Making an alexandrite ring?

[girlyglam]

Hi All,

I'm new to this site...I've been reading it for weeks and finally decided to join. I am awed by everyone's knowledge here!

I am looking to get a natural alexandrite ring. I'm a June baby and in love with birthstones. I've read enough to know how rare and expensive natural alexandrite is, and I was thinking I would buy a loose stone to create a ring. I was browsing multicolour.com, and I've kind of fallen in love with this stone that is about 6mm x 4mm and moderately included. It's most definitely not the best alexandrite out there (it can't be because it's much less than I would ever think I could get an alexandrite for). But I'm in love with the degree of color change, the size (length and depth), and I actually like the inclusions on the stone.

I've read enough to trust multicolour.com to know it's a real alexandrite. However, I am completely new to jewelry, and I was wondering a few things. Are there any concerns I should have about the strength of the stone because of the inclusions? Does an included stone mean that it's somehow less strong than it would be otherwise? Also, the depth of the stone is 2.48mm...would I actually be able to create a ring with that kind of depth, or is that too shallow? I'm thinking that ultimately, I'd like to have something in a halo setting.

I would greatly appreciate any insight you all have! Thank you!

 

[ElleK]

Do you have any idea how you'd like to set it? A halo will help protect the stone from knocks

We wouldn't really be able to tell you about the risks of breakage that the inclusions might pose without seeing detailed pictures. From the dimensions you've given, I'm willing to bet that it is very shallow and it may be windowed. Some people don't mind windows when they are after the color (I am one of those people!) but it something that you should be aware of, and windowing typically helps the price go down as well. In regards to strength, if you give any stone a good whack, it's likely to take damage.

Inclusions, provided their location and type are benign typically aren't that troublesome when being set. When a stone is being cut, it's likely over the 400 degree mark, and literally being ground down by force, and that is usually the worst situation (read: most vulnerable) a stone can be in.

 

[chrono]

Based on the bits of information you shared, I highly suspect that the alexandrite you are considering is shallow and will have a good sized window. You are correct that depending on the quality and location of the inclusions, it may not be a good candidate as a ring stone. Can you please post pictures of the stone in question? If the tone is dark, it may also not be a good candidate for a halo setting.

 

[minousbijoux]

Ugh! I find their website frustrating as it seems to be glitching and not allowing me to see beyond the first page of stones it has listed or let me see the detail of any stone I wish to look at. Grrrr!

 

[girlyglam]

Hi All,

Thank you so much for the responses! The stone I am considering is this one:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax768ag/

There is another one I am seriously considering, but I'm a bit worried that the porportions might be off and it might be too oval:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax628ab/

As you can see, I am really into the blue-green to pink-purplish color change. There are a few others I am considering but they are more of a light green to light pink color change. I find those pretty, but I don't know if I like those as much as the blue-green. However, I would strong consider them if they were better stones or would make a better ring that the two above. The other contenders are:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10031ag/

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10031aq/

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax762ab/

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax685ad/ (this one does lean more blue-green to pink-purple the way I like, but it seems like it a "cloudy" stone...not sure if it would look great in person).

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax722ai/ (I actually like the dark green tone but I'm not sure I'm crazy about the dark pink-purple it changes to)

Again, I know none of these are the most high-quality alexandrites, but I'm OK with that. I would, however, love some insight on what might be the best stone to create the best ring.

Also, as I was looking back through these the other night, I started to doubt my size choices. They are all in the 6x4mm range, which is what I had been looking for. But, in actually looking at other rings that have a 6x4mm stone, I'm wondering if that might be too small? I have relatively small hands and my ring size is about a 4.5-5. I would definitely want it in a halo setting...does that make a difference?Should I be aiming for a 7x5mm?

You can tell I'm a complete novice to this! All insights and comments are greatly appreciated!

 

[LoversKites]

First of all these are just my opinions. Feel free to not pay much attention to them. My replies and opinions are bolded.

Hi All,

Thank you so much for the responses! The stone I am considering is this one:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax768ag/

The thing is, the majority of the time you'll see a mixed light colour, and not the extremes. In this case, the mixed light colour is a sort of brownish yellowish colour, which is far from ideal. If you like that it's fine, but I want you to make an informed decision. The inclusions look a bit scary. You can ask David if he thinks they pose a durability risk. With the addition of the window, I wouldn't buy this one.

There is another one I am seriously considering, but I'm a bit worried that the porportions might be off and it might be too oval:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax628ab/

I think this one is much nicer colour-wise than the first. It has a relatively strong change for a moderate colour changer and the colourways look pretty good for the price and your needs. I'd expect it to be lighter in hand based on the descirption. As for 'too oval', its a preference, as I like the shape with this one. It doesn't mean the cut is bad.

As you can see, I am really into the blue-green to pink-purplish color change. There are a few others I am considering but they are more of a light green to light pink color change. I find those pretty, but I don't know if I like those as much as the blue-green. However, I would strong consider them if they were better stones or would make a better ring that the two above. The other contenders are:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10031ag/

Again, it will appear yellow in mixed light which is most of the time

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10031aq/

Weak change -- too weak for me personally. On a budget, I understand sacrificing on super strong colour change, but would go for at least moderate colour change. After all the change is one of the reasons you're buying an alexandrite in the first place.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax762ab/

Again, too weak of a change for me

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax685ad/ (this one does lean more blue-green to pink-purple the way I like, but it seems like it a "cloudy" stone...not sure if it would look great in person).

I'm actually not confident to give my opinion on this one for some reason. I don't think the inclusions are much of a problem. Actually, having inclusions spread out through the stone will make them less noticeable and less likely to pose a durability risk.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax722ai/ (I actually like the dark green tone but I'm not sure I'm crazy about the dark pink-purple it changes to)

Don't like the mixed colour because it's quite brown

Again, I know none of these are the most high-quality alexandrites, but I'm OK with that. I would, however, love some insight on what might be the best stone to create the best ring.

Also, as I was looking back through these the other night, I started to doubt my size choices. They are all in the 6x4mm range, which is what I had been looking for. But, in actually looking at other rings that have a 6x4mm stone, I'm wondering if that might be too small? I have relatively small hands and my ring size is about a 4.5-5. I would definitely want it in a halo setting...does that make a difference?Should I be aiming for a 7x5mm?

A halo will make a stone appear bigger. Hopefully others have experience with by just how much.

You can tell I'm a complete novice to this! All insights and comments are greatly appreciated!

It always feels strange when people thank me for giving a critical opinion on gems they saw and thought 'wow, I like this one', but no problem

First, does it have to be an oval? I found a marquise and it's quite nice but its less than 2 pointers! Since its cut with a window (which is not large) and marquise cuts typically face up big, its close to 6 x 3.
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax696aa/&930512007

They have some rounds which probably face up too small, at under 4mm, like this one...
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax753ad/&930512007

I also like this one that you posted above, but ask about the inclusions
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax628ab/

Unfortunately alexandrite is a stone that you either have to go really small and get a relatively decent quality one or spend a lot of money. Would you consider a synthetic alex? They're affordable and chemically just like the real thing but you'd have to buy from a trusted source as most synthetic alex sold is actually synthetic colour change sapphire. We aren't allowed to discuss synthetics here, so you can start a thread on the manmade diamond subforum on PS or even in Hangout, if you think this is an option.

 

[girlyglam]

Thank you so much for your reply! I would prefer a natural alexandrite but am not completely opposed to a synthetic, provided that it was a true synthetic alexandrite and not a synthetic something else posing as an alexandrite. I'd still like to go the natural route, but I'll post over on the other forums to explore my options. Thanks!