New Ring Design - need opinions

[uggthuggin]

hi all - here is the ring i am going to have made

i have two options - i already have a 1 carat oval sapphire i was planning on using for the center stone, then i was planning on using two side half moon diamonds (total .50 carats). the setting contains .50 pave diamonds
the other option is to go bigger - 1.5 carat center and .75 total half moon sides.. i''m not sure what to do.. the price difference to go bigger is quite a bit. I''m not sure i will really notice a huge diff going from 1 carat to 1.5 - anyone have any input on this or any finger shots of a 1 ctw vs. 1.5 ctw sapphire.. thanks for any help

I was also wondering if anyone knows where i can get some half moon sapphires or is it possible to have my oval sapphire cut in half??? no idea.. but would appreciate input

 

[uggthuggin]

here is the pic.. it did attach before...

 

[Elmorton]

Wait...I thought the half moons were diamonds? Why cut the sapphire?

Maybe I don't understand the situation entirely, but it seems like if option #1 is in a budget that you'd prefer AND you already have an oval sapphire (esp. if you really love the stone) - then that sounds lovely.

You will see a difference between a 1.0 and 1.5, but I'd imagine that both will have a nice presence on the finger. One idea might be to use the 1.0 sapphire and bump up the sidestones to the .75 tw diamond sides?

ETA: GORGEOUS setting. It will definitely have some nice finger coverage, no matter which size you choose.

 

[uggthuggin]

thanks for the quick reply

if i went bigger -i may switch the center stone and have a diamond and side sapphires.. not sure what to do.
i''m just fretting over what to do b/c i want to make sure i like what i have done!!! I love this setting - i actually saw it on costco website - go figure.... but I am having a ring designer build mine
thanks again
this is a great website.. loving it!

 

[uggthuggin]

k

 

[ma re]

By going with a bigger sapphire option, you''d get more increase in width than lenght along the finger (lenght would only increase as much as the center stone, while width would increase as much as all three stone''s widhts would). So if you''d like more finger coverage and a more horizontal outline (as opposed to vertical along the finger), it''d be good to go bigger. Also remember that the increase in size might not be as large as one would think; take for instance THIS 1 ct sapphire and THIS 1,5 ct sapphire - they''re almost identical in size due to diferent proportions, eventhough they''re both ovals. Of course, one has a window so it''s larger than it would normally be, but if you''re getting a fairly dark stone you might get one with a window too. And specific gravity must be taken into consideration also, cause if you opt for a 1,5 ct diamond instead of a 1 ct sapphire, the difference would probably be more obvious, cause diamonds are less dense and look slightly bigger for their weight than sapphires (and they''re also cut more shallow due to their refractive properties BTW).

And when it comes to colors, THIS seems more logical and balanced to me than THIS (neglect the accents in the second one). But that''s just me

 

[uggthuggin]

MA RE
thank you somuch for your help - i see your point about those two sapphires.. they are both the same side but the depth (is that what window means) is the only difference. so really i wouldn''t see a diff
i had a problem opening up the second set of links you sent me... the second link worked that showed the diamond center ring with the side sapphires.. but the first link didn''t work.. can you resend..
thanks again your input was so helpful

 

[ma re]

Date: 1/21/2009 11:30:32 PM
Author: uggthuggin
MA RE
thank you somuch for your help - i see your point about those two sapphires.. they are both the same side but the depth (is that what window means) is the only difference. so really i wouldn''t see a diff
i had a problem opening up the second set of links you sent me... the second link worked that showed the diamond center ring with the side sapphires.. but the first link didn''t work.. can you resend..
thanks again your input was so helpful

I can''t open that one too, so HERE''s a similar one. My point with those second links is that the sapphire center with the diamond sides makes more sense when it comes to visual weight and balance of colors (deeper colors i.e. those with more visual weight, should be in the center). Unless, of course, you''re going after a more daring and/or unusual design.

Yes, depth is what I mean by a window, cause when stones are cut more shallow (i.e. too shallow) they exhibit a window through which you can see straight to the other side. It makes for a larger stone, but often diminishes color saturation and has a negative effect on scintillation (liveliness of the stone). But with sapphires it''s seen quite often cause many cutters tend to care more about weight retention than the overall beauty of the stone (cause gems are sold by per carat prices).

 

[T L]

I don''t know if you already purchased that ring, but here''s another option of a similar style ring, but with two oval side stones. These ovals would be easier to source IMO.

 

[uggthuggin]

Ma re - thank you so much for your valuable input.. it is helping me make my decision.
i think i''m going to use my sapphire (1ctw) + two .25 half moon diamonds (total ctw .50)... and the setting has .50 carat diamonds as well...
if i wanted to go bigger - i would go with a 1.5 carat sapphire, two half moons diamonds (totaling .75 carats) and teh ring setting would increase to .75 carats.. it will end up costing me an extra 5 g''s..
so i think imay save myself some $$ and stick with using my sapphire, maybe i''ll put that saved money towards a nice diamond for me for next xmas.

I just hope it turns out nice.. i really like the sparkle look you get from the pave style ring settings with all the small diamonds
i''ll post a pic when it is done!!
thanks for everyones help