unlikely the sapphires would be teal, in that event. They would most likely be blue.

 

[drk14]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

I just re-read OP's original thread, and I think the consensus was that his gf would prefer classic lines and sleek designs, as opposed to vintage/fussy.

Also, possibly he was open to blue color as well? I may have misread that part, OP can confirm here.

And he had planned to use irradiated diamonds for the colored stones, so that may change the budget calculations.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

I just re-read OP's original thread, and I think the consensus was that his gf would prefer classic lines and sleek designs, as opposed to vintage/fussy.

Also, possibly he was open to blue color as well? I may have misread that part, OP can confirm here.

And he had planned to use irradiated diamonds for the colored stones, so that may change the budget calculations.

Good sluething. I didn't find any good ovals at GOG or at JA. Off to hunt on B2C.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Pretty stones with nice ASETs (for ovals):

PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMPARE SPREAD (dimensions NOT carat weight) with ovals

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5099715-1.00-carat-Oval-diamond-F-color-VS2-clarity.aspx Leaves you with a lot of money for a custom setting. You could afford to work with someone like Victor Canera for a spectacular setting.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5176905-1.00-carat-Oval-diamond-G-color-SI1-clarity.aspx Same
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5306389-1.02-carat-Oval-diamond-F-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5156609-1.01-carat-Oval-diamond-F-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5099713-1.06-carat-Oval-diamond-F-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Sapphires that might work:
http://gemhunters.com.au/product/pair-sapphire-rounds/


If you spend less than 4,500 on the center stone that opens your budget up to get something really special for her setting. And you could work with Victor to source some pretty teal sidestones.

 

[Aetius]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Holy Moly all, thanks for the great replies!

Lets see:

on color > Drk - I'd much prefer the darker teal (Montana?) sapphires. Originally, I was told irradiated diamonds was pretty much the only way to get the color I wanted, so I was ready to compromise with Blue Sapps. After some better education I no longer feel that is something I'll have to do. The Sapps Gypsy posted (http://gemhunters.com.au/product/pair-sapphire-rounds/) are about perfect color wise (I have no quals to comment on anything other than color!).

On design - I'm sure this is going to sound horrible, but I really have no clue. I know she wouldn't like anything too overworked with scrolls (filigree?) and such, but a little ornamentation wouldn't hurt if everything else was right. The few times I've seen her look at rings she's liked both types. The common themes are ovals and the color. The halo of Sapps is definitely nice, but it likely would stretch my budget. On that vintage look that Gypsy posted, I like it but struggle to figure out how you'd incorporate the teal into it other than two very small bits of color on the side.


On Price - I could definitely go to $10k, but it would have to be a lot of value in it. For diamonds, I want the biggest bang for my buck (who doesn't?), but once we get past eye-clean, I feel like there is pretty severe diminishing returns (who, except some enthusiasts here will ever look at their stone through a loupe?).

On the stone(s) - Gypsy, in your (or anyone others') opinion, which is the nicest of those stones? Ovals are very hard for me to appraise the quality of. Should I order the stone separate, or are those just examples? Little lost there. Order the Sapps separate? Would they fit? Sorry, I'm very lost/paranoid when it comes to the custom aspect and sourcing from different spots (rather than one person working on it).

Smit - I looked at LoupeTroop and couldn't find the one you were referring to (or maybe mistook it). Is loupetroop people reselling their rings? How do you ensure quality in that situation? People can say whatever they want (and often do) on the web ...

I like this http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1...ldt-channel-set-diamond-semi-bezel-egl-k-vs2/, but some questions - someone (gypsy?) mentioned that the Sapps with the rose gold would probably be too busy and I was thinking the same; would I ask this jeweler to do something in platinum or talk to another? Also would I replace all the diamonds with the teal or do something like alternate? What do people think of this type of look? http://images.shaneco.com/is/image/ShaneCo/41057521_DR_M?$DR_M$&wid=351&hei=351

To the medical professionals replying - thanks so much for your insight! My GF and I can order a band separately (hopefully I can have one in mind that matches to show her) so she can at least give me some input into that decision, since she refuses to be part of this one!!

Whew! Thanks again all! I'll check back in a bit.

 

[EvangelineG]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Hi,

I know you said oval, but I thought Id throw this out. On Loupe Troupe, there is a one carat OEC in a round, with two montana blue sappires on the side. I don't remember the metal, but its 4,000. It looks nice to me. Please check.

I think this is the ring being referenced:

http://loupetroop.com/listings/band...ne-oec-and-montana-sapphires-1-dot-99ctw;3691

 

[Aetius]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Thanks! Didn't see that one when I looked. Not sure I like the 3-stone look with the side stones being so big. Its definitely got the bits I mentioned though! That is what makes this so hard for me, there are so many "options" that come close to the criteria ... and I don't have the advantage of having spent a lifetime looking at engagement rings like (it seems like) most women have

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

So here is my recommendation. Call or email the vendor I posted with the australian sapphires that are the right color. See if they can get you a pair of pear sidestones. You want something that is about 3 mm tall and 4 mm long. Alternately if they can get you 3mm round sidestones.

Then I think we can work on a nice setting for you. But first lets get those sidestones ordered for you.

As for the pears I posted for you. Pick the largest ones (spread/dimensions, not carat weight) and post them. We'll help you pick among them.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

So here is my recommendation. Call or email the vendor I posted with the australian sapphires that are the right color. See if they can get you a pair of pear sidestones. You want something that is about 3 mm tall and 4 mm long. Alternately if they can get you 3mm round sidestones.

Then I think we can work on a nice setting for you. But first lets get those sidestones ordered for you.

As for the pears I posted for you. Pick the largest ones (spread/dimensions, not carat weight) and post them. We'll help you pick among them.

You are getting some excellent advice, OP.

Listen to Gypsy here!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Also contact this person: https://www.etsy.com/listing/82293361/matched-pair-genuine-fancy-montana?ref=related-7 Tell her you want trillions or pears. But no larger than 4mm tall. She has one pair, but they are way to large (and expensive)

These are heat treated, but that's absolutely fine.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Oh. Oh. Oh.

These might work! https://www.etsy.com/listing/198198788/blue-green-sapphire-matching-pair-oval?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=green++sapphires+pair&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
They will make a video of the stone for you too. 470 bucks!

And that might give you an oval three stone. Though I would ask for them to put them side by side and take a photo to see if any size difference is apparent.

Also, you should ask them if they have any pairs of trillions or pears in a nice blue green color for you.

 

[Aetius]

Re: Looking for suggestions - online retailer and design cho

Awesome, thanks for the info. I'll try to get in touch with the most recent link today. What do you mean side-by-side though? I see a few pictures of them next to each other there ... am I looking for a different angle?

Sorry about the slow reply, took yesterday off and can't work on this from home (or i'll get caught!).

-A